Distinct Facets of Justification by James Buchanan

 

#Justification_Actual
#Justification_Declarative

James Buchanan, in his book on "Justification", emphasized the sharp distinction between 'Actual Justification' and 'Declarative Justification'- see Lecture VIII.

This crucial distinction maintained by the old school Calvinists has been ignored and rejected by the new school Calvinists.

Though so plainly stated in the historic confessions of faith, they confused, and fused them together, leading to serious errors.

The doctrine of justification is said to be the article of the standing or falling of the church; but that standard, even MANY reformed churches are FALLEN. They have believed a lie. but are cocksure that they are right.

Read on. Let two great theologians - James Buchanan and John Gill, and they were no mean theologians - show you the popular errors of the new school Calvinists. (Read the comments.)

Judge for yourself (I assume that you are capable!) 

------------------

Sing F Lau
By 'actual justification', Buchanan refers to the APPLICATION of Christ's righteousness (ALREADY IMPUTED at the cross) to an individual elect personally at the effectual calling out of the state of sin and death to that of grace and salvation, such that an elect individual is personally and actually and vitally justified.

ACTUAL justification is distinct and differ from the LEGAL justification that has taken place at the cross, when the righteousness of Christ was LEGALLY IMPUTED to all the elect.

Justification becomes ACTUAL or VITAL or PERSONAL to an individual elect at effectual calling, when the righteousness of Christ is APPLIED PERSONALLY to each elect. This is the justification by God's free grace spoken of in Romans 3:24.

What was LEGALLY IMPUTED is APPLIED PERSONALLY leading to ACTUAL justification. What was legal was made personal and actual.

Legal IMPUTATION of Christ's righteousness to the elect took place at the cross.

The APPLICATION of the righteousness of Christ to each elect personally takes place at effectual calling out of the state of sin and death to that of grace and salvation.

Actual justification makes believing in Christ possible. Faith, receiving and resting in Christ and His righteousness for salvation, declares the justified state of a man be the free grace of God.

Actual justification makes believing in Christ possible.

Which is why the old school baptists declared thus: "The reason why any are justified IS NOT because they have faith; but the reason why they have faith IS because they are justified." PBA

Therefore there are these three distinct ASPECT of justification.

LEGAL justification at the cross > ACTUAL Justification at effectual calling > DECLARATIVE justification by faith.

Sing F Lau
New school calvinists confuse and fuse these two distinct aspects of justification INTO ONE by teaching: "you are justified by God's free grace when you believe."

Instead of faith being the instrument to declare or manifest your justification by the free grace of God, faith is now the instrument to obtain your justification before God!

O damnable heresy! Preaching another gospel... and they still shout and scream 'salvation by God's free grace alone..." and they still dare quote Rom 3:23 " 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

So, from the left side of their mouth they spout, "justified by God through my faith", and from the right side they foam, "justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

Have they become so deceived and hardened that they don't realize that what come out from the right side of their mouth is diametrically opposed and contradicted by what come out from the left side of the SAME mouth?

Michael Gowens
The verb "to justify" means "to DECLARE righteous". It has to do with the issuance of the VERDICT in a court proceeding. God issued the verdict declaring the elect "righteous" at the cross. That declaration is reported in the gospel, bringing peace in the conscience to the person who believes. So, the publican went down to his house "justified", with peace in his previously convicted conscience.

Sing F Lau
Abraham was ACTUALLY justified by God's grace FREELY when God effectually called him while still in Ur of the Chaldean.

Abraham's justified state was DECLARED by his faith in Gen 15:1-6.

There was a considerable time-lapse between Abraham's ACTUAL justification, and his DECLARATIVE justification.

So was the case with Cornelius. He was ACTUALLY justified when effectually called out of the state of sin and death to grace and salvation. His DECLARATIVE justification took place when he believed the gospel preached to him by apostle Peter.

Sing F Lau
James Buchanan "While 'Justification is a forensic or judicial term, it is used in Scripture to denote, SOMETIMES the acceptance of a sinner as righteous in the sight of God, - SOMETIMES the manifestation or proof of his acceptance, by which it is attested or made sure: and this variety in the application of it IS THE GROUND OF AN IMPORTANT THEOLOGICAL DISTINCTION, - the distinction between ACTUAL and DECLARATIVE Justification." - Justification, p233, Banner of Truth.

I was taught and drilled into my tiny head, "Distinction is the essence of sound theology."

The important theological distinction Buchanan indicated has been ignored and rejected by the new school calvinists, and they have end up with their justification before God by their faith!

Sing F Lau
James Buchanan - "Actual Justification comes first, and is necessarily presupposed in that which is declarative; and hence, if any one is declared to have been justified, we conclude that he was actually justified, or accepted as righteous in the sight of God."

It is likely that the new school calvinists, because of their mindset, may not even understand what Buchanan is saying.

Let me put it more simply:

Actual Justification by God's free grace LOGICALLY as well as CHRONOLOGICALLY precedes Declarative by faith, man's believing . Actual justification by God's free grace makes Declarative justification by man's act of believing possible; therefore Declarative justification by man's act of believing presupposes the Actual justification that has taken place by God's free grace.

The great old school baptists put the same truth this way: ""The reason why any are justified IS NOT because they have faith; but the reason why they have faith IS because they are justified." PBA

Why do the new school calvinists among the Reformed Baptists REFUSED to be converted to the truth? Why don't they give up the lie?

Sing F Lau
When God justifies a condemned sinner, He declares him not guilty but righteous by forgiving hm all his sins and imputing the righteousness of Christ to him. This is the ACTUAL justification spoken of by Buchanan. The condemned man is actually justified by God's free grace.

When faith justifies a believing man, faith declares that the believing man is a man ALREADY justified by the free grace of God. This is the DECLARATIVE justification spoken of by Buchanan. Faith declares the justified state of the believing man.

Sing F Lau
The old school Baptists (representing over 100 baptized congregations) declared this in the 1689LBCF, ch 11, para 4:

"4. God did from all eternity decree to justify all the elect, (11) and Christ did in the fullness of time die for their sins, and rise again for their justification;(12) nevertheless, they are not justified personally, until the Holy Spirit doth in time due actually apply Christ unto them.(13)" 11. Gal 3:8; 1Pe 1:2; 1Ti 2:6. 12. Ro 4:25. 13. Col 1:21-22; Tit 3:4-7

Three distinct ASPECTS of justification are stated in this condensed paragraph:

1. DECRETAL justification: God did decree to justify... therefore all the elect are justified by God's decree.

2. LEGAL justification: Christ did die for their justification. His righteousness was LEGALLY IMPUTED to all the elect. Though they were LEGALLY justified... BUT they were not PERSONALLY justified.

3. PERSONAL / ACTUAL justification when the Holy Spirit actually apply the righteousness of Christ to each individual PERSONALLY. This is justification by the free grace of God through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Believing becomes possible when PERSONAL / ACTUAL justification has taken place by the free grace of God.

The declarative or experiential justification by faith is stated in the SECOND paragraph of the same chapter - i.e. 1689.11.2.

Sing F Lau
Buchanan's use of the word "ACTUAL" to designate the PERSONAL/VITAL aspect of justification by God's free grace is not helpful. It has led to much confusion with those who can't differentiate SOUND from SENSE.

Benjamin Keach used the similar term 'ACTUALLY' with reference to experiential justification, saying to the effect, "no one is actually justified until he believes..." However, he is using the word 'actually' in the context of evidential and declarative justification... just like John Gill had done.

Gill said, "... no man is evidentially and declaratively justified until he believes."

But many new school baptists because they are addicted to sound-byte, didn't get the SENSE of what he said... and so concluded that "no one is justified by God until he believes."!

It was also Gill who declared, and quoted by subsequent generations of old school baptists, "The reason why any are justified IS NOT because they have faith; but the reason why they have faith IS because they are justified."

[Yoel has deleted all his comments]

Sing F Lau
Yoel, thank you for pointing out that passage which illustrates the declarative justification by the acts of the repentant publican. His repentance declares his justified state.

The passage does not say that Jesus declaring the publican justified.

Jesus made the observation that the repentant act of the publican justified him, i.e the repentant act of the publican declares something about him.

"Actual Justification comes first, and is necessarily presupposed in that which is declarative; and hence, if any one is declared to have been justified, we conclude that he was actually justified, or accepted as righteous in the sight of God."

The repentance of the publican towards God declares that he was already justified by God's free grace.

Brother, exert some effort to understand the doctrine of justification... a multi-faceted jewel. It is not a cheap glass marble - the way many see it.

Sing F Lau
How? Christ always insists on knowing and believing the EXACT truth that has been revealed to His people. So striving to know and believe the truth precisely is Christ-like! It is very un-Christlike to believe or tolerate falsehood. He censures His people sternly for their ignorance and woolliness, and indifference to sound doctrines.

Many despise sound doctrines... slandering that doctrines divide. Of course doctrines divide - those who want to honor the truth of their Savior, and those who don't really care!

You can be more Christ-like by insisting that exact truth be preached... you can be more like Christ by converting those in error to the truth... you can be more Christlike by praising God for free and sovereign grace...

Sing F Lau
This is how:
1. First, they are ignorant of the various distinct aspects of justification.
This ignorance causes them to combine two different and distinct aspects into one, ending up with a very serious error.

2. They are ignorant of the justification decreed before the foundation of the world. They stupidly accused those who believe this teaching of scriptures as believing in eternal justification, i.e. a elect is actually and personally in eternity, before time. This is just plain misrepresentation.

3. Then they are also ignorant of the LEGAL justification that was accomplished for every elect when Jesus Christ died on the cross. By His death on the cross, Christ DID LEGALLY justify all the elect. Christ's righteousness was IMPUTED to all His people, and their sins to Him at the cross.

4. Then they are ALSO ignorant of the vital/personal justification that took place when God effectually calls each elect out of the state of sins and death to that of grace and salvation. At effectual calling, the righteousness of Christ is APPLIED personally to each elect, thus justifying each PERSONALLY. What was LEGAL is now made PERSONAL.

This is what is spoken of in Romans 3:24 "being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

5. They are also ignorant of the EVIDENTIAL/EXPERIENTIAL justification that is by faith at ENABLED a man to belief. Believing justifies a man evidentially - it does not justify a man BEFORE God.

A man is justified BEFORE God by His free grace alone. It is this aspect of justification, applied by the free and sovereign grace of God that man's act of believing in Christ.

In their ignorant of the distinct aspect of justification, they say that there justification before God is by their faith, i.e their faith is the instrument to secure justification before God!!!

Faith as an instrument to EVIDENCE the justification by God's free grace is PERVERTED and TWISTED to become the MEANS to obtain justification before God! That's a terrible perversion of the truth!

In case you don't get the point, let me put it this way: breath as a means to the presence of life is PERVERTED and TWISTED into a horrible lie that 'breath is the necessary means for a dead person to obtain life.'

The thing that OBSESSED the neo-Calvinists is their justification by their faith... they shout the mantra 'sola fide' from the rooftop. They believe that their justification before God is through their act of believing.

"All doctrines but no love..."

#aversion_to_doctrines

#all_doctrines_but_no_Love

Some pastors do hear remarks like – “what’s the use of doctrines, they don’t help your men to pray,” “all doctrines but no love,” and similar snide remarks are thrown at them not infrequently. Needless to say, I have my fair share; the matter has also perplexed me.

I first heard of the remark some 30 years ago while I was a student at FEBC, Singapore in 1987-8. I was attending an RB church then. I still remember hearing some women in the church making similar remarks. I didn’t understand then, and I still don’t know what to make of it now. So, I thought a good way is to give some thoughts to it.

1. Some general thoughts on such remarks

a. I don’t know whether the snide remarks are directed at the pastor/teacher as an individual, or it is levelled against the church as a body? Is the preacher “all doctrine and no love” or is the church that he ministers “all doctrine but no love”?

Whichever, it is completely possible that the man falls far short of both; he is not a loving man, and his feeble ministry has failed miserably in producing a loving church as per the expectation of some. In which case, he should be willing and ready to tender his sincere apology for his grievous personal shortcoming, as well as his ministry’s dismal failure to produce a loving church. Perhaps the church should gently suggest to him to leave the ministry, and look for a loving man whose ministry is capable of producing a loving church!

b. The second greatest commandment is indeed “love thy neighbour as thyself.” Perhaps, the pastor/teacher may not even love himself much and that may likely explain why he fails to love much. No, I don't think he is excusing himself for his grievous lack of bubbly love. Perhaps, he is just insensitive to not being loved, so he doesn’t whine and bitches about not being loved by others in the church. However, he is probably deeply thankful to the Lord for every expression of love shown to him; also, he likely rejoices to see the expression of love among God’s children. Bickering among God’s children and devouring one another are reproaches unto the Lord; they (i.e. the bickering and devouring) grieve the pastor no end.

c. Surely, every church has some kind of doctrines; even biblical doctrines that have been twisted and perverted are still doctrines – statements of beliefs. Every church has some beliefs concerning the Persons and works of Christ even if they are inconsistent with what the Scriptures declare, rightly divided, that is. Cancerous bones are still bones. It may be true that a church may have become so woolly there is very little preaching on doctrines; instead, it majors on practical how-to subjects without being based soundly on biblical doctrines. Such is antithetical of the Apostolic pattern, which is always the doctrines first, then followed by the “therefore.”

d. Doctrines, i.e. biblical doctrines, are objective; one is either right or wrong about it. Not a few sincere Christians loathe biblical doctrines because they feel that biblical doctrines are too exact for their liking. Also, they have the misguided notion that doctrines divide but love unites; they think doctrines split their hairs, whereas love binds their hearts.

Besides, they see little practical values in sound doctrines, in addition to thinking of them being divisive. They forget one basic reality, that believing God’s truth rightly honours Him as much as obeying His word. Believing wrongly is tantamount to bearing false witness.

e. Love, i.e. biblical love is also objective in that it has definite character and attributes, not just some fuzzy vacuous sentimental feelings, read 1Cor 13:4-7. But a whole set of subjective elements are ALSO involved here; how love is felt and experienced is largely subjective. One who has a high expectation, he would feel largely unloved, even though he is loved, perhaps not in the manner expected. It would be hard to believe that there is no love among Christians in a church. Is there any reason left to remain in such a loveless church?

2. Some possible explanations for such remarks

a. The kind souls who make those remarks are likely the loving and tender-hearted children of God; it likely pains them to see the lack of love among the other saints, thus explaining their “all doctrine but no love.” Loving people feel terribly disheartened in an unloving place just as tidy folks feel distraught in a dirty environment.

b. It is also possible that the love of these kind souls has generously shown to other saints is not reciprocated or appreciated or praised, and they felt it very keenly. Any sensible souls would feel discouraged when their loving-kindness does not move others to imitate them.

c. Perhaps they may have experienced much better church fellowship where there is much more love than that of their present church.

d. The ministry of the word majoring on doctrines alone may also have prompted such remarks. If indeed true, then that is a fault that surely needs to be corrected. After all, the profitability of the inspired Scriptures extends beyond doctrines; it included training in righteousness as well as reproof and corrections.

e. Perhaps there is an aversion to biblical doctrines; many Christians are averse to doctrines because they require mental exertion to grasp and understand. Mental laziness is a debilitating disease that should not be taken lightly. Churchianity will replace Christianity soon enough if mental laziness prevails.

3. Some suggestions to overcome the “all doctrines but no love” evil

a. At the personal level: perhaps, those who say there is no love, exert themselves to love a bit more, and pray that their example may move others to do the same. This is not going to be easy since their love has not been reciprocated thus far. But have patience; show by your loving examples to revive the fellow saints in the church.

b. Remind and encourage the pastor to preach less on doctrine, and more on love, besides praying for him. Give him suggestions on specific practical subjects that you think will motivate people to be loving.

c. Meanwhile, search the internet to look for messages that are full of love and no doctrine to compensate for the “all doctrines but no love” situation. Discreetly recommend it to the pastor to listen as well as to others whom you believe may be helped to be loving. This will somewhat compensate for the deficiency of the existing ministry and loveless situation in the church.

d. Actively work towards getting a pastor/teacher whose ministry has proven to produce loving people, assuming you still love the loveless church enough to remain and labour to revive it. It is certain that the present pastor, who is keenly aware of his own deficiency, would be so delighted to have such a servant of God to minister to the church he loves dearly.

e. If all the above fail to turn the loveless church around, then you must be kind to yourselves and LEAVE the church; yes, leave the church orderly and peaceably; don’t waste your love any longer on a loveless people. That may be the best decision for the good of your own soul, for “evil communications corrupt good manners.” Continuing with such loveless people may corrupt and extinguish your bright love for the brethren and make you loveless like them. That is a tragedy you must avoid for yourself.

f. Don't ever join a perfect church; your membership in it will inevitably ruin its perfection right away.

Just some random thoughts.

The Three 'Distinct Alone' in Justification

Let these sayings sink into your ears:

You are justified by God alone, freely by His grace alone, and based on the righteousness of Christ alone; your justification by your faith alone is lie from the pit of hell.

Your faith in Christ is the only way you will experience the blessedness of your justification by God's free grace.

Why? Because your justification was on the basis of Christ's righteousness alone.

Romans 4 KJT
1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

God already justified the ungodly Abraham when he was still dead in trespasses and sins way back in Gen 11, before he was called to leave the Ur of the Chaldeans. In Gen 15, Abraham believed and his faith ( NOT the righteousness of Christ) was accounted to him for righteousness; i.e. Abraham experienced the blessedness of his justified state by faith, not by some work of keeping the ceremonial laws like circumcision.

Apostle Paul demonstrated conclusively that Abraham experienced the blessedness of his justified state by faith in the promised seed, NOT by observing some ceremonial laws as the Judaizers insisted. This is the biblical context of justification by faith - it's in the experiential aspect of justification.

Take a look here:
https://things-new-and-old.blogspot.com/2011/05/three-distinct-sets-of-contrast-in.html

Stop believing a popular lie.

Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth

 

Syleong
Sir, how would you interpret James 1:18?
"Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures."

sing
The 3-verse paragraph reads:
16 ¶Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Ask specific questions to begin to understand what it says.

Syleong
What does the word of truth refer to in v 18?

sing
What's the context?
The meaning of a word/phrase is determined by its context.

Verse 18 is given as an example of what is spoken of in verse 17.
What is verse 18 speaking of?

Syleong
The gift is from our Father. But is the gift here our Lord Jesus Christ or the Scriptures?

sing
What is verse 18 speaking of?

Syleong
Begat seems to imply a human, so I think it's Lord Jesus Christ.

sing
"... begat he US" - plural.
Do you actually read the text?
Who does the plural pronoun "us" embrace?

sing
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
- whose will is spoken of?
- what did he do?
- who is "us" acted upon by his own will?
- what/who is the agent used in this act?
- why is the object acted upon said to be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures?

Learning requires asking apt questions.

Syleong
Us is the firstfruits,  the initial Christians (ie the object). The agent is the word of truth,  the Scriptures?

Then it sounds like the gospel can regenerate n convert a person
But then it's God's will
Such a confusing verse.

sing
The gospel can convert a regenerated elect.
The gospel is good news; good news CANNOT beget life. Good news can beget a convert.

It's a simple and straightforward verse if you just let it say what it says.

You must have a life-giver to beget life - elementary.

[.... pause...]

sing
You didn't pursue your question further!

James 1
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Q. Whose will is spoken of?
A. God's will...

Q. What did he do?
A. Of His own will, He blessed the preaching of the gospel, the word of truth, to the conversion of the Jews.

Q. Who is "us" acted upon by his own will?
A. James was writing to the Jewish believers. The pronoun "us" embraces James and the recipient of his epistle.

Q. What/who is the agent used in this act?
A. The preaching of the word of truth.
- The "word of truth" as in Eph 1:13 and 2Tim 2:15.
- God, by His Spirit, BEGETS LIFE, begets sons and daughters.
- God, by His own will, bless the ministry of the word of truth BEGET converts. 1Cor 4:15; 1Ti 1:2

Q. Why is the object acted upon said to be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures?
By God's own will, the glorious gospel was preached to the Jew first, then to the Gentile: 
- Rom 1:16; Mt 10:5-6; 15:24.

Syleong
Actually, Mr. Wagner said that the word of truth here refers to Christ. That's why I checked with you

sing
Christ is the Word
- John 1:1,14; Heb 4:12; 1Jn 5:7;  Rev 19:13;

Christ is the truth
- Jn 14:6.

The phrase "the word of truth" is used in these passages:
- Psalm 119:43 KJV — And take not *the word of truth* utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
- 2 Corinthians 6:7 KJV — By *the word of truth*, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left...
- Ephesians 1:13 KJV — In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard *the word of truth* the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise...
- Colossians 1:5 KJV — For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in *the word of the truth of the gospel...*
- 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV — Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing *the word of truth.*

You decide what to believe and give your own reasons for it. 

Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

[18/02/2021, 09:32]
Sing
Acts 2 KJT                                         
40 ¶And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Let's exercise our minds - draw out some principles from these 3 verses.
You can start by asking questions. 

[18/02/2021, 14:01]
Sunny:
Acts 2:39-40 KJV
v40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

Q: Was that generation more untoward or evil from our present generation?
Q: Was that generation more untoward because they plotted & murdered the Messiah?
Q: Is our present generation less untoward because we are not plotting or murdering our Savior. Or is there no Messiah presently because He has finished His work of redemption therefore today people are not warned at all of this untoward or evil generation.
Q: Or is our present generation more civilised and warning need not be that severe?
Q: or those with beautiful feet now only preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Therefore, very unfitting to warn the modern generation?

Thank you, Pastor for helping us to put more questions to verses we may be very familiar. Will ask further on the other verses and hope our brethren will give an opinion.

[18/02/2021, 18:19]
Sunny
v41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Q: A good 37 years ago, when I responded to the preached word John 15: 1-7 by so much fear & trembling as that night I was frightened by the loss of salvation and cast away & burn. (Only by the grace of God I now understand perfectly of eternal, legal & spiritual salvation). I noted verse 41, the brethren received gladly added to the church by baptism n three thousands added to the church. However why believers today in our present setting are dreading to feet to consider baptism and be added to the church?

Q: Is it because these believers are frighten of the covenant commitment towards one & another? I don't know?

Q: Or the church members in the present SDC show poor churchman-ship that put off people? Because I don't know the answer?

Q: Is it because non-church members are of the opinions since it is the eternal heaven that counts, why bother? I don't the answer either.

As all the questions helped me to ponder and hoping answers from above could be provided. Amen

[18/02/2021, 18:58]
Sunny
v42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Comment: They remained steadfast in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship. We have the right ingredients. A complete bible comparing the time of the apostles. We have the revealed declaration of Heaven & eternal judgment, of which we as Christ's righteous imputation, should be thoroughly convinced we are indeed very blessed with assurance we will be one day in the eternal glory! Yet these earlier disciples continued with steadfastness. They were indeed blessed with minimal understanding but very definitely with gladness they are saved!

Q: If we hardly steadfast in the doctrine and fellowship with each, wonder why? What's amiss?

Thank brethren for allowing me to share my thoughts forthrightly!

[19/02/2021, 01:51]
Sing F Lau:
Thank you for taking the time and exercising your mind on the subject.
You have asked helpful questions on the passage.

v40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

Let's understand the word *untoward* - literally, it means crooked; metaphorically, it means morally perverse, wicked, froward (difficult to deal with).

With that in mind, let us give some thought to your questions.

Q: Was that generation more untoward or evil than our present generation?
An answer: That was an untoward generation indeed, for several reasons:
- They were eyewitnesses of their Messiah but rejected and crucified him.
- They were waiting for their Messiah but when He has appeared, they rejected and crucified Him.
- They were shown the irrefutable signs and miracles performed by Jesus of Nazareth but refused to believe that He is their expected Messiah. Instead, they accused Him of performing those signs and miracles by the power of Beelzebub.
- They heard the astonishing teachings of Jesus but rejected them anyway.
- They were soundly reproved of their errors and hypocrisy but they hardened themselves. further.

So, that generation was untoward INDEED. Brother Jonathan has a saying, "that generation was devil-possessed." Morally perverse, wicked, froward, unfair, and unreasonable in their treatment of Christ - speaking specifically of the religious establishment, and not the common people, generally.

That untoward generation had been destined to be destroyed in AD 70; Apostle Peter was appealing to the hearers to save themselves by separating themselves from that untoward generation - by believing that Jesus Christ was indeed the promised Messiah they had been waiting for.

Please remember that most of Peter's hearers were Jews and Gentile proselytes who had come from distant nations (2:5 ) to Jerusalem to observe the Pentecost.

Your question: Was that generation more untoward or evil than our present generation?

It would be yes for the reasons given.

As your question necessarily implies, God's children in this generation are untoward too, just in different ways. These shall be considered in your other questions.

[19/02/2021, 10:03]
Sing
Q: Was that generation more untoward because they plotted & murdered the Messiah?

An answer:
- Yes, they are one of many reasons. It went beyond plotting and murdering their Messiah.
- Jesus told them many times that He would rise from the dead, and they did everything to ensure He remained dead in the tomb. But when He had risen from the dead, instead of shame and repentance, they concocted lies to deceive others further!

[19/02/2021, 10:04]
Sing
Q: Is our present generation less untoward because we are not plotting or murdering our Savior. Or is there no Messiah presently because He has finished His work of redemption; therefore, today people are not warned at all of this untoward or evil generation.

An answer:
- The present generation of God's children is untoward too in their own ways.  The untowardness takes more forms than the literal plotting and murdering the Son of God. In that literal sense, it is no longer possible to be untoward.
- Please note that only God's children can be justly charged as being untoward in their conduct, words, and thoughts towards their Father, and Elder Brother Jesus Christ, their Lord, and Saviour.
- "Without excuse" has reference to God's children. Acting and believing contrary to what is revealed and shown to them manifests their untowardness.
- With all the EXTRA light and truth from the completed Scriptures and the easy access to all the tools to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, Christians are acting untowardly indeed if they are not growing as expected.

[19/02/2021, 10:04]
Sing
Q: Or is our present generation more civilised and warning need not be that severe?

An answer:
The present generation of religious leaders and their follower are no more enlightened than that untoward generation in different ways.
- When they believe the Devil's lie that there is *NO* hell for them after they leave this world, no warning is severe enough. Untoward children of God will find themselves in hell after their departure from this world. Christ did not save His people from hell; Christ solemnly warned them to take drastic measures against their sins to avoid hell. The Devil seduced them to turn that warning to non-children of God - O, how subtle. Gen 3:1.

- Christ did most assuredly save His people from the eternal misery in the lake of fire. Whosoever's name is found in the Lamb's Book of Life - and Christ, the Lamb of God, came to redeem every one of them, from the lake of fire. Rev 20:15.

- Sorry, I digressed.

[19/02/2021, 10:07]
Sing
Q: Or those with beautiful feet now only preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Therefore, very unfitting to warn the modern generation?

An answer:
Unfortunately, few preachers have the gospel of peace to preach, bringing the glad tidings of good things in the eternal salvation by the free and sovereign grace of God, and warning them to "work out their *own salvation* with fear and trembling" and the dire consequences for neglecting such reasonable duties.
- May my Lord assist me to discharge my duty better.
- Also, enjoying the grace of God in vain is a harsh reality among God's children, 2Cor 6:1.

@ Thank you, Pastor, for helping us to put more questions to verses we may be very familiar. Will ask further questions on the other verses, and we hope our brethren will give an opinion.

Comment:
- Passages that seem very familiar become not familiar when we begin to ask apt questions. Try that on your Christian friends. Try John 3:16! Over-familiarity is often an indication of a common but dreadful sickness called soundbytitis. I fear this more than Covid-19.

- Continue to ask, and we will learn together.

[19/02/2021, 12:51]
Sing
v40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, *Save yourselves from this untoward generation.*
- they were exhorted to save themselves,
- they must do something to save themselves,
- they are to save themselves from something particular, that untoward generation.

What did Peter testify about?
What is the salvation spoken of?
What must the hearers do to be saved?
What will they save themselves from?

Many don't have a clue.
The moment they see the word 'save', they go off on a tangent to hell and heaven. 😢😢😢

[19/02/2021, 13:50]
Sing
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Q: A good 37 years ago, when I responded to the preached word John 15: 1-7 by so much fear & trembling as that night I was frightened by the loss of salvation and cast away & burned. (Only by the grace of God do I now understand perfectly the eternal, legal & spiritual salvation). I noted verse 41: the brethren received gladly added to the church by baptism and three thousand added to the church. However, why are believers today, in our present setting, dreading to even consider baptism and be added to the church?

Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
Yes, only those who gladly received the preached word of Peter – testifying that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah, and exhorting God’s children to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (they were God-fearing devout men from all nations – Acts 2:5), and the fearsome temporal judgment.
- Those who gladly received the gospel of Jesus Christ were baptized. No begging, no cajoling, no emotional appeal to accept Christ, no saying the sinner’s prayers.
- Those who gladly received the word gladly complied with what they were told to do.

- Yes, all those baptised that day were also ADDED to the Jerusalem church that day. Most of those baptised that day were from distant lands who soon returned to their homes far away from Jerusalem.
- The Apostles were busy visiting them in the far-flung places and planted local churches where possible.

*Why are believers today….?*

An answer: This may sound simplistic – little love for Christ is at the heart; other things are just incidental peripherals.

*Q: Is it because these believers are frightened of the covenant commitment towards one & another? I don't know?*

An answer: That’s probably one of the several reasons.

*Q: Or the church members in the present SDC show poor churchmanship that puts people off? Because I don't know the answer.*

An answer: That’s possible; sincere and good people prospects are stumbled and put off.
- Poor preaching, don’t have the activities for their children, no crèche, closed communion, doctrines, etc.

*Q: Is it because non-church members are of the opinion that since it is the eternal heaven that counts, why bother? I don't know the answer either.*

An answer: that’s likely but probably rare. I’m of the opinion that those who know that it is the eternal heaven that matters would also understand the necessity of their obedience for their temporal salvation.

@ *As all the questions helped me to ponder, and hoping answers from above could be provided. Amen.*

My little experience:
I grew up in the Methodist setup; I was sprinkled in my early teens. Then I was converted while a student in Sydney U. Later when I had learned that the biblical mode of baptism is immersion, I readily submitted myself to be immersed, and was added to the membership of Newtown Baptist Church… no bitching and whining that I had been baptized in the Methodist Church. It is easy when we keep our conscience clear before the Lord.

[20/02/2021, 13:53]
Sing
Some comments:
a. We are indeed far more fortunate than the believers in the Apostles' time.
- The Apostles may not be with us today, wonly in parte may no longer witness the marvellous signs and miracles performed by them, BUT we have the full revelation of God, the complete inspired Scriptures, readily available at our fingertip. This is such a great blessing.
- Even the Apostles themselves knew in part only. 1Cor 13:9-10.
- Imagine for one moment if we don't have the Holy Scriptures, or we are illiterate (unable to read or write). Would you feel any poorer? How many of us grumble and whine when we have to miss a meal for our belly! Do our souls feel famished when we miss feeding upon the word of God?
- We are blessed indeed with so much more for our discipleship. Are we faring better than they?
- Christ's just and equitable principle, "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required." Luke 12:48.

ii. " they continued steadfastly":
- steadfast: an adjective, resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering.

- steadfastly: an adverb, describing the manner they continued. 
- They continued steadfastly attentive unto, giving unremitting care to those things.
- To continue in those things requires effort and discipline; to continue steadfastly implies that they have to fight off lawful things that may distract and supplant their attention to those noble things: the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. The apostles' doctrine here means the preaching of the apostles, not the apostolic doctrinal principles.

What explained their steadfast continuance in those excellent spiritual exercises?

What do you think? Were they less busy with life? Were the circumstances favourable?

What would we do to cultivate that steadfast continuance in those spiritual exercises also? What's distracting each one of us?