Sacramental Redemption?

Q. By what outward means are we given redemption?
A. Christ gives redemption by His word, the sacraments & prayer.
-------
The above is a catechism question and answer by a well-known NEW SCHOOL Reformed Baptist.

The QnA are likely a DOWNGRADED perversion of this QnA by an OLD SCHOOL Particular Baptist.

Q. 95. What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption? 
A. The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption are His ordinances, especially the word, Baptism, the Lord's Supper and Prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation. (Rom. 10:17; James 1-18; 1 Cor. 3:5; Acts 14:1; 2:41-42). 
(Baptist Catechism by Benjamin Keach, 1677)

What do you think of the RB's question and answer?

If you have understood the gospel of Christ, the errors will glare* at you; otherwise they are smooth words.
*glare - stare angrily or fiercely.

Archin asked:
Christ gives redemption, or God the Father gives redemption?
Redemption is paid with His righteous life and blood on the cross.
Not sacraments, not prayers.

sing
Isa 1:18a "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD..."

Let's consider the question first.
Q. By what outward means are we given redemption?

a. Some word meanings:
- "redemption" - deliverance, esp. from the just penalty of sin; finally from the eternal lake of fire. This redemption is by Christ's life and death alone: Heb 9:12 "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."
- "means" - something used to attain/achieve a result; in this case, the result is given redemption.

b. The question assumes/presupposes a few things:
- that redemption is given by using some outward means.
- that without redemption, a man is capable of using those means to be given redemption.
- that redemption is given CONDITIONED upon a man (WITHOUT redemption yet) using the outward means provided.

c. Some questions
Q. What is the spiritual state of a man who has not been given redemption by Christ?
Q. Is such a man capable of using the means provided in order to be given redemption?
Q. Does a man using the means provided to receive redemption involve some works on his part?

1Pe 1:13
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

What's the difference between these two questions?
Are they asking the same thing?

Q. By what outward means are we given redemption?
Q. By what outward means are we to enjoy the promised blessings of redemption?

Sing
<Christ gives redemption or God the Father gives redemption?...>
Good question.
The answer provided did specifically state that it is Christ who gives redemption by the means stated.

Generally, the three Persons in the Triune God act in unison and harmony in the redemption of the elect.
- God the Father purposed the redemption,
- God the Son accomplished the redemption purposed by God the Father, and
- God the Spirit applies (simple present tense) the redemption to each elect (while dead in trespasses and sins); this work continues until the last elect has been effectually called to redemption.
The three Persons of the Godhead are intimately involved in giving/bestowing/applying the redemption to an elect in his native state of sins and condemnation in Adam.

The 1689.10.1 CoF put this succinctly.
"Those whom God hath predestined unto life, He is pleased in His appointed and accepted time, effectually to call, by His Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ..."

This is when and how redemption IS GIVEN or APPLIED to an elect:
- when: at God's appointed and accepted time...
- when: when an elect is in his native state, i.e. in sin, death, and condemnation in Adam

"... by His Word and Spirit" refer to the Second and Third Person's of the Triune God."

Many RBs ignorantly take "His Word" as referring to the Scriptures or the preached word. This is clearly without common sense, i.e. stupid. (You can think of some obvious reasons).
This fable is also repudiated by what is said in 1689.10.3.

May the Lord give us understanding.
Amen.

Sing
<Christ gives redemption or God the Father gives redemption?>
Yes, the redemption purposed by God the Father for His elect was accomplished/secured by God the Son through His sinless life of obedience (thus securing the righteousness needed) and His atoning death (thus bearing away the wages of sin) on the cross.

Asking "Christ gives redemption or God the father gives redemption?" is a little bit like asking, "Mother gives life or the father gives life?"

As I have tried to explain, both the mother and the father work in unity and harmony in giving the life.
In the covenant of redemption, the three Persons of the Triune God covenanted to work in perfect unity and harmony to execute everything needed for the eternal salvation of the elect, to bring them to glory.

Yes, in the redemption of God's elect, only divine activities are involved, excluding every outward means imaginable; otherwise salvation by grace is denied and repudiated.

Outward means require human involvement to use those means; i.e. they require human works.

Only those to whom the redemption has been freely bestowed by divine grace are capable of utilizing those outward means to work out their own salvation... for their temporal salvation.

Outward means belong to the sphere of temporal salvation.
ONLY THE LIVING, those whom God has freely bestowed redemption are capable of using the means provided. 

She is inquiring about a RBC

Be careful where you are going!

[13/09/2023, 12:21]
Leonie
Hi, is this Sg Dua Grace Church?

Sing:
Yes, Sungai Dua Church. How may I assist you?
Visit our blog here: https://things-new-and-old.blogspot.com/2008/01/saved-by-grace-through-faith-whose.html

Leonie
Am I corresponding with Ps Lau Sing Foo himself (I can see the photo of you and your wife in your WA profile).

sing
Yes, you are.

Leonie
I am currently attending Xyz RBC evening service
A very trusted friend of mine gave me this link:
Pruning 7 Deformed Branches: 2005
https://pruning-deformed-branches.blogspot.com/

I just want to find out if I am attending a sound Reformed church

I do find XyzRBC's current pastor slightly "controlling" and am not really agreeable to some of their teaching

Sing
Do you mean to ask if XyzRBC is a sound Reformed church?

Leonie
Yes. Are all their teachings correct?

Sing
I don't know since I am NOT aware of all their teachings; moreover, I have had no interaction with them for more than two decades.

I do have serious disagreement with not a few important doctrines of salvation with the Reformed Baptists. Pruning 7 Deformed Branches chronicles the controversy with them. To this day, none have answered them.

I was a member of XyzRBC for a few years (91-93) before moving to Penang to found a new church. I have been here for 30 years.

Leonie
They appear to be a bit "works-based" to me. I believe salvation is for the Elect, and there is basically nothing much one can do in terms of regeneration, faith n repentance and perseverance. Eg: they have been evangelising the same families for years, and those ppl are still hanging photos of other gods in their homes. I believe if one is not elected, there is no point preaching the Gospel to them every single week in the hope that they will be saved through Gospel preaching

Sing
Thanks for your interesting observation.
Remember these basic fundamentals:
- God purposed eternal salvation for His elect in eternity;
- Christ accomplished the same for the same people on the cross; and
- The Holy Spirit applied the same salvation to each elect when they are in their native state of sin and death. 

Eternal salvation is purposed, accomplished and applied freely and sovereignly, without any works of man.

The gospel ministry is ordained to call out those to whom eternal salvation has been applied; the gospel ministry is intended for those to whom God has ALREADY freely applied eternal salvation; it is irrelevant to all others.

AFTER eternal salvation has been freely and sovereignly applied to an elect, he is capable of doing the things God commands him to do, for example, believing, repenting, obeying, etc., etc.

Except a man be born again, he CANNOT...
When a man is born again, he CAN; he is capable...

Leonie
So both of us have the same bone of contention about them. 
I am just a 5-year-old Christian. But I have been to many churches in the Klang Valley, hoping to settle in a sound church

Sing
May our gracious Lord lead you to His truth. Amen.

Take a look here: https://things-new-and-old.blogspot.com/2023/08/the-just-shall-live-by-faith.html

Many articles on the same subject.

Leonie
The Pastor is retiring at the end of this year
They will have a new pastor

Sing
May the Lord bless him richly, and the man who continue the labour. Amen.

Leonie
I was in Xyz RBC for 2-3 months early this year before I start to realise that someone's preaching is a bit moralistic. As we all know John Owen's Mortification of Sins teaches us that only Christ can help one mortify our sins (moral sins included). So I left n joined St Andrews Presbyterian Church KL. Then recently I re-joined XyzRBC's evening service since I am free in the evening. But then again, the same pastor was emphasising Gospel preaching to the unsaved. So I again start to have some doubts. But the new pastor is teaching us 1689 LBCF every Wednesday night now, and I like the teaching. So I guess I have to be careful and not just swallow down everything without spitting out the bones

Leonie
I have been reading some Puritan books to double-check the new pastor's teaching on Regeneration, Faith, Repentance, Assurance of Salvation, Holiness, Sanctification, etc. So hopefully I am not too lost.

I know no church is perfect. I also hope that you won't mind if I occasionally check with you on some of the teachings in Klang Valley which I find "strange" 🤭

Sing
My blog interacts with many of the Reformed shibboleths that I consider not Scriptural.

Peruse the blog to find out: https://things-new-and-old.blogspot.com/

You are welcome to ask and raise questions - this will drive each student of God's word closer to the Scriptures.

Leonie
Thanks. But I noticed that your church also subscribed to the 1689 LBCF? Which is Reformed also 😅

[13/09/2023, 18:04]
Sing
Yes, there are old school Particular Baptists, and there are new school Reformed Baptists. The former framed the 1689; the latter bastardised the same Confession. A serious charge!!!

All documented in the blog. Peruse them yourself... Chapters on the Effectual Call and Justification.

Historically, the Reformed Baptists appeared on the scene in the 1960s. 

Blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

[30/11/2025 13:55]
Sunny
Exodus 32
30 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.
31 And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.
32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

Pastor Lau.
Please help me to understand the bold words blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. I have checked the BLB tools for cross-reference and referred to the Lamb's Book of Life

Questions:
1. Is the book the Lamb's book of life?
2. Moses, as prophet of Jehovah God, stated clearly in v 33, He will blot him out of the book.

Exo 32:33
And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

However, we learned in time past on 1 Cor 10: 1-6 referring to these generations of Jews nevertheless were God's elect but those above 20 years old were not permitted into the promised land. They were given eternal salvation but not temporal.

Question:
1. How can I reconcile Exo 32: 30 ff & 1 Cor 10: 1- 6? Blotting out the names in the Lamb's book of Life in Exodus 32 ff & 1 Cor 10

Thank you

[30/11/2025 14:24]
Sunny
Also, the preacher this morning preached on Romans 9: 18-24 on the subject of vessels of honour & vessels of dishonour, or wrath, pleading with the listeners to repent & plead for mercy to GOD that He would break down the vessels of wrath to rebuild into vessels of honor.

Q. 1) if some are already made into vessels of dishonor, will GOD change the status of wrath to vessels of honor?

[02/12/2025 00:09]
Sing in reply to Sister Sunny

Thank you for the questions.
Q1. Is the book the Lamb's book of life?

Let us answer this question by reminding ourselves some established truths concerning the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Q. Whose Book of Life is it?
A. It is the Lamb’s Book of Life, and it is the only entrance into heaven (Rev 21:27)

Q. What is in the Book of Life?
A. The personal names of each of God’s elect (Luke 10:20; Phil 4:3).

Q. When were tho names written in the Book of Life?
A.  The names were written there from the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4; Rev 13:8; 17:8).

Q. Who can open the Book of Life?
A. Revelation 5:2-5, only Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, could do so.

Q. Can any names be blotted out?

a. Absolutely not!  Christ said He would lose none of those chosen by His Father (John 6:39; 17:2). None shall end up in the lake of fire. Rev 20:15. God’s eternal purpose of redemption is immutable

Q. What are the blessings of having names written in the Book of Life?
- Deliverance from sin and condemnation of the eternal lake of fire.  Rev 20:11-15).
- Eternal glory in the presence of God.

In light of the above, the book mentioned in Ex 32:32,33 can’t possibly be the same as the Book of Life.
- Names can be blotted out from the book mentioned in v32-33.
- Moses words “blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written” indicated that;
- the LORD’s word also confirmed that, “Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.”

If the book mentioned is not the Book of Life, then what book is it?
I believe verse 34 gives us a clear indication.
“Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel, shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.”

Try connecting “Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book” with “nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.” When the LORD visits their sin upon them, the LORD will slay them in the wilderness, THUS excluding them from entering the Promised Land, THAT IS, blotting them out of the so-called Book of the Promised Land.

[02/12/2025 00:15]
Sing
Question: 1. How can I reconcile Exo 32: 30 ff & 1 Cor 10: 1- 6? Blotting out the names in the Lamb's book of Life in Exodus 32 ff & 1 Cor 10
======

Since Exodus 32:31-34 does not speak of the Lamb's Book of Life, no contradiction requires reconciliation.

Sing
Question 2. Moses, as the prophet of Jehovah GOD, stated clearly in v 33, He will blot him out of the book.

Exo 32:33 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
——————————

Moses did offer himself to be blotted out of the book the LORD has written in his wrestling with the LORD for the forgiveness of the people he was leading to the promised land.

"Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written."

But the LORD firmly rebutted him with, "Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book."

[02/12/2025 00:37]
Sing
"However, we learned in time past on 1 Cor 10: 1-6, referring to these generations of Jews, nevertheless, were God's elect, but those above 20 years old were not permitted into the promised land. They were given eternal salvation but not temporal.
=========

Exodus 32:31-34 is related to the sin of the golden calf by Aaron; it's not related to those above 20 years old who were not permitted to enter the promised land. The murmurings and unbelief concerning the good report by Joshua and Caleb concerning the good land excluded those 20 years old and above from entering the promised land.

Num 14:29
Your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me,

In BOTH contexts, "whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book" was fulfilled; their carcasses fell in the wilderness; they didn't enjoy the temporal salvation of the promised land.

[02/12/2025 12:47] 
Sing
Question: 1. How can I reconcile on Exo 32: 30 ff & 1 Cor 10: 1-6. Blotting out the names in the Lamb's book of Life in Exodus 32 ff & 1 Cor 10
======

A few words on 1Cor 10:1-6.
1 ¶Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in
the wilderness.
6 ¶Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
--------

Apostle Paul was warning the Corinthians SAINTS against their sins with the parallel example of that generation of Jews who were delivered from Egypt.

When giving examples, make sure the principles involved are the same.

Note carefully Apostle Paul speaks of "all OUR father" when addressing the Gentiles Corinthian saints. Therefore, Apostle Paul is referring to God's children among the Jews only; not all ethnic Jews are God's children. Ethnic Jews are not in any way the father of the Gentile Corinthian saints in any sense; the believing Jews are our fathers in the spiritual sense only.

Note also the wonderful spiritual blessings experienced by "all our fathers" spoken of - "...spirit meat (food)... spiritual drink... spiritual Rock..."

Even so the Corinthian saints. They too may be OVERTHROWN if they behave like our fathers in the days of Moses.

Despite experiencing all those spiritual blessings, many of them " were OVERTHROWN in the wilderness."

6 ¶Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

I hope this helps.

I commend Sister Sunny for remembering 1Cor 10:1-6 in connection with Exo 32:31-34. ❤️

[02/12/2025 22:26]
Sing Lau in reply to Sister Sunny

<Also, the preacher this morning preached on Romans 9: 18-24 on the subject of vessels of honour & vessels of dishonour, or wrath, pleading with the listeners to repent & plead for mercy to GOD that He would break down the vessels of wrath to rebuild into vessels of honor.>

Apostle Paul's illustration of the potter serves one singular purpose - the absolute sovereignty of God in His providential dealing.

The examples given:
- God's sovereign choice of Isaac over Ishmael;
- God's sovereign choice of Jacob over Esau;
- God's sovereign choice of raising up Pharaoh to great honour; and in equal sovereignty, only to appoint him to great dishonour/ wrath for His own glory.

In Romans 9-11, Apostle Paul explains to the Gentile believers in Rome WHY many of God's children among the Jews were unbelieving.

Romans 10
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

V2- "a zeal OF God": the genitive indicates the source/origin of that zeal. Only God's children possess the zeal that is from God. Those Jews had a zeal OF God  BUT were unbelieving.

Why? Romans 12:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

The way the preacher uses the potter does not suit the purpose of the illustration by Apostle Paul - the sovereignty of the potter. that is,  potter is free, from the same lump of clay, to make an exquisite vessel to keep treasures as well as a urine pot. The potter is "sovereign" in what to make out of the same lump of clay.

Even so, God in His providential dealing with us.

Once the vessels are made and dried, they are baked in the kiln, causing the clay particles to bond together in a process called vitrification. That which is vitrified can't be used to remake anymore.

Breaking the vessels of dishonour to rebuild them into vessel of honour is fictional; it betrays ignorance of pottery making.

That vessels of dishonour can plead to be remade into vessels of honour is also fictional .. and repudiate grace.

Breaking pots in the Scriptures is always a metaphor of judgement, not remaking.

Psalm 2
9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

Isaiah 30
14 And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters' vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit.

 

Election and Free Will?

Hello. My name is Mark C, and I am a member of Txxx Baptist Church in Vanxxx, Wxx. I am just learning calvinism and am a work in progress. I am wrestling around with a verse in the bible that several pastors I know can answer for me. Maybe one of you can help me.

John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Several pastors, including J. V M state that this verse shows election AND free will. Is that true? Every commentary I have is not reformed tradition. I'm new at this reformed thing. I'm trying to get a Reformation Study Bible with the reformed notes, but haven't got the money for it yet. Even pointing me in the right direction would be helpful.

God Bless.
Mark
--------

Hello Brother Mark,

John 6:37 "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."

Since none has responded so far, let me suggest that there are two distinct comings spoken of here. Let me explain.

a. "All that the Father GIVETH me shall come to me;"
Here is the coming that involves ALL that the Father gives to Jesus, each and every one of the elect. All the elect were given to Christ in the eternal covenant of redemption.
- And each of them is given to Christ in time when God, at His appointed and approved time, draws each to His Son Jesus Christ in the effectual calling. “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day… And he said, therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father” John 6:44, 65.

The drawing here speaks of the effectual call out of the state of sin and death to that of grace and salvation in Jesus Christ. And each elect shall be effectually called at God’s appointed and approved time.

Therefore, the first coming involves ALL THE ELECT in their effectual call to eternal salvation by the free and sovereign grace of God - "Those whom God hath predestined unto life, He is pleased in His appointed and accepted time, effectually to call, by His Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ..." 1689.10.1

This coming into vital union with Christ in REGENERATION is solely by the free and divine grace; each elect is absolutely and completely passive, being dead in trespasses and sins. This coming is by the divine effectual call, issued to individual elect DEAD in trespasses and sins. This coming is solely by the effectual and irresistible power of God in drawing out an elect from the state of condemnation, death, and alienation. It embraces every single elect God gave to His Son Jesus Christ.

b. "and him that COMETH to me I will in no wise cast out..."
- The coming involves the effectually called individual elect who does hear and believe the gospel, and by faith, receives and rests in Christ and His righteousness for eternal salvation.
- This coming to Christ in CONVERSION is through the gospel call administered by preachers sent forth by Christ, issued to the children of God, calling them to believe what is already true of them.
- Those already effectually called to grace and salvation, i.e. justified, regenerated and adopted – are capable to hear and believe the gospel, the good news of their salvation. The hearing of the gospel is blessed and made effectual to their conversion by the Spirit of God.

Only one that has been VITALLY UNITED TO CHRIST by the effectual call is able to come to Christ experientially by faith through the gospel call. ‘Him that cometh’ speaks of the active response of receiving and resting in Christ and His righteousness in the gospel call.

This does not speak of the free will of sinners dead in their trespasses and sins. This speaks of *free agency* of those that God has made alive. This speaks of the human responsibility of God's children. Those effectually called to grace and salvation are commanded, and therefore called to believe, the gospel truth concerning their salvation by God’s free grace.

So, let every one who hears the gospel be encouraged to come to the Saviour. Him that comes to Christ He will in no wise cast out! Why? Why? Him that comes to Christ does so BECAUSE the Father has given him to Christ in the eternal covenant, and is effectually called by the Father, and is now summoned to come by the gospel call issued through the God-sent ambassador of Christ. So, let even the chief of sinners come boldly, with reverence. Christ stands ready to receive all such repentant sinners.

It is a common and popular error even among reformed people that ALL the elect will hear the gospel and believe in the word of truth, the gospel of their salvation. However, there are effectually called elect who will never hear the gospel during their lifetime on earth.

It is also a common and popular error even among Reformed people that the gospel call is the necessary means to effectual call, i.e. no preaching, no effectual call to eternal life.

I would avoid a study bible... it takes great discipline to distinguish the divinely inspired word from human ideas that are put side by side with it! The danger of elevating man's opinion to the level of God's word is very real and subtle...

What's calvinism?

Just my simple understanding,

sing.
(a Chinese lad in the Far East)

 

Everlasting fire and the Lake of fire

Leongsy
Matthew 25 KJT
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels...  
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

Sir. I am listening to Pastor Jonathan's Ancient Landmarks sermon 6; around the 17th min, I definitely heard him say Matthew 25:41 is referring to the Lake of Fire.

What do you think?

sing
I think that's a popular fable.
May the Lord bless you to use a bit of common sense.

Please consider these few things:

ONE:
"everlasting" is carelessly understood as eternal. Everlasting hell lasts as long as time lasts; it shall be ended (emptied and become irrelevant) at the end of time. The lake of fire is eternal - it shall be ushered in after the end of time, THAT IS, after the general resurrection and the final judgment.

TWO:
Please ask and think through.
- Of whom does the righteous Judge require to show those kind deeds to His people? Does He require those good works from those dead in trespasses and sins? Or does He require such good works from His redeemed people?

THREE:
Read the response in verse 25.
To whom will you attribute the response to the righteous Judge's charges/censures? Is it a response from those dead in trespasses and sins or from those who own the Judge as their Lord?

FOUR:
The three parables in Mt 25 have one, same theme:
 - The ONE Bridegroom with BOTH wise and foolish virgins; BOTH are waiting for Him
- The ONE Master with BOTH the good/faithful servants, and the wicked/slothful servants. BOTH are his OWN servants.
- ONE Shepherd who has BOTH sheep and goats in His ONE Flock. Both are in His one flock - He separates them.

FIVE:
v46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Do a search on the usage of "life eternal." You will discover the hard truth - life eternal is entered CONDITIONALLY through man's works of righteousness. Take a look here: https://things-new-and-old.blogspot.com/2023/08/life-eternal-and-eternal-life.html

Heaven is accessed solely and wholly on the basis of Christ and His works alone.

And life eternal is not eternal life; and entering life eternal is NOT entering heaven.
Careless folks equate the two.
A biblical distinction is the essence of sound theology

CONCLUSION
All the parables describe some harsh realities ABOUT the kingdom of God...
- There are BOTH the wise and the foolish virgins waiting for the Groom in the kingdom of God.
- There are BOTH the good/faithful servants and the wicked/slothful servants of the Master in the kingdom of God
- There are BOTH the disciples who show kindness to the least of the Judge's redeemed, and there are disciples who don't, in the kingdom of God.

The immediate CONTEXT of Matthew 25 is the coming of the Bridegroom/ Master/Shepherd (the descriptions of the same Person, the Lord Jesus Christ) in 70AD to judge earthly theocratic Israel.

May the Lord help you understand. Amen.

Leongsy
Good. You should write a book on the History of the Particular Baptists vs the Reformed Baptists and also include all those incorrect interpretations of the Scriptures by the Deformed Reformed guys into it, and then u give your correct interpretations, so that everyone may know the truth.

sing
2 Timothy 2:15 KJT — Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Rightly dividing the word of truth is a WORK with these great purposes:
- THYSELF be approved unto God,
- THYSELF need not be ashamed.
- THYSELF to be found faithful.

Rightly dividing the word of truth is NOT to parade oneself; it's not to show the errors of others, unless they inquire or dispute.

If anyone wants to know the truth, they just need to have some common sense and be honest with what the text says.

Consider the above, and may our blessed Lord grant you understanding.

Amen.