Just as we are told that faith without works is dead, Jas. 2:17; so, too, Paul makes it clear that belief without confession does not save, Rom. 10:9-11. The context and the verb used, ὁμολογέω, imply several things: 1.) It is an...
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Non-fundamental articles of faith would include all those articles of Christian doctrine which a man might not know, or even deny, while not denying those primary fundamentals or secondary fundamentals, 1 Cor...
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Though sanctification, from which all good works proceed, is a gift of God to those who are redeemed, 1 Cor. 1:30; yet, the good works procured by sanctification form a part of the great end of our final salvation, even a preparation for heavenly glory, Heb. 12:14. Thus...
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Paul commands the church to observe decency, εὐσχημόνως, in its matters of government and worship, 1 Cor. 14:40. Matters of decency refer to those constitutions pertaining to the decorum of Christians within, Rom. 13:13; and with respect to those who are without, cf. 1 Thess. 4:12 with...
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For those who are born within the pale of the church, their baptism as infants calls them to join this profession, Ezek. 16:6. To be born into the church of God is a great mercy for those who make proper use of it, Ezek. 16:4, 5. Baptism is an external...
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The fact is that the ministry of the Word, or the teaching office, is not a human or merely ecclesiastical invention but a work which displays the divine wisdom, 1 Cor. 1:21; and an office established by God in the church, Ps. 68:11; Jer. 3:15. This office is made...
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There are several theories advanced for defining the limits and extent of that Church fellowship, or ecclesiastical communion, demanded by the Christian faith: 1. The Latitudinarian Theory. This theory admits to sealing ordinances (i.e.,particularly the sacrament of the Lord’s supper), at their own option, all who will...
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There are several notions upon which every refinement of manners is built and improved, especially under the influence of grace: 1. There is a certain instinctive tendency in mankind to entertain a common regard to one another. Even the heathens know that malice, envy, malignity, lack of natural...
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We should understand that the church has everything essential to society, in common with societies of any kind. It is not enough to contradict this by asserting that the church, as Christ’s kingdom, is not of this world, John 18:36. Just because the principle of the church is from above, does not deny its real earthly...
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The Word of God is the alone infallible rule to direct us how to glorify and enjoy God and none other foundation can establish the faith, obedience and fellowship of the Christian church, 1 Cor. 3:11. The design of the Holy Ghost is this place is to represent Christ as the foundation of the communion of saints in...
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