Reflection Questions on The Attributes of God

Since January, I have lead a study on God's attributes. Grasping a correct comprehension of God is crucial to understanding the God we worship. I believe this study is important for each Christian to engage. Do you worship the God of the Bible or the God you "think" is in the Bible? For example, to deny God's Sovereignty or His Self-Existence is to deny the God of the Bible.

Last week we ended our study by discussing what we learned about God and ourselves. The questions are below:

What aspect of God's attributes has impacted you daily life?

How has gaining a correct understanding of God impacted, challenged, or changed your worldview?

How has studying God giving you biblical hope?

How do the Scriptures magnify your concept of God? (worship)

How has this study affected how you deal with sin in your life? (repentance)

Three views on Baptism

Recently (like four days ago) I submitted an assignment for my class on the different views of baptism. Some friends have asked to read it so I thought I would post it here:

                 Baptism and the Lord’s Supper remain a vital part of every Christian denomination. However, baptism remains one of the most controversial and practical doctrines. Defining baptism is important to a correct understanding of the sacrament and the theological implications of this doctrine. The three most popular views of baptism are baptismal regeneration, baptism as a sign and seal of the covenant, and baptism as a token of salvation. Adherents to baptism as a means of saving grace include traditional Catholics and Lutherans. Baptismal regeneration is the belief that God uses baptism as a way to impart saving grace (Erickson 1998, 1100). Through water baptism a sinner is bought from death to life. When infants are baptized in the Lutheran church, they possess an unconscious faith. Their argument focuses on faith not requiring power and self-consciousness for belief (Erickson 1998, 1001). They believe  baptism relates to ones view of salvation. Doctrinal issues such as original sin (Romans 3:23, 5:12-21) and justification are crucial in this discussion. Ephesians 2: 1-4 explicitly states that humans are dead in their sin. Just as a dead person cannot respond, neither can a spiritually dead person. Scripture does not teach that baptism removes the effects of original sin (neither does prevenient grace). The New Testament authors teach that justification comes from the death of Jesus, through faith in Christ alone not through water baptism (Romans 5:6-11).

                

The second major view of baptism believes baptism is a sign and seal of the covenant. This position is held by the traditional Reformed and Presbyterian churches. Theologians and scholars who hold to this view of baptism believe it is the act where individuals are bought into covenant family (Erickson 1998, 1102). Proponents of this view link the covenant relationship between God and the nation of Israel to believers in the New Covenant era. Circumcision is now replaced by baptism as evidence Christians are the real people of God. The Bible does teach that baptism replaces circumcision in the New Covenant era (Col 2: 11-14); however, the baptism referred to is regeneration or spiritual baptism not water baptism. A changed life or new birth is now the visible evidence of God’s people. The emphasis of this method is infant baptism. Again, their argument of infant baptism can be traced back to the sign of the covenant in Genesis 17:10-11. “Baptism has been substituted for circumcision as the initiatory rite into the covenant” (Erickson 1998. 1103). Proponents of baptism as the seal of the covenant refer to verses such as Acts 16:31-33 as biblical proof. However, the Bible does not explicitly teach infants should be baptized to receive the benefits of the covenant. There is no example of an infant baptized in Scripture.

                

This stance views baptism as an outward symbol of inward change in the believer.  Those that hold to this view of baptism are typically Baptist. In order to receive baptism a person must show signs of conversion which are repentance of sin and spiritual fruit (Erickson 1998, 1106). After responding to the Gospel, a person would then receive water baptism as a symbol of belief (Romans 6:1-4). According to this view, infants would not receive baptism. Scripture references to support their stance include Matthew 3:7-8, 28:18-20 and Acts 2:37-41. While the mode of baptism is not specifically taught in Scripture, the majority who practice this view baptize using the mode of immersion.

Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI.: Baker Book House, 1998.

John Owen's Definite Atonement

This week I came across another article that is worth reading on the extent of the atonement. If you ever wanted a break down of limited atonement vs universalism check out page 70 of this article written by Andy Naselli on his evaluation of Owen's work, The Death of Death in the Death of Christ.  

The Case for Limited Atonement

As I embark on this journey called seminary, I came across this article written by Dr. Roger Nicole. This quarter I am writing a research paper on the extent of the atonement. In other words, for whom did Jesus die? Does Jesus' death on the cross purchase; justification, sanctification, redemption, propitiation for  everyone created or just for the elect? Enjoy reading!

Forgiving Someone That Does Not Deserve It - A Study on Philemon

Besides all the reading it requires to work on a master’s! -  I have been diving head long into the letter Paul wrote to Philemon. In fact, over the next month, I will be leading our SS class through this letter. I owe much to the ESV study Bible, and various podcast pastors for my understanding of this tiny letter. Philemon is quickly becoming one of my favorite (if not my favorite) “book” of the Bible!

Philemon

The Background -

Paul wrote this small letter to Philemon, his family, and the whole church in Colossae (v. 1-2). Many think this was a private letter, I believe that is not the case. Paul wrote to Philemon while he was incarcerated in Rome, along with other books of Bible including: Philippians, Ephesians, and Colossians. In fact, the church of Colossae met in Philemon’s house (v.2). It is believed that Paul lead Philemon to Christ during Paul’s trip to Ephesus (about 100 miles from Colossae).

The Characters –

Philemon = Philemon was a very wealthy slave – holding Christian man. As a result, he purchased and bought many slaves including Onesimus. There is no evidence that Philemon was an elder of the church at Colossae, but was influential.

Apphia  = Philemon’s wife

Archippus = Philemon’s son, who was believed to be in full time ministry. For info on his name check out Colossians 4:10-18.

Onesimus =  A slave bought and owned by Philemon. Onesimus wanted his freedom. So, he escaped from Philemon, stole from Philemon (v.18-19), and ran as a fugitive slave to Rome. It is in Rome where he was a runaway slave, homeless, and living on the streets. By God’s providence (Oh! How amazing is His providence) he bumped into Paul, who shared the Gospel with him, and gave His life to Christ! The show the amazing works of God’s sovereignty in our lives. God took Onesimus away from Colossae, to Rome, to bring Him to Himself. God has a sovereign working in all of our salvation stories…what is yours?!

Theme – The tiny letter bleeds the Gospel. Love, forgiveness, the Gospel transforming lives, a new heart, restoration, and reconciliation are hallmarks of every believer. This just pours out of the letters that make up Philemon. Paul is writing to Philemon to accept Onesimus back and to: forgive him, erase his owned debt, love him as a brother in Christ, and to be reconciled to him.  

The difficulty of forgiveness = we live in a world that does not like forgiveness. In fact Hollywood celebrates characters that get revenge on those who hurt them. Now, I am a sucker and enjoy watching westerns and mafia movies. Tombstone and Goodfellows are two of my favorites. The mafia and Doc Holliday are not very good at forgiving.   

Before we begin this study, ask yourself:

Is the there anybody have a hard time with? Especially, with the holidays ahead, you may have to be around that person?

Is there anyone you need to forgive that does not deserve forgiveness?  

Are you holding a grudge? Do you enjoy holding a grudge and play “getting them back” in your mind?

As believers we must forgive. WHY!! Because that is the Gospel!! If we don’t forgive, we are the biggest hypocrites around. How can we REJOICE in Christ forgiving us and then we the same heart, not forgive someone, especially another Christian!! That is not how the Christian responds. Christians have the ability to forgive stems from the new heart. What does Jesus say….Matthew 18:22– 70 X 7

An Unforgiving person has these poisons running through their veins: imprisoned to the hurtful/painful past, blames others for their unforgiveness, bitterness, gossip, slander and it shows on his or her face.

Now my friends, forgive.

The Chief End of Man

I recently asked this question to some friends: What is the purpose of your life? What is the reason God created you? After a discussion, my answer came out: What is the chief end of man? Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.

Over the past few days I have been reading/studying the topic: to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. What does it practically mean to glorify God? As I live my life, day in and day out, being a husband, father, student, and working in full time ministry – what does it look like??

First I had to define the term. Glory is defined as the honor that everything in the universe ascribes to God. To glorify God in our lives would mean our actions and motives are set on honoring God with every area of our lives. That is the meaning of the famous verse in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” As Christians we are slaves to Jesus. Everything we do, say, or think is done in a way to honor our King Jesus. Or to say it another way, we are PR agents for God.

However, our hearts produce idols, idols of every kind.  We can easily give glory to things, ideas, people, or causes. What we honor gets our time, energy, and money. What we honor, we sacrifice for. As Believers, we are slaves to Jesus and Him only. BUT.. idols pop up and we have to recognize them and repent. Examples of what can easily take our honor:

·         Sports teams – (money) People give $1,000’s of dollars for season tickets and $1000’s to enhance the stadium, (time) spend hours upon hours watching it, (emotions) emotions fly – up/down.

·         People – We can easily idolize certain people. This can be a politician, pastor, friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, child, mother, father, or even your own self. What they say becomes the Bible. We copy them – what they dress like, we eat what they eat, and our self esteem is all wrapped up in what they think about us. Worse of all is living our lives through our children.

·         Causes – This should be VERY CLEAR to you with all the facebook post on politics since the recent government shutdown. Sometimes we care more about being right than honoring Jesus.

·         Holding to a certain theological position – I have seen people get so wrapped on a theological position they everybody that does not agree with them is of the devil and everybody that agrees with them is Jesus. A way to evaluate yourself is: Do you take it personally when others don’t agree with you? Are you easily aggravated at others who do not agree with you? Trust me; you don’t want to become the next cult leader.

·         Yourself – When I was in Romania I asked several pastors what they thought the number one idol was in America. Their answer --- yourself!!

·         There are many, many more…. For example – appearances (we live in the airbrush generation and thus eating disorders is a common sin among many young ladies), your status, money, and your reputation just to name a few.

My prayer is that of Paul’s in Romans 11:36, “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be GLORY forever. Amen." 

Praying for the 10/40 window

Last week I stumbled across the website Joshua Project. I stayed on the site for five hours. I was convicted, prayed, and motivated as I read the need for the Gospel in so many countries. As a result, I have claimed October, "Pray for the 10/40 window month". Each week someone from our small group will present a country we are to pray for that week. This week's country....... Turkey. .

Within Turkey lies the roots of the Christian faith. Acts is filled with cities reached with the Gospel that are in.....Turkey. They were some of the first believers to experience the New Covenant promise of the Holy Spirit bringing gentiles into the Kingdom. 

The church of Colossae and Ephesus were two cities in Turkey. We have Paul's letters written to them. Revelation mentions 7 churches that can be found in ...... Turkey. You can even take a tour of all the seven churches if you ever visit Turkey.

What was once a place where the Apostle Paul walked, shared the Gospel, planted churches, and discipled men and women is now home to a county where less than 1% of the population is Christian. Join me and my small group as we pray for Turkey.