The “floating tradition” argument against the authenticity of the Pericope Adulterae (PA), John 7:53-8:11, is summarized well by Bruce Metzger in 1964, “The pericope is obviously a piece of floating tradition which circulated in certain parts of the Western Church. It was subsequently inserted into various manuscripts at various places” (Text Of The New Testament,… Read More The Pericope Adulterae: A Floating Tradition?
Daniel Featley, Dippers Dipt, Article 4. Concerning the calling of Pastors. ANABAPTIST. That there ought to be no distinction by the Word of God, between the Clergy and the Laity; but that all who are gifted may preach the Word, and administer the Sacraments. THE REFUTATION. This prodigious error, which may be easily convinced not… Read More Difference Between Ministers and Laymen
James Durham A Commentarie Upon the Book of Revelation pp. 511-516. And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which… Read More National Churches Under the New Testament
What is Original Sin? Original sin is both the lack of original righteousness and the inclination or disposition to sin. The imputation of Adam’s guilt can be thought of distinctly from original sin, but the two are integrally related; imputation is forensic, while original sin is habitual and inherent. WCF 6:2. By this sin they… Read More Original Sin: What It Is And How It Is Propagated
“The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture…” (Westminster Confession of Faith 1:6). What does this phrase mean and how may it be proved from Scripture? Westminster… Read More Are Only Explicit Scripture Proofs Valid?
“First, We distinguish between a private brotherly teaching, admonition, exhortation of one another and an authoritative public teaching. The first grounded on charity is the common duty of all Christians, by the royal Law of love, and prescribed to all, even to women, by the Law of God under pain of sin, and this especially… Read More 8 Reasons Only Ministers May Preach
Thomas Manton Commentary on James 2:24 Works, vol. 4, pp. 260-265. You see then how by works a man is justified, and not by faith only (James 2:24). “You see then” — It is either a consectary [that which follows] out of the whole discourse, or out of the particular example of Abraham; he alludeth… Read More Sola Fide: Do Paul and James Contradict?
John Calvin, Commentary on Zechariah 13:3 “And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall… Read More The Death Penalty for Heresy | John Calvin
“Heresy is a gross and dangerous error, voluntarily held and factiously maintained by some person or persons within the visible church, in opposition to some chief or substantial truth or truths grounded upon and drawn from the holy Scripture by necessary consequence.“ George Gillespie, A Treatise of Miscellany Questions, ch. 9. What is meant in… Read More The Biblical Definition of Heresy
Instrumental Music in the Public Worship of the Church by John L. Girardeau A divine warrant is necessary for every element of doctrine, government and worship in the church; that is, whatsoever in these spheres is not commanded in the Scriptures, either expressly or by good and necessary consequence from their statements, is forbidden. 1.… Read More The Regulative Principle of Worship Proven From Scripture
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