Category: Calvinism

The only way to be complete and to be saved by the finished work of Christ is to be “in Christ.” Scripture says we are “baptized into Jesus Christ.” If one is not baptized, he is not “in Christ,” for we are “baptized into Christ.” Thus, one must be baptized to be complete in Christ and to have the benefits of the finished work of Christ.

Since “The Austin Baptist Association” voted to “oust” “University Baptist” because they ordained a “gay deacon,” we know that Baptists cannot plead that they are “non-judgmental.” So, we want to know if a thing is bad enough to get a church kicked out of “The Austin Baptist Association,” is it bad enough to keep one from heaven (1 Peter 2:11)? Some Baptist needs to tell us.

Language could not be plainer to one who believes what the Lord said. To those who are wedded to a doctrine rather than love for the truth, nothing will suffice to convince their hardened hearts (2 Thessalonians. 2:10-12).

If forgiveness by the blood of Christ is unconditional for the child of God, why is it not the same for the alien sinner? As noted, Jesus shed his blood for him, too (John 6:51; Hebrews 2:9). If the child of God is forgiven without conditions, as per the windshield wiper, why doesn’t the same rule apply to the child of the devil?

Most English-speaking brethren are aware of the weaknesses of various translations in their native tongue and have learned to deal with them. Likewise, we can deal with such problems in other languages. (In Lithuania, where Russian is understood, we use the Russian Synodal Version to show the proper rendering of Psalms 51:5.) Let us be aware of the dangers of possible errors in translations and be zealous to give proper explanation of God’s word.

The things the apostles wrote are the commandments of the Lord (1 Cor. 14:37). When we read what they wrote, we are reading the word of God (1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Thess. 2:15). Thus, the Spirit’s word given through the apostles is the agent or instrument the Spirit uses to convict the sinner. “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).

Adam was led to sin by the spoken word of the devil. By means of lying, through incentive, inducement, and enticement, Adam was led to sin (Gen. 3:1-6; Jas. 1:13-15). The word of the devil allured this totally righteous man, this man who was dead to sins, to commit sin and die. The word of God can allure, therefore, totally depraved man, the man dead in sins, to obey God and live (John 5:25), or else the word of the devil is more powerful than the word of God (Rom. 1:16; Heb. 4:12). From this conclusion there is no escape.

The following material in this month’s Watchman Magazine is intended to give an overview of the sublime plan of Redemption. It is our intention to both document the great expression of God’s grace in sending His Son to die in our stead, and the divine requirements mandated by God that we might receive the benefits of such a gift. No study of Redemption is sufficient that does not explain both God’s part, and man’s part in securing that safety.

As noted earlier, Mr. Cryer said, “Some are telling folks that if they get baptized they are saved. The ‘water baptism path’ is a lie straight from the pits of Hell.” Mr. Cryer, if a Baptist preacher were to preach the very words of Jesus, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved,” would it be “a lie straight from the pits of Hell”? If not, what would it be? If a Baptist preacher told sinners to “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,” would that be “a lie straight from the pits of Hell”? If not, what would it be?

When we penitently believe on Jesus Christ, becoming obedient to His will, God forgives us those sins which have been put to our account. It is in this manner that God imputes righteousness to me. Since our sins are forgiven, they can no longer be imputed (“…blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin”, Romans 4:8). God thereby restores me to that condition of righteousness which I occupied beofre I sinned (Ecclesiastes 7:29), and pronounces me righteous on the basis of forgiveness.

Charts for Lesson 4: Understanding Christ and the Church (Gospel and Doctrine)

1. UNIVERSAL NEED OF GRACE (Never Tire of Preaching It!) Perfect Law-keeping Cannot Save Jew or Gentile: “All have sinned” Introduction to Gospel of Grace:…

So far as the churches of Christ are concerned, the fundamental teaching of truth during the Restoration Movement was so effective (cf: “The Scheme of Redemption,” by Robert Milligan) that it eradicated practically every vestige of Calvinism among Christians. From the early 1800’s until our generation, classic Calvinism (Tulip) has been recognized as the error it is and has not been a source of internal strife (must less a cause of division) within local congregations. However, history will record that it has become the task of our generation to combat these errors again.

Some issues are so taken for granted that common acceptance belies their intrinsic value and native importance. Such an issue is the subject of free…

So far as the churches of Christ are concerned, the fundamental teaching of truth during the Restoration Movement was so effective (cf: “The Scheme of Redemption,” by Robert Milligan) that it eradicated practically every vestige of Calvinism among Christians. From the early 1800’s until our generation, classic Calvinism (TULIP) has been recognized as the error it is and has not been a source of internal strife (must less a cause of division) within local congregations. However, history will record that it has become the task of our generation to combat these errors again.

Proposition: The Scriptures teach that, as a result of Adam’s fall, all men are born sinners.

* Affirm: R.L. Vaughn
* Deny: Steven Deaton

Proposition: The Scriptures teach that, as a result of Adam’s fall, all men are born sinners.

* Affirm: R.L. Vaughn
* Deny: Steven Deaton

Proposition: The Scriptures teach that, as a result of Adam’s fall, all men are born sinners.

* Affirm: R.L. Vaughn
* Deny: Steven Deaton

Proposition: The Scriptures teach that, as a result of Adam’s fall, all men are born sinners.

* Affirm: R.L. Vaughn
* Deny: Steven Deaton

within the human heart is the highest potential of praise to God or the blackest depth of sin’s degradation. Which shall it be? That is the work of choice, will, determination. All too often, we have chosen to do wrong and are in the bondage of sin (Rom. 7:24), but in every case it is due to our own decision without coercion by God.