Crisis Point Email Newsletter
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(c)Crisis Point Publishing March 1998 Vol 1 Issue 6
Crisis Point is hard hitting and thoroughly scriptural from the
Reformed point of view. Not only will you be receiving biblical
instruction from our regular panel of Reformed pastors, but guest
writers as well as sections on: Letters to the Editor, Book Reviews,
and opportunities to be in contact with other Christians in the
busniss community will also be included.
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Bible Questions? Email us at: editor@crisispoint.com and the "3
Pastors & Their Bibles" will answer straight from the Scriptures.
We'll either publish the Q & A, or email you personally.
*Interpretation *Homosexuality *Adultry *Death Penalty *Abortion
*Fornication *Sabbath *Baptism *Predestination *Spiritual Gifts* *Sin
*Christian Reconstruction *Tithing *And Much More.
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Crisis Point Is an outreach of the teaching ministries of:
*Pastor Phil Kayser Trinity Presbyterian Church Omaha, NE. USA
kayser@top.net
*Pastor Kelly Birks Messiah Reformed Church Omaha, NE. USA
birks4@juno.com
*Pastor Glenn Durham Harvest Community Church Omaha, NE. USA
glenndurham@top.net
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In This Issue:
CHRISTIAN RECONSTRUCTION A Call For Reformation and Revival Part 1 &
Part 2 By Reformation Covenant Church Beaverton, OR
FIVE POINT CALVINISTS DO BELIEVE IN FREE GRACE By Kelly Birks
LETTERS TO CRISIS POINT
WESTMINSTER SHORTER CATECHISM Q & A
HONORABLE MENTIONS to DONATIONS
CHARTER MEMBERS
SPONSOR CRISIS POINT
ADVERTISE WITH CRISIS POINT
NOTES FROM THE EDITORS DESK "START YOUR OWN EMAIL NEWSLETTER!"
CLASSIFIED ADS
SUSCRIBE 7 UNSUBSCRIBE INFO
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CHRISTIAN RECONSTRUCTION A Call for Reformation and Revival By:
Reformation Covenant Church Beaverton, OR
Part One
Christian Reconstruction is a call to the Church to awaken to its
biblical responsibility to subdue the earth for the glory of God.
While holding to the priority of the individual salvation, Christian
Reconstruction also holds that cultural renewal is to be the necessary
and expected outworking of the gospel as it progressively finds
success in the lives and hearts of men. Christian Reconstruction
therefore looks for and works for the rebuilding of the institutions
of society according to a biblical blueprint.
Christian Reconstruction is also an attempt to answer the
unprecedented threat facing the church of Jesus Christ in the 200th
century resurgence of secular humanism and parallel rise of statism.
The state threatens to swallow the church by such actions as property
taxation, zoning laws, and direct court action, all directly contrary
to the Word of God. In one case, a church was taken to court for
dismissing a practicing homosexual from its staff. In another, the
church was padlocked by police for operating a Christian school
without a state-licensed teacher. This is only the tip of the iceberg;
there were several thousand civil cases pending against churches in
1985.
Rev. 3:1,2 I know your works; you have the name of being alive, and
you are dead. Awake, and strengthen what remains and is on the point
of death, for I have not found your works perfect in the sight of my
God.
There are two fatal errors facing the Church as it is being called
upon to respond to this threat: 1) Retreat - the failure to apply the
Word of God to society and culture; and, 2) Accommodation - the
failure to properly apply the Word of God to society and culture.
FATAL ERROR #1:
FAILING TO APPLY THE WORD OF GOD IN SOCIETY AND CULTURE
It seems as though many Christians are guided more by Plato in some
aspects of their thinking than Christ. They tend to divide the world
into a spiritual and secular realm and deny the application of
scripture to the secular. They fail to recognize that every sphere of
activity is spiritual and subject to the Word of God.
This shows up in a studied indifference to biblical teaching on civil
law, economics, government, and other cultural applications. It is
pietism as opposed to true piety. There was, for example, little
response to abortion holocaust from evangelical church for over 10
years after the 1973 Supreme Court ruling.
Matt. 5:13 You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its
taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for
anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men.
FATAL ERROR #2:
MISAPPLYING THE WORD OF GOD IN SOCIETY AND CULTURE
This is by far the more subtle error. One glaring example would be
"Christian socialism" like that espoused by Ron Sider in *Rich
Christians In An Age of Hunger.* This perspective downplays biblical
charity and poor laws (such as gleaning) in favor of the anti-
biblical "solution" of government taxation and redistribution of
wealth.
By way of contrast, the truly biblical welfare is local, personal,
voluntary, and usually requires the poor to work (2 Thes. 3:10).
Prov. 14:12 There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is
the way of death.
Lev. 19:9,10 Now when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not
reap to the very corners of the field you shall leave them for the
needy.
CHRISTIAN RECONSTRUCTION Part 2
THE FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIAN RECONSTRUCTION: THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD By
Reformation Covenant Church Beaverton, OR
Sovereignty refers to God's supreme power and rule. Jesus Christ is
Lord now. His reign and control extends into every sphere of life,
here and now, not just in eternity. To defer His Kingdom is to deny
His Kingdomship. The Bible contains the directives of the King of
kings for every area of human activity, including civil government,
economics, art, science, family, church, and more. Activity in each
sphere is to be governed by the law of God, with minimal interference
from civil government. There are no neutral zones.
God exercises His sovereignty through many secondary agencies. For
example, civil government is responsible to God to bear the sword,
executing God's wrath against violators of His Law. The church, as the
depository of the Law of God, is to provide biblical instruction for
every sphere, including civil government. She is not to control civil
government, but rather to provide expert legal counsel (Deut.17:
8-13). Many of her sons are expected to assume the mantle of civil
leadership.
Resting on the foundation of God's sovereignty, four vital pillars
support the Christian Reconstruction movement:
**********************************************************************
** 1Pet.4: 11 That in everything God may be glorified through Jesus
Christ. To Him belong the glory and dominion forever and ever, amen.
**********************************************************************
**
PILLAR #1: REDEMPTION This is the sovereignty of God in salvation. All
men are disobedient and worthy of eternal separation from God in Hell.
But Jesus Christ, the perfect man, died as a substitute for sinners.
Because Christ shed His blood in their stead, God justly pardons every
one who believes the Gospel, granting them eternal life. This is
called justification (Rom.6: 23).
Justification is accomplished entirely by the grace of God. Sinful
man, being totally deprtaved, is utterly dependent on the provision of
God for salvation, including the ears to hear and even the faith to
believe the Gospel. Salvation does not rest primarily on the
"decision" of a particular man for God, but rather on God's decision
to save that particular man. Jesus said, " Ye have not chosen Me, but
I have chosen you " (John15: 16).
**********************************************************************
* Rom.10: 13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall
be saved. Rom.9: 16So it depends not upon man's will or exertion, but
upon God's mercy.
**********************************************************************
* PILLAR#2: THE AUTHORITY OF THE LAW OF GOD IN EVERY SPHERE
This is the sovereignty of God in ethics. 1Tim.1: 8 implies a lawful
and an unlawful use of the Law of God. It is unlawful tro seek
acceptance with God by trying to obey the Law of God, the ceremonial
law, or any manmade additions to the Law. On the other hand, man must
look to the Law of God as his guide for holy living and civil
statutes. The perfect standard of the Law shows us how we are to
livce, how far short we fall and how much we need a Savior.
"We know that the law is good if anyone uses it lawfully" (12Tim.1: 8)
UNLAWFUL USES OF THE LAW
1. Salvation by Works (Justification) 2. Sacrificial Observances
(Gal.3: 24) 3. Manmade Traditions added to the Law (Mk.7:7ff.)
LAWFUL USES OF THE LAW
1. Guide For Life (Sanctification) 2. Convict of Sin (Rom.3: 20) 3.
Civil Use (1Tim.1: 8,9)
Therefore, "not under law" does NOT mean we are no longer ethically
and morally bound to obey Old Testament law.
OBEDIENCE does not equal LEGALISM
FAULTY INTERPRETIVE PRINCIPLE: Assume OT invalid unless confirmed by
NT
FAITHFUL INTERPRETIVE PRINCIPLE: Assume OT valid unless changed by NT
1Tim.1: 9 goes on to list a catalogue of civil crimes that the Law of
God is to restrain under the New Covenant: murder, kidnapping,
adultery, perjury, etc. Therefore, one lawful use of the Law of God is
to restrain evil doers in society.
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*** Mk.7: 7You leave the commandment of God and hold fast the
tradition of men.
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*** The theological name for this approach to God's Law is "theonomy",
from the Greek words "theos" meaning God and "nomos" meaning law. When
men reject the Law of God as a standard, they are left with autonomy
(self-law). This takes many forms, including common sense, pluralism,
natural law, democracy (law of the people), and statutory law. The
result of rejecting God's absolutes is always chaos.
When the church rejects God's Law, it usually adopts what it calls the
"law of love" in its placer as the guide to action. Often this is love
devoid of content that exalts unity over truth to avoid confrontation.
But true biblical love goes hand in hand with the Law. Jesus said, "If
you love Me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14: 15,21). By
rejecting the standard of God's Law, the church has nothing of
substance to offer the world and becomes irrelevant.
**********************************************************************
** Matt.5: 17-19Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the
prophets; I have come not to abolish them but fulfill them Whoever
then relaxes one of the least of these commandments...shall be called
least in the kingdom of heaven; Rom.3: 31Do we then overthrow the law
by means of this faith? On the contrary, we uphold the law.
**********************************************************************
** PILLAR #3: PRESUPPOSITIONALISM, THE SELF-SUFFICIENCY OF AN
AUTHORITATIVE BIBLE.
This is the sovereignty of the God in revelation. Presuppositonalism
defines our approach to the sovereign Word of God. Too often
Christians try to "prove" the Bible to the natural man by presenting
evidences from creation or logic. They assume the problem is merely
intellectual and that belief will flow naturally from an airtight
presentation of the facts.
But the Bible says that the natural man willfully suppresses the truth
(Rom.1: 18). Furthermore, he knows that what the Bible says is true
(Rom.2: 15). The problem is not, therefore, a lack of convincing
evidence, but the basic tendency to set oneself up as the ultimate
judge of truth. The heart of Eve's sin lay in exalting herself as the
judge of what God had said (Gen.3: 5,6).
These presuppositions radically alter our approach to the
non-believer. If our defense of the faith consists solely of
presenting evidences to his supposed independent reason, we are simply
encouraging his independence, instead of a focus on persuasion with
facts and logic. Christian Reconstruction challenges the natural man,
who presumes him- self to be the ultimate judge of truth. The sword of
the Spirit does not need to be proved it needs to be used. We
presuppose that the sword of the Spirit will penetrate the hearts of
natural men knowing that the Law of God in their hearts confirms its
truth.
**********************************************************************
** Rom.2: 15 They show that what the law requires is written on their
hearts Gen.3: 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will
be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.
**********************************************************************
** PILLAR #4: ASSURANCE OF EARTHLY VICTORY
This is sovereignty of God in history. The Bible insists that God's
law is to hold full sway in every sphere of earthly activity, in
history as well as eternity (Matt.6: 10). God's sovereignty ensures it
will hold sway. He has commanded His church to carry His gospel
("teaching them to observe all things") in Matt.28: 20 includes God's
Law) to the nations. He has given us all power for this task. The only
hindrance is a faith- less church that can see only the giants in the
promised land of earthly victory.
Some Christians say God has turned world rulership over to Satan until
the second coming of Christ. But this denies God's explicit claim to
ownership (Ps.24: 1) and the decisive work of Christ in destroying the
power of the devil (Col.2: 15, 1Jn.3: 8).
This view overlooks the various meanings of the word "world" (Compare
John3: 16 & John2: 15). Satan may be god of the world system that
opposes God, but to grant him sovereignty that belongs to God alone
borders on blasphemy.
**********************************************************************
** Col.2: 15 He disarmed the principalities and powers and made a
public example of them, triumphing over them in him 1John3: 8 The
reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
Ps.24: 1 The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world
and those who dwell therein.
**********************************************************************
** In The American Covenant, Christian author Marshall Foster observes
that the implications of which view you hold are profound:
IF YOU SEE GOD AS RULING THE EARTH: 1. Your commission is to subdue
the earth and build Christian nations through evangelizing and
discipleship. 2. You see Christian culture to be the only acceptable
culture and you see all others as aberrations. 3. All of God's world
is holy and every activity in life is a religious activity to be seen
as a spiritual work of God. 4. Reformation is expected.
IF YOU SEE SATAN AS RULING THE EARTH:
1. You must just concentrate on saving souls from this evil world. 2.
You see Christian culture as a counter-culture, a persecuted minority
in an evil world. 3. Church activity is primary and spiritual, while
worldly pursuits are secular and to be dealt with only as a necessity.
4. Reformation is impossible and suspect, since things must get worse
before Christ returns.
The above dichotomy illustrates the importance of ideas in determining
consequences, because to the degree Christians have abdicated their
leadership role and denied the "crown rights of Jesus Christ," to that
degree the humanists have filled the void.
**********************************************************************
** Matt.28: 19,20 Go ye, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have
commanded you.
**********************************************************************
** A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION
Now that you understand the foundational pillars of Christian
Reconstruction, let's look at a specific example in the area of
criminal justice. Humanists say the lawbreaker owes a debt to society.
Liberal humanists want shorter sentences and rehabilitation.
Conservative humanists want longer sentences and retribution. Both
have accepted the theory of the penitentiary, on the humanist
assumption that man will reform himself if left in solitude to
meditate on the error of his way.
But the Bible says the lawbreaker owes a debt primarily to God;
secondarily, to his victim. The penitent thief is to submit to
indentured servitude so he may repay his victim double. The
incorrigible criminal is to be put to death (Deut.17: 12). Jail terms
have no place in God's system of criminal justice.
**********************************************************************
** Ex.22: 1, 3 If a man steals an ox or a sheep .he shall make
restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
Deut.17: 12 The man who acts presumptuously, by not obeying the priest
who stands to minister there before the Lord your God, or the judge,
that man shall die; so you shall purge the evil from Israel.
**********************************************************************
** In summation, Christian Reconstruction is the only view that
biblically answers the question of how Christians should relate to
their culture.
Not RETREAT, that fails to apply the Bible to the problems of society
(Fatal Error #1).
Not ACCOMMONDATION, that misapplies the Bible to endorse various forms
of humanism (Fatal Error #2).
But RECONSTRUCTION according to the Law of God.
Individual salvation is the necessary priority, but Christian
Reconstruction teaches that cultural renewal is an expected outworking
of the gospel. When Jesus said "make disciples of all nations" He
meant it literally. The very cultural/governmental fabric of the
nations s to be transformed by the preservative effect of their
Christian citizens. This is the vision of the Reformers, the Puritans,
and the Pilgrims. This is the vision that we must rekindle anew today.
**********************************************************************
** Ps.2: 10,11 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of
the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, with trembling kiss His feet,
lest He be angry, and you perish in the way . Blessed are all who take
refuge in Him. Gen.1: 28 and God said to them, "Be fruitful and
multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion "
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FIVE POINT CALVINISTS DO BELIEVE IN FREE GRACE By Kelly Birks
As the pastor of Messiah Reformed Church, I thought it would be
prudent at this time for a statement to be made on the subject of what
it means to be a Five Point Calvinist, and an adherent to the doctrine
of Eternal Security. Not all Reformed five point Calvinists teach that
in order for the individual believer to know that he or she possess'
eternal life that there MUST be corresponding and noticeable evidence
for the fact in their lives.
This is not to say that there will not be "any" fruit or results of
the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, for there will be. The issue
seems to be, precisely how much and how often will this fruit be seen
by the believer and /or others around the believer. The scriptures
plainly teach that God is working His life in the believer and that
there will be degrees of this in the life of the believer at different
points in his or her walk with Christ. (Eph. 2:10, Phillip. 2:13, Tit.
2:14, Gal. 5: 22)
Along with this understanding, we need to recognize (and the
aforementioned scriptures will bear this out) that it is God the Holy
Spirit that manifests these fruits or results of His saving work in
our lives Himself. Sometimes they happen immediately, (as in the case
of the thief on the cross who defended the purity and innocence of
Christ in front of the other criminal- Lk. 23:39-43. Or as in the case
of Zacchaeus, who upon believing on Christ as his Savior immediately
declared his intention of restoring all that he had stolen four-fold
as a tax collector. -Lk. 19: 1-10.
Sometimes the evidence of the fruit bearing in the life of the
believer is postponed because of the carnal choices individual
Christians make while God is working in them both to will and to do
His good pleasure. Read the epistle of 1 Corinthians to see the amount
of sin believers can often find themselves immersed in. And yet at the
very beginning of the epistle, the apostle Paul based upon the work of
Christ on the cross for those Corinthian believers, declared that
their salva- tion would be confirmed or stabilized until the end. (1
Cor. 1:8)
The Westminster Confession of Faith, the secondary document that
contains the system of teaching of the Word of God from the
confessional standpoint of the historic Reformed faith ( English
Puritan) says: "They whom God hath accepted in His Beloved,
effectually called and sanctified by His Spirit, can neither totally
nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly
persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved. (Phillip. 1:6,
John 10:28,1 Pet.1:5)
Nevertheless they may, through the temptations of Satan and of the
world, the prevelency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect
of the means of their PRESERVATION (emphasis, author), fall into
grievous sins, and for a time continue therein; whereby they incur
God's displeasure, and grieve His Holy Spirit, come to be deprived of
some measure of their graces and comforts, have their hearts hardened,
and their consciences wounded; hurt and scandalize others, and bring
temporal judgements upon themselves." (Westminster Confession of
Faith, Chap. 17, Para. I, III)
Since the purpose of this article is to demonstrate that Calvinists do
believe in the clear presentation of the gospel and in particular, the
doctrine of eternal security, let us briefly look at the so called
five points and at the fifth point in particular which guarantees the
perseverance or the preservation of the saints. The five points came
about as a result of the protests of the disciples of the Dutch
Theologian, Jacob Arminius. In 1610, just after Arminius' death, the
Remonstrators (protestors) delivered to the Church of Holland, what
has come to be known as the Five Points of Arminianism.
These protests to the Calvinism that was in place in the churches of
the Reformation were received by the church and were considered and
studied at the Synod of Dort in 1618. There were 84 members and 18
secular commissioners. Included were 27 delegates from Germany, the
Palatinate, Switzerland and England. A total of 154 sessions were held
during a 7 month period as the delegates poured over the scriptures in
an attempt to see if the Remonstrants had a case for "reform" in the
doctrine of Reformed Soteriology. As a result of the serious and
painstaking work by the Synod of Dort, it was determined that the
Remonstrants were seriously deficient in their presentation. The
results are the Five Points of Calvinism or TULIP, as they are
understood today. T- Total depravity, U-Unconditional election, L-
Limited atonement, I- Irresistible grace,and P- The perseverance of
the saints. It is the fifth point, the perseverance or preservation of
the saints that we wish to address in this article. For it is here
that we can find much to rejoice over and share in as eternally secure
believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Perseverance in reformed Theology does not mean "work to know that you
are saved." While it is unfortunately true that some of the writers
and theologians of the Reformed tradition do end up concluding this,
it is an unnecessary belief. Many of the Reformed people and ministers
that this writer knows do not hold to such a view and would be shocked
to hear that others of the non-Reformed tradition believed that they
did. If you were to ask us directly: "Do you believe that a person is
saved by what they do?" We would be quick to say, "No." If you were to
ask, "Do you believe a Christian can have assurance of their
salvation?"
Again, most all would answer in the affirmative. If however, one was
to ask a Reformed believer how that assurance was to be obtained, one
might then hear a litany of different persuasions based upon the
teaching that they have received (or not received) regarding this
subject. What is primary is the knowing that one has everlasting life
by believing what the bible say to believe about it. That is, passages
that teach that faith alone in Christ alone is sufficient in order to
have the assurance of ones salvation. Jhn. 3:16,18. 5:24. 6:37, 40,
54, 58. 10:28-29. 20:31. Acts 13:39. 16:30-31. Rom. 3:24-26. 4:4-6.
8:35-39. 1 John. 5:13. 1 Pet. 1:3-5.
It is my opinion that there exists an unfortunate emphasis among some
in the Reformed camp that there must be obvious outward evidences in a
person's life before they are willing to concede that just maybe this
person is saved. Why has this happened? On the one hand this has taken
place by some in the Reformed tradition out of a sincere and deep
desire to honor God and His word, and to not allow a lax attitude in
the fellowship of the church of Jesus Christ.
On the other hand, there must be Recognition of the possibility that
there are some that claimed to be reformed that need some serious
reforming themselves. When there is such a critical attitude in the
eyes of some over this area of who is really "in", and who is not,
then it is time to start to clean our own house. When you have been
around for as long as we have, you start to collect some "spiritual
termites" in the woodwork.
As was stated earlier in this article, it is the fifth point of TULIP
that we can and should all be able to rejoice in. At the synod of
Dort, the original wording was "The Perseverance of the Saints." The
"saints", being a reference to all who are in Christ by faith. The
perseverance being that which God would enable the saint to walk in as
the saint is being conformed to the image of God's Son. The overall
teaching of the scripture shows us that it is God's intention and
unbending purpose (if we are to believe He is truly sovereign at all)
to bring the saint into spiritual perfection. And that one day that
saint will no longer see through a darkened mirror, but rather face to
face. (1 Cor. 13:12) Whether we die before He comes in the clouds, or
meet Him in rapture, we will be found to be in His image. (Col. 3:10;
1 Jhn. 3:2) Remember, the stress in this life as we experience the
growing pains of being formed into His image is just the outer man
catching up with the inner man. (2 Cor. 4:16)
Many of us Reformed believers understand the fifth point not so much
as the "perseverance" of the saints, but more to the point, as the
"preservation" of the saints. This we believe is the biblical emphasis
of the fifth point and what has come to be known as the doctrine of
eternal security.
Cammenga and Hanko in their book, "Saved by Grace- The Five Points of
Calvinism," note on page 146 that: "Many Calvinists prefer to speak of
the preservation of the saints because this name emphasizes the same
thing that the other points emphasize, i.e., the sovereignty of God in
salvation and the truth that salvation is all of grace from beginning
to end. The emphasis of this name, then, would be on the fact that God
"preserves" all those whom He has chosen and redeemed and in whose
hearts He has worked by the power of His irresistible grace Whatever
name is used for this doctrine, it teaches that all those who receive
salvation can never again lose it or fall away from it, i.e., 'once
saved, always saved.'
The word perseverance, preservation, and eternal security all
emphasize this." In Edwin Palmers classic work on "The Five Points of
Calvinism" we read on page 69: "Another term that could be used is
preservation of the saints. Whereas the term perseverance of the
saints emphasizes the activity of the Christian, the term preservation
of the saints emphasizes the activity of God. Perseverance of the
saints stresses that man does something, and perseverance of God
stresses that God does it. Preservation of the saints, however,
teaches that man is preserved by God. He is kept and guarded so that
no one will snatch him out of God's hand."
We offer up at least these two quotes from well-known Reformed writers
in order to establish the fact that not all Reformed believers have
the understanding that somehow the Christian is required to keep
proving, either to himself or others (let alone, God), that he is
truly saved and can have assurance of that salvation. (Phil. 1:6, 1
Thess. 1:5, Ps. 37:28, Heb. 6:11, 10:22.)
The bottom line for us all in the arena of assurance is what does the
scripture teach. The Greek of the writer to the Hebrews is especially
telling at this point. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped
for, the evidence of things not seen." (Heb. 11:1) The Greek for the
word "substance", is UPOSTASIS.
This word can and should be rightly translated and understood as
"assurance." So faith is the assurance. Not works, fruits, or
emotions. Belief (faith) in the promise of God through Christ for
salvation is what is in view. The writer continues: " faith is the
assurance of things hoped for (expected), it is the evidence ELEGKOS-
'proof '- of things not seen." Faith and faith alone is the assurance
and the proof of ones salvation. Every other thing offered, growth in
Christ, spiritual maturity and so forth, are all-important things but
they are secondary to what the scriptures teach is the basis for the
Fifth Point of Calvinism. Which is faith in the keeping and preserving
hand of Almighty God.
Kelly Birks is the pastor of Messiah Reformed Church in Omaha,
Nebraska. He is co-host, along with Phil Kayser and Glen Durham of the
live radio teaching show, "Crisis Point." Heard on KCRO AM 660, in
Omaha. He also teaches on Saturday mornings at 10:30am on KCRO on the
broadcast, "In the Knowledge of Him." Pastor Kelly and his wife Brenda
have four children, Janae, Lisette, Wendy and Brendan. You can E-mail
him at: birks4@juno.com
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Letters To Crisis Point
Dear Bob, Thanks for answering my email about Pastor Kelly's Wednesday
night service and for forwarding the message onto him. You guys are
doing a great job with Crisis Point, both in front of and behind the
mike. Hope to meet you sometime...if not here, then on the other side.
Love in Christ, Jan G. <><
Dear Gentlemen, (and all those that help put on the program),
Thank you very much for bringing this program to KCRO> Thank you for
the truth (and not shrinking from the truth when it comes to speaking
out on the coveted sins popular in todays society) and your helping to
equip us to better live for Christ Jesus. When your program comes on,
Kimberly and I cease all activities and listen carefully to every word
of the program, we are learning much. I especially like your making
application to everyday life. A couple of questions: 1. What are your
prayer concerns? 2.What address should be used for donations? We just
signed up for "Lifeline" long distance service and signed over the 10%
to Crisis Point. Press on and keep up the good work. Sincerely, Bill
and Kimberly <><
Dear Bob, I think Crisis Point is a great idea. For some time I have
wondered how to use my access to the internet for more eternal bebfit.
I am lloking forward to reading the next email issue of Crisis Point.
I hae also taken the liberty of forwarding it to some of my friends
that have access to the internet. Yours sincerely, Kevin H. <><
Bob, Thanks for your help. It seems the more I learn about SDA's the
more I see the heresies in their teachings. It's unfortunate that some
people will believe anyone who can fit God into their little box and
say this is Him. A cult will say just enough to make a person believe
then change the requirement for salvation to include their teachings,
usually from their own leader, with strings attached. I'm not saying
the SDA's are a cult but their teachings on the OT are beginning to
look cultic. Anyway, thanks again for the info this will help. In His
Service, JR
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Westminster Shorter Catechism Q & A
Q.#6 How many persons are there in the Godhead?
A. There are 3 persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Ghost; and these 3 are 1 God, the same in substance, equal in
power and glory. (Matt.3: 16,17; 28:19), (2Cor.13:14), (1Pet.1:2),
(Ps.45:6), (John1:1; 17:5), (Acts5:3), (Rom.9:5), (Col.2:9), (Jude 24,
25)
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Honorable Mentions to Donations Sincere thanks to all
Bill & Kimberly Harris Fremont, NE
Patricia Jarlenski Bellevue, NE
Pat Glynn Omaha, NE
Anonymous Givings Praise the Lord
(Gal.6:2) Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of
Christ.
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><
Charter Members Generous givings of one hundred dollars or more.
Gaylienne Birks of Omaha, Nebraska
Lynn Goodrich of Woodbine, Iowa.
Larry Durham of Millington, Tennessee
Dick And Betty Fischer of Omaha, Nebraska
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Sponsor The Crisis Point Newsletter
$150 for up to one paragraph or 10 lines. One line equals 70
characters including spaces, includes 1 month or 2 issues of print and
email version. The print version will be a display ad 2" x 2" blocked.
Sponsorship acknowledgements can be at the beginning or the end of the
Newsletter, your choice. Intereted parties contact:
editor@crisispoint.com
<+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><
Advertise in Crisis Point
Reach 1000's of Christians all over the world!
3 line ad $36/week 4 line ad $48/week 5 line ad $60/week
A line consists of 70 characters including spaces. Additional lines
just $8 each. (Maximum 10 lines.)
To Order: You can send your ad copy via email or postal mail. Send
check or money order via postal mail to: Crisis Point P.O.Box 24073
Omaha, NE 68124 editor@crisispoint.com
Purchase 3 weeks and we'll run your ad a 4th week for FREE!
Note: To keep the newsletter content oriented, we limit the number of
ads that appear in each issue. Ads will be placed on a "first come -
First serve" basis. We confirm all ads upon receipt of payment and
notify you of the run dates.
We reserve the right to refuse any ad for any reason.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email us directly at:
editor@crisispoint.com, or call us at: 402-558-5154.
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Notes From The Editor's Desk:
We are in the process of getting our 501 c forms for non-profit
organizations status. Your donations will be tax deductible!
We have postponed our website for awhile. We feel that there are other
priorities that take precedence. As soon as our non-profit status is
confirmed, we will then apply for postal bulk mail rates. What this
means is that, it will change the cost of postage from $.55 to as low
as $.13 per mailing. A HUGH savings! <>< + ><>
"Daily Devotion" or a "Daily Bible Verse" sent to you daily by email.
Start your day off with an inspirational message from Crisis Point.
It will be in your email box when you wake up! Send email to:
editor@crisispoint.com with either "Daily Devotion" or "Daily Bible
Verse" as the subject. When you wake up the next day, check your
email..voila! <>< + ><>
START YOUR OWN EMAIL NEWSLETTER! You don't even need to own a
computer! Have you got a hobby or interest that other people enjoy? Do
you have a talent that other people could benefit from with your
monthly, bi-monthly, or weekly tips and ideas?
We will handle everything! All I need from you is the content. Let us
use cooking as an example. Each issue you would send to Crisis Point
by email or postal mail (email or disk preferred) a copy of your
newsletter, packed full with your cooking hints, recipes, etc.
We would post your "FREE NEWSLETTER" ad all over the World Wide Web to
obtain subscribers. The list that grows (and it grows fast!) is yours.
Crisis Point will not use your mailing list.
WE will handle all "subscribes" and "unsubscribes". You will also
receive reports on the status of your subscriber list or lists on a
regular basis.
We'll reveal to you know all of the electronic tips and ideas we have
learned to make a newsletter a success. You won't believe how easy it
is!
Just think, an email newsletter of your very own! For more
information, email to: editor@crisispoint.com with "My own Newsletter"
in the subject. <>< + ><>
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Subscribe and Unsubscribe instructions to Crisis Point Newsletter:
To subscribe, send any message to: crisispoint-on@mail-list.com
To unsubscribe, send any message to: crisispoint-off@mail-list.com
There will be more commands in the next issue such as: vacation, and
change of address.
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Send Crisis Point to a friend or someone who you are ministering to,
or someone you want to minister to.
Thanks for reading Crisis Point!
Go ye, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you.
(Matt.28:19,20) <>< + ><> Crisis Point (C) 1998 Crisis Point
Publishing
Bob Jackson Editor <>< editor@crisispoint.com
****************************************** ><>CRISIS POINT<>< A Hard
Hitting, Thoroughly Scriptural, Reformed Point of View. ><>FREE
NEWSLETTER<>< For free auto-info, send any message to:
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