Things New and Old: Promise or Statement of fact?

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.

Thursday, September 6, 2018

Promise or Statement of fact?

1Cor 1:18

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness;

but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Promise or Statement of fact?

Canon of Dort, Head 2 Article 5.

"Moreover, the promise of the gospel is that whosoever believeth in Christ crucified shall not perish, but have everlasting life. This promise, together with the command to repent and believe, ought to be declared and published to all nations, and to all persons promiscuously and without distinction, to whom God out of His good pleasure sends the gospel."

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The above article stirs a few thoughts:

1. What is the promise of the gospel?

- "Whosoever believeth in Christ... but have everlasting life" is not a promise. It is a declaration, a plain and simple statement of fact about the "whosoever believeth"; such have/possess everlasting life. Believing is an evidence of everlasting life.

- It is a subtle deception to give an impression that everlasting life is promised to whosoever believeth in Christ crucified.

2. "This promise (which is no promise), TOGETHER with the command to repent and believe..."

- Let's assume that there is indeed this promise of everlasting life, it is now stated that the promise is conditioned upon man's preaching, and repentance and faith. The promise, without the togetherness with the preaching and the hearing with repentance and faith, would be void.

- There needs to be preaching and the hearing with repentance and faith in order to realize that promise of everlasting life.

In the nature of the case, in the public proclamation of the gospel, the preacher necessarily addresses the audience - promiscuously and without distinction - declare the good news of what God has done to save His people, calling them to believe the truth of their salvation. The believing ones, whosoever believeth, do so because they have everlasting life; they have been effectually called out of their native state of spiritual death to eternal life.

If I have read the article wrong, I tender my sincere apology.

Christ said, "Feed my lambs... feed my sheep... feed my sheep..." John 21:15-17. Feeding is a business dealing with the living, those who are capable of being feed. I know, I know, the superstitious Chinese offer roast pigs to the dead.

The gospel ministry is relevant to and deals with the children of God, elect whom God has regenerated, those who possess everlasting life by God's free and sovereign grace. Amen.