Things New and Old: For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness;

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, February 6, 2019

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

Putting the cart before the horse.

Putting the cart before the horse is one thing that even the so called wise and prudent reformed folks are often guilty of.

In their erudite and enlightened understanding, the gospel (there are 4 Gospels but there is only 1 gospel) is the necessary instrument in the salvation of sinners dead in trepasses and sins. This is a common and popular error intimately related with the error of gospel regeneration, i.e. the gospel ministry is an indispensable instrument for the Holy Spirit to effect His work of regeneration.

Their error has so blinded them to the plain and obvious truth stated so simply in the Scriptures. What has bewitched them, you wonder.

Just consider this passage, for example.

1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV —
"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."

Can you see the unbridgeable gulf between Apostle Paul's declaration and the notion of the Protestant Reformation?

This declaration informs us that the gospel preaching comes to TWO categories of people: "them that perish", and to "them that ARE SAVED." These people are ALREADY there, and the gospel preaching come to them.

("Are you saved" or "Are you being saved" - https://things-new-and-old.blogspot.com/2015/08/are-you-saved-or-are-you-being-saved.html - take a look here.)

There are them that ARE SAVED - by the free grace of God. They are already called out of their native state of sin and death to that of grace and salvation in Christ Jesus - justified, regenerated and adopted, and indwelt by the Spirit of God, all ready and fitted for eternal glory. They were already effectually called PRIOR to the gospel message being brought to them. The gospel preaching come to them. To these the gospel message speaks of the power of God in saving them.

There are also them that perish - these are still in their native state of sin and death. To them, the same gospel is nothing but foolishness.

But the erudite and enlightened reformed folks declared that their gospel ministry is intended save them that perish. Apostle Paul categorically declared that to such the gospel is foolishness.

The gospel ministry is DIVINELY INTENDED for THEM THAT ARE SAVED; only such can perceive the gospel as the message declaring the power of God in their salvation.

Such erudite minds are too smart to see their own obvious errors.

Oh Lord, open their eyes to see the truth of gospel of Christ, AMEN.