Non-Denominationalism in an Age of Ecumenicism

I once attended a very small but well-known Calvinistic Baptist church near where I live. Years before I started attending, the church name was changed from _________ Baptist Church to a non-denominational name. I wasn’t so much bothered by the new name as the rationale. The argument, as I understand it, is that denominational names carry baggage that they wanted to avoid. Instead of being a ‘Baptist’ church, they would be a ‘baptistic’ church. I cringe when I hear that! Should we flee from the baggage associated with the words like Christian and proclaim ourselves no longer Christian, but Christian-istic?

The short-sited aspect of this phenomenon, to my mind, is that it is in many cases the non-denominational churches that are the proprietors of every imaginable gimick, format, program, method, heresy, and all manner of craziness and ‘looniness’.

Here are a few of my arguments for avoiding non-denominational names:

1. Does the title Baptist come with baggage? The non-denominational name tag comes with far more
2. It dishonors our Baptist forefathers who fought and suffered for our beliefs
3. It sends a message that we are not proud of what we believe regarding ecclesiology – certainly not as proud as Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, etc
4. It wreaks of ecumenicism
5. It ties the identify of the church to the modern passing fads of the age rather than to a historic and well founded system of Biblical theology
6. If it was good enough for Spurgeon, it’s good enough for me
7. It is a dishonest lie.

If you are not persuaded by me, be persuaded by the wisdom of a greater age -

There are some very excellent people in our time who think it a merit to be entirely undenominational, and who proclaim that they “love one church as well as another.” But, where not deluded, such persons are few and quite exceptional; in general, the truest, most devoted, and most useful Christians are strong in their denominational convictions and attachments. I repeat, then, that by proper instruction in our distinctive views we shall really make our young people better Christians.

John A. Broadus
The Duty of Baptists to Teach Their Distinctive Views

For more from Broadus, see: The Duty of Baptists to Teach Their Distinctive Views
What do Baptist believe?

Notes on Hebrews 2:5-9

For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come¹, whereof we speak. But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet². For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus³, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

• 1 Matt 12:32
• 2 Ps 8:4-6, Rev 20:6, 22:5
• 3 John 14:19-21

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For unto the angels…

• Verse 5 picks up where chapter 1 ended – proving the superiority of Christ over the angels
• Verses 1-4 was a parenthesis in this argument. It argues that if Christ is so superior to angels, we should give all the more earnest heed to His gospel
• Verses 5-9 explain why it is that this One who was so much superior to the angels was made to be less than the angels – it was so that He “by the grace of God should taste death for every man”.
• Therefore, the suffering endured by Christ did not tarnish His glory, rather it is the cause of His great exaltation “in the world to come” when we see “all things put under Him”.

For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.

• “world to come”: GR: “οἰκουμένην τὴν μέλλουσαν”; lit. ‘the inhabited world which is coming’
• οἰκουμένη is used 15 times in NT: means simply ‘world’ in Heb. 1:6 and other uses; represents ‘inhabited Greek lands’ in ancient Greek literature (LSJ)
• Represents the Glorious Kingdom of Christ either in a millennial reign (Pink) or eternal state (Older authors)

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet

• Ps 8:4-6
• Quoted word for word from LXX Ps 8:5-7
• “Made Him lower” refers to Christ in His incarnation and time of humiliation
• ἐλαττόω; GR to lessen (in rank or influence)
• “Made lower” doesn’t mean “created lower”; rather it means He was lowered from His prior glory
• Used in Jn 3:30 – “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John the Baptist)
• Christ, in His office as mediator, was voluntarily brought to the low state of man. In His exaltation, He reigns, as man, with glory and honor over ‘all things’.
• Even though man, in his original estate, was made ‘lower’ than angels, a man will rule over all things (Christ) and his people will rule with him (Rom 8:17, Rev 20:6, 22:5)

For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him.

• This is an apostolic commentary on Psalm 8
• The writer emphasizes that Christ is so highly exalted, there is nothing that is not under him

But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

• One might object that we do not see everything put under subjection to Christ and His saints.
• The Scriptures teach us of Christ’s time of incarnation (“made [demoted] a little lower than the angels…”) so that he might endure “the suffering of death” and “taste death for every man”.
• In the resurrection of Christ we have the beginning of His exaltation that shall be complete at His return
• we see Jesus… How do ‘we’ see Jesus? We see Him with the eyes of faith (Jn 8:56)

Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I [am] in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him…
John 14:19-21

• The world sees Jesus in his suffering and humiliation, “But we see Jesus…crowned with glory and honour“
• To the Jews Peter says, “let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:36)
• “God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…” (Phil 2:9-11)

Ah, brethren in Christ, when you go out at night and view the wondrous heavens, and then think of your own utter insignificance; when you meditate upon the glory of God’s majesty and holiness. and then think of your own exceeding sinfulness, and are bowed into the dust; remember that up there is a Man in the glory, and that that Man is the measure of God’s thoughts concerning you. Remember, that by wondrous and sovereign grace, you have been not only predestined to be conformed to His image, but that you should, as a joint-heir with Him, share His inheritance. May the Lord grant each Christian reader that faith which will enable him to grasp that wonderful and blissful prospect which the Word of God sets before him.

(AW Pink)

Great John Wycliffe Quotes

John Wycliffe

Roman Catholics often like to portray the Protestant cause as an aberration of a single rebellious monk that spun out of control. The fact of the matter is that there has been a long history of Bible believers (proto-Protestants) long before Martin Luther. The greatest of these is John Wycliffe of England. You can read a short summary of Wycliffe’s life and ministry by clicking the links below:

 

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• The Morning Star of the Reformation

• Happy Reformation Day 2011 !!

Below are a few choice quotes (from Feileadh Mohr blog: Quotes from Wycliffe) by John Wycliffe who was writing in the 1300s (150 years before Luther).

 

“Trust wholly in Christ; rely altogether on his sufferings; beware of seeking to be justified in any other way than by his righteousness. Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ is sufficient for salvation.”

“God gives His grace to whomever He wishes, and has predestined each individual, an eternity before birth, to be lost or saved through all eternity. Good works do not win salvation, but they indicate that he who does them has received divine grace and is one of the elect. We act according to the disposition that God has allotted to us; to invert Hericlitus, our fare is our character.”

“Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ is sufficient for salvation, and that without faith it is impossible to please God; that the merit of Christ is able, by itself, to redeem all mankind from hell, and that this sufficiency is to be understood without any other cause concurring.”

SP Tragelles and I Duped By Conspiracy Theory?

In 2010 I wrote a short article about the history of Dispensationalism (Dispensational History in a Nutshell).  My post was charitably critiqued by a Dispensational blogger.   My challenger believes my post is a ‘reformed’ conspiracy theory.  I stand behind it.  I was reminded of this exchange a couple days ago when I received an e-mail update that his post received a comment from a fellow believer who was happy to have it as a reference in case this debate arises within his circle of theological friends.

I must say that it is too bad that it ever should arise.  Guilt by association is no way to resolve conflict – especially with brothers.  My purpose in posting this brief history is not to win that debate.  I often find that popular dispensational teachers refute traditional schools of eschatology by associating their views with Catholicism.  I merely want to point out the irony that some of the key tenants of dispensationalism find their roots in Romanism as well.

I’ve been told that I promote a conspiracy theory by stating that there is a connection between Jesuit scholar Manual Lacunza (pen-name Juan Josafat Ben-Ezra) and charismatic Bible teacher Edward Irving. Yet, it was Mr. Irving who translated Lacunza’s book into English and popularized it’s proto-dispensationalist views.

That it was Edward Irving who first popularized the notion of a ‘secret’ pre-tribulational rapture in England is provided by SP Tragelles (Plymouth Brethren Pastor and Greek New Testament scholar) in his work: The Hope of Christ’s Second Coming: How is it Taught in Scripture? And Why?

Touching on the history of Dispensational Theology in England, Tragelles writes:

But when the theory of a secret coming of Christ was first brought forward (about the year 1832) ⁷ it was adopted with eagerness: it suited certain preconceived opinions, and it was accepted by some as that which harmonised contradictory thoughts. There should, however, have been a previous point determined, whether such contradictory thoughts, or any of them, rested on the sure warrant of God’s written Word.

 

Footnote 7:
I am not aware that there was any definite teaching that there would be a secret rapture of the Church at a secret coming, until this was given forth as an “utterance” in Mr Irving’s Church, from what was there received as being the voice of the Spirit. But whether any one ever asserted such a thing or not, it was from that supposed revelation that the modern doctrine and the modern phraseology respecting it arose. It came not from Holy Scripture, but from that which falsely pretended to be the Spirit of God…

In light of this, if one is duped by a conspiracy theory, let it be SP Tragelles, whose scholarship speaks for itself.

Why I am NOT a Romanist

On March 17, Shane Lems posted an article entitled Ten Reasons Why I Will Never Go To Rome. In light of all the focus that the church of Rome is receiving from the media recently, I thought it would be a good time to revisit why we have separated from and remain separate from the apostate ‘church’ of Rome.

The following (text in blue) is Shane’s post with the Scripture and references added by me.

Note: References to the London Baptist Confession are not meant to be authoritative, but to show what Baptists believe and have historically believed.

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Liberty of Conscience

I will not have my conscience bound by man or man’s decrees. Rome binds consciences beyond the Word by teaching that the dogmas of the Church’s Magisterium “oblige” adherence (Catechism, p. 33, 548). I believe that God alone is Lord of the conscience and that it can only be bound by his Word.

• God alone is Lord of the conscience, and he has left it free from obligations to human doctrines and commandments which are in any way contrary to his Word or not contained in it. So to believe such doctrines, or to obey such commandments out of conscience, is to betray true liberty of conscience. To require an implicit faith, or absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience and reason. (London Baptist Confession, Sect 21.2).
• There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? (Jas 4:12)
• Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. (Rom 14:4)
• Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Gal 5:1)
• Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Mat 15:7-9)
• See also: Col 2:20-23; Gal 1:10; 2:3-5; 5:1

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Authority

I will never submit to a Pope. Rome teaches that the pope is “pastor of the entire Church” and has “full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered” (Catechism, p. 254). However, Scripture teaches there is no other head of the church besides Christ.

• The Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the church. In him is vested, by the appointment of the Father in a supreme and sovereign manner, all authority for the calling, institution, order and government of the church. The Pope of Rome cannot in any sense be the head of the church, but he is the antichrist, that ‘man of lawlessness’, and ‘son of destruction’, who exalts himself in the church against Christ and all that is called God, whom the Lord shall destroy with the brightness of his coming. (London Baptist Confession, Sect 26.4)
• And [Christ] is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Col 1:18)
• [God the Father] raised [Christ] from the dead, and set Him at his own right hand in the heavenly places …and hath put all things under his feet, and [He] gave him to be the head over all things to the church (Eph 1:20-23)
• Christ is the head of the church … Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ… (Eph 5:23-32)

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One Mediator Between God and Men

I refuse to pray to Mary or have her for a mediator or helper. Rome teaches that Christians should pray “to” Mary; “we can entrust all our cares and petitions to her: she prays for us as she prayed for herself” (Catechism, p. 704ff). The first commandment, however, teaches us not to pray to or confide in any creature.

• This office of Mediator between God and the human race belongs exclusively to Christ, who is the Prophet, Priest, and King of the Church of God. This office may not be transferred from him to any other, either in whole or in part. (London Baptist Confession, Sect. 8.9)
• For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Ti 2:5)

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The Gospel

Rome anathematized the gospel of free grace. “If anyone says that the sinner is justified by faith alone let him be anathema” (Canons of Trent, 43). Scripture, however, teaches that God justifies ungodly sinners by faith alone, completely apart from works.

• …a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (Gal 2:16)
• …no man is justified by the law in the sight of God …for, The just shall live by faith. (Gal 3:11)
• …by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested … the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe (Rom 3:20-22)
• Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 5:1)
• …we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

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Church Subject to God’s Word

I believe the church is under the Word, not beside or above it. Rome teaches that Scripture is not the highest authority in faith and life. Rome says “both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence” (Catechism, p. 31). However, Scripture teaches that it alone is authoritative and sets forth perfect and complete doctrine for salvation and life.

• The Holy Scriptures are the only sufficient, certain and infallible rule for saving knowledge, faith, and obedience… (London Baptist Confession, Sect. 1.1)
• To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because there is no light in them. (Is 8:20)
• [The church is] built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone (Eph 2:20)
• All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Tim 3:16-17)
• For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Pet 1:21)
• Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (John 5:39)

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Perseverance of the Saints

I do not believe that salvation is losable. The Council of Trent said that true faith can be lost and one can forfeit the grace of justification (Canons of Trent, 38-40). But God’s Word teaches that Christ will never let go of his sheep and that nothing can separate the elect from God’s love in Christ.

• These can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace, but they shall certainly persevere in grace to the end and be eternally saved. For God will not repent of his gifts and calling, therefore he continues to bring about and nourish in them faith, repentance, love, joy, hope, and all the graces of the Spirit that lead to immortality. (London Baptist Confession, Sect. 17.1)
• I give [my sheep] unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:28-29)
• Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil 1:6)
• …after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (Eph 1:13-14)
• [We] are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Pet 1:5)
• All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. …No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:37-44)
• For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son (Rom 8:29)
• He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love (Eph 1:4)
• [Christ] shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 1:8)

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Lord’s Supper

I do not believe the Eucharist/Lord’s Supper is a re-presentation of Christ’s sacrifice. Rome’s catechism teaches that in the Eucharist “the sacrifice Christ offered once for all on the cross remains ever-present, the Eucharist is also a sacrifice, because it re-presents (makes present) the sacrifice of the cross.” (Catechism, p.380). Scripture, however, teaches that the body of our Lord ascended into heaven where he now is; therefore the Lord’s Supper is a proclamation of his death and a reminder of it.

• In this ordinance Christ is not offered up to his Father, nor is any real sacrifice made for remission of sin of the living or the dead. It is only a memorial of that one offering up of Christ by himself upon the cross once for all. It is also a spiritual offering of all possible praise to God for Christ’s work. So the Roman Catholic sacrifice of the mass, as they call it, is utterly abominable and defamatory of Christ’s own sacrifice which is the only propitiation for all the sins of the elect. (London Baptist Confession, Sect. 30.2)
• [Christ will not] offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. …So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Heb 9:25-28)
• We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. …after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. (Heb 10:10-13)
• He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. (Luke 22:19)
• That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. (1 Cor 11:23-24)

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Baptism

I am not convinced that baptism itself effects the forgiveness of sins. According to Rome, “by baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as all punishment for sins” (Catechism, p. 353). On the other hand, Scripture teaches that baptism is a sign and seal that points us to Jesus’ blood and the Holy Spirit’s work, which alone can wash away sin and effect its forgiveness.

• Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, to be to the person baptized a sign of fellowship with Christ in his death and resurrection, of being grafted into him, of remission of sins, and of giving up oneself to God, through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life (London Baptist Confession, Sect. 29.1).
• But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. (Acts 8:12)
• Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. (Acts 8:35-38)
• [Peter preaches] that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. …Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. (Acts 10:43-48)
• And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And …she was baptized…(Acts 16:14-15)
• And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And [Paul] took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and [they were] baptized (Acts 16:31-33)
• And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. (Acts 18:8)
• These examples from Acts show how that preaching and faith proceed Baptism. Baptism was given as a sign and seal of that inward washing of the Holy Spirit.
• Baptism is an holy ordinance, wherein the washing with water in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, signifies our ingrafting into Christ and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord’s. (Baptist Catechism #96)
• Baptism is to be administered to all those who actually profess repentance towards God, faith in, and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ; and to none other. (Baptist Catechism #97)

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Purgatory

Purgatory is an unbiblical doctrine. Rome says that Christians who die in an imperfect state “undergo purification” after death “to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven” (Catechism, p. 291). Scripture teaches differently. Scripture teaches that in Christ a Christian has all he or she needs to enter the joy of heaven, since he is our holiness, sanctification, and righteousness.

• The souls of believers are at death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory, and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection. (Baptist Catechism #40)
• See Heb. 12:23; Phil. 1:23; 2 Cor. 5:8; Luke 23:43; 1 Thess 4:14
• The souls of the wicked shall at death, be cast into the torments of hell, and their bodies lie in their graves till the resurrection and judgement of the great day. (Baptist Catechism #42)
• See especially Luke 16:22-24

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Superstition

Rome’s many superstitions lead people away from Jesus. Rome’s icons, images, saints, indulgences, mysticism, and repetitious prayers often lead people into a vortex of idolatry. For example, Rome teaches that dead saints “do not cease to intercede with the Father for us, as they proffer the merits which they acquired on earth….” (Catechism, p. 271). Scripture, however, teaches us to stay away from superstitions and myths while standing firm only on apostolic truth, which has Christ as its center.

• Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. (Col 2:20-23)
• One can clearly see, too, how superstition mocks God with pretenses while it tries to please him. For, seizing almost solely upon what God has testified to be of no concern to himself, superstition either holds in contempt or else openly rejects that which he prescribes and enjoins as pleasing to himself. Thus all who set up their own false rites to God worship and adore their own ravings. (John Calvin)

How Many Biscuits Can You Eat?

I love my wife and I love my babies and I love my biscuits sopped in gravy!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day?

“I am greatly God’s debtor, because he granted me so much grace, that through me many people would be reborn in God…”

- Patrick

If you live in one of those parts of the world that celebrates St. Patrick’s Day, you might see the day as a time of Irish Pride, drinking, parading, and all forms of Lord’s Day debauchery under the guise of a religious Roman Catholic holiday.  You probably have never given much thought about the original Patrick of Ireland and what makes him so special.

In the video below you can listen to an Irishman and former Roman Catholic Priest (now Bible-believing Christian) Richard Bennett tell of the REAL Patrick – Scotsman, slave, shepherd, and Evangelist!

Note: If you don’t have the patience to watch the video, you can read a shorter version here:

Real St. Patrick

“before I was humbled I was like a stone lying in deep mire, and He that is mighty came and in His mercy raised me up and, indeed, lifted me high up and placed me on top of the wall. And from there I ought to shout out in gratitude to the Lord for His great favours in this world and for ever, that the mind of man cannot measure.”

As it turns out, Patrick the preacher and evangelist baptized thousands and planted over 300 churches on Irish soil. According to Bennett, it wasn’t until 700 years later, in the 1100s, that Ireland was invaded by the Pope and the English.

Habemus Papam

When newly elected Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) was being introduced to the Romanist church, thousands in the Roman crowd cheered “Habemus Papam” – “we have a pope”. Pope is the Latin word for Papa, i.e. ‘Daddy’ or ‘Father’. In essence, the crowds cheered “we have a father”. In point of fact, “Holy Father” is one of the most common honorific titles given to the reigning Bishop of Rome. See, for instance, the Vatican Webpage “Holy Father” which lists the activities of recent Roman Pontiffs.

Protestant Christians, on the other hand, who have their consciences bound by the Word of God, find themselves under no obligation to give honorific titles to men which have been expressly forbidden the one and only true head of the Church.

The scribes and the Pharisees …bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay [them] on men’s shoulders; …all their works they do for to be seen of men …And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets

…And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. …But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

- Matthew 23:2-12

Consider also, in John 17:11 when Christ prays to God the Father using the very title “Holy Father” as an address to very God Himself.  In light of this blasphemy, let us heed Paul’s warning about the ‘man of sin’ who will exalt himself above God and would dare to sit, being worshiped, in the temple of God (2 Thes 2:2-9).

A Body Without a Head?

Recently, I listened with amusement as some of my co-workers were discussing how with the resignation of Pope Benedict, ‘the’ church had no head (this was before Pope Francis was selected). No head?! I’m so thankful to be part of a church with an eternal head, who never resigns, and never needs to be replaced. The ONLY infallible and supreme ruler of the one holy universal apostolic church is not the Pope, but Christ Jesus our Lord!

• [God the Father has] raised him [Christ] from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body…

  Eph 1:20-23

• For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

  Eph 5:23-24

• [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church…

  Col 1:15-17

According to our Baptist forebearers (London Baptist Confession, Sect. 26.4):

The Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the church. In him is vested, by the appointment of the Father in a supreme and sovereign manner, all authority for the calling, institution, order and government of the church. The Pope of Rome cannot in any sense be the head of the church, but he is the antichrist, that ‘man of lawlessness’, and ‘son of destruction’, who exalts himself in the church against Christ and all that is called God, whom the Lord shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.

Notes on Hebrews 2:1-4

Give Heed to the Gospel

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let [them] slip¹. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation²; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard [him]; God also bearing [them] witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost³, according to his own will?

• 1 Jn 8:31; Rom 11:22; 1 Co 15:2; Heb 3:6,14, 4:1,14, 10:23, 12:25, etc.
• 2 Heb 12:25, Jn 8:31-32, Acts 13:43, 14:22, 2 Jn 1:9
• 3 Acts 2:14-21, 1 Cor 12:8-11, Jn 2:23, 3:2, 6:2, 7:31, 9:16, 20:30

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Therefore…

• Therefore (ie, “for this cause”)… – The argument in Chapter 2 is a conclusion drawn on what has been said before (ie, the 7 OT quotations about Christ)
• “In the opening verse of chapter 2 the apostle is making a practical and searching application of all he had said in chapter 1, where he had shown the superiority of Christianity over Judaism, by proving the exaltation of Christ—the Center and Substance of Christianity—over prophets and angels.” (AW Pink)

we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

• Given all Scripture has said about Christ (God’s Son, Heir of all things, etc.), we should make every effort to cling to what He has taught us (the gospel) – Matt 7:24
• “ought” (means “must”). It is a duty. It is the duty of every Christian to be faithful to the Word of God
• To “give heed” is to apply the mind to and obey
• Hearing is not enough, “there must be prayerful meditation, personal appropriation.” (AW Pink)

• “The duty here intended is a serious, firm, and fixed settling of the mind upon that which we hear; a bowing and bending of the will to yield unto it; an applying of the heart to it, a placing of the affections upon it, and bringing the whole man into conformity thereunto. Thus it comprises knowledge of the Word, faith therein, obedience thereto, and all other due respects that may any way concern it”

  (Dr. Gouge)

• “cling” = “Hold fast” in Hebrews, see 3:6, 4:14, 10:23

For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward

• Another reason to take head of the gospel is because of the fearful vengeance of God.
• “word spoken by angels” = Old Covenant Law
  • Acts 7:53 – [the Jews] “have received the law by the disposition of angels”
  • Gal 3:19 – [the law was] “ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator”
• The Word of God is stedfast. According to Webster, stedfast is “Fast fixed; firm; Constant; resolute; not wavering”
• “just recompence”: all sin will be punished, either in the cross of Christ, or in the eternal state. See Rom 2:5-13
  • God’s justice is in proportion to the weight of sin – see Matt 11:24, Lk 12:47-48, Mk 12:40, Heb 10:29

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation…

• Neglecting God’s Word under the gospel dispensation (Word spoken by Christ) is of far greater consequence than under the prior and lesser dispensation (Word spoken by Angels)
• The present dispensation is called the “Day of Salvation”, see 2 Cor 6:2
• “So great salvation” = the gospel; see Eph 1:13, “…the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation…”
• The gospel is not just a great salvation, but ‘so’ great salvation
• The gospel must be received, ie must not be neglected

The Gospel is more than a publication of good news, more than an invitation for burdened souls to come to Christ for relief and peace. …it is a Divine mandate, an authoritative command, which is disregarded at the sinner’s imminent peril.
- AW Pink

• The gospel is a command:

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness…
- Acts 17:30-31

• escape…neglect; The necessity to persevere in grace: see John 8:31-32, Acts 13:43, 14:22, 2 John 1:9
• What does one fail to escape who neglects the gospel? Hell. Mk 16:16

…which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will

• Contrary to popular dispensationalism, Christ preached the gospel and was the first gospel preacher
• The purpose for signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts was to confirm the initial preaching of the gospel – Jn 2:23, 3:2, 6:2, 7:31, 9:16, 20:30
• The gospel was ‘worthy of acceptation’ based simply on the nobility of the One who preached it; but in a further acts of mercy and grace, God confirmed the gospel with miracles and signs that could not be denied
• See Acts 2:14-21: “…I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath …[and] whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
• Gifts: 1 Cor 7:17, 12:8-11, etc.
• Will of God: Matt 6:10, Eph 1:9-11, Rom 12:2