Presbytopia Session 5

Part 2 Reformed Distinctives

RECAP

Ken points out on page 61 in our text that we are now going to be diving into Reformed distinctives.

Ken distinguishes these teachings as Observing Everything vs essential teaching which all Christians must hold too if they are actually believers in Christ.

So essential teaching would be

God’s Word to Man

General and Special Revelation

66 Books in the Bible, The Canon is closed.

Inspiration, Inerrancy, Infallibility

Who he is

God’s Attributes, he is incomprehensible, Omni present.

Christians Must believe in one God and three persons Father Son and Holy Spirit.

Christians must believe that Christ is the only redeemer of God’s people.

Who He was

What does it mean to be an image bearer of God.

What a covenant is

What is the covenant of Works.

What is the covenant of Grace.

Did Adam succeed in the covenant of Works?

What man Has Done

What is Sin

What is Original Sin

And how does this Sin effect all mankind descending from him?

The consequences of sin?

And what is worse than death?

What God has Done through Christ?

What is the Covenant of Grace?

And were did it originate Gen 3:15 “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.””

What is the incarnation and Why is it necessary for Salvation?

What did the resurrection accomplish?

Applying What God has Done

Why is Justification called an Act of God’s free Grace?

What is imputation?

Explain the parts of Saving Faith. Receiving and Resting.

What is the relationship between Faith and Works

Applying What God is doing.

Why Sanctification is called a work of God’s Free Grace?

How Sanctification is a renewal of the image of God in believers lives.

The Role you play in Sanctification?

Either taking advantage of the means of Grace which renew you the Word and sacraments.

Or neglecting the means of Grace.

Not believing you can obtain sinless perfection in this lifetime.

Knowing the three uses of the Law.

And interpreting the ten commandments in both positive and negative and internal and external significance.

Ken says the MORE THAN ESSENTIAL TEACHINGS involve and application of Mat 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

Specifically the “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

He says Christian essential describe the BEING of the church

And REFORMED Distinctives involve the WELL - BEIG of the church.

We as Presbyterians in the English speaking world come from

John Knox (1514-1572) Give me Scotland or I die.

Charles Hodge in America (1797-1878)

The commissioners tot he Westminster Assembly which met in London at the Westminster Abbey between (1643-1652)

Ken Outlines this next section of the Book with three distinctives:

TULIP,

GOVERMENT,

And Worship

CHAPTER 8 TULIP Doctrines of Grace

CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHAT THE ACRONYM TULIP STANDS FOR?

Total Depravity

Unconditional Election

Limited Atonement

Irresistible Grace

Perseverance of the Saints

Q1. What does total depravity mean?

WAIT FOR THEIR ANSWER

Lets Look up some verses

Gen 6:5 “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

Why Didn’t the Flood take car of that problem?

Because sin is something we inherit because of Adam.

God says in Genesis

Gen 8:21 “And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.”

Our Confession says

The Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 16

Question 16

Did all mankind fall in Adam’ s first transgression?

The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression. (Gen. 2:16–17, Rom. 5:12, 1 Cor. 15:21–22)

The proof scriptures for our catechism say

Gen 2:16-17 “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.””

Rom 5:12 “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—”

1 Cor 15:21-22 “For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”

Next Ken asks the question

Q2. What does total Inability mean?

Sin has rendered man incapable of choosing God.

The WSC says

The Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 18

Question 18

Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?

The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam’ s first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called Original Sin; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it. (Rom. 5:12,19, Rom. 5:10–20, Eph. 2:1–3, James 1:14–15, Matt. 15:19)

The Scriptures say

Rom 8:7 “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.”

1 Cor 2:14 “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”

So man is broken we are totally depraved and incapable of choosing God in the estate.

which leads us to our next question.

This is what will have those not in the Reformed church's in America all upset over.

What about FREE WILL?

How can God call us to Faith if in our Natural state its impossible to believe in God?

Q3. How does man have Free Will?

Free will refers to choices determined by our nature.

Ken uses the great illustration of men and fish

Men may want to go swimming and breath underwater.

But what the problem?

We can’t breath under water.

We don’t have the power to do it.

But a fish he has the power.

It comes naturally to fish.

So just because we have free will doesn’t mean that we can overcome our nature.

Ken uses the example of the Freest being in the Universe to explain this further.

God can only act according to his nature.

So if he has loved you and called you from before the foundation of the World.

He isn’t going to change His mind about you.

which leads us into the question of foreknowledge.

Q4. What is involved in foreknowledge?

Let’s look up some passages.

Jer 1:5 ““Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.””

So God knew us before we were even formed in our mothers womb.

Ken points out that knowledge is connected with entering a relationship.

God doesn't simply know about us.

He knows us intimately.

And this foreknowledge is only the begging.

It leads us into our next question.

Q5. Explain the two parts of predestination. Why are some people offended by the doctrine of predestination?

The Bible expresses this doctrine in two ways.

One Election unto life.

And the other

Reprobation unto death.

WSC 20 teaches the election unto life

The Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 20

Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?

God having, out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, (Eph. 1:4) did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a Redeemer. (Rom. 3:20–22, Gal. 3:21–22)

The Bible says in

Eph 1:4 “even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love”

Eph 1:5 “he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,”

So we find out that election is eternal

its something that happened before the foundation of the world.

And who was around then?

Only God was around because he is eternal.

Election was also purposeful according to God’s perfect will.

And election is loving.

Sinners deserved Hell but God out of his love predestined sinners to be adopted as His children.

The Bible says regarding this doctrine in Romans 9 reguarding Jacob and Esau

Rom 9:11-13 “though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.””

We see this taught in acts 13

Acts 13:48 “And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.”

And Ken points us back to Romans as to whether God is just in his decision of election

Rom 9:14-16 “What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.”

God has mercy on who he will have mercy on.

And this is Just.

Next in question 6

Q6. What is limited atonement and how does it logically follow from unconditional election?

Limited atonement provides security for God’s people.

We don’t have to worry that if we do something wrong it changes our relationship regarding salvation with God.

Ken points out if you come to church on Sunday

And its been a difficult week.

Sin has been wearing you down.

You feel like more of a sinner than a saint.

You don’t have to worry if God chose you apart from anything you do.

Thats why limited atonement is a comforting doctrine.

Q7. Why is limited atonement important?

Becasue Christ only saves those that God the Father has chosen before the foundation of the World.

The Bible teaches limited atonement in John

John 6:37 “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”

also in John 17:9 “I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.”

Ken does point out how some christians don’t believe this because of passages like

John 3:16 ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Whoever Believes again is conditional a man dead in his sins unless regenerated by God and unless he is chosen by God cannot choose anything but to remain dead.

and John 12:32 “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.””

All people doesn’t mean every last human being.

Some people when Christ was lifted up on the cross didn’t believe.

So the Bible isn’t wrong

Rather those who say all men can come to Christ are taking the Bible out of context.

Remember Scripture interprets Scripture.

We can’t put our own meaning on the Scripture.

And Scripture clearly teaches that some will spend the rest of eternity in Hell.

Lets look up

Matt 10:28 “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Mark 9:43 “And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.”

Ken points out that some church's teach that Jesus died for everyone.

This makes faith the deciding Factor in Salvation.

And it means that Jesus didn’t actually save anyone.

He only provided the possibility of Salvation for those who exercise their free will and accept the offer.

Ken points out that the doctrine of total inability reminds us that a will oriented towards sin can never accept this offer.

Ken also points out that limited atonement means something greater

Definite atonement

That Jesus actually provides more than the possibility of Salvation.

He actually Saved his people.

Ken points us to Revelation as another passage that confirms this teaching of limited atonement

Rev 5:9 “And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,”

Ken points out that the Ransoming is past tense

It already occured in space and time.

It’s not a possibility that depends on a human response.

It’s rather based on God’s plan of Salvation

It means that hope is solely dependent on Christs work in History.

And this is comforting that Salvation doesn’t depend on my actions or your actions.

But on our eternal loving God’s actions.

Next in Question 8

Q8. What is irresistible grace and how does it logically follow from limited atonement?

The father has chosen a people before the foundation of the World.

And they cannot resist him.

Who would want to resist hime anyway.

Lets look at some passages of Scripture

Rom 8:30 “And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”

John 9:19 “and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?””

John 6:44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.”

Q9. What is the difference between general and effectual calling?

So ken points out that God issues a GENERAL CALL

This takes place with the preaching of the Gospel to all people.

But we know not all hear this call according to

Matt 22:14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.””

But as the Word is preached the Spirit of God takes what is preached and turns it into an effectual call for God’s elect.

Which means it has an effect on you.

it wakes you up out of your sin and misery.

And calls you into his marvelous light.

He references Lydia and the prayer service in Philippi

Acts 16:14 “One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.”

then Ken quotes 1 peter referencing that she was born again through the living and abiding Word of God 1Peter 1:23 “since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;”

What happens in the latter?

Then Ken points us to the story of Nicodemus regarding this second Birth this effectual calling.

John 3:3-5 “Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

Ken points out that he was pointing out to this Israelite scholar most likley

Ezek 36:25-27 “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.”

Irresistible Grace means that God grants grace

God grants new life to sinners incapable of choosing God.

Lastly question 10

Q10. What is the perseverance of the saints and how does it logically follow from the rest of Tulip?

We can’t loose our Salvation

Rom 8:30 “And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”

We are glorified.

Ken points out that Paul’s argument in Romans is spoken of in the past tense.

Ken also drops the other shoe of those who would teach the opposite and try to use the Bible to do so

Hebrews 6:4-6 “For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.”

And this is a real warning against apostacy that we need to take serious.

But the question is were they really saved in the first place?

he points us to 1 John 2:19 “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.”

This Scripture gives us more understanding into the Hebrews passage.

They were pretending

they were in the church but really were not believers

they were lying tot those in the church and themselves most likely

Whether knowingly or unknowingly.

Not every church member who walks away from the faith is irrevocably lost correct?

They may one day be saved.

They may one day have that General Call become an effectual call.

He references Peter who denied Christ three times

Luke 22:52-62 “Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you a…”

And then John 10:28 “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

The key thing is only God knows the heart of a man.

Ken points out what persistence meant to Paul in

1 Cor 9:24 “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.”

Perseverance means that God not only saves us but that he keeps us

He then quotes PAUL IN PHILLIPIANS ABOUT STAYING THE COURSE OF WHAT WE HAVE BEEN CALLED TO

Phil 3:12 “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”

AND LET US HAVE THIS SAME GOAL IN MIND AS WE PRESS TOWARDS THE CALL OF GOD IN OUR LIVES.

LET US CLOSE IN PRAYER

Chapter 9 Government Biblically Balanced.

Q1. What are the Old Testament foundations for church government and how did they find fulfillment in the New Testament?

Q2. How does Christ Rule His church?

Q3. What is Episcopalianism and what are its problems?

Q4. What is congregationalism and what are its problems?

Q5. What is Presbyterianism?

How does the Old Testament inform our understanding of this system?

Q6. How are word ministers and ruling elders differentiated in the New Testament?

Q7. What are the origins and responsibilities of Deacons?