I've been a Presbyterian for just over two months and I'm loving my church. I am from the Presbyterian Church of Brazil, founded by the American missionary Reverend Ashbel Green Simonton. 💚
The Church has the divine guarantee to teach Christ's truth concerning the Written and Oral Tradition, both of which come from the Church. "The church is the pillar and foundation of the truth" (1Tim 3;15) and not the private interetations of an individual/group. Both the Protestant sects and the Orthodox churches put their own rendering of Apostolic Tradition above the final authority of the Catholic Church.
I'm a Baptist that studied at a Presbyterian Seminary. I really love the rich theological heritage of Presbyterianism. I still disagree with baptizing babies, but the emphasis of God's sovereign grace is wonderful.
@@kennyshand96 Hi Kenny. Good question, and something I wrestled with a lot since I did not grow up a Baptist. The simple answer is that believer's baptism is the only form shown in the Bible. There is a possible inferences to paedobaptism in Acts 16, but all clear cases of Christian baptism occurred after a person expressed faith in Jesus.
Regarding infant baptism... The water used in baptism symbolizes the salvation used by God during the times of Noah and the parting of the Red Sea. The Israelites did not leave the children and babies in Egypt, so in effect they too were 'baptized' though they were not old enough to decide for themselves whether to cross the Red Sea or not. In Presbyterians, it is sometimes called 'dedication', where the parents or guardians make an oath to the Lord that the baptized children will be trained in the godly manner, just as is written in the "Pro 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." It will be beneficial for the child at early age to be oriented with the ways of the Lord, however, his election will be affirmed later with his conviction to be baptized for preparation of ministry, just as Jesus himself (who we seemed to view as not needing baptism himself). Now, with the Baptist's view of water baptism, which is by immersion, my contend is this: The definition of baptism is to dip or submerge - the point is there is contact with the fluid, however, by analogy, was the ark of Noah submerged in the flood? Or was it 'dipped' in the water? Were the Israelites covered by the sea or was it the Egyptians rather? My take is that both infant baptism and immersion version/understanding of the Baptists would be like that of vegetarians, and we could only accept it so as not to offend. "One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. " (Rom 14:2-8)
I belong to the Presbyterian Church here in India I am actively involve in church activities but i dont really adhere to whatever the church constitution say which hinder my faith in Christ. I found Christ outside the church through my life experiences and struggles So i would careless about being part of any church But i was born in a presbyterian family so im happy to serve Christ within the our church... I also believe that there is no perfect church Just Christ my perfect Redeemer
Our Presbyterian Church of India is a Calvinistic Methodist Church. It slidely differ than the other main Presbyterianism. I love the church and my life with Jesus is experiencing personally. I may not agree with everything the church does but i respect it and love it anyway.
@@bestsongssasuke7705calvinism is unbiblical. (yt) sinning against the Holy Spirit means if anyone say that the works of Holy Spirit is from demons. And you say that the works of demons are from God, meaning if rape, murder, child molesting/trafficking all evil that devil does you calvinist say God did. - Lord Jesus died for the World. John 3:16 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 1 John 2:2 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. God desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 4:10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. Acts 17:30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, - God doesn't want anyone to perish but for all to come to repentance 2 Peter 3:9 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. John 12:32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” Matthew 18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. - GOSPEL for all nations Luke 24:47 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. -Faith comes then we are saved not saved first that's why we believe Romans 10:17 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Notice how it's say when someone COMES to God, he must BELIEVE that He exists. IMPOSSIBLE to please God without FAITH. We must Have Faith to Please God. We must First Believe that God exist. Also notice James in his letter says you believe in God? good. Demons also believes and tremble. But the difference between our belief and demons is that we ALSO believe that God rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. demons diligently do not seek HIM. - Free will Jeremiah 19:5 5 (they have also built the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings to Baal, which I did not command or speak, nor did it come into My mind). Notice the evil people did was not decided by God Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not WILLING! (As you can see they are not willing, it not that God is not making them "not willing" 2 Chronicles 30:9 For if you return to the Lord, your brethren and your children will be treated with compassion by those who lead them captive, so that they may come back to this land; for the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn His face from you if you return to Him.” - One can repent. Matt 21:28-32. The other son didn't go and sinned Resistible Grace Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! - God regretted Genesis 6:6-7 6 And the Lord regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I regret that I have made them.” 1 Samuel 15:11, 35 11 “I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.” And it grieved Samuel, and he cried out to the Lord all night. 35 And Samuel went no more to see Saul until the day of his death. Nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul, and the Lord regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel. _ Lord Jesus Christ died for everyone not only the elect Romans 10:13 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 1:16 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. John 1:29 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 3:15-17 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 1 John 2:2 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.. _ A listener pointed out another example in scripture where being called “dead” doesn’t mean that the person cannot respond positively. Abimelech is called “a dead man” but still given an opportunity to change course so as to live (Genesis 20:3,7) _ Sabbath day (full defence) 1) God Rested on the Sabbath day (genisis 2:3, Exodus 20:11) 2) God Sanctified the Sabbath day (genisis 2:3) 3) God Blessed the Sabbath day (exodus 20:11) 4) Lord called Sabbath His Holy day. It's the Lord's Day (Isaiah 58:13) 5) Holy Day (Isaiah 58:13). God didn't rested on sunday, He rested on Sabbath Day (Saturday). You can't push God to rest on sunday, you can't change God's resting Day in Genisis. Now circumcision was for the Jews, who were under the promise given to Abraham. Where as Sabbath was for man(mark 2:27) not just for Jews, Sabbath was even before fall of Adam and Eve. God Blessed the Sabbath Day in genisis 2:3. CIRCUMCISION CAME WITH Abraham, SABBATH CAME BEFORE THE FALL OF ADAM AND EVE. SABBATH came before there was sin in the World. You follow your sabbath and I'll follow THE LORD'S SABBATH. Teaching on Sabbath is permissible Luke 13:10-13 10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. Luke 4:16 16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. Mark 1:21 21 Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. Acts 13:14-15 14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. 15 And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.” Acts 13:42-44 42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. 44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. Acts 15:21 21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” Acts 17:2 2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, Acts 13:27 27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. Acts 20:7 (notice how the First day of the week is called the "first day of the week" rather than Sabbath Day.) 7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. ___ SABBATH day is Saturday proof Mark 16:1 16 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. Notice how Bible says that Sabbath was over and than next day mary went to anoint Lord Jesus Christ. Bible says FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK which is sunday. And also we know that Lord was risen from death on sunday not monday. We also find the same in Matthew 28:1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. ( Notice who Bible says it was the First day of the week). Luke and John says the same thing "On the first day of the week". Acts 20:7 (notice how the First day of the week is called the "first day of the week" rather than Sabbath Day.) 7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. Acts 13:27 27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. ( Notice how even after Resurrection of Lord Sabbath is still reffered to as Sabbath. And it is not changed in New Testament rather Sabbath is the same as Old Testament) _ Genesis 2:2-3 Exodus 20:11
Thank you for sharing your story of faith. I respect your openness about your beliefs and faith in Christ. I do qsk though havw you ever looked into baptism? As far as I know Baptists believe that belief in christ is an individual journey, perhaps you'll enjoy their teachings. Regardless of what you choose to do I wish you the best.
1. Is there only one god, or are there multiple gods? If multiple, how is a person to choose which deserves obedience? If there is only one good, who is Baal? If Baal is a false god, what makes your god NOT false, precisely, aside from it telling you that is the case? 2. Would you agree that before anything can exist, something has to create it? Did your god create everything? If yes, who/what created your god? 3. Is your god infallible? 4. Is your god omnipotent? 5. Is your god omniscient? 6. Is your god benevolent, or malicious? 7. If your god cannot make mistakes, then it follows that everything it creates is either perfect, or that your god intentionally makes things that are flawed. Would a benevolent god intentionally create something likely to suffer because of its flaws? 8. If your god can do anything, and it created the universe, why didn't it simply create a perfect world inhabited by perfect beings? If your god wanted obedience, and god is not malicious, why did god make disobedience possible? 9. If your god knows everything, does it already understand every thought and feeling you have? Does it instantaneously know everything you say and do? If yes, what is the point of religious rituals, such as prayer? 10. Why would an omnipotent and omniscient god not communicate directly and unambiguously with individuals, with no need of books, churches, prophets, signs, miracles, etc? If a person is not intelligent enough, or not "worthy" enough to speak directly with god, whose fault is that? Who made the person in the first place? If a person is unworthy or incapable of directly communicating with god, how can that person be capable of recognizing a valid spokesperson for god? 11. Think about the person/people who convinced/persuaded/ordered you to believe in a version of god. Are they infallible? Is it at all possible for them to tell you something they sincerely believe, but for that thing they tell you to be actually incorrect? 12. Are feelings reliable tools to guide actions? Suppose I hear a person in my neighborhood talking a lot about the presence of violent break in robberies nearby, and I get apprehensive. I am convinced by the passion my neighbor puts into this story, even though I've seen no tangible evidence. That night, I hear a noise. I FEEL certain that it is a robber breaking in to harm my family. I get out of bed, pull a pistol from the bedside table. Without opening the bedroom door, I shoot through it to get the robber. When I open the door, there is my son, lying dead on the floor from my bullet. I was sure. I relied on my feelings. My fear of a robber. My hope of being a defender father. Feelings, not facts. Was that a good way to live my life? Is faith factual knowledge or is it just a feeling, something you choose to believe, without any rational proof? There are things science does not yet have good explanations for. However, unlike religion, logic and science eagerly accept doubt, challenges and skepticism, and are eager to be revised and improved. They don't claim to be perfect. Religion does. Religion demands blind obedience, with harsh horrific punishment in this world and the next if you fail to obey. If you ignore science, it doesn't change the facts of science, so no one has to threaten you about it. Science built the machine you are reading this message on. Religion blows up clinics and puts burning crosses on people's lawns. 14. Do you deny that religion (superstition, irrational behavior) is the root cause of most human conflict in history, that for centuries millions have been tortured and murdered "because god told me to do it"? 13. Suppose a person has a book full of maps to guide a group journey. They rely upon it, but the group is perpetually lost. You question the book, but your friend insists that the book is accurate. "How do you know?" you ask. They reply, "I know that this book is accurate and perfect, because it says so in the book." Your friend insists that the book is information directly from god....but some other people wrote the book, based on their interpretations, and all of them disagree.....but that is okay, because of how passionately they shout about their version of the maps, and how strongly it makes your friend feel. When you show them hundreds of self contradictions in the book, they get upset and say that you are just not reading the book correctly. Which person is messed up? You, or the book fanatic? How do you justify cherry picking of which parts of the bible to follow? Leviticus much? Murdered and burned many animals as a sacrifice, as you are required to ? How many NON religious books have you read? 14. If the point is to die and go to heaven, why not simply commit mass suicide and get it over with? Christ was quite literally a kamikaze; is that what you preach should be emulated in daily life? 15. Why is it necessary to use superstition and irrationality to justify your practical principles? Why treat humans like a donkey in need of the stick of hell and the carrot of heaven? If you want positive secular behavior, why not justify that behavior in practical terms? Religion preys upon the weak and the stupid. Rationalization is not scholarship.
I came to Presbyterianism later in life and my idea of the elect is basically a very secure idea that I cant win my own salvation by anything I do or win or lose anyone elses salvation by anything I do or fail to do. I just am supposed to respond to the salvation that Jesus offers me with thanks and with spreading the idea. I have no idea how many people will be saved or not.
I was raised in a bad Baptist church and became a Free Presbyterian later in the life. Best preaching I've ever heard and they're super balanced. They don't preach often about Calvinism but the free offering of the gospel. Yes it is free and an invitation. God lovingly offers salvation in Christ. Christ is a willing Savior
@@MichaelJohnson-vi6eh You should recognize how insane and heretical that theology is. It makes God the author of all evil. It attributes to God the things of Satan.
Idk about heretical, but it does seem a bit counterintuitive to John 3:16. I had a buddy who pointed out the Trinity is counterintuitive to normal human thinking tho.
If you use the name "Presbyterian" in Scotland you are referring to what they call "The Wee Frees", an independent church. The dean of Duke University when I was a student (class of 1968), James Cleland, was from Glasgow. During our graduation, he said "Jesus was a Jew. My mother could not understand this. How could Jesus be a Jew when God was a Presbyterian?"
@@theosteven3362 It was at my graduation service at Duke. It was a special event and I had never heard it before. Several years ago my wife and I went to Glasgow and attended a service on Mandela Square. I mentioned to the usher that the dean of the chapel at university was from Glasgow. He asked "where did you go to school?" I answered "Duke University". "Was the man's name Cleland". "Yes it was". Seems their family were long time members.
As per the end of the video, I'm Free Presbyterian (yes, very conservative) but we're not "old fashioned" we're just uncompromisingly biblical and zealous. I have been very blessed, revived and reformed by the Lord by His bringing me there
I was born and grew up as a Presbyterian. My ancestors from both sides go way back were also Presbyterians.. We are the 4th generation attending the Diamond Presbyterian Church Trinidad.. My grandfather was the late Rev. Joseph Doman.. I am so proud of that heritage..❤🙏
I was raised in a Presbyterian church but spent so much time reading the Bible and ignoring the pastor I did not know a lot of this lol. Thank for telling me what I missed. So glad I left and never looked back.
Same here but i went back to church To at least be a part of those who speak the truth and teach sound teaching But many pastors has gone astray to accomodate unbiblical teachings and practices
Hi Joshua. A potentially interesting topic for a video would be how various denominations look at the Second Commandment, due to the success of shows like The Chosen, and various artistic depictions of Christ. Would you consider it?
Well done for the most part. One major correction, the sacraments are a means of Grace when received by faith, not a means of salvation. Salvation is completely accomplished in Christ alone.
Westminster Shorter Catechism: Q: How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation? A: The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that does administer them; but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them.
Thanks for your reply! I would think our difference here centers aroung how the word salvation was used n the 17th century and what it means today. WSC 88 in its answer says, “The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption, are his ordinances, especially the word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.” In any case, the PCA, of which I am a member, and many other Pres or Reformed churches do not believe sacraments are the instrument of salvation, e.g.like Israel tried to use the Ark in 1 Sam. 4. Salvation comes through Christ alone. I am respectfully yours.
I spent most of my first year in college living with an aunt and uncle who were Presbyterians. I was a Catholic(and still am) and after a while my aunt tried to convert me saying the usual stupid things about what Catholics believed. She was one of these women who was "right" and if you did not agree with her you were "Wrong". She would occasionally say to me that I would come home from classes one day and she would be gone, caught up- in the rapture and be taken to heaven. If anything she made me a better Catholic. I didn't really know that much about my faith at the time so I couldn't really debate with here. Of course it wouldn't have many any difference. because she would rather argue than be sensible about things.and so I did do some examining and still believe that it is the One true Holy and Apostolic church.
Thank you for your comment. I also know many people who I love who are Presbyterians, and I also remain a Catholic. I will not give up the Eucharist for anyone or any other church. If people don't know, Catholics believe the Eucharist is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ; it is not a symbol.
I consider myself Presbyterian because my beliefs are in line with Presbyterian doctrine. I'm Reformed, Postmillennial and so on. But I do not attend a Presbyterian church because the closest one to me is hundreds of miles away. So I don't know if that makes me a Presbyterian or not. Do I have to attend a Presby church to be considered Presbyterian, or am I Presbyterian because I hold to Preaby doctrine?
Having gone to Presbyterian churches most of my life (mostly PC(USA), but also ECO for a couple of years), it's interesting to see how the Calvinist view of salvation is really not taught. I learned about it in a high school history class, not Sunday school. I think it's something that folks struggle with because it eliminates the importance of free will and leads to a nihilistic view of faith (e.g., "why do I need to follow Jesus's teachings and live a good life if that has no bearing on whether I am predestined for salvation?").
Another distinguishing aspect of Truly Conservative Presbyterianism is belief in the establishment principle as taught in the original Westminster standards. It would be an interesting video to cover the establishment principle as expounded in the original WCF since most people today are clueless about it.
I like these 2 minute summaries. So many different churches each have their own beliefs and practices even within the same denominations.The Catholic Church offers the same service and beliefs an any church anywhere in the world on any given day of the week.
not necessarily, Some parishes might be left leaning socialist while some may sing and pray like Protestants while some may have charismatic prayer meetings that look like they are pentecostal non denominational.
@@philipmangaoang1352 Not the same thing. The Catholic Church does not change. It is true, some parishes and priests will wander off and do as you say. This is the enemy (satan) planting the tares (false teachers) in the wheat (His Church) Jesus mentions in Matthew 13, which will all be sorted out and burned in the end.
I does not matter what the official position of any denomination is today, local priests and pastors preach what ever they want even if it is antithetical to biblical doctrine.
Just a reminder, Presbyterian is a pretty broad spectrum from those who really subscribe to the confessions to the pretenders. PCUSA, PCA, OPC, Cumberland, CREC and others are all quite different.
Lots of non-Calvinist Christians believe God chooses who will be saved. The Calvinists are distinct in that (1) they believe God’s choice is completely unconditional (i.e. nothing an individual says, does, or thinks has any impact on God’s decision) and (2) God’s decision is final so that those who God chooses will not fail to be saved in the end. Lutherans would disagree with (2), most non-Reformed Baptists would disagree with (1) and other Christians disagree with both of these points.
* I'm in that last bunch of Christians. I don't put God in box governed by human thinking. God knows the beginning to the end, and the end from the beginning. Knowing and predetermining can be two different functions. God knows everyone that has lived, or will live, on this planet since before the foundations of this world was laid, and He could tell ( although He probably wouldn't ) who is going to be in His Kingdom. But, God allows mankind to exercise their own free will, He doesn't want anyone in His Kingdom that doesn't want to be there. This idea about predestination is contrary to the nature of God, and reduces Him to a God that only cares about certain people, while turning His back on everyone else. What really happened was that a bunch of people got together and decided that they knew what God's plans were for mankind, and formed their own group of like minded individuals, based not on the fullness of the scriptures, but on their selected interpretations of a few passages. Sadly, all denominations, some more than others, are guilty of this behavior, and that includes the Catholic Church. We are living in the age of the Church of Laodicea where churches act more like social clubs than members of the Body of Christ. If everyone is predestined, what is the purpose of the Great Commission, or why would there be a need for the Great White Throne Judgement, why did Jesus Christ have to be Crucified, and why did Jesus turn to Paul and teach and command him to take a completely new gospel called the Gospel of the Grace of God to primarily the gentile nations? These christian denominations are like the apostles when they were arguing about which one of them will be the greatest in the Kingdom. They are to busy trying to puff up their standing in the sight of God, instead of pulling together for the common good as the cohesive Body of Jesus Christ.
God chooses who will be saved and those who are not chosen will not be saved. Well and good. The question now is, how does the Calvinist know that he or she is one of the elect whom God has chosen to save and not one of the reprobate whom God has not chosen to save? Indeed, I have read that many of the early Puritans died in great agony because, at the end of their lives, they feared that they just might not have been among the elect after all.
The single largest Presbyterian denomination in the US (PCUSA) can be rightfully called Presbyterian by their organizational structure, but it hardly resembles the Presbyterian church from even 3 or 4 decades ago, let alone the church of Calvin and of Knox. A corrupting spirit has entered the denomination's leadership and the seminaries, producing shepherds more lost than the sheep of the fold. Even more "moderate" churches that parted ways with the liberalism of PCUSA seem to embrace questionable and unorthodox practices. For example, enneagram, derived from the occult, is used as a tool in spiritual formation at many Presbyterian churches. Horrific, really.
@@av_oid It is a horror show, and we are witness to it. The shell/organization of the church is there, but it is occupied by something sinister. Congregations are led by Pod People.
Presbyterians in as long as it takes to read: 2 Timothy 4:3-4 KJV For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Timothy 3:5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
1. Is there only one god, or are there multiple gods? If multiple, how is a person to choose which deserves obedience? If there is only one good, who is Baal? If Baal is a false god, what makes your god NOT false, precisely, aside from it telling you that is the case? 2. Would you agree that before anything can exist, something has to create it? Did your god create everything? If yes, who/what created your god? 3. Is your god infallible? 4. Is your god omnipotent? 5. Is your god omniscient? 6. Is your god benevolent, or malicious? 7. If your god cannot make mistakes, then it follows that everything it creates is either perfect, or that your god intentionally makes things that are flawed. Would a benevolent god intentionally create something likely to suffer because of its flaws? 8. If your god can do anything, and it created the universe, why didn't it simply create a perfect world inhabited by perfect beings? If your god wanted obedience, and god is not malicious, why did god make disobedience possible? 9. If your god knows everything, does it already understand every thought and feeling you have? Does it instantaneously know everything you say and do? If yes, what is the point of religious rituals, such as prayer? 10. Why would an omnipotent and omniscient god not communicate directly and unambiguously with individuals, with no need of books, churches, prophets, signs, miracles, etc? If a person is not intelligent enough, or not "worthy" enough to speak directly with god, whose fault is that? Who made the person in the first place? If a person is unworthy or incapable of directly communicating with god, how can that person be capable of recognizing a valid spokesperson for god? 11. Think about the person/people who convinced/persuaded/ordered you to believe in a version of god. Are they infallible? Is it at all possible for them to tell you something they sincerely believe, but for that thing they tell you to be actually incorrect? 12. Are feelings reliable tools to guide actions? Suppose I hear a person in my neighborhood talking a lot about the presence of violent break in robberies nearby, and I get apprehensive. I am convinced by the passion my neighbor puts into this story, even though I've seen no tangible evidence. That night, I hear a noise. I FEEL certain that it is a robber breaking in to harm my family. I get out of bed, pull a pistol from the bedside table. Without opening the bedroom door, I shoot through it to get the robber. When I open the door, there is my son, lying dead on the floor from my bullet. I was sure. I relied on my feelings. My fear of a robber. My hope of being a defender father. Feelings, not facts. Was that a good way to live my life? Is faith factual knowledge or is it just a feeling, something you choose to believe, without any rational proof? There are things science does not yet have good explanations for. However, unlike religion, logic and science eagerly accept doubt, challenges and skepticism, and are eager to be revised and improved. They don't claim to be perfect. Religion does. Religion demands blind obedience, with harsh horrific punishment in this world and the next if you fail to obey. If you ignore science, it doesn't change the facts of science, so no one has to threaten you about it. Science built the machine you are reading this message on. Religion blows up clinics and puts burning crosses on people's lawns. 14. Do you deny that religion (superstition, irrational behavior) is the root cause of most human conflict in history, that for centuries millions have been tortured and murdered "because god told me to do it"? 13. Suppose a person has a book full of maps to guide a group journey. They rely upon it, but the group is perpetually lost. You question the book, but your friend insists that the book is accurate. "How do you know?" you ask. They reply, "I know that this book is accurate and perfect, because it says so in the book." Your friend insists that the book is information directly from god....but some other people wrote the book, based on their interpretations, and all of them disagree.....but that is okay, because of how passionately they shout about their version of the maps, and how strongly it makes your friend feel. When you show them hundreds of self contradictions in the book, they get upset and say that you are just not reading the book correctly. Which person is messed up? You, or the book fanatic? How do you justify cherry picking of which parts of the bible to follow? Leviticus much? Murdered and burned many animals as a sacrifice, as you are required to ? How many NON religious books have you ever read? 14. If the point is to die and go to heaven, why not simply commit mass suicide and get it over with? Christ was quite literally a kamikaze; is that what you preach should be emulated in daily life? 15. Why is it necessary to use superstition and irrationality to justify your practical principles? Why treat humans like a donkey in need of the stick of hell and the carrot of heaven? If you want positive secular behavior, why not justify that behavior in practical terms? Religion preys upon the weak and the stupid. Rationalization is not scholarship.
Well, here's the difference between an Arminian and a Calvinist: After falling down the stairs, an Arminian says, "I wonder why that happened?" A Calvinist says, "I'm glad that's over!"
* I don't believe a true Calvinist should be concerned with trivialities like that. Probably likes to take a stroll through a mine field whenever possible.
Old Presbyterian joke: A Presbyterian minister and an elder were walking along a muddy path and the elder kept slipping and falling over but the minister walked without slipping. The minster thought he saw a teaching moment and said, 'Sinners walk on slippery paths', to which the elder replied, 'Yes, but I cannot!'
Not all Presbyterian churches baptize children. The church i am from does not have an official position about it and leaves every individual church to decide with the parents about infant baptism
This one aspect always puzzles me. If you are pre-ordained as "elect" and can do nothing to change that; then your faith is self-defeating, because there is nothing you can do to save yourself, if you are not among the elect; and there is no evil you can do to change your status as the "elect."
Any church that practices infant baptism also practices believers’ baptism for any convert not previously baptized. It’s a more permissive umbrella for baptism.
I am a lifelong Presby (PCUSA). This might be a broad and general statement of Presbyterian theology. Please continue your faith journey, in whatever path that takes you. I hope if you are ever in the Kansas City, MO area you'd give me a shout. I'd love to invite you to worship!
Jesus was circumcised. The Dean of the Chapel at Duke University, James Cleland was from Glasgow. He told us in a sermon "Jesus was a Jew. My motherdu never could understand that. How could Jesus be a Jew when God was a Presbyterian". My wife and I went to Glasgow. We attended a service not half a block from our hotel. I told the usher that the dean of our chapel was from Glasgow. "What college did you go to? Duke University. "Was his name Cleland?" Yes. This was his family's church.
@@slamdancer777 the Five Points (TULIP) were a response the accusations of Jacobus Arminius. The Five Points were the conclusion of the Synod of Dort. To get a fuller understanding of Calvinism, which many prefer to call Reformed Theology, you should read the Westminster Confession of Faith. You can find an online in a PDF doc quite easily.
Catholics, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Calvinists, Mormons, etc. Religion is like the soda business, each brand seeking to gain market share. It seems that the only thing they agree on is that God needs money. George Carlin was right.
When the Uniting Church was formed here, it consisted on almost all Congregationalists, very many Methodists, but only about 70% of Presbyterians.. The Presbyterians had a very fine building in our suburb (designed by John Sulman) but on merger that went to the new Uniting Church. The Presbyterians were allocated the former Methodist church instead, a drab building that could have passed muster for a progress association in an impoverished country town.
Not all Presbyterians subscribe to Calvinism. I belong to PCUSA and I have never learned about the principles of Calvinism until I went to a Catholic college.
Can't speak for every single person that calls themselves Presbysterian - but no, not really. Ministers are individuals who, having felt a call to preaching, have been ordained to the ministry by the Church (in practical terms, typically after suitable seminary training, but this is not a rule per se). While lay-preachers can and do take the pulpit at times, and any Christian man can lead a prayer, only ministers can perform certain functions (chiefly, administration of the sacraments, and benediction blessings at the conclusion of a service) and, in my experience, 99% of services will be under the auspices of an ordained minister unless practical circumstances (lack of a minister due to illness, location, bereavement, retirement, lack of availability, etc) require someone else to lead. They typically use the title 'Rev' but views on this may vary. We would, however, affirm a version of the doctrine, 'sainthood of all believers' and 'priesthood of all believers'. Slightly different thing though.
@@Mic1904 if by minister he means pastor or teaching elder then you are spot on. If he means are we all to spread the Gospel, the answer changes to yes. His question could use some clarification.
@@slamdancer777 Yes, you're absolutely correct. Both the question and my answer could do with some qualification. (Also, you have hands down one of the best usernames on here).
@@Mic1904 Sorry. I should've been more specific. To run a church or be a chaplain, obviously one requires qualifications. But just to be one of God's ministers, the Presbyterians believe that one just need to be in/with the church. Is that clear enough? I didn't mean a trained preacher/pastor, I just meant someone who does God's biddings....
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord." (2nd Corinthians 6:17a). Using this verse, any time there's a doctrinal disagreement, a new denomination is born.
Well researched as usual but what a confusing mess this is with all these different religious denominations that disagree with each other and can't even be found in the New Testament. I left this behind years ago and became just a Christian, a member of the Church of Christ and have never regretted it since. Just trying to follow the Bible without human traditions makes so much sense.
1. Is there only one god, or are there multiple gods? If multiple, how is a person to choose which deserves obedience? If there is only one good, who is Baal? If Baal is a false god, what makes your god NOT false, precisely, aside from it telling you that is the case? 2. Would you agree that before anything can exist, something has to create it? Did your god create everything? If yes, who/what created your god? 3. Is your god infallible? 4. Is your god omnipotent? 5. Is your god omniscient? 6. Is your god benevolent, or malicious? 7. If your god cannot make mistakes, then it follows that everything it creates is either perfect, or that your god intentionally makes things that are flawed. Would a benevolent god intentionally create something likely to suffer because of its flaws? 8. If your god can do anything, and it created the universe, why didn't it simply create a perfect world inhabited by perfect beings? If your god wanted obedience, and god is not malicious, why did god make disobedience possible? 9. If your god knows everything, does it already understand every thought and feeling you have? Does it instantaneously know everything you say and do? If yes, what is the point of religious rituals, such as prayer? 10. Why would an omnipotent and omniscient god not communicate directly and unambiguously with individuals, with no need of books, churches, prophets, signs, miracles, etc? If a person is not intelligent enough, or not "worthy" enough to speak directly with god, whose fault is that? Who made the person in the first place? If a person is unworthy or incapable of directly communicating with god, how can that person be capable of recognizing a valid spokesperson for god? 11. Think about the person/people who convinced/persuaded/ordered you to believe in a version of god. Are they infallible? Is it at all possible for them to tell you something they sincerely believe, but for that thing they tell you to be actually incorrect? 12. Are feelings reliable tools to guide actions? Suppose I hear a person in my neighborhood talking a lot about the presence of violent break in robberies nearby, and I get apprehensive. I am convinced by the passion my neighbor puts into this story, even though I've seen no tangible evidence. That night, I hear a noise. I FEEL certain that it is a robber breaking in to harm my family. I get out of bed, pull a pistol from the bedside table. Without opening the bedroom door, I shoot through it to get the robber. When I open the door, there is my son, lying dead on the floor from my bullet. I was sure. I relied on my feelings. My fear of a robber. My hope of being a defender father. Feelings, not facts. Was that a good way to live my life? Is faith factual knowledge or is it just a feeling, something you choose to believe, without any rational proof? There are things science does not yet have good explanations for. However, unlike religion, logic and science eagerly accept doubt, challenges and skepticism, and are eager to be revised and improved. They don't claim to be perfect. Religion does. Religion demands blind obedience, with harsh horrific punishment in this world and the next if you fail to obey. If you ignore science, it doesn't change the facts of science, so no one has to threaten you about it. Science built the machine you are reading this message on. Religion blows up clinics and puts burning crosses on people's lawns. 14. Do you deny that religion (superstition, irrational behavior) is the root cause of most human conflict in history, that for centuries millions have been tortured and murdered "because god told me to do it"? 13. Suppose a person has a book full of maps to guide a group journey. They rely upon it, but the group is perpetually lost. You question the book, but your friend insists that the book is accurate. "How do you know?" you ask. They reply, "I know that this book is accurate and perfect, because it says so in the book." Your friend insists that the book is information directly from god....but some other people wrote the book, based on their interpretations, and all of them disagree.....but that is okay, because of how passionately they shout about their version of the maps, and how strongly it makes your friend feel. When you show them hundreds of self contradictions in the book, they get upset and say that you are just not reading the book correctly. Which person is messed up? You, or the book fanatic? How do you justify cherry picking of which parts of the bible to follow? Leviticus much? Murdered and burned many animals as a sacrifice, as you are required to ? How many NON religious books have you read? 14. If the point is to die and go to heaven, why not simply commit mass suicide and get it over with? Christ was quite literally a kamikaze; is that what you preach should be emulated in daily life? 15. Why is it necessary to use superstition and irrationality to justify your practical principles? Why treat humans like a donkey in need of the stick of hell and the carrot of heaven? If you want positive secular behavior, why not justify that behavior in practical terms? Religion preys upon the weak and the stupid. Rationalization is not scholarship.
The story goes about a four point Calvinist. When asked with of the five points, he disagrees with, he answers, "Whichever one we're discussing at the moment."
Presbyterianism/ Reformed theology teaches a “stop sinning” definition of “repent” for salvation. This makes it works based and is not Christian whatsoever.
completely incorrect. If you were to read the Westminster Confession which is a teaching tool of Reformed Theology, you will see that they teach that you are saved by grace alone, by faith alone. You are saved by God's unmerited favor shown to you. I'm not sure where you got your information , but it is completely incorrect.
I have heard a different story of the source of Presbyterianism. During the Dirk Ages, the Celtic Catholic Church was in Ireland, and Scotland. The Celtic Catholic had Churches in France and Cologne, during the Dirk Ages. Church was declared pagen by an English Pope. After that Ireland and Scotland became Roman Catholic. Some Scotish are still Roman Catholic. The Presbyterians have claimed to model their religion after the Celtic Catholic Church. One indication of this is the similarity between the Celtic Cross and the Presbyterian Cross. Both are a cross with a circle in the middle of the cross, although they differ in style. The Presbyterian Cross is thin, and simple, while the Celtic Catholic Cross is ornamental. It seems ironic that the Presbyterian and Roman Catholic fight in Northern Ireland. Actually the Irish being switched to Roman Catholic served a purpose for the English. The Normans settled in Ireland. The English expected the Normans to make Ireland more like England, but the Normans, became Irish. So the English used religion to divide Ireland.
What’s the point? So in Calvinism you can accept Jesus, worship Him, live how He wants you to and still not be chosen to be saved? Seems like playing lotto. You are just gambling and unlikely to ever win.
But we also believe in the covenant, which states that we will be saved if we believe in christ, etc. So we would be saved, idk im young and am a Evangelical Presbyterian, Ive never heard anything of Calvanistic ideas in my church so I believe we are different from reformed.
All these differences in the body of Christ by Man’s way and not God’s way. One faith, one lord, one baptism. God’s way or the highway I say. Much love
In the chronology of events, which comes ? (1) Mat.28.1 ¶In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. (2) Jhn.20.1 ¶The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. 2Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Let's zoom in (1) Mat.28.1...as it began to dawn... (2) Jhn.20.1...when it was yet dark... I'am confident that a 10y.o knows that "when it was yet dark ", comes before "as it began to dawn." Jhn.20.1-2 Paraphrased. Mary Magdalene arrives at the tomb when it is dark, and the tomb is empty, she hasn't seen any angels or a resurrected Measiah. Iam positive that you need a body in the tomb at sunrise to have a Easter Sunday Sunrise Resurrection. Mat.12.40For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Mat.16.21¶From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Three days, three nights, raised on the third day. Very specific, only works one way. Jhn.12.1¶Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2There they made him a supper; Exo.12.1¶And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 2This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. 3Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: 6And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. When it is dark, begins the 15th, Passover. The first meal of the Feast of Unleavened Bread is the Passover meal (sedar) The 10th-14th are "preparation days" The 10th-15th is six days. Let's subtract six days from the 15th day of the month. Brings us to the 9th day of the month. He travels from Bethpage to Bethany (other three Gospels) and they prepare for him a supper. He travels, they prepare supper. This is not a Sabbath day, this is Friday the 9th, that evening begins the weekly Sabbath the 10th, they have a Sabbath night supper. Because Saturday is the Sabbath, the 10th, he rides into town on Sunday the 11th. Wednesday is the 14th, the day Israel sacrificed the Passover Lamb of God, Saturday is the 17th, He comes out of the tomb just before sundown on the weekly Sabbath, the third day. Mat.27.52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53And came out of the graves AFTER HIS RESURRECTION, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. (Aka 24 elders) These are the (G536first fruits) can be the offering or the one presenting the offering. The reader has to decide. Lev.23.9¶And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 10Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: 11And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. In this scenario Messiah is the High Priest. Messiah was resurrected just before sundown on the weekly Sabbath the 17th, the First Born from the dead. The first fruits were resurrected by the Messiah after sundown "the morrow after the sabbath", Sunday the 18th. Do you know what I can not find in Scripture anywhere ? The first Sunday after the first fullmoon after the spring equinox Second Witness Luke.24.21 b 21But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and (b) beside all this, to day is the third day SINCE these things were done. G575 SINCE, transliterated apo, to separate, especially in composition. Literally separate the first day of the week from the day of crucifixion with three days , makes Sunday the fourth day and Wednesday the day of crucifixion Good Works Eph.2.10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. What are these "good works" that God had before ordained, that we should walk in them? Let's do a quick word study on the word "WALK" Exodus 18:20 KJV - And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must WALK, and the work that they must do. Leviticus 18:3 KJV - After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye WALK in their ordinances. Leviticus 18:4 KJV - Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to WALK therein: I am the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 5:33 KJV - Ye shall WALK in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess. Deuteronomy 8:6 KJV - Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to WALK in his ways, and to fear him. Leviticus 20:23 KJV - And ye shall not WALK in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them. Deuteronomy 13:4 KJV - Ye shall WALK after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. Deuteronomy 19:9 KJV - If thou shalt keep all these commandments to do them, which I command thee this day, to love the LORD thy God, and to WALK ever in his ways; then shalt thou add three cities more for thee, beside these three: Deuteronomy 10:12 KJV - And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to WALK in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, Deuteronomy 26:17 KJV - Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to WALK in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice: Deuteronomy 29:19 KJV - And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I WALK in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: Deuteronomy 28:9 KJV - The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and WALK in his ways. Deuteronomy 30.16In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to WALK in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. This is only a partial list. Again, I believe a 10y.o could pick up on this . Do you know what's going on ? A Strong Delusion, brought on by the teaching of the traditions of men, as if they were the Word of God, and prefering the lie to the Truth. The Lie, the Council of Nicaea. The Truth, the Counsel of God, Gen-Rev. Anti-christ is also anti-Commandments of God, anti Feasts of the LORD. The same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, He who was, who is, and who is to come. Walk in His ways , you will be blessed when you come in, blessed when you go out.
The Church has the divine guarantee to teach Christ's truth concerning the Written and Oral Tradition, both of which come from the Church. "The church is the pillar and foundation of the truth" (1Tim 3;15) and not the private interetations of an individual/group. Both the Protestant sects and the Orthodox churches put their own rendering of Apostolic Tradition above the final authority of the Catholic Church.
What I find interesting is that there is nowhere in the Bible that says we have to "accept" anything. Believe, yes. "Accept," no. Yahshua "called" each of his disciples. Today, however, we're asked "did you accept Jesus as your lord and savior? The question is not what we accepted, but did he call us? I haven't found anyone that can answer this question. The people I know that call themselves "christians" have institutionalized guilt and call it a virtue. So, if you're always guilty, why does the verse say that" "there is therefore now no condemnation for those that are in Maschiach Yahshua and have been "called" according to his purpose? Religion is the lie, and keeps people in darkness, and this is why it does not work. Think about it. A pastor behind a pulpit can only preach to egos. That's why religious people think that they're always right. They get their egos stroked and massaged.
Much better than the PCA minister who tells of 5 things Presbyterians believe most of which as a a life-long and ordained Presbyterian Minister, I never heard of, and the rest I don't believe.
just Catholics. Wouldn't be a short video, the vast depth and expanse of it's 2000yrs existence don't think it can be simplified/short changed. But plz feel free to prove me wrong.
So Presbyterians believe you can not earn salvation but are chosen. Dang now I got to find another denomination. What is someone god chose to be saved becomes a pedo they cannot forfeit that salvation and still go to heaven but I can't? serious question Im trying to find a church I belong to.
* No one can do anything to earn their salvation, its a free gift from God. But, each individual has the opportunity to accept or reject the promptings of the Holy Spirit. There is no predestination involved except in the mind of those that are trying to make God conform to their own ideas of who will be in eternity. Read what Paul writes in Romans through Philemon. Acts 20:24 will tell you by which gospel all Christians are saved, and this is the gospel that Paul was given to take primarily to the gentile nations. If a person is truly saved, his eternity has been sealed, but unfortunately we still have a sin nature that we have to deal with ( with the help of the Holy Spirit ).
@@ReadyToHarvest Is that their official theological position? Presbyterian churches teach that the RCC is heretical. Anglican ones too (except Anglo-Catholics).
@@ReadyToHarvest Well I guess it's hard to change something that's been propagated for generations, but as long as they don't see the RCC as any more than schismatics, that's a good start.
Most denominations, on the whole, accept other denominations baptisms, even if they view the others as heretical. Catholics accept presbyterian Baptisms too. The biggest exceptions are credobaptist denominations. Here's an official agreement from the Presbyterian Church (USA), the largest US presbyterian denomination by far, saying they accept Catholic baptism. www.pcusa.org/news/2013/2/14/catholic-reformed-churches-agree-baptism/ Here's something from the orthodox Presbyterian Church www.opc.org/qa.html?question_id=106 However, a minority of presbyterian denominations don't accept Catholic Baptism. One example is here, though this statement is not adhered to by everyone in its denomiantion: www.pcahistory.org/pca/studies/2-078.html @@pj_ytmt-123
That the second messiah will not return physically but in spirit, which we know he has done for the last 2,000 years. So, it must be that his return will be physical, born on the earth.
There is only one Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today and forever, and He will return in the same manner He ascended to heaven (Acts 1:11). You have subscribed to the false concept of the messiah of Judaism.
So only certian chosen are to be saved? Not in my book. Those who believe in God and that his son died to save all who believed is what I've been taught. I was brought up Presbyterian but chose to change to Methodist. Had a problem with predestination.
Where are you getting "everything is predetermined" from? The Westminster Confession teaches that God establishes human freedom and the liberty and contingency of second causes by what God ordains. Also, that by God's providence, second causes aren't all just reduced to necessary enents, but can play out freely and contingently. That seems quite different from the way many detractors of Calvinism try to present the doctrine.
Hi Joshua, I appreciate your videos. However, I think you may have accidentally misrepresented the Reformed view of the Lord’s Supper. The Westminster Confession, for instance, specifically denies that Christ is present in the Lord’s Supper “carnally or corporally,” i.e., that his body and blood are physically present (WCF 29.7). You, however, defined the spiritual presence view as the belief that his body and blood and present. This is an oxymoron, in fact. Thanks!
Thanks Kirk. I definitely should not have said "spiritual presence of Christ's Body and Blood ***in the elements.***" However, it's not wrong to say that the body and blood are present (because that's exactly what WCF says in the same section you quoted: "the body and blood of Christ being then... really, but spiritually, present to the faith of believers in that ordinance," So the reality is that the body and blood are spiritually present (as I said) but to the faith of believers, not "in the elements." Here's the full paragraph for other readers: Worthy receivers, outwardly partaking of the visible elements, in this sacrament, do then also, inwardly by faith, really and indeed, yet not carnally and corporally but spiritually, receive, and feed upon, Christ crucified, and all benefits of his death: the body and blood of Christ being then, not corporally or carnally, in, with, or under the bread and wine; yet, as really, but spiritually, present to the faith of believers in that ordinance, as the elements themselves are to their outward senses.
@@ReadyToHarvest Correct. The key though is that, according to the Reformed view, Christ's physical "body and blood" is not present in the Lord's Supper. Rather, the saving benefits of his death ("body and blood" function as a metonymy for this) are available to those who receive them by faith--no different than receiving Christ's benefits in the gospel ("body and blood") preached. One is united to Christ (communes with Christ) responding with faith to the gospel preached and the gospel visualized (sacrament). Herman Bavinck's section on the sacraments and the Lord's Supper in particular in his Reformed Dogmatics (vol. 4) is particularly helpful on this. And interestingly, although this view is unrecognizable among many contemporary Baptists, this would also have been the dominant position among Baptists early on, as one finds when examining the Particular Baptist tradition (17th c.). The early Particular Baptists adopted and simply modified The Westminster Confession of Faith (what became The Second London Baptist Confession), The Westminster Shorter Catechism (becoming The Baptist Catechism, also known as Keach's Catechism), and The Heidelberg Catechism (becoming An Orthodox Catechism by Hercules Collins). Early Baptists edited these Reformed documents when it came to the *subject* or *recipient* of baptism (from infants to believers' only). But the overall theology of the sacraments otherwise remained exactly the same--so in this case, the Spiritual Presence view.