Tag: Sacraments

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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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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Defective Views of the Sacraments: Inherent & Independent Virtue

There is one party holding opinions on the subject admitting of various modifications, but agreeing in this, that they ascribe a high spiritual efficacy to the Sacraments apart from the faith or spiritual act of the receiver. By this party, the views of the Sacraments already stated are regarded as defective in the way of ascribing to Sacraments a less virtue than really belongs to them.… Read More Defective Views of the Sacraments: Inherent & Independent Virtue

Paul J. Barth3 Comments

Defective Views of the Sacraments: Bare Memorialism

There is one party who deny the grand and characteristic distinction between sacramental and other ordinances already enunciated, and hold that the Sacraments have no virtue except as badges of a Christian profession, and signs of spiritual truth. By this party, the views of the Sacraments already stated by me are held to be erroneous in the way of attributing to them a greater virtue than actually belongs to them.… Read More Defective Views of the Sacraments: Bare Memorialism

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Sacraments: The Savor of Death to Ungodly Partakers

“Though the sacraments are connected with the thing signified nevertheless both are not received by all men: the ungodly indeed receives the sacrament to his condemnation but he does not receive the truth of the sacrament. As Judas, and Simon the sorcerer, both indeed received the sacrament, but not Christ, who was signified by it,… Read More Sacraments: The Savor of Death to Ungodly Partakers

Paul J. Barth6 Comments