In the Ark, believers find everything good and necessary for life and eternal salvation. Hence, we must not seek them in men: not in Saint Mary, Peter, or Paul, much less in the Roman indulgences. We seek our treasure in the One in whom all fulness dwells, and in whom are hid all the treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge; the One who entered the Holy of Holies, and rules in Heaven above: Jesus Christ.… Read More Jesus Is The Ark Of The Covenant
Many who were raised in a Christian home cannot remember a time when they did not love Jesus. Others were not raised Christian, but had a comparatively radical conversion experience. Must Christians pinpoint the exact moment of their salvation? Are you really born again if you don’t recall the precise moment it occurred? In the following excerpt, Herman Witsius explores how the fruit of regeneration can develop differently from person to person as they grow in grace. While actively and personally embracing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is urgently necessary even for covenant children, is it the case that they will always remember when that decision was initially made? Whether slow or spontaneous, early or late, the fruits of grace and a consistent pattern of walking in newness of life—not the timestamp—are the true evidence of being born again.… Read More Do Christians Need to Recall Their Moment of Salvation?
The Intermediate State is a trending belief among Evangelicals, proposing that sheol/hades is a separate place for departed souls aside from Heaven and Hell. This problematic and unbiblical view lacks scriptural support, contradicts the destiny of Old Testament saints, and can lead to theological inconsistencies across doctrines like Christology, Soteriology, and Eschatology. This erroneous understanding serves to reinforce additional errors and should be diligently corrected.… Read More Heaven or Hades? Old Testament Saints in the Intermediate State
James Durham demonstrates that Christ acted as Intercessor before His incarnation. He outlines the differences between Christ’s intercession in the Old and New Testaments, emphasizing the change in basis, relationship, manner, and impact. Old Testament saints had true consolation in Christ’s intercession for them in their life and death.… Read More Christ: The Intercessor of the Old Testament Church
The ceremonial law was abolished to promote the spirituality of divine worship. That service was gross, carnal, calculated for an infant and sensitive church. It consisted in rudiments, the circumcision of the flesh, the blood and smoke of sacrifices, the streams of incense, observation of days, distinction of meats, corporal purifications; every leaf of the law is clogged with some rite to be particularly observed by them. The spirituality of worship lay veiled under a thick cloud, that the people could not behold the glory of the gospel, which lay covered under those shadows: ‘They could not stedfastly look to the end of that which was abolished’ (2 Cor. 3:13). They understood not the glory and spiritual intent of the law, and therefore came short of that spiritual frame in the worship of God, which was their duty; and therefore, in opposition to this administration, the worship of God under the gospel is called by our Saviour in the text, a worship in spirit; more spiritual for the matter, more spiritual for the motives, and more spiritual for the manner and frames of worship.… Read More The Abrogation of the Ceremonial Law
William Perkins,Commentary on Hebrews 11:40,Works III, pp. 394-397 “God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:40). “For us”—that is, for the church in the New Testament, where note that God’s church and the state thereof in the New Testament is better than it was… Read More Five Ways the New Covenant Surpasses The Old
The intercession of Christ is perpetual. This perpetuity was prefigured of old by the constant fire on the brazen altar, by the daily holocaust of sweet savour, and by the perpetual incense—all of which were brought to a point by the burning of incense on the Day of Atonement. Christ is a nobler Priest, and He belongs to a more noble dispensation. He lives forever as the God-man. His is a personal life; but He also lives forever officially as Priest. And His office is therefore not transferable. He exercises an unchangeable priesthood. As His pleas are of everlasting force, so He ever lives to plead them. His meritorious undying love is constant, fervent, and unchangeable. His fulfillment of the conditions of the Covenant is an enduring ground for pleading the promises.… Read More Christ’s Intercession In The Old & New Testaments
Herman WitsiusEconomy of the CovenantsBook 4, ch. 15, vol. 2, pp. 413-421. Of the Benefits of the New Testament. We may reckon among the benefits of the New Testament the restoration of the Israelites, who were formerly rejected, and the bringing them back to the communion of God in Christ. Paul has unfolded this mystery… Read More The Future Restoration of Israel
James Bannerman The Church of Christ Part I, ch. 1. Many, perhaps indeed most, of the controversies which have arisen in connection with ecclesiastical theology, are to be traced back to fundamental differences of opinion regarding the essential nature and character of that society which Christ has instituted. The different or opposite notions which men… Read More Church: Five Ways Scripture Uses the Term
Theodore Beza Sermons upon the Three Chapters of the Canticle of Canticles (1587) First Sermon upon the First Chapter It is written as followeth in the title of the third book of Solomon: “The Canticle of Canticles, or Song of Songs, of Solomon.” (Songs 1:1). The principal points handled in the first Sermon. 1. Read… Read More Eight Principles for the True Exposition of the Song of Solomon
Purely Presbyterian 