1689.28 - the institution of the two ordinances by Christ

The Institution of the Two Ordinances in the Church. (1689.28)

a. Chapters 28-30 belong together. They deal with the two church-ordinances instituted by Christ in His church. This chapter differs drastically from chapter 27 of the WCF. The five paragraphs have been turned into two brief paragraphs in the 1689 CoF.

- There are many 'ordinances' mentioned in the Scriptures. God has ordained many things in human affairs - eg. marriage, civil authority, etc. But there are only two church-ordinances instituted by Christ Jesus in His church.

1689.28.1: Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances of positive and sovereign institution, appointed by the Lord Jesus, the only lawgiver, to be continued in his church to the end of the world. Matt. 28:19,20; 1 Cor. 11:26

1689.28.2: These holy appointments are to be administered by those only who are qualified and thereunto called, according to the commission of Christ. Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 4:1

1. The Institution of the Two Ordinances in the Church

a. The number and order of these two ordinances in the church:

- “Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances…”

- The number is two; there are only these two ordinances instituted in the church by Christ, the Head and the lawgiver of His church.

- The order is baptism first, then united with the church as a member, and only then eligible to partake the Lord’s Supper, to express the communion in the Lord Jesus Christ and with the church.

b. The origin of these two ordinances in the church:

- “… of positive and sovereign institution…”

- “… appointed by the Lord Jesus…”

- “… the only lawgiver…”

- A positive and sovereign ordinance is something in addition to the law of nature. It is NOT something merely deduced or by necessarily implied.

- They did not exist from the beginning of time nor in the OT, but came into existence by a positive and sovereign appointment of the Lord Jesus. They are explicitly laid down by Christ the Lord.

- Christ Jesus, in His capacity as the Messianic King is the exclusive author of these ordinances. We are baptized and partake of the Lord's Supper properly only when we do it because Christ commanded us to do so. They are no mere traditions, human or ecclesiastical.

- We do them not because they seem good ideas to us, but because we feel upon our hearts the authority of Christ in His word and respond to that authority. It is out of conscious obedience and allegiance and submission to His authority.

- Careful observation of and obedience to Christ's positive and sovereign institution evident a peculiar love for and loyalty to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ the King.

- Neglecting them evidences a want of submission to Christ.

c, The perpetuity of these two ordinances in the church:

- “… to be continued in his church to the end of the world.”

- These two ordinances are, in a qualified sense, perpetual. They are to be continued from the time they were appointed and are only to cease with the end of the world.

- The ministry of the word for the gathering of God’s children into the visible church continues unto the end of the world; the gathering of God's children into the church requires baptism.

- The Lord's Supper is also clearly to be observed till the return of Christ, 1Cor 11:26, Lk 22:14-20.

- Both these ordinances not only point us back to the living authority of Christ but forward to the actual return and presence of Christ. They are lifelines that remind us of the living Christ and His power.

2. The Administration of the Two Ordinances in the Church (28:2)

a. The two ordinances are the holy appointments of Christ the Head and Lawgiver of His church:

- “These holy appointments…” These are ordinances by the positive and sovereign appointment by Christ, the Holy One; their appointment by the Holy One elevates what appears to be ordinary and common to become holy, sacred.

- Holy things are appointed for a holy people, a people sanctified by the free and sovereign grace of God in His Son Jesus Christ.

- Holy things are to be administered with clean hands and a pure heart.

- They are to be received with due reverence to Him who appointed them.

- The administrators or the recipients who despise or abuse or neglect these holy appointments do betray an unholy character.

b. The lawful administrators of these ordinances:

- “… are to be administered by those only who are qualified…”

- “… and thereunto called,

- Who are they? According to the Scripture, who may baptize and administer the Lord's Supper?

- "... those who are qualified" are those who are equipped and made fit by Christ for the work of the ministry of the word; they are also "called" and set apart to the work by the church

- 1Cor 4:1 speaks of the 'stewards of the mysteries of God.' This text points to the concept of a steward.

- Mt 24:45-51 & Lk 41-44 show that not all in God's household are stewards who have authority and responsibility to give God's people their 'food in due season.'

- Tit 1:5-7 describes elders as stewards of God. God still has stewards in His household (1Tim 3:5-16) and over His people in the continuing office of the elder, pastor-teacher cp. Eph 4:11ff.

- Since baptism and the Lord's Supper are visible symbols of that spiritual food and those mysteries, it is the prerogative of God's stewards to oversee & administer such ordinances.

c. '... according to the commission of Christ.'

- The commission here DOES NOT refer to the Great Commission which was addressed to the Apostles alone with unique promises; the Apostles fulfilled their commission by 70AD. The four parallel accounts of this commission make it very clear that the commission is addressed to Christ's apostles.

- The commission here is Christ’s calling and authorization of men to the ministry of the gospel; those commissioned by Christ are recognized and set apart by His church for the work of pastor and teacher. see Chapter 26:8,9.

- It is only those commissioned by Christ and recognized and set apart by the church that has been authorized to administer the two holy appointments of Christ.

- Both are church ordinances, given to the church to be administered according to the law of Christ.

Churchless Christian

A young family turning to heaven for help.

https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/10206487537002679

May 28, 2016

The new birth, by the free and sovereign and immediate act of the Spirit of God, quickens a man from his native state spiritual deadness. He is brought into a state of grace and salvation in Jesus Christ.

Hearing and believing the gospel of Jesus Christ, and confessing Him as Lord and Saviour in water baptism makes the child of God a Christian.

A child of God that is baptized is added to the membership of an NT church that he may be nourished and edified, i.e. to be taught to observe all things whatsoever Christ has commanded His Apostles.

Churchless Christian is a monstrosity foreign to and unknown in the Holy Scriptures.

The Apostolic practice set the precedent once for all.

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." Acts 2.

The Lord Jesus Christ, the alone Head of His church, must have good reasons why He commanded them who confessed His name to be members of His church. When you have become invisible, then speak of your invisible church, ;-).

Only in tragic circumstances, a child is not born into a family!

Tommy Dennis Taylor

Very well said brother.

Lacay Manny Adonay

What do you mean by saying 'When you have become invisible, then speak of your invisible church'. Is the church invisible?

Sing F Lau

Some people claim that their membership is with the invisible church. My suggestion is, if you are not invisible, it isn't appropriate to speak like that.

Ever learning but not knowing the truth

https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/10213883875506519

May 28, 2019 at 1:20 AM ·

2Timothy 3

1 ¶This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be...

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Verse 7 is one of the long lists of signs of the perilous times.

It's tragic and heartbreaking to have believers in that evil condition - ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Reading their Bible for decades has not enabled them to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Imagine having children who are ever feeding but never able to grow and develop; what grief and sorrow to the parents!

Heb 5:12 KJV

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

1 Cor 3:1 KJV

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

See the opposite scenario here:

1Thes 1:8 KJV — For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

We have these commands, calling for all diligence:

2Peter 1

5 ¶And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

2Pet 3:18 "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

O gracious Lord, have mercy; wake up the slumbering people and revive us all. Amen.

Danny Lee

Those people are not truly Born Again Christians

Sing F Lau

Danny Lee, in my understanding, a man is either born again or he is still dead in trespasses and sins. Term such as "not truly Born again" suggests that there is such a thing as being born again but not truly Born again, implying a terrible failure on the part of Holy Spirit in His divine and sovereign activity in regeneration.

The Scriptures teach us that there are born again elect who are stunted at childhood stage and not growing.

Also, it is obvious that Apostle Paul was dealing with God's children; why would the inspired Apostle Paul find fault with those dead in trespasses and sins for their ever learning the word of God but never come to the knowledge of the truth? It is like faulting a dead child for not eating and growing.

Danny Lee

Sing, you are correct

This is a language thing

A person is either spiritually alive ( born again ) or spiritually dead,

I will endeavor to be more precise in the future, thank you

Khaw Eng Sun

Knowing everything but not doing anything is worst

Sing F Lau

Luke 12:47 KJV — "And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes."

I probably deserve many stripes even though I have been taught and know a few things, but fail in many things.

"We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture."

Initially post here:
https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/10213880199014609

May 27, 2019.

"We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture." Ps 100:3b

I was blessed to be refreshed with the truths stated in this wonderful Psalm.

Consider the seven-fold reasonable duties matched by the grand seven-fold incredible basis.

1¶[[A Psalm of praise.]] Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

The Psalmist exhorts God's people unto so many blessed and delightful duties befitting the saints of the LORD, in all the earth:

1. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD.

2. Serve the LORD with gladness.

3. Come before His presence with singing.

4. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving.

5. Enter into his courts with praise.

6. Be thankful unto him.

7 Bless His name.

The Psalmist reminds the ground of these reasonable duties urged upon the people of the LORD

1. Know ye that the LORD he is God:

- since the LORD is God, He deserves and is worthy of all those acts of worship from us.

2. It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves:

- since we are His creatures, those acts of worship are justly due to the Creator.

3. We are his people:

- He has redeemed and made us His covenant people; we are people of the covenant-keeping LORD.

- O, all those acts of worship are justly and properly due to our redeemer LORD.

4. We are the sheep of his pasture.

- consider His tender loving care for His redeemed people. We are likened to sheep, placed in His own pasture, under the watchful eyes of His Shepherd.

- Surely all those acts of worship are reasonable expectations for such gracious and loving care.

5 For the LORD is good:

- Amen, divine goodness deserves to be reciprocated to cheerful gratitude of service, rendering those acts of worship due Him.

6. His mercy is everlasting:

- Every moment of divine mercy calls for the joyful rendering of these acts of worship.

- Divine mercy spares us to glorify the LORD our God. Man's chief is to glorify God and to enjoy Him through those acts of worship.

- Everlasting means it lasts to the end of time. There is no more need of mercy after the general resurrection and glorification.

7. His truth endureth to all generations.

- His truth remains the same to all generations, even to the end of the last and final generation when time shall be no more.

- Since the truth that dictates the ground for our duties remains unchanged, our good and reasonable duties remain to the end of time, when we shall be ushered into our glorious and eternal inheritance.

O, the blessed truth set before us. May the LORD our God stir up our heart and mind to out just and reasonable duties. Amen.

The Faith of Christ and Your faith in Christ

Initially posted here on 25 May, 2011.
https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/1755187914982

Your faith in Christ, and the faith of Christ - are they just semantics, or do they touch the very heart of the gospel of Jesus Christ? Some reformed men dismiss them as just mere semantics! And worst still, they start kicking KJV like they kick a can on the road because KJV distinguishes the two.

Have your say - but please put on your mind first before you start. Go!

Sing F Lau

Oh them arrogant and haughty brethren, oh yes, they are brethren, but they are brethren ignorant of the stake involved!

First, let us look at the passages where these important phrases occur:

Ro 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Ga 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Ga 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

The modern translations (NKJV, NASV, NIV, ESV) have replaced all the "faith of" with "faith in" in the above passages. And modern bible students, both of the reformed group and those whom they considered as deformed insist that "faith in" and "faith of" are just semantic!

Doesn't common sense and plain meaning of words tell you that your faith in Jesus Christ is a whole world of difference from the faith of Jesus Christ? The former is your act of believing; the latter is something remotely related to your believing!

Modern theology has completely lost the precious truth embodies in those few words, "the faith OF - OF - OF Jesus Christ."

Modern theology is completely obsessed with their act of believing in Christ as the instrumental means of their salvation! Anything archaic can easily be accustomed to and mastered with sufficient usage. Just a lame excuse to hide that itchy hot lust for fables!

Let us consider the first passage, Rom 3:22

What is the passage saying in its context?

Rom 3

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Let’s lay down some basic and self-evident truth:

1. Sin is the transgression of the law.

- Sins bring condemnation of death, Rom 5:12.

- Righteousness brings justification of life, Rom 5:18.

2. Justification is the reversal of condemnation.

- Justification in God's sight requires righteousness.

- This righteousness is either by a man's own obedience to the whole law, OR by Christ's obedience to the whole law.

- No man can obtain the needed righteousness through his own obedience to the law, " by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight."

3. God provided this righteousness that is needed for the justification of His people in His sight.

- This righteousness of God's own provision is by the faithfulness of Christ's obedience to the whole law.

- Righteousness is needed in the justification of a man in his native state of condemnation. Sins bring condemnation of death, Rom 5:12. Righteousness brings justification of life, Rom 5:18.

- This righteousness is provided by God ALONE by the faithfulness of Christ ALONE in keeping the whole law perfectly.

That is the exact meaning of: "EVEN the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ." The righteousness of God's provision for a condemned man's justification is NOT NOT NOT by his faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in Jesus Christ is NOT the righteousness that is needed in the justification of a condemned man before God.

It is Christ's faithfulness in rendering perfect obedience to the law that is needed and this righteousness is by God's own provision, by the faith of Christ.

Therefore 'the faith of Christ' and 'your faith in Christ' is very different. One is the good news of God providing righteousness by Christ's faithfulness in rendering perfect obedience to the whole law for your justification by His free grace, the other is your justification by your act of believing in Christ!

They are two different gospels. No mere semantics!

Man's faith is NOT in the equation of his justification in the sight of God - " Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

Man's faith MANIFESTS that God has FREELY justified him - "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference."

"All have sinned... and fell under the condemnation of death. Such has no possibility of believing UNTIL justification of life by the faith of Christ has been applied freely by God's grace.

"All them that believe" - all the believing ones DO SO because the righteousness of God's own provision by the faith of Christ has been applied to them personally.

It is that elementary... but the wise and prudent in their own eyes are blinded to it.

It is treacherous and scandalous - the mildest adjective I can think of - to replace the "faith OF Christ" with "man's faith in Christ" as the means/instrument of justification in that Rom 3 passage!

Apostle Paul solemnly pronounced such teachers are accursed!

Yes, let such be accursed! Amen.

Ignoramus and Heretic?

Initially posted here:

https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/3286320512340

on May 24, 2012

Sing F Lau

Perhaps you can show us that you even understood my position.

1. There is a 'sola fide' that I reject as the lie from the pit of hell.

2. There is a 'sola fide' that I receive as the truth taught by Apostle Paul.

Now, please show us that you have read and understood my positions on the above two statements. Otherwise, you are just speaking ignorantly... and that is shameful enough!

Sing F Lau

There is a sola fide that is a lie of the devil and comes from the pit of hell, even this popular fiction about justification before God: "righteousness is imputed to a man through his believing." And this is what Nathaniel and the likes of him believe... whether they are of the reformed or Arminian!

That view is just plain erroneous for these nonsense:

- a man without the imputed righteousness, therefore still under condemnation, is capable of believing...

- a man without the imputed righteousness is already regenerated and capable of believing...

- If you more, let me know!!!

A man is JUSTIFIED by the righteousness of Christ alone

- That's the LEGAL justification: the righteousness of Christ IMPUTED IMPUTED IMPUTED to him at the cross.

A man is JUSTIFIED by the grace of God:

- That is VITAL justification: how the righteousness of Christ is APPLIED APPLIED APPLIED to a man personally.

A man is JUSTIFIED by faith alone:

- This is EXPERIENTIAL justification: believing in Jesus Christ is the manner how a CHILD OF GOD [ALREADY justified, regenerated and adopted, and given the Spirit of adoption...] experiences the blessedness of his justified state by God's free grace. There is NO NO NO accounting of righteousness here at all.

A biblical distinction is the essence of sound theology.

No Trinity, no gospel

Initially pst here
https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/10213861700472157

on May 24, 2019 

Bottom line - no Trinity, no gospel of Jesus Christ.

God purposed eternal redemption for His elect and He gave them to Christ and ordained Him to redeem them; the eternal Word was made flesh, conceived in the womb of the virgin, born of flesh and blood, to secure the eternal salvation for His people; the Holy Spirit applied that same salvation to each elect at God's own approved and appointed time. These are taught in the Holy Scriptures. Further:

A. Christ's birth declares and affirms Trinity:

- Luke 1:35 KJV ¶And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

B. Christ's baptism, marking His public entry into the work of redemption declares and affirms Trinity:

- Matt 3:16-17 - KJV 16¶ And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

C. Christ's own public teachings declare and affirm Trinity

- John 14:26 KJV — But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

- John 15:26 KJV — But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

D. Christ's death declares and affirms the Trinity:

- Hebrews 9:14 KJV — How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

E. Christ's Great Commission to the Apostles declares and affirms the Trinity too.

- Matthews 28:18 ¶And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

F. The whole of the Apostles' ministry in fulfilling their commission declares and affirms Trinity:

- Read Apostle Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:14ff.

- Gal 4:6 ¶And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Bottom line - no Trinity, no gospel.

Stop your sacrifice of fools

Keep thy foot; don't let it stray!

Eccl  5:1 "Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil."

1Ti 3:15 "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

======

- How should you prepare for the sanctuary of God and the preaching of His word?

- Pray for God the Holy Spirit to convict and persuade all to greater godliness.

- Plan to arrive on time in a sober and ready mind to receive God’s word.

- When the men are praying in the back room, you should be praying.

- When the scriptures are read publicly, you should follow attentively.

- When prayers are made in the pulpit, you should follow prayerfully.

- When congregational singing occurs, you should participate fully.

- When time for the preaching, you should focus with all your might and apply it to yourself for changes.

---- J R Crosby

Begetting vs Nurturing

Conception results in a Being:
Parenting ensures the wellness of Being.

May 17, 2015

https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/10204249565654794

#Begetting_vs_Nurturing

The begetting of Being, and Parenting for Wellbeing

A friend said:

It is mind-boggling to hear men talk of salvation by grace and in the same breath speak of progressive sanctification. The two are contradictory and cannot be joined together. Ye are complete in Christ. We are completely saved, made completely holy, sanctified, and made righteous by imputation.

Are you trying to add to Christ's completed work?

I commented:

With all due respect Esquire, it is equally mind-boggling that you fail to understand the biblical distinction between the Definitive Sanctification, and the Ongoing Sanctification, both of which are plainly taught in the Scriptures.

The Definitive Sanctification is by the Divine activities of the Triune God once for all, effectually calling an elect out of his native state of sin and death to that state of grace and salvation. This sanctification is definitive, once for all, complete and eternal, unrepeatable, and un-improvable. This is the point you have stated correctly.

The Scriptures most certainly speaks of another distinct sanctification that is CONDITIONED upon the activities of those already definitively sanctified, and this is often termed as progressive/ongoing/farther sanctification. The 1689 CoF uses the last term, 13:1 "They who are united to Christ, effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection, are also farther sanctified..." It is on-going until a man breathes his last.

There is the ETERNAL salvation which is purposed by God, completed by Christ, and applied by the Holy Spirit to each individual elect personally.

There is the TEMPORAL salvation that God's children (those already bestowed with eternal salvation by God's free grace) must work out for themselves, in obedience to the will of their Father for them.

The two are not contradictory, they are distinct; the former being the cause, and the latter being effect and evidence of the former.

The biblical distinction is the essence of sound theology.

A brief exposition of 2Pet 3 - (part 2, v5-9)

Initially posted here:
https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/10216489948536716

May 14 at 11:24 PM ·

A brief exposition of 2Pet 3 - (part 2, v5-9)

#Willingly_Ignorant_Scoffers

#Context_Context_Context                                

Showing the Scoffers are willingly ignorant of the Scriptures

2Peter 3

5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

=======

In these five verses, we have, first, a charge against the scoffers, and then three biblical arguments to expose the stupidity of the scoffing

1. Why did Peter charge the scoffers as being willingly ignorant?

- Their premise, that since God created Israel, therefore Israel shall remain and never be destroyed, is a result of being willingly ignorant of the Bible facts that are easily available to them.

- They willingly choose not to know what can be easily known.

- Such wickedness is also found among God's children.

2. What's the first argument refuting the scoffers?

- God did destroy His creation in Gen 6

- God, by His words, created the heavens and the earth, Gen 1; "by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water."

- The world that God created turned wicked and then was destroyed in Noah's days; "... whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished."

- What made the scoffers think that just because God created Israel, He would not destroy it? Gen 6 demolishes the premise of their argument. They are willingly ignorant of these plain biblical facts.

3. What are "the heavens and the earth, which are now"?

a. These refer to the universe of the Jewish world, also by God's own creation, already mentioned in verse 4.

- Peter acknowledged that Israel has indeed been thus far preserved by God's divine power, awaiting its prophesied end; "by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."

- Peter DID NOT use Gen 6 as the end of the present world at the coming of Christ; he used it to describe the end of the Jewish universe in 70AD. It is simple; the world on this earth remains after the destruction by the flood except that it was purged of its wickedness; Noah and his family continued on the same earth, but a new world rid of the old world of wickedness.

- 70AD purged the world of the old geriatric Israel, sworn enemy of Christ, and persecutors of His people; it was a completely new world for the Jews with the old destroyed.

- Those were the former heavens and the earth that was done away with in 70AD, as prophesied by the holy prophets, and solemnly warned by the Lord Himself in Mt 24 25.

This is the Lord’s promise to the Jews; He would create the new heavens and a new earth: Isa 65:17 “For, behold, I create new heaven.”

Isa 66:22 “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.”

2Pe 3:13

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Please note that the doing away of the old - the complete destruction of the old earthly theocratic Israel and the whole sacrificial system with it - is such that it shall not be remembered nor come to mind. The resultant effect is likened to the new heavens and a new earth, completely rid of and wholly free from the shadow and tyranny of the old.

4. What's the second argument refuting the scoffers?

a. God's time perspective is not the same as that of man; "...that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."

- "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing..." we are capable of being ignorant of a lot of things that affect our well-being and usefulness immensely, and our pleasing God.

- The end of the old theocratic nation of Israel was such a world-shattering, epoch-changing event that it was often delivered with a sense of urgency, and implying imminency.

- Eg. Mt 24:29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

- Mat 24:34 "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled."

- But nearly FOURTY years have lapsed, why hadn't it come to pass? It must be a bluff, concluded the scoffers.

5. What's the third argument refuting the scoffers?

a. The Lord's longsuffering and tender mercies are misconstrued as His slackness: "... The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward."

- Apostle Paul said the same thing, "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" Rom 2:4

- The apparent delay in executing the vengeance is perversely and impudently understood as divine slackness.

b. The apparent delay had one specific purpose, to give ample room for God's children among the Jews to be brought to faith and repentance: "...but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

- "Us-ward" refers to the children of God among the Jews in that generation. The Lord is not willing that any of them should perish in the imminent and horrendous judgment to be unleashed against it in 70AD.

- The Apostles were labouring hard to bring them to repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus, and to take heed of that momentous event described as "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." Mt 24:21.

- Those who are unbelieving shall perish, THAT IS, they shall be slaughtered and roasted by the Roman armies, or be captured and sold as slaves to those (Gentiles) they had considered were dogs.

- But for the believing ones, that fiery judgment upon Israel shall be redemption from that devil-possessed nation that was hellbent on persecuting them, even the disciples of Jesus Christ, whom they had rejected and had Him crucified.

- Luk 21:28 "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."

c. Some notes on "perishing" and "repentance"

- The perishing/salvation that is conditioned upon repentance is obviously in the realm of temporal salvation; therefore the context cannot possibly be the second coming of Christ to judge the world.

- God's children are liable to perish in the temporal sense by reason of unbelief. See Lk 13:1-5 "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

- Those of the "usward" whose perishing or deliverance is conditioned upon their repentance are most certainly already children of God; their perishing or deliverance in the second coming of Christ is REMOTELY conditioned upon their repentance.

- To say otherwise is to betray an ignorance of the distinction between eternal and temporal salvation.

- https://things-new-and-old.blogspot.com/2009/10/lord-is-not-willing-that-any-should.html

I'm aware that many great teachers take this passage as speaking of the great judgment at the second coming of Christ. State your disagreement with the thoughts offered above, and then we can study together.

========

Victorio
This is very good explaination of post trib.

Sing F Lau
What is "post trib"?
This is AN explanation of Peter warning the Jewish believers of the horrendous judgment in 70AD, the end of the Jewish universe.

Mat 24:21
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Victorio
Sing F Lau, there is an on going discussion in other thread about pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, and post- tribulation refering to our present situation. According to your message the great tribulation happened already to the Jews in 70AD. That is post trib already.

Sing F Lau
I have zero use for that pre-mid-post trib stuff.
Mat 24
¶ 15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)...
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Verse 21 indicates one UNIQUE tribulation worth noting by the Jewish nation - it meant the complete end of the nation that existed for few thousands years.

Victorio
Sing F Lau , the Jewish nation, as a PATTERN or example and shadow of things to come, what can you say about the christian wolrd of today? Are we just waiting for the Second comming of Christ. I ask this question to learn from you.

Sing F Lau
What the text says and means, and what lessons we can learn are two different things. All Scriptures are profitable...

The end of the Jewish nation is not a pattern or shadow of things to come. Other Scriptures speak plainly of the return of the resurrected and glorified Lord and the lessons for us.

The return of Christ will mean the end of the world and the ushering in of the eternal state of blessedness. Period.

Victorio
Sing F Lau, please read the book of HEBREWS, it is about, PATTERN, EXAMPLE AND SHADOW OF THINGS TO COME. May be you can expound on it and give us more learning.

Bill Taylor
Sing F Lau AMEN!!!

Sing F Lau
Victorio, the book of Hebrews was written to the Jewish believers who were under tremendous temptations to revert back to Judaism... Apostle Paul wrote to warn them that turning back to the shadow (the old covenant sacrificial system and everything connected with the old geriatric Israel) and not holding fast to the good things that HAVE COME, in Jesus Christ... have dire consequences...

Heb 2
3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
4. God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
(It is as if Paul was screaming to them, desperately warning them, IF..)
You turn back to Judaism, you are trampling Christ underfoot... ye shall perish...you will be slaughtered and roasted by the Romans. If you are so stupid to forsake the reality and return to the shadow... read Heb 6:4-6.

Victorio
Sing F Lau, you sound irritated with me. I am here not to debate with any body. I am here to learn, so teach me in a nice way, if you please.

Victorio
I am not getting back to the PATTERN neigther to the EXAMPLE and SHADOW of things to come. They are all abolished. What I am talking is our present world situation.

Victorio
Sing F Lau , I do not expect that a learned Pastor like you will say STUPID to a person who is just making an inquiry and seeking deep knowledge of the SCRIPTURE.

Sing F Lau
Victorio, I didn't say you are stupid. I addressed those words to the Hebrews... their stupidity would cause them to perish in the hands of the Romans. READ the little paragraph again.

Sorry, you misunderstood. There are no Romans now to slaughter us however stupid we may be.

Being stupid is simply lacking common sense. God's children are capable of grievous stupidity. Bible is full of their examples.

No, you are a clever man; I would never call you stupid. Cheer up. No, I wasn't irritated with you.

Victorio
Sing F Lau , thank you. Be gracious to those who are seeking the truth.

Sing F Lau
Victorio, Christ taught the truth most graciously, yet not a few were incensed and, or offended. 😥