Are We Catholics

Are We Catholics?

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My friends Ava has this in her blog http://pilgrimchristian.blogspot.com/ which is one of the best blogs in the blog world. It clearly explains the consistent historical work of the minister as well as stateing correctly that the modern church today have left the work od administration of the word and sacraments.


Some folks especially Landmark Baptist folks are liars and call themselves the only Church. A "Landmarker" Michael Ray has called all presbyterians liars, has stated that in his town of 100,000 there is but "ONE Church", he also recently called Phil Johnson and James White non-baptist. And he calls all others daughters of the Roman Catholic Church or friends of the daughters. Hatred and bitterness spew from him consistantly. On Feb. 2. I wrote a note to him http://christianthotsataglance.blogspot.com/2006/02/mike-what-is-happening-brother.html and I do hope that the Lord will call him to repent.

This post corrects them and evidences that we are not of the Church of Rome.

The following is a post of an open apology doe to another paragraph i wrote on this day and I so repent. To react can cause one to sin and that is what I did. So here is the open apology I gave on 3/3.06.

An Open Apology

It was not my intention to malign anyone. I did however have the perception that the group on Emergent No is in tight with the doctrine of Landmarkism. I do find Landmarkinism and anything close to it to hold to strange views. So I am concerned about it and anyone close to it. I say this due to the a continuation of shunning others that hold the doctrine of the universal church Carla you have stated that you do not hold that position and that is sufficient for me to apologize to you. Also Surphing and Nina I make apology to you as well. As to Phil and James White I have not desired to bring your name down in any manner. I really don’t know you guys but ask you accept the apology. Please accept my apology and pray that all branches of Christ’s Church be united. Steve

6:07 AM, March 03, 2006

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Are We Catholics?


Historic Protestantism is different from evangelicalism in its current incarnation. But is historic Protestantism really Catholicism without a Pope and a Mass?

by William Smith

This is a time in the history of the church when to speak the language of historic Protestantism is to sound suspiciously like a Roman Catholic I believe that, if you want to become, be, and continue as a Christian, you should go to church. The reason you should go to church is that Christ has given to the Church the means of grace - the Word (read and preached), the sacraments (baptism and the Lord's Supper), and prayer. These are the instruments the Spirit of God uses to convert, sanctify, and preserve. Because Christ has given these means to the Church, and to its ministers to administer, and since He works through these means for our salvation, we need the Church as much as a baby needs his mother for life and nourishment. This high view of the Church, of the ministry, of the Word and sacraments is historic Protestantism, but it sounds Catholic to many evangelicals today.

Evangelicals believe that one's relationship with God is a much more private, personal, and individual matter, and, therefore, much less related to the church, its ordinances, and its ministers. How did evangelicals come to think in this way? Several factors contribute.

One is the unintended consequences of the Reformation. In pointing out the errors of Roman Catholicism and attacking the corruptions of that system, the Reformers never intended to demean the Church as an institution or to weaken its spiritual authority. In teaching the priesthood of all believers, they never meant to undermine the role of ministers of the Word and sacraments. In getting rid of of the tyranny of the Pope, they never intended to replace it with the tyranny of the individual conscience. However, over the last 500 years, this is just what has happened.

Then there is pietism. Pietism had a healthy concern. That concern was that people not just go through the motions, depending on perfunctory participation in church attendance, sermon hearing, sacrament reception to make and keep one a Christian. Pietism was concerned with the heart. Hence pietism, in the interests of reality, emphasized 'closet religion.' There is nothing wrong with these concerns, but pietism led to elevation of one's private devotional exercises over one's participation in the ordinances of the church. What happened when you were 'alone with God,' not in church, became where the 'rubber meets the road' in religion. The motto might be, 'Go to church if you can, but by all means don't miss your quiet time.'

Revivalism is another contributor to evangelical diminishment of the importance of the church. What are revivals? They are times when God seems to do something extraordinary. Large numbers of unbelievers are awakened to their danger, disturbed, and converted (or at least seem to be); a large number of professing Christians discover that their religion has been merely "nominal" and become 'true' Christians; and a large number of believers are stirred from their spiritual slumber to a new seriousness and vitality. Both Arminians and Calvinists can believe in and seek revivals. The difference is that Arminians believe revivals can be worked up (human activity), while Calvinists believe they must be prayed down (divine intervention). There is no doubt that in history there have been revival events. Over time revivals tended to question reliance on the ordinary means of grace, to doubt the adequacy and genuineness of ordinary Christian experience, to move outside the ordinary church structures to form other organizations, and to diminish the role of ordinary ministers settled in churches in favor of revivalist preachers (who might be ordained or not since it doesn't make any difference).

Historic Protestantism is different from evangelicalism in its current incarnation. But is historic Protestantism really Catholicism without a Pope and a Mass? No. Historic Protestantism differs from Roman Catholicism in that it teaches that the ordinances of preaching and sacraments do not work automatically. They must be accompanied by the work of the Spirit, and the Spirit must work faith in the one who hears the Word or receives the sacraments. There is a freedom and mystery about the Spirit's work. Some who hear do not hear Christ speaking in the preached Word; some who are baptized are not united to Christ; some who take the Lord's Supper are not nourished with the sacrificed body and poured out blood of the Savior. At this critical point (and many others) historic Protestantism separates itself from Roman Catholicism. But historic Protestantism sounds strange to evangelical ears because it believes the means of grace are just that - means whereby, with the blessing of the Holy Spirit, God's grace enters our lives. Hence historic Protestantism says, 'Go to church, because the Church has the means of grace. Use the means, for God has established a bond between the means and the regenerating, converting, sanctifying, preserving work of the Spirit.'

But does the Bible teach what historic Protestantism teaches about the means? Paul tell us in Romans 10:13 that "Œeveryone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" Then his logic becomes relentless: "But how will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?So faith comes from hearing and hearing from the word of Christ" (10: 14-15a, 17). How do people come to faith? It is through hearing the word of Christ in preaching.

The Great Commission is a 'Word and sacrament' commission: 'Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you' (Matthew 28:19, 20a). The command is to 'make disciples of all the nations.' To do that, we must 'go.' But when we go for the purpose of making disciples, how do we go about making them? We baptize them and we teach them. Jesus' method is an 'ordinary means of grace' method.

What the Church and we Christians need is a confidence in and reliance upon the means of grace. The Church fulfills its mission by faithful administration of the means. Christians become Christians, grow as Christians, and remain Christians by the faithful use of the means of grace. It's not Catholic. It's historic Protestantism, and it's Biblical.

WILLIAM H. SMITH

What Type Of Church Did The Apostles Attend?

What Type OF Church Did The Apostles Attend?

Elders and the People of God

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Recently the question was asked aqbout which Church the Apostles would have attended. I answered that they would have attended a Presbyterian Church. Now they went into the synagogues first (Apostle Paul). The Church in its formality is patterend after the synagogue. So really i should have explained that. But then in reality the Church attended would have been presbyterial since the leadership would have been by a number of elders. That is what a Presbyterian Church is ----- simply a Church ruled in the biblical directive with multiply elders. In this blog you will see this established and will learn and grow in the way God established for His Church to be led. .......Enjoy / Steve

While much could be said about the church and the kingdom, believers and their roles and responsibilities as members, and the sufficiency of the word of God, This writing is wanting to look at the rule in the Church through elders also called pastor / teachers, and presbyters. In a Kingdom a king has officers under him with the charge to execute the laws of the kingdom with justice and in honor. In the kingdom of Christ the office bearers chosen to rule are the elders and the people of God are to yield submission and obedience. This is the direction given in the Bible for we are told to " Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account." (Heb. 13:17)


A. . The People Of God Have Been Ruled By Elders Throughout History



a) Old Testament


God's people have been ruled by elders throughout most all of history. When reading the Old Testament you find that the leadership of the elders being Gods designated and delegated leaders was established at the time of Moses. That leadership continues throughout the rest of history.


1) Moses


Exo 3:16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, "I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt,


Exo 24:1 Then he said to Moses, "Come up to the LORD, you and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from afar.

Lev 4:15 And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the LORD, and the bull shall be killed before the LORD.

Num 11:16 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Gather for me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you.

Deu 21:19 then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city at the gate of the place where he lives,


2) The Times of the Judges


Jdg 8:14 And he captured a young man of Succoth and questioned him. And he wrote down for him the officials and elders of Succoth, seventy-seven men.


1Sa 6:4 And they said, "What is the guilt offering that we shall return to him?" They answered, "Five golden tumors and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines, for the same plague was on all of you and on your lords.


3) The Time of The Kings


2Ki 19:2 And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the secretary, and the senior priests, covered with sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz.


4) The Time of The Captivity



Eze 8:1 In the sixth year, in the sixth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I sat in my house, with the elders of Judah sitting before me, the hand of the Lord GOD fell upon me there.


Eze 14:1 Then certain of the elders of Israel came to me and sat before me.

Eze 20:1-2 In the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and sat before me. And the word of the LORD came to me:


5) The Time After The Capitivity During the Rebuilding


Ezr 5:5 But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them until the report should reach Darius and then an answer be returned by letter concerning it.

Ezr 5:9 Then we asked those elders and spoke to them thus, 'Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?

Ezr 6:7-8 & 14 Let the work on this house of God alone. Let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site. Moreover, I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the rebuilding of this house of God. The cost is to be paid to these men in full and without delay from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province from Beyond the River...... And the elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They finished their building by decree of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia;


b) New Testament


A reading of the New Testament indicates that those who were to lead God's people have never changed. Elders were in rule during Christ's earthly ministry as well as being called for in the expanding Church as is called for in the New Testament Scriptures.

1) References to the Rule of Elders At The Time Of Christ's Advent

Reading about the elders at the time of Christ sheds an interesting light. There was the rule by corrupt elders. However, even in their corruption God does not do away with the leading of his people through the office elders. God's people being ruled by elders have never changed since they were first called at the time of Moses.

1) In The Gospels

Mat 15:2 "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat."

Mar 7:3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands, holding to the tradition of the elders,

Mat 16:21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.

Mat 21:23 And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?"

Mat 26:47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people.

Mat 26:57 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered.

Mat 27:1 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death.

2) Acts and The Pastorals

Act 14:23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Tit 1:5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you--


B. Qualifications for the Office the Same in the Old and New Testaments

The elders in both the Old and New Testaments had to meet qualifications. In both Testaments the qualifications are basically the same and focus upon key areas of religious life:

1. Moral behavior2. Knowledge of doctrine3. Family and personal life4. Developmental time for wisdom in life

The Old Testament passages summarizing the qualifications for elders are: Dt. 1:13; Ex. 18:21.

These passages call for the leaders to be wise and have understanding (Dt. 1:13; Ex. 18:21). The Apostle Paul sets the basic qualifications for the elders in the expanding Church of the New Testament expounding on the qualifications helping Christians in the Roman world know how the church was to function (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus


Leadership is important whether it is in business, the government of a country or in leading the people of God in the "household of faith". As a society we look for men of character and integrity for leadership. We have difficulty in giving honor to men of questionable character. If you think this is important in civil government then it is even more important in the Church. Therefore, in the Kingdom of God there must be men ordained with knowledge, wisdom and godly character according to the Biblical standards of leadership. This necessity is clear since the "sheep" must be led into "green pastures" and to "calm waters". The leadership call is to lead the sheep and that can only be done as the elders fulfill the "musts" of character qualities stated in the Bible.


a. Old Testament Basic Elder Qualifications


Deu 1:13 Choose for your tribes wise, understanding, and experienced men, and I will appoint them as your heads.


Exo 18:21 Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.


b. New Testament Basic Elder Qualifications


1 Tim. 3:1-7 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.


Tit 1:5-9 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you-- if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.


C. The People Of God Ruled By Plurality Of Elders Throughout HistoryChurch leadership is delegated to a plurality or group of men having certain spiritual and character qualifications (Deut. 1:13; Ex. 18:21;1 Tim 1:3-7) working together (Num. 11:16; Ex 3:16; Acts 14:23; Tit. 1:5) to lead God's people in doctrine, worship, holiness and service. The elders are men, under God, ruling together in handling issues and making decisions based on the commands, principals, and precepts of the scripture. Here are the supporting passages:Num 11:16 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Gather for me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you.
Exo 3:16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, "I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt,
Act 14:23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Tit 1:5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you--
D. Elders Lead In Plurality And By the Word of God
Elders lead not by relying on their own thinking, nor by the persuasion of the people or by pragmatic decision making but by leading together in unity ruling according to the principles, precepts and processes of the Word of God. The elders are representatives of Christ, they must rule according to His kingdom rule and law - the Bible and that for the good of the subjects of the kingdom- Christians.

The benefits of multiple elders in a church leading has many benefits. A couple of them are included here. The first is a diffusion of power. No one person has the power in their hand. Also any bad decisions made by just one man is ended. The plurality of elders takes away weaknesses which happen when one person makes binding decisions upon the church. As we all see so often one man shows often lead to tyranny. The plurality of elders creates a means of "checks and balances". Each elder must study the Bible and to bring it to bear upon the issues that come before the court. They then come together for discussion and to formulate the Bible teaching. They also work together to seek needed practical application of the Bible concerning the doctrine now formulated. With multiple elders abuses of authority that could happen are held in check since all elders are involved in study, decision making, doctrinal formulation and suggested application.

A second benefit is simply that the great tasks of the church related to ruling and guiding the people of God is handled in an easy manner. The many elders with each others gifts, strengths and abilities working in a combined effort makes the job easier and less stressful. Therefore, they are able to lead God's people in a more responsive manner according to the word of God.
Having stated a couple benefits I now want to look at a couple weaknesses that comes from non-biblical leadership in the church. Many Churches, perhaps yours, have just one elder or pastor. Perhaps he makes the decisions or he may defer to the congregation for discussion and a vote. In this type of non-biblical leadership all lead or one leads and both brings their own set of problems.

In the best case the one pastor would be a smart man and take the whole burden of the church upon himself or perhaps he moves the deacons to act as elders and not as deacons or as some combination as elder/deacon. Or perhaps the congregation knows all the Bible and how to apply it in all areas, even the most difficulties of life. But this cannot be the case since the congregation needs led and are at different places in their growth in knowledge and faith.

But wisdom and observation teaches that most men cannot handle that burden of the whole church Even if the pastor does move the deacons in a role elders should do, then the burden of the deacons becomes greater. As far as the congregation voting many are not capable of applying the scriptures in their own lives let alone making decisions and voting on the most difficult church related and member issues. Not all study theology let alone practical theology. These types of "church leadership" are just not biblical. Many churches struggle with major problems due to these types of non-biblical leadership in their church. Thankfully some over the years have moved to put elders in place after seeing the difficulty and the truth of scriptures in eldership rule.

Being Angry For Problem Resolution

Being Angry For Problem Resolution

There have been times my anger was good and properly handled and I used it to God’s glory. But I cannot begin to count how many times in my life I have handled anger sinfully. Each time I had to repent and do the works of repentance and handle it correctly. I spent a lot of time years ago seeking out godly men for biblical discipleship and counsel since I did not understanding anger and how to handle it in a godly and therefore biblical manner. God’s word does give the answer on handling anger in a righteous manner. Here are the biblical principles and directives so that we may learn to handle anger properly to and for the glory of God.



Anger is an emotion given to us by God that produces energy so that we can do that which is needed to carry out whatever needs to be done for God’s glory. Simply stated anger is God given energy to help solve problems biblically. When the energies produced are used within the righteous manner of living, to solve problems biblically, as set within the scripture it is then righteous anger. It is proper and we must at times “be angry and sin not” as the Bible commands us. Biblical examples of men using anger to solve problems biblically are when the Apostle Paul withstood Peter face to face (Gal 2:11) and when Nathan rebuked David (2 Sam. 2:7). We then see God that God demonstrate righteous anger as part of His character (1 Kings 11:9; Ps. 7:11; Mk 3:5). We see the righteous anger of God at work when Christ drove the money changers out of the temple! Here is an example of how I would use anger righteously to solve a problem. If someone hurt one of my kids I would go to the civil magistrates, take out a warrant for the persons arrest and then seek every avenue I could to see that the person be judged to the fullest extent of the law. Notice that we are commanded and called to "be angry, but do not sin". I suggest that at the end of your reading this that you start thinking through some ways that you will use the anger God gives you to take care of problems that may have risen or may rise in your life so that you may glorify Him in the day of trouble. Remember ”Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.” (Eph 4:26-27)



The power and energy that anger produces, when used wrongly makes anger sinful. Anger becomes sinful when a person is “mad”. Anger becomes sinful when you become mad. By the way to be mad is the same as one that speaks and acts in such a manner that he or she seems not to be in their right mind (jn 10:20;Acts 12:15; 26:25; 1 Cor 14:23) There is no command to ever be mad in the Bible, but there is the command to speak and act with a sense of purpose being kind and gracious. Anger also becomes sinful when one becomes selfishly motivated. Anger is sinful when one whines and cries wanting their way. These folks may not whine like a baby in the sense of a high pitched frequency but they sure do whine like an adult and typically their cry is a stern “I have the right to __________.” The Bible is clear in this “Whether therefore ye eat. Or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” So when it comes to wanting your own way the idol of the heart that must be destroyed is clearly seen. Thenj you have the folks that do not seek to solve problem in a timely manner. And in many cases they do not want to confront what has made them angry. Some keep lists and one day.a big day will come and the bad Santa’s list of wrongs will be revealed. Oh my, a fifty page list od all you have done to me. This can arrange from “not fixing breakfast on my birthday in 1977” to “ putting a scratch on the car in 1996 in the month of July three days before going on the trip to Dan’s Grit House for lunch.” “ Remember?” When you attack a person in anger instead of problem solving you have not handled anger correctly and sin occurs. Period.



Now the Bible is clear that wise and godly men and women can and do control their anger. (Prov. 19:11; 29:11; Eph 4:26, 27) You don’t need to yell at the wife, smack the kids, kick the chair, beat the ___________ (fill in the blank). Your children are to be nurtured, the wife loved without bitterness toward them, etc. “Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.” And, “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” And as for getting angry at work with your employer and “showing them” by speaking out (yelling) against them or by not working properly I ask that you remember that the Apostle taught us to “obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.” (Col 3:18-22)



I remember one day a lady friend of the family was visiting at our home when she stated to my wife and I that when she was “PMSing” she sure gave her “husband a difficult time”. During this time she felt badly and would fuss and get angry often. She said that he knew to watch out and leave her alone during this time. So I asked, “Do you treat everyone in this same manner as you do your husband during these days.” She said, “No.” I then asked if she treated the person at the check out line at the grocery store in that manner? Again her answer was, “No”. I then shared that her anger and difficulty toward her husband, even while PMSing, was not acceptable before the Lord and shared that the Lord desired her to love her husband and that she was to put off the fussing and anger during these PMS days. It was discussed and recognized that the body did go through changes that caused discomfort during this time however that was no excuse to treat the husband in such a sinful manner. It also was pointed out to her that she clearly showed that she could control any outbursts of anger during this PMS time and that she did so with the people at the store and with other people. Wise men and women therefore “put off” the “old self” and “put on” a renewed mind so as not to “grieve the Holy Spirit of God”, by being kind and tenderhearted. You see “A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.” (Pro 29:11) and “The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.” (Pro 19:11)



Anger can be handled in one of three ways: 1) by blowing up; 2) By clamming up; 3) biblically. The first two are sinful ways of handling or reacting to anger. We are directed not to handle anger in that manner. “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Eph 4:31-32)




We will now briefly look at each one of these so that we can learn how to handle anger righteously to the glory of God, for our growth in grace and knowledge, and for our continual growth in progressive sanctification.



Some people handle anger by blowing up. They fail in not controlling the energy which anger produces. Blowing up in anger is the release of the energy God has given to solve a problem toward people and other things instead of releasing it to solve whatever the problem itself is. This person yells, screams, hit, beat and break people and things. It is easy to see that venting anger is sinful and not to be considered as an option for the believer. When anger is handled in this manner people get hurt in several different ways. One way that others get hurt by those handling anger in this sinful manner is in the beatings they and others receive. Another way people get hurt is in the yelling and name calling and sinful communication that goes on by the person that is out of control. It is a shame that this otherwise productive God given energy is used for such evil purposes.



Other people handle anger by clamming up. That is they seethe in whatever is bothering them. These folks become resentful and bitter and live as victims of circumstances. Anger is to be controlled but it is not to be held in and problems go unsolved. The Bible calls God’s people to attention so as to “not let the sun go down on your anger" (Ephesians 4:26).



Clamming up does a lot of damage to the person that is angry. The energy produced by anger has no outlet for the person holds it all in. In clamming up the energies released that should go toward problem solving are released toward you. This is dangerous since clamming up can cause major health issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, high blood pressure, heart attacks, “mental disorders”, and many other things. Not only do you damage to yourselves but, you also hurt others. For example others get hurt not only where the truth is not spoken in love but also in the loss of a loved one that has clammed up and the health problems produced form it causes death.



Other people handle anger in a Biblical manner. You may not have known that the Bible has the answer on how to handle anger, but it does. And people that know this handle anger differently from those that vent and blow up and those that clam up. Joseph is an excellent example of the many principles and steps one must take in handling anger biblically. Notice that he sees God in the trial and in the solution (Rom 8:29,29) As Joseph stated “you thought evil against me, but God meant it for good.” He made room for God’s wrath against evil and he returned good for what was evil. “And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spoke kindly unto them. (Gen 50:19-21; Rom 12:19)



Doesn’t Joseph’s godly example and practice remind you of the directives given to us in Romans chapter 12 which states: “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Rom 12:17-21)



So let’s now summarize how to handle anger biblically!


1. If you have sinned recognize, admit and confess the sin to God and to the proper people you have sinned against (Prov 28:13) If you struggle with anger get help from your pastor or a spiritual brother or sister to help disciple you and hold you accountable to handle anger biblically.



2. See that God is in the trial. After all He has decreed all things that come to pass and all things come not by chance but by His fatherly hand. (Gen 50:20; Rom. 8:28. 29; James 1:2-4)



3. Make room for God’s wrath. Okay! In other words do not try to be or play God and sin. Remember Joseph and Romans 12:19.



4. Return good for what you think is evil. Overcome evil with good. Do not let evil overtake you. Gen 50:21; Rom 12:21)




5. Communicate to solve the problem. Biblical communication pleasing to God has four rules.

a.) Be Honest - Eph 4:25;
b.) Keep Current - Eph. 4: 26-27 ;
c.) Attack The Problem Not The Person – Eph. 4:29;
d.) Act, Don’t React – Eph 4:31-32

6. Act in such a manner to solve the problem by being God’s kind of person. In other words, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. (Rom 12:18)

In conclusion let me say that if you are a child of God you can change by realizing god’s purpose for anger is to solve problems. It is not to hurt and destroy oneself or others. As a Child of God we have the indwelling Holy Spirit and can be Christ like in our handling of anger. In reading this blog you have no excuse at all now for handling anger sinfully and for not growing in this area of your life. Memorize the steps listed and if you need particular help seek out a godly pastor or elder and get the help needed. You can handle anger biblically. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you apply these directives in your life. Go then and sin no more. Okay!


Perhaps you are not a Christian. If not then the first thing you must do is to take a hard focused look at your life. Is anger a problem, perhaps it is and it will probably be linked with other sins. Recognize that you need delivered from the guilt of the sins which brings the punishment of hell. If you recognize this then let the God of Peace know that you acknowledge your sins ant that you now trust Christ as your deliverer and Savior! Then you need to look for a bible believing Church. I suggest the Presbyterian Church in America. Look in your local phone book for the nearest one to you and contact the pastor and attend there, If ther happens not to be one there and you cannot find a local Baptist bible believing church feel free to contact me giving information where I may contact and assist you.

Sola Scriptura and Orthopraxy: In Our Worship and Christian Living (Part 5)

Sola Scriptura and Orthopraxy: In Our Worship and Christian Living (Part 5)


Sola Scriptura is to be the basis of the life of the believer in worship and in Christian daily Christian living. If our Church leaders are practicing Sola Scripture then we as members are being properly equipped in theological doctrine and in the outworkings of the doctrine in the practice of Christian living. I have found it very interesting that everyone that I have discipled when hey had a problem in their life had a theologicial doctrinal issue they had missed, left or forgotton. It was in this doctrinal error or issues in their life that affected their practical Christian living. If you don’t bleieve me read the examople given of Helen in the article Forgiving God. You will find she had accepted a God whim could possibly have wronged her in some manner therefore she had reduced or eliminated His holiness and righteousness.


In worship we are called to use all our body soul mind and strength and worship God in Spirit and in truth. “How is this accomplished” you may ask? Well in the first place you are to come to God the Father through Jesus Christ. That is believe in Christ resting on His work on the cross for salvation. Having done that you now can rejoice in the Lord. Be happy in Him knowing that He is your friend and that “He cares for you”.

You now can enter into the worship service with anticipation to hear from God. After all you are the “ekklesia” the called out ones, called out to meet with the King and Lord to Hear His word and to worship Him. The King will speak and will show Himself to His people. So prepare to respond to God as He reveals Himself in worship. Take note of the instruction of Solomon: “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.” (Ecc 5:1-2)


Our practice of reading His word will be done properly in our practice of Sola Scriptura. We will read the Bible with a “high and reverent esteem”. We know with a strong confidence that the Bible is the very Word of God. We also come to it recognizing that He must enable us to understand, know and believe it. We also recognize and look to God who enables and empowers us to live it. The Apostle Paul said: “it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Phi 2:13) Therefore we read the Bible with diligence, and attention and with meditation, application, self-denial, and always in prayer.



Sola Scriptura also calls us to a proper understanding and preparation and practice of the Sacraments within the context of worship and in our practice of the faith in our lives. Since your baptism you must have thought about it. What it means, the blessings of it, its activity and work in your live, etc? Your baptism signified that you were grafted into Christ and that in Him you have the remission of sins by his blood, and are regenerated by the Holy Spirit being adopted as a son awaiting the resurrection and entering into everlasting life. Therefore in the practice of our faith in Sola Scriptura we are not to forget our baptism. It is important to us in our daily lives as we remember we wear the badge or mark of a Christian. It will help us in times of temptation as we consider we are God’s people and that weare to “improve our baptism”. Now I know this is a new concept to many reading this for in our modern Churches we are not called or reminded to talk much about this wonderful sacrament that was applied to us. But we should often! This is true orthopraxy at its finest. The Westminister divines, after a dedicated study of the scripture, proposed the question and answer to the people of God in this manner:

How is our Baptism to be improved by us?

Answer: The needful but much neglected duty of improving our Baptism, is to be performed by us all our life long, especially in the time of temptation, and when we are present at the administration of it to others; by serious and thankful consideration of the nature of it, and of the ends for which Christ instituted it, the privileges and benefits conferred and sealed thereby, and our solemn vow made therein; by being humbled for our sinful defilement, our falling short of, and walking contrary to, the grace of baptism, and our engagements; by growing up to assurance of pardon of sin, and of all other blessings sealed to us in that sacrament; by drawing strength from the death and resurrection of Christ, into whom we are baptized, for the mortifying of sin, and quickening of grace; and by endeavoring to live by faith, to have our conversation in holiness and righteousness, as those that have therein given up their names to Christ; and to walk in brotherly love, as being baptized by the same Spirit into one body.

Let us therefore remember and give thanks to God for this great sacrament and the blessing of God which come by and through all that it is, it represents and it signifies.


Another aspect of our orthopraxy within Sola Scriptura is the proper preparation in coming to the Lord’s table in worship and in our duty and practice following our partaking of the Supper.

In coming to the table there is to be an examination of ones life. And a process of reflective consideration and life change after receiving the supper. Again this is summarized in the Westminister Shorter Catechism:

How are they that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper to prepare themselves before they come unto it?

Answer: They that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper are, before they come, to prepare themselves thereunto, by examining themselves of their being in Christ, of their sins and wants; of the truth and measure of their knowledge, faith, repentance; love to God and the brethren, charity to all men, forgiving those that have done them wrong; of their desires after Christ, and of their new obedience; and by renewing the exercise of these graces, by serious meditation, and fervent prayer.

May one who doubts of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation, come to the Lord’s Supper?

Answer: One who doubts of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation to the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, may have true interest in Christ, though he be not yet assured thereof; and in God’s account has it, if he be duly affected with the apprehension of the want of it, and unfeignedly desires to be found in Christ, and to depart from iniquity: in which case (because promises are made, and this sacrament is appointed, for the relief even of weak and doubting Christians) he is to bewail his unbelief, and labor to have his doubts resolved; and, so doing, he may and ought to come to the Lord’s Supper, that he may be further strengthened.

May any who profess the faith, and desire to come to the Lord’s Supper, be kept from it?

Answer: Such as are found to be ignorant or scandalous, notwithstanding their profession of the faith, and desire to come to the Lord’s Supper, may and ought to be kept from that sacrament, by the power which Christ has left in his church, until they receive instruction, and manifest their reformation.

What is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper in the time of the administration of it?

Answer: It is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, that, during the time of the administration of it, with all holy reverence and attention they wait upon God in that ordinance, diligently observe the sacramental elements and actions, heedfully discern the Lord’s body, and affectionately meditate on his death and sufferings, and thereby stir up themselves to a vigorous exercise of their graces; in judging themselves, and sorrowing for sin; in earnest hungering and thirsting after Christ, feeding on him by faith, receiving of his fullness, trusting in his merits, rejoicing in his love, giving thanks for his grace; in renewing of their covenant with God, and love to all the saints.

What is the duty of Christians, after they have received the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper?

Answer: The duty of Christians, after they have received the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, is seriously to consider: How they have behaved themselves therein, and with: What success; if they find quickening and comfort, to bless God for it, beg the continuance of it, watch against relapses, fulfill their vows, and encourage themselves to a frequent attendance on that ordinance: but if they find no present benefit, more exactly to review their preparation to, and carriage at, the sacrament; in both which, if they can approve themselves to God and their own consciences, they are to wait for the fruit of it in due time: but, if they see they have failed in either, they are to be humbled, and to attend upon it afterwards with more care and diligence.

Finally concerning our worship let me just say that when we have worshipped in Spirit and in truth within the context of Sola Scriptura we then will be people who share our faith with others through evangelism and missionary out reach. To see our first priority as evangelism and giving the gospel toothers and not to worship is not Sola Scriptura. We are called to worship God and from out of that flows evangelistic and missionary endeavors. And I do believe I am correct in saying that these endeavors will be blessed of God for when we go preaching the gospel to others we will go to save their souls for the purpose of worship!


Sola Scriptura in practice therefore prepares you for worship each Lord’s day. This happens because you live holy during the week as you remember the goodness of God to you as you improve your baptism, consider the Lord’s Supper and read His word for spiritual growth, guidance and direction in life situations. Therefore you live in the presence and peace of the Lord (Phil 4: 4-9 ) Always rejoicing! The orthopraxy of Sola Scriptura effectually works to cause you to glorify God in you family life and in your calling or work life. You glorify God by being obedient and faithful to obey the commands and follow the principles and precepts within God’s word daily (2 Tim 3:16). Therefore you know how to communicate with your spouse, the children your neighbors and others in and with grace and in truth. If you are buying or selling, doing business as a business person or just working for an employer you will ensure that you are fair in all things. (Eph 4: 21-32). Your love for your family, neighbor and brethren will be biblical love which is always active. If you have offended someone or if you have been offended you will go to that person and be reconciled. (Matt 5:23-24) and then come and worship. You will repent when needed and forgive where needed always living in the presence of the God of peace and in peace with your fellow man.


In conclusion there is so much more that could be said. I have sought to give you the sense of the direction of the Bible as to how worship and life truly are holistic - to worship is to effect ones daily Christian living. I now encourage all Christians that read this to take this to heart, put worship in its proper place and practice it properly and biblically and make it a part of your life.

Perhaps you re not a Christian and would like to know Christ and worship Him I then call you to repent of your selfish and sinful life and to turn in faith to Christ the Lord who died for sinners and redeems them by his blood. Please contact a local bible believing Church or contact me through this link below if I can be of assistance. Also I suggest you read the blog posted earlier titled: "The Gospel - Jesus Saves"

The Gospel - Jesus Saves

CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS & RESEARCH MINISTRY - www.carm.org




Jesus Saves(...saves from what and from who?)



Jesus is the most important figure in all of human history. He is God in flesh (John 1:1,14; Col. 2:9), physically risen from the dead, Lord (Luke 24:34; John 2:19-21) and Savior (Acts 5:30-32). He came to die for sinners (Rom. 5:8) to deliver people from the righteous wrath of God upon us.


Are you a sinner?



I ask you, are you a sinner? Have you ever lied, stolen, lusted, coveted, or been angry with someone unjustly? If so, then you have broken the Law of God. God has said "You shall not steal; You shall not lie; You shall have no other gods before Me; You shall not murder, etc.," (Exodus 20). He has given the standard of righteousness and if you have broken any of God's commandments then you have fallen short of that standard and are under the inevitable judgment of God. When you die, you will face Him and on the Day of Judgment He will punish all sinners. If you do not like this teaching, then throw away your Bible and turn from Christ, for this is the message of God's word -- that Jesus came to die for sinners and to save them from the wrath to come. Jesus is the One you need. He alone. Not your works (Rom. 3:10-12; Isaiah 64:6). Not your sincerity. Not your goodness. You have nothing to offer God except your sinfulness. It is only by the love and grace of God found in Jesus and His sacrifice that you can be delivered from the righteous wrath of God upon all who have broken His law. Jesus saves you from God.



God's wrath on the Day of Judgment is upon sinners



On the Day of Judgment God will judge all people for their sins against Him. He will judge all who have lied, stolen, cheated, lusted, dishonored their parents, etc. He will do this because He is holy and righteous. God must punish the sinner. God cannot and will not ignore the person who has broken His righteous law. The Law is a reflection of the character of God. Therefore, to break God's law is to offend God and deny the holiness of His character. He will be vindicated. He will judge. The Bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). That means that your sins have caused a separation between you and God (Isaiah 59:2) and the result is death (Rom. 6:23) and wrath (Eph. 2:3). The only way to be saved from the wrath of God, is to be saved from it by faith in Christ (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 5:1). You must trust in what Jesus did on the cross to forgive you of your sins and not trust anything else, not even your own sincerity or works. It is Jesus and only Jesus who can turn away the righteous judgment of God upon the sinner.



The Gospel



The gospel is that Jesus died for sinners on the cross, was buried, and rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:1-4). His death was a sacrifice that turns away the wrath of God (1 John 2:2). This is the only way to be saved. Jesus is the one who died for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). He is the only way to the God the Father (John 14;6). He alone reveals God (Matt. 11:27). He has all authority in heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18). It is only through Him that you can be saved from God's wrath (Eph. 2:3). He can forgive you of your sin (Luke 5:20; Matt. 9:2). He can remove the guilt that is upon your soul. Jesus can set you free from the bondage of sin that blinds your eyes, weakens your soul, and brings you to despair. He can do this because He bore sin in His body on the cross (1 Peter. 2:24) that those who trust in Him would be saved. If you are not a Christian, and want to be delivered from the righteous judgment of God upon you due to your sin against Him, then come to the One who died for the sins of the world. Come to the One who died for sinners (Matt. 11:28). Turn from your sins. Believe and trust in Jesus. Receive Jesus, who is God in flesh, who died and rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:1-4) as your Lord and Savior. Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins. Receive Christ (John 1:12). Only He can wash you clean from your sins and only Jesus can deliver you from the righteous judgment of a holy and infinite God. Pray to Jesus. Seek Him. Ask Him to save you. He will.


Please Note:

I would like to note, that the Jesus of Mormonism (the brother of the devil), the Jesus of the Jehovah's Witnesses (an angel made into a man), the Jesus of the New Age (a man in tune with the divine consciousness), etc., cannot save you from your sins. Faith is only as good as who you put it in. Only the Jesus of the Bible can do that. Jesus is God in flesh, the creator. God is a trinity and Jesus is the second person of the trinity.


If you have prayed and asked Jesus to deliver you from your sins and save you from God's wrath, then please email us at CARM and let us know.

The Gospel According to Louis Ruggiero

The Gospel According to Louis Ruggiero

Point 1: How Are You Saved? By Fearing God

"On an individual basis, God also knows everything that will occur in the future…before it happens. Here are a few examples: How could Jesus possibly know ….. (everything as well) …. His Father told Him!"

"God decided to create mankind for both fellowship and a relationship. Even before He created Adam and Eve, He knew they would fall. Though He would give them the choice to eat or not to eat the fruit of the tree, He knew they would disobey Him. Why? It's simple: because God knows all things!"

"God also knew that because of Adam and Eve's disobedience, they would pass down their sin-nature to all future generations. As a result, this would prevent everyone from having a close relationship with Him. Though some would choose to have a relationship and some would opt against it, it really wouldn't matter. Because of sin, it would be impossible for anyone to have a relationship with God"

"He (God) decided to send them a Savior, His own Son. Those who would choose to fear Him, love Him, and covet a relationship with Him would have a way. The way would be the cross."

"Now God's plan for mankind’s salvation was in motion. Just like Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

"Why does God call His people the “elect, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father...?” God knows beforehand, through His foreknowledge, everyone who will choose to fear Him. And His elect, individuals who choose to fear Him, would be shown the way. And it all begins with having the fear of the LORD."

"God has always been a God who provides choice. He gives everyone the ability to make decisions. He just happens to know what we'll choose before we make our choices. Why? It's simple! Because He's God, and God knows all things!"

Point 2: ”Let your Conscience be your guide”

"….. It becomes apparent that mankind has the ability to make the proper choice with respect to salvation. In summary, it all begins with God. He has instilled a conscience in every single one of us. Based on our consciences, we make the choice. Since God has foreknowledge, He just happens to know the decisions we will make before we make them. It's that simple!"

Point 3: Salvation Not Merely Of God But by “Mutual Consent”

"Back in the days of the Old Testament, God likened His relationship with the children of Israel as a marriage. Jesus' relationship with His church is no different Matthew 22:2. For final emphasis, Revelation 19:7-9 states that all the saints of God will take part in the marriage supper of the Lamb."

"So…….. let us think about a relationship within a marriage. Isn't it about two parties choosing to be together? For example, I'm married, and I have a wonderful wife. We both chose to be married. Before we took our vows, I didn't force my wife to be with me, and she didn't force me to be with her. Our marriage was by mutual consent. It was a free will decision for the both of us…….. But like any marriage, God wants a relationship with those who want a relationship with Him. For example, before I married my wife, I didn't force her to be with me. She is with me because she chose to be with me. And vice versa!"

"Though God loves everyone, He chooses to have a relationship only with those who choose to fear Him and covet a relationship with Him."

Point 4: Salvation Does Not Come By The Work Of God In Man But Only By Man’s Faith In Jesus If He Also Fears The Lord

"……. One's faith in Jesus as Savior is the catalyst or springboard to receiving the Holy Ghost, and it is He who does the regenerating. So, man's regeneration comes after confessing Christ, not before!"

"In summary, Proverbs 1:29 states that fearing God is a choice. And Psalm 25:12-14 reveals that, upon choosing to fear God, He will show us His covenant. Additionally, Acts 10:34-35 and Acts 13:26 confirm that the message of salvation is sent to all those who fear God. Upon one's acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior, Titus 3:4-6 reveals that the born-again and regeneration process begins through the Holy Ghost."

Point 5: The Kind Of People God Is Looking For? Those that Fear and are Intelligent

"Both Moses and David were sinners. Yet, God knew their hearts. He knew that deep down in their hearts, they feared Him. If anyone feels unworthy and conviction in their sin, that's a good thing because they fear God. They are expressing both humility and hatred for their sins. They are just the kind of people that God is looking for."

"A lot of you might be thinking that this is too good to be true, how can this be? You may say, "Do you mean to tell me that all I have to do is choose to accept Jesus as my Savior and my sins are forgiven and I have everlasting life?" According to the Bible, the answer is 'absolutely yes.' So, it boils down to this: Eternal life, or eternal damnation? Eternal life, or eternal damnation? For the intelligent person, that really isn't much of a choice, is it?"

"He continually reaches out to every single man, woman and child in hope that they make the decision to fear Him and covet a relationship with Him."

"Always remember that the choice is up to you!"

Sola Scriptura and Orthopraxy: In Doctrine, Church Polity, Worship, and More (Part 4)

Sola Scriptura and Orthopraxy: In Doctrine, Church Polity, Worship, And More (Part 4)

Sola Scriptura is to be the basis of the church in its doctrine, worship, polity and practice.

The Church that practices Sola Scriptura holds to and contends for “the faith” in the doctrinal essentials such as:

1. Inspiration of Scripture,
2. Trinity,
3. Virgin Birth of Christ,
4. Life, death and resurrection of Christ,
5. Sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper
6. Second coming final judgment and eternal hell and / or heaven,

They also hold forth five Biblical truths known by many as the five solas. Here is a brief description of each of them taken from the internet at http://en.wikipedia.org/ .

The Five Solas are five Latin phrases (or slogans) that emerged during the Protestant Reformation and summarize the Reformers' basic beliefs and emphasis in contradistinction to the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church of the day.

Sola gratia ("by grace alone")

Salvation comes by grace only, not through any merit on the part of the sinner. Thus salvation is an unearned gift. This doctrine is a response to the Catholic doctrine of merit.

Sola fide ("by faith alone")

Justification (that is, becoming guiltless before God) comes through faith only, not good works, though in the classical protestant scheme, saving faith will always be accompanied by good works. This doctrine can be summarized with the formula "Faith yields justification and good works" and is contrasted with the Catholic formula "Faith and good works yield justification." This doctrine is sometimes called the material cause of the Reformation because it was the central doctrinal issue for Martin Luther.

Sola scriptura ("by Scripture alone")

The Bible is the only inspired and authoritative Word of God and is accessible to all (that is, perspicuous and self-interpreting). This doctrine is directly opposed to the teaching of the Catholic Church that scripture can only be authentically interpreted through Holy Apostolic Tradition by the Magisterium (that is, the Pope and bishops at church councils). This doctrine is sometimes called the formal cause of the Reformation because it was the underlying cause of disagreement over sola fide.

Solus Christus ("Christ alone"; sometimes Solo Christo, "by Christ alone")

Christ is the exclusive mediator between God and man. Neither Mary, the saints, nor priests (other than Christ himself) can act as mediator in bringing salvation. This doctrine is contrasted with the Catholic doctrines of the intercession of saints and of the function of priests.
Soli Deo gloria ("Glory to God alone")

All glory is due to God alone, since salvation is accomplished solely through his works — not only the atonement on the Cross by Jesus, but even granting the faith which allows men to be saved by that atonement. The Reformers believed that human beings (such as the Catholic saints and popes) and their organizations (the Church) were not worthy of the glory that was bestowed on them.


Also as the Church studies grace and what it means and how God works in bringing His people to salvation the “doctrines of grace” become a hall mark of doctrinal orthopraxy in the Church. These five points, commonly called the five points of Calvinism, defines the “Amazing Grace” of God in the salvation of the believer. The five points are biblical grace given in its pure definitive form. Anything less is simply not a correct definition of the outworking of biblical grace. Here is a brief description of each of them taken from the internet at http://en.wikipedia.org.

The English-speaking world often identified in the popular mind as the so-called five points of Calvinism, which are a summation of the judgments (or canons) rendered by the Synod of Dordt and which were published in the Quinquarticular Controversy as a point-by-point response to the five points of the Arminian Remonstrants. They therefore function only as a summary of the differences between Calvinism and Arminianism and are not a good summation of Calvin's writings, or of the theology of the Reformed churches in general. Indeed, Calvin never fully discussed doctrines such as limited atonement in his writings, but only hinted at his opinion. The central assertion of these canons is that God is able to save every one of those upon whom he has mercy and that his efforts are not frustrated by the unrighteousness or the inability of humans.

Summaries of the points

The five points of Calvinism, which can be remembered by the English acronym TULIP, with supporting passages from the Bible are:

Total depravity

People in their natural, unregenerate state do not have the ability to turn to God. Rather it is the grace and will of God through the Spirit that causes men who are dead in sin to be reborn through the Word. This concept is summarized by the aphorism "Regeneration precedes faith," since in the Calvinist view, apart from the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit for the individual, there would never be any faith.

Romans 3:10-11 "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God."

John 6:44 "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day."

1 Corinthians 2:14 "But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them."

Unconditional election

Election means "choice". God's choice from eternity, of whom He will bring to Himself, is not based on foreseen virtue, merit or faith in the persons He chooses but rather, is unconditionally grounded in His own mercy.

Romans 9:16 "So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy."
Ephesians 1:4 "Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him."

John 1:13 "born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God."
Exodus 33:19 "I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."

Limited atonement

Also called "particular redemption" or "definite atonement" meaning that, Christ's death actually takes away the penalty of sins committed by those upon whom God has chosen to have mercy. (As opposed to Christ's death making redemption merely a possibility that we can perform). It is "limited" then, to taking away the sins of the elect.

John 10:14-15 "I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep."

John 10:27-28 "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."

Acts 20:28 "shepherd the church of God that He obtained with the blood of His own Son."

Ephesians 5:25 "love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."

John 17:9 "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine."

John 6:44 "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:65 "And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father."

Irresistible grace

The saving grace of God is not resistible. Those who obtain salvation do so because of the relentlessness of God's mercy. Individuals yield to grace, not finally because God found their consciences more tender or their faith more tenacious than other people. Rather, willingness, and any ability to do God's will, are evidence of God's faithfulness to save people from the power and the penalty of sin.

· John 15:16 "You did not choose me, but I chose you."

· Ephesians 1:11 "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will."

· I Thessalonians 1:4-5 "For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit."

· Romans 9:11 "though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad- in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call."

· Colossians 2:13 "When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him."

Perseverance of the saints

Also called the "Preservation of the Saints". Those whom God has called into communion with Himself through Christ, will continue in faith and will increase in faith and other gifts, until the end. Those who apparently fall away, either never had true faith to begin with, or else will return. This is slightly different than the "once saved, always saved" view prevalent in modern American evangelical churches: in that doctrine, despite seeming apostasy, the individual is really saved; in Calvinist teaching, the individual is proving that they are not saved at all, and never were.

John 10:27-28 "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish."

1 John 2:19 "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us."

Philippians 1:6 "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Church councils, Creeds and confessions are also orthopraxic tools of the Church and are a part of the practice of sola scriptura. The Church leaders use the scripture to bring forth to the people doctrines that it has to define due to issues that come before the Church leaders or heresies that creep into the Church. These are brought to the people via church councils such as we see an example of in Acts chapters 15 and 16 . The leaders write that which the scriptures teach regarding those issues and sent them to the local assemblies to be taught by the elders and pastors. The writing done for this instruction is in the form of Creeds and confessions. There are biblical examples of creeds and confession in the Bible I Tim 3; 16; Acts 15-16; etc.) This indicates tha t they are a part of biblical orthopraxy and that these are meant to be practiced by the Church as part of sola scriptura. In this orthodoxy and orthopraxy is maintained.


Sola scriptura is also to be practices in worship, All worship is to be in spirit and in truth. Worship has several components that must be included. Listed below are several vital and necessary components of worship:

The reading of the scriptures,
The invocation
Psalms, Hymns and spiritual Songs
Prayers
Oaths and Vows
Confession
Repentance
Proclamation of forgiveness
Preaching of the Word
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
Praise Of The Triune God
Tithes and Offerings
Benediction

Sola Scriptura is also properly administered when the Church upholds the biblical practice in the Church polity and leadership of the Church. The Church is to be led by elders who rule in an official capacity, with ecclesiastical authority, as a Church court. They rule as under shepherds and for the good of the people and to the glory of God (Heb. 13) Then there is the oversight of service to the saints to be accomplished by the office of deacons.

Being leaders of biblical Christianity and holding Sola Scriptura in orthodoxy and orthopraxy the pastors and elders will be intent on giving instruction to the people in the doctrines of the faith and also will then instruct them how the doctrines affect their lives for godly living. They will disciple the flock in daily living for the Lord, teaching them to be people of discernment so that they recognize sin, learn to resist it and live godly biblical lives as they continue to grow and develop within themselves and in biblical interpersonal relationships.

Whew that’s a lot……. Stay tuned more to come …….Steve

My Testimony and a "Frame Response"

My Open Testimony

I post my testimony here in the open in order for people to see the validity of my salvation or “to criticize" my salvation since some seems to think something was just not correct in God’s saving me in this manner. I do not seek to explain what God did on the day in 1977 that I was regenerated. The message I heard was that Jesus was light and I could be brought out of darkness. That night I repented of sin, and believed. I asked for forgiveness. I also in my prayer (no one helping me pray) said, "God whomever you are I believe you. Whatever you have done I believe it. Change my life or else I die".


The next day I went looking for someone to teach me - which I now know is called being discipled. I never denied the resurrection, or the Bible to be the word of God nor anything else. I was quite ignorant about Christianity. I did not know anything at that time so I had to learn.


That night I believed that God is and that he would help (reward me) and that is what He has done. I was blind but then I saw. Amazing Grace was granted to me that evening. As a child of God the Father I began to be taught as His son. Praise His Holy name. Now again that is all I know.


A Person the Holy Spirit worked with me as a person in my circumstance where I was at that time. I never did nor do I now deny the centrality of the resurrection nor the cross nor the precious bloods redeeming power. I had to learn about it. It took months of physical and spiritual training to remove the drug abuse issues and the false teaching I had received and believed in public education. Deprogramming me was not easy. I did not take things, nor do I usually take what someone says at face value. I read and look at things from all angles. As my wife says, "Steve you move slow and with focus reading way too much". In all of this God was with me and teaching me even through my being ignorant and steeped in false evolutionistic teaching.



I did not disagree with God nor what people said about what the Bible was teaching. I just did not know where total truth was so I had to look at all sides. My Father was kind and gentle and eventually I learned that all the Bible says is true spiritually and historically for it is written by God Himself, being God breathed.


This is my testimony and I am thankful for the salvation given me.For those that want to tell me God could not work in me this way I say, “Respectively, if you were not there you simply just do not know what God did in this situation.”


Respectfully, Your brother in Christ

Steve

…………………………………..

Now some have questioned whether I was saved during this time. I say, hold and proclaim that I was. Some have said I was probably regenerated but salvation probably did not come to me until I understood the resurrection. Perhaps, I certainly do not think so since massive progressive sanctification was taking place and massive massacring sin was about to kill me. I was even persecuted during this time since I wanted to tell everyone that God had so changed my life. But, perhaps some may be closer to how God worked with me that I am. If so, so be it and God bless them!

I however do believe Dr. Frame has explained this possibility of my salvation better than I could have ever put it together myself. I am just to close to all that happened! Here is some of Dr. Frames comments regarding salvation without fully understanding the resurrection.


From Dr. Frame,

Q. Is it possible to be saved without knowing about the Resurrection of Christ?

A. “Sure. There were lots of Jewish believers in the first century who needed to be informed of the Resurrection by the apostolic proclamation. (Think of the people who "knew only the baptism of John.") I've no reason to believe that they were all unregenerate before they knew that Jesus was risen. So today, there may be people in whose hearts God is working, who haven't been taught the full truth about Christ. They may even profess that Christ is Lord, without knowing that the Resurrection is specifically physical. But when told in a godly way, they will eventually accept the truth."



A fuller comment on this subject by Dr. Frame:

“……..if I were publishing a comment on this issue, I would want to make more qualifications.
The point is that regeneration and salvation did not begin with the coming of Jesus. There were regenerate believers before the incarnation—Abraham, David, Simeon, Elizabeth, Anna, et al. Now although the Resurrection of Jesus is implicit in OT prophecy, it is not explicit. Did Abraham know in advance that Jesus of Nazareth would be killed and raised again? Certainly he believed in a God who was able to raise the dead, and his experience in Gen. 22 certainly confirmed that. But I don’t think Abraham had explicit faith that Jesus would be raised from the dead.

Now after the Resurrection, it was not the case that all old covenant believers suddenly became fully self-conscious new covenant believers. It took some time for the message of the Resurrection to get around. If an old covenant believer (say, in India) died before he heard of Jesus’ resurrection, was he thereby condemned to Hell? I doubt it.

How do I reconcile this with Rom. 10:9? Paul is writing to believers, assuring them that they are saved because they have confessed that Jesus is Lord and believed that God has raised him from the dead. He is not commenting on the kinds of people I mentioned above. Certainly you cannot derive from this statement that, say, Abraham, is not saved because he did not confess Jesus as Lord and believe that God had (would) raise him from the dead.

I also believe (with the Westminster Confession 10.3) that infant children can be regenerated and saved apart from any explicit confession. Rom. 10:9 is not talking about them. Nor is it talking about those the Confession calls “other elect persons who are incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word.”

So explicit confession is not a general rule for everyone. But Paul certainly is saying that if you do make an explicit confession of Christ and the Resurrection you will be saved.

Blessings,

John Frame”

"The Heart of Anger" A Review

The Heart of Anger

Lou Priolo

Reviewed by: Diane (a.k.a. DrawnbytheFather)

"The book is not just for those who have angry children, or who are angry themselves This is some real practical stuff, it gets down to the nitty gritty"..... Diane (a.k.a. DrawnbytheFather)

I finished reading the book, The Heart of Anger, by Lou Priolo, a few weeks ago, and have been implementing his advice ever since. This is the best parenting book I have ever read. It’s not only for those with angry children, it is for angry parents as well. He suggests the parent read it through once with himself in mind, and the second time with the child in mind. It truly is an eye opener. His goal is to reach the child’s heart, and he uses numerous Scriptures throughout. He gives examples, and then shows you how to implement what he suggests.

One of the most helpful things I learned was regarding communication. There are three ways that we communicate to others, through words, non-verbal communication, and through tone of voice. Even just applying that part of it has changed my family.

I knew we were commanded to teach and train our children, but I was at a loss as to HOW to APPLY the Scriptures to every situation. This book has helped me with that. It reaches the heart of both the parent and the child, and causes you to get to the motive behind the way we you act the way you do.

I highly recommend this book to all, whether you or your child have an anger problem or not. It has caused me to have a closer walk with the Lord because it taught me HOW to apply the Scriptures to my daily life. Combined with my daily times with the Lord, where He is showing me who He is, He has totally changed my life.

Piper and Potters ---- What Wonderful Pastors --Thank You

Don’t Waste Your Cancer

February 15, 2006 — Fresh Words Edition
By John Piper
Permanent Link

February 15, 2006

I write this on the eve of prostate surgery. I believe in God’s power to heal—by miracle and by medicine. I believe it is right and good to pray for both kinds of healing. Cancer is not wasted when it is healed by God. He gets the glory and that is why cancer exists. So not to pray for healing may waste your cancer. But healing is not God’s plan for everyone. And there are many other ways to waste your cancer. I am praying for myself and for you that we will not waste this pain.

1. You will waste your cancer if you do not believe it is designed for you by God.

It will not do to say that God only uses our cancer but does not design it. What God permits, he permits for a reason. And that reason is his design. If God foresees molecular developments becoming cancer, he can stop it or not. If he does not, he has a purpose. Since he is infinitely wise, it is right to call this purpose a design. Satan is real and causes many pleasures and pains. But he is not ultimate. So when he strikes Job with boils (Job 2:7), Job attributes it ultimately to God (2:10) and the inspired writer agrees: “They . . comforted him for all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him” (Job 42:11). If you don’t believe your cancer is designed for you by God, you will waste it.

2. You will waste your cancer if you believe it is a curse and not a gift.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13). “There is no enchantment against Jacob, no divination against Israel” (Numbers 23:23). “The Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11).

3. You will waste your cancer if you seek comfort from your odds rather than from God.

The design of God in your cancer is not to train you in the rationalistic, human calculation of odds. The world gets comfort from their odds. Not Christians. Some count their chariots (percentages of survival) and some count their horses (side effects of treatment), but we trust in the name of the Lord our God (Psalm 20:7). God’s design is clear from 2 Corinthians 1:9, “We felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” The aim of God in your cancer (among a thousand other good things) is to knock props out from under our hearts so that we rely utterly on him.

4. You will waste your cancer if you refuse to think about death.

We will all die, if Jesus postpones his return. Not to think about what it will be like to leave this life and meet God is folly. Ecclesiastes 7:2 says, “It is better to go to the house of mourning [a funeral] than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart.” How can you lay it to heart if you won’t think about it? Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Numbering your days means thinking about how few there are and that they will end. How will you get a heart of wisdom if you refuse to think about this? What a waste, if we do not think about death.

5. You will waste your cancer if you think that “beating” cancer means staying alive rather than cherishing Christ.

Satan’s and God’s designs in your cancer are not the same. Satan designs to destroy your love for Christ. God designs to deepen your love for Christ. Cancer does not win if you die. It wins if you fail to cherish Christ. God’s design is to wean you off the breast of the world and feast you on the sufficiency of Christ. It is meant to help you say and feel, “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” And to know that therefore, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 3:8; 1:21).

6. You will waste your cancer if you spend too much time reading about cancer and not enough time reading about God.

It is not wrong to know about cancer. Ignorance is not a virtue. But the lure to know more and more and the lack of zeal to know God more and more is symptomatic of unbelief. Cancer is meant to waken us to the reality of God. It is meant to put feeling and force behind the command, “Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord” (Hosea 6:3). It is meant to waken us to the truth of Daniel 11:32, “The people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.” It is meant to make unshakable, indestructible oak trees out of us: “His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers” (Psalm 1:2). What a waste of cancer if we read day and night about cancer and not about God.

7. You will waste your cancer if you let it drive you into solitude instead of deepen your relationships with manifest affection.

When Epaphroditus brought the gifts to Paul sent by the Philippian church he became ill and almost died. Paul tells the Philippians, “He has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill” (Philippians 2:26-27). What an amazing response! It does not say they were distressed that he was ill, but that he was distressed because they heard he was ill. That is the kind of heart God is aiming to create with cancer: a deeply affectionate, caring heart for people. Don’t waste your cancer by retreating into yourself.

8. You will waste your cancer if you grieve as those who have no hope.

Paul used this phrase in relation to those whose loved ones had died: “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). There is a grief at death. Even for the believer who dies, there is temporary loss—loss of body, and loss of loved ones here, and loss of earthly ministry. But the grief is different—it is permeated with hope. “We would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). Don’t waste your cancer grieving as those who don’t have this hope.

9. You will waste your cancer if you treat sin as casually as before.

Are your besetting sins as attractive as they were before you had cancer? If so you are wasting your cancer. Cancer is designed to destroy the appetite for sin. Pride, greed, lust, hatred, unforgiveness, impatience, laziness, procrastination—all these are the adversaries that cancer is meant to attack. Don’t just think of battling against cancer. Also think of battling with cancer. All these things are worse enemies than cancer. Don’t waste the power of cancer to crush these foes. Let the presence of eternity make the sins of time look as futile as they really are. “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?” (Luke 9:25).

10. You will waste your cancer if you fail to use it as a means of witness to the truth and glory of Christ.

Christians are never anywhere by divine accident. There are reasons for why we wind up where we do. Consider what Jesus said about painful, unplanned circumstances: “They will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness” (Luke 21:12 -13). So it is with cancer. This will be an opportunity to bear witness. Christ is infinitely worthy. Here is a golden opportunity to show that he is worth more than life.

Don’t waste it.

Remember you are not left alone. You will have the help you need. “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Pastor John