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.

Monday, February 16, 2015

Pinkish errors are showing

The life-giving voice of Christ, and The converting call of the gospel ministry. Can you distinguish them? This is a popular quote, from Arthur Pink's "The Ordained Lamp" "That which regulates God in His providential dealings concerning the Gospel—opening doors or shutting them, sending one of His ministers to a place or withdrawing him—is whether or not there be some of those for whom Christ died in that particular locality: for the "sheep" shall hear His voice (John 10:16). Paul was bidden by the Lord to remain at Corinth, for, said He, "I have much people in this city" (Acts 18:10). On the other hand, God suffered him not to go into Bithynia (Acts 16:7). Where there is no Gospel preaching for a protracted period, it is an indication that none of God’s elect are there." ==== Quoted on a friend's page, it enjoyed 82 likes, and 27 shares! So, it's popular. But I DON'T agree with Mr Pink. 1. "That which regulates God... is whether or not there be some for whom Christ died in that particular locality..." - No, that which regulates God is none other that His sovereign and own good pleasure. - Pink's notion presupposes that ALL elect without distinction will have the gospel ministry divinely directed to them. That's just a fable. 2. The statement that His sheep will hear His voice is NOT the same as saying ALL His sheep will hear His voice through the gospel ministry. Mr Pink implies the latter. - Pink assumes that wherever there are God's elect, the gospel ministry will be divinely sent to them. He believes all the elect are capable of hearing the gospel, and all will hear the gospel. 3. Pink is WRONG conditioning hearing the voice of Christ through the gospel ministry. John 6:39 proves NOTHING that all the elect will hear the voice of Christ THROUGH the gospel ministry. 4. A man insisted, "But the elect, eventually, will always respond to the gospel or they were not elect." I would love some proof from the Scriptures for that assertion. He is saying, like Mr Pink, ALL ELECT, without exception. will always eventually hear the gospel, and respond to the gospel. Just prove that from the Scriptures. All the elect in their native state of sin and death, without exception, will INDEED hear the life-giving voice of Christ, the life-giving voice of the eternal Word, and be given eternal salvation. However, not all such will hear, and respond to the gospel. Some don't have the ABILITY to hear, or respond to the gospel.; some don't have the OPPORTUNITY to hear the gospel. The life-giving voice of Christ in SUMMONING a man dead in trespasses and sins to eternal life, and converting voice of a preacher calling a child of God (already called to eternal life by Christ) to believe the truth of his salvation are two distinct, and independent activities. The former is entirely monergistic, solely by divine power and activity in giving eternal life to a man dead in trespasses and sins; the latter is synergistic through the preaching activities of men in bringing God's children to know the truth of their salvation ALREADY freely accomplished by the Triune God. Biblical distinction is the essence of sound theology. Sound-bites only mislead and confuse.
The pinkish skin and the whitish flesh are distinct!



The life-giving voice of Christ, and
The converting call of the gospel ministry.
Can you distinguish them?

This is a popular quote from Arthur Pink's "The Ordained Lamp"
"That which regulates God in His providential dealings concerning the Gospel—opening doors or shutting them, sending one of His ministers to a place or withdrawing him—is whether or not there be some of those for whom Christ died in that particular locality: for the "sheep" shall hear His voice (John 10:16).
Paul was bidden by the Lord to remain at Corinth, for, said He, "I have much people in this city" (Acts 18:10). On the other hand, God suffered him not to go into Bithynia (Acts 16:7).
Where there is no Gospel preaching for a protracted period, it is an indication that none of God’s elect are there."
====

I saw this quote on a friend's Facebook page; it enjoyed 82 likes, and 27 shares! So, it's popular.

But I DON'T agree with Mr Pink's idea.

1. "That which regulates God... is whether or not there be some for whom Christ died in that particular locality..."
- No, that which regulates God is none other than His sovereign and own good pleasure.
- Pink's notion presupposes that ALL elect without distinction will have the gospel ministry divinely directed to them. That's just a fable.

2. The statement that His sheep will hear His voice is NOT the same as saying ALL His sheep will hear His voice through the gospel ministry. Mr Pink implies the latter.
- Pink assumes that wherever there are God's elect, the gospel ministry will be divinely sent to them. He believes all the elect are capable of hearing the gospel, and all will hear the gospel.

3. Pink is WRONG in conditioning hearing the voice of Christ through the gospel ministry. John 6:39 proves NOTHING that all the elect will hear the voice of Christ THROUGH the gospel ministry.

4. A man insisted, "But the elect, eventually, will always respond to the gospel or they were not elect."
- I would love some proof from the Scriptures for that assertion. He is saying, like Mr Pink, ALL ELECT, without exception. will always eventually hear the gospel, and respond to the gospel. Just prove that from the Scriptures.

All the elect in their native state of sin and death, without exception, will INDEED hear the life-giving voice of Christ, the life-giving voice of the eternal Word, and be given eternal salvation. However, not all such will hear, and respond to the gospel. Some don't have the ABILITY to hear, or respond to the gospel.; some don't have the OPPORTUNITY to hear the gospel.

The life-giving voice of Christ in SUMMONING a man dead in trespasses and sins to eternal life, and converting voice of a preacher calling a child of God (already called to eternal life by Christ) to believe the truth of his salvation are two distinct, and independent activities.

The former is entirely monergistic, solely by divine power and activity in giving eternal life to a man dead in trespasses and sins; the latter is synergistic through the preaching activities of men in bringing God's children to know the truth of their salvation ALREADY freely accomplished by the Triune God.

Biblical distinction is the essence of sound theology.
Sound-bites only mislead and confuse.
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