Along with premarital sex/cohabitation and increasingly homosexuality, the christian church in the west has long ago given up on viewing Sunday as the Lord's Day in relation to the 4th commandment. When one can rationalize that the 4th commandment (a creation commandment as well) is not applicable in terms of our work and recreation, then what else might we relegate to a bygone era?
Showing posts with label christianity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christianity. Show all posts
Who's Honor and Glory?
We fear the gaze of others judgment against us (and our own). Pride, Fear, Self-Glory
We feel this way because we desire glory and adulation and honor. These belong to God. Why do we seek what is His alone?
When we feel pride, fear, shame, and humiliation, it is an indication, an attribute, that we are seeking and have not yet attained the glory we desire. But this is God's glory that we are attempting to co opt for ourselves.
No glory or honor is ours. All must go to God alone! Any attempt or desire to get any glory is robbery of what is rightfully His.
THEREFORE
No need to fear.
No need to fret.
No need to feel ashamed of the past.
Fear what? That I will lose that which I ought not to have expected?
Stop striving. Look to Jesus and live.
Test for Christianity - Are You In or Out?
Ever listen to a sermon and the pastor gives you a test for you to evaluate whether you are are Christian or not? It's biblical to test yourself ( 2 Corinthians 13:5), but are the tests given during the sermon biblical? Do they pass the test? Here are a few. You could be the judge, but that would not be biblical. Search them out scripturally.
- Love of God
- Love of Jesus
- Be baptized
- Concern for one's sin
- You know that you know that you know (you are a Christian)
- Have the Spirit
- Keep the commandments
- Speak and think the bible
- Have faith
- Assent to God. Know the truth. Trust in Jesus
- Totally in love with Jesus - not halfhearted, lukewarm, partially committed
This page will be updated as more are heard.
Baptism and Salvation
Baptism, say the proponents of infant baptism, is merely a sign that the child is part of the larger community of God's people, the church in general. However, how is baptism shown in the pages of scripture? It is linked inextricably to salvation. See how each of the following baptisms is linked to those who have been converted, not to those who may or may not be converted years later.
Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Acts 22:16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
Acts 18:8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.
Acts 8:13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.
Acts 2:41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
1 Peter 3:21a Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ
What more needs to be said? There is a bond between baptism and salvation where, as shown clearly above, those who are converted receive baptism. Those who say infant baptism is appropriate minimize the importance of baptism by saying those who are not yet converted may participate. The sign and seal of God's covenant of grace is much too glorious a thing to say it merely signifies entrance into the broader, not so much saved, community of the "church". No. It is much more important and sacred than that.
We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins
Do you believe the words the Nicene Creed? They are orthodox. You should believe them. However, there appears to be confusion as to what baptism really is. The reformed creeds take it seriously. So should we. It is the sign and seal of the covenant of God - not to be taken lightly. Should we give this sign and seal to someone we know to be an unbeliever? We do. Babies. They by their very nature cannot believe. Has God given them His seal that they are part of his covenant family? No.
No matter what the minister says when performing this sacrement, we must go back to the confessions, creeds, and the word of God itself. It is clear even when the one administering it makes it unclear. Only a believer, a Christian, should be given this seal of one's faith.
Key to Life
The key to life is a child-like faith in our heavenly Father. We need to trust that He knows what is best for us just as the trusting
little child does his earthly father. That little child may not understand or
agree with his father, but his love and faith in his father puts him at ease
with the day’s stress and pain. The child knows that whatever happens, his
father will hold him up, protect him, and do everything in his power to do what
is best for him. We too need this faith in our heavenly Father. When we have it,
we have discovered the key or meaning to life (actually God has revealed it to
us). Nothing that comes will be able to move us from the deeply known trust
that God has what is best for us. Distress, or persecution, or famine, or
nakedness, or peril, or sword, or unemployment, or friendlessness, or homelessness
– nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God through our Lord
Jesus Christ and this knowledge will ground us day to day enabling us to have a
peace that passes all understanding. Lord, give us this today and never let us
forget.
Get Ready for Christian Persecution and Death
Here are a few notes from listening to a podcast from John Piper in order to prepare us for the day that we are persecuted even unto death for our faith. It is coming. Prepare today and everyday.
1. Cultivate a regular attentiveness and mindset to the other world where Christ and the other saints are.
2. Ponder often that there are worse things than death.
a. Do not fear those that cannot kill the body.
3. Ponder often the truth that Christ already died for you and did it that you may live and die for Him.
4. Keep it clear that suffering and death for Christ are not surprising in this world. They are normal and expected, not extraordinary. They are biblically ordinary. Do not fear what you are about to suffer.
5. Meditate regularly on the truth of Philippians 1:21. To live is Christ; to die is gain. Pray that into Christ every day.
6. Keep clear and firm in your mind and heart that the Lord will take care of your family if you die. He will supply. Your death for Christ could be the lasting legacy to give them.
7. None of us in ourselves can die for Jesus. It is beyond us. It is a gift from Jesus of grace if we are able to trust Him in that moment. Pray that we will not be bold as Peter that he would not do it. Don’t let me boast that I can do this either. Let me depend utterly on Jesus.
8. PRT addition: There is mercy and forgiveness if you fail.
1. Cultivate a regular attentiveness and mindset to the other world where Christ and the other saints are.
2. Ponder often that there are worse things than death.
a. Do not fear those that cannot kill the body.
3. Ponder often the truth that Christ already died for you and did it that you may live and die for Him.
4. Keep it clear that suffering and death for Christ are not surprising in this world. They are normal and expected, not extraordinary. They are biblically ordinary. Do not fear what you are about to suffer.
5. Meditate regularly on the truth of Philippians 1:21. To live is Christ; to die is gain. Pray that into Christ every day.
6. Keep clear and firm in your mind and heart that the Lord will take care of your family if you die. He will supply. Your death for Christ could be the lasting legacy to give them.
7. None of us in ourselves can die for Jesus. It is beyond us. It is a gift from Jesus of grace if we are able to trust Him in that moment. Pray that we will not be bold as Peter that he would not do it. Don’t let me boast that I can do this either. Let me depend utterly on Jesus.
8. PRT addition: There is mercy and forgiveness if you fail.
Jihad vs Crusades - Video
Excellent video showing the invasion of Islam into the Christian lands of the Middle East, Northern Africa, and Europe. Only through the forceful repulsion and expulsion of the Crusades and Byzantium did Europe survive. Will we survive today? Take back Constantinople!
Homosexual Urges
There has been nothing sort of a paradigm shift in our thinking regarding homosexuality. In just a few short years, it has not only been acceptable to declare oneself as homosexual, it is celebrated; a prophetic fulfillment of Romans 1:32. This short post will not debate the biblical admonitions against this practice in detail. At this point, you either believe it is wrong or you do not. This battle is lost. The war will be over as the young among us grow older. It is only a matter of time. Few under the age of 25 believe there is anything immoral (they would rarely use that word) about same sex intercourse.
Aside from raising straw-man arguments about how the Old Testament is, well, old, few reference the New Testament. However, this is not another diatribe in that regard either. PRT does not believe that a homosexual cannot be a Christian. The difficulty lies in a person who is an active homosexual. One must understand that whether you believe homosexuals are born the way they are or it is a learned behavior, it is a behavior that must be resisted. Even a cursory reading of our scriptures warns us against many innate inclinations and desires that must be submitted to God's Word. Take for example the single young man. He is a walking bundle of hormones that sees almost every other young woman in a sexual sort of way. He is born this way. And it is learned. Either way, there is little he can do to resist the thoughts that enter his mind. However, he is called by our Lord not to entertain those thoughts and certainly not to act out those thoughts even in a committed relationship until he becomes married. That's it. Nothing more. Nothing less. It is very very difficult. He is going against his very nature, but that is what he is called to to or not to do in this case.
This is the same for the homosexual. If he or she has those thoughts, he or she is called to resist them just like everyone else has to resist thoughts and behaviors that they may or may not be born with. Its hard. Being a Christian was never complex. Its just difficult. Pray and read your scriptures. There is refuge in the Word.
False Teachers
If you are only going to listen to one rap song today, and who of us doesn't listen to them all the time, this is it. Listen closely - even names names toward the end.
The Case Against Catholicism
Catholicism is attractive for many reasons. These include stability and longevity; the historicity of the faith. Others include its homogeneous nature meaning the lack of fracturing you see in Protestants. Some may whence at the top down approach. However, this is not only appealing, but needed. The leaders of the Roman Church have not done enough to make sure those who profess the faith actually adhere to its tenants. Even those attributes that are the most objectionable such as appealing to "saints" and such are appealing, but not for the best of reasons. However, there are objections. Here are just a few in summarized form:
- Mariology - The contention that Mary was immaculately conceived; or that Mary was sinless. There is only One who was sinless, Jesus.
- Praying or appealing to "saints". There is One Mediator between man and God, the man Christ Jesus.
- Transubstantiation - The belief that the communion elements are the actual body and blood of Jesus which sacrifices weekly Jesus again and again when he actually died once for all.
- Baptism removes sin - Faith in Jesus as Savior and his blood removes sin. Not baptism.
- Faith plus works is necessary for salvation - Faith only is necessary. Anything added to that is just that, a works-based religion. The only work that is efficacious or effectual is the work of Jesus. One must solely have faith in Him and Him alone. The Roman church has cursed the Protestant church for holding this biblical truth.
- Tradition trumps the Word - The Word of God is the only truth whereby we must live. Church tradition and teaching must comply with it. Not the other way around.
It is unfortunate that a schism from the Roman church was necessary since the fears at the time became a reality in that Christianity splintered into many pieces. However, there is one true faith and it does not reside within the Roman Church.
Against Infant Baptism-Its Just Too Important (Part II)
Infant Baptism - This is just so not good. Baptism is a sign and seal and the Christian response to circumcision. All of what the reformed faiths say about it is true until they get to infants. How could this not be an "essential" (worth fighting for)? This has been a question for years and many have struggled becoming members of churches that do this. Most of us are not greatest Christians. Many of us can be legalistic and self-righteous, but are we setting up lesser doctrines to feel more righteous about ourselves? Today's church urges us to feel more and to do more, but brushes one of the ten commandments aside (keeping Sunday's holy for example) for expediency and says that God's Holy Seal of his covenantial promise is nothing more than a membership card. Should we feel more love for God? Yes. But what is love if not following His commandments. He even says as much when Jesus summarizes them in Luke 10:27. So we follow nine and leave the one we don't like relegated to the old testament. Are we being petty? Should we feel bad for not participating in infant baptism ceremonies? Maybe. But don't most conservative Christians take seriously the ordination of women and even contemplate leaving a denomination in response of this and other deviant teachings? Those same Christians labor over what topics to teach in Sunday School and what our small groups are going to do for their next lesson plan, but why do we not labor over the big issues? Why are those of us who hold to these essentials thought to be overly emotional or too dogmatic when we tell our children that they must not do on Sunday what they do every other day of the week? We are alone even among the brethren and our Christian household. We are a minority in the Christian community. Can we bone-spit scripture when it is clear? Can we rationalize and side-step the big stuff and focus on the small?
- Big stuff: Sacraments. There are two. Why do we allow just anyone to partake of communion?
- Big stuff: Doctrine. The Gospel. Why do we not teach apologetics. Most do not know why they believe what they believe, but they have a good understanding on tips for a good marriage.
- Big stuff: Church discipline. What is that? Church members and kids are sleeping around and drinking. Divorce is rampant. Where is the discipline?
- Big stuff: Preaching. Look hard. This is still alive in many places.
- Small stuff: Everything else.
Let's get our priorities right. Let's not neglect the fight just to save the peace when we are talking about our very salvation and its sign and seal. This is too important. Perhaps we can let the color of the carpet fight go and focus on the big stuff.
Against Infant Baptism-It Is More Important Than You Think
Many preachers in the Reformed and Presbyterian Churches attempt to distance themselves from their Roman Catholic counterparts during an infant baptism service by reassuring Baptist converts in their congregations that there is no remission of sins during the administration of God’s second sacrament, namely baptism. They go to great lengths to explain that the sign and seal of God’s covenant is merely an admission into God’s “visible” church and does not signify that the child is regenerated. They go on to indicate that the aging child will be able to look back to their baptism as assurance that they are in God’s family only after a confession of faith is made. However if one investigates the creeds and confessions on which these two great churches are based, one gets a very different interpretation.
The Westminster Confession and Catechisms are what is used by Presbyterians while the Three Forms of Unity (the Belgic Confession, the Canons of Dort, and the Heidelberg Catechism) are used for the Reformed Church.
Below PRT has placed in bold those sections that particularly and necessarily state that baptism is an indication of salvation as purported by those confessions/catechisms highlighting what these churches actually believe contrary to what you may hear on Sunday.
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 94. What is Baptism?
A. Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing with water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, doth signify and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord’s.
The Heidelberg Catechism
Q. 69. How does holy Baptism remind and assure you that the one sacrifice of Christ on the cross avails for you?
A. In this way: Christ has instituted this external washing with water and by it has promised that I am as certainly washed with his blood and Spirit from the uncleanness of my soul and from all my sins, as I am washed externally with water which is used to remove the dirt from my body.
Q. 70. What does it mean to be washed with the blood and Spirit of Christ?
A. It means to have the forgiveness of sins from God, through grace, for the sake of Christ’s blood which he shed for us in his sacrifice on the cross, and also to be renewed by the Holy Spirit and sanctified as members of Christ, so that we may more and more die unto sin and live in a consecrated and blameless way.
Q. 71. Where has Christ promised that we are as certainly washed with his blood and Spirit as with the water of baptism?
A. In the institution of Baptism which runs thus: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” “He who believes and is baptized will be saved: but he who does not believe will be condemned.” This promise is also repeated where the Scriptures call baptism “the water of rebirth” and the washing away of sins.
Q. 73. Then why does the Holy Spirit call baptism the water of rebirth and the washing away of sins?
A. God does not speak in this way except for a strong reason. Not only does he teach us by Baptism that just as the dirt of the body is taken away by water, so our sins are removed by the blood and Spirit of Christ; but more important still, by the divine pledge and sign he wishes to assure us that we are just as truly washed from our sins spiritually as our bodies are washed with water.
Q. 74. Are infants also to be baptized?
A. Yes, because they, as well as their parents, are included in the covenant and belong to the people of God. Since both redemption from sin through the blood of Christ and the gift of faith from the Holy Spirit are promised to these children no less than to their parents, infants are also by baptism, as a sign of the covenant, to be incorporated into the Christian church and distinguished from the children of unbelievers. This was done in the Old Covenant by circumcision. In the New Covenant baptism has been instituted to take its place.
The Westminster Confession Of Faith
Chapter XXVIII
1. Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible Church, but also to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace, of his ingrafting into Christ, of regeneration, of remission of sins, and of his giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of life: which sacrament is, by Christ’s own appointment, to be continued in his church until the end of the world.
5. Although it be a great sin to contemn or neglect this ordinance, yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto it as that no person can be regenerated or saved without it, or that all that are baptized are undoubtedly regenerated.
6. The efficacy of Baptism is not tied to that moment of time where in it is administered; yet, notwithstanding, by the right use of this ordinance the grace promised is not only offered, but really exhibited and conferred by the Holy Ghost, to such (whether of age or infants) as that grace belongeth unto, according to the counsel of God’s own will, in his appointed time.
The tradition of baptizing infants can only be seen as an unfortunate carryover from Roman Catholicism. As many know, it was not Martin Luther's intention to create a new church, but to reform the old. Consequently, one can see there may have been certain aspects of the old that would remain in a new, "reformed" Roman church; infant baptism being one of them. Regardless of the reasons or history of the practice, infant baptism is reflected by the confessions and creeds of the church as being at least a sign and seal given to those who have been saved and redeemed.
However if you are saying to yourself that baptism is merely an outward expression of an inward reality and has nothing to do with the old testament rite of circumcision, then you would be missing a rich and true understanding of one of the most sacred actions a Christian can take. In Peterson's book, "The Christ of the Covenants", he states "the interconnection between the seal of circumcision and the seal of the Holy Spirit provides the formal basis by which the corresponding purification rites of the old and new covenants relate to one another. Circumcision under the old covenant is replaced by baptism in the new covenant. The cleansing rite of the one covenant is replaced by the cleaning rite of the other." (page 162). This book is an excellent and describes covenants as opposed to dispensations. However, the covenants must be sealed. This seal is circumcision in the old testament and baptism in the new. He continues, "baptism under the new covenant accomplishes all that was represented in circumcision under the old. By being baptized, the Christian believer has experienced the equivalent of the cleansing rite of circumcision." (page 166)
However if you are saying to yourself that baptism is merely an outward expression of an inward reality and has nothing to do with the old testament rite of circumcision, then you would be missing a rich and true understanding of one of the most sacred actions a Christian can take. In Peterson's book, "The Christ of the Covenants", he states "the interconnection between the seal of circumcision and the seal of the Holy Spirit provides the formal basis by which the corresponding purification rites of the old and new covenants relate to one another. Circumcision under the old covenant is replaced by baptism in the new covenant. The cleansing rite of the one covenant is replaced by the cleaning rite of the other." (page 162). This book is an excellent and describes covenants as opposed to dispensations. However, the covenants must be sealed. This seal is circumcision in the old testament and baptism in the new. He continues, "baptism under the new covenant accomplishes all that was represented in circumcision under the old. By being baptized, the Christian believer has experienced the equivalent of the cleansing rite of circumcision." (page 166)
Yes. Baptism is a sign and seal of the covenant of God. Yes. It is the new covenant's replacement for circumcision given to the children of Israel and its converts. Yes. It should be given to infants; to new born babies; to those converts to Christ. However, it should only be given to those that are born again; to those who are babes in Christ; to those who are infants in the Christian faith. No. There is no assurety that these babies in the faith will continue in the faith, but there is a stronger probability. We cannot be certain about anyone's faith today, but what we should not be doing is giving one of the sacred signs of that faith to those who cannot and probably will not ever confess Jesus as Savior and Lord. Let us not be so bold, but let us refuse to even take part in such ceremonies and unscriptural traditions of man.
Part II
Part II
Assurance of Salvation
If we are not sure of our salvation, then we are relying on, even in the smallest way, something other than his all-sufficient sacrifice. What is to doubt? Have we been good enough? Is there something in us that is not quite right? Of course we are not good enough and of course there is something not quite right. There are major “not quite right” issues about us and about who we are. We will never measure up?
What is the doubt? It’s root is based in something in us. There is something deficient. Perhaps we have doubts or fears or perhaps we have strayed. However (and this is the point) Jesus has done it all. There is nothing for us to do except to sin. We can do no good apart from Him. Our part is the sin part. Do we continue to sin? Yes. That is our part. What is His part? Everything. Our part? Sin. Period. No discussion. No question. Christ is righteousness. We are sin. But what can we do about it? Nothing. Then what is our hope? Jesus. So what do we do next? Sin. Then what? Sin more. What more can there be? Nothing, but the blood of the All-Sufficient and Ever-Cleansing Blood of Jesus. That is all. That is enough. It is sufficient. Thank you, Jesus!
New Catholic Video on Voting Values
While PRT has some issues with the Roman Catholic Church, this video is needed today. Catholics, Protestants, Christians - all must come together if the United States and the West is to survive.
Conquest 1453
Is 1453 a date that you often think about? Is it one of those dates in history that will live on in our heart and minds? Have you ever heard of the date? Likely the answer is no. However, this is not the case in Turkey. Remember. Turkey is really the remnants of the old Ottoman Empire. It took a World War to finally collapse that Empire. Modern day Turkey, especially under Prime Minister Erdogan, would like to resurrect the old system. Their stance on Israel has taken a marked turn for the worse. They are increasingly hostile to the West. And now, there is a blockbuster film dedicated to the defeat and annihilation of their ancient enemy, the Byzantines. The film is called Fetih 1453, or Conquest 1453 for Western audiences. This date marked the final destruction of the Western Roman Empire, a Christian Empire, albeit with its many faults.
The fact that Turkey has created what is for them a big budget movie glorying its destruction illustrates its importance. It should also be important to the West. It shows that we are willing to allow Islam to spread without consequence. Up until that date, Byzantium battled back and forth, first with Persia and then with Islam, to retain its territory and the people that went with that territory. Now, the former Christian lands in the Middle East are virtually all Muslim. War is indeed hell, but sometimes war is necessary to hold back the hounds of hell that want to destroy you in this life and in the life to come. Take back Constantinople!
Talking Points - Christianity
Ever get in a conversation about religion or politics, the only meaningful conversations, and get asked what you like or dislike about a person or topic, but just can't verbalize all the reasons? We've all been there. Here are a few talking points on Christianity that are brief enough to remember during those "moments".
Why God Exists
- Everything that exists has a cause. Infinite regress is impossible. Therefore, there must be a first cause.
- The universe appears to have a design. Therefore, there must be a designer.
- There are morals that guide us (laws). Therefore, there must be a law giver.
Why the Bible is the Word of God
- Consistency - Different authors, different cultures, different centuries, but the Bible is consistent throughout.
- It has the most surviving copies of any ancient text - over 24,000
- Plato has only 7 copies
- Aristotle has on 49 copies of any one work
- Homer (Iliad) has the most at 643 copies
- Stood the test of two millenia of critics
Why Jesus is God
- Fulfillment of scripture
- Mathew 1:23 - Virgin birth - Isaiah 7:14
- Mathew 1:3 - He would come from the tribe of Judah - Genesis 49:10-12
- The Apostles - They were transformed from a few frightened men to individuals who died for One whom they believed to be God. No one would die for a lie.
- Transformation of the World - The teachings of a young rabbi in an obscure part of the world is still taught and believed today by a large percentage of the world's population.
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