CATEGORY: THEOLOGY POSTED ONJANUARY 5, 2015 How Can We Know If Our Children Are Christians? Tom Hicks Answers Tom Hicks Tom Hicks Reformed Baptist Fellowship: Christian parents want our children to know Christ because we want what is best for them. Many parents, however, struggle with how to know whether their children have come to a saving knowledge of Christ. While there’s no way to give a complete answer in a short blog post like this, I’ll try to offer you a handful of basic principles. No child gives evidence of salvation in a vacuum. These are things a child has to learn from faithful parents who teach him the Word of God. And these are lessons of the heart that only the Holy Spirit can truly teach. A child may certainly be saved before his parents can see it, but there are some evidences that point to our child’s salvation. Growing awareness of God’s goodness. Increasing sense of personal sin. Leaning on Jesus for forgiveness and salvation. Growing desire to know the Bible and pray. Faithful repentance of sin and increasing obedience to Christ’s commands. Read the explanation of each point. No child (or adult for that matter!) does any of these things perfectly. But if your child has a pattern of these evidences of salvation, you should bring him to the pastors of your church for baptism and church membership. POSTED ONDECEMBER 25, 2014 “This infant God deserves thy ode.” Hercules Collins’ Poetry on the Incarnation of Jesus Hercules Collins Incarnation 1 – Hercules Collins Incarnation 2 – Hercules Collins Incarnation 3 Hercules Collins + more [source: Particular Voices, 2, 3] POSTED ONDECEMBER 25, 2014 ‘A Happy Christmas To You All!’ – C. H. Spurgeon Spurgeon Online: Charles Haddon Spurgeon was a faithful pastor to the people of God in his day. Part of his faithfulness may be seen in how he stood against the various errors and corruptions of the medieval church. One of these errors was the adding to the calendar various holidays. Not even Christmas was exempt from his fiery zeal: “WE have no superstitious regard for times and seasons. Certainly we do not believe in the present ecclesiastical arrangement called Christmas.” But one would be mistaken to think that dear old Spurgeon had no place in the heart and home of a Christian for the joyful celebration of our Lord’s birth. This can be seen from the fact that he often preached sermons on the incarnation at or on Christmas (the statement above comes to us from a sermon preached Dec. 24th the subject matter was the birth of Christ) and by these statements that are of the stock of Spurgeon’s verbal genus… santa spurgeon Now, a happy Christmas to you all; and it will be a happy Christmas if you have God with you… I shall say nothing to-day against festivities on this great birthday of Christ. I hold that, perhaps, it is not right to have the birthday celebrated, but we will never be amongst those who think it as much a duty to celebrate it the wrong way as others the right. But we will to-morrow think of Christ’s birthday; we shall be obliged to do it, I am sure, however sturdily we may hold to our rough Puritanism… Feast, Christians, feast; you have a right to feast. Go to the house of feasting to-morrow, celebrate your Savior’s birth; do not be ashamed to be glad, you have a right to be happy. Solomon says, “Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.” “Religion never was designed To make our pleasures less.” Recollect that your Master ate butter and honey. Go your way, rejoice tomorrow; but, in your feasting, think of the Man in Bethlehem; let him have a place in your hearts, give him the glory, think of the virgin who conceived him, but think most of all of the Man born, the Child given. I finish by again saying, “A HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!” More… POSTED ONDECEMBER 24, 2014 Longing for more than Christmas [Jason Ching] Pastor Jason Ching Pastor Jason Ching Every week on our headlines podcast [The Dunker Bunker] we highlight some posts from our Reformed Baptist blog aggregator [The BaptiBot]. One of the blogs that always gets highlighted is Jason Ching’s, who is one of the pastors at Grace Community Church in Minden, Nevada. We love it because once or twice a week he gives you a good 30-second devotional. Allow me to highlight his latest post, which isn’t much longer than my intro: Longing for more than Christmas “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.” (Psalm 130:5–6, ESV) The morning is coldest when the sun first rises. Part of it is just temperature, the morning hasn’t yet been able to soak up the warmth of the sun. But the other part must be deeper than that. Our longing for the sun’s warmth reaches its peak when the light is glimpsed, but not yet felt. There’s the hint of warmth, but the absence of its touch. Two thousand years ago the sun peaked over the horizon. Rays of hope pierced death’s dark dominion. Perhaps the chill is most pronounced right now. We’ve glimpsed the Son but still we wait. Like watchmen for the morning, we long for more than Christmas. We long for more than the past, we long for the future that He promised. With groaning hearts, we long for the One who is coming again. Visit this blog or subscribe [RSS]. POSTED ONDECEMBER 23, 2014 Does God Change in the Incarnation? Spurgeon Answers [Quote & Sermon Audio] Pastor Erik Raymond points out a quote from Spurgeon that is, “especially helpful in considering the immutability of God (the fact that he does not change) even in light of the incarnation of Christ“: Charles Spurgeon Charles Spurgeon All creatures change. Man, especially as to his body, is always undergoing revolution. Very probably there is not a single particle in my body which was in it a few years ago. This frame has been worn away by activity, its atoms have been removed by friction, fresh particles of matter have in the mean time constantly accrued to my body, and so it has been replenished; but its substance is altered. The fabric of which this world is made is ever passing away; like a stream of water, drops are running away and others are following after, keeping the river still full, but always changing in its elements. But God is perpetually the same. He is not composed of any substance or material, but is spirit—pure, essential, and ethereal spirit—and therefore he is immutable. He remains everlastingly the same. There are no furrows on his eternal brow. No age hath palsied him; no years have marked him with the mementoes of their flight; he sees ages pass, but with him it is ever now. He is the great I AM—the Great Unchangeable. Mark you, his essence did not undergo a change when it became united with the manhood. When Christ in past years did gird himself with mortal clay, the essence of his divinity was not changed; flesh did not become God, nor did God become flesh by a real actual change of nature; the two were united in hypostatical union, but the Godhead was still the same. It was the same when he was a babe in the manger, as it was when he stretched the curtains of heaven; it was the same God that hung upon the cross, and whose blood flowed down in a purple river, the self-same God that holds the world upon his everlasting shoulders, and bears in his hands the keys of death and hell. He never has been changed in his essence, not even by his incarnation; he remains everlastingly, eternally, the one unchanging God, the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness, neither the shadow of a change. Here is the entire sermon (his first preached at New Park Street Chapel, Southwark). Read out [mp3]: Audio Player 00:0000:00Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume. POSTED ONDECEMBER 22, 2014 2014 Christmas Roundup dore wisemen woodcut Christmas header nativity star Here is the Christmas Roundup from last year with some recent posts added on: Podcast The Incarnation | Sola Scripture Ministries International On today’s broad cast of After Darkness Light, Heinz Dschankilic and Michael Haykin look at the essence behind the Christmas story. This essence is described in John 1:14 where the apostle notes that “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Come join us today as they explore The Incarnation. Audio Player 00:0000:00Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume. Christmas and Christianity, Part 1 | Nick Kennicott I’m not sure if every pastor out there gets the same questions I do, but one that seems to come up pretty regularly this time of year is all about Christmas… While Christians often debate this issue, I am convinced that the 2nd commandment forbids the making of images of Christ in every respect. I oppose the ikons of Eastern Orthodoxy depicting the members of the Trinity, and just as strongly oppose the myriad of attempts at depicting Jesus in art of various forms (film, paintings, sculptures, crucifixes, etc.). God has said quite categorically, “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth” (Exodus 20:4). So the nativity scenes of Christmas depicting Jesus as a baby are a violation of the 2nd commandment, and while well intentioned, should not be displayed by Christians. – Christmas and Christianity, Part 2 There are at least five areas to consider when working through the biblical arguments against Christmas celebration. They are festivals and special days of observance, the Lord’s Day, the regulative principle of worship, cultural engagement, and Christian liberty. – Christmas and Christianity, Part 3 What About History? elf santaSanta Claus is coming to town? | Stephen Rees It’s that time again. The run-up to Christmas. We’ve been preparing our children. We’ve warned them. They mustn’t say it. They mustn’t even hint at it. Whatever anyone says to them, they mustn’t let it slip. They don’t believe in Santa. – The cost of Christmas In a few weeks time most of us will be celebrating Christmas. So how do we, as Christians, decide what it’s right to spend at Christmas? We face the same pressures as other folk. Let me remind you of five important truths. albert n martinChristmas and the Christian | Feileadh Mor Albert N. Martin is a straight shooter. In a series on Christmas he outlines the history of the practice in connection with Christian liberty… MP3s: Christmas and the Christian 01 Christmas and the Christian 02 Christmas and the Christian 03 Christmas and the Christian 04 Christmas Liberty 01 Christmas Liberty 02 Christmas Liberty 03 – gillGill on Christmas It directs to the observation of several fasts and festivals, which are no where enjoined in the word of God, and for which it provides collects, gospels and epistles to be read: the fasts are, Quadragesima or Lent, in imitation of Christ’s forty days fast in the wilderness, Ember weeks, Rogatian days, and all the Fridays in the year; in which men are commanded to abstain from meats, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving. The festivals, besides, the principal ones, Christmas, Easter and Whitsuntide, are the several saints days throughout the year; which are all of popish invention, and are either moveable or fixed, as the popish festivals be; and being the relics of popery makes us still more uneasy and dissatisfied with them. “Because you have been attending the wrong church.” Santa Claus, the Gospel & the Church + The “right way to fire your pastor” | Tom Ascol It happened again last week. On Thanksgiving morning I received an email from a friend of a friend. The first line read, “It appears I am being forced out of my pastorate.” The story that unfolded in the rest of that email and upon further inquiry is filled with themes that are tragically too common… Should We Celebrate Christmas? | Scott Brown Each year, I receive letters asking my thoughts about the celebration of Christmas. So last year, I posted over a dozen articles on the subject of Christmas expressing a number of different perspectives from respectable men… Ponder through the Twelve Days of Christmas series and test each of them by the Word of God. Day 1: Sermon by Charles Spurgeon Day 2: Jonathan Edwards on Christmas, Easter, and New Year’s Day 3: XMAS by A.W. Pink Day 4: John Piper Day 5: George Whitefield Day 6: Brian Schwertly Day 7: John MacArthur on the Christmas Tree Day 8: A Scottish Covenanter – George Gillespie – on Christmas Day 9: Two Sermons Commenting on Christmas Observance from Charles Spurgeon Day 10: Rethinking the Pagan Origins of Christmas Day 11: The Puritans on Christmas Day 12.1: Did We Celebrate Christmas in Early American History? Day 12.2: More Quotes from the 17th to the 19th Centuries Day 12.3: What Roman Catholics Say About Christmas Day 12.4: Christmas and the Use of Time Day 12.5: R.C. Sproul and J.I. Packer JoyFriday Funny: ‘Twas the Sunday pre-Christmas: a cautionary tale [Jeremy Walker] + Audio Interview About This Poem | Jason Delgado We interviewed Jeremy Walker about his newest book and this topic came up. Here is a five minute preview of Tuesday’s podcast: Audio Player 00:0000:00Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume. The Power of the Most High | Stephen Yuille We are in the midst of the Christmas season, when we give particular attention to the incarnation of Christ. Jesus and the Real Meaning of Christmas | John Samson Each Christmas we hear the story about angels and shepherds, of wise men and strange sightings of a star, of a donkey, and of the Child that was laid in a stable manger. Yet the actual birth of Jesus, though highly unusual, was not entirely unique. Of course, not everyone is born to the sight of a star moving and coming to rest overhead, or to the sound of angelic announcements and trumpet blasts! Yet it is true to say that many children have been born in humble surroundings. Therefore, it was the manner in which Jesus was conceived that marks Him out from others. The doctrine of the Virgin Birth holds that Jesus’ birth was the result of a miraculous conception whereby the Virgin Mary conceived a baby in her womb by the power of the Holy Spirit, without a human father. Christ’s miraculous birth tells us much about His nature. In the Fullness of Time | Mike Porter So, why did Caesar, the most powerful man in the known world, send out the decree? Because “this…has been written by the prophet”. Because “the heart of the King is in the hand of the Lord as rivers of water — he turns it wherever he wills”. Because the fullness of time had come, and for no other reason. It was God’s sovereign design, and not that of men. spurgeon14 reminders from Spurgeon for those home for Christmas | Tony Reinke On Sunday morning, December 21, 1856, Charles Spurgeon preached a sermon to prepare his growing church for the coming Christmas season. He titled it “Going Home,” and the aim of the message was to encourage each member of his congregation to humbly, wisely, and appropriately find opportunities to share their personal testimony with family and friends. Have Yourself An Eschatological Christmas | Eric Ayala When we think of Christmas, we often think of the beginning of Jesus’ life here on earth, of when he was incarnate in the flesh and the beginning of the story of the Gospels. But we don’t often think of Christmas as an Eschatological event. The historical reality of the incarnation wasn’t just a sign of a new beginning, but of a completion and fulfillment. Christmas is a mark of the end, the eschaton, as the God who will bring the final day steps into time and space to bring about the culmination of all things. With him comes light and peace and hope; and also judgment and terror, and finality. Far from a celebration of just a cute little baby that we call Jesus, Christmas shows us the declarative and magnificent power of the omnipotent God who reigns over all things. Christmas in Jesus’ Own Words | Paul Gordon “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10 Christmas in The Words of The Apostles of Jesus “And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.” 1 John 4:14 poetry poetic poet write draw“To Nazareth came Gabriel, a herald of God’s love” | Jeremy Walker Recently, preaching from Luke 1, I was disappointed with the range of hymns available that focused on the miraculous conception. What follows is a first attempt at addressing that lack. A Tale of Two Christmases | Tom Chantry A thought occurred to me while I was driving home on Christmas Eve listening to callers to a radio station share their Christmas memories. They were all trying to be happy, but they all sounded depressed. It struck me of a sudden that I understand why this is. More will be added here as they appear. POSTED ONDECEMBER 19, 2014 Tomorrow’s Promise, Today’s Indulgence [Jeremy Walker]

THE CONFESSING BAPTIST Reformed Resources from a 1689 Perspective About Contact Guidelines | T&C | FAQ Podcast Interview Headlines Book Review Categories News Theology Culture Audio Video Events Bapti-Bot Roundup CATEGORY: THEOLOGY POSTED ONJANUARY 5, 2015 How Can We Know If Our Children Are Christians? Tom Hicks Answers Tom Hicks Tom Hicks Reformed Baptist Fellowship: Christian parents want our children to know Christ because we want what is best for them. Many parents, however, struggle with how to know whether their children have come to a saving knowledge of Christ. While there’s no way to give a complete answer in a short blog post like this, I’ll try to offer you a handful of basic principles. No child gives evidence of salvation in a vacuum. These are things a child has to learn from faithful parents who teach him the Word of God. And these are lessons of the heart that only the Holy Spirit can truly teach. A child may certainly be saved before his parents can see it, but there are some evidences that point to our child’s salvation. Growing awareness of God’s goodness. Increasing sense of personal sin. Leaning on Jesus for forgiveness and salvation. Growing desire to know the Bible and pray. Faithful repentance of sin and increasing obedience to Christ’s commands. Read the explanation of each point. No child (or adult for that matter!) does any of these things perfectly. But if your child has a pattern of these evidences of salvation, you should bring him to the pastors of your church for baptism and church membership. POSTED ONDECEMBER 25, 2014 “This infant God deserves thy ode.” Hercules Collins’ Poetry on the Incarnation of Jesus Hercules Collins Incarnation 1 – Hercules Collins Incarnation 2 – Hercules Collins Incarnation 3 Hercules Collins + more [source: Particular Voices, 2, 3] POSTED ONDECEMBER 25, 2014 ‘A Happy Christmas To You All!’ – C. H. Spurgeon Spurgeon Online: Charles Haddon Spurgeon was a faithful pastor to the people of God in his day. Part of his faithfulness may be seen in how he stood against the various errors and corruptions of the medieval church. One of these errors was the adding to the calendar various holidays. Not even Christmas was exempt from his fiery zeal: “WE have no superstitious regard for times and seasons. Certainly we do not believe in the present ecclesiastical arrangement called Christmas.” But one would be mistaken to think that dear old Spurgeon had no place in the heart and home of a Christian for the joyful celebration of our Lord’s birth. This can be seen from the fact that he often preached sermons on the incarnation at or on Christmas (the statement above comes to us from a sermon preached Dec. 24th the subject matter was the birth of Christ) and by these statements that are of the stock of Spurgeon’s verbal genus… santa spurgeon Now, a happy Christmas to you all; and it will be a happy Christmas if you have God with you… I shall say nothing to-day against festivities on this great birthday of Christ. I hold that, perhaps, it is not right to have the birthday celebrated, but we will never be amongst those who think it as much a duty to celebrate it the wrong way as others the right. But we will to-morrow think of Christ’s birthday; we shall be obliged to do it, I am sure, however sturdily we may hold to our rough Puritanism… Feast, Christians, feast; you have a right to feast. Go to the house of feasting to-morrow, celebrate your Savior’s birth; do not be ashamed to be glad, you have a right to be happy. Solomon says, “Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.” “Religion never was designed To make our pleasures less.” Recollect that your Master ate butter and honey. Go your way, rejoice tomorrow; but, in your feasting, think of the Man in Bethlehem; let him have a place in your hearts, give him the glory, think of the virgin who conceived him, but think most of all of the Man born, the Child given. I finish by again saying, “A HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!” More… POSTED ONDECEMBER 24, 2014 Longing for more than Christmas [Jason Ching] Pastor Jason Ching Pastor Jason Ching Every week on our headlines podcast [The Dunker Bunker] we highlight some posts from our Reformed Baptist blog aggregator [The BaptiBot]. One of the blogs that always gets highlighted is Jason Ching’s, who is one of the pastors at Grace Community Church in Minden, Nevada. We love it because once or twice a week he gives you a good 30-second devotional. Allow me to highlight his latest post, which isn’t much longer than my intro: Longing for more than Christmas “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.” (Psalm 130:5–6, ESV) The morning is coldest when the sun first rises. Part of it is just temperature, the morning hasn’t yet been able to soak up the warmth of the sun. But the other part must be deeper than that. Our longing for the sun’s warmth reaches its peak when the light is glimpsed, but not yet felt. There’s the hint of warmth, but the absence of its touch. Two thousand years ago the sun peaked over the horizon. Rays of hope pierced death’s dark dominion. Perhaps the chill is most pronounced right now. We’ve glimpsed the Son but still we wait. Like watchmen for the morning, we long for more than Christmas. We long for more than the past, we long for the future that He promised. With groaning hearts, we long for the One who is coming again. Visit this blog or subscribe [RSS]. POSTED ONDECEMBER 23, 2014 Does God Change in the Incarnation? Spurgeon Answers [Quote & Sermon Audio] Pastor Erik Raymond points out a quote from Spurgeon that is, “especially helpful in considering the immutability of God (the fact that he does not change) even in light of the incarnation of Christ“: Charles Spurgeon Charles Spurgeon All creatures change. Man, especially as to his body, is always undergoing revolution. Very probably there is not a single particle in my body which was in it a few years ago. This frame has been worn away by activity, its atoms have been removed by friction, fresh particles of matter have in the mean time constantly accrued to my body, and so it has been replenished; but its substance is altered. The fabric of which this world is made is ever passing away; like a stream of water, drops are running away and others are following after, keeping the river still full, but always changing in its elements. But God is perpetually the same. He is not composed of any substance or material, but is spirit—pure, essential, and ethereal spirit—and therefore he is immutable. He remains everlastingly the same. There are no furrows on his eternal brow. No age hath palsied him; no years have marked him with the mementoes of their flight; he sees ages pass, but with him it is ever now. He is the great I AM—the Great Unchangeable. Mark you, his essence did not undergo a change when it became united with the manhood. When Christ in past years did gird himself with mortal clay, the essence of his divinity was not changed; flesh did not become God, nor did God become flesh by a real actual change of nature; the two were united in hypostatical union, but the Godhead was still the same. It was the same when he was a babe in the manger, as it was when he stretched the curtains of heaven; it was the same God that hung upon the cross, and whose blood flowed down in a purple river, the self-same God that holds the world upon his everlasting shoulders, and bears in his hands the keys of death and hell. He never has been changed in his essence, not even by his incarnation; he remains everlastingly, eternally, the one unchanging God, the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness, neither the shadow of a change. Here is the entire sermon (his first preached at New Park Street Chapel, Southwark). Read out [mp3]: Audio Player 00:0000:00Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume. POSTED ONDECEMBER 22, 2014 2014 Christmas Roundup dore wisemen woodcut Christmas header nativity star Here is the Christmas Roundup from last year with some recent posts added on: Podcast The Incarnation | Sola Scripture Ministries International On today’s broad cast of After Darkness Light, Heinz Dschankilic and Michael Haykin look at the essence behind the Christmas story. This essence is described in John 1:14 where the apostle notes that “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Come join us today as they explore The Incarnation. Audio Player 00:0000:00Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume. Christmas and Christianity, Part 1 | Nick Kennicott I’m not sure if every pastor out there gets the same questions I do, but one that seems to come up pretty regularly this time of year is all about Christmas… While Christians often debate this issue, I am convinced that the 2nd commandment forbids the making of images of Christ in every respect. I oppose the ikons of Eastern Orthodoxy depicting the members of the Trinity, and just as strongly oppose the myriad of attempts at depicting Jesus in art of various forms (film, paintings, sculptures, crucifixes, etc.). God has said quite categorically, “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth” (Exodus 20:4). So the nativity scenes of Christmas depicting Jesus as a baby are a violation of the 2nd commandment, and while well intentioned, should not be displayed by Christians. – Christmas and Christianity, Part 2 There are at least five areas to consider when working through the biblical arguments against Christmas celebration. They are festivals and special days of observance, the Lord’s Day, the regulative principle of worship, cultural engagement, and Christian liberty. – Christmas and Christianity, Part 3 What About History? elf santaSanta Claus is coming to town? | Stephen Rees It’s that time again. The run-up to Christmas. We’ve been preparing our children. We’ve warned them. They mustn’t say it. They mustn’t even hint at it. Whatever anyone says to them, they mustn’t let it slip. They don’t believe in Santa. – The cost of Christmas In a few weeks time most of us will be celebrating Christmas. So how do we, as Christians, decide what it’s right to spend at Christmas? We face the same pressures as other folk. Let me remind you of five important truths. albert n martinChristmas and the Christian | Feileadh Mor Albert N. Martin is a straight shooter. In a series on Christmas he outlines the history of the practice in connection with Christian liberty… MP3s: Christmas and the Christian 01 Christmas and the Christian 02 Christmas and the Christian 03 Christmas and the Christian 04 Christmas Liberty 01 Christmas Liberty 02 Christmas Liberty 03 – gillGill on Christmas It directs to the observation of several fasts and festivals, which are no where enjoined in the word of God, and for which it provides collects, gospels and epistles to be read: the fasts are, Quadragesima or Lent, in imitation of Christ’s forty days fast in the wilderness, Ember weeks, Rogatian days, and all the Fridays in the year; in which men are commanded to abstain from meats, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving. The festivals, besides, the principal ones, Christmas, Easter and Whitsuntide, are the several saints days throughout the year; which are all of popish invention, and are either moveable or fixed, as the popish festivals be; and being the relics of popery makes us still more uneasy and dissatisfied with them. “Because you have been attending the wrong church.” Santa Claus, the Gospel & the Church + The “right way to fire your pastor” | Tom Ascol It happened again last week. On Thanksgiving morning I received an email from a friend of a friend. The first line read, “It appears I am being forced out of my pastorate.” The story that unfolded in the rest of that email and upon further inquiry is filled with themes that are tragically too common… Should We Celebrate Christmas? | Scott Brown Each year, I receive letters asking my thoughts about the celebration of Christmas. So last year, I posted over a dozen articles on the subject of Christmas expressing a number of different perspectives from respectable men… Ponder through the Twelve Days of Christmas series and test each of them by the Word of God. Day 1: Sermon by Charles Spurgeon Day 2: Jonathan Edwards on Christmas, Easter, and New Year’s Day 3: XMAS by A.W. Pink Day 4: John Piper Day 5: George Whitefield Day 6: Brian Schwertly Day 7: John MacArthur on the Christmas Tree Day 8: A Scottish Covenanter – George Gillespie – on Christmas Day 9: Two Sermons Commenting on Christmas Observance from Charles Spurgeon Day 10: Rethinking the Pagan Origins of Christmas Day 11: The Puritans on Christmas Day 12.1: Did We Celebrate Christmas in Early American History? Day 12.2: More Quotes from the 17th to the 19th Centuries Day 12.3: What Roman Catholics Say About Christmas Day 12.4: Christmas and the Use of Time Day 12.5: R.C. Sproul and J.I. Packer JoyFriday Funny: ‘Twas the Sunday pre-Christmas: a cautionary tale [Jeremy Walker] + Audio Interview About This Poem | Jason Delgado We interviewed Jeremy Walker about his newest book and this topic came up. Here is a five minute preview of Tuesday’s podcast: Audio Player 00:0000:00Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume. The Power of the Most High | Stephen Yuille We are in the midst of the Christmas season, when we give particular attention to the incarnation of Christ. Jesus and the Real Meaning of Christmas | John Samson Each Christmas we hear the story about angels and shepherds, of wise men and strange sightings of a star, of a donkey, and of the Child that was laid in a stable manger. Yet the actual birth of Jesus, though highly unusual, was not entirely unique. Of course, not everyone is born to the sight of a star moving and coming to rest overhead, or to the sound of angelic announcements and trumpet blasts! Yet it is true to say that many children have been born in humble surroundings. Therefore, it was the manner in which Jesus was conceived that marks Him out from others. The doctrine of the Virgin Birth holds that Jesus’ birth was the result of a miraculous conception whereby the Virgin Mary conceived a baby in her womb by the power of the Holy Spirit, without a human father. Christ’s miraculous birth tells us much about His nature. In the Fullness of Time | Mike Porter So, why did Caesar, the most powerful man in the known world, send out the decree? Because “this…has been written by the prophet”. Because “the heart of the King is in the hand of the Lord as rivers of water — he turns it wherever he wills”. Because the fullness of time had come, and for no other reason. It was God’s sovereign design, and not that of men. spurgeon14 reminders from Spurgeon for those home for Christmas | Tony Reinke On Sunday morning, December 21, 1856, Charles Spurgeon preached a sermon to prepare his growing church for the coming Christmas season. He titled it “Going Home,” and the aim of the message was to encourage each member of his congregation to humbly, wisely, and appropriately find opportunities to share their personal testimony with family and friends. Have Yourself An Eschatological Christmas | Eric Ayala When we think of Christmas, we often think of the beginning of Jesus’ life here on earth, of when he was incarnate in the flesh and the beginning of the story of the Gospels. But we don’t often think of Christmas as an Eschatological event. The historical reality of the incarnation wasn’t just a sign of a new beginning, but of a completion and fulfillment. Christmas is a mark of the end, the eschaton, as the God who will bring the final day steps into time and space to bring about the culmination of all things. With him comes light and peace and hope; and also judgment and terror, and finality. Far from a celebration of just a cute little baby that we call Jesus, Christmas shows us the declarative and magnificent power of the omnipotent God who reigns over all things. Christmas in Jesus’ Own Words | Paul Gordon “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10 Christmas in The Words of The Apostles of Jesus “And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.” 1 John 4:14 poetry poetic poet write draw“To Nazareth came Gabriel, a herald of God’s love” | Jeremy Walker Recently, preaching from Luke 1, I was disappointed with the range of hymns available that focused on the miraculous conception. What follows is a first attempt at addressing that lack. A Tale of Two Christmases | Tom Chantry A thought occurred to me while I was driving home on Christmas Eve listening to callers to a radio station share their Christmas memories. They were all trying to be happy, but they all sounded depressed. It struck me of a sudden that I understand why this is. More will be added here as they appear. POSTED ONDECEMBER 19, 2014 Tomorrow’s Promise, Today’s Indulgence [Jeremy Walker] christmas pudding flamingFrom Jeremy Walker at Reformation21: Perhaps one of the reasons why the festive season is one of such excess and abandonment is because we indulge with the self-satisfying assurance that we will be sorting everything out tomorrow. So, whether it is food and drink, spending, or general laziness and laxity, we let it all hang out because tomorrow will be different. … We can do the same thing spiritually. We promise ourselves that tomorrow is the big day, the day when we will really begin to pray against a particular sin, wrestle against a particular temptation, address a particular habit. And what happens? First of all, our own sinful hearts will incline to one last fling, one last binge – after all, we will be taking ourselves in hand tomorrow. But more than that, Satan will begin to whisper. He will assure us that we might as well give in to temptation – after all, we can repent later and start over the day after. And how often does this happen? Read the rest of this needed exhortation here. POSTED ONDECEMBER 3, 2014 Is the evangelical church really glorifying God? [Conrad Mbewe] Conrad Mbewe Conrad Mbewe Conrad Mbewe asks 10 questions towards “evangelical Christianity in Africa”, but these same questions could/should be asked worldwide: As 2014 draws to an end, my heart aches. I am deeply burdened about what has become the dominant characteristic of evangelical Christianity in Africa. I have tried to wrap my mind around this by simply asking an honest question “Is this Christianity that has become pervasive across the African continent really glorifying God?” 1. Are we glorifying God when we claim that we are experiencing miracles that are actually not happening? […] 2. Are we glorifying God when we speak in “tongues” that cannot be interpreted? […] 3. Are we glorifying God when we reduce the benefits of salvation to more wealth and better health? […] 4. Are we glorifying God when we abandon the preaching of repentance for motivational speaking? […] 5. Are we glorifying God when we hide the rot of spiritual wolves preying on vulnerable souls? […] 6. Are we glorifying God when we reduce truth to a minimum for the sake of Christian unity? […] 7. Are we glorifying God when we reduce worship to senseless dancing to sensual music? […] 8. Are we glorifying God when commanding, declaring and decreeing replace humble petitions in prayer? […] 9. Are we glorifying God when we fill our church membership rolls with goats and kick out church discipline? […] 10. Are we glorifying God when we have women preachers while men sit in pews and listen to them? […] Read “Is the evangelical church in Africa really glorifying God?” POSTED ONDECEMBER 2, 2014 Chapter 1 of Recovering a Covenantal Heritage [PDF] ‘A Brief Overview of Seventeenth-Century Reformed Orthodox Federalism’ [Barcellos] You can read chapter one of the forthcoming book Recovering a Covenantal Heritage. It begins: CHAPTER 1 A Brief Overview of Seventeenth-Century Reformed Orthodox Federalism Richard C. Barcellos, Ph.D. Recovering Covenantal HeritageIt is no secret that various seventeenth-century Reformed orthodox theologians articulated theology utilizing a federal or covenantal model. There are many sources (primary and secondary) available for the contemporary reader which amply display and discuss this model. We will examine briefly a few of the more important federal theologians of the seventeenth century to introduce readers to the world of seventeenth-century federal or covenant theology. This brief survey understands federal theology as a method and not as a distinct school. Federal or covenant theology did not begin in the seventeenth century. The seventeenth-century Reformed orthodox built upon the labors of their Reformed predecessors, who built upon the labors of others before them. Such theologians as Zwingli, Bullinger, Calvin, Ursinus, Olevianus, Rollock, Perkins, Ames, and Ball all played key roles in the early development of federal theology. We will look briefly at some of the key contributors to the development of federalism in the early and late seventeenth century, and even into the eighteenth century, to provide a wider context to introduce the reader to the thought-world of post-Reformation federalism. This should assist the reader as he continues through this volume. Knowing the historical-theological issues of the most productive era of the formulation of federal or covenant theology (among paedobaptists and Particular Baptists) will introduce readers to the ways and means utilized in such formulations and help understand some of the post-Reformation confessional statements and the biblical and theological issues at stake. You can read the HTML (text) of chapter one at 1689 Federalism [45 minute readout], as well as find the 18 page PDF below: Download (PDF, 343KB) Follow Richard Barcellos @richbarcellos RBAP just ordered 150 copies of Recovering a Covenantal Heritage: Essays in Baptist Covenant Theology. Should be on sale by Dec 16. 12:23 PM - Dec 3, 2014 1 1 Reply 4 4 Retweets 13 13 likes Twitter Ads info and privacy POSTED ONDECEMBER 2, 2014 ‘Biblical Principles for Parenting’ Series [Keith Throop] Keith Throop Keith Throop Keith Throop introduced this topic: The Bible doesn’t give us a parenting manual – a specific list of “how to’s” for most any conceivable situation – but it does give us a number of important principles to apply in parenting our children, and, in order to adequately set forth these principles, I can think of no better place to begin that with the fact that God has revealed Himself to us as a Father. This means that we will discover the ideal of fatherhood expressed in His person both in relationship to Jesus, who is God’s Son by nature, and in relationship to those of us who believe and are thus God’s sons by adoption… Thus each principle we will examine relates in one way or another back to God as our heavenly Father and our supreme example for parenting. The four principles will be as follows [one post devoted to each]: First, our heavenly Father teaches us the importance of letting our children know that we love them and that they are special to us. Second, our heavenly Father teaches us the importance of the loving discipline of our children. Third, our heavenly Father teaches us the importance of raising our children to know His Word. Fourth, our heavenly Father teaches us the importance of a proper view of both a father’s and mother’s role in the family. POSTED ONDECEMBER 2, 2014 ‘Kingdom through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the Covenants’ Review Article [PDF] by Sam Renihan [from JIRBS 2014] Kingdom Through Covenant Gentry Wellum Kingdom through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the Covenant by Peter J. Gentry and Stephen J. Wellum This review article was published in the Journal of the Institute of Reformed Baptist Studies (2014): 153-76, and is used with permission from Reformed Baptist Academic Press. Sam Renihan Sam Renihan Here is the first couple of paragraphs of the critique sections and the closing paragraph: It goes without saying that Gentry and Wellum are to be commended for their detailed, careful, and extensive work. They are also to be commended for a desire to say what God has said in such a way that reflects the way that he has said it. But we must now turn to iron-sharpening and face the giants in the land. The fundamental argument of Kingdom through Covenant is sound. God does indeed govern his world through dominion delegated by covenant. The overall metanarrative is also sound. There is a great tension/need in the progress of the historical covenants for one who will do perfectly all that God commands. But the authors are operating under a few false dilemmas. They propose their system as a via media between covenant theology and dispensationalism. From all appearances, covenant theology equals paedobaptism. The only hint to the contrary is the brief mention of Greg Nichols’ book in the preface (12- 13). Forasmuch as the authors are weary of the rehearsal of the same arguments from covenant theologians, they would find many an ally among the federal theologians of the seventeenth-century Particular Baptists. A rejection of the idea that the historical covenants are simply “administrations” of the covenant of grace, an appreciation for the progressive nature of God’s covenantal dealings with man, and an insistence that the new covenant is the covenant of grace are arguments that have been brought forward in the past. But these arguments did not entail the same rejection of the covenant of works and covenant of grace as is seen in this book. Thus, it is a false dilemma to see no party besides paedobaptist federal theologians and dispensationalists… Gentry and Wellum have produced a volume that demands attention, consideration, and interaction. At the very least, it provides a wealth of exegetical work and research for those who would want to study these issues. But more than that, it is a book that will add contour and detail to the reader’s understanding of the divine drama and all that God has done and will do for his people throughout the ages. You can read the HTML (text) of this article at 1689 Federalism [52 minute readout], as well as find the PDF below: Download (PDF, 281KB) POSTED ONNOVEMBER 29, 2014 Get Desiring God’s new edition of Bunyan’s “The Pilgrim’s Progress” FREE [PDF, EPUB, MOBI] Pilgrims Progress New Ed Desiring God: On November 28, 1628, in a quiet cottage nestled within the English parish of Elstow, during one of the most tumultuous times in the country’s history, John Bunyan was born. The place of Bunyan’s birth in Elstow was only a mile from the busy town of Bedford, where years later Bunyan would be imprisoned for over a decade for preaching the gospel. Like his father, Bunyan learned the simple trade of a tinker — a mender of pots and kettles — and came to be known as the “tinker turned preacher” when he began lay preaching in his late twenties. Bunyan’s skill and passion drew hundreds of listeners. Theologian John Owen, a contemporary of Bunyan, when asked by King Charles why he went to hear such an uneducated man preach, replied, “I would willingly exchange my learning for the tinker’s power of touching men’s hearts.” But Bunyan’s legacy is not so much in his preaching, but his writing. During his imprisonment in the Bedford jail, Bunyan wrote several books, including most popularly, The Pilgrim’s Progress, which has sold more copies in the English language than any book besides the Bible. Today, the book still remains both an incomparable source of spiritual education and a classic in English literature. Releasing a New Edition For this reason, on Bunyan’s birthday, Desiring God is excited to release a new edition of The Pilgrim’s Progress, free of charge in three digital formats (PDF, EPUB, MOBI). This new edition is the original first part of Bunyan’s classic, unabridged and redesigned in beautiful typesetting for modern readability. This edition also features a foreword by Leland Ryken, who kindly offered counsel to us since the beginning of this project, and a short biography of Bunyan’s life by John Piper. The preface to this edition was written by John Newton in 1776 to introduce an old version of the book that included his annotations. This preface was discovered by Tony Reinke, biographer of Newton, and is included now in print for the first time in over a century. Table of Contents Foreword by Leland Ryken To Live Upon God Who Is Invisible: The Life of John Bunyan by John Piper Preface by John Newton (1776) The Pilgrim’s Progress Download: Download the PDF Download the EPUB formatted for readers like the Nook, Sony Reader, and Apple iBooks (iPad, iPhone, iPod). Download the MOBI formatted for Kindle. (You may be required to download the MOBI file to a computer before sending it to your Kindle device.) In addition to the free ebook formats, we are releasing a new paperback version available on Amazon at minimum cost. At just over 250 pages, this paperback is a stout read and makes for a great gift idea this Christmas season, especially in the midst of new and exciting publications. Preview PDF: Download (PDF, 849KB) POSTED ONNOVEMBER 26, 2014 Thanksgiving Roundup [Spurgeon, J. Renihan, Savastio, 1689] Here is a roundup from last year with some additions from this year: Thanksgiving-Brownscombe pilgrim puritan header indian 1689 gift editionThe Importance of Thanksgiving Day by Dr. James Renihan From the [1689] Second London Confession, Chapter 22: 3. Prayer with thanksgiving, being one special part of natural worship, is by God required of all men. But that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the Name of the Son, by the help of the Spirit, according to his Will; with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance; and when with others, in a known tongue. 5. The reading of the Scriptures, Preaching, and hearing the word of God, teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual songs, singing with grace in our Hearts to the Lord; as also the Administration of Baptism, and the Lords Supper are all parts of Religious worship of God, to be performed in obedience to him, with understanding, faith, reverence, and godly fear; moreover solemn humiliation with fastings; and thanksgiving upon special occasions, ought to be used in an holy and religious manner. – Thanksgiving in the Church From the Directory for Public Worship: Concerning the Observation of Days of Publick Thanksgiving. WHEN any such day is to be kept, let notice be given of it, and of the occasion thereof, some convenient time before, that the people may the better prepare themselves thereunto. C H SpurgeonCharles H. Spurgeon – A Sermon Delivered on Sunday Morning, September 27th, 1863: Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness. — Psalm 65:11. POSSIBLY objections might have been raised to a day of thanksgiving for the abundant harvest if it had been ordered or suggested by Government. Certain brethren are so exceedingly tender in their consciences upon the point of connection between Church and State, that they would have thought it almost a reason for not being thankful at all if the Government had recommended them to celebrate a day of public thanksgiving. Although I have no love to the unscriptural union of Church and State, I should on this occasion have hailed an official request for a national recognition of the special goodness of God. However, none of us can feel any objection arising in our minds if it be now agreed that to-day we will praise our ever-bounteous Lord, and as an assembly record our gratitude to the God of the harvest. We are probably the largest assembly of Christian people in the world, and it is well that we should set the example to the smaller Churches. Doubtless many other believers will follow in our track, and so a public thanksgiving will become general throughout the country. I hope to see every congregation in the land raising a special offering unto the Lord, to be devoted either to his Church, to the poor, to missions, or some other holy end. Yes, I would have every Christian offer willingly unto the Lord as a token of his gratitude to the God of providence… All the year round, every hour of every day, God is richly blessing us; both when we sleep and when we wake, his mercy waits upon us. The sun may leave off shining, but our God will never cease to cheer his children with his love. Like a river his lovingkindness is always flowing, with a fullness inexhaustible as his own nature, which is its source. Like the atmosphere which always surrounds the earth, and is always ready to support the life of man, the benevolence of God surrounds all his creatures; in it, as in their element they live, and move, and have their being. Yet as the sun on summer days appears to gladden us with beams more warm and bright than at other times, and as rivers are at certain seasons swollen with the rain, and as the atmosphere itself on occasions is fraught with more fresh, more bracing, or more balmy influences than heretofore, so is it with the mercy of God: it hath its golden hours, its days of overflow, when the Lord magnifieth his grace and lifteth high his love before the sons of men. [source: ReformedOnTheWeb] – Treasury of DavidSpurgeon on Psalm 100: A Psalm of Praise; or rather of thanksgiving. This is the only psalm bearing this precise inscription. It is all ablaze with grateful adoration, and has for this reason been a great favourite with the people of God ever since it was written. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. On this Psalm, Charles Sprugeon comments: In all our public service the rendering of thanks must abound; it is like the incense of the temple, which filled the whole house with smoke. Expiatory sacrifices are ended, but those of gratitude will never be out of date. So long as we are receivers of mercy we must be givers of thanks. …Be thankful unto him. Let the praise be in your heart as well as on your tongue, and let it all be for him to whom it all belongs. And bless his name. He blessed you, bless him in return; bless his name, his character, his person. Whatever he does, be sure that you bless him for it; bless him when he takes away as well as when he gives; bless him as long as you live, under all circumstances… [source: Abraham’s Seed] 2013-11-25 09.03.01Always And For All Things by Jim Savastio Of all the things that you will do this week, few will be repeated in eternity. But every time you are thankful to God you are engaging in a heavenly and eternal work. – Seriously Thankful …In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, amidst a flurry of exhortations, one them stands out above all others. In everything give thanks for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. This is God’s will. That may seem redundant…after all, it’s in the Bible and it’s in the form of a present active imperative–a clear command. By telling us that this is God’s will for those in union with Jesus, Paul is, as it were, underscoring, highlighting, italicizing, putting in caps this particular command. Don’t miss this! it’s God’s will for you to always be thankful. Doing God’s will is of eternal consequence. Jesus said in Matthew 7:21 that only those who do the will of God will go to heaven. Paul tells us in Romans 1 that among the many sins which merit the wrath of God is ingratitude. Unbelief and ingratitude binds the souls in hell together. But how can we be thankful at all times and for all things? Are there not issues which grieve and disappoint us? Of course. The issue is that what God has done for us in Jesus is so much better that it always tips the scales towards gratitude. No matter how well things are going in your estimation now, if you are in Christ you have reason to be thankful. Thanksgiving Scott BrownThirteen Thanksgiving Celebration Tips by Scott Brown What follows are THIRTEEN Thanksgiving Celebration Tips. I write this that we “may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving,” and to tell of His “wondrous works.” (Psalm 26:7), and to declare the praises of our Lord Jesus Christ across the land. In it you will find encouragement to read the scripture, sing the songs, recount the history and dedicate your family to building a culture of thankfulness. Pilgrims & Baptists: the little known connection If not for a Baptist church split, the Pilgrims might never have come to America. Sort of. More added here as they come in.. POSTED ONNOVEMBER 24, 2014 1689Federalism.com Update [Resource Roundup] 1689Federalism 1 Brandon Adams Brandon Adams Brandon Adams: FYI, the 1689Federalism.com site has an “Additional Resources” [RSS] section that collects material from around the web relevant to 1689 Federalism. Here are some recent additions: Historical: Form and Matter in Covenant Theology Form and Matter + Promise and Promulgation = Particular Baptist Federal Theology Did A.W. Pink agree w/ 1689 Federalism? The Decalogue in the Thought of Key Reformed Theologians with Special Reference to John Owen The Oneness of the Church (Owen) This essay has important implications for how to properly interpret the olive tree of Romans 11 Baptist Catechisms (Covenant Excerpts) Books: The Divine Covenants (A.W. Pink) The Kingdom of Christ (Abraham Booth) The Family Tree of Reformed Biblical Theology Lectures Pascal Denault on the Covenant Theology of the 1689 Baptist Confession (RB Seminary) From the Garden to the Covenant of Works (Barcellos) Redeemer Radio: The Law of God Several more video and audio lectures on the site Writings Barcellos’ Short Writings on the Law Definition of Key Terms and Phrases Some thoughts on the three-fold division of the law Some thoughts on Moral Law, Positive Law, the Ten Commandments, the New Covenant, and the Ground of our Justification Typical Objections to the Ten Commandments and Christians The Second London Baptist Confession of 1689 on the Decalogue Barcellos’ Short Writings on Covenant Theology How Old is Covenant Theology? A Typical Objection to the Covenant of Works: Stated, Answered, Concluded Was Adam placed in a covenantal relationship with God? Biblical-Theological Exposition and Hermeneutics Contact There is also a new Ask a Question page POSTED ONNOVEMBER 24, 2014 Of What Use Is The Law? Jeff Robinson Answers Threefold-Use-of-Law_620“Of What Use is the Law? Three purposes” by Jeff Robinson: Recently, after our family had completed its daily devotional time together, my oldest son asked me a very insightful question: How do the Ten Commandments apply to us today if they were given so long ago in the Old Testament? It is a basic theological question that many Christians have asked throughout the history of the church and it is an important query. Many answers have been given to that, not all of them good. Obviously, there are two answers that are dead wrong and lead to two opposite ditches that the follower of Christ must avoid: Antinomianism (the law of God has no place in the life of the believer and he/she is free to live however they please) and legalism (I am saved by how closely I adhere to God’s commands—works righteousness). One of the best and most helpful answers, in my opinion, that has been given was set forth by the Genevan reformer, John Calvin. In his venerable systematic theology, the Institutes of the Christian Religion, Calvin set forth three “uses” for the moral law of God. {Book 2, Chapter 7, edj} Institutes Calvin’s is a helpful paradigm, I think. But perhaps best of all, Calvin reminded his readers, in speaking of the first use of the law, that the law—like a schoolmaster—prepares one to receive the good news of the gospel. The law of God demonstrates that man has no righteousness in himself that is pleasing to God. Sinful man must be given a righteousness that is extra nos—outside of himself. As the Puritans, Calvin’s theological ancestors, famously put it, the law wounds and then the gospel arrives and heals. As followers of Christ, we are a people of grace and not law. But it is God’s law that demonstrates his spotless character and shows our need of grace. Calvin saw this clearly. As Paul admonished young Timothy, may God teach us how to use the law lawfully (1 Tim. 1:8). For the full article please read, “Of What Use Is The Law? Three Purposes” by Jeff Robinson at The Blog: The Voice of Founders.org {see also 2nd London Particular Baptist Confession of Faith, Chapter 19, Of The Law of God, edj} Posts navigation Previous pagePage 9 Next page Search for: Search … Search FOLLOW: *: Enter your email address: Subscribe - Subscribe to just the podcast via RSS reader, iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn or by Email* (*email is only sent out once per day) BAPTI-BOT BLOG ROUNDUP Iron Sharpens Iron Podcast Logo September 21, 2017 Show with Jeremy Walker on “What is Repentance?” Theme: September 21, 2017: Jeremy Walker, Pastor of Maidenbower Baptist Church of Crawley in West Sussex, England, author & blogger @ Reformation 21 & The Wanderer, will address: “What […] Fri, Oct 06, 2017 Iron Sharpens Iron Podcast Logo September 6, 2017 Show with Marc Grimaldi on “The Importance of Calvinism for Biblically Faithful Evangelism: What it Prevents & What it Preserves” Theme: September 6, 2017: Marc Grimaldi, a pastor @ Grace Reformed Baptist Church of Long Island in Merrick, NY, will address the theme: “The IMPORTANCE of CALVINISM For BIBLICALLY […] Fri, Oct 06, 2017 Archbishop of Canterbury Can’t Answer Direct Questions, More on the I Am Sayings of Jesus Snuck a quick DL in today, covering Justin Welby’s inability to answer a direct question on the nature of sin, and then spending most of our time continuing the discussion […] Fri, Oct 06, 2017 Introduction to “Getting the Garden Right: Adam’s Work and God’s Rest in Light of Christ,” coming soon from Founders Press Introduction This book, in one sense, concentrates on hermeneutics and theological method. I contend that New Covenant Theology (NCT) gets the covenant of works and the […] Fri, Oct 06, 2017 Final page of last lecture for Southern California Reformed Baptist Pastors’ Conference ‘17 You can register for the conference here. Psalm 104:30 says, “You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the earth.” Here both […] Fri, Oct 06, 2017 Endorsements for “Getting the Garden Right,” coming soon from Founders Press Nothing shapes how we interpret and apply the Bible as much as our understanding of covenant. Richard Barcellos offers us a helpful blend of biblical exegesis and theological reflection […] Fri, Oct 06, 2017 RECENT COMMENTS Rich Barcellos on One Thing I Did Right in Ministry… [Blog Series | Founders] Jason on ‘Honey Out of the Rock’ by Thomas Wilcox [Free E-book] Jason on What is the Importance of Believer’s Baptism? Fred Malone Answers [5 min. VIDEO] Hesbon on July 7-9, 2015 “Pathway to Power” Metropolitan Tabernacle School of Theology feat. Peter Masters + more in London, UK Kevin Schwamb on Upcoming 7 Volume Series: “Lectures in Systematic Theology” by Greg Nichols. Book one months away… Sharon thombre on “The Seven Sayings of the Savior on the Cross” by A. W. Pink [Free eBook Friday] DANA CASTALDO on What is the Importance of Believer’s Baptism? Fred Malone Answers [5 min. VIDEO] TOP TAGS 17th Century Baptist History1689 Federalism1689 Second London Baptist Confession of FaithAndrew FullerApologeticsAsk a Reformed BaptistBaptismBaptist HistoryBooksCalvinismCharles SpurgeonChurchChurch HistoryConfessionalismCovenant TheologyEcclesiologyEvangelismFounders MinistriesFree e-book FridayGospelJames RenihanJames WhiteJeffrey T. RiddleJeremy WalkerMichael HaykinMissionsParticular Baptist HistoryParticular BaptistsParticular VoicesPastoral MinistryPastoral TheologyPreachingReformed Baptist 101Reformed Baptist SeminaryReformed Theology 101Regulative Principle of WorshipRichard BarcellosRoundupSacramentsSamuel RenihanSam WaldronThabiti AnyabwileTom AscolTom NettlesVoddie Baucham Proudly powered by WordPress