Why should we know God's Word?

In our day and age where anti-intellectualism runs rampant in the visible church, it is not surprising to see poll after poll verify what students of scripture have known for many years. The visible church does not know much about the scriptures they profess to believe in. This is sad considering many saints during the Reformation period lost their lives for the sake of being able to read and study God's word. Not to mention the many passages in scripture that speak as such:

Isaiah 66:2 This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
John 8:31-32 Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Psalm 19:7-8 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psalm 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
Psalm 119:11 I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
Psalm 119:103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
Psalm 119:162 I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.

The posts on this blog will address essential Biblical doctrines of the Christian faith. You can find much of the background for the posts here. My prayer for these posts is that the people who read them will be encouraged to open their Bibles and not just read a verse or two, but learn them and indeed, be transformed by them. As Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." (John 17:17). This is my prayer as well.

Friday, March 05, 2010

Sovereign Election pt 2

Sovereign Election pt 2
-                     Election/predestination unto salvation is taught extensively in the New Testament
o      Paul powerfully argues for election in Roman 9 and uses the Old Testament for much of his argumentation:
§       Romans 9:10-13 – Paul points to the example of God’s choice of Jacob over Esau.
·       He quotes Malachi 1:2-3 – Jacob I loved, Esau I hated.
§       Romans 9:15 – Paul quotes Exodus 33:19 to prove God’s sovereign will and mercy.
§       Romans 9:17 –Paul points out Pharaoh as an example of adverse election.
§       Romans 9:21 – Paul alludes to Jeremiah 18:3-6 & Isaiah 64:8 when he refers to God as the potter & us as clay
o      Paul could not have spelled it out any better than in Ephesians 1.
§       Ephesians 1:4-5 - …he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will…
§        Ephesians 1:11 - In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will…
·       Predestine simply means to decide beforehand.
o      Also, notice the basis upon which the decision was made: according to the purpose or counsel of his will.
·       See also Acts 4:26-28
-                     Election unto salvation is not only found in these two passages, but throughout the New Testament
o      Paul argues that although Israel rebelled there was an elect within Israel – Romans 11:1-10
o      Acts 13:48 – Paul preaching in Antioch of Pisidia – When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
§       See also Acts 2:47 – The Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
o      1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 - For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.
o      2 Thessalonians 2:13 - But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
o      2 Timothy 2:10 - I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
§       See also Titus 1:1, 2 Timothy 1:8-9, Revelation 13:7-8, 1 Corinthians 1:21-30, Colossians 3:12, 1 Peter 1:1, 2 John 1:1 & 13
-                     How does the Bible present this teaching?
o      Comfort – Romans 8:28-31 – God works all things for the good for His people.
§       John 10:27-28 – No one can snatch His sheep out of His hand.
§       John 17:9-12 – We are kept by Him.
o      Evangelism – 2 Timothy 2:10 – We endure all things.
§       Matthew 28:18-19 – All authority is with our Lord Jesus therefore we can go with boldness to fulfill the great commission.
§       Acts 18:9-11 – Paul stayed in Corinth for well over a year after God told him he had people in that city.
o      Praise – Ephesians 1:4-5, 11-12 – We were predestined to the praise of His glory
§       1 Peter 2:9 – We were called to proclaim His excellencies.
·       See also 1 Peter 1:3-8 – We rejoice with joy in inexpressible in our salvation.
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