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[1] And you were dead in the trespasses and sins [2] in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience- [3] among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. [4] But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, [5] even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved- [6] and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

~ Ephesians 2:1-10

 

 

When mommy wants to play the guitar but my 3-year old has other plans in mind… 

 

 

“Animal sacrifices are not the blood of Christ and cannot take away sin. But they do teach God’s people about penal substitutionary atonement. And they do make the people long for a more perfect sacrifice by reminding the participants of their sin, i.e., not cleansing their consciences. So then, the animal sacrifice is not the substance of the covenant of grace. It is not the sacrifice of Christ. But it reveals the sacrifice of Christ. And the people of God, combining this with other revelation in other types and shadows trusted in a sacrifice not-yet-offered for them, and enjoyed its conscience-cleansing benefits through the animal sacrifices but not by the animal sacrifices. These verses were what convinced John Owen that the old covenant was not the new covenant, in substance. A covenant that does not take away sins is not the covenant of grace, however much it subserves the covenant of grace.

Furthermore, not only are types not antitypes, but types had their own particular meaning and function in their own original context. When ceremonially unclean, animal sacrifices really and truly restored you to holiness, an outward holiness granted by the old covenant. To skip this initial meaning of a type and jump straight to the revealed antitype is to flatten out typology and transform the old covenant into the new in an unbiblical way. When typology is flattened into outward differences alone, accidental difference, it paves the way for the importation of old covenant practices and details into the new, such as the use of circumcision to justify paedobaptistm. The new is merely the old renewed.”

~ Sam Renihan

 

You can find the full article by clicking the link below. 

https://pettyfrance.wordpress.com/2018/02/16/we-all-have-our-types/

 

 

 

 

I have much love for Dr. R. Scott Clark and all he has done, and continues to do for the Kingdom. 

But the article below is one of many reasons I wasn’t sold concerning paedobaptist Covenant Theology, and what results from that (the infant baptism tradition). 

As you read the article you will find that it is based entirely off a biblical passage not even discussing baptism, and proceeds to generalize texts in a way in which those in the Reformed world would never allow our Arminian brothers and sisters to do. 

I understand his presuppositions in this article (circumcision = baptism, baptism is a seal, New Covenant not really new as most would think, etc.). Of course we deny these things as our presuppositions are different. But the question still remains? Why do my paedobaptist brothers seem to consistently generalize passages only when it comes to defending the infant baptism tradition? 

I would encourage you to read this article to see if the same inconsistencies I mentioned above are as obvious to you as they are for me? Do you see the same generalization of texts taking place that us in the Reformed Tradition would not accept concerning other biblical doctrines? 

R. Scott Clark cornerning the infant baptism tradition. 

Brandon Adams hits one out of the park again with a respectful critique of paedobaptist Patrick Hines recent blog posts and sermons concerning paedobaptist Covenant Theology, and his own critique of the Baptist position.

If interested in Covenant Theology, baptism, etc., give this video a watch as Brandon critiques paedobaptist inconsistencies, explains more about the diversity of Reformed & Presbyterian Covenant Theology, all while bringing clarity to Baptist position. 

Patrick Hines comments, sermons, and position are dealt with throughout this video, allowing Patrick to speak for himself. 

Update!

Patrick Hines has released a response to Brandon Adams critique of his original video, found here.

Patrick Hines has spoken with me and alleges that Brandon Adams has misrepresented his position.

 

In the Old Covenant, God’s law was written on stone. Consequently, it could be broken, even though God had really and actually through covenant become Israel’s husband (Jer. 31:32). In the New Covenant, however, the law is written on the heart of all covenant citizens, guaranteeing that no member of God’s New Covenant people will ever break the New Covenant (Jer. 32:40).

 

“How clearly you have before you here our blessed Redeemer, and how strong are the expressions used by Isaiah to set forth his substitution. If he did intend to teach us the doctrine that Christ suffered in the place and stead of his people, he could not have used more expressive words; and if he did not intend to teach us that truth, it is marvelous that he should have adopted phraseology so likely to mislead.”

~ Charles Spurgeon 

 

When I woke up this morning it was just like any other day. I gave thanks to God that His mercies are new every morning, and attempt to be a better father to my children, husband to my wife, and pastor of my home.

But then I was reminded that today was Memorial Day. There was a time in my life where my thoughts of Memorial Day were on a day off of work, a BBQ at the beach, or a cold beverage with friends and family. This has changed much over the years. As a disabled veteran of the United States Marine Corps, I have lost brothers overseas fighting for our country. Having paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country, they gave their lives fighting for the freedom of so many people who don’t even know who they were. Some of the very people that these brothers of mine sacrificed their lives for, spend their own lives disrespecting the military every chance they get, or don’t even think twice about why they have the day off today.

And you know what? That’s okay.

You see, as a member of the Armed Forces this freedom is the very thing we fought for. Yes, we fought to give people the freedom to use social media to condemn the military, as well as days like today. We fought to give people the freedom to take a knee during the National Anthem as well. We fought to give people the freedom to suddenly become military experts by making judgements about war, condemn our governments decisions for going to war, and do it all from the comfort of their living room and behind a computer screen. But what really gets me on a day like today was being reminded about my Marine Corps brothers who were lost in combat, both overseas and at home.

Eric Sandoval was a Marine Corps Scout Sniper I had met while on my first combat deployment back in August of 2001. We were both members of 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, and stationed on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Ca. Mark Ryan was also a member of our Battalion, serving alongside me in Weapons Company. When we deployed in August of 2001, the last thing on our minds was that there would be a terrorist attack on United States soil, let alone become the first Marine Corps infantry unit to respond for that same attack. But that’s exactly what happened. After a few days training in Darwin Australia, our Battalion Commander rewarded the Battalion with a night of liberty on the main strip. I can speak first hand that simply saying we “took over the strip” that evening is a major understatement. It was during this night that an evening of cold beverages, dancing, and relaxation from the grueling Darwin sun, changed in an instant. Shore partol (Marines and Sailors on Duty) we’re running up and down the street yelling at all serviceman to get back to the ship. I ran to the nearest pay phone I could find, attempting to call my young wife of all but one month to let her know something was up! I had just married Diana in July just before we had left on deployment. Suddenly, a senior Marine on duty grabbed the phone from my hand and hung it up with a great force.

“Get back to the ship, Marine!”

Not knowing what was going on, a buddy and I started walking towards the ship. I will never forget the panic in the streets that night, as Marines and Sailors aggressively tried stopping cab drivers, or start running back to the ship themselves. As we were walking I noticed a small liquor store open with a couple of Aussie’s watching a television with their complete attention. It was at this moment when I finally seen what all the fuss was about. My heart sank as I seen those planes crashing into the Twin Towers in New York. Even as a junior Marine on my first deployment, I was aware that something was very wrong and that things were going to change for me at a rapid pace. I’ll never forget what the two Australian men said to me next…

”Good luck, mate!”

Even writing this seventeen-years later those words send chills up my spine. The following month we entered Pakistan, and a month after that we were the first Marines to enter into Afghanistan. I share this story not because we were the only Marines ever to serve in combat; because we weren’t. I don’t share this story as if many other men and women didn’t give their lives for their country in other wars and in other places; because they have. I share this story because of Ryan and Sandoval. These men were both with me when these events took place. I share this story because although Ryan would later lose his life serving his country overseas, Sandoval would also lose his life in 2010 while at home with his family. I share this because Sandoval was likely suffering from injuries he earned in while serving in combat. I share this story because the brain injury he suffered from is likely the very same injury that I’ve been diagnosed with as well. I write this to remind people that just because your veteran might come home in one piece, there’s a good chance he or she is suffering from an invisible injury that’s a challenge to diagnose, and not so easy to see right away.

The hope of a believer…

Although I vaguely remember the times I shared personally with Ryan, or the many times I shared along side him in training or in combat, I do remember one thing quite well. I remember the cold hard fact that I never shared the Gospel with him. The same can be said when it comes to Sandoval. A Marine I came to know much about as he left 1/1 with me, and as we reported together to Edson Range, Camp Pendleton, California. We would serve as Primary Marksmanship Instructors for Range Company. It was here where I joked with him daily about his stature (he was short and stout), as well as his laid back attitude despite being a former Sniper. We talked daily on the rifle range together while teaching Marine Corps Recruits how to shoot while in Basic Training (boot camp). Like Ryan, I never shared the hope of Christ with him either. I can’t even begin to think how hard it would be to suffer from these invisible injuries like a traumatic brain injury, panic attacks, anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, migraines, fear, loneliness, etc., apart from the hope I have in Jesus Christ. I guess this is why many veterans become addicted to alcohol or drugs, both legal and illegal. Maybe this is why so many take their own lives.

I thank God for His grace in saving an individual like me. After all, it is by His grace alone that I’ve been given a faith to believe in Him and a forgiveness of sins that have caused much harm to myself and others. It is by His grace that I’ve been adopted as His son, given a new heart, and filled with the same Holy Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. It is by His grace alone that I write this story today in the comfort of my home and in the presence of my family, all while not numbing myself of the injuries I earned while serving my country. But it’s not all about being relieved from feeling any pain, because it’s still there. It’s more about the clean slate I’ve been given as Christ has already paid my debt, and has given me a righteousness that is not my own and that I do not deserve. It is by His grace alone that I have been placed in a saving relationship with the Father. It is by grace alone that when He looks upon me from His glory He sees not my brittle body and the many injuries I have earned. No, He sees His Son Jesus and His righteousness that covers me. When I suffer from my own injuries I know He has already suffered for me. I know that my suffering is not meaningless, and that He has promised that I might know Him in my suffering…

“…that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death…” 

Philippians 3:10

In closing, I share this article to remind all that when you see a veteran don’t be afraid to thank him or her for their service. I can tell you first hand that this mean a lot. But more importantly, if you’re a believer I encourage you to share the gospel with a veteran as well. Share the gospel with anyone for that matter. For the last several years I’ve struggled greatly as many (even my own family and friends) have looked at me as damaged goods, someone to feel sorry for, or someone with no hope. When I lost my home, my car, and my family became homeless, there were only a select few who helped me in my time of need. For this, I am forever thankful for them. But while I finally reached out to the VA for help for these invisible injuires, my hope was always as strong as ever. The reason for this is because my hope comes from something (or someone) outside of myself and not from the inside. My hope comes from the perfect One, the name above all names, and the One whose perfect love has been given to me despite my personal struggles. When my faith was weak, He was strong. When my depression was weighing heavily on my shoulders, it was my hope in the risen King that helped me focus on His finished works, and not my unfinished ones.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is not our story, it’s His. It is not something that can be lived out, but a story of the perfect One who has already lived it for His people. The gospel needs to be spoken to everyone you come across, even Veterans like Ryan and Sandoval. I don’t know if either of these Marines ever met the risen Christ, but every Memorial Day I’m reminded of the opportunities I missed to introduce Him to them myself. My body may be broken but my savior lives and has redeemed me. It is because of this my hope has never failed. He has promised that He will finish the work He has done in me, and for these things I will praise His name always. Christian, share the hope you have with a veteran today. Teach them about the finished works of Christ and of the promises that we have in Him, both present and future…

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’ And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new…’”

Revelation 21:3-5

 

 

Jesus explains how this cup represents the new covenant he is going to ratify by the shedding of his blood.  Therefore, the cup becomes the sign of that covenant.  Every Lord’s Day at my church we gather and take of the Lord’s Supper. We rejoice that we are heirs of the new and better covenant that was ratified by His blood. 

 

So how does one know they’re in the New Covenant? A key for Paul was a believers union in Christ, by faith. In Galatians 3:7 Paul says,

“Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.”

We become heirs to the spiritual promise of the Abrahamic covenant only by being united to Christ. How are we united to Christ? By being given to Christ by the Father (John 6:37),  by being drawn by the Father (John 6:44), by coming to Christ (John 6:37), and the Son will raise “all” of them on the last day (John 6:39).

 

Paul also says,

“Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.”

Romans 8:9

It’s clear here that you must have the Holy Spirit in order to be united to Christ. If you don’t, then you’re not His. If you’re not His, then you’re still in Adam. There is no in-between.

 

We know that Jesus brought the New Covenant:

“In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

1 Corinthians 11:25

We know that Christ is the mediator of that New Covenant:

“But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.”

Hebrews 8:6

We know that Paul was a minister of the New Covenant:

“Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

2 Corinthians 3:4-6

And as I mentioned earlier, every member of the New Covenant partakes of the bread and the wine as heirs of that New Covenant and all of it’s blessings. This includes being filled with the Holy Spirit, given the gift of faith, forgiven of your sins, being united in Christ, and promised a resurrected body upon Christs’ return, and spending an eternity with Him. This is truly a wonderful thing as we are given this by grace alone, and for His glory alone.

 

Let’s dig a little deeper…

Every member of the New Covenant is a new creation:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

2 Corinthians 5:17

They have been spiritually reborn, and this is done by the anti-type (circumcision of the heart) of the type (circumcision of the flesh).

 

A new heart was promised as a blessing of the New Covenant:

“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”

Ezekiel 36:26

That is to say, spiritual blessings are not conveyed by physical generation but by spiritual regeneration. It doesn’t matter who your parents are, it doesn’t matter where you live, how much your grandma spoke about Jesus, or what color your skin is. God has many spiritual children, but not a single grandchild.

Are you one in Christ? If you are, then you have repented of your sins and believe that Christ is God and that He resurrected from the dead for the sins of His people. You then receive the New Covenant ordinance of baptism which the 1689 London Baptist Confession describes beautifully:

“Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ. To those baptized it is a sign of their fellowship with him in his death and resurrection, of their being grafted into him, of remission of sins, and of submitting themselves to God through Jesus Christ to live and walk in newness of life.”

1689 LBC 29.1

Baptism serves as an outward sign of the inward grace of regeneration and union with Christ. It is meaningless if there is no inward grace to reflect. In other words, Baptism is a response to the inward change of the heart that has already taken place.

 

In conclusion, what have we leaned from my evening rant? 

1) Christ brought the New Covenant

2) Christ is the mediator of the New Covenant

3) To be a member of the New Covenant you just be united in Christ

4) To be united in Christ you must be given to the Son by the Father, drawn to Christ by the Father, and filled with the promised gift of the Holy Spirit spoken of here:

“And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.’ And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this crooked generation.’ So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”

Acts 2:38-42

The Holy Spirit (regeneration) is the seal of the New Covenant; not baptism.

5) You then recieve the New Covenant ordinance of baptism after repenting of your sins and believing in Christ. Baptism is a response to what has already taken place in the believer. That being a new heart.

6) Every Lord’s Day as you gather with the bride of Christ you partake of the Lord’s Supper and rejoice that we are heirs of the new and better covenant that was ratified by His blood.

 

Rant complete…

 

‪“It is supposed that there was another covenant, whereof the Lord Christ was not a mediator.” ‬