Things New and Old

Ancient truths revealed in the Scriptures are often forgotten, disbelieved or distorted, and therefore lost in the passage of time. Such ancient truths when rediscovered and relearned are 'new' additions to the treasury of ancient truths.

Christ showed many new things to the disciples, things prophesied by the prophets of old but hijacked and perverted by the elders and their traditions, but which Christ reclaimed and returned to His people.

Many things taught by the Apostles of Christ have been perverted or substituted over the centuries. Such fundamental doctrines like salvation by grace and justification have been hijacked and perverted and repudiated by sincere Christians. These doctrines need to be reclaimed and restored to God's people.

There are things both new and old here. "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things"
2Ti 2:7.

Saturday, March 9, 2024

Is it 70 AD or the second coming of Christ

Addressing the saints and friends who were gathered
to witness the baptisms of two candidates.

 Xunny

I read this article here:
https://things-new-and-old.blogspot.com/2022/07/the-lord-is-not-willing-that-any-should.html

Just to be sure to my mind & learning:
Is Apostle Peter referring to AD70 or the end time second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ?

sing
Please read these articles here:
A brief exposition of 2Peter 3 (part 1: v1-4)
https://things-new-and-old.blogspot.com/2020/05/a-brief-exposition-of-2peter-3-part-1.html

A brief exposition of 2Pet 3 - (part 2, v5-9)
https://things-new-and-old.blogspot.com/2020/05/a-brief-exposition-of-2pet-3-part-2-v5-9.html

I believe Apostle Peter was dealing with 70 AD. Peruse the two expositions on 2Peter 3. Let me know your questions. Our Brother Onathen believes it's the second coming.

Xunny
I ventured into your blogspot Things Old and New, 
https://things-new-and-old.blogspot.com and discovered you have been consistent in the understanding of AD 70. Even the pieces written and posted in 2009 Oct & later Nov were similar to the latest posted piece in the FB.

My question:
1. Why none of the SC brethren commented on these pieces then, esp. circa 2009 because SDC & SC had greater physical & communication liaisons ie during 2011 & 2014 visits & talks.

2. Why then they not warned me of preterism & PB influence creeping into SDC via the pulpit understanding?

3. Is it SC has changed her stand on 2 Peter 3, post-2014?

4. …

5. Just as I consider sugar is toxic, Primitive Baptist belief is toxic to Onathen, reformed Baptist belief is toxic to you & reformed Baptist belief is toxic to Gospel brethren esp. the leaders; I have the personal opinion not to discuss what about sugar to those who rather die without sugar & carbs esp in the public. But then I also want to enlighten those who is suffering from carb/sugar toxicity. And you through FB reach out ppl on doctrines of the bible. No clear answer, my good Pastor!

6. That's why some in SC view you as pro-preterism or PB 😭

7. As to my personal stand on SC's & yours pertaining 2Peter 3, I am taking esergesis stand; es- and not ex- or ei- 😅.  Prayerfully God will enlighten me in the nearest future

As to Matthew 25: 41ff I will discuss with you in contexts with Matthew 7: 21.

sing
@
I ventured into your blogspot Things Old and New & discovered you have been consistent in the understanding of AD 70. Even the pieces written and posted in 2009 Oct & later Nov were similar to the latest posted piece in the FB.

## I told you about the incident at the RB combined church camp at Bukit Tinggi… that was the first occasion the Lord taught me that that passage can’t possibly be talking about the end of the gospel age/world. It was later that I discovered more writings about the 70AD.

The fact of the 70AD in the redemptive history gives new light to rightly understand other passages of Scriptures… for example Mt 25 and 2Pet 3.

Now concerning your questions:

1. Why none of the SC brethren commented on these pieces then esp. circa 2009 because SDC & GC had greater physical & communication liaisons i.e. during 2011 & 2014 visits & talks.

## I guess it is because they didn’t have cyber police yet. 
I’m not sure of the “because” you gave.

2. Why then they not warned me of the preterism & PB influence creeping into SDC via the pulpit understanding?
## Onathan has a lengthy message on Preterism… just google it.
In the article, Preterism is defined thus:
"Preterism: Generalized, all prophecies were fulfilled by 70 A.D. They call their doctrine full preterism, consistent preterism or realized eschatology. Most Christians have never heard of it, due to its recent origin and few followers. With their timing verses, they bind every prophecy to Jerusalem’s destruction, even prophecies without time parameters. Amazingly, they hold that events Christians have always taught were in the future … actually happened by 70 A.D.! This includes Christ’s return, the resurrection of the dead, the Day of Judgment, the destruction of Satan, the millennium, the new heaven and new earth, etc."

I believe that Christ’s second coming, the resurrection of the dead, the day of judgment, the destruction of Satan, and the new heaven [SINGULAR] and new earth are ALL FUTURE; the millennium is NOW, the gospel millennium, the ‘1000’ years, is between first and second comings of Jesus Christ.

So, whoever suspects and insinuates that I’m a preterist is just plain silly, if not an idiot.

PB influence? Some PBs call me a heretic because I believe Mt 25 relates to 70AD and not the second coming of our blessed Lord.

3. Is it SC changed her stand on 2 Peter 3 post-2014?
## I don’t know.

4. …

5. Just as I consider sugar is toxic, Primitive Baptist belief is toxic to JC, reformed Baptist belief is toxic to you & reformed Baptist belief to Gospel brethren esp the leaders; I have the personal opinion not to discuss what about sugar to those who rather die without sugar & carbs esp in the public. But then I also want to enlighten those who are suffering from carb/sugar toxicity. And you through FB reach out to people on doctrines of the bible. No clear answer, my good Pastor!
## In terms of doctrines, PB beliefs, except for the eternal sonship and a few others, are close to the beliefs of SC – which is owned by Onathan himself.

Onathan used to warn his congregation about spending time on Facebook; now his people are actively promoting his teachings on Facebook… with the delegated help of x, y, z, etc.

 

6. That's why some in SC view you as pro-preterism or PB 
## I’m doubtful if PBs are preterists.
I have never met a preterist personally, a preterist is one who believes (according to Onathan’s own definition) that Christ’s second coming, the resurrection of the dead, the day of judgment, the destruction of Satan, and the new heaven [SINGULAR] and new earth are ALL PAST, have already happened.

7. As to my personal stand on GC's & yours pertaining 2Peter3, I am taking an esergesis stand... -es and not -ex or -ei.  Prayerfully God will enlighten me in the nearest future.

 ## Keep studying. Asking questions about the text is a great way to EXegete the text, to rightly divide the word of truth. May the Lord bless your esergesis richly. Just beware of eisegesis, do exegesis.

THANK YOU most kindly for this communication.

sing
@ Mt 7:21¶Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
-------
Two things to bear in mind:
i. Context: the sermon on the mount (Mt 5-7) was preached to the disciples, read 5:1-2.
ii. the kingdom of heaven is NOT THE SAME AS heaven, but the reign of God here on earth.

Some questions:
- Who are those who are able to do the will of God: those still dead in trespasses, or those whom God has already effectually called to eternal salvation, 
- Who are those who are liable to give lip service only to the Lord?
- Who are those from whom the Lord expected such kindness to His people, Mt 25:41ff.

last note: hell is everlasting - it lasts as long as time lasts; it ceases when time ceases. The lake of fire is eternal, beginning after general resurrection and great judgment.

The Day of His Coming - what is it?


 
#The_Day_of_His_Coming

Question: please help to explain the phrase "by the word of God the heavens were of old and the earth standing out of the water and in the water" in 2 Peter 3:5  in the context of this morning's sermon.

An answer:
Good question!

V4 reads: "And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation."

The time reference here is "for since the fathers fell asleep..." so the phrase that followed "all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation" must be understood from that time reference. If we overlook that, we will confuse the creation of the nation of Israel spoken of here in verse 4 by the scoffers and the creation of the literal heavens and earth spoken of in verse 5.

Verse 4 is the argument of the scoffers that Israel has stood ever since its founding for thousands of years, ever since its beginning with the founding fathers, the patriarch.

Verse 5 is the Apostle Peter's rebuttal against the scoffers. Apostle Peter rebuked the Jewish scoffers by charging them that they are willfully ignorant of the truth plainly found in the Scriptures, i.e.,
- the heavens and earth brought into being by God's own words (v5), even that suffered catastrophic judgment (v6) of the flood,
- Having pointed out this biblical fact which the scoffers were willfully ignorant of, Apostle Peter then applied the truth to the issue at hand...  the continuation of Israel till then, first century, in verse 7.

V7 "But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."
- Because of the phrase "the heavens and the earth" sound so much like speaking of the literal creation (in Gen 1), it is easy to think that Peter is still speaking of the creation in Genesis.
- But the phrase is a reference to the nation of Israel in the prophecies by the holy prophets in the context of God's judgment upon Israel.
-  Notice the phrase "WHICH ARE NOW"- Israel has continued to the time of Apostle Peter's penning his epistle (c.c AD66).
- But soon,  they shall be shaken out of their places, prophesied the holy prophets.

Hag 2
6 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;
21 Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth...

Joel 3:16
The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

Isaiah 13
13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger. (Here, the similar language is descriptive of the momentous judgment in uprooting Israel  and exiling to Babylon.)

Isaiah 65
18 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.

Malachi 3
2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:
3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

Matthew 3
7 ¶But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?...
12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Compare the prophetic language with the words of the Lord Jesus Christ in His prophecy in Mt 24:
29¶ Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Notice the similar cosmic language. The momentous event - the ending of a theocratic kingdom that has endured for thousands of years, through the rise and fall of many mighty empires - is fittingly expressed with the cosmic language.

I hope this helps.
Please ask further.

Mighty Apollos helped by Aquila and Priscilla

 




A mighty man greatly helped by one ordinary couple, and increased in his usefulness.

Acts 18:
24 ¶ And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:
28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

Some observations:
1. Even great men like Apollos, are deficient in some doctrine and has a need to learn!
2. Even ordinary folks can teach great men some truth!
3. Humility to learn the truth is blessed with increases in one's usefulness!


Caution:
- don't assume men with DD or Th.D got things all figured out. Not a few are self-conceited. Apollos didn't and wasn't.
- don't be intimidated by their august title and letters after their names. They, if humble like Apollos can learn a few things from commoners like Priscilla and Aquila who were taught by the Apostle Paul. Few have such humility and teachable spirit.

The Lord had abundant mercy on me, granting me much grace to see and admit the many contradictions and fictions in the things I was taught and believed as a reformed Baptist for nearly 20 years. He sent Aquilas and Priscillas to teach me. 

What precious lessons for us!
1. Aquila and Priscilla learned well from the Apostle Paul.
- Will you do the same; learn well?
- "... ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" is a harsh reality, a tragic indictment upon God's children.

2. They were discerning and sharp enough to notice the serious deficiency in a man mighty in the Scriptures.
- Are you discerning and sharp? These virtues are rarities in today's churches. Many are proud to be broad and accommodating to every wind of doctrine!

3. They love the truth of the gospel enough to get themselves into trouble to promote the same. They invited Apollos home, showed hospitality, and took time to expound the truth of God to a great theologian.
- Are you grounded in the truth of God? Will you teach it to the Apolloses that God brings to cross your path? Or will you blindly venerate them or be intimidated by them?- You don't need a D.D. or M.Th. or B.Th. to show such "theologians" the way of God more perfectly.” What you need is to be grounded in the apostles' doctrine and not from some men with titles behind your name.

4. Apollos was humble enough to be taught the way of God more perfectly by a tradesmen couple. Are you open to being taught?

There are more lessons.

Online Worship is Not Real Christian Worship



#online_worship_is_not_real_christian_worship

Issued by Christian Concern
Press release
For immediate release

24 March 2021

Victory for Scottish church leaders, as judge rules government, acted unconstitutionally when criminalising gathered worship

In an historic judgment, today a judge has ruled that the Scottish Ministers' decision to ban and criminalise gathered church worship during the current lockdown was unconstitutional and a disproportionate interference with Article 9 ECHR rights.

The ruling is believed to be the first successful legal case against covid regulations in the UK.

Handing down judgment, Lord Braid also ruled that online worship is not real Christian worship, stating that it is not for the Scottish Ministers to: "dictate to the petitioners or to the additional party, that, henceforth, or even for the duration of the pandemic, worship is to be conducted on-line. That might be an alternative to worship but it is not worship. At very best for the respondents, in modern parlance, it is worship-lite."

Supported by the Christian Legal Centre, 27 Scottish church leaders, from a range of Christian denominations, had brought the legal action stating that the unprecedented closures were unlawful and breached Human Rights law and the Scottish constitution.

The leaders come from the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), the Free Church of Scotland, the Church of Scotland, and a number of independent churches.

Their claim came in response to the restrictions outlined by First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, on Friday 8 January 2021, which made it a criminal offence for churches in the highest tiers, to hold in-person services and, for example, to conduct baptisms.

At a full judicial review hearing at the Court of Session in Edinburgh earlier in March, the leaders had sought a declarator (a declaration order) that the restrictions on churches were unlawful and a declarator which would allow people to attend church, should the tier system be reintroduced.

There has been no attempt to close churches in Scotland since the persecution of the Presbyterian church, instituted by the Stuart kings, in the 17th century.

‘Must never happen again’

Responding to the ruling, Rev. Dr William Philip, Senior Minister at the Tron Church in Glasgow, said: “We are very pleased that Lord Braid has recognised how essential gathered church worship is to our communities and to Scotland as a whole.

 “From the outset, we have recognised the serious decisions the Scottish Ministers had to take in response to the pandemic. However, its approach to banning and criminalising gathered church worship was clearly an over-reach and disproportionate and if this had gone unchallenged it would have set a very dangerous precedent.

 “However well-intentioned, criminalising corporate worship has been both damaging and dangerous for Scotland, and must never happen again.

"There is an urgent need for a message beyond that of just health and safety: a message of hope and salvation, and Jesus Christ is the only hope that dispels all fear, death included. Now is the time as we begin to exit the current lockdown for the church in Scotland, and across the UK, to provide the spiritual leadership that is so desperately needed.”

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: “Over centuries, Christian worship has been regarded as a fundamental freedom in the nations of the United Kingdom. During this pandemic, for the first time in history, our governments chose to criminalise gathered church worship.

"We are thankful and relieved that the High Court in Scotland has recognised this dangerous interference with our God-given right to engage in worship for exactly what it is, and ruled it unconstitutional. The fundamental principle of freedom has prevailed with a strong dash of good old common sense.”

‘Irreconcilable conflict’

During the judicial review on the 11 and 12 March, Janys Scott QC, representing the 27 Scottish church leaders, argued that the pandemic had highlighted an “irreconcilable conflict” for church leaders between obeying the state and God. 

“Church leaders do not lightly take to law,” Scott told the court. “My note of argument makes no apology for starting with a statement — and that is Jesus is Lord because that encapsulates the issue as far as the petitioners are concerned.

“The Scottish ministers have presented these 27 church leaders and very many more ministers, church elders and ordinary members of the congregation with a deep crisis.

“As Christians, their primary obedience is to God and not to the state and there is a fundamental obedience in regular communal public worship.

“Regular communal public worship is a central part of the Christian’s life of faith and of the church’s being.

“And to be absolutely clear this is not about buildings — it’s about assembly of congregations; the sacraments of communion and baptism and the ministry between members of a church are integral aspects of expression on what it is to be a Christian and to belong to a Christian church.

“The petitioners would say that faith is a matter of hope in life and in death and it’s more than mere obedience and that it is essential, particularly at a time of national crisis.”

Scott argued that the closure of churches is unlawful, criminalises public worship and goes against centuries-old practice that churches in Scotland have authority over their own affairs free from state interference.

She accused John Swinney, the Deputy First Minister of holding a “condescending and inaccurate” attitude towards public worship, by treating churches as if they are a “matter of personal welfare or comfort”.

“The Deputy First Minister does not understand”, Scott said. “The primary purpose for worship is not for social or mental well-being. Public worship is a robust central aspect of the practice of the Christian both individually and as a church.

“It is important because that it is no exaggeration to say that over the centuries Christians have died in the defence of the public worship in the church and Christians continue to die in the defence of the public worship in church.

“There is an irreconcilable conflict between the obedience of the Christian church to their God or God and obedience to the state.”

Scott told the court that past legal rulings and the nature of the constitution meant that the state couldn’t interfere with churches.

She also said the European Convention on Human Rights did not allow the Scottish Ministers to take the action of stopping public worship.

“It’s not for the government to question the legitimacy of beliefs or the manner in which they are expressed,” she said. “The petitioners say that public corporate worship is essential to the church — it is of the essence, of the being of the church and that is a matter for them.”

‘Double-Speak’

In her concluding remarks, Scott said: “Without wanting to resort to hyperbole, what is worryingly insidious about the way this has been presented to us politically is, ‘oh no, we haven’t closed your churches’ – and that’s in the face of a regulation that says places of public worship will be closed.

“That’s what the First Minister said and that’s what’s been said in the course of argument for the Scottish Ministers.

“When one starts using double-speak like that one gets to exactly the issue which Article 9 is designed to forfend.

“I’m saying this from the perspective of a group of ministers and church elders who want to defend their right to worship, but it is there as an underlying point which is protected for good reason by the European Convention on Human Rights.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Written judgment: https://christianconcern.com/.../CC-Resource-Judgment...

=====

https://www.judiciary.scot/home/judiciary/judicial-office-holders/senators-of-the-college-of-justice/lord-braid

"Lord Braid was appointed a judge of the Supreme Courts in November 2019, and installed on 23 June 2020."#online_worship_is_not_real_christian_worship

Monday, March 4, 2024

Salvations by grace alone and by works are distinct

 

There is a grace-based salvation, as well as a work-based salvation.

Both are plainly taught in the Holy Scriptures.

Both are distinct and separate in nature.

However, sincere men, being ignorant, pit them against one another.

There is a salvation which Christ alone has finished for His people. This made the specific condemned guilty sinners perfectly fitted for eternal glory.

And there is a salvation that God's children must work out for themselves with fear and trembling. This saves them from the present perverse generation, and teaches them to live soberly, godly, and righteously.

The two salvation are distinct and separate: the former is eternal salvation saving sinners from eternal condemnation of the lake of fire, and the latter is temporal salvation saving God's children from the temporal effects of sins in time; the intermediate state is still in time. 

Rightly dividing the word of truth is the essence of sound theology.

There is a life given to you by your parents - they brought you into being!

There is also a life that you have to get through your own activities in obedience to your parents' will.

The former enables the latter.
The latter evidences the former.

The former brought you into BEING.
The latter ensures your own WELL BEING and usefulness here while you live.

========

Zack Young
Amen, brother... I wish everyone understood these truths...

Sing F Lau
"Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." 1Tim 4:16.

Timothy, obviously ALREADY a recipient of eternal salvation (justified, regenerated, an...d fitted for eternal glory) must take heed unto himself, and unto the doctrine, continue in them both... FOR in doing this, he shall BOTH save himself, and the flock under his pastoral care.

The salvation that comes from Timothy's activities is completely distinct and different from the salvation that God has accomplished and applied to Timothy personally.

The salvation purposed, accomplished, and applied to each elect by God's free and sovereign grace- perfectly fitting him for eternal glory, is distinct and different from the salvation that a child of God must work out for himself.

Isn't that quite elementary?

The fruits of one's salvation by God's free and sovereign grace is ALSO spoken of as saving, only in a distinct and different sense.

A biblical distinction is the essence of sound theology.

2Ti 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Sing F Lau
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." -2Chronicles 7:14

That's CONDITIONAL salvation - it is a salvation that comes to God's people conditioned on them doing something!

It is not the salvation that makes condemned sinners God's people.