Category: Exegesis

8 Ways To Understand The Bible Properly

We have spoken of the supreme authority for interpreting Scripture, which we have proved to belong to the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scriptures, not to Fathers, or Councils, or Popes. We have now to treat concerning the means of finding the sense of Scripture. The church, indeed, hath always used some means in the interpretation of Scripture. Here I will enumerate first those means which are proposed by our divines; which if we make a lawful and holy application of, we shall not miss of the true meaning, and which the church herself is bound to use, unless she prefer to go wrong in the interpretation of Scripture.… Read More 8 Ways To Understand The Bible Properly

Paul J. BarthLeave a comment

Cessation of the Miraculous Gifts | John Calvin

Miracles were promised only for a time, in order to give luster to the gospel, while it was new and in a state of obscurity… The true design for which miracles were appointed was, that nothing which was necessary for proving the doctrine of the gospel should be wanting at its commencement. And certainly we see that the use of them ceased not long afterwards. … Read More Cessation of the Miraculous Gifts | John Calvin

Paul J. Barth1 Comment

Fourfold Loosing & Binding of Satan

There is a fourfold loosing and raging of the devil mentioned in the Word, and there is a fourfold victory of the Church over him in opposition to these, also spoken of: 1) Satan’s Personal Dominion & Casting Out of Heaven. 2) Satan’s National Dominion & Casting Down. 3) Satan’s Antichristian Dominion & Millennial Binding. 4) Satan’s Little Season & Casting into Hell for Eternity.… Read More Fourfold Loosing & Binding of Satan

Paul J. Barth2 Comments

Genesis 6: Fallen Angels Or Sons of Seth?

Carl Friedrich Keil (1807-1888)Commentary on Genesis 6:1-8,Pentateuch, pp. 80-88. The genealogies in Genesis 4 and 5, which trace the development of the human race through two fundamentally different lines, headed by Cain and Seth, are accompanied by a description of their moral development, and the statement that through marriages between the “sons of God ”… Read More Genesis 6: Fallen Angels Or Sons of Seth?

Paul J. Barth1 Comment

Pharaoh’s Magicians Were Incapable Of True Miracles

Now Jannes and Jambres (for so Paul calls them in 2 Timothy 3:8), the magicians of Egypt, did work the same miracles which Moses and Aaron had done. But here was the difference: Moses made true creatures and wrought true miracles, whereas they did all in appearance and outward show. For theirs were not truly real actions, but only magical illusions, wrought by the sleight and subtlety of the devil in the practice of juggling. And because some think that the serpents and frogs, caused by the magicians, were true creatures, and all their other works as really and truly done as those which Moses and Aaron did, I will here stand a little to show and prove the contrary, that they were only in show and appearance, and not in deed and truth.… Read More Pharaoh’s Magicians Were Incapable Of True Miracles

Paul J. BarthLeave a comment

Four Reasons Samuel Did Not Return From The Dead

Necromancy is when Satan is consulted within the form of a dead man. A memorable example hereof is recorded in 1 Samuel 28. First, I prove that the opinion which says that true Samuel appeared unto Saul is a flat untruth by four reasons. Response to four objections. Observations about Witchcraft from 1 Samuel 28: First, that there is a league between the witch and the devil. Second, the devil will be ready at the call and command of witches and sorcerers when they are intending any mischief. Third, by this, the great power of the devil in the behalf of the sorcerer is made manifest.… Read More Four Reasons Samuel Did Not Return From The Dead

Paul J. Barth1 Comment

Polygamy in the Old Testament

God did not approve the polygamy of the fathers or commend it, but did only tolerate it as a lesser evil for the preventing of a greater. Marriage is the indivisible conjunction of one man and one woman only. This Christ of purpose teaches (Matt. 19) where He says that “God created them at the first man and woman,” and not women (v. 4), “that a man must forsake father and mother, and cleave to his wife,” not to his wives (v. 5), that “they twain shall be one flesh” (v. 6). And in all this Christ makes no new law, but only revives the first institution of marriage made in paradise. And Moses having set down this divine institution, adds withal that Lamech was the first that broke it by taking many wives.… Read More Polygamy in the Old Testament

Paul J. BarthLeave a comment