Category: Sacraments

God’s Sovereignty & the Means of Grace

The sovereignty of God is displayed in the diverse effects of the application of the gospel, showing His absolute freedom and control. The gospel’s impact varies, with some immediately responding, others taking longer, and still only hardening others. This demonstrates God’s dominion in guiding and determining the outcomes—highlighting the need for our humble acceptance, gratitude, and reliance on Christ for His sovereignty and grace.… Read More God’s Sovereignty & the Means of Grace

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You Must Be Born Of Water And Spirit

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5). What does it mean to be “born of water and of the Spirit”? Some see this text as support for the doctrine of baptismal regeneration. Accordingly, they claim that the sacrament of baptism is necessary to enter the kingdom of God. However, such a reading is tenuous and unbiblical. We will first demonstrate that “water” here refers to the inward cleansing of the Holy Spirit. And secondly, we will give five reasons why “water and the Spirit” does not refer to the sacrament of baptism.… Read More You Must Be Born Of Water And Spirit

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A Meditation To Prepare For The Lord’s Supper

I was entered into covenant with God by baptism, and was then brought under strong engagements to be the Lord’s. But O! I have broken my covenant and backslidden from Christ. If I were under the law or a covenant of works, I would be utterly undone. But, blessed be God, I am under the tenders of a covenant of grace that admits of repentance and a surety for the guilty criminal, and graciously promises pardon to the penitent believer—nay, it promises repentance to the hard-hearted and faith to the unbelieving, and pressingly invites backsliding children to return to God through a Mediator.… Read More A Meditation To Prepare For The Lord’s Supper

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Six Reasons For Receiving Communion At A Table

Six reasons for receiving the Lord’s Supper at a Table. 1. Christ’s Example: The First Lord’s Supper Was at a Table. Objection Answered: Christ’s example here is prescriptive, not circumstantial. 2. The Nature of the Lord’s Supper. 3. The Lord’s Table (1 Cor. 10:21). Objection Answered: “Table” is not figurative, but supposes a material table. The Purpose of the Table. 4. The Communion of Saints with Christ. 5. Christ’s Offer of Himself is Plural, Not Singular. 6. From Historical Precedent.… Read More Six Reasons For Receiving Communion At A Table

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Paedo-Baptism, Yes; Paedo-Communion, No.

A common objection against infant baptism by credo-baptists is that if children are to be baptized, then, for the sake of consistency, they ought to also be admitted to the Lord’s Supper. In other words, the logical conclusion of infant baptism necessarily leads to the absurdity of infant communion; paedocommunion is obviously unbiblical and absurd,… Read More Paedo-Baptism, Yes; Paedo-Communion, No.

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Paedo-Communion is Unscriptural | Herman Witsius

All the words of our Lord’s command (with respect to this sacrament) are so expressed that they cannot belong to infants, who can neither receive the bread nor eat it, unless it be chewed for them or soaked. For “babes are fed with milk, and not with meat” (1 Cor. 3:2; Heb. 5:12). Infants cannot examine themselves nor discern the Lord’s body, nor show his death, all which we have just heard the apostle requires of communicants. “Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup; for he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”… Read More Paedo-Communion is Unscriptural | Herman Witsius

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Paedo-Communion & Ex Opere Operato | Gisbertus Voetius

Gisbertus Voetius (1539-1676)Ecclesiastical Politics, vol. 1, 2.2.4, ch. 3, pp. 757-758.Translated by Charles Johnson 6. Question. Is the supper to be granted to infants, or to children? Resp. I. Regarding infants, it is absolutely denied for this one reason, that they are not able to examine and search themselves, nor do they have actual repentance,… Read More Paedo-Communion & Ex Opere Operato | Gisbertus Voetius

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