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{
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"title":"Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689",
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"chapters":{
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"1":{
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"title":"Of the Holy Scriptures",
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"paragraphs":{
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"1":"The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving Knowledge, Faith and Obedience; Although the light of Nature, and the works of Creation and Providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom and power of God, as to leave men unexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and His will, which is necessary unto Salvation. Therefore it pleased the Lord at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal himself, and to declare that His will unto his Church; and afterward for the better preserving, and propagating of the Truth, and for the more sure Establishment, and Comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan, and of the World, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which maketh the Holy Scriptures to be most necessary, those former ways of Gods revealing his will unto his people being now ceased.",
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"2":"Under the Name of Holy Scripture or the Word of God written; are now contained all the Books of the Old and New Testament which are these: Of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, The Song of Songs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. Of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, The Acts of the Apostles, Pauls Epistle to the Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Phillippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, to Titus, to Philemon, the Epistle to the Hebrews, the Epistle of James, the First and Second Epistles of Peter, the First, Second and Third Epistles of John, the Epistle of Jude, the Revelation",
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"3":"The Books commonly called Apocrypha not being of Divine inspiration, are no part of the Canon (or rule) of the Scripture, and therefore are of no authority to the Church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved or made use of, then other humane writings.",
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"4":"The Authority of the Holy Scripture for which it ought to be believed dependeth not upon the testimony of any man, or Church; but wholly upon God (who is truth it self) the Author thereof; therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God.",
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"5":"We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church of God, to an high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scriptures; and the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the Doctrine, and the Majesty of the stile, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is to give all glory to God) the full discovery it makes of the only way of mans salvation, and many other incomparable Excellencies, and intire perfections thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence it self to be the Word of God; yet notwithstanding; our full perswasion, and assurance of the infallible truth, and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit, bearing witness by and with the Word in our Hearts.",
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"6":"The whole Councel of God concerning all things necessary for his own Glory, Mans Salvation, Faith and Life, is either expressely set down or necessarily contained in the Holy Scripture; unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new Revelation of the Spirit, or traditions of men.Nevertheless we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God, to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word, and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the Church common to humane actions and societies; which are to be (l) ordered by the light of nature, and Christian prudence according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed.",
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"7":"All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all; yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for Salvation, are so clearly propounded, and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of ordinary means, may attain to a sufficient understanding of them.",
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"8":"The Old Testament in Hebrew, (which was the Native language of the people of God of old) and the New Testament in Greek (which at the time of the writing of it was most generally known to the Nations being immediately inspired by God, and by his singular care and Providence kept pure in all Ages, are therefore authentical; so as in all controversies of Religion the Church is finally to appeal unto them But because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have a right unto, and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded in the fear of God to read and search them, therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every Nation, unto which they come, that the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner, and through patience and comfort of the Scriptures may have hope.",
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"9":"The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture it self: And therefore when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold but one) it must be searched by other places that speak more clearly.",
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"10":"The supream judge by which all controversies of Religion are to be determined, and all Decrees of Councels, opinions of antient Writers, Doctrines of men, and private Spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Scripture delivered by the Spirit, into which Scripture so delivered, our faith is finally resolved."
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}
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},
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"2":{
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"title":"Of God and of the Holy Trinity",
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"paragraphs":{
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"1":"The Lord our God is but one only living, and true God; whose subsistence is in and of himself, infinite in being, and perfection, whose Essence cannot be comprehended by any but himself; a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions, who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light, which no man can approach unto, who is immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, Almighty, every way infinit, most holy, most wise, most free, most absolute, working all things according to the councel of his own immutable, and most righteous will, for his own glory, most loving, gracious, merciful, long suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin, the rewarder of them that diligently seek him, and withall most just, and terrible in his judgements, hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty.",
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"2":"God having all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in and of himself: is alone in, and unto himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any Creature which he hath made, nor deriving any glory from them, but onely manifesting his own glory in, by, unto, and upon them, he is the alone fountain of all Being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things, and he hath most soveraign dominion over all creatures, to do by them, for them, or upon them, whatsoever himself pleaseth; in his sight all things are open and manifest, his knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independant upon the Creature, so as nothing is to him contingent, or uncertain; he is most holy in all his Councels, in all his Works, and in all his Commands; to him is due from Angels and men, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience as Creatures they owe unto the Creator, and whatever he is further pleased to require of them.",
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"3":"In this divine and infinite Being there are three subsistences, the Father the Word (or Son) and Holy Spirit, of one substance, power, and Eternity, each having the whole Divine Essence, yet the Essence undivided, the Father is of none neither begotten nor proceeding, the Son is Eternally begotten of the Father, the holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son, all infinite, without beginning, therefore but one God, who is not to be divided in nature and Being; but distinguished by several peculiar, relative properties, and personal relations; which doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation of all our Communion with God, and comfortable dependance on him."
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}
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},
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"3":{
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"title":"Of Gods Decree",
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"paragraphs":{
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"1":"God hath Decreed in himself from all Eternity, by the most wise and holy Councel of his own will, freely and unchangeably, all things whatsoever comes to passe; yet so as thereby is God neither the author of sin, nor hath fellowship with any therein, nor is violence offered to the will of the Creature, nor yet is the liberty, or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established, in which appears his wisdom in disposing all things, and power, and faithfulness in accomplishing his Decree.",
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"2":"Although God knoweth whatsoever may, or can come to passe upon all supposed conditions; yet hath he not Decreed anything, because he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions.",
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"3":"By the decree of God for the manifestation of his glory some men and Angels, are predestinated, or fore-ordained to Eternal Life, through Jesus Christ to the praise of his glorious grace; others being left to act in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of his glorious justice.",
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"4":"These Angels and Men thus predestinated, and fore-ordained, are particularly, and unchangeably designed; and their number so certain, and definite, that it cannot be either increased, or diminished.",
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"5":"Those of mankind that are predestinated to life, God before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret Councel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of his meer free grace and love; without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving him thereunto.",
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"6":"As God hath appointed the Elect unto glory, so he hath by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, fore-ordained all the means thereunto, wherefore they who are elected, being faln in Adam, are redeemed by Christ, are effectually called unto faith in Christ, by his spirit working in due season, are justifyed, adopted, sanctified, and kept by his power through faith unto salvation; neither are any other redeemed by Christ, or effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the Elect only.",
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"7":"The Doctrine of this high mystery of predestination, is to be handled with special prudence, and care; that men attending the will of God revealed in his word, and yeilding obedience thereunto, may from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election; so shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God, and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation, to all that sincerely obey the Gospel."
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}
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},
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"4":{
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"title":"Of Creation",
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"paragraphs":{
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"1":"In the beginning it pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for the manifestation of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom, and goodness, to Create or make the world, and all things therein, whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days, and all very good.",
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"2":"After God had made all other Creatures, he Created man, male and female, with reasonable and immortal souls, rendring them fit unto that life to God; for which they were Created; being made after the image of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holyness; having the Law of God written in their hearts, and power to fulfill it; and yet under a possibility of transgressing, being left to the liberty of their own will, which was subject to change.",
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"3":"Besides the Law written in their hearts, they received a command not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil; which whilst they kept, they were happy in their Communion with God, and had dominion over the Creatures."
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}
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},
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"5":{
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"title":"Of Divine Providence",
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"paragraphs":{
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"1":"God the good Creator of all things, in his infinite power, and wisdom, doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all Creatures, and things, from the greatest even to the least, by his most wise and holy providence, to the end for the which they were Created; according unto his infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable Councel of his own will; to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, infinite goodness and mercy.",
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"2":"Although in relation to the foreknowledge and Decree of God, the first cause, all things come to pass immutably and infallibly; so that there is not any thing, befalls any by chance, or without his Providence; yet by the same Providence he ordereth them to fall out, according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.",
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"3":"God in his ordinary Providence maketh use of means; yet is free to work, without, above, and against them at his pleasure.",
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"4":"The Almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God, so far manifest themselves in his Providence, that his determinate Councel extendeth it self even to the first fall, and all other sinful actions both of Angels, and Men; (and that not by a bare permission) which also he most wisely and powerfully boundeth, and otherwise ordereth, and governeth, in a manifold dispensation to his most holy ends: yet so, as the sinfulness of their acts proceedeth only from the Creatures, and not from God; who being most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be, the author or approver of sin.",
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"5":"The most wise, righteous, and gracious God, doth oftentimes, leave for a season his own children to manifold temptations, and the corruptions of their own heart, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption, and deceitfulness of their hearts, that they may be humbled; and to raise them to a more close, and constant dependence for their support, upon himself; and to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for other just and holy ends.",
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"6":"As for those wicked and ungodly men, whom God as a righteous judge, for former sin doth blind and harden; from them he not only withholdeth his Grace, whereby they might have been inlightned in their understanding, and wrought upon in their hearts: But sometimes also withdraweth the gifts which they had, and exposeth them to such objects as their corruptions makes occasion of sin; and withall gives them over to their own lusts, the temptations of the world, and the power of Satan, whereby it comes to pass, that they harden themselves, even under those means which God useth for the softning of others.",
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"7":"As the Providence of God doth in general reach to all Creatures, so after a most special manner it taketh care of his Church, and disposeth of all things to the good thereof.",
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"":"So that whatsoever befalls any of his elect is by his appointment, for his glory, and their good."
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}
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},
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"6":{
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"title":"Of the fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof",
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"paragraphs":{
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"1":"Although God created Man upright, and perfect, and gave him a righteous law, which had been unto life had he kept it, and threatned death upon the breach thereof; yet he did not long abide in this honour; Satan using the subtilty of the serpent to seduce Eve, then by her seducing Adam, who without any compulsion, did wilfully transgress the Law of their Creation, and the command given unto them, in eating the forbidden fruit; which God was pleased according to his wise and holy Councel to permit, having purposed to order it, to his own glory.",
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"2":"Our first Parents by this Sin, fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, and we in them, whereby death came upon all; all becoming dead in Sin, and wholly defiled, in all the faculties, and parts, of soul, and body.",
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"3":"They being the root, and by Gods appointment, standing in the room, and stead of all mankind; the guilt of the Sin was imputed, and corrupted nature conveyed, to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation, being now conceived in Sin, and by nature children of wrath, the servants of Sin, the subjects of death and all other miseries, spiritual, temporal and eternal, unless the Lord Jesus set them free.",
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"4":"From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual transgressions.",
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"5":"The corruption of nature, during this Life, doth remain in those that are regenerated: and although it be through Christ pardoned, and mortified, yet both it self, and the first motions thereof, are truely and properly Sin."
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}
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},
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"7":{
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"title":"Of Gods Covenant",
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"paragraphs":{
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"1":"The distance between God and the Creature is so great, that although reasonable Creatures do owe obedience unto him as their Creator, yet they could never have attained the reward of Life, but by some voluntary condescension on Gods part, which he hath been pleased to express, by way of Covenant.",
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"2":"Moreover Man having brought himself under the curse of the Law by his fall, it pleased the Lord to make a Covenant of Grace wherein he freely offereth unto Sinners, Life and Salvation by Jesus Christ, requiring of them Faith in him, that they may be saved; and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto eternal Life, his holy Spirit, to make them willing, and able to believe.",
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"3":"This Covenant is revealed in the Gospel; first of all to Adam in the promise of Salvation by the seed of the woman, and afterwards by farther steps, untill the full discovery thereof was compleated in the new Testament; and it is founded in that Eternal Covenant transaction, that was between the Father and the Son, about the Redemption of the Elect; and it is alone by the Grace of this Covenant, that all of the posterity of fallen Adam, that ever were saved, did obtain life and a blessed immortality; Man being now utterly uncapable of acceptance with God upon those terms, on which Adam stood in his state of innocency."
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}
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},
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"8":{
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"title":"Of Christ the Mediator",
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"paragraphs":{
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"1":"It pleased God in his eternal purpose, to chuse and ordain the Lord Jesus his only begotten Son, according to the Covenant made between them both, to be the Mediator between God and Man; the Prophet, Priest and King; Head and Saviour of his Church, the heir of all things, and judge of the world: Unto whom he did from all Eternity give a people to be his seed, and to be by him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified.",
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"2":"The Son of God, the second Person in the Holy Trinity, being very and eternal God, the brightness of the Fathers glory, of one substance and equal with him: who made the World, who upholdeth and governeth all things he hath made: did when the fullness of time was come take unto him mans nature, with all the Essential properties, and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin: being conceived by the Holy Spirit in the Womb of the Virgin Mary, the Holy Spirit coming down upon her, and the power of the most High overshadowing her, and so was made of a Woman, of the Tribe of Judah, of the Seed of Abraham, and David according to the Scriptures: So that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, were inseparably joined together in one Person: without conversion, composition, or confusion: which Person is very God, and very Man; yet one Christ, the only Mediator between God and Man.",
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"3":"The Lord Jesus in his humane nature thus united to the divine, in the Person of the Son, was sanctified, and anointed with the Holy Spirit, above measure; having in him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; in whom it pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell: To the end that being holy, harmless, undefiled, and full of Grace, and Truth, he might be throughly furnished to execute the office of a Mediator, and Surety; which office he took not upon himself, but was thereunto called by his Father; who also put all power and judgement in his hand, and gave him Commandement to execute the same.",
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"4":"This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake, which that he might discharge he was made under the Law, and did perfectly fulfill it, and underwent the punishment due to us, which we should have born and suffered, being made Sin and a Curse for us: enduring most grievous sorrows in his Soul; and most painful sufferings in his body; was crucified, and died, and remained in the state of the dead; yet saw no corruption: on the third day he arose from the dead, with the same body in which he suffered; with which he also ascended into heaven: and there sitteth at the right hand of his Father, making intercession; and shall return to judge Men and Angels, at the end of the World.",
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"5":"The Lord Jesus by his perfect obedience and sacrifice of himself, which he through the Eternal Spirit once offered up unto God, hath fully satisfied the Justice of God, procured reconciliation, and purchased an Everlasting inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven, for all those whom the Father hath given unto him.",
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"6":"Although the price of Redemption was not actually paid by Christ, till after his Incarnation, yet the vertue, efficacy, and benefit thereof were communicated to the Elect in all ages successively, from the beginning of the World, in and by those Promises, Types, and Sacrifices, wherein he was revealed, and signified to be the Seed of the Woman, which should bruise the Serpents head; and the Lamb slain from the foundation of the World: Being the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.",
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"7":"Christ in the work of Mediation acteth according to both natures, by each nature doing that which is proper to it self; yet by reason of the Unity of the Person, that which is proper to one nature, is sometimes in Scripture attributed to the Person denominated by the other nature.",
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"8":"To all those for whom Christ hath obtained eternal redemption, he doth certainly, and effectually apply, and communicate the same; making intercession for them, uniting them to himself by his spirit, revealing unto them, in and by the word, the mystery of salvation; perswading them to believe, and obey; governing their hearts by his word and spirit, and overcoming all their enemies by his Almighty power, and wisdom; in such manner, and wayes as are most consonant to his wonderful, and unsearchable dispensation; and all of free, and absolute Grace, without any condition foreseen in them, to procure it.",
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"9":"This office of Mediator between God and Man, is proper onely to Christ, who is the Prophet, Priest, and King of the Church of God; and may not be either in whole, or any part thereof transfer'd from him to any other.",
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"10":"This number and order of Offices is necessary; for in respect of our ignorance, we stand in need of his prophetical Office; and in respect of our alienation from God, and imperfection of the best of our services, we need his Priestly office, to reconcile us, and present us acceptable unto God: and in respect our averseness, and utter inability to return to God, and for our rescue, and security from our spiritual adversaries, we need his Kingly office, to convince, subdue, draw, uphold, deliver, and preserve us to his Heavenly Kingdome."
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}
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},
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"9":{
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"title":"Of Free Will",
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"paragraphs":{
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"1":"God hath indued the Will of Man, with that natural liberty, and power of acting upon choice; that it is neither forced, nor by any necessity of nature determined to do good or evil.",
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"2":"Man in his state of innocency, had freedom, and power, to will, and to do that which was good, and well-pleasing to God; but yet was mutable, so that he might fall from it.",
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"3":"Man by his fall into a state of sin hath wholly lost all ability of Will, to any spiritual good accompanying salvation; so as a natural man, being altogether averse from that good, and dead in Sin, is not able, by his own strength, to convert himself; or to prepare himself thereunto.",
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"4":"When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of Grace he freeth him from his natural bondage under sin, and by his grace alone, enables him freely to will, and to do that which is spiritually good; yet so as that by reason of his remaining corruptions he doth not perfectly nor only will that which is good; but doth also will that which is evil.",
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"5":"The Will of Man is made perfectly, and immutably free to good alone, in the state of Glory only."
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}
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},
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"10":{
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"title":"Of Effectual Calling",
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"paragraphs":{
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"1":"Those whom God hath predestinated unto Life, he is pleased in his appointed, and accepted time, effectually to call by his word, and Spirit, out of that state of sin, and death, in which they are by nature, to grace and Salvation by Jesus Christ; inlightning their minds, spiritually, and savingly to understand the things of God; taking away their heart of stone, and giving unto them an heart of flesh; renewing their wills, and by his Almighty power determining them to that which is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ; yet so as they come most freely, being made willing by his Grace.",
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"2":"This Effectual Call is of God's free, and special grace alone, not from any thing at all foreseen in man, nor from any power, or agency in the Creature, coworking with his special Grace, the Creature being wholly passive therein, being dead in sins and trespasses, until being quickned & renewed by the holy Spirit, he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the Grace offered and conveyed in it; and that by no less power, then that which raised up Christ from the dead.",
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"3":"Elect Infants dying in infancy, are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit; who worketh when, and where, and how he pleaseth: so also are all other elect persons, who are uncapable of being outwardly called by the Ministry of the Word.",
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"4":"Others not elected, although they may be called by the Ministry of the word, and may have some common operations of the Spirit, yet not being effectually drawn by the Father, they neither will, nor can truly come to Christ; and therefore cannot be saved: much less can men that receive not the Christian Religion be saved; be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, and the Law of that Religion they do profess."
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}
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},
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"11":{
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"title":"Of Justification",
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"paragraphs":{
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"1":"Those whom God Effectually calleth, he also freely justifieth, not by infusing Righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting, and accepting their Persons as Righteous; not for any thing wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ's sake alone, not by imputing faith it self, the act of beleiving, or any other evangelical obedience to them, as their Righteousness; but by imputing Christs active obedience unto the whole Law, and passive obedience in his death, for their whole and sole Righteousnnss, they receiving, and resting on him, and his Righteousness, by Faith; which faith they have not of themselves, it is the gift of God.",
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"2":"Faith thus receiving and resting on Christ, and his Righteousness, is the alone instrument of Justification: yet it is not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving Graces, and is no dead faith, but worketh by love.",
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"3":"Christ by his obedience, and death, did fully discharge the debt of all those that are justified; and did by the sacrifice of himself, in the blood of his cross, undergoing in their stead, the penalty due unto them: make a proper, real and full satisfaction to Gods justice in their behalf: yet in asmuch as he was given by the Father for them, and his Obedience and Satisfaction accepted in their stead, and both freely, not for any thing in them; their Justification is only of Free Grace, that both the exact justice and rich Grace of God, might be glorified in the Justification of sinners.",
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"4":"God did from all eternity decreeto justifie all the Elect, and Christ did in the fulness of time die for their sins, and rise again for their Justification; Nevertheless they are not justified personally, untill the Holy Spirit, doth in due time actually apply Christ unto them.",
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"5":"God doth continue to Forgive the sins of those that are justified, and although they can never fall from the state of justication; yet they may by their sins fall under Gods Fatherly displeasure; and in that condition, they have not usually the light of his Countenance restored unto them, untill they humble themselves, confess their sins, beg pardon, and renew their faith, and repentance.",
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"6":"The Justification of Believers under the Old Testament was in all these respects, one and the same with the justification of Believers under the New Tement."
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}
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},
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"12":{
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"title":"Of Adoption",
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"paragraphs":{
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"1":"All those that are justified, God vouchsafed, in, and for the sake of his only Son Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the Grace of Adoption; by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the Liberties, and Priveledges of Children of God; have his name put upon them, receive the Spirit of Adoption, have access to the throne of Grace with boldness, are enabled to cry Abba, Father, are pitied, protected, provided for, and chastned by him, as by a Father; yet never cast off; but sealed to the day of Redemption, and inherit the promises, as heirs, of everlasting Salvation."
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}
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},
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"13":{
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"title":"Of Sanctification",
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"paragraphs":{
|
||||
"1":"They who are united to Christ, Effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart, and a new Spirit created in them, through the vertue of Christ's death, and Resurrection; are also farther sanctified, really, and personally, through the same vertue, by his word and Spirit dwelling in them; the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof, are more and more weakned, and mortified; and they more and more quickened, and strengthned in all saving graces, to the practice of all true holyness, without which no man shall see the Lord.",
|
||||
"2":"This Sanctification is throughout, in the whole man, yet imperfect in this life; there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every part, whence ariseth a continual, and irreconcilable war; the Flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the Flesh.",
|
||||
"3":"In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail; yet through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ the regenerate part doth overcome; and so the Saints grow in Grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, pressing after an heavenly life, in Evangelical Obedience to all the commands which Christ as Head and King, in his Word hath prescribed to them."
|
||||
}
|
||||
},
|
||||
"14":{
|
||||
"title":"Of Saving Faith",
|
||||
"paragraphs":{
|
||||
"1":"The Grace of Faith, whereby the Elect are enabled to beleive to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts; and is ordinarily wrought by the Ministry of the Word; by which also, and by the administration of Baptisme, and the Lords Supper, Prayer and other Means appointed of God, it is increased, and strengthned.",
|
||||
"2":"By this Faith, a Christian believeth to be true, (a) whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the Authority of God himself; and also apprehendeth an excellency therein, above all other Writings; and all things in the world: as it bears forth the Glory of God in his Attributes, the excellency of Christ in his Nature and Offices; and the Power and Fullness of the Holy Spirit in his Workings, and Operations; and so is enabled to cast his Soul upon the truth thus beleived; and also acteth differently, upon that which each particular, passage thereof containeth; yeilding obedience to the commands, trembling at the threatnings, and embracing the promises of God, for this life, and that which is to come: But the principal acts of Saving Faith, have immediate relation to Christ, accepting, receiving, and resting upon him alone, for Justification, Sanctification, and Eternal Life, by vertue of the Covenant of Grace.",
|
||||
"3":"This Faith although it be different in degrees, and may be weak, or strong; yet it is in the least degree of it, different in the kind, or nature of it (as is all other saving Grace) from the Faith, and common grace of temporary beleivers; and therefore though it may be many times assailed, and weakned; yet it gets the victory; growing up in many, to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ, who is both the Author and finisher of our Faith."
|
||||
}
|
||||
},
|
||||
"15":{
|
||||
"title":"Of Repentance unto Life and Salvation",
|
||||
"paragraphs":{
|
||||
"1":"Such of the Elect as are converted at riper years, having sometimes lived in the state of nature, and therein served divers lusts and pleasures, God in their Effectual Calling giveth them Repentance unto Life.",
|
||||
"2":"Whereas there is none that doth good, and sinneth not; and the best of men may through the power, and deceitfulness of their corruption dwelling in them, with the prevalency of temptation, fall into great sins, and provocations; God hath in the Covenant of Grace, mercifully provided that Beleivers so sinning, and falling, be renewed through Repentance unto Salvation.",
|
||||
"3":"This saving Repentance is an evangelical Grace, whereby a person being by the Holy Spirit made sensible of the manifold evils of his sin, doth, by Faith in Christ, humble himself for it, with godly sorrow, detestation of it, and self abhorrency; praying for pardon, and strength of grace, with a purpose and endeavour by supplies of the Spirit, to walk before God unto all well pleasing in all things.",
|
||||
"4":"As Repentance is to be continued through the whole course of our lives, upon the account of the body of death, and the motions thereof; so it is every mans duty, to repent of his particular known sins, particularly.",
|
||||
"5":"Such is the provision which God hath made through Christ in the Covenant of Grace, for the preservation of Believers unto Salvation, that although there is no sin so small, but it deserves damnation; yet there is no sin so great, that it shall bring damnation on them that repent; which makes the constant preaching of Repentance necessary."
|
||||
}
|
||||
},
|
||||
"16":{
|
||||
"title":"Of Good Works",
|
||||
"paragraphs":{
|
||||
"1":"Good Works are only such as God hath commanded in his Holy word; and not such as without the warrant thereof, are devised by men, out of blind zeal, or upon any pretence of good intentions.",
|
||||
"2":"These good works, done in obedience to Gods commandments, are the fruits, and evidences of a true, and lively faith; and by them Believers manifest their thankfullness, strengthen their assurance, edifie their brethren, adorn the profession of the Gospel, stop the mouths of the adversaries and glorifie God whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto, that having their fruit unto holiness, they may have the end eternal life.",
|
||||
"3":"Their ability to do good works, is not at all of themselves; but wholly from the Spirit of Christ; and that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is necessary an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in them to will, and to do, of his good pleasure; yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty, unless upon a special motion of the Spirit; but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the Grace of God that is in them.",
|
||||
"4":"They who in their obedience attain to the greatest height which is possible in this life, are so far from being able to superrogate, and to do more then God requires, as that they fall short of much which in duty they are bound to do.",
|
||||
"5":"We cannot by our best works merit pardon of Sin or Eternal Life at the hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that is between them and the glory to come; and the infinite distance that is between us and God, whom by them we can neither profit, nor satisfie for the debt of our former sins; but when we have done all we can, we have done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants; and because as they are good they proceed from his Spirit, and as they are wrought by us they are defiled and mixed with so much weakness and imperfection that they cannot endure the severity of Gods judgement.",
|
||||
"6":"Yet notwithstanding the persons of Believers being accepted through Christ their good works also are accepted in him; not as though they were in this life wholly unblameable and unreprovable in Gods sight; but that he looking upon them in his Son is pleased to accept and reward that which is sincere although accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfections.",
|
||||
"7":"Works done by unregenerate men although for the matter of them they may be things which God commands, and of good use, both to themselves and others; yet because they proceed not from a heart purified by faith, nor are done in a right manner according to the word, nor to a right end the glory of God; they are therefore sinful and cannot please God; nor make a man meet to receive grace from God; and yet their neglect of them is more sinful and displeasing to God."
|
||||
}
|
||||
},
|
||||
"17":{
|
||||
"title":"Of Perseverance of the Saints",
|
||||
"paragraphs":{
|
||||
"1":"Those whom God hath accepted in the beloved, effectually called and Sanctified by his Spirit, and given the precious faith of his Elect unto, can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end and be eternally saved, seeing the gifts and callings of God are without Repentance, (whence he still begets and nourisheth in them Faith, Repentance, Love, Joy, Hope, and all the graces of the Spirit unto immortality) and though many storms and floods arise and beat against them, yet they shall never be able to take them off that foundation and rock which by faith they are fastned upon: notwithstanding through unbelief and the temptations of Satan the sensible sight of the light and love of God, may for a time be clouded, and obscured from them, yet he is still the same and they shall be sure to be kept by the power of God unto Salvation, where they shall enjoy their purchased possession, they being engraven upon the palm of his hands, and their names having been written in the book of life from all Eternity.",
|
||||
"2":"This perseverance of the Saints depends not upon their own free will; but upon the immutability of the decree of Election flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ and Union with him, the oath of God, the abiding of his Spirit & the seed of God within them, and the nature of the Covenant of Grace from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.",
|
||||
"3":"And though they may through the temptation of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of means of their preservation fall into grievous sins, and for a time continue therein; whereby they incur Gods displeasure, and grieve his holy Spirit, come to have their graces and comforts impaired have their hearts hardened, and their Consciences wounded, hurt, and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgements upon themselves: yet they shall renew their repentance and be preserved through faith in Christ Jesus to the end."
|
||||
}
|
||||
},
|
||||
"18":{
|
||||
"title":"Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation",
|
||||
"paragraphs":{
|
||||
"1":"Although temporary Believers, and other unregenerate men, may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes, and carnal presumptions, of being in the favour of God, and state of salvation, which hope of theirs shall perish; yet such as truely believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavouring to walk in all good Conscience before him, may in this life be certainly assured that they are in the state of Grace; and may rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God which hope shall never make them ashamed.",
|
||||
"2":"This certainty is not a bare conjectural, and probable perswasion, grounded upon a fallible hope; but an infallible assurance of faith founded on the Blood and Righteousness of Christ revealed in the Gospel; and also upon the inward evidence of those graces of the Spirit unto which promises are made, and on the testimony of the Spirit of adoption, witnessing with our Spirits that we are the children of God; and as a fruit thereof keeping the heart both humble and holy.",
|
||||
"3":"This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of faith, but that a true Believer, may wait long and conflict with many difficulties before he be partaker of it; yet being enabled by the Spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God, he may without extraordinary revelation in the right use of means attain thereunto: and therefore it is the duty of every one, to give all diligence to make their Calling and Election sure, that thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace and joy in the holy Spirit, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and chearfulness in the duties of obedience, the proper fruits of this Assurance; so far is it from inclining men to looseness.",
|
||||
"4":"True Believers may have the assurance of their Salvation divers ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as by negligence in preserving of it, by falling into som special Sin, which woundeth the Conscience, and grieveth the Spirit, by some sudden or vehement temptation, by Gods withdrawing the light of his countenance and suffering even such as fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light; yet are they never destitute of the seed of God, and Life of Faith, that Love of Christ, and the brethren, that sincerity of Heart, and Conscience of duty, out of which by the operation of the Spirit, this Assurance may in due time be revived: and by the which in the mean time they are preserved from utter despair."
|
||||
}
|
||||
},
|
||||
"19":{
|
||||
"title":"Of the Law of God",
|
||||
"paragraphs":{
|
||||
"1":"God gave to Adam a Law of universal obedience, written in his Heart, and a particular precept of not eating the Fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil; by which he bound him, and all his posterity to personal entire exact and perpetual obedience; promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatned death upon the breach of it; and indued him with power and ability to keep it.",
|
||||
"2":"The same Law that was first written in the heart of man, continued to be a perfect rule of Righteousness after the fall; & was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai, in Ten Commandments and written in two Tables; the four first containing our duty towards God, and the other six our duty to man.",
|
||||
"3":"Besides this Law commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel Ceremonial Laws, containing several typical ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits; and partly holding forth divers instructions of moral duties, all which Ceremonial Laws being appointed only to the time of reformation, are by Jesus Christ the true Messiah and only Law-giver who was furnished with power from the Father, for that end, abrogated and taken away.",
|
||||
"4":"To them also he gave sundry judicial Laws, which expired together with the state of that people, not obliging any now by vertue of that institution; their general equity onely, being of moral use.",
|
||||
"5":"The moral Law doth for ever bind all, as well justified persons as others, to the obedience thereof, and that not only in regard of the matter contained in it, but also in respect of the authority of God the Creator; who gave it: Neither doth Christ in the Gospel any way dissolve, but much strengthen this obligation.",
|
||||
"6":"Although true Believers be not under the Law, as a Covenant of Works, to be thereby Justified or condemned; yet it is of great use to them as well as to others: in that, as a Rule of Life, informing them of the Will of God, and their Duty, it directs and binds them, to walk accordingly; discovering also the sinfull pollutions of their Natures, Hearts and Lives; so as Examining themselves thereby, they may come to further Conviction of, Humiliation for, and Hatred against Sin; together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ and the perfection of his Obedience: It is likewise of use to the Regenerate to restrain their Corruptions, in that it forbids Sin; and the Threatnings of it serve to shew what even their Sins deserve; and what afflictions in this Life they may expect for them, although free'd from the Curse and unallayed Rigor thereof. The Promises of it likewise shew them Gods approbation of Obedience, and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof, though not as due to them by the Law as a Covenant of Works; so as mans doing Good and refraining from Evil, because the Law incourageth to the one and deterreth from the other, is no Evidence of his being under the Law and not under Grace.",
|
||||
"7":"Neither are the forementioned uses of the Law contrary to the Grace of the Gospel; but do sweetly comply with it; the Spirit of Christ subduing and inabling the Will of man, to do that freely and chearfully, which the will of God revealed in the Law, requireth to be done."
|
||||
}
|
||||
},
|
||||
"20":{
|
||||
"title":"Of the Gospel, and of the extent of the Grace thereof",
|
||||
"paragraphs":{
|
||||
"1":"The Covenant of Works being broken by Sin, and made unprofitable unto Life; God was pleased to give forth the promise of Christ, the Seed of the Woman, as the means of calling the Elect, and begetting in them Faith and Repentance; in this Promise, the Gospel, as to the substance of it, was revealed, and therein Effectual, for the Conversion and Salvation of Sinners.",
|
||||
"2":"This Promise of Christ, and Salvation by him, is revealed only by the Word of God; neither do the Works of Creation, or Providence, with the light of Nature, make discovery of Christ, or of Grace by him; so much as in a general, or obscure way; much less that men destitute of the Revelation of him by the Promise, or Gospel; should be enabled thereby, to attain saving Faith, or Repentance.",
|
||||
"3":"The Revelation of the Gospel unto Sinners, made in divers times, and by sundry parts; with the addition of Promises, and Precepts for the Obedience required therein, as to the Nations, and Persons, to whom it is granted, is meerly of the Soveraign Will and good Pleasure of God; not being annexed by vertue of any Promise, to the due improvement of mens natural abilities, by vertue of Common light received, without it; which none ever did make, or can so do: And therefore in all Ages the preaching of the Gospel hath been granted unto persons and Nations, as to the extent, or streightning of it, in great variety, according to the Councell of the Will of God.",
|
||||
"4":"Although the Gospel be the only outward means, of revealing Christ, and saving Grace; and is, as such, abundantly sufficient thereunto; yet that men who are dead in Trespasses, may be born again, Quickned or Regenerated; there is moreover necessary, an effectual, insuperable work of the Holy Spirit, upon the whole Soul, for the producing in them a new spiritual Life; without which no other means will effect their Conversion unto God."
|
||||
}
|
||||
},
|
||||
"21":{
|
||||
"title":"Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience",
|
||||
"paragraphs":{
|
||||
"1":"The Liberty which Christ hath purchased for Believers under the Gospel, consists in their freedom from the guilt of Sin, the condemning wrath of God, the Rigour and Curse of the Law; and in their being delivered from this present evil World, Bondage to Satan, and Dominion of Sin; from the Evil of Afflictions; the Fear, and Sting of Death, the Victory of the Grave, and Everlasting Damnation; as also in their free access to God; and their yielding Obedience unto him not out of a slavish fear, but a Child-like love, and willing mind.",
|
||||
"2":"God alone is Lord of the Conscience, and hath left it free from the Doctrines and Commandments of men, which are in any thing contrary to his Word, or not contained in it. So that to Believe such Doctrines, or obey such Commands out of Conscience, is to betray true liberty of Conscience; and the requiring of an implicit Faith, and absolute and blind Obedience, is to destroy Liberty of Conscience, and Reason also.",
|
||||
"3":"They who upon pretence of Christian Liberty do practice any sin, or cherish any sinfull lust; as they do thereby pervert the main design of the Grace of the Gospel, to their own Destruction; so they wholy destroy the end of Christian Liberty, which is, that being delivered out of the hands of all our Enemies we might serve the Lord without fear in Holiness, and Righteousness before him, all the days of our Life."
|
||||
}
|
||||
},
|
||||
"22":{
|
||||
"title":"Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day",
|
||||
"paragraphs":{
|
||||
"1":"The light of Nature shews that there is a God, who hath Lordship, and Soveraigntye over all; is just, good, and doth good unto all; and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the Heart, and all the Soul, and with all the Might. But the acceptable way of Worshipping the true God, is instituted by himself; and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be Worshipped according to the imaginations, and devices of Men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representations, or any other way, not prescribed in the Holy Scriptures.",
|
||||
"2":"Religious Worship is to be given to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and to him alone; not to Angels, Saints, or any other Creatures; and since the fall, not without a Mediator, nor in the Mediation of any other but Christ alone.",
|
||||
"3":"Prayer with thanksgiving, being one special part of natural worship, is by God required of all men. But that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the Name of the Son, by the help of the Spirit, according to his Will; with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance; and when with others, in a known tongue.",
|
||||
"4":"Prayer is to be made for things lawful, and for all sorts of men living, or that shall live hereafter; but not for the dead, nor for those of whom it may be known that they have sinned the sin unto death.",
|
||||
"5":"The reading of the Scriptures, Preaching, and hearing the word of God, teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual songs, singing with grace in our Hearts to the Lord; as also the Administration of Baptism, and the Lords Supper are all parts of Religious worship of God, to be performed in obedience to him, with understanding, faith, reverence, and godly fear; moreover solemn humiliation with fastings; and thanksgiving upon special occasions, ought to be used in an holy and religious manner.",
|
||||
"6":"Neither Prayer, nor any other part of Religious worship, is now under the Gospel tied unto, or made more acceptable by, any place in which it is performed, or towards which it is directed; but God is to be worshipped every where in Spirit, and in truth; as in (a) private families (b) daily, and (c) in secret each one by himself, so more solemnly in the publick Assemblies, which are not carelessely, nor wilfuly, to be (d) neglected, or forsaken, when God by his word, or providence calleth thereunto.",
|
||||
"7":"As it is of the Law of nature, that in general a proportion of time by Gods appointment, be set a part for the Worship of God; so by his Word in a positive-moral, and perpetual Commandement, binding all men, in all Ages, he hath particularly appointed one day in seven for a (e) Sabbath to be kept holy unto him, which from the beginning of the World to the Resurrection of Christ, was the last day of the week; and from the resurrection of Christ, was changed into the first day of the week (f) which is called the Lords day; and is to be continued to the end of the World, as the Christian Sabbath; the observation of the last day of the week being abolished.",
|
||||
"8":"The Sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when men after a due preparing of their hearts, and ordering their common affairs aforehand, do not only observe an holy (g) rest all the day, from their own works, words, and thoughts, about their worldly employment, and recreations, but also are taken up the whole time in the publick and private exercises of his worship, and in the duties (h) of necessity and mercy."
|
||||
}
|
||||
},
|
||||
"23":{
|
||||
"title":"Of Lawful Oaths and Vows",
|
||||
"paragraphs":{
|
||||
"1":"A lawful Oath is a part of religious worship, wherein the person swearing in Truth, Righteousness, and Judgement, solemnly calleth God to witness what he sweareth; and to judge him according to the Truth or falseness thereof.",
|
||||
"2":"The Name of God only is that by which men ought to swear; and therein it is to be used, with all Holy Fear and reverence, therefore to swear vainly or rashly by that glorious, and dreadful name; or to swear at all by any other thing, is sinful and to be abhorred; yet as in matter of weight and moment for confirmation of truth, and ending all strife, an Oath is warranted by the Word of God; so a lawful Oath being imposed, by lawful Authority, in such matters, ought to be taken.",
|
||||
"3":"Whosoever taketh an Oath warranted by the Word of God, ought duely to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act; and therein to avouch nothing, but what he knoweth to be the truth; for that by rash, false, and vain Oaths the Lord is provoked, and for them this Land mournes.",
|
||||
"4":"An Oath is to be taken in the plain, and common sense of the words; without equivocation, or mental reservation.",
|
||||
"5":"A Vow which is not to be made to any Creature, but to God alone, is to be made and performed with all Religious care, and faithfulness: But Popish Monastical Vows, of perpetual single life, professed poverty, and regular obedience, are so far from being degrees of higher perfection, that they are superstitious, and sinful snares, in which no Christian may intangle himself."
|
||||
}
|
||||
},
|
||||
"24":{
|
||||
"title":"Of the Civil Magistrate",
|
||||
"paragraphs":{
|
||||
"1":"God the supream Lord, and King of all the World, hath ordained Civil Magistrates to be under him, over the people for his own glory, and the publick good; and to this end hath armed them with the power of the Sword, for defence and encouragement of them that do good, and for the punishment of evil doers.",
|
||||
"2":"It is lawful for Christians to Accept, and Execute the Office of a Magistrate when called thereunto; in the management whereof, as they ought especially to maintain Justice, and Peace, according to the wholsome Laws of each Kingdome, and Commonwealth: so for that end they may lawfully now under the New Testament wage war upon just and necessary occasions.",
|
||||
"3":"Civil Magistrates being set up by God, for the ends aforesaid; subjection in all lawful things commanded by them, ought to be yeilded by us, in the Lord; not only for wrath but for Conscience sake; and we ought to make supplications and prayers for Kings, and all that are in Authority, that under them we may live a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty."
|
||||
}
|
||||
},
|
||||
"25":{
|
||||
"title":"Of Marriage",
|
||||
"paragraphs":{
|
||||
"1":"Marriage is to be between one Man and one Woman; neither is it lawful for any man to have more then one Wife, nor for any Woman to have more then one Husband at the same time.",
|
||||
"2":"Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of Husband and Wife, for the increase of Man-kind, with a legitimate issue, and for preventing of uncleanness.",
|
||||
"3":"It is lawful for all sorts of people to Marry, who are able with judgment to give their consent; yet it is the duty of Christians to marry in the Lord, and therefore such as profess the true Religion, should not Marry with Infidels, or Idolaters; neither should such as are godly be unequally yoked, by marrying with such as are wicked, in their life, or maintain damnable Heresie.",
|
||||
"4":"Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of consanguinity, or Affinity forbidden in the word; nor can such incestuous Marriage ever be made lawful, by any law of Man or consent of parties, so as those persons may live together as Man and Wife."
|
||||
}
|
||||
},
|
||||
"26":{
|
||||
"title":"Of the Church",
|
||||
"paragraphs":{
|
||||
"1":"The Catholick or universal Church, which (with respect to the internal work of the Spirit, and truth of grace) may be called invisible, consists of the whole number of the Elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ the head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.",
|
||||
"2":"All persons throughout the world, professing the faith of the Gospel, and obedience unto God by Christ, according unto it; not destroying their own profession by any Errors everting the foundation, or unholyness of conversation, are and may be called visible Saints; and of such ought all particular Congregations to be constituted.",
|
||||
"3":"The purest Churches under heaven are subject to mixture, and error; and som have so degenerated as to become no Churches of Christ, but Synagogues of Satan; nevertheless Christ always hath had, and ever shall have a Kingdome in this world, to the end thereof, of such as believe in him, and make profession of his Name.",
|
||||
"4":"The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, in whom by the appointment of the Father, all power for the calling, institution, order, or Government of the Church, is invested in a supream & soveraigne manner, neither can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof, but is that Antichrist, that Man of sin, and Son of perdition, that exalteth himself in the Church against Christ, and all that is called God; whom the Lord shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.",
|
||||
"5":"In the execution of this power wherewith he is so intrusted, the Lord Jesus calleth out of the World unto himself, through the Ministry of his word, by his Spirit, those that are given unto him by his Father; that they may walk before him in all the ways of obedience, which he prescribeth to them in his Word. Those thus called he commandeth to walk together in particular societies, or Churches, for their mutual edification; and the due performance of that publick worship, which he requireth of them in the World.",
|
||||
"6":"The Members of these Churches are Saints by calling, visibly manifesting and evidencing (in and by their profession and walking) their obedience unto that call of Christ; and do willingly consent to walk together according to the appointment of Christ, giving up themselves, to the Lord & one to another by the will of God, in professed subjection to the Ordinances of the Gospel.",
|
||||
"7":"To each of these Churches thus gathered, according to his mind, declared in his word, he hath given all that power and authority, which is any way needfull, for their carrying on that order in worship, and discipline, which he hath instituted for them to observe; with commands, and rules, for the due and right exerting, and executing of that power.",
|
||||
"8":"A particular Church gathered, and compleatly Organized, according to the mind of Christ, consists of Officers, and Members; And the Officers appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the Church (so called and gathered) for the peculiar Administration of Ordinances, and Execution of Power, or Duty, which he intrusts them with, or calls them to, to be continued to the end of the World are Bishops or Elders and Deacons.",
|
||||
"9":"The way appointed by Christ for the Calling of any person, fitted, and gifted by the Holy Spirit, unto the Office of Bishop, or Elder, in a Church, is, that he be chosen thereunto by the common suffrage of the Church it self; and Solemnly set apart by Fasting and Prayer, with imposition of hands of the Eldership of the Church, if there be any before Constituted therein; And of a Deacon that he be chosen by the like suffrage, and set apart by Prayer, and the like Imposition of hands.",
|
||||
"10":"The work of Pastors being constantly to attend the Service of Christ, in his Churches, in the Ministry of the Word, and Prayer, with watching for their Souls, as they that must give an account to him; it is incumbent on the Churches to whom they Minister, not only to give them all due respect, but also to communicate to them of all their good things according to their ability, so as they may have a comfortable supply, without being themselves entangled in Secular Affairs; and may also be capable of exercising Hospitality toward others; and this is required by the Law of Nature, and by the Express order of our Lord Jesus, who hath ordained that they that preach the Gospel, should live of the Gospel.",
|
||||
"11":"Although it be incumbent on the Bishops or Pastors of the Churches to be instant in Preaching the Word, by way of Office; yet the work of Preaching the Word, is not so peculiarly confined to them; but that others also (a) gifted, and fitted by the Holy Spirit for it, and approved, and called by the Church, may and ought to perform it.",
|
||||
"12":"As all Believers are bound to joyn themselves to particular Churches, when and where they have opportunity so to do; So all that are admitted unto the priviledges of a Church, are also (b) under the Censures and Government thereof, according to the Rule of Christ.",
|
||||
"13":"No Church-members upon any offence taken by them, having performed their Duty required of them towards the person they are offended at, ought to disturb any Church order, or absent themselves from the Assemblies of the Church, or Administration of any Ordinances, upon the account of such offence at any of their fellow-members; but to wait upon Christ, (c) in the further proceeding of the Church.",
|
||||
"14":"As each Church, and all the Members of it are bound to (d) pray continually, for the good and prosperity of all the Churches of Christ, in all places; and upon all occasions to further it (every one within the bounds of their places, and callings, in the Exercise of their Gifts and Graces) so the Churches (when planted by the providence of God so as they may injoy opportunity and advantage for it) ought to hold (e) communion amongst themselves for their peace, increase of love, and mutual edification.",
|
||||
"15":"In cases of difficulties or differences, either in point of Doctrine, or Administration; wherein either the Churches in general are concerned, or any one Church in their peace, union, and edification; or any member, or members, of any Church are injured, in or by any proceedings in censures not agreeable to truth, and order: it is according to the mind of Christ, that many Churches holding communion together, do by their messengers meet to consider, (f) and give their advice, in or about that matter in difference, to be reported to all the Churches concerned; howbeit these messengers assembled are not entrusted with any Church-power properly so called; or with any jurisdiction over the Churches themselves, to exercise any censures either over any Churches, or Persons: or (g) to impose their determination on the Churches, or Officers."
|
||||
}
|
||||
},
|
||||
"27":{
|
||||
"title":"Of the Communion of Saints",
|
||||
"paragraphs":{
|
||||
"1":"All Saints that are united to Jesus Christ their Head, by his Spirit, and Faith; although they are not made thereby one person with him, have fellowship in his Graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory; and being united to one another in love, they have communion in each others gifts, and graces; and are obliged to the performance of such duties, publick and private, in an orderly way, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man.",
|
||||
"2":"Saints by profession are bound to maintain an holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God, and in performing such other spiritual services, as tend to their mutual edification; as also in relieving each other in outward things according to their several abilities, and necessities; which communion according to the rule of the Gospel, though especially to be exercised by them, in the relations wherein they stand, whether in families, or Churches; yet as God offereth opportunity is to be extended to all the houshold of faith, even all those who in every place call upon the name of the Lord Jesus; nevertheless their communion one with another as Saints, doth not take away or infringe, the title or propriety, which each man hath in his goods and possessions."
|
||||
}
|
||||
},
|
||||
"28":{
|
||||
"title":"Of Baptism and the Lords Supper",
|
||||
"paragraphs":{
|
||||
"1":"Baptism and the Lords Supper are ordinances of positive, and soveraign institution; appointed by the Lord Jesus the only Law-giver, to be continued in his Church to the end of the world.",
|
||||
"2":"2, These holy appointments are to be administred by those only, who are qualified and thereunto called according to the commission of Christ."
|
||||
}
|
||||
},
|
||||
"29":{
|
||||
"title":"Of Baptism",
|
||||
"paragraphs":{
|
||||
"1":"Baptism is an Ordinance of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, to be unto the party Baptized, a sign of his fellowship with him, in his death, and resurrection; of his being engrafted into him; of remission of sins; and of his giving up unto God through Jesus Christ to live and walk in newness of Life.",
|
||||
"2":"Those who do actually professe repentance towards God, faith in, and obedience, to our Lord Jesus, are the only proper subjects of this ordinance.",
|
||||
"3":"The outward element to be used in this ordinance is water, wherein the party is to be baptized, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.",
|
||||
"4":"Immersion, or dipping of the person in water, is necessary to the due administration of this ordinance."
|
||||
}
|
||||
},
|
||||
"30":{
|
||||
"title":"Of the Lords Supper",
|
||||
"paragraphs":{
|
||||
"1":"The Supper of the Lord Jesus, was instituted by him, the same night wherein he was betrayed, to be observed in his Churches unto the end of the world, for the perpetual remembrance, and shewing forth the sacrifice of himself in his death confirmation of the faith of believers in all the benefits thereof, their spiritual nourishment, and growth in him, their further ingagement in, and to, all duties which they owe unto him; and to be a bond and pledge of their communion with him, and with each other.",
|
||||
"2":"In this ordinance Christ is not offered up to his Father, nor any real sacrifice made at all, for remission of sin of the quick or dead; but only a memorial of that one offering up of himself, by himself, upon the crosse, once for all; and a spiritual oblation of all possible praise unto God for the same; so that the Popish sacrifice of the Mass (as they call it) is most abominable, injurious to Christs own only sacrifice, the alone propitiation for all the sins of the Elect.",
|
||||
"3":"The Lord Jesus hath in this Ordinance, appointed his Ministers to Pray, and bless the Elements of Bread and Wine, and thereby to set them apart from a common to an holy use, and to take and break the Bread; to take the Cup, and (they communicating also themselves) to give both to the Communicants.",
|
||||
"4":"The denyal of the Cup to the people, worshiping the Elements, the lifting them up, or carrying them about for adoration, and reserving them for any pretended religious use, are all contrary to the nature of this Ordinance, and to the institution of Christ.",
|
||||
"5":"The outward Elements in this Ordinance, duely set apart to the uses ordained by Christ, have such relation to him crucified, as that truely, although in terms used figuratively, they are sometimes called by the name of the things they represent, to wit the body and Blood of Christ; albeit in substance, and nature, they still remain truly, and only Bread, and Wine, as they were before.",
|
||||
"6":"That doctrine which maintains a change of the substance of Bread and Wine, into the substance of Christs body and blood (commonly called Transubstantiation) by consecration of a Priest, or by any other way, is repugnant not to Scripture alone, but even to common sense and reason; overthroweth the nature of the ordinance, and hath been and is the cause of manifold superstitions, yea, of gross Idolatries.",
|
||||
"7":"Worthy receivers, outwardly partaking of the visible Elements in this Ordinance, do then also inwardly by faith, really and indeed, yet not carnally, and corporally, but spiritually receive, and feed upon Christ crucified & all the benefits of his death: the Body and Blood of Christ, being then not corporally, or carnally, but spiritually present to the faith of Believers, in that Ordinance, as the Elements themselves are to their outward senses.",
|
||||
"8":"All ignorant and ungodly persons, as they are unfit to enjoy communion with Christ; so are they unworthy of the Lords Table; and cannot without great sin against him, while they remain such, partake of these holy mysteries, or be admitted thereunto: yea whosoever shall receive unworthily are guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord, eating and drinking judgement to themselves."
|
||||
}
|
||||
},
|
||||
"31":{
|
||||
"title":"Of the State of Man after Death and of the Resurrection of the Dead",
|
||||
"paragraphs":{
|
||||
"1":"The Bodies of Men after Death return to dust, and see corruption; but their Souls (which neither die nor sleep) having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them: the Souls of the Righteous being then made perfect in holyness, are received into paradise where they are with Christ, and behold the face of God, in light and glory; waiting for the full Redemption of their Bodies; and the souls of the wicked, are cast into hell; where they remain in torment and utter darkness, reserved to the judgement of the great day; besides these two places for Souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledgeth none.",
|
||||
"2":"At the last day such of the Saints as are found alive shall not sleep but be changed; and all the dead shall be raised up with the self same bodies, and none other; although with different qualities, which shall be united again to their Souls for ever.",
|
||||
"3":"The bodies of the unjust shall by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonour; the bodies of the just by his spirit unto honour, and be made conformable to his own glorious Body."
|
||||
}
|
||||
},
|
||||
"32":{
|
||||
"title":"Of the Last Judgement",
|
||||
"paragraphs":{
|
||||
"1":"God hath appointed a Day wherein he will judge the world in Righteousness, by Jesus Christ; to whom all power and judgement is given of the Father; in which Day not only the Apostate Angels shall be judged; but likewise all persons that have lived upon the Earth, shall appear before the Tribunal of Christ; to give an account of their Thoughts, Words, and Deeds, and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.",
|
||||
"2":"The end of Gods appointing this Day, is for the manifestation of the glory of his Mercy, in the Eternal Salvation of the Elect; and of his Justice in the Eternal damnation of the Reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient; for then shall the Righteous go into Everlasting Life, and receive that fulness of Joy, and Glory, with everlasting reward, in the presence of the Lord: but the wicked who know not God, and obey not the Gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast into Eternal torments, and punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.",
|
||||
"3":"As Christ would have us to be certainly perswaded that there shall be a Day of judgement, both to deter all men from sin, and for the greater consolation of the godly, in their adversity; so will he have that day unknown to Men, that they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour, the Lord will come; and may ever be prepared to say, Come Lord Jesus, Come quickly, Amen."
|
||||
}
|
||||
}
|
||||
}
|
||||
}
|
||||
@@ -0,0 +1,648 @@
|
||||
{
|
||||
"22": "",
|
||||
"2 Timothy 3:15, 16, 17": "From infancy, you have known the sacred writings which are able to make you wise to salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. Every scripture inspired by God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely to every good work.",
|
||||
"Isaiah 8:20": "To the law and to the testimony! if they don't speak according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.",
|
||||
"Luke 16:29, 31": "But Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.' He said to him, 'If they don't listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead.'\"",
|
||||
"Ephesians 2:20": "being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;",
|
||||
"Romans 1:14, 15": "I am debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.",
|
||||
"Psalms 19:1, 2, 3": "The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork. Day after day they pour forth speech, And night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech nor language, Where their voice is not heard.",
|
||||
"Hebrews 1:1": "God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,",
|
||||
"Proverbs 22:19, 20, 21": "That your trust may be in Yahweh, I teach you today, even you. Haven't I written to you thirty excellent things Of counsel and knowledge, To teach you truth, reliable words, To give sound answers to the ones who sent you?",
|
||||
"Romans 15:4": "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.",
|
||||
"2 Peter 1:19, 20": "We have the more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the day star arises in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation.",
|
||||
"Luke 24:44": "He said to them, \"This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me.\"",
|
||||
"Romans 3:2": "Much in every way! Because first of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.",
|
||||
"2 Peter 1:19, 20, 21": "We have the more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the day star arises in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation. For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.",
|
||||
"2 Timothy 3:16": "Every scripture inspired by God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness,",
|
||||
"2 Thessalonians 2:13": "But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth;",
|
||||
"1 John 5:9": "If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is God's testimony which he has testified concerning his Son.",
|
||||
"John 2:27": "",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 2:1": "When I came to you, brothers, I didn't come with excellence of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.",
|
||||
"Galatians 1:8, 9": "But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any gospel other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed. As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any gospel other than that which you received, let him be cursed.",
|
||||
"2 Peter 3:16": "as also in all of his letters, speaking in them of these things. In those are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unsettled twist, as they do also to the other scriptures, to their own destruction.",
|
||||
"Psalms 19:130": "",
|
||||
"Acts 15:15": "This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,",
|
||||
"John 5:39": "You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me.",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 14,:28": "But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silence in the assembly, and let him speak to himself, and to God.",
|
||||
"Colossians 3:16": "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to God.",
|
||||
"2 Peter 1:20, 21": "knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation. For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.",
|
||||
"Acts 15:15, 16": "This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written, 'After these things I will return. I will again build the tent of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up:",
|
||||
"Matthew 22:31": "But concerning the resurrection of the dead, haven't you read that which was spoken to you by God, saying,",
|
||||
"Acts 28:23": "When they had appointed him a day, they came to him into his lodging in great number. He explained to them, testifying about the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening.",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 8:6": "yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we to him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.",
|
||||
"Deuteronomy 6:4": "Hear, Israel: Yahweh is our God; Yahweh is one:",
|
||||
"Jeremiah 10:10": "But Yahweh is the true God; he is the living God, and an everlasting King: at his wrath the earth trembles, and the nations are not able to abide his indignation.",
|
||||
"Isaiah 48:12": "Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel my called: I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.",
|
||||
"Exodus 3:14": "God said to Moses, \"I AM WHO I AM,\" and he said, \"You shall tell the children of Israel this: \"I AM has sent me to you.\"",
|
||||
"John 4:24": "God is a Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.\"",
|
||||
"1 Timothy 1:17": "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.",
|
||||
"Deuteronomy 4:15, 16": "Take therefore good heed to yourselves; for you saw no manner of form on the day that Yahweh spoke to you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire. Lest you corrupt yourselves, and make yourself an engraved image in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female,",
|
||||
"Malachi 3:6": "For I, Yahweh, don't change; therefore you, sons of Jacob, are not consumed.",
|
||||
"1 Kings 8:27": "But will God in very deed dwell on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens can't contain you; how much less this house that I have built!",
|
||||
"Jeremiah 23:23": "Am I a God at hand, says Yahweh, and not a God afar off?",
|
||||
"Psalms 90:2": "Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever you had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.",
|
||||
"Genesis 17:1": "When Abram was ninety-nine years old, Yahweh appeared to Abram, and said to him, \"I am God Almighty. Walk before me, and be blameless.",
|
||||
"Isaiah 6:3": "One cried to another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is Yahweh of Hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.",
|
||||
"Psalms 115:3": "But our God is in the heavens. He does whatever he pleases.",
|
||||
"Isaiah 46:10": "declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not [yet] done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure;",
|
||||
"Proverbs 16:4": "Yahweh has made everything for its own end -- Yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.",
|
||||
"Romans 11:36": "For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen.",
|
||||
"Exodus 34:6, 7": "Yahweh passed by before him, and proclaimed, \"Yahweh! Yahweh, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth, keeping lovingkindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and disobedience and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the children's children, on the third and on the fourth generation.\"",
|
||||
"Hebrews 11:6": "Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.",
|
||||
"Nehemiah 9:32, 33": "Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keep covenant and lovingkindness, don't let all the travail seem little before you, that has come on us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all your people, since the time of the kings of Assyria to this day. However you are just in all that is come on us; for you have dealt truly, but we have done wickedly;",
|
||||
"Psalms 5:5, 6": "The arrogant shall not stand in your sight. You hate all workers of iniquity. You will destroy those who speak lies. Yahweh abhors the blood-thirsty and deceitful man.",
|
||||
"Exodus 34:7": "keeping lovingkindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and disobedience and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the children's children, on the third and on the fourth generation.\"",
|
||||
"Nahum 1,2,3:": "",
|
||||
"John 5:26": "For as the Father has life in himself, even so he gave to the Son also to have life in himself.",
|
||||
"Psalms 148:13": "Let them praise the name of Yahweh, For his name alone is exalted. His glory is above the earth and the heavens.",
|
||||
"Psalms 119:68": "You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes.",
|
||||
"Job 22:2, 3": "\"Can a man be profitable to God? Surely he who is wise is profitable to himself. Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that you are righteous? Or does it benefit him, that you make your ways perfect?",
|
||||
"Romans 11:35, 36": "\"Or who has first given to him, And it will be repaid to him again?\" For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen.",
|
||||
"Daniel 4:34, 35": "At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him who lives forever; for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or tell him, What do you?",
|
||||
"Hebrews 4:13": "There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do.",
|
||||
"Ephesians 1:11": "in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his will;",
|
||||
"Hebrews 6:17": "Wherein God, being determined to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath;",
|
||||
"Romans 9:15, 18": "For he said to Moses, \"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.\" So then, he has mercy on whom he desires, and he hardens whom he desires.",
|
||||
"James 1:15, 17": "Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow.",
|
||||
"1 John 1:5": "This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.",
|
||||
"Acts 4:27, 28": "For truly, in this city against your holy servant, Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever your hand and your council foreordained to happen.",
|
||||
"John 19:11": "Jesus answered, \"You would have no power at all against me, unless it were given to you from above. Therefore he who delivered me to you has greater sin.\"",
|
||||
"Numbers 23:19": "God is not a man, that he should lie, Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not make it good?",
|
||||
"Ephesians 1:3, 4, 5": "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ; even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without blemish before him in love; having predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire,",
|
||||
"Acts 15:18": "All his works are known to God from eternity.'",
|
||||
"Romans 9:18": "So then, he has mercy on whom he desires, and he hardens whom he desires.",
|
||||
"1 Timothy 5:21": "I charge you in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.",
|
||||
"Matthew 25:41": "Then will he say also to them on the left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels;",
|
||||
"Ephesians 1:5, 6": "having predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire, to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved,",
|
||||
"Romans 9:22, 23": "What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath made for destruction, and that he might make known the riches of his glory on vessels of mercy, which he prepared beforehand for glory,",
|
||||
"Judges 4:": "",
|
||||
"2 Timothy 2:19": "However God's firm foundation stands, having this seal, \"The Lord knows those who are his,\" and, \"Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.\"",
|
||||
"John 13:18": "I speak not of you all. I know whom I have chosen. But that the scripture may be fulfilled, 'He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.'",
|
||||
"Romans 8:30": "Whom he foreordained, them he also called. Whom he called, them he also justified. Whom he justified, them he also glorified.",
|
||||
"2 Timothy 1:9": "who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,",
|
||||
"1 Thessalonians 5:9": "For God didn't appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,",
|
||||
"Romans 9:16": "So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who has mercy.",
|
||||
"Ephesians 1:12": "to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ:",
|
||||
"1 Peter 1:2": "according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, to obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.",
|
||||
"1 Thessalonians 5:9, 10": "For God didn't appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.",
|
||||
"1 Peter 1:5": "who by the power of God are guarded through faith to a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.",
|
||||
"John 6:64": "But there are some of you who don't believe.\" For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who didn't believe, and who it was who would betray him.",
|
||||
"1 Thessalonians 1:4, 5": "We know, brothers loved by God, that you are chosen, and that our gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake.",
|
||||
"2 Peter 1:10": "Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.",
|
||||
"Ephesians 1:6": "to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved,",
|
||||
"Romans 11:33": "Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!",
|
||||
"Romans 11:5, 6": "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.",
|
||||
"Luke 10:20": "Nevertheless, don't rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.\"",
|
||||
"John 1:2, 3": "The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made.",
|
||||
"Hebrews 1:2": "has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds.",
|
||||
"Job 26:13": "By his Spirit the heavens are garnished. His hand has pierced the swift serpent.",
|
||||
"Romans 1:20": "For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse.",
|
||||
"Colossians 1:16": "For in him were all things created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and to him.",
|
||||
"Genesis 2:1, 2": "The heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. On the seventh day God finished his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.",
|
||||
"Genesis 1:27": "God created man in his own image. In God's image he created him; male and female he created them.",
|
||||
"Genesis 2:7": "Yahweh God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.",
|
||||
"Ecclesiastes 7:29": "Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they search for many schemes.",
|
||||
"Genesis 1:26": "God said, \"Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.\"",
|
||||
"Romans 2:14, 15": "(for when Gentiles who don't have the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying with them, and their thoughts among themselves accusing or else excusing them)",
|
||||
"Genesis 3:6": "When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit of it, and ate; and she gave some to her husband with her, and he ate.",
|
||||
"Genesis 6:8, 9, 10": "But Noah found favor in Yahweh's eyes. This is the history of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time. Noah walked with God. Noah became the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.",
|
||||
"Genesis 1:26, 28": "God said, \"Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.\" God blessed them. God said to them, \"Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.\"",
|
||||
"Hebrews 1:3": "His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself made purification for our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;",
|
||||
"Job 38:11": "And said, 'Here you may come, but no further; Here shall your proud waves be stayed?'",
|
||||
"Isaiah 46:10, 11": "declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not [yet] done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure; calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country; yes, I have spoken, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed, I will also do it.",
|
||||
"Psalms 135:6": "Whatever Yahweh pleased, that he has done, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps;",
|
||||
"Matthew 10:29, 30, 31": "\"Aren't two sparrows sold for an assarion? Not one of them falls on the ground apart from your Father's will, but the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore don't be afraid, you are of more value than many sparrows.",
|
||||
"Acts 2:23": "him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed;",
|
||||
"Proverbs 16:33": "The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from Yahweh.",
|
||||
"Genesis 8:22": "While the earth remains, seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.\"",
|
||||
"Acts 27:44": "and the rest, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship. So it happened that they all escaped safely to the land.",
|
||||
"Isaiah 55:11": "so shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.",
|
||||
"Hosea 1:7": "But I will have mercy on the house of Judah, and will save them by Yahweh their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.",
|
||||
"Romans 4:19, 20, 21": "Without being weakened in faith, he didn't consider his own body, already having been worn out, (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb. Yet, looking to the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.",
|
||||
"Daniel 3:27": "The satraps, the deputies, and the governors, and the king's counselors, being gathered together, saw these men, that the fire had no power on their bodies, nor was the hair of their head singed, neither were their pants changed, nor had the smell of fire passed on them.",
|
||||
"Romans 11:34": "\"For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?\"",
|
||||
"2 Samuel 24:1": "Again the anger of Yahweh was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them, saying, Go, number Israel and Judah.",
|
||||
"1 Chronicles 21:1": "Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.",
|
||||
"2 Kings 19:28": "Because of your raging against me, and because your arrogance is come up into my ears, therefore will I put my hook in your nose, and my bridle in your lips, and I will turn you back by the way by which you came.",
|
||||
"Psalms 76:10": "Surely the wrath of man praises you. The survivors of your wrath are restrained.",
|
||||
"Genesis 50:20": "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save many people alive.",
|
||||
"Isaiah 10:12": "Therefore it shall happen that, when the Lord has performed his whole work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.",
|
||||
"Psalms 50:1": "The Mighty One, God, Yahweh, speaks, And calls the earth from sunrise to sunset.",
|
||||
"John 2:16": "To those who sold the doves, he said, \"Take these things out of here! Don't make my Father's house a marketplace!\"",
|
||||
"2 Chronicles 32:31": "However in [the business of] the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent to him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.",
|
||||
"2 Corinthians 12:7, 8, 9": "By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted excessively. Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me. He has said to me, \"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.\" Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.",
|
||||
"Romans 1:7, 8": "To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world.",
|
||||
"Deuteronomy 29:4": "but Yahweh has not given you a heart to know, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, to this day.",
|
||||
"Matthew 13:12": "For whoever has, to him will be given, and he will have abundance, but whoever doesn't have, from him will be taken away even that which he has.",
|
||||
"Deuteronomy 2:30": "But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him; for Yahweh your God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into your hand, as at this day.",
|
||||
"2 Kings 8:12, 13": "Hazael said, Why weeps my lord? He answered, Because I know the evil that you will do to the children of Israel: their strongholds will you set on fire, and their young men will you kill with the sword, and will dash in pieces their little ones, and rip up their women with child. Hazael said, But what is your servant, who is but a dog, that he should do this great thing? Elisha answered, Yahweh has showed me that you shall be king over Syria.",
|
||||
"Psalms 81:11, 12": "But my people didn't listen to my voice. Israel desired none of me. So I let them go after the stubbornness of their hearts, That they might walk in their own counsels.",
|
||||
"2 Thessalonians 2:10, 11, 12": "and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn't receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. Because of this, God sends them a working of error, that they should believe a lie; that they all might be judged who didn't believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.",
|
||||
"Exodus 8:32": "Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he didn't let the people go.",
|
||||
"Isaiah 6:9, 10": "He said, Go, and tell this people, Hear you indeed, but don't understand; and see you indeed, but don't perceive. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn again, and be healed.",
|
||||
"1 Peter 2:7, 8": "For you therefore who believe is the honor, but for such as are disobedient, \"The stone which the builders rejected, Has become the chief cornerstone,\" and, \"A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.\" For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, whereunto also they were appointed.",
|
||||
"1 Timothy 4:10": "For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we have set our trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.",
|
||||
"Amos 9:9": "For, behold, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all the nations, like as [grain] is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least kernel fall on the earth.",
|
||||
"Isaiah 43:3, 4, 5": "For I am Yahweh your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I have given Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Since you have been precious in my sight, [and] honorable, and I have loved you; therefore will I give men in your place, and peoples instead of your life. Don't be afraid; for I am with you: I will bring your seed from the east, and gather you from the west;",
|
||||
"Genesis 2:16, 17": "Yahweh God commanded the man, saying, \"Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat of it you will surely die.\"",
|
||||
"Genesis 3:12, 13": "The man said, \"The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.\" Yahweh God said to the woman, \"What is this you have done?\" The woman said, \"The serpent deceived me, and I ate.\"",
|
||||
"2 Corinthians 11:3": "But I am afraid that by any means, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is toward Christ.",
|
||||
"Romans 3:23": "for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;",
|
||||
"Romans 5:&": "",
|
||||
"Titus 1:15": "To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.",
|
||||
"Genesis 6:5": "Yahweh saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.",
|
||||
"Jeremiah 17:9": "The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it?",
|
||||
"Romans 3:10-19": "As it is written, \"There is no one righteous. No, not one.",
|
||||
"Psalms 51:5": "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity. In sin did my mother conceive me.",
|
||||
"Job 14:4": "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one.",
|
||||
"Romans 5:12-19": "Therefore, as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin; and so death passed to all men, because all sinned.",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 15:49": "As we have borne the image of those made of dust, let's also bear the image of the heavenly.",
|
||||
"Ephesians 2:3": "among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.",
|
||||
"Romans 6:12": "Therefore don't let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.",
|
||||
"Hebrews 2:14": "Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,",
|
||||
"1 Thessalonians 1:10": "and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead -- Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.",
|
||||
"Romans 8:7": "because the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God; for it is not subject to God's law, neither indeed can it be.",
|
||||
"Colossians 1:21": "You, being in past times alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works,",
|
||||
"James 1:14, 15": "But each one is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death.",
|
||||
"Matthew 15:19": "For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies.",
|
||||
"Romans 7:23": "but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members.",
|
||||
"Ecclesiastes 7:20": "Surely there is not a righteous man on earth, who does good and doesn't sin.",
|
||||
"1 John 1:8": "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.",
|
||||
"Romans 7:25": "I thank God through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So then I of myself with the mind, indeed serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.",
|
||||
"Galatians 5:17": "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other, that you may not do the things that you desire.",
|
||||
"Luke 17:10": "Even so you also, when you have done all the things that are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy servants. We have done our duty.'\"",
|
||||
"Job 35:8": "Your wickedness may hurt a man as you are; And your righteousness may profit a son of man.",
|
||||
"Genesis 2:17": "but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat of it you will surely die.\"",
|
||||
"Galatians 3:10": "For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, \"Cursed is everyone who doesn't continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.\"",
|
||||
"Romans 3:20, 21": "Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight. For through the law comes the knowledge of sin. But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets;",
|
||||
"Romans 8:3": "For what the law couldn't do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh;",
|
||||
"Mark 16:16": "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned.",
|
||||
"John 3:16": "For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.",
|
||||
"Ezekiel 36:26, 27": "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my ordinances, and do them.",
|
||||
"John 6:45": "It is written in the prophets, 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who hears from the Father, and has learned, comes to me.",
|
||||
"Psalms 110:3": "Your people offer themselves willingly in the day of your power, In holy array. Out of the womb of the morning, you have the dew of your youth.",
|
||||
"Genesis 3:15": "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel.\"",
|
||||
"Acts 4:12": "There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, in which we must be saved!\"",
|
||||
"John 8:56": "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it, and was glad.\"",
|
||||
"Isaiah 42:1": "Behold, my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen, in whom my soul delights: I have put my Spirit on him; he will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.",
|
||||
"1 Peter 1:19, 20": "but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, the blood of Christ; who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of times for your sake,",
|
||||
"Acts 3:22": "For Moses indeed said to the fathers, 'The Lord God will raise up a prophet to you from among your brothers, like me. You will listen to him in all things whatever he says to you.",
|
||||
"Hebrews 5:5, 6": "So also Christ didn't glorify himself to be made a high priest, but he who said to him, \"You are my Son. Today I have become your father.\" As he says also in another place, \"You are a priest forever, After the order of Melchizedek.\"",
|
||||
"Psalms 2:6": "\"Yet I have set my king on my holy hill of Zion.\"",
|
||||
"Luke 1:33": "and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end of his kingdom.\"",
|
||||
"Ephesians 1:23": "which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.",
|
||||
"Acts 17:31": "because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; whereof he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.\"",
|
||||
"Isaiah 53:10": "Yet it pleased Yahweh to bruise him; he has put him to grief: when you shall make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of Yahweh shall prosper in his hand.",
|
||||
"John 17:6": "I revealed your name to the people whom you have given me out of the world. They were yours, and you have given them to me. They have kept your word.",
|
||||
"Romans 8:30:": "Whom he foreordained, them he also called. Whom he called, them he also justified. Whom he justified, them he also glorified.",
|
||||
"John 1:14": "The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.",
|
||||
"Galatians 4:4": "But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born to a woman, born under the law,",
|
||||
"Hebrews 2:15": "and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.",
|
||||
"Luke 1:35": "The angel answered her, \"The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one which is born from you will be called the Son of God.",
|
||||
"Romans 9:5": "whose are the fathers, and of whom is Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God, blessed forever. Amen.",
|
||||
"1 Timothy 2:5": "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,",
|
||||
"Psalms 45:7": "You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.",
|
||||
"Acts 10:38": "even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with him.",
|
||||
"John 3:34": "For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure.",
|
||||
"Colossians 2:3": "in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.",
|
||||
"Colossians 1:19": "For all the fullness was pleased to dwell in him;",
|
||||
"Hebrews 7:26": "For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;",
|
||||
"Hebrews 7:22": "By so much has Jesus become the collateral of a better covenant.",
|
||||
"Hebrews 5:5": "So also Christ didn't glorify himself to be made a high priest, but he who said to him, \"You are my Son. Today I have become your father.\"",
|
||||
"John 5:27": "He also gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man.",
|
||||
"Matthew 28:18": "Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, \"All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.",
|
||||
"Acts 2:36": "\"Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.\"",
|
||||
"Psalms 40:7, 8": "Then I said, \"Behold, I have come. It is written about me in the book in the scroll. I delight to do your will, my God. Yes, your law is within my heart.\"",
|
||||
"Hebrews 10:5-11": "Therefore when he comes into the world, he says, \"Sacrifice and offering you didn't desire, But a body did you prepare for me;",
|
||||
"John 10:18": "No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. I received this commandment from my Father.\"",
|
||||
"Matthew 3:15": "But Jesus, answering, said to him, \"Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.\" Then he allowed him.",
|
||||
"Galatians 3:13": "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, \"Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,\"",
|
||||
"Isaiah 53:6": "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and Yahweh has laid on him the iniquity of us all.",
|
||||
"1 Peter 3:18": "Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;",
|
||||
"2 Corinthians 5:21": "For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.",
|
||||
"Matthew 27:46": "About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, \"Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?\" That is, \"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?\"",
|
||||
"Luke 22:44": "Being in agony he prayed more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.",
|
||||
"Acts 13:37": "But he whom God raised up saw no decay.",
|
||||
"Matthew 17:12": "but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they didn't recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted to. Even so will the Son of Man also suffer by them.\"",
|
||||
"James 1:14": "But each one is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.",
|
||||
"Deuteronomy 30:19": "I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse: therefore choose life, that you may live, you and your seed;",
|
||||
"Romans 5:7": "For one will hardly die for a righteous man. For perhaps for a righteous person someone would even dare to die.",
|
||||
"Ephesians 2:5": "even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have you been saved),",
|
||||
"Titus 3:3, 4, 5": "For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But when the kindness of God, our Savior, and his love toward man, appeared, not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,",
|
||||
"John 6:44": "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day.",
|
||||
"Colossians 1:13": "who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love;",
|
||||
"John 8:36": "If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.",
|
||||
"Philippians 2:13": "For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.",
|
||||
"Ephesians 4:13": "until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;",
|
||||
"Romans 11:7": "What then? That which Israel seeks for, that he didn't obtain, but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened.",
|
||||
"Ephesians 1:10, 11": "to an administration of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, in him; in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his will;",
|
||||
"2 Thessalonians 3:13, 14": "But you, brothers, don't be weary in doing well. If any man doesn't obey our word by this letter, note that man, that you have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed.",
|
||||
"Ephesians 2:1-6": "You were made alive when you were dead through your trespasses and sins,",
|
||||
"Acts 26:18": "to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'",
|
||||
"Ephesians 1:18": "having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,",
|
||||
"Ezekiel 36:26": "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.",
|
||||
"Deuteronomy 30:6": "Yahweh your God will circumcise your heart, and the heart of your seed, to love Yahweh your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, that you may live.",
|
||||
"Ezekiel 36:27": "I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my ordinances, and do them.",
|
||||
"Ephesians 1:19": "and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might",
|
||||
"Psalms 110:4": "Yahweh has sworn, and will not change his mind: \"You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.\"",
|
||||
"Ephesians 2:8": "for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 2:14": "Now the natural man doesn't receive the things of the God's Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can't know them, because they are spiritually discerned.",
|
||||
"John 5:25": "Most assuredly, I tell you, the hour comes, and now is, when the dead will hear the Son of God's voice; and those who hear will live.",
|
||||
"Ephesians 1:19, 20": "and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,",
|
||||
"John 3:5, 6": "Jesus answered, \"Most assuredly I tell you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he can't enter into the kingdom of God! That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.",
|
||||
"John 3:8": "The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don't know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.\"",
|
||||
"Matthew 22:20, 21": "He asked them, \"Whose is this image and inscription?\" They said to him, \"Caesar's.\" Then he said to them, \"Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.\"",
|
||||
"Hebrews 6:4, 5": "For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come,",
|
||||
"John 6:65": "He said, \"For this cause have I said to you that no one can come to me, except it be given to him by my Father.\"",
|
||||
"1 John 2:24, 25": "Therefore, as for you, let that remain in you which you heard from the beginning. If that which you heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son, and in the Father. This is the promise which he promised us, the eternal life.",
|
||||
"John 4:3": "he left Judea, and departed again into Galilee.",
|
||||
"Romans 3:30": "if it is so that God is one. He will justify the circumcised by faith, and the uncircumcised through faith.",
|
||||
"Romans 4:5, 6, 7, 8": "But to him who doesn't work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness. Even as David also pronounces blessing on the man to whom God counts righteousness apart from works, \"Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, Whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not charge with sin.\"",
|
||||
"Ephesians 1:7": "in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 1:30, 31": "But of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, \"He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.\"",
|
||||
"Romans 5:18, 19": "So then as through one trespass, all men were condemned; even so through one act of righteousness, all men were justified to life. For as through the one man's disobedience many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one will many be made righteous.",
|
||||
"Philippians 3:8, 9": "Yes most assuredly, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;",
|
||||
"Ephesians 2:8, 9, 10": "for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.",
|
||||
"John 1:12": "But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God's children, to those who believe in his name:",
|
||||
"Romans 5:17": "For if by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; so much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.",
|
||||
"Romans 3:28": "We maintain therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.",
|
||||
"Galatians 5:6": "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision amounts to anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love.",
|
||||
"James 2:26": "For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead.",
|
||||
"Hebrews 10:14": "For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are sanctified.",
|
||||
"1 Peter 1:18, 19": "knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, the blood of Christ;",
|
||||
"Isaiah 53:5, 6": "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was on him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and Yahweh has laid on him the iniquity of us all.",
|
||||
"Romans 8:32": "He who didn't spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things?",
|
||||
"Romans 3:26": "for the showing of his righteousness at this present time; that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.",
|
||||
"Galatians 3:8": "The scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, \"In you will all the nations be blessed.\"",
|
||||
"1 Timothy 2:6": "who gave himself as a ransom for all; the testimony in its own times;",
|
||||
"Romans 4:25": "who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification.",
|
||||
"Titus 3:4, 5, 6, 7": "But when the kindness of God, our Savior, and his love toward man, appeared, not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, which he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ, our Savior; that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.",
|
||||
"Matthew 6:1": "\"Be careful that you don't do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.",
|
||||
"John 1:9": "The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.",
|
||||
"John 10:28": "I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.",
|
||||
"Psalms 89:31, 32, 33": "If they break my statutes, And don't keep my commandments; Then I will punish their sin with the rod, And their iniquity with stripes. But I will not completely take my lovingkindness from him, Nor allow my faithfulness to fail.",
|
||||
"Psalms 32:5:51": "I acknowledged my sin to you. I didn't hide my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to Yahweh, And you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah.",
|
||||
"Matthew 26:75": "Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said to him, \"Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.\" He went out and wept bitterly.",
|
||||
"Galatians 3:9": "So then, those who are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.",
|
||||
"Romans 4:22, 23, 24": "Therefore also it was \"reckoned to him for righteousness.\" Now it was not written that it was accounted to him for his sake alone, but for our sake also, to whom it will be accounted, who believe in him who raised Jesus, our Lord, from the dead,",
|
||||
"Ephesians 1:5": "having predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire,",
|
||||
"Galatians 4:4, 5": "But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.",
|
||||
"Romans 8:17": "and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.",
|
||||
"2 Corinthians 6:18": "I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters,' says the Lord Almighty.\"",
|
||||
"Revelation 3:12": "He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name.",
|
||||
"Romans 8:15": "For you didn't receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, \"Abba! Father!\"",
|
||||
"Galatians 4:6": "Because you are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, \"Abba! Father!\"",
|
||||
"Ephesians 2:18": "For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.",
|
||||
"Psalms 103:13": "Like a father has compassion on his children, So Yahweh has compassion on those who fear him.",
|
||||
"Proverbs 14:26": "In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress, And he will be a refuge for his children.",
|
||||
"1 Peter 5:7": "casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.",
|
||||
"Hebrews 12:6": "For whom the Lord loves, he chastens, And scourges every son whom he receives.\"",
|
||||
"Isaiah 54:8, 9": "In overflowing wrath I hid my face from you for a moment; but with everlasting lovingkindness will I have mercy on you, says Yahweh your Redeemer. For this is [as] the waters of Noah to me; for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah shall no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I will not be angry with you, nor rebuke you.",
|
||||
"Lamentations 3:31": "For the Lord will not cast off forever.",
|
||||
"Ephesians 4:30": "Don't grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed to the day of redemption.",
|
||||
"Hebrews 1:12": "As a mantle you will roll them up. And they will be changed. But you are the same. Your years will not fail.\"",
|
||||
"Acts 20:32": "Now, brothers, I entrust you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.",
|
||||
"Romans 6:5, 6": "For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be part of his resurrection; knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be in bondage to sin.",
|
||||
"John 17:17": "Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.",
|
||||
"Ephesians 3:16, 17, 18, 19": "that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know Christ's love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.",
|
||||
"1 Thessalonians 5:21, 22, 23": "Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.",
|
||||
"Romans 6:14": "For sin will not have dominion over you. For you are not under law, but under grace.",
|
||||
"Galatians 5:24": "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.",
|
||||
"Colossians 1:11": "strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, to all patience and perseverance with joy;",
|
||||
"2 Corinthians 7:1": "Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.",
|
||||
"Hebrews 12:14": "Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord,",
|
||||
"1 Thessalonians 5:23": "May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.",
|
||||
"Romans 7:18, 23": "For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don't find it doing that which is good. but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members.",
|
||||
"1 Peter 2:11": "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lust, which war against the soul;",
|
||||
"Ephesians 4:16": "from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love.",
|
||||
"2 Corinthians 3:1": "Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as do some, letters of commendation to you or from you?",
|
||||
"2 Corinthians 4:13": "But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, \"I believed, and therefore I spoke.\" We also believe, and therefore also we speak;",
|
||||
"Romans 10:17": "So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.",
|
||||
"Luke 17:5": "The apostles said to the Lord, \"Increase our faith.\"",
|
||||
"1 Peter 2:2": "as newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby,",
|
||||
"Psalms 119:72": "The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver. YUD",
|
||||
"2 Timothy 1:12": "For this cause I suffer also these things. Yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed to him against that day.",
|
||||
"John 15:14": "You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you.",
|
||||
"Isaiah 66:2": "For all these things has my hand made, and [so] all these things came to be, says Yahweh: but to this man will I look, even to him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at my word.",
|
||||
"Hebrews 11:13": "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.",
|
||||
"Acts 15:11": "But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.\"",
|
||||
"Galatians 2:20": "I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.",
|
||||
"Hebrews 5:14": "But solid food is for full grown men, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.",
|
||||
"Matthew 6:30": "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, won't he much more clothe you, you of little faith?",
|
||||
"Romans 4:20": "Yet, looking to the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God,",
|
||||
"2 Peter 1:1": "Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:",
|
||||
"Ephesians 6:16": "above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.",
|
||||
"1 John 5:4, 5": "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?",
|
||||
"Hebrews 6:11, 12": "We desire that each one of you may show the same diligence to the fullness of hope even to the end, that you won't be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherited the promises.",
|
||||
"Colossians 2:2": "that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,",
|
||||
"Hebrews 12:2": "looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.",
|
||||
"Titus 3:2, 3, 4, 5": "to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all gentleness toward all men. For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But when the kindness of God, our Savior, and his love toward man, appeared, not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,",
|
||||
"Luke 22:31, 32": "The Lord said, \"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat, but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn't fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers.\"",
|
||||
"Zechariah 12:10": "I will pour on the house of David, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they shall look to me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one who is in bitterness for his firstborn.",
|
||||
"Acts 11:18": "When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, \"Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life!\"",
|
||||
"Ezekiel 36:31": "Then shall you remember your evil ways, and your doings that were not good; and you shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.",
|
||||
"2 Corinthians 7:11": "For behold, this same thing, that you were made sorry in a godly way, what earnest care it worked in you. Yes, what defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and vengeance! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be pure in the matter.",
|
||||
"Psalms 119:128": "Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way. PEY",
|
||||
"Luke 19:8": "Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, \"Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor. If I have wrongfully exacted anything of anyone, I restore four times as much.\"",
|
||||
"1 Timothy 1:15": "The saying is faithful, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.",
|
||||
"Romans 6:23": "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.",
|
||||
"Isaiah 55:7": "let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to Yahweh, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.",
|
||||
"Micah 6:8": "He has showed you, man, what is good; and what does Yahweh require of you, but to do justly, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?",
|
||||
"Hebrews 13:21": "make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.",
|
||||
"Matthew 15:9": "But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as doctrine rules made by men.'\"",
|
||||
"Isaiah 29:13": "The Lord said, Because this people draw near [to me], and with their mouth and with their lips to honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment of men which has been taught [them];",
|
||||
"James 2:22": "You see that faith worked with his works, and by works faith was perfected;",
|
||||
"Psalms 116:12, 13": "What will I give to Yahweh for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of Yahweh.",
|
||||
"1 John 2:5": "But whoever keeps his word, God's love has most assuredly been perfected in him. This is how we know that we are in him:",
|
||||
"2 Peter 1:5-11": "Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge;",
|
||||
"Matthew 5:16": "Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.",
|
||||
"1 Timothy 6:1": "Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed.",
|
||||
"1 Peter 2:15": "For so is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:",
|
||||
"Philippians 1:11": "being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.",
|
||||
"Ephesians 2:10": "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.",
|
||||
"Romans 6:22": "But now, being made free from sin, and having become servants of God, you have your fruit of sanctification, and the result of eternal life.",
|
||||
"John 15:6": "If a man doesn't remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned.",
|
||||
"2 Corinthians 3:5": "not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God;",
|
||||
"Philippians 2:12": "So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.",
|
||||
"Hebrews 6:12": "that you won't be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherited the promises.",
|
||||
"Isaiah 64:7": "There is none who calls on your name, who stirs up himself to take hold of you; for you have hid your face from us, and have consumed us by means of our iniquities.",
|
||||
"Job 9:3": "If he is pleased to contend with him, He can't answer him one time in a thousand.",
|
||||
"Romans 4:6": "Even as David also pronounces blessing on the man to whom God counts righteousness apart from works,",
|
||||
"Ephesians 2:8, 9": "for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.",
|
||||
"Galatians 5:22, 23": "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.",
|
||||
"Isaiah 64:6": "For we are all become as one who is unclean, and all our righteousness are as a polluted garment: and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.",
|
||||
"Psalms 143:2": "Don't enter into judgment with your servant, For in your sight no man living is righteous.",
|
||||
"1 Peter 2:5": "You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.",
|
||||
"Matthew 25:23": "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'",
|
||||
"Hebrews 6:10": "for God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you showed toward his name, in that you served to the saints, and still do serve them.",
|
||||
"2 Kings 10:30": "Yahweh said to Jehu, Because you have done well in executing that which is right in my eyes, [and] have done to the house of Ahab according to all that was in my heart, your sons of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.",
|
||||
"1 Kings 21:27, 29": "It happened, when Ahab heard those words, that he tore his clothes, and put sackcloth on his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly. See you how Ahab humbles himself before me? because he humbles himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days; but in his son's days will I bring the evil on his house.",
|
||||
"Genesis 4:5": "but he didn't respect Cain and his offering. Cain was very angry, and the expression on his face fell.",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 13:1": "If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don't have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.",
|
||||
"Matthew 6:5": "\"When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most assuredly, I tell you, they have received their reward.",
|
||||
"Amos 5:21, 22": "I hate, I despise your feasts, and I will take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Yes, though you offer me your burnt offerings and meal-offerings, I will not accept them; neither will I regard the peace-offerings of your fat animals.",
|
||||
"Titus 3:5": "not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,",
|
||||
"Job 21:14, 15": "They tell God, 'Depart from us, For we don't want to know about your ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What profit should we have, if we pray to him?'",
|
||||
"Matthew 25:41, 42, 43": "Then will he say also to them on the left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you didn't give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink; I was a stranger, and you didn't take me in; naked, and you didn't clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn't visit me.'",
|
||||
"John 10:28, 29": "I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father's hand.",
|
||||
"Philippians 1:6": "being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.",
|
||||
"1 John 2:19": "They went out from us, but they didn't belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have continued with us. But they left, that they might be revealed that none of them belong to us.",
|
||||
"Psalms 89:31, 32": "If they break my statutes, And don't keep my commandments; Then I will punish their sin with the rod, And their iniquity with stripes.",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 11:32": "But when we are judged, we are punished by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.",
|
||||
"Romans 8:16": "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God;",
|
||||
"Romans 5:9, 10": "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we will be saved from God's wrath through him. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we will be saved by his life.",
|
||||
"John 14:19": "Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more; but you will see me. Because I live, you will live also.",
|
||||
"Hebrews 6:17, 18": "Wherein God, being determined to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath; that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to take hold of the hope set before us,",
|
||||
"1 John 3:9": "Whoever is born of God doesn't commit sin, because his seed remains in him; and he can't sin, because he is born of God.",
|
||||
"Jeremiah 32:40": "and I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from following them, to do them good; and I will put my fear in their hearts, that they may not depart from me.",
|
||||
"Matthew 26:74": "Then began he to curse and to swear, \"I don't know the man!\" Immediately the cock crowed.",
|
||||
"Isaiah 64:9": "Don't be angry very sore, Yahweh, neither remember iniquity forever: see, look, we beg you, we are all your people.",
|
||||
"Psalms 51:12": "Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit.",
|
||||
"Psalms 32:3, 4": "When I kept silence, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me. My strength was sapped in the heat of summer. Selah.",
|
||||
"2 Samuel 12:14": "However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to Yahweh's enemies to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.\"",
|
||||
"Luke 22:62": "He went out, and wept bitterly.",
|
||||
"Job 8:14": "Whose confidence shall break apart, Whose trust is a spider's web.",
|
||||
"Matthew 7:23": "Then I will tell them, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.'",
|
||||
"1 John 2:13": "I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, little children, because you know the Father.",
|
||||
"Romans 5:5": "and hope doesn't disappoint us, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given to us.",
|
||||
"Hebrews 6:19": "which we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and entering into that which is within the veil;",
|
||||
"2 Peter 1:11": "For thus will be richly supplied to you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.",
|
||||
"Romans 8:15, 16": "For you didn't receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, \"Abba! Father!\" The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God;",
|
||||
"1 John 3:1, 2, 3": "Behold, how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn't know us, because it didn't know him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it is not yet revealed what we will be. But we know that, when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is. Everyone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure.",
|
||||
"Isaiah 50:10": "Who is among you who fears Yahweh, who obeys the voice of his servant? He who walks in darkness, and has no light, let him trust in the name of Yahweh, and rely on his God.",
|
||||
"Psalms 77:1-12": "My cry goes to God! Indeed, I cry to God for help, And for him to listen to me.",
|
||||
"1 John 4:13": "By this we know that we remain in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.",
|
||||
"Romans 5:14, 17": "Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those whose sins weren't like Adam's disobedience, who is a foreshadowing of him who was to come. For if by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; so much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.",
|
||||
"Psalms 119:32": "I run in the path of your commandments, For you have set my heart free. HEY",
|
||||
"Romans 6:1, 2": "What will we say then? Will we continue in sin, that grace may abound? Certainly not! We who died to sin, how could we live in it any longer?",
|
||||
"Titus 2:14": "who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.",
|
||||
"??? Cant. 5.2,3.6. ???": "",
|
||||
"Psalms 51:14": "Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, God, you God of my salvation. My tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness.",
|
||||
"Psalms 31:22": "As for me, I said in my haste, \"I am cut off from before your eyes.\" Nevertheless you heard the voice of my petitions when I cried to you.",
|
||||
"Psalms 30:7": "You, Yahweh, when you favored me, made my mountain to stand strong. But when you hid your face, I was troubled.",
|
||||
"Luke 22:32": "but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn't fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers.\"",
|
||||
"Psalms 42:11": "Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, The saving help of my countenance, and my God. Psalm 43",
|
||||
"Lamentations 3:27-31": "It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.",
|
||||
"Romans 10:5": "For Moses writes about the righteousness of the law, \"The one who does them will live by them.\"",
|
||||
"Galatians 3:12": "The law is not of faith, but, \"He that does them will live in them.\"",
|
||||
"Deuteronomy 10:4": "He wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which Yahweh spoke to you on the mountain out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and Yahweh gave them to me.",
|
||||
"Hebrews 10:1": "For the law, having a shadow of the good to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near.",
|
||||
"Colossians 2:17": "which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's.",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 5:7": "Purge out the old yeast, that you may be a new lump, even as you are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed in our place.",
|
||||
"Colossians 2:14, 16, 17": "having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he has taken it out that way, nailing it to the cross; Let no man therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day, which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's.",
|
||||
"Ephesians 2:16": "and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility thereby.",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 9:8, 9, 10": "Do I speak these things according to the ways of men? Or doesn't the law also say the same thing? For it is written in the law of Moses, \"You shall not muzzle the ox when he treads out the corn.\" Is it for the oxen that God cares, or does he say it assuredly for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should partake of his hope.",
|
||||
"Romans 13:8, 9, 10": "Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, \"You shall not commit adultery,\" \"You shall not murder,\" \"You shall not steal,\" \"You shall not give false testimony,\" \"You shall not covet,\" and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, \"You shall love your neighbor as yourself.\" Love doesn't harm his neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.",
|
||||
"James 2:10, 11, 12": "For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he has become guilty of all. For he who said, \"Do not commit adultery,\" said also, \"Do not commit murder.\" Now if you do not commit adultery, but murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak, and so do, as men who are to be judged by a law of freedom.",
|
||||
"James 2:10, 11": "For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he has become guilty of all. For he who said, \"Do not commit adultery,\" said also, \"Do not commit murder.\" Now if you do not commit adultery, but murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.",
|
||||
"Matthew 5:17, 18, 19": "Don't think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn't come to destroy, but to fulfill. For most assuredly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished. Whoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.",
|
||||
"Romans 3:31": "Do we then make the law of no effect through faith? Certainly not! No, we establish the law.",
|
||||
"Romans 8:4": "that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.",
|
||||
"Galatians 2:16": "yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through the faith of Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law.",
|
||||
"Romans 3:&": "",
|
||||
"Romans 6:12, 13, 14": "Therefore don't let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. Neither present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin will not have dominion over you. For you are not under law, but under grace.",
|
||||
"1 Peter 3:-13": "In like manner, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don't obey the Word, they may be gained by the behavior of their wives without a word;",
|
||||
"Galatians 3:21": "Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could make alive, most assuredly righteousness would have been of the law.",
|
||||
"Revelation 13:8": "All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been killed.",
|
||||
"Romans 1:17": "For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith to faith. As it is written, \"But the righteous shall live by faith.\"",
|
||||
"Romans 10:14, 15, 17": "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? How will they hear without a preacher? And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: \"How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!\" So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.",
|
||||
"Proverbs 29:18": "Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But one who keeps the law is blessed.",
|
||||
"Isaiah 25:2, 3": "For you have made of a city a heap, of a fortified city a ruin, a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built. Therefore shall a strong people glorify you; a city of awesome nations shall fear you.",
|
||||
"Psalms 147,20:": "",
|
||||
"Acts 16:7": "When they had come opposite Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit didn't allow them.",
|
||||
"Romans 1:18": "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness,",
|
||||
"Ephesians 1:20": "which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,",
|
||||
"2 Corinthians 4:6": "Seeing it is God who said, \"Light will shine out of darkness,\" who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.",
|
||||
"Galatians 1:4": "who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father --",
|
||||
"Romans 8:28": "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 15:57": "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.",
|
||||
"2 Thessalonians 1:10": "when he comes to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired among all those who have believed (because our testimony to you was believed) in that day.",
|
||||
"Luke 1:74, 75": "To grant to us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, should serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.",
|
||||
"1 John 4:18": "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love.",
|
||||
"James 4:12": "Only one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge another?",
|
||||
"Romans 14:4": "Who are you who judge the servant of another? To his own lord he stands or falls. Yes, he will be made to stand, for God has power to make him stand.",
|
||||
"Acts 4:29": "Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness,",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 7:23": "You were bought with a price. Don't become bondservants of men.",
|
||||
"Matthew 15:9:": "But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as doctrine rules made by men.'\"",
|
||||
"Colossians 2:20, 22, 23": "If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances, (all which things are to perish with the using), after the precepts and doctrines of men? Which things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but aren't of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 3:24": "",
|
||||
"Galatians 5:13": "For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don't use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.",
|
||||
"2 Peter 2:-21": "But there also arose false prophets among the people, as among you also there will be false teachers, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction.",
|
||||
"Jeremiah 10:7": "Who should not fear you, King of the nations? for to you does it appertain; because among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their royal estate, there is none like you.",
|
||||
"Mark 12:33": "and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.\"",
|
||||
"Deuteronomy 12:32": "Whatever thing I command you, that shall you observe to do: you shall not add thereto, nor diminish from it.",
|
||||
"Exodus 20:4, 5, 6": "\"You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me, and showing lovingkindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.",
|
||||
"Matthew 28:19": "Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,",
|
||||
"John 6:23": "However boats from Tiberias came near to the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks.",
|
||||
"Romans 1:25": "who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.",
|
||||
"Colossians 2:18": "Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,",
|
||||
"Revelation 19:10": "I fell down before his feet to worship him. He said to me, \"Look! Don't do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy.\"",
|
||||
"John 14:6": "Jesus said to him, \"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, but by me.",
|
||||
"Psalms 65:2": "You who hear prayer, To you all men will come.",
|
||||
"John 14:13, 14": "Whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you will ask anything in my name, that will I do.",
|
||||
"Romans 8:26": "In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don't know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can't be uttered.",
|
||||
"1 John 5:14": "This is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us.",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 14:16, 17": "Else if you bless with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the \"Amen\" at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesn't know what you say? For you most assuredly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up.",
|
||||
"1 Timothy 2:1, 2": "I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men: for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence.",
|
||||
"2 Samuel 7:29": "now therefore let it please you to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you; for you, Lord Yahweh, have spoken it: and with your blessing let the house of your servant be blessed forever.",
|
||||
"2 Samuel 12:23": "But now he is dead, why should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.",
|
||||
"1 John 5:16": "If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life for those who sin not to death. There is a sin leading to death. I don't say that concerning this he should make a request.",
|
||||
"1 Timothy 4:13": "Until I come, pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching.",
|
||||
"2 Timothy 4:2": "preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.",
|
||||
"Luke 8:18": "Be careful therefore how you hear. For whoever has, to him will be given; and whoever doesn't have, from him will be taken away even that which he thinks he has.\"",
|
||||
"Ephesians 5:19": "speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; singing, and singing praises in your heart to the Lord;",
|
||||
"Matthew 28,:19, 20": "Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things which I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.\" Amen.",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 11:26": "For as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.",
|
||||
"Esther 4:16": "Go, gather together all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast you for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast in like manner; and so will I go in to the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.",
|
||||
"Joel 2:12": "\"Yet even now,\" says Yahweh, \"turn to me with all your heart, And with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.\"",
|
||||
"Exodus 15:1": "Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to Yahweh, and said, \"I will sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously: The horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.",
|
||||
"Psalms 107:": "",
|
||||
"John 4:21": "Jesus said to her, \"Woman, believe me, the hour comes, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, will you worship the Father.",
|
||||
"Malachi 1:8": "When you offer the blind for sacrifice, it is no evil! and when you offer the lame and sick, it is no evil! Present it now to your governor; will he be pleased with you? or will he accept your person? says Yahweh of Hosts.",
|
||||
"Exodus 20:7": "\"You shall not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.",
|
||||
"Deuteronomy 10:20": "You shall fear Yahweh your God; him shall you serve; and to him shall you cleave, and by his name shall you swear.",
|
||||
"Jeremiah 4:2": "and you shall swear, As Yahweh lives, in truth, in justice, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.",
|
||||
"2 Corinthians 6:22, 23": "",
|
||||
"Matthew 5:37": "But let your speech be, 'Yes, yes; No, no.' Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.",
|
||||
"James 5:12": "But above all things, my brothers, don't swear, neither by heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath; but let your yes be yes, and your no, no; so that you don't fall into hypocrisy.",
|
||||
"Hebrews 6:16": "For men indeed swear by a greater one, and in every dispute of theirs the oath is final for confirmation.",
|
||||
"2 Corinthians 1:23": "But I call God for a witness to my soul, that I didn't come to Corinth to spare you.",
|
||||
"Nehemiah 13:25": "I contended with them, and cursed them, and struck certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, [saying], You shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons, or for yourselves.",
|
||||
"Leviticus 19:12": "You shall not swear by my name falsely, and profane the name of your God: I am Yahweh.",
|
||||
"Jeremiah 23:10": "For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourns; the pastures of the wilderness are dried up. Their course is evil, and their might is not right;",
|
||||
"Psalms 24:4": "He who has clean hands and a pure heart; Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, And has not sworn deceitfully.",
|
||||
"Psalms 76:11": "Make vows to Yahweh your God, and fulfill them! Let all of his neighbors bring presents to him who is to be feared.",
|
||||
"Genesis 28:22": "then this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, will be God's house. Of all that you will give me I will surely give the tenth to you.\"",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 7:9": "But if they don't have self-control, let them marry. For it's better to marry than to burn.",
|
||||
"Ephesians 4:28": "Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.",
|
||||
"Matthew 19:11": "But he said to them, \"Not all men can receive this saying, but they to whom it is given.",
|
||||
"Romans 13:1, 2, 3, 4": "Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who be are ordained by God. Therefore he who resists the authority, withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment. For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the same, for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn't bear the sword in vain; for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.",
|
||||
"2 Samuel 23:3": "The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: One who rules over men righteously, Who rules in the fear of God,",
|
||||
"Psalms 82:3, 4": "\"Defend the weak, the poor, and the fatherless. Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy. Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.\"",
|
||||
"Luke 3:14": "Soldiers also asked him, saying, \"What about us? What must we do?\" He said to them, \"Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages.\"",
|
||||
"Romans 13:5, 6, 7": "Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are ministers of God's service, attending continually on this very thing. Give therefore to everyone what you owe: taxes to whom taxes are due; customs to whom customs; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor.",
|
||||
"1 Peter 2:17": "Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.",
|
||||
"Genesis 2:24": "Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh.",
|
||||
"Malachi 2:15": "Did he not make one, although he had the residue of the Spirit? Why one? He sought a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.",
|
||||
"Matthew 19:5, 6": "and said, 'For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will join to his wife; and the two will become one flesh?' So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don't let man tear apart.\"",
|
||||
"Genesis 2:18": "Yahweh God said, \"It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.\"",
|
||||
"Genesis 1:28": "God blessed them. God said to them, \"Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.\"",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 7:2, 9": "But, because of sexual sins, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. But if they don't have self-control, let them marry. For it's better to marry than to burn.",
|
||||
"Hebrews 13,4:": "",
|
||||
"1 Timothy 4,3:": "",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 7:39": "A wife is bound by law for so long time as her husband lives; but if the husband is dead, she is free to be married to whoever she desires, only in the Lord.",
|
||||
"Nehemiah 13:25, 26, 27": "I contended with them, and cursed them, and struck certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, [saying], You shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons, or for yourselves. Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, and he was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did foreign women cause to sin. Shall we then listen to you to do all this great evil, to trespass against our God in marrying foreign women?",
|
||||
"Leviticus 18:": "",
|
||||
"Mark 6:18": "For John said to Herod, \"It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.\"",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 5:1": "It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles, that one has his father's wife.",
|
||||
"Hebrews 12:23": "to the general assembly and assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,",
|
||||
"Colossians 1:18": "He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.",
|
||||
"Ephesians 1:23, 27, 32": "which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 1:2": "to the assembly of God which is at Corinth; those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, both theirs and ours:",
|
||||
"Acts 11:26": "When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. It happened, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.",
|
||||
"Romans 1:7": "To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.",
|
||||
"Ephesians 1:20, 21, 22": "which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the assembly,",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 15:": "",
|
||||
"Revelation 2:3": "You have perseverance and have endured for my name's sake, and have not grown weary.",
|
||||
"Revelation 18:2": "He cried with a mighty voice, saying, \"Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and has become a habitation of demons, and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird!",
|
||||
"2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12": "Because of this, God sends them a working of error, that they should believe a lie; that they all might be judged who didn't believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.",
|
||||
"Matthew 16:18": "I also tell you, that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.",
|
||||
"Psalms 102:28": "The children of your servants will continue. Their seed will be established before you.\" Psalm 103 By David.",
|
||||
"Revelation 12:17": "The dragon grew angry with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep God's commandments and hold Jesus' testimony.",
|
||||
"Matthew 28:20": "teaching them to observe all things which I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.\" Amen.",
|
||||
"Ephesians 4:11, 12": "He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ;",
|
||||
"2 Thessalonians 2:3-9": "Let no one deceive you in any way. For it will not be, unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction,",
|
||||
"John 10:12, 32": "He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn't own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep, and scatters them. Jesus answered them, \"I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?\"",
|
||||
"Matthew 18:15-20": "\"If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother.",
|
||||
"Acts 2:14": "But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke out to them, \"You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words.",
|
||||
"2 Corinthians 9:13": "seeing that through the proof given by this service, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all;",
|
||||
"Matthew 18:17, 18": "If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector. Most assuredly I tell you, whatever things you will bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever things you will loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 5:13": "But those who are outside, God judges. \"Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.\"",
|
||||
"2 Corinthians 2:6, 7, 8": "Sufficient to such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the many; so that on the contrary you should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his excessive sorrow. Therefore I beg you to confirm your love toward him.",
|
||||
"Acts 20:17,:28": "",
|
||||
"Philippians 1:1": "Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus; To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:",
|
||||
"Acts 14:23:": "When they had appointed elders for them in every assembly, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.",
|
||||
"1 Timothy 4:14": "Don't neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the elders.",
|
||||
"Acts 6:6": "whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.",
|
||||
"Acts 6:4": "But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.\"",
|
||||
"Hebrews 13:17:": "Obey those who have the rule over you, and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy, and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.",
|
||||
"1 Timothy 5:17, 18": "Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. For the scripture says, \"You shall not muzzle the ox when he treads out the grain.\" And, \"The laborer is worthy of his wages.\"",
|
||||
"Galatians 6:6, 7": "But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches. Don't be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap.",
|
||||
"2 Timothy 2:4": "No soldier on service entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.",
|
||||
"1 Timothy 3:2": "The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching;",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 9:-14": "Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Haven't I seen Jesus Christ, our Lord? Aren't you my work in the Lord?",
|
||||
"1 John 1:3": "that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ.",
|
||||
"John 1:16": "From his fullness we all received grace upon grace.",
|
||||
"Philippians 3:10": "that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death;",
|
||||
"Romans 6:6": "knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be in bondage to sin.",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 3:21, 22, 23": "Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come. All are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.",
|
||||
"1 Thessalonians 5:14": "We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.",
|
||||
"Romans 1:12": "that is, that I with you may be comforted in you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine.",
|
||||
"1 John 3:18": "My little children, let's not love in word only, neither with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.",
|
||||
"Galatians 6:10": "So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.",
|
||||
"Hebrews 10:12, 13": "but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; henceforth expecting until his enemies to be made the footstool of his feet.",
|
||||
"Acts 12:30": "",
|
||||
"Ephesians 6:4": "You fathers, don't provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 12:-27": "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I don't want you to be ignorant.",
|
||||
"Acts 5:4": "While you kept it, didn't it remain your own? After it was sold, wasn't it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You haven't lied to men, but to God.\"",
|
||||
"Matthew 28:19, 20": "Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things which I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.\" Amen.",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 4:1": "So let a man think of us as Christ's servants, and stewards of God's mysteries.",
|
||||
"Romans 6:3, 4, 5": "Or don't you know that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism to death, that just like Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be part of his resurrection;",
|
||||
"Colossians 2:12": "having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.",
|
||||
"Galatians 3:27": "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.",
|
||||
"Mark 1:4": "John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins.",
|
||||
"Acts 26:16": "But arise, and stand on your feet, for to this end have I appeared to you, to appoint you a servant and a witness both of the things which you have seen, and of the things which I will reveal to you;",
|
||||
"Romans 6:2, 4": "Certainly not! We who died to sin, how could we live in it any longer? We were buried therefore with him through baptism to death, that just like Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.",
|
||||
"Acts 8:36, 37": "As they went on the way, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, \"Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being baptized?\"",
|
||||
"Acts 8:38": "He commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.",
|
||||
"Matthew 3:16": "Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him.",
|
||||
"John 3:23": "John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came, and were baptized.",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 11:25, 26": "In the same way he also took the cup, after supper, saying, \"This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.\" For as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 10:21": "You can't both drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You can't both partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.",
|
||||
"Hebrews 9:28": "so Christ also, having been once offered to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, without sin, to those who are eagerly waiting for him for salvation.",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 11:24": "When he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, \"Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me.\"",
|
||||
"Matthew 26:26, 27": "As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples, and said, \"Take, eat; this is my body.\" He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, \"Drink all of it,",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 11:23, 24, 25, 26": "For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread. When he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, \"Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me.\" In the same way he also took the cup, after supper, saying, \"This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.\" For as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.",
|
||||
"Exodus 20:4, 5": "\"You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me,",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 11:27": "Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the Lord's cup in an unworthy manner, will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 11:28": "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup.",
|
||||
"Acts 3:21": "whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets that have been from ancient times.",
|
||||
"Luke 24:39": "See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn't have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.\"",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 11:24, 25": "When he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, \"Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me.\" In the same way he also took the cup, after supper, saying, \"This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.\"",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 10:23-26": "\"All things are lawful for me,\" but not all things are expedient. \"All things are lawful for me,\" but not all things build up.",
|
||||
"2 Corinthians 6:14, 15": "Don't be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what communion has light with darkness? What agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what portion has a believer with an unbeliever?",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 11:29": "For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he doesn't discern the Lord's body.",
|
||||
"Matthew 7:6": "\"Don't give that which is holy to the dogs, neither cast your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.",
|
||||
"Genesis 3:19": "By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you shall return.\"",
|
||||
"Acts 13:36": "For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, fell asleep, and was laid with his fathers, and saw decay.",
|
||||
"Ecclesiastes 12:7": "And the dust returns to the earth as it was, And the spirit returns to God who gave it.",
|
||||
"Luke 23:43": "He said to him, \"Most assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.\"",
|
||||
"2 Corinthians 5:1, 6, 8": "For we know that if the earthly house of our tent is dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. Being therefore always of good courage, and knowing that, while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord; We are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.",
|
||||
"Philippians 1:23": "But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very far better.",
|
||||
"Judges 6:7": "It happened, when the children of Israel cried to Yahweh because of Midian,",
|
||||
"1 Peter 3:19": "in which he also went and preached to the spirits in prison,",
|
||||
"Luke 16:23, 24": "In Hades, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his bosom. He cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue! For I am in anguish in this flame.'",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 15::51, 52": "",
|
||||
"1 Thessalonians 4:17": "then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever.",
|
||||
"Job 19:26, 27": "After my skin is destroyed, Then in my flesh shall I see God, Whom I, even I, shall see on my side. My eyes shall see, and not as a stranger. \"My heart is consumed within me.",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 15:42, 43": "So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.",
|
||||
"Acts 24:15": "having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.",
|
||||
"John 5:28, 29": "Don't marvel at this, for the hour comes, in which all that are in the tombs will hear his voice, and will come forth; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.",
|
||||
"Philippians 3:21": "who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things to himself.",
|
||||
"1 Corinthians 6:3": "Don't you know that we will judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?",
|
||||
"Judges 6:": "",
|
||||
"2 Corinthians 5:10": "For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.",
|
||||
"Ecclesiastes 12:14": "For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil.",
|
||||
"Matthew 25::32": "",
|
||||
"Romans 14:12": "So then each one of us will give account of himself to God.",
|
||||
"Matthew 25:34": "Then the King will tell them on his right hand, 'Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;",
|
||||
"2 Timothy 4:8": "From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.",
|
||||
"Matthew 25:46": "These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.\"",
|
||||
"Mark 9:48": "'where their worm doesn't die, and the fire is not quenched.'",
|
||||
"2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8, 9, 10": "and to give relief to you that are afflicted with us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, giving vengeance to those who don't know God, and to those who don't obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus, who will pay the penalty: eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired among all those who have believed (because our testimony to you was believed) in that day.",
|
||||
"2 Corinthians 5:10, 11": "For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are revealed to God; and I hope that we are revealed also in your consciences.",
|
||||
"2 Thessalonians 1:5, 6, 7": "This is an obvious sign of the righteous judgment of God, to the end that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer. Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay affliction to those who afflict you, and to give relief to you that are afflicted with us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire,",
|
||||
"Mark 13:35, 36, 37": "Watch therefore, for you don't know when the lord of the house is coming, whether at evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he might find you sleeping. What I tell you, I tell all: Watch.\"",
|
||||
"Luke 13:35, 36": "Behold, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me, until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'\"",
|
||||
"Revelation 22:20": "He who testifies these things says, \"Yes, I come quickly.\" Amen! Come, Lord Jesus."
|
||||
}
|
||||
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
|
||||
---
|
||||
title: "My Top 25 Books (Outside the Bible) in No Particular Order"
|
||||
date: "2025-04-22"
|
||||
author: "Auggie2LBCF"
|
||||
excerpt: "A curated list of my top 25 books (outside the Bible), spanning theology, Christian living, and even some fiction. These works have deeply shaped my faith, ministry, and personal growth."
|
||||
tags: ["books", "fiction", "theology", "personal life"]
|
||||
coverImage: "/images/25-books.png"
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
I'm currently working on a series exploring _The Valley of Vision_ by Arthur Bennett. It's taking longer than most of my usual articles, as I'm aiming for a deeper dive into the theology behind the prayers. In the meantime, I thought it would be fun to share a list of some of my favorite books (outside of the Bible).
|
||||
|
||||
# Non-Fiction
|
||||
## _Confessions_ by Augustine
|
||||
Augustine’s _Confessions_ is a raw and powerful testimony of a man transformed by grace. It was my introduction to theology as an adult, thanks to a college church history class that unexpectedly changed my spiritual trajectory. Augustine’s vulnerability, depth, and insight still resonate deeply.
|
||||
## _Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners_ by John Bunyan
|
||||
Bunyan’s autobiographical work grabbed me in a way few books have. His struggle with sin, assurance, and the mercy of God felt incredibly personal and relatable. It’s a gripping read that showcases the heart of gospel grace.
|
||||
## _The Valley of Vision_ by Arthur Bennett
|
||||
This collection of Puritan prayers was a gift that turned into a spiritual treasure. It showed me the beauty of rich, reverent, and theologically rooted prayer—and has been shaping my devotional life ever since.
|
||||
## _None Greater_ by Matthew Barrett
|
||||
I skipped a data structures class to finish this book—it was that compelling. Barrett’s clear, rich presentation of classical theism opened my eyes to the majesty of God. It also became a gateway for my wife into Reformed theology.
|
||||
## _Holiness_ by J.C. Ryle
|
||||
Ryle’s writing is both pastoral and piercing. _Holiness_ is a wake-up call to pursue godliness with seriousness and joy. It’s a book that continues to challenge and encourage me.
|
||||
## _Algorithms_ by Panos Louridas
|
||||
It might seem like a curveball on a Reformed blog, but as a software developer, this book speaks to another side of my world. Louridas presents complex ideas clearly and practically—something I really appreciate in both theology and tech.
|
||||
## _Reformed Preaching_ by Joel Beeke
|
||||
This book elevated my view of preaching. Beeke beautifully connects the heart of Reformed theology with the soul-stirring purpose of preaching that not only informs but transforms.
|
||||
## _Gentle and Lowly_ by Dane Ortlund
|
||||
This book came like a balm. Ortlund’s emphasis on the heart of Christ—tender, welcoming, and kind—ministered to my soul in a unique and needed way. It’s gospel medicine.
|
||||
## _Brothers, We Are Not Professionals_ by John Piper
|
||||
Piper’s call to seriousness in ministry and passion for God’s glory has had a deep influence on me. This book reminds me why pastoral ministry is a sacred, soul-shaping calling.
|
||||
## _Church History_ by Eusebius
|
||||
Though ancient and sometimes dense, Eusebius provides a fascinating window into the early church. It reminds me that our faith is deeply rooted in real history and real people.
|
||||
## _Reformed Systematic Theology_ by Joel Beeke & Paul Smalley
|
||||
This is a theological feast. It’s thorough, pastoral, and deeply devotional—a rare combination. I keep coming back to it for insight and encouragement.
|
||||
## _Building Healthy Churches Series_ by 9Marks
|
||||
Practical, biblical, and immensely helpful for thinking through church life. This series has sharpened my understanding of the local church’s purpose and structure.
|
||||
## _True Worship_ by Landon Jones
|
||||
Worship is often misunderstood or misapplied, but Jones draws us back to its theological roots. This book helped me think more biblically about how and why we worship.
|
||||
## _The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment_ by Jeremiah Burroughs
|
||||
Burroughs offers a timely message for any age. This Puritan classic challenged me to find peace not in circumstance but in Christ.
|
||||
## _Baptist Symbolics_ by James Renihan
|
||||
Rich, historical, and careful, this book gave me a deeper appreciation for Baptist confessional theology and its continuity with the broader Reformed tradition.
|
||||
## _Humility: The Joy of Self-Forgetfulness_ by Gavin Ortlund
|
||||
A short but soul-searching read. Ortlund helps us see humility not as self-deprecation but as Christ-centered joy.
|
||||
## _Disciplines of a Godly Man_ by R. Kent Hughes
|
||||
My dad and I went through this when I first got serious about my faith. It was formative in shaping my understanding of what it means to walk with God as a man.
|
||||
## _Missions by the Book_ by Alex Kocman & Chad Vegas
|
||||
This book’s biblical focus on missions is refreshing and convicting. It cuts through pragmatism and points us back to Scripture as the foundation for global mission work.
|
||||
## _Missionary Theologian_ by E.D. Burns
|
||||
Burns bridges theology and missions beautifully. This book challenges us not to separate heart-stirring theology from gospel-driven action.
|
||||
## _The Art of Man-Fishing_ by Thomas Boston
|
||||
A short but potent reflection on evangelism. Boston reminds us of the urgency and spiritual depth involved in “fishing for men.”
|
||||
## _The Case for Christianity_ by Tim Keller
|
||||
Keller’s apologetic work is gentle yet robust. This book helped shape how I approach conversations about faith with skeptics and seekers.
|
||||
|
||||
# Fiction
|
||||
## _Pilgrim's Progress_ by John Bunyan
|
||||
A timeless Christian allegory, _Pilgrim’s Progress_ is rich with imagery and theological depth. It laid the foundation for my appreciation of Bunyan’s other works and continues to offer wisdom for the journey of faith.
|
||||
## _The Chronicles of Narnia_ by C.S. Lewis
|
||||
Imaginative and profound, Lewis's Narnia series weaves theology into story so naturally. These tales still stir wonder and reflection, no matter how many times I read them.
|
||||
## _The Princess Bride_ by William Goldman
|
||||
This one’s just fun. My dad read it to us, and its quirky humor and heart still make it one of my favorite stories. It’s a tale of adventure, love, and laughter that never gets old.
|
||||
## _The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings_ by J.R.R. Tolkien
|
||||
Tolkien’s epic world-building was part of my childhood, with my dad reading these aloud to us. The stories of courage, loyalty, and hope still hold a special place in my heart—despite the movies not quite living up to the magic of the books!
|
||||
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
|
||||
---
|
||||
title: "Review - A Certain Sound by Ryan Denton"
|
||||
date: "2025-05-09"
|
||||
author: "Auggie2LBCF"
|
||||
excerpt: "The title itself, A Certain Sound, draws from 1 Corinthians 14:8, which states, \"For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?\""
|
||||
tags: ["books", "review", "evangelism", "preaching"]
|
||||
coverImage: "/images/a-certain-sound.jpg"
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
I am an evangelist. From what I can examine in my own heart, and what my family, church, and friends observe, this is true. I am a heavy introvert. I would rather spend my time programming, reading, or playing a video game than having a conversation. But after I came to Christ, I felt a draw towards proclaiming the gospel. As Christians, we are all called to proclaim the gospel, but I possessed a certain boldness that my peers seemed to lack. This is not to say they were less sanctified than I was, or that they were walking in sin, or that they weren't evangelizing at all; rather, they lacked my (often misguided) zeal for seeing others come to Christ. Through Bible study and conversations with mentors, I came to understand that the Holy Spirit had given me the gift of evangelism to encourage the body of Christ. Consequently, I started evangelizing on campus and eventually joined the parachurch organization Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ). At my university, despite some weaknesses in the overall organization, Cru was a reformed ministry with strong ties to the local church. It encouraged me towards evangelism when life was discouraging and motivated me to use my gifts to benefit others. I joined a reformed Baptist church plant and was put on the local outreach team. My pastor then gave me Denton's book _Even If None_, a solid work on Reformed Evangelism. This corrected some of my immature beliefs about what evangelism was and what success in evangelism looked like. A couple of years later, I am now returning to Denton with his book _A Certain Sound: A Primer on Open-Air Preaching_. The title itself, _A Certain Sound_, draws from 1 Corinthians 14:8, which states, "For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?"
|
||||
|
||||
Denton breaks _A Certain Sound_ into two parts:
|
||||
1. The Theology of Open-Air Preaching
|
||||
2. The Task of Open-Air Preaching
|
||||
|
||||
Denton's overall goal with the book is to push back against the critics of open-air preaching. Denton recognizes that the image of an open-air preacher in the mind of the Western church is often that of an angry man with a sign yelling about fire and brimstone. Denton wants the church "to see that it can be done, in a proper, biblical way and that this form of preaching has harvested much fruit for the kingdom of God."
|
||||
|
||||
# Theology of Open Air Preaching
|
||||
In the first part of _A Certain Sound_, Denton teaches through:
|
||||
1. A History of Open-Air Preaching
|
||||
2. Theology for Open-Air Preaching
|
||||
3. The Local Church and the Open-Air Preacher
|
||||
4. Using the Law
|
||||
5. Using Apologetics
|
||||
|
||||
Denton discusses the rich heritage Christians have of open-air preachers, tracing a line from Enoch to Moses, Moses to David, David to Ezra, Ezra to John the Baptist, John the Baptist to Jesus, and Jesus to Paul and Apollos. He continues this lineage to the King of Northumbria sending for Aidan, through the Reformation with figures like John Wycliffe and John Knox, and into the modern period with individuals such as D.L. Moody, Paul Washer, Albert Martin, Cornelius Van Til, and Leonard Ravenhill.
|
||||
|
||||
Denton then emphasizes that open-air preaching must be sound in doctrine. He advocates for using the law as a mirror to reveal sin and for starting apologetics with God as the center of everything, asserting that without this foundation,
|
||||
|
||||
# The Task of Open Air Preaching
|
||||
In this second part of *A Certain Sound*, Denton walks through
|
||||
1. The Preacher's Character
|
||||
2. The Preacher's Competence
|
||||
3. Response to Open Air Preaching
|
||||
4. The Preacher's Response
|
||||
5. Exhortation to the Church and Seminaries
|
||||
|
||||
This second part of _A Certain Sound_ was truly convicting. I recognize that I do not have the "hungering for more holiness" that I ought to. I do not possess the separation from sin, self, and the world that I should. I do not know the Bible as I ought to. I do not respond to hostility as I should. I do not have the prayer life I ought to. This section was a humbling experience for me. I have had my name dragged through the mud for boldly preaching the gospel, but none of those attacks are as damaging to my witness for Christ as my own sin. Denton strongly encourages me to be more like Christ and to surround myself with others who will keep me accountable in pursuing holiness.
|
||||
# The Church
|
||||
You'll notice that I omitted discussion of the chapters about the church from part one and part two earlier. I wanted to address these together because I believe Denton does a remarkable job of balancing two truths: the need to hold the church in high esteem while simultaneously recognizing that hostility to the preached gospel can sometimes come from other believers. I have lost long-term friends because they believed I was "damaging the gospel" with my bold proclamation. Conversely, I have also been blessed with a pastor who champions my efforts to go into the world and make disciples of all nations. Denton exhorts churches and seminaries to teach open-air preaching and to encourage their pastors and members to go into the streets and proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
[A Certain Sound](https://heritagebooks.org/products/a-certain-sound-a-primer-on-open-air-preaching-denton-smith.html)
|
||||
[Even if None](https://www.firstloveministries.org/product/even-if-none-reclaiming-biblical-evangelism/)
|
||||
@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
|
||||
---
|
||||
title: "Against Ethnocentric Christian Nationalism"
|
||||
date: "2025-04-05"
|
||||
author: "Auggie2LBCF"
|
||||
excerpt: "While Christian principles have historically informed public life within Reformed traditions, Reformed theology itself, grounded in doctrines like the Imago Dei, the universal scope of redemption, and the nature of the Church, stands in opposition to ethnocentric expressions of Christian Nationalism."
|
||||
tags: ["christianity", "nationalism", "theology", "ethics", "identity", "political philosophy", "church and state"]
|
||||
coverImage: "/images/templar.jpeg"
|
||||
---
|
||||
# Introduction
|
||||
The term "Christian Nationalism" evokes a wide range of responses and interpretations in contemporary discourse. Often intertwined with discussions of national identity, cultural heritage, and political action, it raises significant theological questions for Christians seeking to understand their faith's relationship to the public square and national life. This paper aims to examine the concept of Christian Nationalism, particularly when fused with ethnocentrism, through the lens of Reformed theology. By first defining key terms—"Christian," "Christian Nationalism," and "Ethnocentric"—we can establish a clear framework. Subsequently, an analysis based on systematic and historical Reformed theology will explore the compatibility, or lack thereof, between the core tenets of the Reformed faith and an ethnocentric vision of national identity and purpose pursued under the banner of Christianity. The central argument is that while Christian principles have historically informed public life within Reformed traditions, Reformed theology itself, grounded in doctrines like the Imago Dei, the universal scope of redemption, and the nature of the Church, stands in opposition to ethnocentric expressions of Christian Nationalism.
|
||||
|
||||
# Definitions
|
||||
I will start by defining what exactly I mean by each of the words in the title. This is to prevent any confusion with my position and to help see what I am seeing.
|
||||
|
||||
## Christian
|
||||
With where society is at with Christianity, it will be helpful to fence what I mean by Christian. Here are 5 points that I would use when describing a Christian, rooted in a Reformed understanding of salvation:
|
||||
1. Those who have been regenerated with an effectual call. They have been given a new heart and spiritual life (John 3:3), drawing them irresistibly to Christ (2 Timothy 1:9). This is a sovereign work of God initiating salvation.
|
||||
2. Those who have a saving faith. A wholehearted trust and reliance solely upon Jesus Christ for salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). This faith itself is understood as a gift from God (Westminster Shorter Catechism Q. 86).
|
||||
3. Those who have repentance unto life. Saving faith is always accompanied by repentance—a heartfelt sorrow for sin, a turning away from it, and a sincere turning towards God and His commands (Acts 20:21), recognized, again, as a grace from God.
|
||||
4. Those who have been justified. The believer has been declared righteous by God, not based on their own merits but solely based on Christ's righteousness being imputed (credited) to them through faith (Romans 3:24-25a, Heidelberg Catechism Q. 60).
|
||||
5. Those who have union with Christ. The believer is spiritually united with Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), partaking in His death and resurrection, and adopted into God's family as His child, becoming an heir with Christ (Romans 8:17).
|
||||
When I refer to Christian, I am referring to individuals defined by these theological realities, encompassing a broad spectrum within orthodox Protestantism who affirm these core tenets, regardless of specific denominational distinctives like those separating, for example, Reformed Baptists (like Sam Waldron) from others within conservative evangelicalism (like Mike Winger) who share these soteriological foundations. The emphasis is on the spiritual realities wrought by God's grace, not primarily on cultural or national identity.
|
||||
|
||||
## Christian Nationalism
|
||||
Christian nationalism is a totality of national action, consisting of civil laws and social customs, conducted by a Christian nation as a Christian nation, in order to procure for itself both earthly and heavenly good in Christ. (The Case for Christian Nationalism, Stephen Wolfe, p. 9)
|
||||
|
||||
This definition posits the nation itself acting as Christian to achieve specific temporal and eternal ends through its collective civil and social structure.
|
||||
|
||||
## Ethnocentric
|
||||
Ethnocentric is the evaluation of other cultures according to preconceptions originating in the standards and customs of one's own culture. Often, this involves an attitude of inherent superiority of one's own ethnic group or culture. In the context of this paper, ethnocentric Christian nationalism would imply that the "Christian nation" envisioned is tied explicitly or implicitly to a specific dominant ethnic group, viewing its cultural norms and heritage as normative or superior, and potentially seeking to preserve or promote this ethnic identity as integral to the nation's "Christian" character.
|
||||
|
||||
# Systematic Theology
|
||||
Systematic theology provides foundational doctrines that inform a Christian worldview, including perspectives on humanity, culture, and governance. Several key doctrines are relevant:
|
||||
|
||||
## Theology Proper (Doctrine of God):
|
||||
God is the sovereign Creator and Ruler over all nations (Psalm 22:28, Daniel 4:34-35). His ultimate allegiance is to His own glory and His universal redemptive plan, not to any single nation or ethnic group. While He works through nations in history, no single earthly nation equates to His chosen people in the way Old Testament Israel did.
|
||||
|
||||
## Anthropology (Doctrine of Man):
|
||||
### Imago Dei: Genesis 1:26-27 states:
|
||||
"Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." This foundational doctrine asserts the inherent dignity, value, and equality of all human beings, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, or culture, because all bear God's image. Ethnocentrism, which elevates one group over others, fundamentally contradicts the universal application of the Imago Dei.
|
||||
|
||||
### Unity of Humanity:
|
||||
Acts 17:26 affirms that God "made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place." This underscores the common origin and essential unity of the human race, militating against ideologies that promote ethnic division or superiority.
|
||||
|
||||
### The Fall and Sin:
|
||||
Sin has fractured human relationships, leading to pride, prejudice, hostility, and the idolization of created things, including one's own ethnic group or nation (Romans 1:21-25). Ethnocentrism can be understood as a manifestation of this fallen human tendency.
|
||||
|
||||
## Soteriology (Doctrine of Salvation) & Ecclesiology (Doctrine of the Church):
|
||||
### Universal Scope of Redemption:
|
||||
Christ's redemptive work is intended for people "from every tribe and language and people and nation" (Revelation 5:9). The Gospel call is universal (Matthew 28:19).
|
||||
|
||||
### The Nature of the Church:
|
||||
The Church, the body of Christ, is by definition a multi-ethnic, transnational entity. Galatians 3:28 famously states: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:14-16 speaks of Christ breaking down the "dividing wall of hostility" between Jew and Gentile, creating "one new man." Christian identity, as defined earlier (regeneration, faith, repentance, justification, union with Christ), transcends and relativizes all earthly distinctions, including ethnicity and nationality. The primary identity of the Christian is "in Christ," not defined by ethnic or national origin.
|
||||
|
||||
## Eschatology (Doctrine of Last Things):
|
||||
The ultimate vision of God's consummated kingdom is one of diversity in unity, with redeemed people from all nations worshipping God together (Revelation 7:9-10). This future reality informs the present mission and nature of the Church, countering any ethnically or nationally exclusive vision.
|
||||
|
||||
Systematically, Reformed theology emphasizes the universal reach of God's sovereignty, the equal dignity of all image-bearers, the divisive nature of sin (including ethnic pride), the multi-ethnic composition of Christ's Church, and the global scope of God's redemptive plan. These doctrines create significant theological tension with any ideology that prioritizes one ethnic group or fuses Christian identity inextricably with a particular national or ethnic heritage.
|
||||
|
||||
# Historical Theology
|
||||
The historical witness of Reformed theology further complicates and often directly challenges ethnocentric forms of Christian Nationalism:
|
||||
|
||||
## 1. The Two Kingdoms Theology
|
||||
Reformed theologians such as John Calvin, Martin Luther (though Lutheran, influential), and later Abraham Kuyper developed or supported variations of "Two Kingdoms Theology." The idea is that God governs the world in two distinct ways:
|
||||
* The spiritual kingdom: Governed by the church through the Word and sacraments, focused on salvation and spiritual life.
|
||||
* The civil kingdom: Governed by the magistrate, responsible for earthly justice, order, and societal well-being for all citizens. This distinction inherently limits the state's role in spiritual matters and the church's role in wielding civil power. While the civil kingdom is to uphold God's moral law (natural law), its mandate is temporal justice and peace, not enforcing regeneration or exclusively promoting the "heavenly good" of one eth nic group as the state's primary function. The Westminster Confession of Faith (Chapter 23) outlines the magistrate's duties in maintaining piety, justice, and peace, but cautions against undue interference between church and state. Ethnocentric policies would violate the principle of common justice for all under the civil kingdom's care.
|
||||
|
||||
## 2. Magisterial Views on Church and State
|
||||
The early Reformers, including Calvin, viewed the state as ordained by God to uphold righteousness. Calvin's Geneva aimed for a society governed by Christian principles, yet his focus was on submission to God's moral law for public order, not on establishing an ethnically defined state. His theology affirmed God's sovereignty over all nations. The goal was a godly commonwealth ordered by divine precepts applicable broadly, not the exaltation of a specific ethnicity as inherently chosen or superior within the civil structure.
|
||||
|
||||
## 3. Covenant Theology
|
||||
Reformed theologians have most often interpreted Christian identity through covenant theology, emphasizing the global and multi-ethnic nature of God's redemptive plan inaugurated through Abraham but fulfilled in Christ. God's promise extends to all nations through Christ (Genesis 12:3, Galatians 3:8, 28–29). This fundamentally undercuts theological justifications for ethnocentric nationalism, as belonging to the covenant community is determined by faith in Christ, not ethnicity. Figures like Herman Bavinck powerfully articulated the catholicity (universality) of the Church, stressing that Christ's salvation breaks down all barriers of ethnicity and nationality.
|
||||
|
||||
## 4. Warnings Against Idolatry
|
||||
Reformed theology strongly warns against idolatry—giving ultimate allegiance or devotion to anything other than God. This includes the state or one's own ethnic/cultural identity. Drawing from Augustine's City of God, Reformed thought distinguishes the eternal City of God (the Church, spiritually defined) from the temporal City of Man (earthly governments and societies). Ethnocentric nationalism risks committing idolatry by elevating the nation or ethnic group to a position of ultimate significance, potentially conflating its temporal well-being and cultural preservation with the Kingdom of God.
|
||||
|
||||
## 5. Abraham Kuyper and Sphere Sovereignty
|
||||
Abraham Kuyper argued for "sphere sovereignty," positing that God ordained distinct spheres of life (family, church, state, arts, etc.), each with its own God-given authority and responsibility, directly under Christ's lordship. The state's role is limited and should not dominate other spheres, particularly the church. While Kuyper championed Christian influence across all spheres, his framework promoted a principled pluralism where the state protects the freedom of various groups (including religious ones) rather than enforcing a single ethno-religious identity. His vision was for Christian principles to inform public life organically, not through state coercion that merges national identity with a specific ethnic or singular Christian expression.
|
||||
|
||||
## 6. Historical Critique of Nationalism
|
||||
Especially following the rise of modern nationalism, many Reformed theologians have critiqued its dangers, particularly its ethnocentric and idolatrous potential. The universal nature of the Church and the primary allegiance owed to Christ stand in tension with nationalist ideologies demanding ultimate loyalty. Figures like J. Gresham Machen and Carl F.H. Henry warned against conflating the Christian faith with specific political or national agendas, emphasizing the Gospel's transcendence over temporal, national, or ethnic interests. They stressed that the Church's mission is spiritual and universal, distinct from the political aims of any nation-state.
|
||||
|
||||
# Conclusion
|
||||
Examining Christian Nationalism, especially when infused with ethnocentrism, through the dual lenses of systematic and historical Reformed theology reveals significant points of friction. Systematically, core doctrines such as the Imago Dei applied universally, the unity of humanity, the multi-ethnic nature of the Church defined by grace through faith, and the universal scope of God's redemptive plan stand against ideologies that elevate one ethnic group above others or inextricably link Christian identity to a specific ethnicity or nationality.
|
||||
|
||||
Historically, while Reformed thinkers affirmed the state's God-ordained role in upholding justice and order, concepts like the Two Kingdoms, sphere sovereignty, covenant theology's emphasis on the universal church, and stern warnings against idolatry have consistently served to distinguish the spiritual kingdom of Christ from temporal, earthly kingdoms. They caution against conflating the Church's mission with nationalistic ambitions and resist granting ultimate significance to national or ethnic identity.
|
||||
|
||||
Therefore, while Christians, informed by their faith, should engage responsibly in the public square and seek the common good, an ethnocentric Christian Nationalism appears theologically unsustainable from a Reformed perspective. It risks violating the inherent dignity of all image-bearers, undermining the unity and universality of Christ's Church, and potentially falling into the idolatry of nation or ethnicity. True Christian identity, according to Reformed teaching, is found not in blood or soil, but in the regenerating grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, uniting believers from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation into one body.
|
||||
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
|
||||
---
|
||||
title: "Frank Turek & The Fourfold State of Man"
|
||||
date: "2025-03-18"
|
||||
author: "Auggie2LBCF"
|
||||
excerpt: "The 'contradiction' that Geisler suggests, is not a contradiction but an incomplete understanding of the abilities of Adam, the abilities of Adam's offspring, and the abilities of those who receive God's abundant provision of grace, who are given the responsibility to freely offer that abundant provision of grace to all those who are Adam's offspring."
|
||||
tags: ["sin", "calvinism", "creation", "fourfold"]
|
||||
coverImage: "/images/thomas-boston.jpg"
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
If you are looking for a definitive answer to the question "Where did Sin Come From?" please press the "close tab" button, it is usually marked with an "x" on your browser or perhaps you are on a phone and need to hit the little box first. Either way the origin of sin is not clearly presented in the Bible.
|
||||
|
||||
I was scrolling throu[]()gh Instagram Reels one day (also known by other names such as "a bad idea" and "a waste of time") and happened on a [video by Frank Turek](https://youtube.com/shorts/qdiW5dtOkgo?si=YuiUgg5uZwkzcuD3). In it he is doing a form of Q&A at what looks to be a university. And what it said really took me off guard and made me think (which rarely happens when scrolling through any short video platform). Here is the transcript of that video:
|
||||
|
||||
> **Q:** "My in-laws are Calvinist. I want to know what the main out of the Five Points, what is the main thing that's, for like of a better term, wrong what's wrong about Calvinism?"
|
||||
>
|
||||
> **Frank Turek:** "See, the ultimate problem with Calvinism, hard five point Calvinism in my view, is it makes the world a sham. Because we really don't have a free choice, but God is telling us that we ought to choose him when we can't choose him because he hasn't chosen us at all. And secondly, it makes God the author of evil. In fact, let me give you an example. In a debate that took place 40 years ago at Dallas Theological Seminary, it was between Norman Geisler, my mentor, and a guy by name of John Gerstner. At one point, Geisler turned to Gerstner and he said, 'Does man have free will?' And Gerstner said, 'Yes, man has free will to do what he desires, but God gives him the desire of his heart.' So Geisler said, 'Who gave Adam the desire to sin?' and Gerstner said, 'Mystery.' And Geisler said, 'Contradiction.'"
|
||||
|
||||
The debate that Turek mentions is not recorded anywhere but in Geisler's book *Chosen But Free*.
|
||||
|
||||
> Many years ago when the late John Gerstner and I taught together at the same institution, I invited him into one of my classes to discuss free will. Being what I have called an extreme Calvinist, he defended Jonathan Edwards' view that the human will is moved by the strongest desire. I will never forget how he responded when I pushed the logic all the way back to Lucifer. I was stunned to hear an otherwise very rational man respond to my question "Who gave Lucifer the desire to rebel against God?" by throwing up his hands and crying, "Mystery, mystery, a great mystery!" I answered, "No, it is not a great mystery; it is a grave contradiction." And this is because, on the premises of extreme Calvinism, only God could have given Lucifer the desire to rebel against God, since there is no self-determined free choice and Lucifer had no evil nature. But if this is so, then logically it must have been God who gave him the desire to sin. In short, God caused a rebellion against God! Perish the thought!
|
||||
|
||||
The debate that Turek and Geisler mention is presented as a "gotcha" moment that completely and utterly destroys all arguments for Calvinism and should shut up the Cage-Stagers. Cage-Stagers is a term which here means: a person who should be locked in a cage until they can have a civil conversation about Calvinism. However, this is missing the response. And as I have yet to be able to find the response that Gerstner gives, I will write one here. *The "contradiction" that Geisler suggests, is not a contradiction but an incomplete understanding of the abilities of Adam, the abilities of Adam's offspring, and the abilities of those who receive God's abundant provision of grace, who are given the responsibility to freely offer that abundant provision of grace to all those who are Adam's offspring.*
|
||||
|
||||
Abilities is a word which, in the murky and complicated world of theological discourse, refers to a peculiar and somewhat precarious collection of potential actions, much like a rickety ladder balanced precariously over the deep and treacherous chasm of human limitation—in this case, specifically applying to Adam and Eve in their initial state, mankind after their unfortunate fall from grace, believers, and those who have already departed to be with the lord. Thomas Boston refers to these as the fourfold state of man.
|
||||
|
||||
### 1. Man Created (*status integritiatis*) or Primitive Integrity
|
||||
Man was created in a state of innocence. "This only have I found: God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes." (Ecclesiastes 7:29). However, Adam also ate the apple and fell from this upright position, thus cursing all of man. "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned." (Romans 5:12). From these passages we can see that God created Adam with the ability to do upright actions, but with the inclusion of Romans 5:12, we can see that Adam was able to not sin, being upright, or able to sin. Augustine refers to this as *posse peccare, posse non peccare*.
|
||||
|
||||
### 2. Man Fallen (*status corruptionis*) or Entire Depravity
|
||||
From Adam's sin, death came to all people (Romans 5:12). Each one of us as Adam's offspring are cursed with this death. "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins... All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh... and were by nature deserving of wrath." (Ephesians 2:1-3). We are dead in our transgressions. We are from birth children of wrath who seek only to gratify the cravings of our flesh. We are unable not to sin (*non posse non peccare*). Regardless of how our actions look to other men, the Bible is clear: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." (Rom. 3:10-12). No one does good.
|
||||
|
||||
### 3. Man Redeemed (*status gratiae*) or Begun Recovery
|
||||
However, in God's curse to Adam and Eve, he also gave them hope for their salvation in the one who would crush the serpent's head. Noah's father Lamech was hoping for the "one who would bring relief" (Genesis 5:29). The one who would bring relief was Christ, who, through his work on Calvary, took the cup of wrath that all deserve and bought his people (1 Corinthians 7:23) into a new creation where we have the ability to not sin (*posse non peccare*). "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
|
||||
|
||||
### 4. Man Glorified (*status gloriae*) or Consummate Happiness or Misery
|
||||
However, we still sin. "Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies." (Romans 8:23). We will not be fully transformed until we are in Heaven: "we will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." (Philippians 3:21).
|
||||
|
||||
So, Turek and Geisler misunderstand that Adam was not cursed in the way that we are. All of our desires are for the cravings of our flesh. Calvinism does not teach that God is the author of evil. The Bible teaches that our hearts are worthless and need the Holy Spirit to save us: "he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5).
|
||||
|
||||
As to Turek's claim that "God is telling us that we ought to choose him when we can't choose him because he hasn't chosen us," he is missing that anyone who wants to choose God will be able to choose him. The Holy Spirit must renew us. It is not a work of our righteousness to choose God but the regeneration of the Holy Spirit through the proclamation of the Gospel.
|
||||
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
|
||||
---
|
||||
title: "The Eternity of Our Bodies"
|
||||
date: "2025-08-15"
|
||||
author: "Auggie2LBCF"
|
||||
excerpt: "A curated list of my top 25 books (outside the Bible), spanning theology, Christian living, and even some fiction. These works have deeply shaped my faith, ministry, and personal growth."
|
||||
tags: ["2lbcf", "anthropoloy", "theology", "personal life"]
|
||||
coverImage: "/images/the-eternity-of-our-bodies.jpg"
|
||||
---
|
||||
# Introduction
|
||||
|
||||
Ever feel like your body is letting you down?
|
||||
|
||||
It’s the ache in your lower back that’s become your new normal. It’s the flickering anxiety when you look in the mirror, comparing your reality to the curated perfection on your screen. It's the chronic diagnosis, the creeping fatigue, the simple, frustrating fact that you are getting older. We live in a world that repeatedly tells that our bodies are temporary, disposable shells for our "real" selves. At best, they are projects to be perfected; at worst, they are prisons to one day escape.
|
||||
|
||||
This idea has deep roots. The ancient Greek philosopher Plato taught that the physical world was a shadowy imitation of the perfect spiritual realm. This thinking seeped into a worldview called Gnosticism, which saw the body as an evil cage for the pure, spiritual soul. While we might not use those labels today, that core idea is everywhere. It’s in our obsession with "digital life" over embodied presence and in our quiet assumption that heaven is about leaving this world behind. But that’s more Plato than Paul.
|
||||
|
||||
The biblical story offers a far more robust, more beautiful, and frankly, more startling hope. It's a hope that’s earthy, tangible, and real. Get this: God does not plan to replace your body, but to resurrect and glorify it.
|
||||
|
||||
He doesn't scrap His original design; He perfects it. He doesn't look at His creation and call it a failed experiment; He promises to redeem it completely.
|
||||
|
||||
This isn’t some new, trendy idea. This is the firm and comforting ground upon which Christians, including Reformed Baptists, have always stood. It’s a hope built on the bedrock of Scripture and articulated with beautiful clarity in the Second London Baptist Confession. It’s a truth that has the power not only to shape your future hope but to transform your present life.
|
||||
|
||||
So let's unpack it.
|
||||
|
||||
# Biblical Foundation
|
||||
|
||||
When you want to go deep on the resurrection body, Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church is ground zero. In chapter 15, he uses an agricultural analogy to explain this mystery. A farmer plants a tiny, unimpressive seed in the ground. Later, a tall, golden stalk of wheat shoots up, waving in the sun. The stalk isn't a new plant; it's the full, glorious maturation of that very seed. There's both continuity (it's still wheat) and discontinuity (it looks, feels, and functions in a vastly different way). Paul applies this directly to us. He repeats the rhythmic phrase, "It is sown... it is raised," to show that the same body that is sown in perishability, dishonor, and weakness will be raised in imperishability, glory, and power. It’s a radical transformation, not a replacement.
|
||||
|
||||
Paul clarifies that we will be given a "spiritual body." Now, our modern ears hear that and think "non-physical ghost." But that’s not what he means. A "natural body" is one inhibited by our fallen human nature, subject to decay and death. A "spiritual body," then, is a physical body perfectly and completely transformed by the Holy Spirit. It’s a body freed from sin, sickness, and death, fit for eternity. This idea of transformation is echoed in Philippians 3:21, where Paul says the Lord Jesus Christ "will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body." The key word is transform. He’s not getting rid of it; He’s upgrading it.
|
||||
|
||||
And the pattern, the ultimate proof for this upgrade, is Jesus Himself. His resurrection is the "first fruits," the prototype that guarantees the rest of the harvest. Think about the accounts. The disciples were huddled in a locked room, terrified. They weren't expecting a physical resurrection. When Jesus appeared, they thought He was a ghost. But what did He do? He showed them His hands and His side. He invited Thomas to touch His wounds. He still had a physical body with "flesh and bones" that bore the very marks of His crucifixion. He wasn't a spirit or a phantom; He even sat down and ate broiled fish to prove His physicality. This shows us, in the most concrete way possible, that the resurrected body is the selfsame body, gloriously remade.
|
||||
|
||||
This thread of bodily importance runs all through Scripture. In Romans 8, Paul connects our future hope directly to our present reality, stating, "He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you." The same Spirit that lives in us now is God’s down payment on our future resurrection. The hope is for everyone, as Acts 24:15 teaches that "all will be raised on the last day, 'both of the just and unjust.'" Our bodies are so significant that even now, they are called the "temple of the Holy Spirit" and are to be used as instruments for righteousness. Why? Because God's plan has always been physical. In the beginning, He declared His physical creation, including our bodies, "very good." And in the end, our hope is not to float on a cloud in a disembodied state but to live in glorified bodies in a "New Heavens and a New Earth," a restored and perfected creation. God's plan is to redeem and restore His original project, not to abandon it.
|
||||
Confessional Clarity
|
||||
|
||||
This profound biblical truth isn't just for scholars to debate; it's a core conviction the church has confessed for centuries. The Second London Baptist Confession of 1689 puts it with stunning clarity and force, stating that on the last day, "all the dead shall be raised up with the selfsame bodies, and none other; although with different qualities." Let that phrase sink in: "the selfsame bodies, and none other." This isn't a trade-in for a new model or a spiritual copy. The confession hammers home the point of personal, physical continuity. The body laid in the grave is the very same body that will be raised in glory, different only in its quality, not its fundamental identity.
|
||||
|
||||
Why was this so important? The writers of the confession weren't working in a vacuum. They were drawing a clear line in the sand against heresies that had plagued the church for ages, firmly establishing themselves with the Presbyterians in Orthodoxy. For God's final judgment to be truly just, the very same person who lived, sinned, and (for the believer) was redeemed must stand before Him. That requires the whole person, body and soul reunited. This conviction rejected the ideas of groups like the Socinians and Quakers, who tried to spiritualize or deny the bodily resurrection. This historic position stands as a bulwark against ancient Gnostic heresies that devalued the physical world and even modern errors like those of Jehovah's Witnesses. This affirmation of the body is a consistent theme from the early church fathers like Irenaeus and Augustine, through Reformation giants like John Calvin, who wrote, "The resurrection is no abolition but a restoration of the body," and on to Puritan theologians like John Owen, who argued powerfully that the reunion of the soul with the same body is essential for God’s justice and our eternal reward.
|
||||
|
||||
# Theology Implications
|
||||
|
||||
First, this doctrine honors God's creation. The resurrection is God's final, triumphant stamp of approval on the physical world He made and called "very good." It demolishes any dualistic idea that the spiritual is good and the physical is bad. Instead, it shows us a God who is committed to redeeming and perfecting His entire creative work, from mountains and rivers to our own physical bodies. This should shape how we see the world, fostering a sense of stewardship and care for a creation that is not disposable but destined for renewal.
|
||||
|
||||
Second, it gives profound dignity to our present bodies. Because this body is destined for glorification, it’s not a disposable container. It is the very "temple of the Holy Spirit" and an instrument for righteousness. This has massive implications for how we live. How we care for our bodies now, including our health, our purity, our rest, and our service, has eternal significance. We are living in the prototypes of what will one day be raised in glory. We can practice this by embracing rhythms of rest like the Sabbath, honoring our physical limits. We can practice it by eating with gratitude, turning meals into moments of fellowship instead of hurried refueling. We can even practice it through the physical postures of worship, like kneeling in prayer or raising our hands in praise, reminding ourselves that our faith is an embodied one.
|
||||
|
||||
This truth also provides immense comfort in grief. The graveside is a place of profound pain because we are saying goodbye to a physical person. Our hope is not that we will merely meet a disembodied soul one day, but that God will raise that very person, with soul and body reunited in power and glory. The person you knew and loved, with their unique laugh and the familiar shape of their hands, will be recognizable and whole in their glorified state. Death is a brutal enemy, but it is not the end of the story.
|
||||
|
||||
Furthermore, this truth fuels our evangelistic hope. The gospel we offer to a broken world is not an ethereal escape plan. It's the good news of a comprehensive redemption for the whole person, body and soul, for a physical and glorious eternity in the New Heavens and New Earth. In a world offering flimsy hopes like digital immortality or nihilistic despair, we proclaim a Savior who doesn't just save souls; He redeems people in their entirety.
|
||||
|
||||
Ultimately, this gets to the heart of what it means to be a human person. God made us as a beautiful unity of physical and spiritual aspects, as seen from the very beginning in Genesis 2:7. Salvation and sanctification are for the whole person. This is why the incarnation of Christ is so critical; God took on flesh to redeem us in the flesh. Christ’s resurrection confirms the future resurrection of our bodies, redeeming and restoring both our physical and spiritual natures. When God made humanity in His "image and likeness," He was speaking of the whole person, a unified being created for relationship with Him. This view grounds the intrinsic worth of every human life, from conception onward, and gives us a deep and abiding hope for our complete restoration in Christ.
|
||||
|
||||
# Conclusion
|
||||
|
||||
So, what do we do with all of this? How does this ancient doctrine intersect with your life on a busy Tuesday afternoon?
|
||||
|
||||
This truth isn't just for theology textbooks or a debate club. It's meant to get into your bones, to reshape how you see yourself, your struggles, and your future. It’s a truth to be lived.
|
||||
|
||||
It means that your chronic illness does not have the final say. It means that the aging process is not a slow march into oblivion. It means that death does not get the last word.
|
||||
|
||||
The empty tomb of Jesus isn't just a historical fact; it's a promise. It's the down payment on your own resurrection. Because He was raised, we who are in Him will be raised. His resurrected body, physical enough to eat fish and be touched by his friends, is the living, breathing blueprint for our own.
|
||||
|
||||
This is our hope. And it changes everything.
|
||||
|
||||
Our hope is not in an escape from the world, but in its glorious renewal. Our mission, then, is to live as citizens of that coming reality, right here, right now, in these very bodies. How would you live differently this week if you truly believed your body was a temple destined for glory?
|
||||
|
||||
Treat your body with dignity. It is not an enemy to be punished or an idol to be perfected, but a gift to be stewarded for the glory of God. Practice rhythms of rest and worship.
|
||||
|
||||
Comfort those who grieve with this concrete, physical hope: we will see them again. Not as wispy spirits, but as whole people, remade in the image of the glorious Christ.
|
||||
|
||||
And share this good news with a world that is aching for a hope that is real, tangible, and strong enough to conquer the grave. A hope that redeems the whole person.
|
||||
|
||||
Body. And. Soul.
|
||||
|
||||
Your future is not a ghost. It's a glorified body on a renewed earth with a resurrected King.
|
||||
@@ -0,0 +1,126 @@
|
||||
---
|
||||
title: "Valley of Vision - Part 1: Adoration"
|
||||
date: "2025-05-13"
|
||||
author: "Auggie2LBCF"
|
||||
excerpt: "I must reverently adore God, as a Being transcendently bright and blessed, self-existent and self-sufficient, an infinite and eternal Spirit who has all perfections in himself, and give him the glory of his titles and attributes."
|
||||
tags: ["the valley of vision", "prayer", "puritans", "adoration"]
|
||||
coverImage: "/images/valley-of-vision.png"
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Series Introduction
|
||||
|
||||
The Valley of Vision, edited by Arthur Bennett and published in 1975, is a compilation of Puritan prayers and devotions.
|
||||
Bennett intended it not as a static manual, but as a catalyst for active communion with God,
|
||||
emphasizing that prayer is learned through practice. This deep engagement involves adoration and dedication,
|
||||
with the collected prayers designed as "aspiration units" to inspire the reader's own communication with God.
|
||||
|
||||
This analysis will explore The Valley of Vision through the structural lens provided by Matthew Henry’s work,
|
||||
*A Method for Prayer*. Henry's framework organizes prayer into Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Petition, and Intercession.
|
||||
Using this method, the series will examine the devotional content within The Valley of Vision.
|
||||
This initial installment begins the five-part series by focusing specifically on the theology of Adoration expressed in the collection.
|
||||
|
||||
## Introduction - Adoration
|
||||
|
||||
*I must reverently adore God, as a Being transcendently bright and blessed, self-existent and self-sufficient, an infinite and eternal Spirit who has all perfections in himself, and give him the glory of his titles and attributes.*
|
||||
|
||||
**- A Method for Prayer**
|
||||
|
||||
Adoration serves as the crucial starting point for both The Valley of Vision's collection of prayers and Matthew Henry's A Method for Prayer.
|
||||
Think of it this way: true prayer is fundamentally about entering into the presence of God. Before we bring our needs, our failures, or our thanks, we must first acknowledge who it is we are approaching. Adoration is the act of focusing our minds and hearts entirely upon God Himself – His character, His attributes, His transcendent glory, His perfect holiness, His infinite power, His unchanging faithfulness, His sovereign love, His boundless mercy. It is praising God simply because He is God, and He is worthy of all praise.
|
||||
1. Setting the Proper Perspective: Starting with adoration immediately shifts the focus from ourselves – our problems, our desires, our spiritual state – to the triune God who exists in perfect self-sufficiency and glory. This is crucial because it correctly orders our relationship with the divine. Prayer isn't a transaction where we list demands; it's communion with the Creator and Redeemer. Beginning with His majesty cultivates humility and reverence, acknowledging that we are but dust before the eternal King (Psalm 8:3-4, Isaiah 6:1-5). Both The Valley of Vision and Henry's method implicitly (through the content of the prayers) and explicitly (through the structure) train the believer to adopt this God-centered posture from the outset.
|
||||
2. Grounding Other Aspects of Prayer: Adoration provides the necessary foundation for all subsequent elements of prayer:
|
||||
* We confess our sins in light of His absolute holiness and perfect standard. Without first adoring His purity, our confession might be merely regret for consequences rather than true repentance born from seeing our sin against Him.
|
||||
* We give thanks because of His inherent goodness and the specific mercies that flow from His nature. Our gratitude is rooted in His character, not just our temporary circumstances.
|
||||
* We make petitions with faith and submission because of His power to act, His wisdom to know what is best, His promises to His people, and His sovereign will. Adoration reminds us that we pray to one who is able to do "far more abundantly than all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20), yet also one whose plans are perfect.
|
||||
* We intercede for others knowing that the God we adore is merciful and powerful to save and sustain.
|
||||
3. Reflecting God's Supreme Worth: At the heart of Reformed theology is the conviction that God's glory is the ultimate end of all things, including His creation, redemption, and providence. Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Adoration is the most direct expression of glorifying God in prayer. By starting here, both The Valley of Vision and Henry reinforce the fundamental truth that God is worthy of worship simply for who He is, and that acknowledging His worthiness is the most fitting way to begin any approach to Him. The Puritan prayers in The Valley of Vision beautifully demonstrate this, often dwelling on God's attributes before moving to personal needs. Henry's method provides a map for the mind and soul to follow this theologically sound path.
|
||||
|
||||
In essence, adoration is the "crucial starting point" because it correctly aligns the worshiper with the One being worshiped. It ensures that prayer flows from a right understanding of God's character and our place before Him, preventing it from becoming a self-focused exercise and rooting it firmly in the awe-inspiring reality of who our great God is. It is stepping onto holy ground before presuming to speak further.
|
||||
## Valley Of Vision
|
||||
|
||||
### Themes of Adoration
|
||||
|
||||
In its prayers, the Valley of Vision acknowledges God in profound and heartfelt ways, often emphasizing His greatness, holiness, sovereignty, and mercy. The prayers reflect a deep understanding of God's transcendence and immanence, with an intimate, personal tone toward the Creator. Here are some key ways in which *The Valley of Vision* acknowledges God:
|
||||
|
||||
1. **God's Sovereignty and Majesty**:\
|
||||
Many of the prayers in *The Valley of Vision* emphasize God as the sovereign ruler of the universe. Psalm 103:19 declares it, and so do the puritans. He is acknowledged as having supreme authority over all creation. The prayers express awe and reverence for God's power and control over every aspect of life.
|
||||
|
||||
> "I enter thy presence, worshipping thee with godly fear,
|
||||
> awed by thy majesty, greatness, glory,
|
||||
> but encouraged by thy love."
|
||||
>
|
||||
> **Meeting God**
|
||||
|
||||
2. **God's Holiness and Purity**:\
|
||||
The prayers often emphasize God's perfect holiness, His utter separation from sin, and His moral purity. This serves to highlight human sinfulness in contrast, prompting the prayerful response of confession, repentance, and petition.
|
||||
|
||||
> "Enable us to remember what thou art and what we are,
|
||||
> to recall thy holiness and our unworthiness;"
|
||||
>
|
||||
> **Seventh Day Morning**
|
||||
|
||||
3. **God's Mercy and Grace**:\
|
||||
The theme of God's mercy and grace is central in these prayers. The Puritans frequently acknowledge God's lovingkindness in forgiving sinners and in offering grace despite human shortcomings.
|
||||
|
||||
> "In spite of the number and heinousness of my sins
|
||||
> thou hast given me a token for good;
|
||||
> The golden sceptre is held out,
|
||||
> and thou hast said ‘Touch it and live’."
|
||||
>
|
||||
> **Mercy**
|
||||
|
||||
4. **Personal Relationship with God**:\
|
||||
While acknowledging God's transcendence and majesty, many of the prayers express a deep, personal connection with Him. The Puritans often pray to God as a Father, Shepherd, and Savior, demonstrating an intimate relationship.
|
||||
|
||||
> "When thou art present, evil cannot abide;
|
||||
> In thy fellowship is fullness of joy,"
|
||||
>
|
||||
> **The Great God**
|
||||
|
||||
5. **Acknowledging God's Work in Salvation**:\
|
||||
The prayers in *The Valley of Vision* reflect a deep understanding of salvation as a work of God alone. They acknowledge the need for Christ's sacrifice and the Spirit's work in renewing and sustaining faith.
|
||||
|
||||
> "I bless thee that thou hast made me capable
|
||||
> of knowing thee, the author of all being,
|
||||
> of resembling thee, the perfection of all excellency,
|
||||
> of enjoying thee, the source of all happiness."
|
||||
>
|
||||
> **God Enjoyed**
|
||||
|
||||
### Glory
|
||||
|
||||
The Valley of Vision doesn’t merely present adoration as abstract reverence—it renders it doxological. Adoration in these prayers naturally moves toward the glorification of God, revealing a rhythm of praise that delights in who God is more than what He gives. The soul, enraptured by the beauty and majesty of God, is drawn upward to give Him glory. The language of the prayers consistently directs attention not inward toward the supplicant’s needs, but upward toward the splendor and sufficiency of God Himself.
|
||||
|
||||
This God-centered orientation is especially evident in prayers that begin with humble awe and end in jubilant praise. Consider this line from *Things Needful*:
|
||||
|
||||
> “Fill the garden of my soul with the wind of love,
|
||||
> that the scents of the Christian life may be wafted to others;
|
||||
> then come and gather fruits to thy glory.
|
||||
> So shall I fulfil the great end of my being –
|
||||
> to glorify thee and be a blessing to men.”
|
||||
>
|
||||
> **Things Needful**
|
||||
|
||||
Here, glory is not only God’s due—it is the believer’s desire. The prayer does not approach God with transaction in mind, but with transformation as its goal: that the heart would be reshaped to delight in God's beauty and magnify His name. Adoration, then, is not merely the first step in prayer; it is the foundation upon which all other expressions—confession, thanksgiving, petition, and intercession—are built.
|
||||
|
||||
## Conclusion
|
||||
|
||||
In The Valley of Vision, adoration sets the tone for communion with God. Drawing from Matthew Henry’s framework, we see that this adoration is deeply rooted in the character of God—His sovereignty, holiness, mercy, and grace. The prayers lead the soul to see God as He truly is, and in seeing Him, to worship Him rightly.
|
||||
|
||||
Adoration is never detached from theology. Each prayer is theologically rich, shaped by a deep understanding of God’s attributes, His redemptive work, and His covenantal faithfulness. This theological weight gives adoration its substance—it is not emotion divorced from truth, but feeling rightly aligned with divine reality.
|
||||
|
||||
These prayers teach us that adoration is more than a component of prayer—it is the heart of it. It reminds us that prayer begins not with ourselves, but with God. It forms the soul in humility, lifts the eyes to heaven, and prepares the heart for repentance, gratitude, and dependence.
|
||||
|
||||
In the next installment of this series, we will explore the theology of Confession in The Valley of Vision, following Henry’s method to understand how honest acknowledgment of sin forms a vital part of true communion with God.
|
||||
|
||||
## Resources
|
||||
|
||||
**The Valley of Vision - Arthur Bennett**
|
||||
|
||||
- [The Valley of Vision - Online](https://gppopc.org/resources/valley-of-vision-devotionals/)
|
||||
- [The Valley of Vison - Purchase](https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotionalsdaily-readings/the-valley-of-vision/)
|
||||
|
||||
**A Method for Prayer - Matthew Henry**
|
||||
|
||||
- [A Method for Prayer - Online](https://mrmatthewhenry.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/a-method-for-prayer-1710-edition.pdf)
|
||||
- [A Method for Prayer - Purchase](https://www.wtsbooks.com/products/a-method-for-prayer-matthew-henry-9781857920680)
|
||||
Reference in New Issue
Block a user