As I have stated in past blog posts, making proper distinctions is crucial to avoiding confusion when interpreting the scriptures. No example shines forth more clearly than when dealing with the matter of “salvation” in the Bible. Christians today are so used to the term that they hardly give a…

Those who have followed my blog since I first started posting over two years ago have noticed some changes that have taken place. I started this blog as a Reformed Presbyterian and am now writing to you as a Primitive Baptist. I thought it would be expedient to give some…

Much confusion abounds in today’s broader world of Christendom. Most western Christians are used to hearing the same old words and slogans used by their pastors and fellow church members. One such prevelant term is the word “salvation”. People talk about being saved and getting saved all the time, yet…

One of the most prominent doctrines which stand in direct opposition to the doctrine of Sovereign Grace is baptismal regeneration. Baptismal regeneration has seen several variations in history, and not everyone who holds to this doctrine believes precisely the same thing. You will get slightly different explanations if you ask…

When you spend time studying the Bible, theology and doctrine, you come to realize that distinctions matter. The way a person articulates a certain point of doctrine will carry with it certain implications which have an impact on how one understands other doctrines, as well as particular texts of Scripture…

My last post explained why the Arminian view of salvation ultimately is salvation by works. I explained that a “work” as conceptualized by Paul included the idea of doing something in exchange for a reward. The Arminian idea of justification by faith, therefore, necessarily leads to justification by works. In…

When speaking on the topic of justification, a helpful way to understand the different “senses” in which we may speak of it is to ask, In which proverbial “courtroom” is it taking place? Let’s consider for a moment. Justification in its most basic sense simply means to “declare righteous”. Hence…

Webster’s dictionary defines in it’s second entry the prefix “hyper” as “above; beyond”. “Hyper” Calvinism is, therefore, going “above” or “beyond” “Calvinism”. I recall a time not very long ago when I was very concerned to guard against this label. But I have found that the reality is that most…

Romans 10:9–10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans…