Wednesday, October 11, 2023

There are no children in hell

Deuteronomy 1:39

And as for your little ones, who you said would become a prey, and your children, who today have no knowledge of good or evil, they shall go in there. And to them I will give it, and they shall possess it.

Matthew 19:14

but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 18:2-4

And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus, who exemplifies the character of God, loves little children, in and out of the womb.

It is good and necessary consequence that little children who die in their infancy are Elect.

Sunday, October 8, 2023

What if the state of Israel fell and Christ did not return?

Practically, nothing in terms of God’s plan. The physical kingdom of Israel fell long ago and was supplanted by the spiritual kingdom of Israel we call the church of Christ. This kingdom has the law of God written on their hearts by the constant indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who previously only acted internally as He would in certain individuals in certain circumstances. 


This kingdom does not have physical boundaries and holy places. We are the temple that God inhabits and we carry the kingdom of Heaven with us wherever we go.


This kingdom has an eternal king that set aside His glory for a time, joined us here in the material plane, and revealed the character of God as loving, forgiving, and sacrificial for His children.


Do not lose hope if the state of Israel falls and Christ does not return. He will come when and as the Father intended. His is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, amen.


John 18:36

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”




Biblical inerrancy and infallibility with textual variances


In the modern era, much ado has been made in the field of Biblical criticism concerning textual variances in the many historical copies we have that comprise our current set of Bible translations. Without a proper understanding and context, it can cause doubt about the fidelity of God’s Word in otherwise staunch Christians and cause weaker believers to stray from the faith.


First - No informed person denies that there are minor variations in the manuscript texts. That being said, none of these variations have any impact on historic and traditional core Biblical doctrines. The cohesive narrative of Scripture remains over and above the translations and refinements over the centuries.


Second - we do not have the original documents, but Biblical Christians believe that they were originally textually inerrant. There is no surprise minor variations happened over time. We accept some variation now,  in the sense that the documents in their original languages are translated into the vernacular. That being said, working to refine the text so that it is as close to the original is a good work, if not critical to preserve God’s message to us.


Third - The reason we believe that the Scriptures are inerrant is because the Holy Spirit is the originator and curator of God’s written Word.


Finally and most importantly, Jesus said, “Scripture cannot be broken” - John 10:35. Our faith in God’s Word is sealed in the testimony of Christ. Don’t let false prophets lead you from the truth. “Test everything, keep what is good” - 1 Thess 5:21.




Thursday, October 5, 2023

On Scripture Alone (sola scriptura):

The Bible is true, trustworthy, authoritative, and infallible in all matters of the Christian faith because it is totally inspired, stewarded, and externally verified by the Spirit of truth.

John 17:17

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

John 16:13-14

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

2 Peter 1:21

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Cherry picking what is inspired and not inspired concerning the living Word is not a mark of the indwelling Spirit.

Biblical Christians trust that the Spirit has delivered God’s infallible Word through time and flawed vessels. If you don’t, you should take a step back with a cold hard look at yourself.

Philippians 2:12

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling


“When there’s something in the Word of God that I don’t like, the problem is not with the Word of God, it’s with me.”

— R.C. Sproul