What Think Ye Of Christ?

While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ? Whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David (Matt. 22:41-42).

When I was a young believer I would talk (argue) with religious people about election, particular redemption, etc. However, as I have grown older in Christ I talk to them about Christ, Who Is He? I realize it is not a doctrinal difference we have, it is a Christ difference we have. We don’t believe on the same Christ. If we get the right Christ, we will get His doctrine (teachings) right. “What think ye of Christ, whose Son is He?” Get this right and everything will fall in place.

Pastor John Chapman

A Most Hated Truth

A pastor once declared to a friend, “I want you to know that I no longer believe in PARTICULAR REDEMPTION.” When I heard this, I was shocked; but I was not surprised. I am always SHOCKED when a man turns from the gospel of grace to something else, especially when that person has studied the Scriptures, the ancient fathers, the character of God, the nature of sinners, and the covenant mercies of God in Christ.

To deny effectual and particular redemption is to deny the very sum and substance of the gospel, which is SUBSTITUTION!

I am NOT SURPRISED when certain preachers decide they will no longer preach particular redemption, for it is without question the most hated truth in Scripture.

UNIVERSAL LOVE AND UNIVERSAL ATONEMENT are universally accepted by all of Adam’s fallen sons except those who, by the grace of God, have seen the Lord Jesus Christ as Isaiah saw His glory and spoke of Him. The preacher who denies particular redemption will have little opposition, for he has taken the offense from the cross. All cults, sects, denominations, and religious promoters have this in common – THEY ALL BELIEVE THERE IS A SENSE IN WHICH GOD LOVES ALL MEN AND CHRIST DIED FOR THE SINS OF ALL MEN.

John Owen said, “If Christ died for all the sins of all men, then all men will be saved. If Christ died for some of the sins of all men, no one will be saved. But if Christ died (as the Scripture teaches) for all the sins of His elect, then His elect will be saved.”

Pastor Henry Mahan (bulletin 1992)

I WILL HEAL AND CURE THEM

Jer. 33:6-9

In these verses of scripture we have the gospel of grace given to us in a providential type and picture. Paul has told us that all things that happened to Israel of old were given for our example to teach us and comfort us in the way of grace (Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11). Israel was taken into captivity by the Chaldeans and then delivered by the decree of God (Jer.33:26). The same is true of God’s spiritual Israel, they were taken captive by sin, Satan and the holy justice of God and then delivered by the almighty decree of God (Rom. 8:28-30). Notice carefully some of the blessings given in these verses.

1). I will bring health and cure.

Through the blood atonement of Jesus Christ, all our spiritual diseases have been put away and we are eternally healed (Isa. 53:4-6; I Peter 2:24).

2). I will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.

Apart from the revelation of the word of truth to our heart we are ignorant of the way of peace in Christ (Rom.5:1); Who is the truth of salvation (Acts 4:12), the truth of redemption (Heb. 9:12), the truth of righteousness (Jer. 33:16). Now in Christ, we have peace with God through truth (John 14:6).

3). I will cause them to return.

We were in bondage to sin and powerless to deliver ourselves from captivity. By the obedience and sacrifice of our Lord we have been liberated from sin, death and eternal condemnation (Rom. 6:7,18; 8:1, 32-39; John 8:32-36; Gal. 5:1).

4). I will build them.

God’s elect rest upon the foundation of Christ Himself, being the Chief Cornerstone (Isa. 28:16). Upon this foundation our Lord declared that, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matt.16:18).

5). I will cleanse them from all their iniquities.

This can only happen through Jesus Christ bearing our sin and judgment in our room and stead (I Peter 3:18; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 John 1:7-9).

6). I will pardon them from all their sin and transgression against me.

Who but God alone has such authority and right to declare the guilty justified in His sight (Neh. 9:17; Isa. 55:6-7; Rom. 8:32-33).