“Now since this charge [the Great Commission from Matthew 28] is expressly given to the apostles along with the preaching of the word, it follows that none can lawfully administer baptism but those who are also the ministers of doctrine. When private persons, and even women, are permitted to baptize, nothing can be more at variance with the ordinance of Christ, nor is it any thing else than a mere profanation.” [1] “By divine institution, they are public, ecclesiastical...
This week, I listened to a sermon from another church. I won’t disclose the name of the church or its location. The preacher’s main focus during the sermon was how to get along with others who disagree with you. He used little Scripture. He didn’t really read Scripture (1 Tim. 4:13) or give the redemptive meaning of Scripture (2 Tim. 4:2). His focus was less faithful exposition than it was application. Besides using some misleading and unhelpful wording about Jesus being a...
“Accordingly, it is said in Mark, He that shall believe and be baptized shall be saved. By these words Christ not only excludes from the hope of salvation hypocrites who, though destitute of faith, are puffed up only by the outward sign; but by a sacred bond he connects baptism with doctrine, so that the latter is nothing more than an appendage of the former. But as Christ enjoins them to teach before baptizing, and desires that none but believers shall be admitted to baptism, it would...
John Calvin’s Word about Roman Catholic Priests Is Still Valid & Also Addresses Prosperity Preachers
“Let us learn from this passage, that the apostleship is not an empty title, but a laborious office; and that, consequently, nothing is more absurd or intolerable than that this honour should be claimed by hypocrites, who live like kings at their ease, and disdainfully throw away from themselves the office of teaching. The Pope of Rome and his band proudly boast of their succession, as if they held this rank in common with Peter and his companions; and yet they pay no more regard to...
This post is not really an interaction with the theories of the empty tomb but rather a list of some theories. Upon careful consideration, it becomes clear that theories competing with the truth of Christ’s resurrection don’t hold up under scrutiny. Much research and writing has been done. If you doubt the resurrection, look into the research. You may want to check out which is reflected below. Theories about the resurrection: Stolen Body Theory – the disciples stole...
How do you act when your spouse sins against you? Sarcasm? Yelling? Cold shoulder? Passive-aggressive behavior? Withholding affection? If we’re honest, we don’t always respond to our spouse’s sin against us with humility, patience, understanding, and forgiveness. I think the best thing a couple can do when they sin against one another is to face the offense together with great self-awareness, humility, and confidence in the gospel allowing Christ to mediate the problem; Christ should...
Reconciling the gospel accounts on the events of the resurrection is a somewhat difficult task, especially for people who struggle with chronology like I do. It’s hard for me to keep timelines and details straight in my head. When you study the gospel accounts about the events surrounding the resurrection, you’ll notice that some details are different. Why is that? Some will say the gospels contradict, however, those who believe in Biblical inerrancy and infallibility are not so...
I hope you need to imagine this and that it’s not a reality for you, but imagine that you’re in major debt, you can’t pay it off, and you’re married. How does the debt affect your marriage? With debt looming, you’re anxious, fearful, discontent, and stressed, which will inevitably impact how you treat your spouse. This one big financial burden is amplifying your sinful struggles and affecting your marriage. I read that “studies have indicated that frequent fights about money are a...
“Either human intelligence ultimately owes its origin to mindless matter; or there is a Creator. It is strange that some people claim that it is their intelligence that leads them to prefer the first to the second.” [1] [1]
“I would say that if you don’t believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ and Messiah, and that he rose again from the dead and by his sacrifice our sins are forgiven, you’re really not in any meaningful sense a Christian.” [1] [1]
