-
My Prototype Of The Sovereign Grace Framework
I use for the backdrop of my teaching ministry something called the Framework of Sovereign Grace. It is a diagram designed to illustrate the masterplan of God for the ages. This diagram emerged around ten years ago while expounding the ninth chapter of Paul's letter to the Romans. Initially, it served as an aid to my own understanding of sovereign grace and the biblical covenants. However, it wasn't long before I incorporated it into my teaching ministry. Visual aids have always been an essential tool for my learning, and while not everyone may be a fan, I am encouraged by men such as William Perkins and John Bunyan, both of whom illustrated their framework of teachings with a diagram. My framework differs from theirs, but…
-
The Origin Of The Reformed Baptist Movement In America
How often do we hear the Reformed Baptists (RB) lay claim to the historic legacy of the Particular Baptists (PB), as if the two groups are one and the same? The English RB's lay claim to this heritage based on their requisition of historic PB chapels and the imposition of 'reforms' they have made to the churches. The American RB's lay claim to it based on their perceived oneness with the seventeenth century PB's, responsible for drawing up the 1689 Confession. Since the RB's are 'confessional', subscribing to the 1689 as the standard statement around which their movement is solidified, so it is assumed the PB's have always been 'confessional', subscribing to the same statement for the same reason. Henceforth, if the PB's were 1689…
-
The Gospel Law
Question 1. What blessings are connected with faith in Christ Jesus? Answer. The blessings connected with faith in Christ Jesus are, a freedom from the bondage of sin, Satan, the world, death and the law, with free access to the Father, and a hearty welcome to all the glory of the gospel and the blessings of God's house. (Jn 3.14-17; Rom 5.2 & 6.14 & 8.1-4; Eph 2.18-22; l Jn 2.12-14 & 5.4-5) Question 2. Since a believer is made free from the law, is it any part of his freedom to be at liberty to sin? Answer. No; for he is called to holiness; and though he is dead to, and free from, the law of works, he is not now, nor does he…
-
Error Concerning the Covenant of Grace to be Resisted
William Styles published a book in 1902 entitled, “A Guide to Church Fellowship, as Maintained by Primitive, or Strict and Particular Baptists”. On pages 31 and 32, under the general heading, “ Error Concerning the Covenant of Grace to be Resisted”, the following statement is found: “Any so-called Gospel which expressly or implicitly denies these truths [anti-duty-faith and anti-free-offer]—which represents the regeneration and conversion of sinners to be contingent on the earnestness and activity of “Gospel workers”—or the progress of God’s salvation...
-
Duty-Faith is Denied by All Strict/Particular Baptists
William Styles published a book in 1902 entitled, “A Guide to Church Fellowship, as Maintained by Primitive, or Strict and Particular Baptists”. On pages 78 and 79, under the general heading, “Duty-Faith is Denied by All Strict and Particular Baptists”, the following statement is found: “Duty-faith is the doctrine that it is the duty of natural men to exercise spiritual Faith in the Lord Jesus, and so to obtain salvation. Its emphatic denial is a distinguishing feature of the Strict and...
-
Strict Baptist Beginnings