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, October 31, 2013

Find some quiet and solitude!

Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park in Zhangjiajie, China. '
Tianmen' = Heaven's Gate.

Lord, help your children flee to the hills for some quiet and solitude... in this noisy and busy generation!

"Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom." Proverb 18:1

"With great ease of travel, telephones, email, and all sorts of communication devices in homes, offices, and cars, you are cursed with a curse. Solitude has become a much greater difficulty and not understood by any. The hours farmers had with an ox and God have been stolen away by progress! It has benefits, but it also contributes to distraction.

"Writing psalms while watching sheep is a luxury this perverted generation cannot afford. Men even move the clocks to force more activity into a day, when the sun is crying, “Be still!” Rebekah would still be single, if she waited for a meditating man in a field today (Gen 24:62-67). Lord, help your children flee to the hills for some quiet and solitude... in this noisy and busy generation!

excerpt from
http://www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/commentaries/18_01.php

Listen to the commentary here:
http://www.letgodbetrue.com/media/audio/proverbs/18-01.mp3

"Going to heaven DOES NOT depend on your hearing and believing the gospel."

You are SHOCKED to read the title, aren't you?????
Now, read the truth to de-shock yourself!

"Going to heaven DOES NOT depend on your hearing and believing the gospel."

If you don't know this, you don't know the gospel of God yet!


A friend 'humbly' posed a rhetorical question:...
=======


Sing, I do have a more important question for you. In light of what you said how do you interpret Romans 10:13-15?

You said: "Going to heaven DOES NOT depend on your hearing and believing the gospel. "

Scripture says: "13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent?

This seems to place the premium on preaching to those who need to hear of Christ - so that - they can believe and be saved. I think you and I agree on the order of salvation... regeneration precedes faith, which is a must for dead men.

Please let me know what your thoughts are.
======

Here is my reply:

Dennis, thanks for inquiring. It is an excellent way to learn the Scriptures together.

Romans 10
"13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? ... "

This is a favourite passage abused and perverted by the gospel regenerationists like you! 


Put on the thinking cap and we will reason a wee bit.

Pray tell, from the passage:
- who are they that shall call upon the name of the Lord: those already effectually called to grace and salvation, or those still dead in trespasses and sins?
- who are they that shall believe: those already effectually called to grace and salvation, or those still dead in trespasses and sins?...
- who are they that shall hear and discern the gospel: those already effectually called to grace and salvation, or those still dead in trespasses and sins?

The same Apostle said, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which ARE SAVED it is the power of God."

The preaching of the gospel comes to two categories of people: those that are perishing, and those that ARE SAVED.

The gospel is brought to those that ARE SAVED - already saved by God's free and sovereign grace with ETERNAL salvation. Them that ARE SAVED are there first, i.e. EXIST FIRST before the gospel arrives... the gospel comes to them that ARE SAVED. Get the point?

Hearing and believing the gospel ALSO saves - but saves in an ENTIRELY different sense... the gospel saves them that ARE SAVED (by God) - saves from ignorance and error and darkness, and enlightens them and makes them wise unto their eternal salvation (already a fact) by God's free and sovereign grace.

The gospel truth instructs them to live godly, soberly, and righteously, saving them from the temporal effects of sins in this life. The gospel truth arms and equips THEM THAT ARE SAVED to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling.

The salvation by God's free and sovereign grace is ETERNAL SALVATION. This ALONE makes a man fit for eternal glory; for heaven. 

The salvation that is conditioned upon the action of God's children (i.e. regenerated elect) is TEMPORAL SALVATION, that which pertains to their spiritual well-being here and now. There is ABSOLUTELY nothing they can do or fail to do concerning their ETERNAL SALVATION. That's by free and sovereign grace alone.

The gospel ministry is ordained for the WELL-BEING of God's children. Hearing and believing the gospel truth is very essential to the well-being of God's children here in this present life. Christ's work alone, applied to them by grace alone, fit them for eternal glory in heaven. That's the good news.


A biblical distinction is the essence of sound theology; it preserves the gospel.

Only those whom God has made fit for heaven by His free and sovereign grace are ABLE to hear and believe the gospel BECAUSE the gospel is ALREADY TRUE of them... and such are commanded to believe the word of truth of their salvation.

You have been made perfectly fit for heaven by God's free and sovereign grace; this enables you to hear and believe the gospel. 


If you wish to comment, go here:

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Effectual Call summarised in the 1689 CoF - Venn diagram




The Venn diagram above summarizes Chapter 10 of the 1689 CoF.
Note its logical order.

Para 1: describes the effectual calling of ALL the elect. All the elect are effectually called to eternal life in exactly the same manner, by God's Word and Spirit; and at God’s appointed and accepted time – whether they are infants or adults, sound mind or idiots, capable or incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the word.

Para 2: describes all those effectually called elect in Para 1 who do have the outward gospel call. [i.e. the outward gospel call comes to these elect.]

Para 3: describes all those effectually called elect in Para 1 who do not have the outward gospel call. [i.e. the outward gospel call fails to come to these elect.] For various reasons, they are incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the word.

Para 4: describes all those not in Para 1, i.e., those who are not predestinated to eternal life, but who do get the outward gospel call.


For a commentary on the above chapter, please see here:
http://things-new-and-old.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-effectual-call-as-summarized-in.html

 If you wish to comment, go here:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10200760960601848&set=a.10200760960361842.1073742159.1097484914&type=1&theater

What's the gospel to you?



What's the gospel to you?

It is perceived by many as foolishness!

To others, it is perceived as declaring the power of God unto salvation.

My present understanding of the gospel of God/Christ/grace... : it is the good news of what God HAS DONE through Christ to save for Himself a people, and this salvation is applied freely to each elect personally by the immediate and direct sovereign activity of God's Spirit.

Whoever believes the gospel of Jesus Christ EVIDENCES the prior possession of eternal life, i.e. already born of God and destined for eternal glory!

Whosoever believes DOES SO only because the gospel is already true of him... he has been saved by God, by free and sovereign grace.

That's the good news - the Triune God saves freely by grace, and the gospel declares that glorious truth, and calls the SAVED to believe the truth of their salvation!! The good news calls God's children to believe what is already true. It is not offering sinners dead in trespasses and sins to believe what is not yet true in order that it may become true!!!

How do you understand the gospel of Jesus Christ?
What is the gospel to you?

========

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Monday, October 28, 2013

Signs of the Perilous Times - rejection of doctrines!

Divad Theo said:
"Doctrines are formulated by man...
The SON of GOD taught no doctrines..."

It is Divad's contention too that:
God created the ekklesia;
but man invented the church.

I received a mail by a Divad Theo [not his real name], carbon copied to me.


Friday, 11 October 2013 1:47 a.m, Divad Theo wrote
Subject: FW: How the Chinese Language originated.

Dear Mawrence,
Thanks for your comments.

The way i see things, in  particular with the "church", i believe GOD ALMIGHTY allows it as part of HIS SOVEREIGN plan to bring man back to HIS TRUTH, through allowing man to go through trials and tribulations, even through the earthly dominion of deception of man himself called "satan", born out of disobedience to his CREATOR.

The institution of "church" is man's own deception arising from man's sin to control and contain the leading of the Holy Spirit over man through this man-made institution called "church" formed out of the family of disciples, the "ekklessia".

The "institution" of "church" that man has formed is allowed by GOD ALMIGHTY to proclaim the WORD (GOSPELS) because sinful and disobedient that man is since the fall of the first man Adam, GOD allows the "church" to fulfill the GREAT COMMISSION. For this reason, there is NO PERFECT "church", rendered by disunity, divisions, denominations, heresies.

But many are called, few are chosen. Yes, unless those who have heard and received the SON of MAN, SON of GOD, "EMMANUEL, GOD with us", JESUS the CHRIST, are filled by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT, they remain called, yet not chosen. For many will call HIM, Lord,Lord, yet HE may not know them. Those who are chosen , HE knows HIS sheep by their Fruits-of the HOLY SPIRIT. Galatian 5:22.

"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one". Romans 4:10.
"For all have sinned, and comes short of the glory of GOD". Romans 4:23.

Judgment belongs to GOD. Sovereignty is HIS alone. Just as HE can "use the donkey", HE now uses the "church" to proclaim the SON, JESUS CHRIST. And the HOLY SPIRIT, not man, "the Comforter, which is the HOLY GHOST, whom  the FATHER wlii send in MY NAME, for HE shall teach you all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you". John 14:26.

HALLELUJAH!
=====

Sat, 26 Oct 2013 18:06:07, sing wrote
Brother Divad,
There are much LIES and ERRORS in your initial post, and your response to Mawrence's comments.

For example, your understanding of "many are called, few are chosen" are completely fictional nonsense... completely OUT of CONTEXT. You ignore the THREE basic rules of interpretation: CONTEXT, CONTEXT, CONTEXT!

I fear you KNOW NOT the gospel of Jesus Christ... the good news of what God HAS DONE freely to save you in Jesus Christ. This is not saying that you are not saved; it does mean you are STILL IGNORANT of the truth of the gospel of your salvation.

It would be a waste of my precious time explaining and showing you the truth... for you have SHOWN that you have no interest in the truth...

Apostle Paul has warned us of such a time like ours:
2Tim 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Continue your FABLES!!!

Thanks. Kindly remove me from your mailing list.
I don't wish to be annoyed by your fables!


On Oct 27, 2013, at 5:33 PM, Divad Theo wrote:
Bro. Sing,
Doctrines are formulated by man, so is religion and the institutions set up by man.

I prefer to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, not doctrines established by man.
The SON of GOD taught no doctrines but a spiritual relationship with the FATHER and left us the COMFORTER, the HOLY GHOST whom the FATHER has sent in HIS NAME, to teach man all things whatever HE have said unto us. ( John 14:26).

With this i take my leave and pray for the impartation of the HOLY SPIRIT to lead us in HIS truth.

Shalom,
Divad

Can't see no doctrine... all blank! 



October 28, 2013 12:16:27am sing wrote:
Divad Theo,
Listen to Apostle Paul a bit, won't you.
Surely Apostle Paul was a man filled with the Holy Spirit, whatever spirit fill you!

Read what Apostle Paul, INSPIRED by the Holy Spirit of God.
I fear a different spirit in you since you are not of the same mind with Apostle Paul!!!

2Ti 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
Tit 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Tit 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
Tit 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Tit 2:10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

The Son of God delivered DOCTRINES to HIS Apostles, and they faithfully delivered the same to the church of Jesus Christ.

Your idea that the Son of God taught no doctrines IS ONLY A LICENSE for your looseness and woolliness, believing your own fables, and not the DOCTRINES once delivered to the church by the Apostles of Jesus Christ.

Thanks. I will take my leave too.
This exchanges shall appear on the blog as a warning against LOOSE woolly men like you!
Of course your identity will not be revealed!

your friend in penang
sing
===

October 28, 2013 1:32:43 sing wrote
(Mawrence wrote to protest that I'm toooo hard on Divad!!! I replied.)

Mawrence,
Apostle Paul prophesied of a perilous time...
We are living in the midst of it... DESPISING doctrines is one evidence of the perilous time.
In such horrid times, Apostle Paul exhort Timothy:
 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Fables are now accepted as truth.
Many can't distinguish fables from sound doctrines in our present generation.
Of course, the loose and woolly ones are praised as gentle; those who insist on conformity to Scriptures are hard! Heard it all before!

October 28, 2013 3:25:13 PM sing wrote:
Dear Mawrence,
He comes across to me as stubborn, not teachable!
There have been quite a lot of private mails between two of us!
Sound doctrines ALWAYS sounds hard to woolly folks.
I like to stick to the Bible... I suppose every one claims the same!

Oct 28, 2013, at 3:48 PM, Mawrence wrote:
David is stubborn.  He is also teachable. 
Such a disciple changes slowly. Like Peter? 

October 28, 2013 4:05:54 PM, sing wrote:
Mawrence,
It doesn't matter what each thinks of Brother Divad... he is still Divad, no more and no less.
It is a good thing that whatever people think of a man doesn't really matter at all!
The effort to teach him may help, if he is teachable.

Christ had some very stern words for Peter, and very heart searching words too.
Yes, Peter entertained some grievous prejudices too, and held to them stubbornly.

But when a man's premise is doctrines are formulated by man, and the Son of God taught no doctrines, he HAS SHUT his mind to all the doctrines of the Scriptures. That's WORSE than stubborn. A stubborn man can learn sound doctrines; a man who reject doctrines will not receive any doctrine.

October 28, 2013 7:17:17 PM, Divad wrote
Subject: Doctrines

In the Synoptic Gospels, we have records of words spoken by JESUS, Son of GOD, quoted in red ink. The rest of the New Testament are the words of man, inspired by the Holy Spirit of GOD.

The word "doctrine" refers to a body of teachings of a religious, political or philosophical group,
or principle or body of principles that is taught or advocated. Doctrines are thus of man, not GOD.

Apostle Paul was the main character or person who wrote the exhortations in the epistles, and wrote the "doctrines" that form the foundations of the "Christian" religion.  (" But thou hast fully known my doctrine". 2 Tim 3:10 ). Paul's doctrine, inspired no doubt by the Holy Spirit.

But then,
JESUS said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples, Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you  free" John 8: 31,32.
JESUS promised, " But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth". John 16:13.

The Holy Spirit speak to and lead disciples of JESUS even today as to the early apostles. Doctrines are from  the apostles, men who lead the ekklesia, now called "church". But the individual disciple must depend on the Holy Spirit, not man, "to teach you in all things , and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever i have said unto you" John 14:26.

AMEN.

October 28, 2013 8:16:08 PM sing wrote:
Brother David,
I'm neither rude nor harsh.
I'm very blunt, so if you don't like my blunt manner... you know what to do. Look for someone with "good words and fair speeches [that] deceive the hearts of the simple." Rom 16:18

What the Apostles taught are the very things Christ Himself commanded them to teach His church.
Matt 28:20b " Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."  The Lord Himself taught the Apostles, and they faithfully delivered that body of truth to the saints.

John 14:26 and 16:13 you quoted below was specifically addressed to the Apostles... that the Holy Spirit shall bring all things that Jesus taught them to their remembrance, and will guide them into all truth SO THAT that body of truth might be fully and faithfully delivered to the NT church through their inspired writing.

Jude 3 ¶ Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

The Apostles were Christ's official representatives and spokesmen:
"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,  2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds." Heb 1:1-2

The words of Christ in red ink is only a very TINY FRACTION of the teaching of Christ during His public ministry. Apostle John declared this:

John 20: 30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

Do you actually believe this PLAIN and SIMPLE Scriptures:
 16 ALL SCRIPTURE is given by inspiration of God, and IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

All Scriptures is profitable for doctrine! Do you believe it???
All Scriptures is profitable for reproving your errors, correcting your fables!

I'm amazed that there are believers who are impudent enough to put a DIVISION between Christ's red words and the rest of the NT Scriptures!!!

That must surely be another indication of the perilous time!!!

Divad, you and I are on completely DIFFERENT PAGE.

your friend in Penang