In sanctification, which is greater in the New Testament as to higher illumination of the intellect (as to mode), which is not external and ceremonial (which even a hypocrite may have), but internal (as to efficacy), which is greater on account of . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
In liberty, not only spiritual (which also existed in the Old Testament), but also external, by which we are free from the legal ceremonies (Col. 2:20–22) and besides are become the servants of Christ alone and not of men (Gal. 5:1). Francis . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
In adoption, which in the New Testament not only as to the thing is such as it was in the Old, but also as to mode, condition and effects because: (a) in the New Testament it is proposed as having been acquired through Christ (Jn. 1:12); (b) it is purely…| The Heidelblog
In the calling of all nations, which is peculiar to the New Testament as to the full knowledge of circumstance and of mode. This was not attended to by the ancients who thought that the Gentiles would be brought into the old . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
It consists (1) in the advent of the Messiah, his manifestation in the flesh and the fulfillment of the whole law by him (namely, of its ceremonies, prophecies and the entire righteousness prescribed by God in the law). (2) In the abrogation . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
Thus far the old dispensation; the new succeeds, the administration of the covenant without the law and ceremonies after the appearance of Christ. It is called “new” not as to the substance of the covenant (which is the same in both) but: . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
Thus it comes about that the doctrine of monergistic regeneration—or as it was phrased by the older theologians, of “irresistible grace” or “effectual calling”—is the hinge of the Calvinistic soteriology, and lies much more deeply embedded in the system than the doctrine . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
The subject of baptism is the faithful people of God, without any distinction of nation, sex, or age. Indeed, infants of the covenanted must be baptized as equally as the infants of the covenanted were once circumcised because the promise made to Abraham . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
One needs to read but a little way into the treatise to perceive how strongly and indeed even passionately Calvin insisted upon this point. The reason for this is that he looked upon election not merely as the warrant for assurance of . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
For neither the light and heat of the sun, nor any meat and drink, are so necessary to the nourishment and sustenance of the present life, as the apostolical and pastoral office is to the preservation of the Church in the world. . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
I am not suggesting that American Presbyterians of the eighteenth century would approve of the political arrangement of the twenty-first century. Surely, in many respects they would not. They assumed an overwhelmingly Protestant nation where Catholics and (more so) Jews could be . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
If we truly believe that Scripture is sufficient, then we must not only believe rightly—we must also worship, live, and love according to the word of God. Semper reformanda must remain more than a slogan; it must become the heartbeat of the church today. . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
Next we must consider the general organization of Israel that originated in this berith. This is usually designated as ‘the theocracy’. This name for it is not found in the Scriptures, although it admirably describes what the Biblical account represents Israel’s constitution to . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
In recent years it has become increasingly popular for churches of differing sizes, locations, and denominational traditions to make use of consultant services to find new ministers and staff for Christian institutions. If you browse the denominational job boards of the PCA, . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
The universal Sabbath law received a modified significance under the Covenant of Grace. The work which issues into the rest can now no longer be man’s own work. It becomes the work of Christ. This the Old Testament and the New Testament . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
God cannot let sin go unpunished (Rom 3:25). The penalty for sin… is not a matter of God’s feelings, as if He is simply angry about being wronged…. death is the legal and just consequence for sin, ‘the curse of the law’ that . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
It is truly lamentable to observe how many young men and women, of whom better things might have been expected, fall away into semi-Romanism in the present day, under the attraction of a highly ornamental and sensuous ceremonial. Flowers, crucifixes, processions, banners, . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
But I did feel the swell of hormones that flooded my system for the next three months, bringing me to lows I didn’t know existed, sweeping me through endless forests of my own fatigued emotions. I felt the fraying of my mind . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
The printing industry was especially important in Geneva during Calvin’s rise to prominence. Robert Estienne printed French editions of the works of Beza, Hotman, Viret, and Calvin from Geneva. Jean Crispin, a groomsman at Beza’s secret marriage published popular devotional material, and a range . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
A pastor is a human being who has been redeemed by God’s grace and called to serve the Lord as an ordained minister. As a human, he will need and want friends. It is a highly unrealistic expectation to think that pastors . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
There is still another area in which the Reformed view of the law is influenced by the idea of the covenant. Even after the fall, the law retains something of its covenantal form. The law was not included in the federal relationship . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
Secondly, You affirm with like confidence, That the covenant of circumcision is also the same; viz. the covenant of works made with Adam in paradise. This I utterly deny; and will try whether you have any better success in the proof of your second, . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
The word πάρεσις, remission, more strictly means pretermission, a passing by, or overlooking. Paul repeatedly uses the proper term for remission (ἄφεσις,) as in Eph. 1:7, Heb. 9:22, &c.; but the word here used occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. Many, therefore, consider the selection of this . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
Why should Christians—especially those in the Reformed camp—embrace amillennialism over premillennialism or dispensationalism? In this post, I’ll share five compelling reasons that won me over, and I believe they can convince you too. First off, the Old Testament doesn’t breathe a word . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
Objection #6: “And for this cause He is the Mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance” . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
It’s all over every social media platform. I saw it on the late news last night and on the early news this morning. Everyone laughing. Everyone mocking. Many glad that ‘those cheaters’ are getting their comeuppance. Not only are they cheating, but . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
Significant numbers of American evangelicals have come to find ancient liturgical forms meaningful, a welcome alternative to the folksy informality typical of many Protestant churches today, especially ‘big-box’ nondenominational congregations. In liturgical churches, these seekers find a stronger historical consciousness and a . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
The panel reversed the district court’s summary judgment for Aubry McMahon and remanded for entry of summary judgment in favor of World Vision, Inc., in McMahon’s lawsuit against World Vision alleging discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and marital status under Title . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
Kevin DeYoung, moderator of the 52nd General Assembly, has selected the elders to serve on the Ad Interim Study Committee on Christian Nationalism. The committee will consist of three teaching elders, four ruling elders, and two advisory members. The committee members are . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
The passages are these:— He was thirty years old when he came up to be baptized. Then, when he had the mature age of a teacher, he came to Jerusalem, so that all would reasonably accept him as a teacher. For he . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog
When the creed goes on to say that Christ descended into hell, does that mean that He descended into the limbus, where there is neither joy nor sorrow, so that He might liberate the patriarchs from there? Or does it mean that . . . Continue reading →| The Heidelblog