Bible Study What is your only comfort in life and in death?

[atpollard]

There will be no more discussion about Calvinism or any doctrines other than the doctrines of Christ.

So let us talk about the Doctrines of Christ ...

What is your only comfort in life and in death?

1. That I am not my own.
   • [1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV] 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
2. That I belong, both body and soul, in life and in death ...
   • [Romans 14:7-9 NIV] 7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
3. ... to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.
   • [1 Corinthians 3:23 NIV] 23 and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.
   • [Titus 2:14 NIV] 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
4. Jesus Christ has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood.
   • [1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV] 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
   • [1 John 1:7-9 NIV] 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
   • [1 John 2:2 NIV] 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
5. Jesus Christ has set me free from the tyranny of the devil.
   • [John 8:34-36 NIV] 34 Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
   • [Hebrews 2:14-15 NIV] 14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-- 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
   • [John 3:1-11 NIV] 1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him." 3 Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." 4 "How can someone be born when they are old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born!" 5 Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." 9 "How can this be?" Nicodemus asked. 10 "You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.

(to be continued)

[Parahrase of original inspirational source whose name is withheld due to T.O.S. and moderator request.]

 

[atpollard]

What is your only comfort in life and in death?

(continued)

1. Jesus Christ watches over me in such a way ...
   • [John 6:39-40 NIV] 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day."
   • [John 10:27-30 NIV] 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one."
   • [2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV] 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
   • [1 Peter 1:3-5 NIV] 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
2. ... that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven.
   • [Matthew 10:29-30 NIV] 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
   • [Luke 21:16-18 NIV] 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish.
3. I am assured that things must work together for my salvation.
   • [Romans 8:28-30 NIV] 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
4. Jesus Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life because I belong to him.
   • [Romans 8:15-16 NIV] 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.
   • [2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NIV] 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
   • [2 Corinthians 5:5 NIV] 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
   • [Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV] 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.
5. Jesus Christ makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.
   • [Romans 8:1-17 NIV] 1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. 12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation--but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

[Parahrase of original inspirational source whose name is withheld due to T.O.S. and moderator request.]

 

[atpollard]

What is your only comfort in life and in death? (See posts #1 and #2 above.)


What must you know to live and die in the joy of this comfort?


1. How great my sin and misery are.

• [Romans 3:9-10 NIV] 9 What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. 10 As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one;
• [1 John 1:10 NIV] 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

2. How I am set free from all my sins and misery.

• [John 17:3 NIV] 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
• [Acts 4:12 NIV] 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."
• [Acts 10:43 NIV] 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

3. How I am to thank God for such deliverance.

• [Matthew 5:16 NIV] 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
• [Romans 6:13 NIV] 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.
• [Ephesians 5:8-10 NIV] 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.
• [2 Timothy 2:15 NIV] 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
• [1 Peter 2:9-10 NIV] 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

[Parahrase of original inspirational source whose name is withheld.]

 

[for_his_glory]

My only comfort in this life and even in physical death is knowing the promises of God that I will have eternal life with Him.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

 

[atpollard]

”For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God." [John 3:16-21 NASB]​

Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) indeed, is the man whose deeds have been wrought in God.

[Ephesians 2:8-10 NASB]

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”​

 

[GodsGrace]

atpollard

Hi,
I read your entire O.P. and it's very beautiful.

I do have a question since the Doctrine of Christ came up in a discussion with for_his_glory (I think)....

What exactly is the Doctrine of Christ
and are you listing what they are....
or are you expounding on them somehow?

 

[atpollard]

atpollard

Hi,
I read your entire O.P. and it's very beautiful.

I do have a question since the Doctrine of Christ came up in a discussion with for_his_glory (I think)....

What exactly is the Doctrine of Christ
and are you listing what they are....
or are you expounding on them somehow?

The “Doctrine of Christ” was presented as the alternative to “Calvinism” in the moderator warning, however I believe that the intent was to discuss the Doctrines that are found in actual scriptures rather than focus on the Calvinism vs Arminianism debate. So the “Doctrine of Christ” is Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21.

What I paraphrased is from the Heidelberg Catechism of 1563.

 

[atpollard]

What is your only comfort in life and in death?

• (See posts #1 and #2 above.)

What must you know to live and die in the joy of this comfort?

• (See posts #3 above.)

How do you come to know your misery?

1. The law of God tells me.

• [Romans 3:20 NIV] 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.
• [Romans 7:7-25 NIV] 7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "You shall not covet." 8 But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead. 9 Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. 11 For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. 12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good. 13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful. 14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

[Parahrase of original inspirational source whose name is withheld.]

 

[atpollard]

• What is your only comfort in life and in death?
• What must you know to live and die in the joy of this comfort?
• How do you come to know your misery?

What does God’s law require of us?

1. Christ teaches us this in summary in Matthew 22:37-40:
“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

• [Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV] 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

This is the greatest and first commandment.

2. “And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

• [Leviticus 19:18 NIV] 18 " 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

“On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

[Parahrase of original inspirational source whose name is withheld.]

 

[atpollard]

• What is your only comfort in life and in death?
• What must you know to live and die in the joy of this comfort?
• How do you come to know your misery?
• What does God’s law require of us?

Can you live up to all this perfectly?

1. No.

• [Romans 3:9-20 NIV] 9 What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. 10 As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." 13 "Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit." "The poison of vipers is on their lips." 14 "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness." 15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 ruin and misery mark their ways, 17 and the way of peace they do not know." 18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes." 19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.
• [Romans 3:23 NIV] 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
• [1 John 1:8-10 NIV] 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

2. We have a natural tendency to hate God and my neighbor.

• [Genesis 6:5 NIV] 5 The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.
• [Jeremiah 17:9 NIV] 9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
• [Romans 7:23-24 NIV] 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?
• [Romans 8:7 NIV] 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.
• [Ephesians 2:1-3 NIV] 1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.
• [Titus 3:3 NIV] 3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

[Parahrase of original inspirational source whose name is withheld.]

 

[JLB]

[John 10:27-30 NIV] 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one.

This is a great scripture and interlocks perfectly with His other teachings.


My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. John 10:27-28




We see from verse 27, that hearing His Voice that results in knowing Him, in which we follow Him is the condition for not being snatched out of His hand, so that we will receive eternal life, after we have been faithful in following Him; His Doctrine and Commandments.



Hebrews sums it up this way -


And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, Hebrews 5:9

• He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him

JLB

 

[for_his_glory]

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. 9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

John 12:47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. 49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

John 14:25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

By these scriptures when we clearly see there is only one true doctrine being that of what God has already spoken that is the same yesterday, today and forever. If what others try to teach us does not line up with the word of God then it has to be the doctrines of devils.

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.

What do we do when confronted by false doctrines, especially in forums? Speak the word of God in all humility with a humbled heart as many do not seek after truth.

 

[atpollard]

What do we do when confronted by false doctrines, especially in forums?

How do you determine that a doctrine is indeed false?
Is any interpretation of scripture that differs from your own ... false?

Let us speak bluntly, I found it very offensive that the official MODERATION made a statement contrasting Calvinism with the Doctrines of Christ. The term for “free will” for the first thousand years of Christendom was “heresy”. Ask Pelagius.

I acknowledge that the “Free Will” Theology has become very popular and dominates most churches in the US (I have no idea about world wide statistics), but I object to the careful biblical study and doctrines supported by Augustine and the Reformation and Spurgeon and R.C. Sproul being dismissed as the teachings of men simply because some posters or moderators disagree with their biblical theology.

You may disagree to your hearts content, but I will not allow the faith of the Protestant Reformers and the Pilgrims to be silenced because YOU cannot see in scripture what they clearly saw.

The Heidelberg Catechism is probably the oldest Catechism for the Reformed faith and presents what “Calvinists” (like me) actually believe. If your intent was to actually ban Calvinism and Monergism to make Free Will and Synergism the official and exclusive position of this board, then issue a clear statement that this is an Arminian Only site.

 

[atpollard]

We see from verse 27, that hearing His Voice that results in knowing Him, in which we follow Him is the condition for not being snatched out of His hand, so that we will receive eternal life, after we have been faithful in following Him; His Doctrine and Commandments.

Verse 27 does not actually say that, it simply presents three statements of fact that are all true. You have added the “A causes B“ and ”C is a condition for D”.

Verse 27 states ...

• "My sheep hear My voice,
• and I know them,
• and they follow Me.
• [John 10:27 NKJV]

Two other translations even parse the sentence differently making it clearer that “My sheep hear my voice;” is separate from the related “I know them, and they follow me.”

[NIV] My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
[NLT] My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

However, I think the emphasis in the verse is on the contrast with the verse before it (not His sheep vs His sheep) since the whole chapter is one of contrasts. The Good Shepherd vs the hired hand, etc.

I read of no explicit condition for NOT being snatched out of God’s hand except the obvious one (you have to be in God’s hand in the first place).

 

[JLB]

Verse 27 does not actually say that, it simply presents three statements of fact that are all true. You have added the “A causes B“ and ”C is a condition for D”.

Verse 27 states ...

• "My sheep hear My voice,
• and I know them,
• and they follow Me.
• [John 10:27 NKJV]

Two other translations even parse the sentence differently making it clearer that “My sheep hear my voice;” is separate from the related “I know them, and they follow me.”

[NIV] My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
[NLT] My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

However, I think the emphasis in the verse is on the contrast with the verse before it (not His sheep vs His sheep) since the whole chapter is one of contrasts. The Good Shepherd vs the hired hand, etc.

I read of no explicit condition for NOT being snatched out of God’s hand except the obvious one (you have to be in God’s hand in the first place).

So following Christ is not a requirement of receiving eternal life?

If Jesus Christ is our Lord, aren’t we supposed to obey Him, to follow His teachings and commandments, which are about loving God and loving our neighbor?




What happens to His sheep that stop following Him?




JLB

 

[JLB]

I read of no explicit condition for NOT being snatched out of God’s hand except the obvious one (you have to be in God’s hand in the first place).

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. John 15:2


Do you know how the scriptures instruct us to remain
“in Christ”?


Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 1 John 3:24



JLB

 

[JLB]

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.

What do we do when confronted by false doctrines, especially in forums? Speak the word of God in all humility with a humbled heart as many do not seek after truth

Amen.


Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20




JLB

 

[JLB]

So let us talk about the Doctrines of Christ ...

Great topic.


For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17


It’s very comforting to know that God loves me, that Jesus Christ came to save us and not condemn us.


He is for us. We can trust Him.



JLB

 

[GodsGrace]

The “Doctrine of Christ” was presented as the alternative to “Calvinism” in the moderator warning, however I believe that the intent was to discuss the Doctrines that are found in actual scriptures rather than focus on the Calvinism vs Arminianism debate. So the “Doctrine of Christ” is Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21.

What I paraphrased is from the Heidelberg Catechism of 1563.

I've always believed that the Doctrine of Christ is what JESUS taught in His ministry.

IOW,,,,in Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus gives the Apostles instructions to go into all the world and preach what He taught them.

Wouldn't what Jesus taught the Apostles be the Doctrine of Christ?

Could anyone please correct me if I'm mistaken about this.

 

[GodsGrace]

How do you determine that a doctrine is indeed false?
Is any interpretation of scripture that differs from your own ... false?

Let us speak bluntly, I found it very offensive that the official MODERATION made a statement contrasting Calvinism with the Doctrines of Christ. The term for “free will” for the first thousand years of Christendom was “heresy”. Ask Pelagius.

I acknowledge that the “Free Will” Theology has become very popular and dominates most churches in the US (I have no idea about world wide statistics), but I object to the careful biblical study and doctrines supported by Augustine and the Reformation and Spurgeon and R.C. Sproul being dismissed as the teachings of men simply because some posters or moderators disagree with their biblical theology.

You may disagree to your hearts content, but I will not allow the faith of the Protestant Reformers and the Pilgrims to be silenced because YOU cannot see in scripture what they clearly saw.

The Heidelberg Catechism is probably the oldest Catechism for the Reformed faith and presents what “Calvinists” (like me) actually believe. If your intent was to actually ban Calvinism and Monergism to make Free Will and Synergism the official and exclusive position of this board, then issue a clear statement that this is an Arminian Only site.

A,
History of the church is not so simple as you make it out to be.

Here is a small article from Wikipedia on Pelagius:

Pelagius (c. AD 354 – 418) was a theologian who advocated free will and asceticism. He was accused by Augustine of Hippo and others of denying the need for divine aid in performing good works. They understood him to have said that the only grace necessary was the declaration of the law; humans were not wounded by Adam's sin and were perfectly able to fulfill the law without divine aid. Pelagius denied Augustine's theory of original sin. His adherents cited Deuteronomy 24:16 in support of their position. Pelagius was declared a heretic by the Council of Carthage (418). His interpretation of a doctrine of free will became known as Pelagianism.


And here is what is said further down in the article:

Recent analysis of his thinking suggests that it was, in fact, highly orthodox, following in the tradition established by the early fathers and in keeping with the teaching of the church in both the East and the West. ... From what we are able to piece together from the few sources available... it seems that the Celtic monk held to an orthodox view of the prevenience of God's grace, and did not assert that individuals could achieve salvation purely by their own efforts...[1]

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelagius


The ECFs believed in free will.
They believed that all men could be saved if this is what they desired.
The DID NOT believe that God chose the saved and the lost, but that man had a PART in his salvation,,,known as synergism today.

They considered Pelagius to be a heretic because he felt man could not sin of his own will and strength and we know this to be not true....the Holy Spirit must assist us in keeping us from sin. God IS necessary; we cannot walk on our own but the Paraclete was sent to us for this very reason...each of the Trinitarian Persons having their own task although all are God. One God.

The Reformers conveniently picked Augustine to emulate.
The problem is that Augustine had a totally different outlook on Original Sin which was NOT what the ECFs believed about it.
I take the ECFs to be till about 325AD at the Council of Nicea.
Augustine comes into view at about 400AD.

And if the reformers wanted to choose Augustine,,, why not teach what he actually believed instead of changing it to double predestination? And then we'd have to ask at which point of Augustine's life did he believe what --- he changed his mind on different subjects as he became older.

In any case, he believed in predestination, not double predestination. NONE of the ECFs believed what he taught. The church DID accept his doctrine on Original Sin which is why infants are baptized in the Catholic church...to which he belonged.

I do wish his name would stop being used to promote something he did not believe.

The Catholic Church is from the beginning....
why do you suppose the reformers knew more about what Jesus taught than those that come directly after Him?

This has never made sense to me.

If we want to learn from men...and I do...
then why not learn from those that were discipled by Peter or John or Paul??? Wouldn't THEY know better what Jesus taught?
(than someone born 1,500 YEARS after??)