redemption

The Reality of Materialism

/ theroadofgrace / 1 Comment

Recently, I had the privilege of meeting a new family in our church. They’ve spent the last several years of their life in Connecticut where they struggled to find Christian fellowship, and by God’s providence, they have been able to move down to Charleston. On this past Sunday, our families had lunch together, and we spent most of the time just getting to know each other. Eventually, we discussed the spiritual state of many of the people they knew in Connecticut. They mentioned that they had numerous wealthy acquaintances, but they were among the most miserable people they knew. We all nodded heads because as Christians, we know that money cannot buy the happiness and longing that many desire. However, a statement was made during the conversation that has been on my mind for several days: “I don’t know what’s worse: the rich, miserable man who is attached to his wealth or the poor, miserable man whose great hope in life is to become wealthy.”

That statement has stuck with me because it’s speaks about the reality of materialism. There is much discussion among Christians regarding the materialism of those who are wealthy in this world. There’s much discussion of families who are public successes and private failures – those who live (and boast about) a life of luxury for everyone to see, yet in truth, they are miserably addicted to their love of wealth. These are individuals who live to work, live to make money, and showcase their extravagance for all to see, yet they have neglected their souls and their families.

However, there is not much discussion of the materialism of those who are poor in this world. Even though they may have meager possessions, their heart is still addicted to the hopeful prospect of wealth. They love to watch and mimic those who are wealthy so that they can fantasize about what they would do if they were wealthy. These are individuals who “fake it until they make it” – pretending to have wealth and possessions because they pine for the status that wealth brings. Even when the private failings of wealthy individuals become public, their only lesson is to not repeat their private failures.

In reality, there are many similarities between the materialism of “the rich” versus “the poor”. In both cases, their hearts are set on wealth. However, there is an important difference between the two: the rich have received their reward and their hope, whereas the poor have not. For the rich in this world, the question becomes: What do you do when your hope fails you? There are many passages of Scripture that are used to appeal to those who trust in their possessions, such as Luke 12:15; 1 Timothy 6:10, 17-19; Matthew 6:19-21, 24; and James 5:1-5.

For the poor in this world, the question becomes: What do you do when your hope of wealth is crushed? The response of Christians to these poor individuals should fundamentally be the same. However, I am finding that another message has been substituted for the gospel message, and it is the belief that someone has robbed them of their wealth. Ultimately, this is a message that doesn’t confront the poor for their need of Christ, but gives them another reason to cling to their wicked desires. In this case, the solution isn’t the cross of Christ because the cross of Christ doesn’t restore this wealth. Instead we must do something to take back what has been stolen from us.

Many of you who are reading this blog will immediately come to the conclusion that I’m speaking specifically about the so-called “prosperity gospel” promoted by men like Kenneth Copeland. This is true, but the so-called “prosperity gospel” could have never existed without what many people call “social justice”. In the prosperity gospel, Satan is the one who has robbed and oppressed the poor, and the solution peddled by those in the prosperity gospel is to “take back what the devil has stolen from you”. In the social gospel/social justice movement, society (via corrupt politicians and wicked businessmen) have robbed and oppressed the poor, and the solution is take back what “society” has stolen from you. When you tell the adherent of either message that Christians should rejoice based on what they have in Christ, the response is usually the same: (1) you don’t understand the implications of the gospel and (2) you are “spiritualizing” the Bible and not dealing with reality.

Someone may object: “The prosperity gospel is all about greed, whereas social justice is about caring for the marginalized and the ‘least of these’.” This is “question-begging” logic because it doesn’t address what people truly need. In other words, what do the “marginalized” and the “least of these” truly need? In addressing the disciples of John the Baptist, Jesus provides an answer to this question.

Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to Him, “Are you the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. Matthew 11:1-5

In the works that Jesus describes to John’s disciples, He gives the remedy for the malady that is needed. It’s important to note that Jesus believes that the gospel (i.e. the good news) is the remedy needed for the poor, not freedom from poverty. This is not a “pie-in-the-sky” message that functions like therapy for the poor while ignoring their real problems. Rather, Jesus is saying that the real problem is deeper than the oppression that the poor faced under the Roman Empire because salvation is more than simply freedom from Roman (or American) oppression.

So, let’s return to our original question. What do you say to the poor in this world whose hope for wealth is crushed? First, I echo the sentiments of the musician Bryan Winchester: “Materialism and self-ambition is a foolish religion. The riches of God’s mercy is worth more than your superstition.” Chasing after wealth and putting one’s hope in it is just as worthless as chasing after the wind. Solomon’s life is a testimony of this (cf. Ecclesiastes 2:1-11).

Second, I think an honest question should be raised: Do we really believe, as Christians, that the poor will come to Christ only after you remove their poverty? If we are talking about the prosperity gospel, then there’s an easy answer: If you come to Christ for money, then He’s not your God – money is! However, if this is true for the prosperity gospel, then it’s true for all variants of social justice/social gospel. If you come to Christ only after your oppressors are overthrown, then He’s not your God – liberation/autonomy is! At the core, the social gospel and the prosperity gospel share the common core of a “worldly” faith – a faith fixed upon liberation from the problems of this world, rather than redemption from sin.

Man’s Sin and Its Wages (Defining Evangelism)

/ William F. Leonhart III / 1 Comment

You can listen to the audio lesson here.

You can also find the “Working Definition of Evangelism” here.

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DEFINING EVANGELISM

PART III – THE PRESENT ESTATE OF MAN

Lesson Seven: Man’s Sin and Its Wages

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord,” (Romans 6:23; NKJV).

 

Man’s need for redemption. One of the biggest obstacles we face in our society, when considering the task of evangelism, is helping people see their need for the gospel. Many are simply unconcerned about their eternal state. Even those who affirm the existence of a god out there somewhere believe His primary attribute to be that of mercy, so they live as though they will never have to answer to God for their sins. As we saw in our last lesson, this has never been the Christian affirmation of who God is.

“Q.11. Is not God therefore merciful?

1. Yes, very much so! He is merciful, but He is also just, wherefore His justice requires that the same which is committed against the divine majesty of God should also be recompensed with extreme, that is, everlasting punishment both in body and soul,” (Hercules Collins, An Orthodox Catechism, Q.11).

We live in a nation that has largely forsaken this understanding of who God is. In fact, many Christians will tell you never to talk about sin, guilt, or repentance when sharing the gospel with people. They don’t mind discussions of the love and the mercy of God. They don’t even mind discussions of His holiness, as long as there is no correlation drawn between His complete holiness and the sinfulness of man.

The problem is that man cannot truly understand their need of God’s mercy unless they first understand His holiness and their complete lack thereof. Individuals must be brought to an honest, prayerful contemplation of their own personal sinfulness in light of God’s utter holiness and justice. They must be brought to understand that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23; NKJV), which means they personally have sinned and fall short of His glory. Until then, the gospel will make no sense whatever.

Until man is brought to an understanding of his sinfulness and the consequences thereof, he will see no danger in staying the course. He must be brought to an understanding that his sin means eternal destruction and damnation apart from the gracious provision of God, but engulfed in His eternal contempt. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

“The bodies of men after death return to dust, and see corruption; but their souls, which neither die nor sleep, having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them. The souls of the righteous being then made perfect in holiness, are received into paradise, where they are with Christ, and behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies; and the souls of the wicked are cast into hell; where they remain in torment and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day; besides these two places, for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledgeth none,” (The Baptist Confession, 31.1)

The sinfulness of the individual. Truly, man is fallen in Adam and death has thus spread to all men (Rom. 5:12), but the carnal man must be made to see the particular offense his own sin is against a holy, righteous, and just God. He must be brought, as by a schoolmaster, to Christ and His gospel by nothing less than the sheer condemnation of the law of God (Gal. 3:24). Until then, he will see no need for redemption. He will think himself basically good and in no need of atonement. He will think himself basically good, because he is self-deceived.

“To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled,” (Titus 1:15; NKJV).

The mind untethered to the word of God is a mind in darkness. Even Christians, the farther we stray from the word of God, wander into self-deception and the defilement of the mind. We must ever be confronted by the word of God in order to come to a true understanding of our sinfulness and how far short of God’s holy standard we fall.

One way that this conviction has been attempted in recent years is through an exercise in which the unbeliever is ask if she thinks herself to be a good person. If she says, “Yes,” the Christian asks if he can test that affirmation. If she concedes, he proceeds to ask a series of question about her obedience to the Ten Commandments. The unbeliever inevitably fails this test and, if convicted of sin, is then offered the gospel. I largely agree with this approach. There are just a couple issues, though, that I take with it.

First, there seems to be an assumption that a short 3-5 minute presentation should be enough to convict people of their sin and help them see their need for Christ. In most cases, much more work needs to be done. There needs to be a prolonged period of sitting under the preached word and much soul-searching on the part of the unbeliever. So, while the initial presentation of the law and the gospel might whet a person’s appetite for Christ and the preaching of His word,

We should not expect that most of these initial encounters will necessarily lead to the individual’s immediate conversion. Most often, the unbeliever needs to get under the preached word at a local church where they can be discipled and taught to observe all that Christ commanded. Through that process, Lord-willing, he may eventually turn from his sins toward God and put his full trust and allegiance in Christ Jesus alone for his salvation.

Second, there is often an extremely erroneous assumption made in the way that this method is employed. Some well-known adherents to this approach teach not to even share the gospel with the unbeliever unless he demonstrates a conviction of sin and a concern for final judgment. They claim that offering the gospel to such individuals is a casting of pearls before swine (Mt. 7:6). The problem is that the law only has the ability to lead one to the gospel. It has no power, though, to convict. That power is found in the gospel alone (Rom. 1:16). It’s the kindness of God that leads to repentance.

“Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4; NASB).

The universal sinfulness of man. The individual must be brought to an understanding of his or her own personal sinfulness. In the process of bringing the unbeliever to this understanding, though, an understanding of the universal sinfulness of man can be instructive. Imagine you are talking to a man, and he says that he is better than most. How do you respond? This individual needs to understand that he is comparing himself to a mass of fallen, depraved individuals who also fall short of God’s holy standard.

“Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually,” (Genesis 6:5; NKJV).

It always baffled me that pastors and theologians would point to this passage in Genesis, before the flood, when speaking of the universal depravity of man. Then, one day, it occurred to me that there was not real change in the constitution of man after the flood. We are still just as depraved as they were back then. The change that occurred after the flood was in God’s dealings with man’s sin. He established a covenant with all mankind whereby He promised never again to destroy the world with water.

Man, on the other hand, is still totally depraved and under the condemnation of the law. This is indeed a universal depravity. We are all sinners and thoroughly sinful. For a man to stand and say that he is not a sinner is for him to say that he is better than every other human being that has ever lived. It is the height of arrogance, because there is none good.

“10As it is written:

‘There is none righteous, no, not one;

11There is none who understands;

There is none who seeks after God.

12They have all turned aside;

They have together become unprofitable;

There is none who does good, no, not one.’

13‘Their throat is an open tomb;

With their tongues they have practiced deceit’;

‘The poison of asps is under their lips’;

14‘Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.’

15‘Their feet are swift to shed blood;

16Destruction and misery are in their ways;

17And the way of peace they have not known.’

18‘There is no fear of God before their eyes,’” (Romans 3:10-19; NKJV).

Another response, especially in the South where a lot of erroneous ideas have been floated in the name of Christianity, is to say, “Well, you don’t know my heart, and you can’t judge me.” While there is some truth to this statement, the Lord has revealed enough about the heart of man in Scripture that we can state with confidence that every man is a sinner in need of redemption. In fact, those who convince themselves that they are not sinners have actually been deceived in their own hearts. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?,” (Jer. 17:9; NKJV).

We, then, are up against impossible odds. We stand in a valley of dry bones and seek to preach to the self-deceived that they are utterly sinful both in body and in mind, the very sin that hinders them from receiving our message with gladness of heart. How can we have any rational expectation, then, that they will respond aright? Lest the Lord act, we cannot. Nevertheless, the gospel message must begin here: with an accounting of both the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man.

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 162

/ Reformed Baptista / Leave a comment

Day 162

Of Christ the Mediator.

Chapter 8, Paragraph 8.

“To all those for whom Christ hath obtained eternal redemption, he doth certainly and effectually apply, and communicate the same; making intercession for them,…”

Scripture Lookup

John 6:37; 10:15,16; 17:9

Romans. 5:10

Reflection

Christ has accomplished redemption from sin. Such a statement deserves a hearty “Hurrah!” But does this redemption apply to me? And how is it applied?

While some teach that Jesus died for every single person in the world, such teaching is not Biblical. A people were given to Christ by the Father, and it was for His people that Christ died. There are people from all over the world that are elect, and it was for those that Christ died. It is for those that Christ intercedes.

The redemption of Christ is certain. “It is finished!” was the cry of Jesus, and His resurrection and ascension are proof of the truth of His claim. The work of Jesus was complete. There is nothing left undone. No loophole exists to nullify His work on behalf of sinners. Thus the reliability of His role as mediator is rock-solid.

This redemption is effectual. It is not a “maybe” redemption, where Jesus bore the punishment for sin but you may be still liable to endure it. It is not a dependent redemption, dependent upon whether you choose to receive it. The elect are redeemed, never to return to the slavery of sin. Never, ever can any of the elect lose their redemption!

This redemption is communicated. The elect receive redemption, not some idea of redemption. Christian, the numerous benefits of having Christ as your mediator are yours: “who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3). Redemption is a reality for those in Christ!

If you are His, He redeemed you. Actually. Efficiently. Truly. Forever and ever, Amen!

Questions to Consider

  • Knowing the truth of your redemption, do you live accordingly?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 113

/ Reformed Baptista / Leave a comment

32987891525_17f629c96e

Day 113

Of the fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof.

Chapter 6, Paragraph 3.

“…spiritual, temporal, and eternal, unless the Lord Jesus set them free.“

Scripture Lookup

Hebrews 2:14,15

1 Thessalonians 1:10

Reflection

Adam and Eve, due to their disobedience, passed down a corrupted nature to every human born by ordinary generation. Because of this, we are slaves to sin, unable to free ourselves from the hold our fallen nature has on us. Without a Savior to free us from sin, we suffer spiritually, temporally, and eternally.

Looking at those unbelievers around us, it can be easy to think that their life isn’t all that bad. Sure, some have truly difficult and miserable lives, but most unbelievers don’t seem to be in dire distress. To think the plight of those without Christ isn’t that miserable, though, is to forget the common blessings God bestows on all His creation. Such thinking also misses how awesome and majestic He is, and how knowing such a Being is incomparable to anything this world offers without Him.

The miseries of this life are manifold. Spiritually, the unbeliever can never have peace. Their hope will always be shaken because it is not placed in Christ. While alive in this life, they are subject to the effects of sin in themselves and are sinned against by others. And when this life is over, the torment experienced for rebellion against God endures for eternity.

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

 – Romans 7:25

This is why the Gospel is such good news! Left to ourselves, there is no sure for our condition. But through Christ’s provision, we are no longer slaves to sin. We are adopted as sons of God. The only true God makes himself known to us. All trials draw us closer to Him, and we will spend eternity in His presence. Such grace is amazing.

Questions to Consider

  • Do you see how miserable life is without Christ?

CCF Episode Sixteen: Letts Celebrate Death

/ William F. Leonhart III / Leave a comment

CredoCovPodcastMaster

In this episode, Billy and JD sit down and discuss “Emily’s Abortion Video” by Emily Letts. Featuring music from Pink Floyd. Also featuring an audio excerpt from a speech given by Gianna Jessen.

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MP3 Download | stream:

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Before God sovereignly intervened in my life and released me from my bondage to sin, I had come to adopt a fairly antinomiam lifestyle. I lived by the seat of my pants, sinning at will while still claiming to be a Christian. At one point I recall reacting with cold indifference when a girl told me that, were she to find that she was pregnant, she would get an abortion. I just sat there silent like, That’s your choice. She never did discover that she was pregnant, and she never went through with an abortion, but that was one of the most regretful moments of my life. Even then, I was of the conviction that abortion was wrong. I believed that guys who silently stood by as their girlfriends made such a heart-wrenching decision were complete jerks. In that moment, I learned that I was in no place to judge them.

This podcast is not meant to be taken as a judgment upon those who are facing the incredible decision our society offers them in abortion. We certainly believe that the Bible is clear that abortion is murder. However, we also believe that there are lasting results of abortion. Women and men who have stood close to the fire on this issue often come away from it with much guilt and shame. We don’t want to simply dismiss that guilt and that shame as unwarranted. It is warranted, because we will all have to stand before God on judgment day and give an account for the things we’ve done. However, there is forgiveness and healing at the cross.

When Christ died on the cross, two thousand years ago, He took upon Himself the wrath that you and I deserve for our sins. He took the punishment deserved by sinful men. Christ, the only sinless man to ever have existed, paid the penalty for sin. In doing so, He secured reconciliation for God and His sheep. We would encourage you today, in light of God’s great mercy and forgiveness, to turn from your sins toward the God of love and mercy, and put your faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross. If you do that today, your sins will be cast as far away from you as the East is from the West. When God looks at you, He will no longer see your sin and misery, but He will see the perfect righteousness of His Son Jesus Christ. Please consider these things today, and let us know how this podcast impacted you.

– Billy

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Subscribe to future podcasts and leave us a review on iTunes: RSS | iTunes  

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Emily’s Abortion Video


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Rape case referred to toward the beginning of podcast.

“‘I did what I was supposed to do. I went to the law about this situation,’ she said. The judge’s probation sentence and the removal of the restrictions — ‘that says everything I went through was for nothing. It would have been better for me not to say anything,’ said the girl, who is not being identified because The Dallas Morning News does not typically identify victims of sex crimes.”

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Gianna Jessen Abortion Survivor in Australia (full)

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We’d love your participation. Contact us with your comments and questions about the video:

Catechism for Boys and Girls, Part Three: Salvation

/ William F. Leonhart III / Leave a comment

Visit the Catechism for Boys and Girls page to read the entire catechism as it is posted.

Q.68: What is a covenant?

A. A covenant is an agreement between two or more persons.

( 1Samuel 18:3; Matthew 26:14-15 )

 

Q.69: What is the covenant of grace?

A. It is an eternal agreement within the Trinity to save certain persons called the elect, and to provide all the means for their salvation.

( Genesis 17:1-8; Romans 11:27; Hebrews 10:16-17; 13:20-21; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-28 )

 

Q.70: What did Christ undertake in the covenant of grace?

A. Christ undertook to keep the whole law for his people, and to suffer the punishment due to their sins.

( Romans 8:3-4; Galatians 4:4-5; Hebrews 6:17-20; 7:22; 9:14-15; 13:20-21 )

 

Q.71: Did our Lord Jesus Christ ever sin?

A. No. He was holy, blameless, and undefiled.

( Hebrews 7:26; Luke 23:47; Hebrews 4:15; 1Peter 2:22; 1John 3:5 )

 

Q.72: How could the Son of God suffer?

A. Christ, the Son of God, took flesh and blood, that he might obey and suffer as a man.

( John 1:14; Romans 8:3; Galatians 4:4; Philippians 2:7-8; Hebrews 2:14,17; 4:15 )

 

Q.73: What is meant by the atonement?

A. The atonement consists of Christ’s satisfying divine justice, by his sufferings and death, in the place of sinners.

( Mark 10:45; Acts 13:38-39; Romans 3:24-26; 5:8-9; 2Corinthians 5:19-21; Galatians 3:13; 1Peter 3:18 )

 

Q.74: For whom did Christ obey and suffer?

A. Christ obeyed and sufffered for those whom the Father had given him.

( Isaiah 53:8; Matthew 1:21; John 10:11,15-16, 26-29; 17:9; Hebrews 2:13 )

 

Q.75: What kind of life did Christ live on earth?

A. Christ lived a life of perfect obedience to the law of God.

( Matthew 5:17; Romans 10:4; 1Peter 2:21-22 )

 

Q.76: What kind of death did Christ die?

A. Christ experienced the painful and shameful death of the cross.

( Psalm 22; Isaiah 53; Matthew 26:47-75; 27:1-66; Mark 14:43-72; 15:1-47; Luke 22:47-71; 23:1-56; John 18-19 )

 

Q.77: Who will be saved?

A. Only those who repent of sin and believe in Christ will be saved.

( Mark 1:15; Luke 13:3,5; Acts 2:37-41; 16:30-31; 20:21; 26:20 )

 

Q.78: What is it to repent?

A. Repentance involves sorrow for sin, leading one to hate and forsake it because it is displeasing to God.

( Luke 19:8-10; Romans 6:1-2; 2Corinthians 7:9-11; 1Thessalonians 1:9-10 )

 

Q.79: What is it to believe in Christ?

A. A person believes who knows that his only hope is Christ and trusts in Christ alone for salvation.

( John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1Timothy 2:5; 1John 5:11-12 )

 

Q.80: How were godly persons saved before the coming of Christ?

A. They believed in the Saviour to come.

( John 8:56; Galatians 3:8-9; 1Corinthians 10:1-4; Hebrews 9:15; 11:13 )

 

Q.81: How did they show their faith?

A. They offered sacrifices according to God’s commands.

( Exodus 24:3-8; 1Chronicles 29:20-25; Hebrews 9:19-23; 10:1; 11:28 )

 

Q.82: What did these sacrifices represent?

A. They were symbolic of Christ, the Lamb of God, who was to die for sinners.

( Exodus 12:46; cf. John 19:36; Hebrews 9-10; John 1:29; 1Corinthians 5:7; 1Peter 1:19 )

 

Q.83: What does Christ do for his people?

A. He does the work of a prophet, a priest and a king.

( Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 1:5; Matthew 13:57; Hebrews 5:5-10; John 18:37 )

 

Q.84: How is Christ a prophet?

A. He teaches us the will of God, reveals God to us, and really was God in human flesh.

( Deuteronomy 18:15,18; John 1:18; 4:25; 14:23-24; 1John 5:20 )

 

Q.85: Why do you need Christ as a prophet?

A. Because I am ignorant.

( Job 11:7; Matthew 11:25-27; John 6:67-69; 17:25-26; 1Corinthians 2:14-16; 2Corinthians 4:3-6 )

 

Q.86: How is Christ a priest?

A. He died for our sins and prays to God for us.

( Psalm 110:4; 1Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:24-25; 1John 2:1-2 )

 

Q.87: Why do you need Christ as a priest?

A. Because I am guilty.

( Proverbs 20:9; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:19-23; Hebrews 10:14,27-28; 1John 1:8-9 )

 

Q.88: How is Christ a king?

A. He rules over us and defends us.

( Psalm 2:6-9; Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 1:19-23; Colossians 1:13,18; Revelation 15:3-4 )

 

Q.89: Why do you need Christ as a king?

A. Because I am weak and helpless.

( John 15:4-5; 2Corinthians 12:9; Philippians 4:13; Colossians 1:11; Jude 24- 25 )

 

Q.90: What did God the Father undertake in the covenant of grace?

A. By His goodness and mercy, God the Father elected,and determined to justify, adopt and sanctify those for whom Christ should die.

( Exodus 33:18-19; Ephesians 1:3-5; Romans 8:29-33; Galatians 4:4-7; Hebrews 10:9-10; 1Corinthians 1:8-9; Philippians 1:6; 1Thessalonians 4:3,7 )

 

Q.91: What is election?

A. It is God’s goodness as revealed in his grace by choosing certain sinners for salvation.

( Ephesians 1:3-4; 1Thessalonians 1:4; 1Peter 1:1-2 )

 

Q.92: What is justification?

A. It is God’s regarding sinners as if they had never sinned and granting them righteousness.

( Zechariah 3:1-5; Romans 3:24-26; 4:5; 8:33; 2Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 8:12; Philippians 3:9 )

 

Q.93: What is righteousness?

A. It is God’s goodness as revealed in his law, and as honored in Christ’s perfect obedience to that law.

( Exodus 33:19; 34:6; Psalm 33:5; Hosea 3:5; Romans 11:22 )

 

Q.94: Can anyone be saved by his own righteousness?

A. No. No one is good enough for God.

( Proverbs 20:9; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:10-23; Philippians 3:8-9 )

 

Q.95: What is adoption?

A. It is God’s goodness in receiving sinful rebels as his beloved children.

( John 1:12; Ephesians 1:5; 5:1; Galatians 4:7,31; 1John 3:1-3 )

 

Q.96: What is sanctification?

A. In sanctification God makes sinners holy in heart and conduct so that they will demonstrate his goodness in their lives.

( John 17:17; Ephesians 2:10; 4:22-24; Philippians 2:12-13; 1Thessalonians 5:23 )

 

Q.97: Is this process of sanctification ever complete in this life?

A. No.  It is certain and continual, but is complete only in heaven.

( Philippians 3:12-15; 2Peter 1:4-8; 1John 3:1-3 )

 

Q.98: What hinders the completion of sanctification in this life?

A. The Scripture says “The flesh lusts against the Spirit so that you cannot do the things you would.”

( Galatians 5:17 )

 

Q.99: Since we are by nature sinful, how can one ever desire to be holy and to gain heaven where God lives?

A. Our hearts must be changed before we can be fit for heaven.

( Ephesians 4:17-24; Colossians 3:5-12 )

 

Q.100: Who can change a sinner’s heart?

A. Only the Holy Spirit can change a sinner’s heart.

( John 3:3; Romans 8:6-11; 1Corinthians 2:9-14; 2Thessalonians 2:13-14; Titus 3:5-6 )

 

Q.101: What did the Holy Spirit undertake in the covenant of Grace?

A. He regenerates, baptizes, and seals those for whom Christ has died.

( Ephesians 1:13-14; 2:1-8; 4:30; 1Corinthians 12:13; 2Corinthians 1:22 )

 

Q.102: What is regeneration?

A. It is a change of heart that leads to true repentance and faith.

( Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 2:5-8; 2Thessalonians 2:13 )

 

Q.103: Can you repent and believe in Christ by your own power?

A. No. I can do nothing good without God’s Holy Spirit.

( John 3:5-6; 6:44; Romans 8:2, 5, 8-11; 1Corinthians 2:9-14; Galatians 5:17, 18; Ephesians 2:4-6 )

 

Q.104: How does the Holy Spirit baptize believers?

A. He puts them into the body of Christ by making them a living part of all those who truly believe in Him.

( 1Corinthians 12 )

 

Q.105: How does the Holy Spirit seal believers?

A. He comes to live within them to guarantee that they will receive the wonders God has promised those who love Him.

( Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 2Timothy 1:9; 2Corinthians 1:22 )

 

Q.106: How can you receive the Holy Spirit?

A. God has told us that we must pray to him for the Holy Spirit;

( Luke 11:9-13; John 4:10; 16:24 )

–but the evidence of His presence is seen most clearly in our trusting and loving the Lord Jesus Christ.

( Luke 12:8-10; John 3:3-5,16,20-21; 14:17-21; 1Corinthians 12:3; 1Peter 1:2; 1John 5:6-12 )

The Baptist Catechism – Questions 90-92, The Proper Response to the Gospel

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Q.90: What doth God require of us that we may escape His wrath and curse, due to us for sin?

A. To escape the wrath and curse due to us for sin, God requireth of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption.

( Proverbs 2:1-6; 8:33-36; Isaiah 55:2-3; Acts 20:21 )

 

Q.91: What is faith in Jesus Christ?

A.  Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation, as He is offered to us in the Gospel.

( Isaiah 26:3-4; John 1:12; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9; Hebrews 10:39 )

 

Q.92: What is repentance unto life?

A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of and endeavor after new obedience.

( Isaiah 1:16-17; Jeremiah 3:22; 31:18-19; Esekiel 36:31; Joel 2:12; Acts 2:37-38; 11:28; 2Corinthians 7:11 )

The Baptist Catechism – Questions 24-32, Christ the Mediator

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Q.24: Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?

A. The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ; who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was and continueth to be God and man in two distinct natures, and one person for ever.

( 1Timothy 2:5-6; John 1:14; Galatians 4:4; Romans 9:5; Luke 1:35; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 7:24-25 )

 

Q.25: How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?

A. Christ the Son of God became man by taking to Himself a true body, and a reasonable soul; being conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin.

( Hebrews 2:14-16; 10:5 Matthew 26:38; Luke 1:27,31,34,35, 42; Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 4:15; 7:26 )

 

Q.26: What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?

A. Christ as our Redeemer executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in His state of humiliation and exaltation.

( Acts 3:32; Hebrews 12:25; 2Corinthians 13:3; Hebrews 5:5-7; Psalm 2:6; Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 21:5; Psalm 2:8-11 )

 

Q.27: How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?

A. Christ executeth the office of a prophet in revealing to us, by His Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation.

( John 1:18; 2Peter 1:10-12; John 15:15; 20:31 )

 

Q.28: How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?

A. Christ executeth the office of a priest in His once offering up Himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us.

( Hebrews 9:14,28; 2:17; 7:24-25 )

 

Q.29: How doth Christ execute the office of a king?

A. Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to Himself, in ruling, and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all His and our enemies.

( Acts 15:14-16; Isaiah 33:22; 32:1-2; 1Corinthians 15:25; Psalm 110 )

 

Q.30: Wherein did Christ’s humiliation consist?

A. Christ’s humiliation consisted in His being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time.

( Luke 2:7; Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 12:2-3; Isaiah 53:2-3; Luke 22:44; Matthew 27:46; Philippians 2:8; 1Corinthians 15:4; Acts 2:24-27,31; Matthew 12:40 )

 

Q.31: Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?

A. Christ’s exaltation consisteth in His rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up to heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.

( 1Corinthians 15:4; Mark 16:19; Ephesians 1:20; Acts 1:11; 17:31 )

 

Q.32: How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?

A. We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by His Holy Spirit.

( John 1:11-13; Titus 3:5-6 )

LBCF of 1677/1689 – Chapter Twelve, Of Adoption

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All those that are justified, God vouchsafed, in and for the sake of his only Son Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the grace of adoption, by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God, have his name put upon them, receive the spirit of adoption, have access to the throne of grace with boldness, are enabled to cry Abba, Father, are pitied, protected, provided for, and chastened by him as by a Father, yet never cast off, but sealed to the day of redemption, and inherit the promises as heirs of everlasting salvation.
( Ephesians 1:5; Galatians 4:4, 5; John 1:12; Romans 8:17; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Revelation 3:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 2:18; Psalms 103:13; Proverbs 14:26; 1 Peter 5:7; Hebrews 12:6; Isaiah 54:8, 9; Lamentations 3:31; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 1:14; Hebrews 6:12 )

LBCF of 1677/1689 – Chapter Eight, Of Christ the Mediator

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1. It pleased God, in His eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, his only begotten Son, according to the covenant made between them both, to be the mediator between God and man; the prophet, priest, and king; head and saviour of the church, the heir of all things, and judge of the world; unto whom he did from all eternity give a people to be his seed and to be by him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified.
( Isaiah 42:1; 1 Peter 1:19, 20; Acts 3:22; Hebrews 5:5, 6; Psalms 2:6; Luke 1:33; Ephesians 1:22, 23; Hebrews 1:2; Acts 17:31; Isaiah 53:10; John 17:6; Romans 8:30 )

2. The Son of God, the second person in the Holy Trinity, being very and eternal God, the brightness of the Father’s glory, of one substance and equal with him who made the world, who upholdeth and governeth all things he hath made, did, when the fullness of time was come, take upon him man’s nature, with all the essential properties and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin; being conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, the Holy Spirit coming down upon her: and the power of the Most High overshadowing her; and so was made of a woman of the tribe of Judah, of the seed of Abraham and David according to the Scriptures; so that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion; which person is very God and very man, yet one Christ, the only mediator between God and man.
( John 1:14; Galatians 4;4; Romans 8:3; Hebrews 2:14, 16, 17; Hebrews 4:15; Matthew 1:22, 23; Luke 1:27, 31, 35; Romans 9:5; 1 Timothy 2:5 )

3. The Lord Jesus, in his human nature thus united to the divine, in the person of the Son, was sanctified and anointed with the Holy Spirit above measure, having in Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; in whom it pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell, to the end that being holy, harmless, undefiled, and full of grace and truth, he might be throughly furnished to execute the office of mediator and surety; which office he took not upon himself, but was thereunto called by his Father; who also put all power and judgement in his hand, and gave him commandment to execute the same.
( Psalms 45:7; Acts 10:38; John 3:34; Colossians 2:3; Colossians 1:19; Hebrews 7:26; John 1:14; Hebrews 7:22; Hebrews 5:5; John 5:22, 27; Matthew 28:18; Acts 2:36 )

4. This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake, which that he might discharge he was made under the law, and did perfectly fulfil it, and underwent the punishment due to us, which we should have borne and suffered, being made sin and a curse for us; enduring most grievous sorrows in his soul, and most painful sufferings in his body; was crucified, and died, and remained in the state of the dead, yet saw no corruption: on the third day he arose from the dead with the same body in which he suffered, with which he also ascended into heaven, and there sitteth at the right hand of his Father making intercession, and shall return to judge men and angels at the end of the world.
( Psalms 40:7, 8; Hebrews 10:5-10; John 10:18; Gal 4:4; Matthew 3:15; Galatians 3:13; Isaiah 53:6; 1 Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Matthew 26:37, 38; Luke 22:44; Matthew 27:46; Acts 13:37; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; John 20:25, 27; Mark 16:19; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 9:24; Acts 10:42; Romans 14:9, 10; Acts 1:11; 2 Peter 2:4 )

5. The Lord Jesus, by his perfect obedience and sacrifice of himself, which he through the eternal Spirit once offered up unto God, hath fully satisfied the justice of God, procured reconciliation, and purchased an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father hath given unto Him.
( Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:14; Romans 3:25, 26; John 17:2; Hebrews 9:15 )

6. Although the price of redemption was not actually paid by Christ till after his incarnation, yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefit thereof were communicated to the elect in all ages, successively from the beginning of the world, in and by those promises, types, and sacrifices wherein he was revealed, and signified to be the seed which should bruise the serpent’s head; and the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, being the same yesterday, and to-day and for ever.
( 1 Corinthians 4:10; Hebrews 4:2; 1 Peter 1:10, 11; Revelation 13:8; Hebrews 13:8 )

7. Christ, in the work of mediation, acteth according to both natures, by each nature doing that which is proper to itself; yet by reason of the unity of the person, that which is proper to one nature is sometimes in Scripture, attributed to the person denominated by the other nature.
( John 3:13; Acts 20:28 )

8. To all those for whom Christ hath obtained eternal redemption, he doth certainly and effectually apply and communicate the same, making intercession for them; uniting them to himself by his Spirit, revealing unto them, in and by his Word, the mystery of salvation, persuading them to believe and obey, governing their hearts by his Word and Spirit, and overcoming all their enemies by his almighty power and wisdom, in such manner and ways as are most consonant to his wonderful and unsearchable dispensation; and all of free and absolute grace, without any condition foreseen in them to procure it.
( John 6:37; John 10:15, 16; John 17:9; Romans 5:10; John 17:6; Ephesians 1:9; 1 John 5:20; Romans 8:9, 14; Psalms 110:1; 1 Corinthians 15:25, 26; John 3:8; Ephesians 1:8 )

9. This office of mediator between God and man is proper only to Christ, who is the prophet, priest, and king of the church of God; and may not be either in whole, or any part thereof, transferred from him to any other.
( 1 Timothy 2:5 )

10. This number and order of offices is necessary; for in respect of our ignorance, we stand in need of his prophetical office; and in respect of our alienation from God, and imperfection of the best of our services, we need his priestly office to reconcile us and present us acceptable unto God; and in respect to our averseness and utter inability to return to God, and for our rescue and security from our spiritual adversaries, we need his kingly office to convince, subdue, draw, uphold, deliver, and preserve us to his heavenly kingdom.
( John 1:18; Colossians 1:21; Galatians 5:17; John 16:8; Psalms 110:3; Luke 1:74, 75 )