Category Archives: church

The community of God’s people joining together on Sunday to worship God, pray, hear the Bible taught and fellowship with God’s people

Aug 19 NO comments
baptism, church

On Baptism

This post is in response to a couple of remarks made about Baptism on facebook. The first was a quote from Mark Driscoll that was nonsensical and funny. This sparked a small back and forth that showed that I didn’t really understand the theology relating to baptism. The second was having done some reading and making a decision in favour of believers baptism (credobaptism) instead of infant baptism (paedobaptism). Before the start of the week I held to the latter, I now hold to the former having read and considered the issue. Some people will cry ‘but you haven’t given it enough consideration’ or ‘what about this part of scripture’. I don’t claim to have written a doctrinal thesis on the matter so please feel free to respond and put your case forward. I have though considered what Wayne Grudum and Louis Berkhof have to say in their systematic theologies. I’ve also read what John Calvin has to say in his Institutes of the Christian Religion.

The first consideration is to define, positively, what is meant by Baptism. It is a sacrament, or ordinance if you prefer that term, that symbolises the death of a believer in Jesus and subsequently being raised to new life. It is an outward sign of an inward work of God to change a persons life.

Some of you may note that I placed in the term ‘believer’ there. Having done that am I not ruling out infant baptism by definition? No. Paedobaptists believe that baptism of an infant to a covenant believing family is a sign of the future promise that God may bring about the salvation of the subject of the baptism.

So what does the Bible say about the symbolism of baptism? The passages I want to highlight are Romans 6:3-4 and Colossians 2:12. They clearly talk about how those are baptised are baptised into Christ’s death and resurrection. There is further the promise, in baptism, of being raised to new life in Jesus. Baptism shows the joyful reality of salvation in Jesus Christ alone. It is something to rejoice in. Though baptism doesn’t save. It is Jesus that saves. He is the one who died for our sins and rose again. Baptism is the symbolisation of that reality.

The contentious issue is that of who should be the recipients of baptism. Though I advocate believers baptism I by no means say that those who hold to infant baptism are heretical or reprobate. I was baptised as an infant myself and even confirmed. Both occurred without holding a sound understanding of the Gospel, though in God’s grace he did bring about a saving faith in the finished work of his son Jesus who is the Christ.

This issue of the recipients of baptism is best answered by looking at what the Bible records for us about the administration of the sacrament of Baptism. The first occurrence is found in Acts 2:41 which shows us that those who received the word were baptised. Acts 8:12 shows that those who were baptised had believed Philip who preached the good news about the Kingdom of God. In Acts 8:36 the Ethiopian Eunuch asks what prevents him from being Baptised having just listened to Philip explain how Jesus is the one referred to in Isaiah 53. There are several more cases of those who believe being baptised such as Cornelius and those of his household in Acts 10, Lydia in Acts 16:14-15 and the Philippian Jailer in Acts 16:32-33. Now these later occurrences do mention whole households coming to faith, though are silent on the issue of whether children were baptised as part of that. What they do mention is that Baptism was done in response to having heard and believed.

So, if baptism is a symbolism of being united with Christ in his death and resurrection, it makes us members of a community. That community is often referred to as the covenant community. In the Old Testament it was circumcision that symbolised membership. In the New Testament it is Baptism. Circumcision showed that you were born into a community and gained access as such. Baptism shows that you are granted access having faith in Jesus. In Galatians 3:29 it is clear that we are members of the covenant community (Abraham’s heirs) through faith in Jesus. Romans 4:11-12 backs this up showing that Abraham, through faith, is the father of the uncircumcised as well as the circumcised. Colossians 2:17 shows that circumcision is a shadow of the things to come but the substance belongs to Jesus. It is clear that Baptism is the sign of membership instead of circumcision. Though do the same rules apply? Are we to baptise our infants so that they are members of the covenant community? No, as the criteria for membership is different from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The Old Testament had the criteria of being born into the community. The New Testament has criteria of being the recipient of saving faith. Yes, it is true that receiving saving faith is being born from above but that is still no reason say that the same rules apply.

Now, some may come back and say that not all who were circumcised in the old covenant were saved. That is true, Jews were saved by their faith in the promise of a messiah to come. Christians are likewise saved in the faith of a messiah, Jesus, who has come. Being circumcised doesn’t save and likewise baptism doesn’t save. It is faith that saves, though that doesn’t mean infants should be baptised.

I’ve ranted long enough and know that there will probably be a long comment thread. You will need to register to comment and even then I will need to approve the comment before it appears. Don’t be disheartened if this takes a bit of time to appear.

My parting words are hold fast to the faith you have in Jesus Christ, it is him alone that saves. He is the author and perfecter of your faith and of mine as well. We are brothers and sisters in Christ, though may disagree on some issues.

God bless,

Matt.

May 05 NO comments
church, missional

The Gospel and The Church

The Gospel has many practical implications for how Church should be run. In this short video from Daniel Montgomery, lead pastor of Sojourn Community Church in Louisville, Kentucky the interaction and intersection between the Gospel and the Church are presented. He correctly points out how some Church’s over emphasize one aspect and the danger of doing so at the neglect of the others. The Church needs to be holistic in its approach to ministry and practice.

God bless,

Matt

Apr 30 NO comments
church, missional

Francis Chan on the ‘New Middle Road’

Thanks to The Resurgence for posting this video. I’m posting it here as well.

God bless.

Apr 20 NO comments
church

The sovereignty of God in the salvation of mankind.

First, let me state that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son so that all who believe in him may not die but receive eternal life (John 3:16). It is out of a love of God and all that he has done that I write. The issue I write about isn’t always an easy one, yet, it is one that has eternal significance.

Before we get started, lets set some groundwork. God is the loving ruler of the world. He is worthy to receive all glory, honor and power for by him and through him all things were created and have their being (Revelation 4:11). God was there in the beginning (Genesis 1:1, John 1:1-3). God created man to be ruler of the world under his authority to work and keep the land (Genesis 2:15). Though man rebelled and decided to rule under his own authority and was thus cursed (Genesis 3:1-24). The punishment of man’s turning away is death (Hebrews 9:27) and all men have turned away from God. There is no-one who understands. There is no-one who seeks after God (Romans 3:10-12).

It is clear to see that God is the rightful rules or the world. We, in our sin, stand opposed to him. We will be judged and found guilty. We will be punished for our sin and the punishment of that sin is death. That though isn’t the end of the story. God, in his love and mercy, sent his son Jesus to become sin (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). This is seen in Jesus death and resurrection. It was on the cross that Jesus took on our sin. He died there is our place. Though because in him there was no sin, death had no claim over him and he rose again (Acts 2:23-24, Acts 2:31).

It is important to understand that salvation, redemption, reconciliation is a work of God. We are saved through Jesus Christ alone, by God’s grace alone, through faith alone. We turn in repentance and faith (themselves gifts from God) not because of anything we have done but rather solely because of what Jesus has done on our behalf.

Let us now turn to our standing before God. There are only two options with this.

The first option is that we remain in our sin. Remember that there is no one righteous, no not one. We are all descendants of Adam and as such are all under the curse. Further there is no excuse as God has made it plain to them about himself. There is enough evidence in creation so that man is without excuse (Romans 1:18-23). This standing, either under Adam or under Christ, has the theological term of “Federal Headship” and is described briefly in 1 Corinthians 15:21-22.

More simply put there are two ways to live. Everyone lives under Adam. It is the default position. They have sinned and fallen short of what God has asked of them. Though God, in his grace, mercy and sovereignty has chosen some to be saved.

But that’s not fair I hear you claim? I’m still a good enough person, I still have free will. Yes, you do still have free will though that will is corrupted due to sin. Because of sin you can’t choose God. I’ve mentioned this several times and it deserves repeating. You can’t choose God. God chose you for his glory, by his grace and mercy. His choice and free will is sovereign. The Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans wrote about this very issue (Romans 9:6-29) and it deserves quoting here.

Romans 9:6-29

But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, [2] but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.

19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— 24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? 25 As indeed he says in Hosea,

“Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’
and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’”
26 “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’
there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”

27 And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the sons of Israel [3] be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved, 28 for the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth fully and without delay.” 29 And as Isaiah predicted,

“If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring,
we would have been like Sodom
and become like Gomorrah.”

Paul prefaced this by saying that he wished himself accuresed and cut of from the benefits of Christ for his people (Romans 9:1-6) and likewise I wish that by any means I could bear the sin of some people so that they may know the benefits of Christ. Yet that is impossible. Like everyone else I’m a sinner and in as much need of God’s grace (maybe even more some if you know me well). Christ is the only one that is capable of bearing another persons sin.

Please don’t let this just wash over but consider what it says. Salvation is a sovereign act of God. It is completely undeserved and unwarranted. Salvation is an act of God towards us. It is from love that the Father sent the Son to die upon the cross. It is from love that the Son willing chose to obey the father and go to the cross. It is from love that we are not left alone but are filled with the Holy Spirit.

God bless,

Matt

Apr 14 1 comments
church

People and Politics (random thoughts)

Yesterday I had the delight of being partly involved in a presbytery meeting here in the Ballarat presbytery. Well, it wasn’t in Ballarat itself rather at the Presbyterian Church in Ararat. To give you a heads up, no I haven’t gone crazy.

I was there on official business as the Church I attend, of which I’m also a member, was vacant up until yesterday. I was at presbytery performing the role of a commissioner. I had to present why it was that Grace Presbyterian Church was putting forward a call for a minister. This ended up with a favorable response from the minister with further details to be worked out throughout the year. For the rest of the day I was there as an observer.

It was a fun experience and rather different from the university student union and even workplace politics I’ve experienced in the past. It is that difference I am drawing a highlight to. People. People make the difference. Not the people themselves who are more than capable to hold their own politically, rather that the focus of the members of the presbytery was on loving and serving the people of their respective congregations.

Many people would easily highlight that the Presbyterian denomination is rather politically oriented and rather strict. Yes, I will agree that there are some churches (not going to point fingers) who choose to get bogged down in the system. The politics though is there for a reason, and that is to provide boundaries and structures for the love and service of the people. The structure is there so that things are done in an orderly manor so that the people may grow in their faith of Jesus as disciples.

Several months ago, in early November 2009 if memory serves me correct, a couple of gentlemen from the PTC came and gave a discussion on discipleship and small group dynamics. This was a well attended seminar, predominately of elderly men, though unfortunately one that seems to have born little fruit. Though in God’s providence he seems to be driving the point as there is another discipleship seminar being organized for later this year.

This brings me back to my point that politics, is a wonderful thing that is designed to facilitate and encourage people. Particularly within Church denominations it is there to facilitate the making of Christlike disciples.

So, instead of callously fighting the system as I know I’m prone to do. Understand that the structure is there to encourage and build up disciples who are like Christ. Disciples who as they go about their daily lives make disciples who are like Jesus.

Yes, it has taken some time for me to understand this, having thought about it from first principles aided by experiential circumstances and guided the Holy Spirit as I read scripture and attempt to walk in God’s light.

The Church is about making disciples. It is about building disciples that make disciples. The structure of the Church is there to support and encourage the making of disciples who are like Christ. It is all about the people, not about the politics.

God bless,

Matt

Feb 10 1 comments
church

The momentum of the Church

I came across this video by Fancis Chan at work today. It really does sum up the momentum of the Church. Some parts of the missional movement do understand this and thankfully they also understand that this has historically been the case for the Church.

It is important to remember that God is the one who builds his Church. He is the one that saves his people and he doesn’t leave them on their own.

As I wrote about previously there is nothing new about being a ‘missional’ church. It is though a blessing to see God’s people rediscover the role and identity of the Church.

God bless.

Feb 09 NO comments
church, missional

life in ballarat

It has been six months since I moved out to Ballarat from Melbourne. I’ve always been a fan of the country. I’ve never felt comfortable in the city so looked forward to what Ballarat had to offer.

Upon moving up here, the first thing that struck me was the weekends. Having grown up with large shopping centers such as Chadstone, Doncaster and even the many shops found in Melbourne CBD I was used to rocking up to a shop late in the afternoon to find them open. Ballarat, didn’t work that way. This did come as a shock initially though it is now something I have come to enjoy. Life slows down on the weekend. The shops close early on Saturday afternoon and many don’t even open on Sundays. People enjoy their weekends, they relax and take it easy.

But is that the reason I love this place? Is that why I remain here? Not at all. The reason I love this city is that there is life. I don’t mean life as the world see’s it. Which is to say that there are people who are alive. Nor do I mean life as the Ballarat city council portrays it with their “Come to life Ballarat” campaign. No I mean that there are people here in whom there is life. The life I talk about is that granted by God (the Father) through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (the Son) and revealed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

When I came to Ballarat, the first Church I attended (Grace Presbyterian in Sebastopol) was where I found fellowship. Like every other Church, it is filled with people who are saved by God’s grace. The Church is filled with people who are also struggling with sin as well. There are those who make the effort to reach out to the community, and there are those who are traditional by nature and closed. This is typical of every Church that I have visited.

Then there are those outside of the Church. Those who don’t know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Walking around Sebastopol, you will see new developments springing up, though a few doors down you will see houses that need a lot of care and attention. The people as well are in need of Jesus. They are friendly people. Many of them are probably good people as the world sees them. Yet without Jesus, they are dead in their sin. Unfortunately most of these people are the young men and women. They are the ones who will be the leaders of the community in not too many years. They are the ones who study at the Universities and the ones who are just entering the workplace. They are those who I would call friends. They are those who I would consider to be my peers.

There is a great need amongst those in Ballarat. That need is life. The words of the apostle Paul to the Greeks at the Areopogus (Acts 17:22-34) ring true in my mind as I live in Ballarat. The people are very religious yet they don’t have life. For in Jesus we live and move and have our being. The people of Ballarat will often be found at the pub. To them, that is their Church. Mateship is the center of their existence and though they may be wise in some areas, without Jesus they are still in their sin.

So how can the gospel penetrate the lives of these people? How can the good news of Jesus Christ who died and rose again for the forgiveness of sin reach out and penetrate the lives of these people? The answer lies in what is meant by being “missional”. Whilst it is a hot topic amongst what is termed as the new reformed, it is nothing new. Though it is reminding Christians of their need to live out the great commission as found in Matt 28:18-20. I’ve included verse 18 as it highlights that this is a command from Jesus and that his authority is the highest authority.

Life needs to be lived in the community. We need to be out in the community living amongst our friends, family, coworkers, neighbors and even those we would not want to associate with. As life is lived amongst them, they will see what it means to have life to the fullest. As life is lived amongst them, they will be addressed with the issues of the Gospel and the depravity of their sin. Not that we Lord it over them or berate them, rather that our lives are lived in such a radically different fashion. It is this that causes discussions to occur. It is this that allows for us to humbly proclaim the Gospel with love to them.

As a prerequisite, rather than a corollary, we must pray. Nothing will happen to the lives of the people unless God works in their lives through the Holy Spirit. We must seek God and ask that he works in the lives of the people. We must pray for the salvation of the people as Nehemiah prayed for the people in Nehemiah 1:4-11. Seek God asking that he creates repentance and faith amongst the people.

So it is that I live my life in Jesus. I also live my life amongst the people of Ballarat, seeking that they repent of their sins and turn in faith to Jesus.

God bless.