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30 Bible Doctrine – The Emergence Of 17th Century Hyper-Calvinism
I would like to welcome you back to another study in Bible Doctrine. In our previous study, I pointed out the broadest definition for Hyper-Calvinism is any teaching which goes beyond that of Calvin himself. It is in that sense I am using the label as we consider the emergence of Hyper-Calvinism during the 17th century. I believe there are two branches of Hyper-Calvinism, one which came about during the 17th century, beginning with the publication of John Calvin’s Institutes in the year 1536 and culminating with the 1689 Baptist confession; the other came about during the 18th century, beginning with two sermons preached by Benjamin Keach in the year 1692 and culminating in the year 1770 with John Gill’s Body of Divinity. In addition…
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The Nature And Design Of Gospel Invitations
The occasion of the following Sermon having been preached, and of its being now published to the world, is as follows. An association of Baptist Ministers in London, maintaining the distinguishing doctrines of the Gospel, are in the habit of meeting together once in three months, at each other's places of worship, for their mutual edification, and to promote union among their respective Churches; after which, a sermon is preached, on a previously appointed subject. Being one of that Association, I was at our meeting in June last, chosen the Lecturer for the next occasion, and the subject assigned me was, “The nature and design of the invitations of the Gospel." Accordingly on the 22nd of September, 1835, being through the kind providence of God,…
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Article 8 – Justification And Forgiveness
Articles Of The Faith And Order Of A Primitive Or Strict And Particular Baptist Church Of The Lord Jesus Christ, Based On The Declaration Of Faith And Practice Of John Gill, D. D., 1720 VIII. Justification and Forgiveness. We believe that the Justification of God's elect is by the righteousness of Christ imputed to them, without the consideration of any works of righteousness done by them,[1] and that the full and free Pardon of all their sins and transgressions, past, present, and to come, is only through the blood of Christ, according to the riches of Divine grace.[2] ------------------------------- [1] Ps 71:16; Is 45:24; Dan 9:24; Rom 3:24-26; 5:19; 8:30 [2] 2 Cor 5:21; Phil 3:8,9; Tit 3:5; Ps 32:1; Rom 4:6,7; Is 38:17; Hosea…
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SINAI – The Way Of Death
Sinai is a desert; a barren, desolate, inhospitable and largely lifeless place. How suitable that God should give the law in Sinai. It is the place of death and the killing letter. Here Moses received the Ten Commandments on two tables of stone. Today travellers to Mount Sinai reach the summit along a steep track of 3,750 so-called steps of penitence between two towering walls of solid rock. It is a fitting reminder of how Moses’ two tablets of stone have, by design, shut out the light of grace and weighed down the poor convicted soul. Making it, says Paul “the ministration of death”. How adamant the “killing letter” of the law has proved to be by its relentless condemnation and its barren, fruitless “yoke…
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What Does It Mean To Be Reformed?
The sermons from which this tract sprang were preached to the Grace Baptist Church of Danville in Danville, Kentucky - USA, November 2, 1997 by Pastor Don Fortner. The tract is taken directly from the pastor’s sermon notes, with as few changes as possible. It was intended for our congregation, and is offered to the public only because of numerous requests that it be put into print. Tapes of the original messages preached in Danville are available. “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” - Colossians 2:8 We are warned repeatedly to beware of false religion, false doctrine, and false prophets. Here Paul urges us to beware of those who…
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An Unworthy Gospel (Fullerism)
The 18th century is often called the Century of Reason. This is because Newtonian scientists and philosophers such as Locke taught that the workings of the known world and the ways of the unknown God could all be demonstrated by logical deduction. Men of letters such as Beattie and Blair in Scotland and Lessing in Germany taught that following the paths of logic was akin to following in the footsteps of God. Lessing even went so far as to say that Christ had the right use of reason in mind when He promised that the Holy Spirit would come. In his Education of the Human Race, Lessing pointed out that by the aid of reason, man would go on to perfection and finally reach a…