The Baptist Commentary

Best Bible Ever: STRONG’S® REFERENCE BIBLE

2011-11-22T13:43:00.001-05:00

STRONG’S® REFERENCE BIBLE

A King James center-column Bible with a real concordance in the back! A complete center-column reference edition of the King James Version (the popular typesetting in Nelson’s style number 2005, enlarged) along with the complete, unaltered 749 pages of the New Strong’s™ Concise Corcordance of the Bible! Finally, a truly complete concordance in a Bible! Only the words not likely to be used in locating a passage have been eliminated (words such as should, those, and when) or condensed to include only the important occurrences (words such as bring, day, and might). Such words are listed at the beginning of the concordance. All other words have their occurrences referenced exhaustively.

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• Authorized King James verse-style text
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Faith: A work of righteousness

2011-11-22T13:30:00.001-05:00

Faith being a work of righteousness is probably the hardest thing for most people to comprehend and allow themselves to properly understand. Most denominations are blind to the distinction between two different aspects of salvation. Because of this, they are not able to see that one salvation is by grace and the other is a reward for obedience; one is an eternal home and the other is our strength to deal with the evils of this present world.

Ephesians 1 makes reference to an inheritance and how all the children of God come to obtain it. It then teaches how through faith, some are able to take hold of an earnest of that same inheritance. Consider this; my children will not get any of my estate unless I have first made out a will for it to be so. If I should die before they can rightfully take possession of it, they will be cared for by obtaining earnest amounts of it, until they reach a certain age. It will be the responsibility of a mediator to distribute the earnest amounts accordingly. Likewise, God has decreed that His children shall inherit life and salvation eternal. He has declared that they will take full possession upon leaving this world. He has established a mediator, Christ Jesus, to judge His children now that they will not be judged with the wicked, and provide those worthy with an earnest to help them in this evil world.

Keep in mind that not all mankind are children of God. Not all are chastened, because some are bastards. Yet His children are as innumerable as the stars in the sky and the sands of the sea. Those who will receive the earnest are but a few of those adopted. Not all will be exercised by His chastening.

You may be asking, "But is there a duty on my part in faithfulness to Him". Of course! To love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind, and strength, in this we glorify Him. To share the glorious news with those you can, just as I am doing with you. Just keep in mind that you are not eternally saving them, but instead by notifying them that they have been saved, and by having been saved, they can enjoy that salvation now, thus you do save them from the evils of this world.

The reason for so many denominations and differing interpretations?

2011-11-22T13:09:00.001-05:00

Consider the following:

Have person "A" stand at the rear of your car and write down everything seen. Have another person "B" stand at the front of your car and write down everything seen.

Now consider they will both tell you about your car, and both will tell you the truth as they percieved it. But both will be in error, because neither has the whole truth. One will tell you of red lights and the other will argue they are white or clear. One will see a license plate with numbers, and the other will deny it has such a device. One will open a compartment and tell you it is empty and nothing else is needed. The other will tell you of a compartment with all sorts of wires, tubes, and gadgets that are required for it to operate.

In this example, we need only put the two parts together to get the whole truth. I wish it was as simple with God's word and the many errors that abound today.

The differing Baptist denominations I am familiar with desire the truth. They just desire it so much they are fearful when it comes their way and want to hold too tightly upon the errors of thier forefathers. This is an example of my dad who believes that because great-grand-dad believed it, it must be the truth.

Looking back, the hardest things to come to terms with are just such things. Always asking how I could persuade them to the truth. But I have found that they are not easily persuaded, and only a few break free and are able to see a brighter light and thankfully desire it with a greater passion.

Just something to ponder,
Barry

The Two Perspectives of Eternal Life: Immortal vs Mortal Salvation

2011-11-10T09:46:00.000-05:00

A vital key of understanding, that a person must have, in order to be able to rightly divide the scriptures, and to fully see the gospel in a more fuller light and glory, is the understanding of the two perspectives of eternal life.

I prefer to use the words Immortal and Mortal to identify these two prespectives. I am fmailiar with others who have used different labels or titles. Some of those are "Time Salvation", "Present Salvation", and "Temporal Salvation". To me, these suggest that the salvation recieved in this life is of a earthly nature and ends at some point. As I explain below, and as Ephesians 1:11 & 14 reveal, the salvation recieved in this life is merely the earnest of that which we will also have after this life.

The First Perspective - Only By Grace

At regeneration, when a person is delivered to Christ by the Father (John 6:37, John 6:44, Colossians 1:13, Regeneration), being received of the Father as an adopted child (Hebrews 12:6, Adoption), the person becomes an heir of Eternal Life (Ephesians 1:11).

However, because there is no physical, mental, moral, or spiritual change in the person, as a result of regeneration, the person begins his new childhood in disobedience to the Father, yielding himself to be a servant of sin (Romans 6:6, Romans 6:16). Galatians 4:1-3 describes the newly regenerated persons situation very well. Although the person is now a child of God, and an heir to the inheritance, he is no different than that of a servant. A master of the household would not entrust a servant with the responsibilities of managing his estate. Likewise, because the person has previously been unable to understand the gospel message, like a servant, he is unlearned in the ways of the Father and is not yet able to receive any part of the inheritance. However, as stated in 1 Peter 1:4, the persons inheritance is reserved in heaven and will not fade away. This is the first perspective of eternal life (or eternal salvation). It is given solely by grace, and because it was not given according to what the person did or did not do, it will never be taken away based upon what the person does or does not do. By this alone, a person will live forever (John 6:51).

The Second Perspective - Only By Faith

Ephesians 1:13-14 is the best description of how the regenerate person comes to obtain, or take hold of, eternal life. A regenerate person, being loosed from the carnal man (Romans 7:1-4), and now having the capacity to receive the Holy Spirit, which is required to discern the gospel (1 Corinthians 2:11 & 14), must now hear the gospel, trust in the gospel, and believe the gospel. Once this has occurred, the person receives the Holy Spirit, which confirms the testimony of the gospel. The Holy Spirit, as defined in Ephesians 1:14, is the earnest of the inheritance, which the person received at regeneration (Ephesians 1:11).

It is by this second perspective of eternal life that a regenerate person either lives or dies, spiritually. It is only through faith that a regenerate person can take current and immediate possession of eternal life in this mortal world (Matthew 19:16, Mark 10:17, Luke 10:25, John 3:15, John 6:47, John 17:2, 1 Timothy 6:12, 1 Timothy 6:19). Christ, as the mediator of the inheritance (1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 8:6, Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 12:24), is the only one who is able to lay charge against the elect and condemn them (Romans 8:33-34) to either life or death, in a spiritual sense, in this mortal world. He accomplishes this judgement by the administration of the Spirit. (John 5:22, John 5:27, 2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 Peter 4:17)

The Holy Spirit is given in measure (John 3:34, Ephesians 4:7), and is given in accordance with the persons faith and obedience. The person is able to grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30), as well as, quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19). In quenching the Spirit, the earnest of the inheritance is cut off. The end result is no different than being removed from the vine, withered, and cast into fire (John 15:6).

Ezekiel 18:21-24 & Ezekiel 18:26-28 are very clear and straight forward in teaching what happens to those who turn away from their sins and those who backslide and fall away. Yes, it is possible for a person to loose this aspect of their salvation, but only this aspect.

Again, by being regenerate the person will live forever (John 6:51), but without faith he will not possess the earnest of eternal life (John 6:53). A person must be both regenerated by the Father and converted by faith to possess eternal life (John 6:47 & 54).

Kingdom of Heaven / Kingdom of God

2011-11-08T10:31:00.000-05:00

The "kingdom of Heaven" and the "kingdom of God" mean the same thing. Matthew is the only book in which the phrase "kingdom of Heaven" is used, and the only book in which both phrases are used. All other authors, including Paul, uses the phrase "kingdom of God". Both phrases are references to the kingdom that was to be established at Pentecost.

Daniel prophesied of the coming of this Kingdom (Daniel 2:44). It was established during the reign of the fourth kingdom of iron, which we know today was the Roman Empire. Also, as Daniel prophesied, it was broken into pieces a scattered to many nations, as is evident by Paul's travels and the churches he established, and consumed those nations. Today, it is still broken into pieces and consumes all nations, because every where that believers in Christ are present, so also is the kingdom of God.

John the Baptist preached of this kingdom, which at the time of his ministry, was only "at hand", or very close, or within reach, but not yet obtainable. The kingdom of Heaven would remain "at hand" until Pentecost.

In Matthew 21:43, since God dwelled in the temple among the nation of Israel, Israel was a physical kingdom of God. However, later in Matthew 23:38 and Luke 13:35, Jesus declares that the temple is left desolate, signifying that God would no longer dwell in the temple made with hands. Under the New Testament, God would dwell among His people only in the form of the Holy Ghost in a spiritual kingdom. Passages such as John 14:2, 1 Corinthians 3:9, Ephesians 2:21-22, 1 Peter 2:5, describe bodies of believers as buildings, spiritual houses, and habitations of God. These are all alternate descriptions of the kingdom of God. They are realms in which God the Father and Christ are Kings and Lords over the groups of people.

The spiritual kingdom of God became available at Pentecost. From that time until 70 A.D., both the physical kingdom of God, the nation of Israel, and the spiritual kingdom of God coexisted. Mark 9:1 was fulfilled in 70 A.D. when the physical nation of Israel was completely destroyed by the Roman Legions which had surrounded it. (See the works of Flavius Josephus: War of the Jews - Books 5, 6, & 7.)

The kingdom of God is never used as a reference to immortal heaven, or rather the heaven where we will be when we depart this world. It is a spiritual place that exists here on earth. It is a place of refuge and of rest for the believers.

According to 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, only the righteous can inherit the kingdom of God. And according to 1 Corinthians 15:50, "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God". John 3:5 teaches that a person enters into the kingdom of God, but only after both regeneration and conversion. Since flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, it can only be received by way of the Holy Spirit. This is also confirmed by John 3:5, since a person can only receive the earnest their inheritance, the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:14), by conversion, which also means to be born of the Spirit. Therefore, only the obedient children, those which have been exercised by the chastening of God and become fruitful (Hebrews 12:11), can possess the indwelling Holy Spirit and enter into the kingdom of God.

To enter into the kingdom of God is to also enter into Christs' rest. Only those who convert (Matthew 11:28-29) and believe (Hebrews 3:18, Hebrews 4:9-11) in Christ can enter into His rest.

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.

2011-11-07T12:23:00.001-05:00

Each elect person, chosen by God the Father (Ephesians 1:14), that is given to Christ, will be delivered to Him. Every person that is delivered to Him, from the Father, will in no way be rejected. This is salvation by grace, freely given, undeserved, without the persons interaction, in any way, and without the persons knowledge or awareness. This is the exact same as being translated (Colossians 1:13). It is a legal transaction that occurs in a spiritual realm. The persons ownership is transferred from the power of darkness to Christ. Also, at this same time, the person is adopted and received as a child (Hebrews 12:6) of God the Father. This is also referred to by Paul as the washing of regeneration (Titus 3:5).

John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

2011-11-07T10:48:00.001-05:00

In order to "cometh" to Christ, a person must be drawn (John 6:44) of God, which is the same as being translated (Colossians 1:13). This is can only be accomplished by the Father (John 6:65). When the person is drawn, he is translated from the power and authority of darkness to the power and authority of Christ. Thus, the person is delivered to Christ (John 6:37 & 39). At the same time an adoption occurs and the person is received of the Father as a child (Hebrews 12:6). This is salvation by grace without works. It is referred to by Paul as the washing of regeneration (Titus 3:5), or more commonly today as simply regeneration. Therefore, those who only eat the flesh of the Son of Man or eat the bread of Life (John 6:50, 51, 57, 58), without also drinking His blood, will live forever, as opposed to possessing eternal life.

Of those who are delivered to Christ, having been regenerated and adopted as children, those who freely chose to believe in Him, will, by faith, partake in the drinking of His blood. In doing so, they will receive the earnest of their inheritance, which is the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:14, 2 Corinthians 1:22, 2 Corinthians 5:5), and obtain the immediate possession of eternal life (John 6:40, 47, 53, 54, 68).

John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.

2011-11-06T18:00:00.000-05:00

As discussed in John 14:2, the place that Jesus went to prepare was the Comforter, which is synonymous with the Kingdom of God/Heaven ushered in by Christ and established here on earth.

In verse 17, Jesus says, "for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you", referring first, to Himself in the flesh, and then secondly, as the Comforter, which would come on the day of Pentecost.

In verse 18, Jesus states, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you", referring to Himself in the form of the Comforter. It is by this means, that He comes to the person (John 14:18 & 23) and receives a person unto Himself, so that He and the person can abide (John 14:23) together in the same place. Through the Comforter, Christ manifests Himself (John 14:21) to His obedient children.

This is why He also said, to His disciples, "A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me", and "ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy". He was not only referring to the time He would spend with them after His resurrection, but also the time after Pentecost, when the Holy Ghost had been given to them.

Only the Children of Obedience receive the Comforter.

Related passages:
John 7:39
John 13:36
John 14:23
John 14:28-29
John 15:4
John 15:26
John 16:7
John 16:13
John 16:16
John 16:20

John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

2011-11-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

If we look at the following scriptures and examine them carefully, we find that they teach in regards to a building, house, and habitation, all of which are comprised of a group, rather than any single individual.

1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

Ephesians 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
In this passage, Jesus is likewise speaking in regards to the same building, house, and habitation.

Jesus goes a step further, by identifing the individuals that make up the building, as "many mansions" that exist within the "Father's house".

The word "mansions" is synonomus to the "chambers" of the temple shown to Ezekiel (Ezekiel 40-48). The vision Ezekiel was shown was of the coming Kingdom of God/Heaven, which was to be ushered in by Christ Jesus, and as prophesized by Daniel.

Daniel 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

This Kingdom of God/Heaven is synonymous with the Comforter. This passage is in the context of the teachings of Jesus to the apostles, concerning the Comforter, which was to come at Pentecost.

In John 16:7, when Jesus stated, "It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you", He was referring to the place which He went to prepare.

Niether the Kingdom of God/Heaven or the Comforter could come, until Jesus had been glorified.

Properly understood, Jesus is speaking in regards to the kingdom of heaven and the multitude of individual believers (Matthew 9:37). Each of these individual, as chambers within the house, would be dwelling places for the Holy Spirit, by which the Father and Son would dwell within each (John 14:16, 17,18, 20, 23, 26, 28, John 15:26).

Related passages:
1 Kings 6:5
Ezekiel 40-48

John 6:44 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.

2011-11-03T14:20:00.001-04:00

The word "come" used here simply means to be moved from one place to another. Just as a package is transported from point A to point B by a truck. The meaning of this passage is brought to light by looking at John 6:37 which states that a certain group of people are delivered to Christ by the Father.

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.

Only those who are given to Christ by the Father will be delivered to Him. To be delivered to Christ, they must be moved from one place to another. We can find scriptural support for this in Colossians 1:13, which states that those who are delivered to Christ are translated, which is a synonym of being transported, from the power and authority of darkness into the power and authority of Christ. The word translated is used in Hebrews 11:5 to describe how Enoch was taken from this world so that he should not see death.

Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son:

See John 6:37 for comments on the proper understanding and usage of the rest of that passage.
An example for the word "draw" is that of John 21:6, when the fishermen were not able to draw in their net for the multitude of fish. When we use this to properly understand the drawing of God we find that only by the great power and strength of God the Father is a person able to be removed from the power and authority of darkness and place him into the power and authority of Christ.

Jesus states that no man "can come" except by the Fathers drawing. No person can be delivered into His power and authority, except by the Father's divine intervention. This drawing does not violate mans free will. In fact, it enables the person to exercise his free will choice at a later time.

Matthew 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father…

The word "delivered" means to give into the hands of another. Thus, we come into Christ’s possession by being delivered to Him only by the Father, and not by our own means.

Other than the references presented here, this event is also described as the washing of regeneration (Titus 3:5), being born of water (John 3:5), being baptized into death with Christ (Romans 6:3&4), eating the bread from heaven (John 6:50&51,58), eating the flesh of the Son of man (John 6:53&54,56,57), and adoption (Ephesians 1:5)

This event takes place without the knowledge of the person. There is no physical, mental, or moral change that takes place. It is only a spiritual status change. A legal adoption takes place where the person becomes a child of God, although disobedient and unlearned at first.

John 9:4 Healing powers to be no more

2011-10-18T13:14:00.000-04:00

John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

Jesus fore tells of the time to come when no man would be able to perfrom miracles and no man would be able to heal. Even Paul, toward the end of his ministry, reveals that he is no longer able to heal.

The significance of 70 A.D.

2011-10-03T13:00:00.000-04:00

70 A.D. marked the "time of the end", not the end of time. At this time, a very important event took place, that is rarely, if ever, mentioned or studied in churches today. It marked the completed transition of the new Kingdom of Heaven. It was the fulfillment of prophecy regarding the destruction of Jerusalem, carried out by the Roman armies under Titus. In 66 A.D., Cestius Gallus marched his twelfth legion from Antioch and surrounded the city, and could have taken it easily. But instead, and for no aparrent reason, he left. This is known as the greatest military blunder of all time and was the fulfillment of Luke 21:20. This stirred the Jewish rebellion with false hope, and greatly angered Rome. In 70 A.D. Titus, son of Emperor Vespasian and prince of Rome, united four Roman legions and destroyed the city of Jerusalem and its temple. This was the end of the nation of Israel as Gods chosen people. It was the end of the Old Testament, the Levitical Law and ceremonies. It was the end of animal sacrifice. It was the end of God dwelling on earth in man made buildings.

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

2010-05-29T06:00:00.000-04:00

The law of the Spirit, is the commandment to believe in Christ, for through faith a person takes possession of the Spirit of promise, in the form of the earnest of the inheritance. Observance of the law of the Spirit, is to follow, obey, and conform to the guidance of the Spirit, not grieving or quenching it. Looking forward to Romans 8:5, it is to think like the Spirit, always attentive to the things of God.

To believe, our faith must include the observance of the law, or else our faith is dead, worthless, and unfruitful. Yet, by our faith, we are freed from the law. This is true, because faith is not produced, through the observance of the law, but rather, the law is observed through faith. The works of the law are burdensome, when performing them in order to obtain a reward. But, if we have confidence that we have already obtained the greatest reward, and observe the law out of love, respect, honor, and gratitude, then the law is obeserved without effort or desire, and the burden is almost nonexistant (Matthew 11:30). And for doing that which seems to be effortless, God is faithful to reward.

Romans 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2010-05-28T06:00:00.002-04:00

The regenerate, who have turned to righteousness and have received the Holy Ghost of promise, are no longer under the condemnation, in which they find themselves, when attempting to observe the law to gain righteousness, as described in Galatians 3:10. This is the state which Paul describes in the later part of chapter 7.

Here Paul describes those who have been freed from the law, by converting to righteousness and following after the Spirit.

I have listened to many preachers who preach awesome sermons on the latter part of Romans 7, but then turn elsewhere for the answer to Pauls dilemma. When that happens, it becomes obvious that they do not properly understand Romans 8.

Condemnation - to express an unfavorable or adverse judgment on; to pronounce to be guilty; to judge or pronounce to be unfit for use or service.

Are these not descriptive of what Paul described in Romans 7? Was he not passing judgment upon himself, based upon his own ability to fulfill the law? Was he not determining his own guilt, when he desired to do good, but saw that he could only do that which was evil? Did he not profess to have been brought into the captivity of the law of sin, which was in his members?

He saw himself to be a wretched man. And the only way a person can be free from such a wretched man, is through the power of the Holy Ghost. This is only possible, through the gift of the promise of the Holy Ghost, provided by inheritance (Ephesians 1:11) to each regenerate man, but possessed (Ephesians 1:14) only through faith and conversion.

Ephesians 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

2010-05-26T06:00:00.001-04:00

Christ only dwells in our hearts through faith (John 14:18, John 14:20, John 14:21). Faith, without works is dead, or rather worthless. A persons is not saved by merely understanding, or being persuaded, that Jesus is the Christ. As Jesus sets forth in John 14, a person must love Him and must keep His commandments. If a person looses faith, turns back to the world, our returns to disobedience, Christ will not continue to dwell in such filth.

Ephesians 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

2010-05-25T06:00:00.003-04:00

The love of God is so huge. It is far reaching and towers over us. It is far greater than anything we will ever be able to fully comprehend in this mortal life. But, to even begin to comprehend it, we must be given the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38), which reveals these great truths to us (1 Corinthians 2:10, John 14:26, Hebrews 6:4).

There are four aspects to Gods love for His chosen people. It has length, width, and depth, which are obvious measurements of obejcts of mass, that we use every day. The fourth apsect is also a measurement of every day objects. That measurement is endurance, or how long it will last. This apsect of Gods love, like the other three aspects, is also beyond our ability to fully comprehend in this life.

Even though, it is by the gift of the Holy Ghost, that we are able to know the things of God, we are limited in our knowledge, by our ability to comprehend what the Spirit reveals to us. We must be open to the teachings of the Holy Ghost, and at the same time gaurd ourselves against imaginations of the carnal mind.

Ephesians 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

2010-05-24T06:00:00.002-04:00

Even though God allows mans free will to make the choice to convert and believe in Christ Jesus, He must still grant you that privilege. But, do not use this as an excuse as to why you fail to do so, for He is faithful to grant the priviledge according to His promise, and the power to overcome and tear down strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4, Nahum 3:12).

Pray for yourself, as Paul prayed for the Ephesians, "to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man".

Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

2010-05-22T08:00:00.001-04:00

In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel placed their faith in God, but because they had God in the world in a physical form, which they could witness, and because they had the Holy Spirit, within the inner sanctuary, they did not receive the Holy Ghost which is given under the New Testament by faith in Christ. Although, a few chosen Kings and Prophets did recieve it, it was not generally given (John 7:39) to the regenerate children of God, whether Jew or Gentile. This is why the Gentiles of the Old Testament were without God in the world and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope.

Romans 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

2010-05-21T06:00:00.006-04:00

The "election of grace" is not the same as the election of God, which was before the foundations of the world. The context of this passage suggests an election by obedience. Recently, it occurred to me what Paul was actually saying.

In verses 14 – 16, Paul comments that there is a possibility of this group being provoked into becoming a part of this remnant, a sure sign this election take place in the present. In verse 16, he indicates that they are Holy, being part of the same lump as the firstfruit, partaking of the root. He describes them as the branches which were removed, which once were partakers of the same root that this remnant now partakes. Therefore, this is a choosing, or an act of picking out, performed by grace.

How does grace pick and chose?

It chooses those who are able to humble themselves and believe the gospel. It chooses those who seek for deliverance. Of such a people, Jesus spoke in Matthew 5 when He said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." and so on. The gospel is not for the rich, for it is a very difficult thing for them. It is for those who see themselves in need of a physician. For this reason only a remnant will be saved presently.

1 Corinthians 1:21 & 27 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe… But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

I found the following in the "A Welsh Succession of Primitive Baptist Faith and Practice".

"There has been all along the blood-tinged ages of martyrdom an uninterrupted preservation of the primitive creed and ritual of the church of the Pentecost, so signally inaugurated in the upper room in Jerusalem. There is no missing link in this celestial chain from age to age of the remnant according to the election of grace."

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2010-05-20T06:00:00.000-04:00

Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new kind of person, he is uncommon, his behavior has changed, he is established upon a firm foundation, his priorities have changed, he no longer lives for himself, but for Christ, the old man being subdued; observe, many things about him are different. (Personal Translation)

Therefore, if a man has converted to Christ, he is a new person. He will be different than he was before having noticeable changes in his character. He will be established, unlike before, desiring to be a good and faithful servant. When a person is regenerated, he does not immediately manifest the internal change that occurs during regeneration. The person is not even aware of this change until the new man begins to war against the old man. It is not until the person chooses to convert from his sinful ways and live his life in accordance with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that he is considered to be a new creature. If the person has truly converted, he has put away that which was of the natural and has taken hold of the new which is spiritual (John 3:6). He has begun subduing the old man and its control over him, allowing the new to take the lead. He has become a new person, and according to scripture, has set himself apart from those of unrighteousness, is consider to be a peculiar type of person, and a member of the royal priesthood of God.

Related passages:
John 3:6
Ephesians 4:22
Exodus 19:5
Deuteronomy 14:2
Titus 2:14
1 Peter 2:9

2 Corinthians 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we [him] no more.

2010-05-19T06:00:00.000-04:00

For that reason, from this point forward, we cannot differentiate the regenerate from the rest, when they live according to their carnal nature: nevertheless, we can distinguish Christ according to ones behavior, yet from now on we cannot distinguish Christ any further. (Personal Translation)

Because the regenerate can be in either of these two conditions - unconverted or converted, it is impossible to know if a person is regenerated by observing his behavior, if he has not yet converted to living for Christ. He may not exhibit any characteristics, or he may only exhibit a few characteristics, that could be discerned as one converted. Therefore we can only know that a person is regenerate when he manifests Christ like characteristics, and not by any other means.

2 Corinthians 5:15 And [that] he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

2010-05-18T06:00:00.002-04:00

And [that] he died for all, that they which live (Greek "zao" meaning "are efficacious" – they which have the capacity to live) should not henceforth live (manner of life) unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

And because He died for all his people, those which are efficacious (have the capacity to live) should not hereafter continue a manner of life which is for their own purpose, but instead for the purpose of him which died for them, and rose again. (Personal Translation)

When a person is regenerated he is given the capacity to comprehend spiritual things. In this passage, Paul builds upon that truth, teaching that this type of person should not continue living for himself, like he did before regeneration. Instead, the regenerate person should exercise this new capability to live his life in accordance with the purpose of Christ.

Related passages:
Colossians 1:12

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

2010-05-17T08:00:00.001-04:00

Christ suffered one time, a single act for all of whom He was the sacrificial offering, the righteous for the unrighteous; the innocent for the guilty. "Once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself". "Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many", for if this were not true, then "must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world", each time a person believed and converted.

But Christ did not die for the believers, nor did He die only for those who have become children of God since His death. But instead, He died for all of God’s chosen, since the beginning of time unto the last day. Once for all He died, but not for all of mankind. He was "put to death in the flesh", so that "we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Yes, sanctified - to purify by expiation: free from the guilt of sin -through His death, one time forever more, and not through our faith! "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified". Then after three days in the grave, He was "quickened by the Spirit".

Three days separate His death from His resurrection. These are two different events, each one bearing its’ own significance and accomplishing different things. By His death, we have been purified and freed from the guilt of sin. By His resurrection, death has been swallowed up in victory, for under the Old Testament, death reigned. But now, "a new and living way" has been made possible. Also by His death, He tore down the veil that separated the first tabernacle from the second. Under the Old Testament "the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God". The priests, which were a shadow of the body of believers, accomplished the service of God, void of the Holy Spirit, "for the Holy Ghost was not yet given", "the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest". But of the New Testament, which was to come, Jesus "spake of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive". And now under the new covenant, by our faith, we enter into this "new and living way". For now, "after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory". "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh".

In the Old Testament, God dwelled among a chosen nation of His elect, in the Tabernacle made with hands.

Leviticus 26:3 & 11 "If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them… I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you…"

Deuteronomy 4:30-31 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find [him], if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the LORD thy God is] a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

In the New Testament, God dwells among the believers of His elect, in the tabernacle not made with hands – this is the Holy Spirit of promise.

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

"Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?"

The Regenerate - Converted Defined

2010-05-13T06:00:00.052-04:00

Having obtained the inheritance of eternal life at regeneration (Ephesians 1:11), the converted take current possession (Matthew 19:16, John 3:15) of eternal life, by way of the earnest (Ephesians 1:14).

The converted receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38), the Comforter (John 14:16, John 14:26), the earnest of thier inheritance (Ephesians 1:14). And are partakers of the first resurrection (Revelation 20:5, Revelation 20:6).

They have escaped the condemnation of the carnal man (John 3:18), and have chosen to walk after the Spirit (Romans 8:1), rather than fulfill the desires of the flesh (Ephesians 2:3). They have chosen to mind the things of the Spirit, rather than the desires of the flesh (Romans 8:5). Rather than remaining in the 2nd Death, they have been resurrected to life (Romans 6:4) through the Spirit (Romans 8:13).

Having been born of water, they have now also been born of the Spirit (John 3:5). Or, as John puts it in his first epistle, born of God (1 John 5:4, 1 John 5:18). This new birth of the Spirit is the indwelling of Christ within (John 14:17, John 14:20, John 14:23). The person has freely chosen to love the Lord, and to obey His commandments (John 14:21). By doing so, he has become a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 6:15). He has put away his former life of unrighteousness, for which the wages were death (Romans 6:23), and has yielded himself a servant of righteousness (Romans 6:16) unto obedeince unto God.

Having converted, being quickened by the Spirit (John 5:21, John 6:63, Romans 8:11, Ephesians 2:1), to walk after the Spirit, the person has ceased from sin (1 John 3:9, 1 John 5;18), and has found the victory to overcome the world (1 John 5:4).

The Foreknowledge of God

2010-05-12T06:00:00.000-04:00

Foreknowledge - the knowledge of something before it exists or happens.

This definition can be understood from two different perspectives, and only one is correct, as it pertains to Gods foreknowledge.

From one perspective, God could have looked into the future and chosen a person based upon the persons actions. But, if this was correct, then God would have been a respector of persons. Anything given to the person, as a result of his actions, would have been a debt, rather than a freely given gift.

From the other perspective, God could have predetermined a particular end. This is the proper perspective.
Scriptures states, "God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation" (2 Thessalonians 2:13). He did this so that the person might believe. In other words, God predetermined that each of His elect would be "made meet", or rather enabled (Colossians 1:12), that they might be sanctified by the Spirit and believe in the truth. He did this, "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will" (Ephesians 1:5). God predetermined that His chosen would be regenerated, so that they might freely choose to convert (Ephesians 2:10).

Giving consideration to Acts 2:23, if God's foreknowledge was according to the first perspective above, then that would be to say, God looked into the future the see if Christ would be crucified to allow Him to determine if He could save His people. Sorry, I don't think this is the proper perspective of foreknowledge.

Just remember, NO person, by his own power, can obtain salvation by faith, or by any other means, no matter how much he may desire to do so (Romans 9:15,Romans 9:16, Romans 9:18). It is only possible, if God shows mercy unto the person. It is only possible, if God first enables the person (Colossians 1:12, John 6:65). It is only possible, if God first draws the person (John 6:44, John 6:65), or rather translates the person (Colossians 1:13).