Things New and Old: August 2018

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.

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

"Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

In John 3:1-8, the Lord is stating the following:

- The ABSOLUTE NECESSITY of the new birth: "Except a man be born again, he cannot... he cannot... he cannot... flesh is flesh... flesh is flesh... " Without the new birth, flesh remains flesh! The native state of man is dead in trespasses and sins, in enmity and rebellion against God; he is incapable of drawing himself to God; neither can any other men. As far as his ability God-ward, he is like the dead Lazarus in the tomb.

- And that the new birth is ABSOLUTELY and COMPLETELY by the sovereign activity of the Spirit of God... "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth." The activity of the wind is completely sovereign and free with respect to the man. So also the activity of the Spirit of God in the regeneration of those dead in trespasses and sins.

- There is ONLY one manner/way of regeneration... by the DIRECT and IMMEDIATE sovereign activity of the Spirit of God on the sinner dead in trespasses and sins, WITHOUT any involvement of man whatsoever... This is true for every one who is born of God. "so is every one that is born of the Spirit." Anyone, and every one born of the Spirit of God is born in that manner. The Lord Himself excluded any possibility of exception - "so is every one that is born of the Spirit."

Those born through the activities of the human preachers are born differently, naturally

"Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

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John 3

1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?