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 →
Author: Tony Phelps
Tony grew up in Rhode Island. He was educated at BA (University of Rhode Island) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He worked in the insurance industry for ten years. He planted a PCA church in Wakefield, RI where he served for eleven years. In 2015–18 he pastored Covenant Reformed Church (URCNA) in Colorado Springs. He is currently pastor of Living Hope (OPC). Tony is married to Donna and together they have three children.
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 →
Colquhoun: The Moral Law Is A Perpetual Obligation
Is the moral law of perpetual obligation? Then it follows that, as a covenant of works, it retains and will continue throughout eternity to retain its whole authority and obligation over every sinner of mankind who lives and dies under it. In . . . Continue reading →
Luther: Only Christ’s Merits And Works Save
Listen to this: For Christ alone it is proper to help and save others with His merits and works. The works of others are of benefit to no one, not to themselves either; for the statement stands: “The just shall live by . . . Continue reading →
Machen: According To Christ, The Gospel Is About Christ
But what was this gospel which Jesus proclaimed. this gospel that is now to replace the gospel about Him which has been proclaimed by the Apostle Paul and the historic Church? Our only knowledge of it is obtained from the works of . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: Sincere Obedience Is Not Enough
Is the law of the Lord perfect, and does it require that our obedience be perfect in its principles, parts, degrees, and continuance? It is impossible, then, that sincere obedience can entitle a sinner to eternal life. A man’s faith may be . . . Continue reading →
Boston: The Mosaic Covenant Was An Administration Of The Covenants Of Grace And Works
Wherefore I conceive the two covenants to have been both delivered on Mount Sinai to the Israelites. First, The covenant of grace made with Abraham, contained in the preface, repeated and promulgate there unto Israel, to be believed and embraced by faith, . . . Continue reading →
Machen: It Is Not Enough To Know That Jesus Is Great And Good
It is not enough for us to know that Jesus is great and good; it is not enough for us to know that He was instrumental in the creation of the world and that He is now seated on the throne of . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: Sinai Considered As Covenant Of Works
The law that was given from Mount Sinai by the ministry of Moses, considered as the matter of the covenant of works, was a ministry of rigor and of terror in opposition to the gospel dispensation, which is called grace; it was . . . Continue reading →