Things New and Old: August 2020

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.

Saturday, August 15, 2020

The Perseverance of the Saints

(Five Purple Joy in a row.... no, not tulips but Purple Joy
- a reminder that a biblical understanding of P in the T.U.L.I.P.
brings joy, assurance, confidence, and hope
as we sail through the rough and tumultuous seas
to our home. Amen.)

The Basis of the Certainty and Infallibility of the Saints Remaining or Continuing or Persevering in the State of Grace, into which God has effectually called them, is stated thus by the Old School Baptists:

1689.17.2 "This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election,(4) flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father, upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ and union with him,5 the oath of God,6 the abiding of his Spirit, and the seed of God within them,7 and the nature of the covenant of grace;8 from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof. 4 Rom. 8:30, 9:11,16; 5 Rom. 5:9, 10; John 14:19; 6 Heb. 6:17,18; 7 1 John 3:9; 8 Jer. 32:402.

The Basis of Perseverance (17:2)

a. The popular fable denied
- "This perseverance of the saints does not depend on them – that is, on their own free will..."

The truth is positively asserted; the perseverance is on these grounds, completely and wholly apart from man.

b. The immutability of God's decree of election
- "It rests upon the immutability of the decree of election which flows from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father."

c. The efficacy of the work of Christ
- "upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ..."
- "... and upon the union which true saints have with Him."

d. The unceasing intercession of Christ
- "... intercession of Jesus Christ."

e. The everlasting union with Christ
- "...union with him"

f. The solemn oath of God
- "It rests upon the oath of God..."

g. The abiding of the indwelling Spirit
- "... and the abiding of His Spirit... [and]

h. The presence of the divine seed with them
- "... the seed of God being within them..."

i. The nature of the covenant of grace
- "... and upon the very nature of the covenant of grace."

Perseverance/Continuance in the state of grace is decreed in the covenant of grace. Therefore, it cannot fail.

j. The certainty and immutability of saints perseverance of the saints in the state of grace and salvation.
- "... from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof."

All the above are grounded wholly and solely upon the three Persons of the Godhead; there isn't the slightest hint on man's part.

None of the above guarantees any perseverance in a life of faith and holiness; they do guarantee the perseverance of saints in the state of grace and salvation in Christ Jesus.

The former is a fiction and fable invented by the new school Calvinists; it requires the firm resolve and unceasing and active participation of God's children to persevere in a life of faith and holiness.

(Five Purple Joy in a row.... no, not tulips but Purple Joy - a reminder that a biblical understanding of P in the T.U.L.I.P. brings joy, assurance, confidence, and hope as we sail through the rough and tumultuous seas to our home. Amen.)