The Abrogation of the Ceremonial Law

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

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Practical Atheism: Corrupt Prayer & Praise

Man’s practical atheism is evidenced in our corrupt matter or ends of prayer and praise. When we are importunate for those things that we know not whether the righteousness, holiness, and wisdom of God can grant, because he hath not discovered his will in any promise to bestow them, we would then impose such conditions on God, which he never obliged himself to grant. When we pray for things not so much to glorify God, which ought to be the end of prayer, as to gratify ourselves.… Read More Practical Atheism: Corrupt Prayer & Praise

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God Cannot Contradict Himself Nor His Will

The object of God’s absolute power is all things possible; such things that imply not a contradiction, such that are not repugnant in their own nature to be done, and such as are not contrary to the nature and perfections of God to be done. The impossibility of God’s doing some things, is no infringing of his almightiness, but rather a strengthening of it. (1.) First, Some things are impossible in their own nature. (2.) Some things are impossible to the nature and being of God. (3.) Some things are impossible to the glorious perfections of God. (4.) Some things are impossible to be done because of God’s ordination.… Read More God Cannot Contradict Himself Nor His Will

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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

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The Origin Of Socinianism

The origin and spread of Socinianism, a theological system which developed into modern Unitarianism, were influenced by rationalistic principles and the despotic environment produced by the Church of Rome. The sect’s founders were mostly Italians, trained under harsh Roman Catholic conditions, leading to unmoored freedom of thought which devolved into skepticism and heresy. Contrary to the Papists’ allegations that the Reformation led to Socinianism, the Church of Rome inadvertently nurtured this heresy.… Read More The Origin Of Socinianism

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Satan’s Feigned Retreat

Demons retreat in exorcism, not because it is of divine efficacy, but because they want to further entrench men in superstition. That demons would feign to be defeated by the use of mere formulas of words, crucifixes, holy water, prayers to Mary, or any other carnal means should be no surprise to us. Scripture teaches that Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44), and that he presents himself as “an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14) in order to deceive us into error and sin. False teachers likewise appear to us “in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Mat. 7:15; cf. 2 Cor. 11:13). Demons love to harden men in their superstitions by pretending that carnal means are inherently efficacious, so that men will be turned away from true remedies and sound doctrine.… Read More Satan’s Feigned Retreat

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Do Demons Flee At The Name Of Jesus?

The Church’s method of countering demonic influences should be grounded in the Bible’s teachings, not emotional responses or popular trends. Using the name of Jesus as a magic formula against demons is misleading. Rather, declaring “the name of Jesus” signifies proclaiming the truth of Christ’s person, work, and salvation freely offered. Scripture warns against false phenomena performed in Jesus’ name (Mat. 7:22-23), and Satan himself can use it for deception (2 Cor. 11:13-15). “The devils also believe, and tremble” (James 2:19); and demons even profess “Jesus, thou Son of God most high” (Luke 8:28). So merely uttering His name is not inherently effective and does not automatically work to exorcise demons or to deliver someone from demonic attacks. Rather, we must trust in Christ alone to be delivered from the kingdom of darkness; employ the means of grace, and put on the whole armor of God to stand against the devil and his schemes.… Read More Do Demons Flee At The Name Of Jesus?

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Can A Christian Be Demon-Possessed?

In the light of Scripture we are compelled to reject the view that the Holy Spirit and an evil spirit can co-exist in the same person. Attempts to prove the contrary on the basis of observations are valueless. Human judgment is always fallible and must never be given priority over the teaching of the Word of God. When missionaries provide “examples” of “believers” being possessed, two questions immediately arise: Were the victims regenerate? Were they actually possessed? The Biblical doctrines of regeneration and the permanent indwelling of the believer by the Holy Spirit make demon-possession of a believer utterly impossible. We are not asking if a professing Christian can be demon-possessed, but if a regenerate person can be possessed. The answer to this question is firmly in the negative.… Read More Can A Christian Be Demon-Possessed?

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Demon Possession & Exorcism

What is demon possession? What is exorcism? What methods does God give us in the Bible for delivering people from demonic attacks? The question is not whether praeternatural or miraculous things happen, neither is it whether people may be demonized today, nor that people may be delivered from demonization. The question is: Should Christians today seek to practice exorcism? Does God deliver demonized people through prayer, fasting, preaching the Word, and conversion. Or does he deliver them through a Christian directly confronting and rebuking demons?… Read More Demon Possession & Exorcism

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