Churches With A Whole Gospel Message

Wonderful Gospel Presentations From Ireland

2008-10-06T16:48:00.000-07:00

Click here and here for Scottish messages. These outreach messages are from the Cork Free Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Enjoy!

God: Up Close And Personal

2008-09-08T08:51:00.000-07:00

The wonderful aspect of salvation is the personal involvement of God in our salvation. God was in Christ reconciling me! Though the tone of the Bible is a corporate "us" the application is personal. We say give "us" this day our daily bread but we know when we pray we can ask God to grant "me" my daily bread. When we say God loves the World I know God loves me.

There are two views of closeness used specifically in creation. Transcendent and immanent. God is both separate from his creation and yet involved in creating. There are three unbiblical views that are dispelled by the creation account: materialism, pantheism and dualism.

Basically creation accounts are Theistic accounts in contrast to evolutionary theories. There are Theist who attempt to blend evolution and creation into "Theistic evolution". Among the non-evolutionary theories (the word theory is an attempt to be fair to all sides) are the old earth and the young earth theories.

For many years I was non-committal on these and attempted to explain both in fairness. In the past 10-15 years I have been committed to the young earth theory. Old earth theorist believe that the earth is millions if not billions of years old yet God is none the less involved. Young earth theorist believe that the earth is perhaps 10-20,000 years old. God was involved in a literal seven day creation. Much of my beliefs have been influence by Ken Ham's ministry "Answers in Genesis" (AiG). One of the things about a young earth theory is it brings God up close and personal to creation. This in no way overcomes the problems of aligning science and the Bible. It certainly frustrates the scientist and the "gap theorist" but it allows God to be very much involved in all creation. God is a personal being very close in creation to all his handiwork.

But also is it not a reach to say that it brings the God who is transcendent so close to man immanently in redemption? God who simply spoke by the gesture of his sweeping hand the solar systems into existence gave his only begotten son to reconcile the world unto himself. How immanent can you get? Perhaps this is why the gospel confounds the wise of this world.

But also the wise of this world are confounded by the determination of God to save his elect. They will bend over backwards to defend human free-will over God's sovereignty to choose freely who to save. Man just has to have a part in the decision for salvation never fully admitting that he squandered his choice in the garden.

If you allow for a pelagian humanism then you have to deal with an unfair Savior. Of course no fundamental Christian wants to accuse God of being unfair. So they alter His sovereignty to allow for free choice. This argument of atonement is limited vs. general redemption. Does God send his son to die for everyone so that a choice is offered to man or does Christ die for the elect? This is not a question of his sufficiency to save all but of his application to save a selection. He saves me! I am an undeserving sinner saved by grace!

Before you question the fairness of God you have to admit the sinful condition of man from Adam and understand that in fairness God could damn all men to hell. It is not a matter of fairness but justice. God is merciful in saving the elect and that election is not according to worth because the determination was made before the foundations of the earth was laid, before we had done good or bad. The foolish things of this world confounds the wise but to us who have been recipients of God's redemption it is a powerful work in our hearts.

Limited Atonement brings salvation up close and personal for us. The transcendent God is immanent in our lives!

Wake Up Believers!

2008-09-01T08:29:00.000-07:00

Cannons of Dort The Decision of the Synod of Dort on the Five Main Points of Doctrine in Dispute in the Netherlands 1618

Error rejected: Who teach that in election to faith a prerequisite condition is that man should rightly use the light of nature, be upright, unassuming, humble, and disposed to eternal life, as though election depended to some extent on these factors. (You cannot be good enough to be saved)

Affirmation: For this smacks of Pelagius, and it clearly calls into question the words of the apostle: We lived at one time in the passions of our flesh, following the will of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in transgressions, made us alive with Christ, by whose grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with him and seated us with him in heaven in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages we might show the surpassing riches of his grace, according to his kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith (and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God) not by works, so that no one can boast (Eph. 2:3-9). (God saves sinners!)

Error rejected: Who teach that the incomplete and nonperemptory election of particular persons to salvation occurred on the basis of a foreseen faith, repentance, holiness, and godliness, which has just begun or continued for some time; but that complete and peremptory election occurred on the basis of a foreseen perseverance to the end in faith, repentance, holiness, and godliness. And that this is the gracious and evangelical worthiness, on account of which the one who is chosen is more worthy than the one who is not chosen. And therefore that faith, the obedience of faith, holiness, godliness, and perseverance are not fruits or effects of an unchangeable election to glory, but indispensable conditions and causes, which are prerequisite in those who are to be chosen in the complete election, and which are foreseen as achieved in them. (There is nothing we can do to earn God's favor, absolutely nothing!)

Affirmation: This runs counter to the entire Scripture, which throughout impresses upon our ears and hearts these sayings among others: Election is not by works, but by him who calls (Rom. 9:11-12); All who were appointed for eternal life believed (Acts 13:48); He chose us in himself so that we should be holy (Eph. 1:4); You did not choose me, but I chose you (John 15:16); If by grace, not by works (Rom. 11:6); In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son (1 John 4:10).

This is from a document in Netherlands, 1618. The Dutch Church stood firm against "works" salvation and this document has withstood the test of time. It has the reliability of the King James committee which produced the version of the Bible that has been the basis of our English translations, sometimes called the Authorized Version.

Strangely this doctrine of grace places the assurance of salvation on God's gracious provision and not on our backs. You should be thrilled to know that you are chosen and elected to salvation.
In fact the very concern you have about your assurance is further evidence that you are the chosen of God and that the Spirit is dealing with your heart. If you are not concerned that still could mean that the Holy Spirit has not chosen at the moment to deal with you. From cover to cover of the Bible God delights in the election of his children. There is more than enough room in heaven to house his children. Don't let anyone tell you that there are few children. There are few of God's children on this earth who realize the positions of grace and live below their standing with God. The way to this realization is found on a narrow curving path and the way of those who live below their status have a wide highway and wide gate and it is the road of least resistance. Matthew 7:13-14 Believers have a choice of paths. Sinners are led down the course of this earth. They don't have a choice.

Hey! Believers! You have a choice to make and the rewards are found in this life and the life to come. Your choice determines if you have heaven on earth.

Life was far more difficult in the 1600's. Men were coming out of dark ages of unimaginable degradation of human worth. However many more experienced the blessings of grace then than do now. They made a choice to believe Christ's promises. They heard reformation preaching. Today seldom is the reformed message heard in America. Chances are that you are not hearing it from your church and your pastor. I attend a very good church but I confess that I am not hearing reformation preaching rather I hear a mixture of works and grace. I get grace from the Holy Spirit from my personal study.

America is rich and thinks that she has need of nothing. She is actually in poverty, destitute and naked. Revelation 3:15-17

The Gospel Thesis

2008-08-02T09:33:00.000-07:00

Acts 15:7-11 KJV "Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

The apostles and elders assembled in Jerusalem for an eventful conference to clarify the New Testament message of grace. Some of the Jews in Judea wanted to enforce the circumcision tradition along with the message of grace preached to the Gentiles. Peter was led providentially into a situation at Samaria with a Gentile family and uncircumcised men were led into the faith in the same manner as the believers at Pentecost had experienced without circumcision. When all the assembly at the conference heard this they were silenced and the issue died. There were no
counter arguments to be made against Peter.

James, the leader of the conference, knowing that the silence did not mean total consent presented a compromise that helped to ease the intensity of the debate. He knew that Amos and Jeremiah had prophesied the Gentile conversion and what Peter had done was in line with the Old Testament. But to ease things he stipulated to the missionaries going to the Gentiles they should insist that the new converts abstain from eating meat not killed in a Jewish manner and meat offered to pagan idols. He also insisted that all converts abstain from all sexual immorality. This would "silence" the Jews, keep them happy, and the missionaries would be free to preach to the Gentiles.

Peter's thesis met an anti-thesis, circumcision, and the thesis remained without synthesis. James presented an anti-thesis to the thesis and a synthesis was conceived. So goes the history of Christianity. Synthesis after synthesis were conceived after antithesis were offered. People have been trying to add conditions to grace in order please someone.

However we know the whole story as unfolded in the New Testament. The Jews were not silenced; they followed the missionaries stirring up trouble. The missionaries did not follow the conditions and preached unconditional grace received by faith in Christ's atonement. They did naturally insist on abstinence from sexual immorality. Particularly, Paul's letters to the Romans and Galatians clarify the message of grace to the Gentiles. The letters of James and Hebrews attempt to clarify to the Jews the message of grace.

Salvation through grace apart from works is the thesis. This message must not be compromised.
It's necessity is rooted deeply in the biblical message of depravity. Man is hopeless to rescue himself and is totally dependent on a greater power outside himself. If God does not act first there is no redemption and man is eternally lost, without exception. This first act of God we call grace. No act of man ever comes before God. Repentance, confession, baptism; all acts of man follow God's grace.

Children Of Obedience

2008-07-21T12:59:00.000-07:00

1 Peter 1:13-16 "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; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."

Before you were saved you were by birth "children of disobedience"
but now you are "children of obedience". Think about that! Where once you walked according to the course of this world system and were led by the prince of the power of the air, now you walk as children of obedience! With freed will you have humanly impossible responsibilities to be holy, for God is holy. Your responsibilities are undergirded by the Holy Spirit enablement to accomplish the impossible. What you did as a sinner came naturally. As a believer you walk supernaturally.

Now this means if you are striving to live a disciplined and self-mastered life doing your sincere best you are going to fall short of the practical expectations of your positional life you have in Christ. Positionally you are a child of obedience however without the help of the Holy Spirit and under your own reliance you will fail every time! You already know this I am sure. I do! Just acknowledge the Holy Spirit in your life, that's all you have to do and when you resist He will lead you kicking and screaming with scripture toward godliness.

What I am saying is it will not be a cakewalk but you will make it to the end! Blessed assurance.

Sons Of Disobedience Or Disobedient Sons?

2008-07-18T15:03:00.000-07:00

Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.
New International Version "who are disobedient"
The Message "You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief"
New Living Translation "who refuse to obey God"
Contemporary English Version "everyone who doesn't obey God"
Holman Christian Standard Bible "in the disobedient"
New International Reader's Version -UK "who don't obey God"
Worldwide English (New Testament) "people who do not obey God"
Today's New International Version "those who are disobedient"
New Century Version "those who refuse to obey God"

All these modern translations alter the phrase "sons of disobedience." (Incidentally the Jehovah Witness' "New World Translation" states: "sons of disobedience.") All the older translations state "sons of disobedience." Judas and the anti-Christ are sons of perdition. John 17:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:3. We are "cursed children" II Peter 2:14. We are disobedient by virtue of our birth to our parents. We were conceived in iniquity. Psalms 51:5. Did you ever wonder why sin came so natural to you? Did it occur to you that we are sinful from birth rather than evolving into a sinner? You did not enter life with a clean slate and everything went down hill from there.
We all have inherited Adam's sin. Our salvation consist of deliverance from this sinful condition.

Because all these modern translation advocate a free will in choosing Christ as savior they have to alter the sinful condition of man. Since there is nothing we can do to save ourselves from Adam's sin, original sin is denied and we are saved from actual sin which occurs when we reach the age of accountability. "Therefore, as soon as they are capable of moral action, they become transgressors and are under condemnation." Baptist Faith and Mission

Only in this way can man exercise free will in obeying the scripture. In spite of the fact that scripture plainly set forth the claim as a sinner we cannot choose Christ. Romans 3:11,12

Our salvation is completely out of our hands. That is good news! But God rich in mercy....

We Can't lift A Finger Toward God!

2008-07-13T18:19:00.000-07:00

Titus 3:4-5 (KJV) "But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost."

Synergism and Monergism are two views that express how we are saved. Synergism is "essentially the view that God and humanity work together, each contributing their part to accomplish salvation in and for the individual. This is the view of salvation found in Arminianism and its theological predecessor Semi-Pelagianism."-Theopedia "Monergism is a term for the belief that the Holy Spirit is the only agent who effects regeneration of Christians. This view, held by Reformed and Calvinistic groups, sees salvation as the work of God alone, from first to last. He has chosen in eternity past whom He will save out of lost humanity (often referred to as the elect), and in His timing He will bring the elect to faith through the work of the Spirit for the sake of the Son, and save them forever to the praise of His glorious grace (Romans 8:29f)." -Theopedia

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done." Our salvation is all of grace. The Holy Spirit is the sole agent in regeneration. We can't lift a finger toward God. We were dead in sins and trespasses.

"Not by works of righteousness" can elicit thoughts of fear in us as we question whether we are chosen by God for the Spirit to save. This phrase is sandwiched between two glorious thoughts.
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Can't you envision your favorite sandwich which is a simple delight to just sit down and savor the texture and taste with pleasure! Our salvation is a glorious delight sandwiched between abundant love and kindness. You are blessed with what you do not deserve!

"I just don't feel worthy" is an expression of the "blessed." Can you see the security God provides for us. There is no room for failure on God part! We can't lift a finger and nothing can separate us from the love of God. How secure we are in Christ. I'm glad my salvation is not synergistic!

Memorize This!

2008-07-06T14:02:00.000-07:00

Faith follows Regeneration. There are no deeds of man that can spark or quicken new life in Christ. Colossians 2:13 (KJV) And you, being dead in your sin (When you were dead in your transgressions -NASB) and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses.

Repeat this often through the day, faith follows regeneration. Memorize it; worship God with it!
Master the phrase "by grace am I saved". Magnify the great God of your salvation! When I was dead in sin and trespasses God rich in mercy saved me.

Know this. The only way you can say this is God has quickened you to say it. It is not the result of regeneration; conversion, repentance, obedience but the cause of regeneration we need to focus on. The cooperative effort of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in securing your eternal salvation is the prime cause of your new life.

Now that you are regenerated you bear a heavy responsibility to follow Christ in obedience. Once you were dead now you are alive. Once you had no will now you have freed will. You are not left alone with this precious gift of freedom, you have the presence of the Holy Spirit to assist all along the way.

If you are beginning this new life in Christ, share your excitement with me @ ldpage@bellsouth.net

What Is Total Depravity?

2008-07-03T06:04:00.000-07:00

Ephesians 2:1 (KJV) And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.
Romans 3:11-12 (KJV) There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
"You are dead to me" is an old English saying that was used to announce that the person in question was disowned or would never be "seen, or heard" again. (you slept with my wife.....you're dead to me) The original aiel used the term in a Robert Jordan book as well, but in a more wordful way "You killed some one, you are dead to me and the rest of the True Aiel ......Turn away from me I wish not to see that face, my son had a face like yours, but alas he is dead to me?" -Urban Dictionary

Can you imagine a worst nightmare than to have God say to the sinner, You are dead to me? I wish not to see thy face again! Yet as a sinner that is what God is saying. You are dead in trespasses and sins. There is none that doeth good, no not one. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. Ephesians 2:2-3 TLB

Notice this, a sinner does not have free will, robotically he obeys his prince. Now this means when you became a Christian you did not accept Him as savior, He accepted you as sinner. (by grace ye are saved) People insist that they will not serve God robotically and that love demands they have a choice; but where in the Bible do we find this free choice. Listen, we were dead. We died in Adam. He exercised free will. He used up our chances and we all lost.

You may ask, "why am I not more evil than I am?" You are not as evil as Satan would like you to be. He seeks to devour you. God's common grace extends to sinners and restrains evil for the sake of humanity and that specifically means those closest to you. You would destroy them. Some people more than others demonstrate this evil in their lives by their behavior. Nevertheless we are all alike in depravity. There is none that does good!

Though I would like to be a theologian (I suppose I am an armchair theologian) nevertheless I am not. However I would like for someone to refute this notion that we are dead to God. You have probably not heard your pastor preach this clearly. He dare not! There has to be a little give in our system that explains human choice in salvation. There is none!

Paul says, But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) Eph 2:4-5. That means that God is the first cause and only cause if we are going to be saved. These two words should be the greatest words, "but God." This "first cause" is a cosmological argument for the existence of God. Your little life is but a vapor, here one moment and gone the next. Just a drop in the world's oceans. Your accumulations of goodness is of little consequence. You were chosen in Christ before the foundations of the world were laid. Before you did good or bad you were chosen. Paul says in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Eph 2:7 Eons later, after you have lived your short duration on this earth, you will be a demonstration before all heavenly occupants of His grace, not what you have done, but what He has done. The one who wrote the letter to the Ephesian congregation was struck down from a horse on the way to Damascus to arrest Christians to imprison them will silently sit together with all the assembled saints and observe intently your testimony of the marvelous grace of God. Loudly with all the heavenly host they will rejoice with you.

And all this for a "miserable wretched worm" such as I!

Faith Follows Regeneration

2008-06-30T15:32:00.000-07:00

The theology of Paul has been faithfully interpreted through great men of the faith. Augustine, Aquinas, Luther and Calvin have captured in doctrine the authority of the Word of God on providence and predestination. They have laid a foundation from which modern Christianity is built.

However in contrast men like Pelagius, Arminius, Wesley, Finney and a host of modern day theologians have detracted from the providential work of God in favor of a humanistic interpretation. This has led to a gospel not unlike the world's ideal of religion. It has sought to win the world by becoming like the world. Regeneration that follows faith appeals to the human aspects of freedom and the dignity of unrestrained free choice. Consistently, these men have had to reevaluate the depravity of man so that he is not as evil as we have been led to believe he is.

They have discarded puritanical expressions of sinfulness for expedient, practical and less offensive terms acceptable to the sinner. Ironically we wonder whatever became of sin and why is immorality on the increase.?

Faith Follows Regeneration

2008-06-29T17:49:00.000-07:00

David Hegg's review of John Murray's book: "Redemption Accomplished and Applied" "Much confusion has arisen from the fundamental error of assuming that regeneration follows faith; i.e., that the sinner believes, and is consequently rewarded with the new life. Murray ably demonstrates from the biblical text that, in reality, regeneration precedes faith, that new life is imparted sovereignly to the elect, and the immediate consequences are faith and repentance. In my judgment, the unwillingness of so many today to accept the biblical order of regeneration and faith accounts for the widespread compromise of the gospel. If new life is so dependent upon the decision of a sinner's will, then pragmatism makes sense; let's do whatever it takes to get a decision! But if a man is dead - both unwilling and unable to come savingly to Christ or even prepare himself to come - then we dare not mess with the purity of the gospel, for it is the "power of God unto salvation."

R. C. Sproul (1990). "Regeneration precedes faith", Tyndale House

J. I. Packer. "Regeneration", It raises the elect among the spiritually dead to new life in Christ (Eph. 2:1-10). Regeneration is a transition from spiritual death to spiritual life, and conscious, intentional, active faith in Christ is its immediate fruit, not its immediate cause. Regeneration is the work of what Augustine called 'prevenient' grace, the grace that precedes our outgoings of heart toward God.”

John A. Broadus (distinguished professor of New Testament and successor to Boyce at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary): "1. Q. What is meant by the word regeneration? A. Regeneration is God's causing a person to be born again. 9. Q. Does faith come before the new birth? A. No, it is the new heart that truly repents and believes" (taken from Broadus' A Catechism of Bible Teaching, reprinted in A Baptist Treasury, pp. 67-68).

John L. Dagg (first writing Southern Baptist theologian; president of Mercer University in Georgia): "In our natural state we are totally depraved. No inclination to holiness exists in the carnal heart; and no holy act can be performed, or service to God rendered, until the heart is changed. This change, it is the office of the Holy Spirit to effect. . . . But, in his own time and manner, God, the Holy Spirit, makes the word effectual in producing a new affection in the soul: and, when the first movement of love to God exists, the first throb of spiritual life commences" (A Manual of Theology, pp. 277, 279).

B. H. Carroll (founder and first president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas): "The true scriptural position [concerning regeneration] is this: There is, first of all, a direct influence of the Holy Spirit on the passive spirit of the sinner, quickening him or making him sensitive to the preaching of the Word. In this the sinner is passive. But he is not a subject of the new birth without contrition, repentance and faith. In exercising these he is active. Yet even his contrition is but a response to the Spirit's conviction, and the exercise of his repentance is but a response to the Spirit's conviction, and the exercise of his repentance and faith are but responses to the antecedent spiritual graces of repentance and faith." Carroll goes on to state that "repentance and faith are fruits of regeneration" (An Interpretation of the English Bible, Volume 4, p. 287).

W. T. Conner (professor of Systematic Theology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary): "This change [i.e., regeneration] is one that is wrought in the moral nature of man by the Spirit of God. Nothing but divine power could produce the change. . . . God's power works this change. . . . The man who experiences regeneration knows as well as he knows daylight from darkness that he himself did not work the change." (The Gospel of Redemption, p. 189)

Tom Schreiner, Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Southern Seminary. "Several texts from 1 John demonstrate that regeneration precedes faith. The texts are as follows: “If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him” (1 John 2:29). “No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God” (1 John 3:9). “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7). “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whomever has been born of him” (1 John 5:1). "

Philip Doddridge, whom some have labelled a "high Calvinist," believed that the new birth was strictly a monergistic event. "In John 3:3, Jesus told Nicodemus, "You must be born again." But how exactly is a person born again, or regenerated? Is it something that man initiates by an act of his own will, or is it something that only God can do in the human heart? Put simply, does regeneration precede or follow faith? "

A. A. Hodge, Outlines of Theology, p. 460. "Conversion follows regeneration and is different from it in the following ways: “Regeneration is God’s act; conversion is ours. Regeneration is the implantation of a gracious principle; conversion is the exercise of that principle. Regeneration is never consciously known by us; conversion is thoroughly a process involving our consciousness. Regeneration is a single act, complete in itself and never repeated; conversion, as the beginning of holy living, is the commencement of a series, constant, endless and progressive”

Repentance Follows Regeneration

2008-06-27T05:08:00.000-07:00

Quite clearly the order of salvation in Acts 2:37-38 is regeneration or quickening followed by the request for instruction, "what must we do?" The instruction was repent (confess your sinfulness) and be baptized in the name of Jesus. They would receive the remission of sins and then they would receive the same thing they had observed the 120 had received, the gift of the Holy Ghost.

So what does it mean to be "pricked in their hearts"? If it meant conviction of sin or aware of their sinfulness then the absolute condition for salvation is repentance and water baptism in the name of Jesus. This order would be disqualified as essential when the believers received the gift of the Holy Ghost and then were baptized in water. (Acts 10:47) The reception of the gift of the Holy Ghost would precede regeneration!

If "pricked in their hearts" meant an awakening sufficient to call on the Lord for salvation then the meaning of Ephesians 2: 1-5 is distorted. The sinner is not really "dead" but seems dead. Or else quickening means some divine intervention by God to enable the truly dead man to be able to call on the Lord. This would make, according to Peter's instruction, "repent" an absolute necessity for regeneration and water baptism the act of regeneration. Remission of sins would be an immediate by product of regeneration. Regeneration would then follow repentance.

So "pricked in their hearts" means quickening (Eph 2:1) and that means regeneration and the new birth (John 3:3). Therefore regeneration is the absolute necessity, "you must be born again in order to see the kingdom of God." That means witnessing unto Christ ( Acts 1:8), all that preceded the "pricking in their hearts" is followed by the plan of salvation to the elect. This is the only offer of salvation to the sinner and not to be confused with witnessing unto Christ.

Now why is this important? It takes the burden off the preacher to convince the sinner, the elect, his need of salvation. This is a responsibility for which we are not equipped. The Holy Spirit does this not us. This is accomplished through a quickening work, regeneration, that causes the elect to be aware of their need.

The Holy Spirit has sole authority to choose who and when to save. It is not up to us. It is our job to go into all the world witnessing to every man, woman, boy and girl. It is the Holy Spirit who directs us to the elect and there are no restrictions to how and when he does it. Acts 8:26

We are not soul winners, the Holy Spirit does that. We do not convert the heathen God does. This is something a true Calvinist understands. We just bear witness unto Christ through preaching by way of word and life. When the Holy spirit has done his quickening then He sends a preacher! That makes the preacher a partner with God in the salvation of the lost. To God alone goes all the glory!

Order Of Salvation

2008-06-20T04:07:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest principles of theology is the order of events in our salvation. There were things done before we were born, obviously, Christ came and died for our sins 2000 years ago. But before that there were things determined before the world was created. 1 Peter 1:18-20 (KJV) Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you. Revelation 13:8 (KJV) And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Before the world was created it was decided that Christ would die for the sins of the world!

However our personal involvement was decided before the world was created! Ephesians 1:3- (KJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. This passage of scripture written by Paul is intended to produce comfort and security in the hearers. (good news is always included in the introduction of a letter!) Rather we are lead by preachers today to believe that it is a scary fact that we are predestinated and we have no choice. Remember this God is always just and fair in his dealings with us.

One hundred and fifty years ago a preacher said: "But do you know the limit of it? Christ has bought a ‘multitude, which no man can number’ (Revelation7:9). The limit of it is just this: He died for sinners; whoever in this congregation inwardly and sorrowfully knows himself to be a sinner, Christ died for him. Whoever seeks Christ shall know that Christ died for him; for our sense of need of Christ and our seeking after Christ are infallible proofs that Christ died for us." -Charles Spurgeon

Also important is the order of our personal salvation, here and now. First understand this as sinners man is dead spiritually to God. Ephesians 2:1-5 (KJV) And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;). What can a dead man do to save himself? Nothing! Isn't he suppose to repent? How can a dead man repent?

If we are to be saved and we are dead to God spiritually then something must take place with us for us to repent. We have to be quickened. That means selection; very specific and special selection and that is what we call election. This is the grace of God.

The first thing to take place is regeneration. Quickening is regeneration or the new birth. Some people call this an awakening provided for us to make a decision for Christ, but this is not consistent with the concept of being dead in sin. If we are given a choice then it is not grace anymore but a cooperation of man with God and that does an injustice to God's loving decision to save us.

Charles Spurgeon said: "I pause once more; for I hear some timid soul say, ‘But, sir, I am afraid I am not elect, and if so, Christ did not die for me.’ Stop, sir! Are you a sinner? Do you feel it? Has God the Holy Spirit made you feel that you are a lost sinner? Do you want salvation? If you do not want it, it is no hardship that it is not provided for you; but if you really feel that you want it, you are God’s elect. If you have a desire to be saved, a desire given you of the Holy Spirit, that desire is a token for good. If you have begun believingly to pray for salvation, you have therein a sure evidence that you are saved. Christ was punished for you. And if now you can say, ‘Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to the cross I cling,’ you may be as sure you are God’s elect as you are sure of your own existence; for this is the infallible proof of election—a sense of need and a thirst after Christ.”

What must I do? If you ask that question you are regenerated and all you need to do is Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call. Acts 2:38-39 (KJV)

Now I have given a shallow presentation of the subject of the order of salvation. There is so much more to be said. Perhaps I am participating with God in your calling and election. Maybe you are experiencing this wonderful quickening and you are comming to a new life in Christ. Rush as soon as possible to a good church where they preach the Word and have a way to baptize you. Now tell the preacher you are already saved and have repented and received remission of sins. Don't let him tell you differently. Insist he baptize you as soon as possible.
If he won't go to another Church.

Let me know if perhaps I have been helpful, my e-mail is ldpage@bellsouth.net

God's Plan Of Salvation

2008-06-16T18:47:00.000-07:00

Bad News! We are sinners. The whole world is under the judgement of God because of Adam's sin in the garden of Eden. 1 Corinthians 15:22 (King James Version) For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
We are not "poor" victims with others to blame for our condition. Our real problem is that we live contrary to the will of God. Failed marriages, financial woes, addictions and wayward children are the result of our separation from God.

The real bad news is that you are not reading this anymore. You have moved on to something else. (I write this for the benefit of those still reading to demonstrate the depth of sinful
depravity.) You are blinded by the god of this world. Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. You may have a good marriage, debt free life, no addictions and obedient children. However you are probably on your way to hell because of your sinful condition.

The sad news is that by now many of you have guessed that I am a Calvinist. I have not said that God loves the sinner. I have not offered hope for your health, wealth for your woes, nor peace for your family. You have already "shifted" into anger mode. You attend Church, pay your tithes, pray regularly and read your Bible daily.
True Christian faith starts with the "wrath of God." Romans 1:18 (King James Version)For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. You hold the truth in unrighteousness.

Now the good news! You are reading this and you "hold the truth!" You have eternal life and a home in heaven! You just need to receive your inheritance from the Lord now! Romans 5:1 (King James Version) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. The rich young ruler had all this world had to offer. Mark 10:17-22 KJV
And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
All he needed to do was follow Christ in obedience and he would have happiness. He went away sad! He had eternal life. God's will was accomplished in heaven for him but he needed to have "heaven on earth" Matthew 6:10 (KJV) Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. He does not need to receive Christ as Savior, Christ had already received him as a sinner! He only needs to follow Christ in obedience as a saint!

The good news is you are reading this and you are awakened (born again) to the Word of God. Acts 2:37 (KJV) Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart. They ask, Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Since you are awakened you ask, "what should I do?" Read the rest of Acts 2:38-41 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
If you have not been a follower of Christ then you need to repent of your sins. Go to a Church and ask to be baptized. Tell the pastor you have already repented of your sins and you want everybody at church to see you following Christ in obedience by being baptized. Now if the pastor tries to tell you something different then you go to another Church. You tell him you have Christ in your heart and you have repented. All he needs to do is baptize you! Join that Church and follow Christ with them.
If you are already a baptized follower of Christ but like the young rich ruler you are not happy then you need to adjust your life to following Christ in obedience. Take up your cross daily and follow him!

Things To Know:
1.) Man can not in any way by will or works save himself. Titus 3:5 (KJV) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Salvation is a gift of God and through His mercy.
2.) Christ is the only hope we have for salvation. Acts 4:12 (KJV) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
3.) Christ as our savior is a substitute sacrifice for our sinfulness. He physically died on a cross for our sin, was buried in a grave and rose from the dead on our behalf. 1 John 2:2 (KJV) And he is the propitiation (substitutionary sacrifice) for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
4.) You are born again! You are converted! John 3:3 (KJV) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. God will give you the gift of faith to repent and believe. You will have the Holy Spirit indwelling and guiding you in the way you should go. John 16: (KJV) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. The Bible will be your constant and daily guide in following the will of God.

Let me know if perhaps I have been helpful, my e-mail is ldpage@bellsouth.net and my phone is 901-493-9644 leave a message with my wife.

Whole Gospel Churches In Memphis, TN Area

2008-01-03T16:40:00.000-08:00

Second Presbyterian Church

South Woods Baptist Church

Grace Bible Church

First Baptist Church Rossville

Raliegh Springs Baptist Church

Reformed Baptist Church

Independent Presbyterian Church

River Oaks Reformed Presbyterian Church

Collierville Primitive Baptist Church

Grace Chapel Primitive Baptist

Raliegh Primitive Baptist Church

If you know about a Church that believes the five points of Calvinism let me know. People need to know where to find t Churchone!