Once more, are true believers delivered from the commanding, condemning, and irritating power of the law as a covenant? Let them then, amid all their trials and all their conflicts with spiritual enemies, be of good comfort. Oh, let them rejoice exceedingly . . . Continue reading →
Author Archives: Tony Phelps
Fesko: The Reformed Are Catholic
…Rather than identifying Augustine and Aquinas as Roman Catholic theologians, I think it’s fair to say they are catholic writers—they comprise the common catholic (or universal) heritage that belongs to both Protestants and Roman Catholics. In fact, Herman Bavinck, another Reformed giant, . . . Continue reading →
Sibbes: The Ascended Christ Is Our Contentment
Christ’s ascension is a ground of contentment in all conditions. What if we lack comfort, houses, or anything on earth, when we have heaven provided for us, and glory provided for us in our Head? Will not any condition content a man . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: In The Gospel An Offer Is Made
[The Gospel] serves, likewise, the highly important purpose of discovering to sinners their warrant to trust in Christ Jesus for complete salvation. In the blessed gospel, Christ, and God in Christ, are freely offered to sinful men, and men are graciously invited . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: The Gospel Discloses the Covenant Of Redemption
It is the gospel that also discloses to sinners the covenant of grace into which the Father and the Son as last Adam, with the infinite approbation of the Holy Spirit, have entered for the salvation of such sinners as believe. Sinful . . . Continue reading →
Fesko: Confessionalism Or Fundamentalism?
These days it seems like Christians are in search of conservatism in whatever forms they can find it, and with good reason. It seems like the cultural, political, and theological wheels on the bus are falling off. As a pastor I found . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: The Great Use Of The Gospel
The gospel in its strict acceptation is, in the hand of the Holy Spirit, of special use…: To reveal Christ and God in Him as reconciled and as reconciling sinners of mankind to Himself. The great use of the gospel is to . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: The Whole Salvation Is Freely Offered
Is the whole of Christ’s salvation offered in the gospel to sinners? Then salvation from the law as a covenant of works is tendered to them. In the declarations and offers of the blessed gospel, the consummate righteousness of Jesus Christ, which . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: If Any Quality In Us Or Good Work By Us Is A Condition Of Justification, The Covenant Of Grace Has Become A Covenant Of Works
Hence, it is also manifest that if any good quality or work of ours were made the condition of our justification or title to eternal life, this would turn the covenant of grace exhibited in the gospel into a covenant of works. . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: True Faith Leads To Obedience
Their obligation to obey His law as a rule of conduct proceeds likewise from His being their redeeming God. “In his love and in his pity he redeemed them” (Isa. 63:9). From eternity He, according to the good pleasure of His will, . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: The Law Requires Duties, The Gospel Offers Benefits
While all duties are commanded in the law, all privileges and blessings are offered in the gospel. While the former are required of all, the latter are presented to all. Christ and all the blessings of His great salvation are in the . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: This Is The Record
“This is the record,” says the apostle John, “that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son” (1 John 5:11). That God has given to us an offer of eternal life in and with His Son . . . Continue reading →
“Wretched Man That I Am”—Or Was? Part 2
The Scripture citations in this confession are provided only when a Scripture passage is directly quoted or is clearly alluded to—so there is only one direct reference to our passage. It is highly significant, however. Continue reading →
“Wretched Man That I Am”—Or Was? Part 1
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man can come to the Father except through Me.” I remember reading these words in John 14 as an unbelieving but religion-curious college student. My conscience was convicted—though I was . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: The Gospel Promise Has Always Been Free And Absolute
The gospel after the fall was revealed in the form of a free and absolute promise of a Savior with salvation in Him to lost sinners of mankind. It was then promised that the seed of the woman would bruise the head . . . Continue reading →
The Marrow And Boston Correct The Nomists
§ 4. Nomista. But yet, sir, you, see that Christ requires a thirsting, before a man come unto him, the which, I conceive, cannot be without true repentance. Evangelista. In the last chapter of the Revelation, verse 17, Christ makes the same . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: The Best Acts Of The Unregenerate Are Tainted With Sin
Hence, it is manifest also that the very best actions of unconverted persons are sinful in the sight of God. Such persons, indeed, do many things that are materially good but nothing that is formally good—nothing from a good principle, in a . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: The Breach Of One Is A Breach Of All
The same duty is required and the same sin is forbidden, in different respects, in several and even in all the divine commands. The transgression of one precept is virtually a breach of all. They are so intimately connected together that if . . . Continue reading →
Riddlebarger: Why The Dispensational Theory About A Rebuilt Temple Is False
Jesus told the Samaritan woman that he could give her living water and that “whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst” (John 4:14). Jesus declared that he fulfilled the image Ezekiel foretold in chapter 47 of his prophecy when . . . Continue reading →
Boston: The Marrow On Pedagogical Republication
Therefore, “the law entered,” [Rom 5:20] that Adam’s offence and their own actual transgression might abound, so that now the Lord saw it needful, that there should be a new edition and publication of the covenant of works, the sooner to compel . . . Continue reading →