÷Summary of Christian Doctrine

by Louis Berkhof

Table of Contents:

Part I: Introduction:

Chapter 1: Religion

Chapter 2: Revelation

Chapter 3: Scripture

Part II: The Doctrine of God and Creation

Chapter 4: The Essential Nature of God

Chapter 5: The Names of God

Chapter 6: The Attributes of God

Chapter 7: The Trinity

Chapter 8: The Divine Decrees

Chapter 9: Creation

Chapter 10: Providence

Part III: The Doctrine of Man in Relation to God

Chapter 11: Man in His Original State

Chapter 12: Man in the State of Sin

Chapter 13: Man in the Covenant of Grace

Part IV: The Doctrine of the Person and Work of Christ

Chapter 14: The Names and Nature of Christ

Chapter 15: The States of Christ

Chapter 16: The Offices of Christ

Chapter 17: The Atonement Through Christ

Part V: The Application of the Work of Redemption

Chapter 18: The Common Operation of the Holy Spirit: Common Grace

Chapter 19: Calling and Regeneration

Chapter 20: Conversion: Repentance and Faith

Chapter 21: Justification

Chapter 22: Sanctification and Perseverance

÷Summary of Christian Doctrine

Part 1: Introduction

Chapter I: Religion

1. The Nature of Religion The Bible informs us that man was created in the image of God. When he fell in sin, he did not entirely cease to be the image-bearer of the Most High. The seed of religion is still present in all men, though their sinful nature constantly reacts against it. Missionaries testify to the presence of religion in some form or other among all the nations and tribes of the earth. It is one of the greatest blessings of mankind, though many denounce it as a curse. Not only does it touch the deepest springs of man's life, but it also controls his thoughts and feelings and desires.

But just what is religion? It is only by the study of the Word of God that we can learn to know the nature of true religion. The word 'religion' is derived from the Latin and not from any word that is found in the original Hebrew or Greek of the Bible. It is found only four times in our translation of the Bible, Gal 1:18, Gal 1:14; Jam 1:26, Jam 1:27. The Old Testament defines religion as the fear of the Lord. This fear is not a feeling of dread, but of reverent regard for God akin to awe, but coupled with love and confidence. It is the response of the Old Testament believers to the revelation of the law. In the New Testament religion is a response to the gospel rather than to the law, and assumes the form of faith and godliness.

In the light of Scripture we learn to understand that religion is a relation in which man stands to God, a relation in which man is conscious of the absolute majesty and infinite power of God and of his own utter insignificance and absolute helplessness. It may be defined as a conscious and voluntary relationship to God, which expresses itself in grateful worship and loving service. The manner of this religious worship and service is not left to the arbitrary will of man, but is determined by God.

2. The Seat of Religion. There are several wrong views respecting the seat of religion in man. Some think of religion primarily as a sort of knowledge, and locate it in the intellect. Others regard it as a kind of immediate feeling of God, and find its seat in the feelings. And still others hold that it consists most of all in moral activity, and refer it to the will. However, all these views are one-sided and contrary to Scripture, which teaches us that religion is a matter of the heart. In Scripture psychology the heart is the central organ of the soul. Out of it are all the issues of life, thoughts, feelings, and desires, Pro 4:28. Religion involves the whole man, his intellectual, his emotional, and his moral life. This is the only view that does justice to the nature of religion.

3. The Origin of Religion. Particular attention was devoted during the last fifty years to the problem of the origin of religion. Repeated attempts were made to give a natural explanation of it, but without success. Some spoke of it as an invention of cunning and deceptive priests, who regarded it as an easy source of revenue; but this explanation is entirely discredited now. Others held that it began with the worship of lifeless objects (fetishes), or with the worship of spirits, possibly the spirits of forefathers. But this is no explanation, since the question remains, How did people ever hit upon the idea of worshiping lifeless or living objects? Still others were of the opinion that religion originated in nature-worship, that is, the worship of the marvels and powers of nature, or in the widespread practice of magic. But these theories do not explain any more than the others how non-religious man ever became religious. They all start out with a man who is already religious.

The Bible gives the only reliable account of the origin of religion. It informs us of the existence of God, the only object worthy of religious worship. Moreover, it comes to us with the assurance that God, whom man could never discover with his natural powers, revealed Himself in nature and, more especially, in His divine Word, demands the worship and service of man, and also determines the worship and service that is well-pleasing to Him. And, finally, it teaches us that God created man in His own image, and thus endowed him with a capacity to understand, and to respond to, this revelation, and engendered in him a natural urge to seek communion with God and to glorify Him.

To memorize. Scripture passages bearing on:

a. The Nature of Religion:

Deu 10:12, Deu 10:18. "And now, Israel, what doth Jehovah thy God require of thee, but to fear Jehovah thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve Jehovah thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of Jehovah, and His statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good."

Psa 111:10. "The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all they that do His commandments: His praise endureth for ever."

Ecc 12:13. "Fear God and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man."

Joh 6:29. "This is the work of 'God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent."

Act 16:31. "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house."

b. The Seat of Religion.

Psa 61:10. "Create in me a clean heart, 0 God; and renew a right spirit within me." Also vs. 17. "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, 0 God, thou wilt not despise."

Pro 4:28. "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."

Mat 6:8. "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."

c. The Origin of Religion.

Gen 1:27. "And God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him."

Deu 4:18. "And He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even the ten commandments."

Eze 37:26. "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh."

For Further Study of Scripture:

a. What elements of true religion are indicated in the following passages: Deu 10:12; Ecc 12:13; Hos 6:6; Mic 6:8; Mar 12:33; Joh 3:36; Joh 6:29; Act 6:31; Rom 12:1; Rom 13:10; Jam 1:27.

b. What forms of false religion are indicated in the following passages: Psa 78:35, Psa 78:36; Isa 1:11-17; Isa 58:1-5; Eze 33:31, Eze 33:32; Mat 6:2, Mat 6:5; Mat 7:21, Mat 7:26, Mat 7:27; Mat 23:14; Luk 6:2; Luk 13:14; Gal 4:10; Col 2:20; 2Ti 3:5; Tit 1:16; Jam 2:15, Jam 2:16; Jam 3:10.

c. Name six instances of true religion. Gen 4:4-8; Gen 12:1-8; Gen 15:17; Gen 18:22-33; Exo 3:2-22; Deu 32:33; 2Ki 18:3-7; 2Ki 19:14-19; Dan 6:4-22; Luk 2:25-35; Luk 2:36, Luk 2:37; Luk 7:1-10; 2Ti 1:5.

Questions for Review

1. Is religion limited to certain tribes and nations?

2 .How can we learn to know the real nature of true religion?

3. What terms are used in the Old and New Testament to describe religion?

4. How would you define religion?

5. What mistaken notions are there as to the seat of religion in man?

6. What is the center of the religions life according to Scripture?

7. What different explanations have been given of the origin of religion?

8. What is the only satisfactory explanation?

÷Summary of Christian Doctrine

Part 1: Introduction

Chapter II: Revelation

1. Revelation in General. The discussion of religion naturally leads on to that of revelation as its origin. If God had not revealed Himself, religion would have been impossible. Man could not possibly have had any knowledge of God, if God had not made Himself known. Left to himself, he would never have discovered God. We distinguish between God's revelation in nature and His revelation in Scripture.

Atheists and Agnostics, of course, do not believe in revelation. Pantheists sometimes speak of it, though there is really no place for it in their system of thought. And Deists admit the revelation of God in nature, but deny the necessity, the reality, and even the possibility of any special revelation such as we have in Scripture. We believe in both general and special revelation.

2. General Revelation. The general revelation of God is prior to His special revelation in point of time. It does not come to man in the form of verbal communications, but in the facts, the forces, and the laws of nature, in the constitution and operation of the human mind, and in the facts of experience and history. The Bible refers to it in such passages as Psa 19:1, Psa 19:2; Rom 1:19, Rom 1:20; Rom 2:14, Rom 2:15.

a. Insufficiency of general revelation. While Pelagians, Rationalists, and Deists regard this revelation as adequate for our present needs, Roman Catholics and Protestants are agreed that it is not sufficient. It was obscured by the blight of sin resting on God's beautiful creation. The handwriting of the Creator was not entirely erased, but became hazy and indistinct. It does not now convey any fully reliable knowledge of God and spiritual things, and therefore does not furnish us a trustworthy foundation on which we can build for our eternal future. The present religious confusion of those who would base their religion on a purely natural basis clearly proves its insufficiency. It does not even afford an adequate basis for religion in general, much less for true religion. Even gentile nations appeal to some supposed special revelation. And, finally, it utterly fails to meet the spiritual needs of sinners. While it conveys some knowledge of the goodness, the wisdom, and the power of God, it conveys no knowledge whatever of Christ as the only way of salvation.

b. Value of general revelation. This does not mean, however, that general revelation has no value at all. It accounts for the true elements that are still found in heathen religions. Due to this revelation gentiles feel themselves to be the offspring of God, Act 17:28, seek after God if haply they might find Him, Act 17:27, see in nature God's everlasting power and divinity, Rom 1:19, Rom 1:20, and do by nature the things of the law, Rom 2:14. Though they live in the darkness of sin and ignorance, and pervert the truth of God, they still share in the illumination of the Word, Joh 1:9, and in the general operations of the Holy Spirit, Gen 6:3. Moreover, the general revelation of God also forms the background for His special revelation. The latter could not be fully understood without the former. Science and history do not fail to illumine the pages of the Bible.

3. Special Revelation. In addition to the revelation of God in nature we have His special revelation which is now embodied in Scripture. The Bible is preeminently the book of God's special revelation, a revelation in which facts and words go hand in hand, the words interpreting the facts and the facts giving substance to the words.

a. Necessity of special revelation. This special revelation became necessary through the entrance of sin into the world. God's handwriting in nature was obscured and corrupted, and man was stricken with spiritual blindness, became subject to error and unbelief, and now in his blindness and perverseness fails to read aright even the remaining traces of the original revelation, and is unable to understand any further revelation of God. Therefore it became necessary that God should re-interpret the truths of nature, should provide a new revelation of redemption, and should illumine the mind of man and redeem it from the power of error.

b. Means of special revelation. In giving His special or supernatural revelation God used different kinds of means, such as (1) Theophanies or visible manifestations of God. He revealed His presence in fire and clouds of smoke, Exo 8:2; Exo 33:9: Psa 78:14; Psa 99:7; in stormy winds, Job 38:1; Ps .18:10-16, and in a "still small voice," 1Ki 19:12. These were all tokens of His presence, revealing something of His glory. Among the Old Testament appearances those of the Angel of Jehovah, the second Person of the Trinity, occupied a prominent place, Gen 16:13; Gen 31:11; Exo 23:20-23; Mal 3:1. The highest point of the personal appearance of God among men was reached in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. In Him the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us, Joh 1:14. (2) Direct communications. Sometimes God spoke to men in an audible voice, as He did to Moses and the children of Israel, Deu 5:4, and sometimes He suggested His messages to the prophets by an internal operation of the Holy Spirit, 1Pe 1:11. Moreover, He revealed Himself in dreams and visions, and by means of Urim and Thummim, Num 12:6; Num 27:21; Isa. 6. And in the New Testament Christ appears as the great Teacher sent from God to reveal the Father's will; and through His Spirit the apostles become the organs of further revelations, Joh 14:26; 1Co 2:12, 1Co 2:13; 1Th 2:13. (3) Miracles. The miracles of the Bible should never be regarded as mere marvels which fill men with amazement, but as essential parts of God's special revelation. They are manifestations of the special power of God, tokens of His special presence, and often serve to symbolize spiritual truths. They are signs of the coming Kingdom of God and of the redemptive power of God. The greatest miracle of all is the coming of the Son of God in the flesh. In Him the whole creation of God is being restored and brought back to its original beauty, 1Ti 3:16; Rev 21:5.

c. The character of special revelation. This special revelation of God is a revelation of redemption. It reveals the plan of God for the redemption of sinners and of the world, and the way in which this plan is realized. It is instrumental in renewing man; it illumines his mind and inclines his will to that which is good; it fills him with holy affections, and prepares him for his heavenly home. Not only does it bring us a message of redemption; it also acquaints us with redemptive facts. It not only enriches us with knowledge, but also transforms lives by changing sinners into saints. This revelation is clearly progressive. The great truths of redemption appear but dimly at first, but gradually increase in clearness, and finally stand out in the New Testament in all their fullness and beauty.

To memorize. Scripture passages bearing on:

a. General Revelation:

Psa 8:1. "0 Jehovah, our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth."

Psa 19:1, Psa 19:2. "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth wisdom."

Rom 1:20. "For the invisible things of Him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even His everlasting power and divinity."

Rom 2:14, 15. "For when Gentiles that have not the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are a law unto themselves; in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their consciences bearing witness therewith, and their thoughts one with another accusing or else excusing them."

Num 12:6-8. "And He said, Hear now my words: if there be a prophet among you, I Jehovah will make myself known unto him in a vision, I will speak with him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so; he is faithful in all my house: with him will I speak mouth to mouth."

Heb 1:1. "God having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners, hath in the end of these days spoken unto us in His Son."

2Pe 1:21. "For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit."

For Further Study:

a. Mention some of the appearances of the Angel of Jehovah. Can he have been a mere angel? Gen 16:13; Gen 31:11, 13; 32:28; Exo 23:20-23.

b. Name some examples of revelation by dreams. Gen 28:10-17; Gen 31:24; Gen 41:2-7; Jdg 7:13; 1Ki 8:5-9; Dan 2:1-3; Mat 2:13, Mat 2:19, Mat 2:20.

c. Mention some cases in which God revealed Himself in visions. Isa. 6; Ezek. 1-3; Dan 2:19; Dan 7:1-14; Zech. 2-6.

d. Can you infer from the following passages what the miracles recorded reveal? Exo 10:1, Exo 10:2; Deu 8:3; Joh 2:1-11; Joh 6:1-14, Joh 6:25-35; Joh 9:1-7; Joh 11:17-44.

Questions for Review

1. How do general and special revelation differ?

2. Where do we meet with the denial of all revelation of God?

3. What is the position of the Deists as to revelation?

4. What is the nature of general revelation?

5. Why is it insufficient for our special needs, and what value does if have?

6. Why was God's special revelation necessary?

7. What means did God employ in His special revelations?

8. What are the characteristics of special revelation?

÷Summary of Christian Doctrine

Part 1: Introduction

Chapter III: Scripture

1. Revelation and Scripture. The term 'special revelation' may be used in more than one sense. It may denote the direct self-communications of God in verbal messages and in miraculous facts. The prophets and the apostles often received messages from God long before they committed them to writing. These are now contained in Scripture, but do not constitute the whole of the Bible. There is much in it that was not revealed in a supernatural way, but is the result of study and of previous reflection. However, the term may also be used to denote the Bible as a whole, that whole complex of redemptive truths and facts, with the proper historical setting, that is found in Scripture and has the divine guarantee of its truth in the fact that it is infallibly inspired by the Holy Spirit. In view of this fact it may be said that the whole Bible, and the Bible only, is for us God's special revelation. It is in the Bible that God's special revelation lives on and brings even now life, light, and holiness.

2. Scripture Proof for the Inspiration of Scripture. The whole Bible is given by inspiration of God, and is as such the infallible rule of faith and practice for all mankind. Since the doctrine of inspiration is often denied, it calls for special consideration.

This doctrine, like every other, is based on Scripture, and is not an invention of man. While it is founded on a great number of passages, only a few of these can be indicated here. The Old Testament writers are repeatedly instructed to write what the Lord commands them, Ex, 17:14; 34:27; Num 33:2; Isa 8:1; Isa 30:8; Jer 25:13; Jer 30:2; Eze 24:1; Dan 12:4; Hab 2:2. The prophets were conscious of bringing the word of the Lord, and therefore introduced their messages with some such formula as, "Thus saith the Lord," or, "The word of the Lord came unto me," Jer 36:27, Jer 36:32; Ezek., chapters 26, 27, 31, 32, 39. Paul speaks of his words as Spirit-taught words, 1Co 2:13, claims that Christ is speaking in him, 2Co 13:3, and describes his message to the Thessalonians as the word of God, 1Th 2:13. The Epistle to the Hebrews often quotes passages of the Old Testament as words of God or of the Holy Spirit, Heb 1:6; Heb 3:7; Heb 4:3;" 5:6; 7:21. The most important passage to prove the inspiration of Scripture is 2Ti 3:16, which reads as follows in the Authorized Version: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

3. The Nature of Inspiration. There are especially two wrong views of inspiration, representing extremes that should be avoided.

a. Mechanical inspiration. It has sometimes been represented as if God literally dictated what the human authors of the Bible had to write, and as if they were purely passive like a pen in the hand of a writer. This means that their minds did not contribute in any way to the contents or form of their writings. But in view of what we find this can hardly be true. They were real authors, who in some cases gathered their materials from sources at their command, 1Ki 11:41; 1Ki 14:29; 1Ch 29:29; Luk 1:1-4, in other instances recorded their own experiences as, for instance, in many of the psalms, and impressed upon their writings their own particular style. The style of Isaiah differs from that of Jeremiah, and the style of John is not like that of Paul.

b. Dynamic inspiration. Others thought of the process of inspiration as affecting only the writers, and having no direct bearing on their writings. Their mental and spiritual life was strengthened and raised to a higher pitch, so that they saw things more clearly and had a more profound sense of their real spiritual value. This inspiration was not limited to the time when they wrote the books of the Bible, but was a permanent characteristic of the writers and affected their writings only indirectly. It differed only in degree from the spiritual illumination of all believers. This theory certainly does not do justice to the biblical view of inspiration.

c. Organic inspiration. The proper conception of inspiration holds that the Holy Spirit acted on the writers of the Bible in an organic way, in harmony with the laws of their own inner being, using them just as they were, with their character and temperament, their gifts and talents, their education and culture, their vocabulary and style. The Holy Spirit illumined their minds, aided their memory, prompted them to write, repressed the influence of sin on their writings, and guided them in the expression of their thoughts even to the choice of their words. In no small measure He left free scope to their own activity. They could give the results of their own investigations, write of their own experiences, and put the imprint of their own style and language on their books.

4. The Extent of Inspiration. There are differences of opinion also respecting the extent of the inspiration of Scripture.

a. Partial inspiration. Under the influence of Rationalism it has become quite common to deny the inspiration of the Bible altogether, or to hold that only parts of it are inspired. Some deny the inspiration of the Old Testament, while admitting that of the New. Others affirm that the moral and religious teachings of Scripture are inspired, but that its historical parts contain several chronological, archaeological, and scientific mistakes. Still others limit the inspiration to the Sermon on the Mount. They who adopt such views have already lost their Bible, for the very differences of opinion are proof positive that no one can determine with any degree of certainty which parts of Scripture are, and which are not inspired. There is still another way in which the inspiration of Scripture is limited, namely, by assuming that the thoughts were inspired, while the choice of the words was left entirely to the wisdom of the human authors. But this proceeds on the very doubtful assumption that the thoughts can be separated from the words, while, as a matter of fact, accurate thought without words is impossible.

b. Plenary inspiration. According to Scripture every part of the Bible is inspired. Jesus and the apostles frequently appeal to the Old Testament books as 'scripture' or 'the Scriptures' to settle a point in controversy. To their minds such an appeal was equivalent to an appeal to God. It should be noted that of the books to which they appeal in this fashion, some are historical. The Epistle to the Hebrews repeatedly cites passages from the Old Testament as words of God or of the Holy Spirit (cf. p. 18). Peter places the letters of Paul on a level with the writings of the Old Testament, 2Pe 3:16, and Paul speaks of all Scripture as inspired, 2Ti 3:16.

We may safely go a step farther and say that the inspiration of the Bible extends to the very words employed. The Bible is verbally inspired, which is not equivalent to saying that it is mechanically inspired. The doctrine of verbal inspiration is fully warranted by Scripture. In many cases we are explicitly told that the Lord told Moses and Joshua exactly what to write, Lev. 3 and 4; 6:1, 24; 7:22, 28; Jos 1:1; Jos 4:1; Jos 6:2, and so on. The prophets speak of Jehovah as putting His words into their mouths, Jer 1:9, and as directing them to speak His words to the people, Eze 3:4, Eze 3:10, Eze 3:11. Paul designates his words as Spirit taught words, 1Co 2:13, and both he and Jesus base an argument on a single word, Mat 22:43-45; Joh 10:35; Gal 3:16.

5. The Perfections of Scripture. The Reformers developed the doctrine of Scripture as over against the Roman Catholics and some of the Protestant sects. While Rome taught that the Bible owes its authority to the Church, they maintained that it has authority in itself as the inspired Word of God. They also upheld the necessity of Scripture as the divinely appointed means of grace over against the Roman Catholics, who asserted that the Church had no absolute need of it, and some of the Protestant sects, who exalted the "inner light," or the word of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of the people of God, at the expense of Scripture. In opposition to Rome they further defended the clearness of the Bible. They did not deny that it contains mysteries too deep for human understanding, but simply contended that the knowledge necessary unto salvation, though not equally clear on every page of the Bible, is yet conveyed in a manner so simple that anyone earnestly seeking salvation can easily gather this knowledge for himself, and need not depend on the interpretation of the Church or the priesthood. Finally, they also defended the sufficiency of Scripture, and thereby denied the need of the tradition of the Roman Catholics and of the inner light of the Anabaptists.

To memorize. Passages bearing on:

a. The inspiration of Scripture:

1Co 2:13. "Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; combining spiritual things with spiritual words."

1Th 2:13. "And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when ye received from us the word of the message, even the word of God, ye accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God."

2Ti 3:16. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

b. The authority of the Bible:

Isa 8:20. "To the lay and to the testimony! if they speak not according to this word, surely there is no morning for them."

c. The necessity of the Bible:

2Ti 3:15. "And that from a babe thou has known the sacred writings, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."

d. The clearness of Scripture:

Psa 19:7b. "The testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple."

Psa 119:105. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Also verse 130. "The opening of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple."

e. The Sufficiency of Scripture:

Cf. the passages under c. above.

For Further Study:

a. Do the traditions of men have authority? Mat 5:21-48; Mat 15:3-6; Mar 7:7; Col 2:8; Tit 1:14; 2Pe 1:18.

b. Did the prophets themselves always fully understand what they wrote? Dan 8:16; Dan 12:8; Zech. 1:7 -- 6:11; 1Pe 1:11.

c. Does 2Ti 3:16 teach us anything respecting the practical value of the inspiration of Scripture? If so, what?

Questions for Review

1. What is the relation between special revelation and Scripture?

2. What different meanings has the term 'special revelation'?

3. Can we say that special revelation and Scripture are identical?

4. What Scripture proof can you give for the inspiration of the Bible.?

5. What are thee theories of mechanical and dynamical inspiration?

6. How would you describe the doctrine of organic inspiration?

7. What about the theory that the thoughts are inspired but not the words?

8. How would you prove that inspiration extends to every part of Scripture, and even to the very words?

9. How do Rome and the Reformers differ on the authority, the necessity, the clearness, and the sufficiency of Scripture?

÷Summary of Christian Doctrine

Part II: The Doctrine of God and Creation

Chapter IV: The Essential Nature of God

1. The Knowledge of God. The possibility of knowing God has been denied on several grounds. But while it is true that man can never fully comprehend God, it does not follow that he can have no knowledge of Him at all. He can know Him only in part, but nevertheless with a knowledge which is real and true. This is possible because God has revealed Himself. Left to his own resources, man would never have been able to discover nor to know Him.

Our knowledge of God is twofold. Man has an inborn knowledge of God. This does not merely mean that, in virtue of his creation in the image of God, he has a natural capacity to know God. Neither does it imply that man at birth brings a certain knowledge of God with him into the world. It simply means that under normal conditions a certain knowledge of God naturally develops in man. This knowledge is, of course, of a very general nature.

But in addition to this inborn knowledge of God man also acquires knowledge of Him by learning from God's general and special revelation. This is not obtained without efforts on man's part, but is the result of his conscious and sustained pursuit of knowledge. While this knowledge is possible only because man is born with the capacity to know God, it carries him far beyond the limits of the inborn knowledge of God.

2. The Knowledge of God as Known from Special Revelation. While it is not possible to define God, it is possible to give a general description of His being. It is perhaps best to describe Him as a pure Spirit of infinite perfections. The description involves the following elements:

a. God is a pure Spirit. The Bible contains no definition of God. The nearest approach to it is found in the words of Jesus to the Samaritan woman, "God is spirit." This means that He is essentially spirit, and that all the qualities which belong to the perfect idea of spirit are necessarily found in Him. The fact that He is pure spirit excludes the idea that He has a body of some kind and is in any way visible to the physical eye.

b. God is personal. The fact that God is spirit also involves His personality. A spirit is an intelligent and moral being, and when we ascribe personality to God, we mean exactly that He is a reasonable Being, capable of determining the course of His life. At present many deny the personality of God and simply conceive of Him as an impersonal force or power. However, the God of the Bible is certainly a personal God, a God with whom men can converse, whom they can trust, who enters into their experiences, who helps them in their difficulties, and who fills their hearts with joy and gladness. Moreover, He revealed Himself in a personal form in Jesus Christ.

c. God is infinitely perfect. God is distinguished from all His creatures by infinite perfection. His being and virtues are free from all limitations and imperfections. He is not only boundless and limitless, but also stands out above all His creatures in moral perfection and in glorious majesty. The children of Israel sang of the greatness of God after they passed through the Red Sea: "Who is like unto Thee, 0 Jehovah, among the gods? Who is like Thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?" Exo 15:11. Some philosophers of the present day speak of God as "finite, developing, struggling, suffering, sharing with man his defeats and victory."

d. God and His perfections are one. Simplicity is one of the fundamental characteristics of God. This means that He is not composed of different parts, and also that His being and attributes are one. It may be said that God's perfections are God Himself as He has revealed Himself to man. They are simply so many manifestations of the divine Being. Hence the Bible says that God is truth, life, light, love, righteousness, and so on.

To memorize. Passages proving:

a. That God can be known:

I Joh 5:20. "And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ."

Joh 17:3. "And this is life eternal, that they should know thee, the only true God, and Him whom thou didst send, even Jesus Christ."

b. That God is n Spirit:

Joh 4:24. "God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth."

1Ti 6:16. "Who only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man hath seen, nor can see."

c. That God is personal:

Mal 2:10. "Have we not all one father? Hath not one God created us?"

Joh 14:9b. "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; how sayest thou, Show us the Father?"

d. That God is infinite in perfection:

Exo 15:11. "Who is like unto Thee, 0 Jehovah, among the gods? Who is like Thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?"

Psa 147:5. "Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite."

For Further Study:

a. Do not the following passages teach that we cannot know God? Job 11:7; Job 26:14; Job 36:26.

b. If God is a spirit and has no body, how do you explain the following passages? Psa 4:6; Psa 17:2; Psa 18:6, Psa 18:8, Psa 18:9; Psa 31:5; Psa 44:3; Psa 47:8; Psa 48:10, and many others.

c. How do the following passages testify to the personality of God? Gen 1:1; Deu 1:34, Deu 1:35,; 1Ki 8:23-26; Job 38:1; Psa 21:7; Psa 50:6; Psa 103:3-5; Mat 5:9; Rom 12:1.

Questions for Review

1. In what sense is God knowable and in what sense unknowable?

2. What is the difference between inborn and acquired knowledge of God?

3. Is it possible to define God? How would you describe Him?

4. What is involved in God's spirituality?

5. What do we mean when we speak of God as a personality?

6. What proof have WE for the personality of God?

7. What do we mean when we speak of the infinity of God?

8. How are the being of God and His perfections related?

÷Summary of Christian Doctrine

Part II: The Doctrine of God and Creation

Chapter V: The Names of God

When God gives names to persons or things, they are names which have meaning and give an insight into the nature of the persons or things designated. This also applies to the names which God has given Himself. Sometimes the Bible speaks of the name of God in the singular, and in such cases the term is a designation of the manifestation of God in general, especially in relation to His people, Exo 20:7; Psa 113:3; or simply stands for God Himself, Pro 18:10; Isa 50:10. The one general name of God is split up into several special names, which are expressive of His many-sided being. These names are not of human invention, but are given by God Himself.

1. The Old Testament Names of God. Some of the Old Testament names denote that God is the High and Exalted One. 'El and 'Elohim indicate that He is strong and mighty and should therefore be feared, while 'Elyon points to His exalted nature as the Most High, the object of reverence and worship. Another name belonging to this class is 'Adonai, usually rendered "Lord," the Possessor and Ruler of all men. Other names express the fact that God enters into relations of friendship with His creatures. One of these, common among the patriarchs, was the name Shaddai or 'El-Shaddai, which indeed stresses the divine greatness, but as a source of comfort and blessing for His people. It indicates that God controls the powers of nature, and makes them serve His purposes. The greatest name of God, however, always held sacred by the Jews, is the name Jehovah (Yahweh). Its origin and meaning is indicated in Exo 3:14, Exo 3:15. It expresses the fact that God is always the same, and especially that He is unchangeable in His covenant relationship, and is always faithful in the fulfilment of His promises. It frequently assumes a fuller form in "Jehovah of Hosts." This calls up the picture of Jehovah as the King of Glory surrounded by angelic hosts.

2. The New Testament Names of God. The New Testament names are simply the Greek forms of those found in the Old Testament. The following deserve particular attention:

a. The name Theos. This is simply the word for 'God,' and is the most common name employed in the New Testament. It is frequently found with a possessive genitive as 'my God,' 'thy God,' 'our God,' 'your God.' In Christ God is the God of each one of His children. The individual form takes the place of the national form, 'the God of Israel,' so common in the Old Testament.

b. The name Kurios. This is the word for 'Lord,' a name that is applied not only to God but also to Christ. It takes the place of both 'Adonai and Jehovah, though its meaning corresponds more particularly with that of 'Adonai. It designates God as the Possessor and Ruler of all things, and especially of His people.

c. The name Pater. It is often said that the New Testament introduced this as a new name. But this is hardly correct, for the name 'Father' is also found in the Old Testament to express the special relation in which God stands to Israel, Deu 32:6; Isa 63:16. In the New Testament it is more individual in that it points to God as the Father of all believers. Sometimes it designates God as the creator of all, 1Co 8:6; Eph 3:14; Heb 12:9; Jam 1:17, and sometimes the first Person of the Trinity as the Father of Christ, Joh 14:11; Joh 17:1.

To memorize. Passages bearing on:

a. The name of God in general:

Exo 20:7. "Thou shalt not take the name of Jehovah thy God in vain; for Jehovah will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain."

Psa 8:1. "0 Jehovah, our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth!"

b. Particular names:

Gen 1:1. "In the beginning God ('Elohim) created the heavens and the earth."

Exo 6:3. "And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, as God Almighty ('El Shaddai); but by my name Jehovah I was not known unto them."

Psa 86:8. "There is none like Thee among the gods, 0 Lord ('Adonai); neither are there any works like unto Thy works."

Mal 3:6. "For I, Jehovah, change not; therefore ye, 0 sons of Jacob, are not consumed."

Mat 6:9. "Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy name."

Rev 4:8. "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord (Kurios) God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come."

For Further Study:

a. What light does Exo 8:13-16 shed on the meaning of the name Jehovah?

b. What name of God was rather common in the times of the patriarchs? Gen 17:1; Gen 28:3; Gen 35:11; Gen 43:14; Gen 48:38; Gen 49:25; Exo 6:3.

c. Can you give some descriptive names of God? Isa 48:3, Isa 48:15; Isa 44:6; Amo 4:13; Luk 1:78; 2Co 1:3; 2Co 11:31; Jos 1:17; Heb 12:9; Rev 1:8, Rev 1:17.

Questions for Review

1. What does Scripture mean when it speaks of the name of God in the singular?

2. Are the special names of God of human origin?

3. What two kinds of names do we distinguish in the Old Testament?

4. What is the meaning of the names 'Elohim, Jehovah, 'Adonai, 'El Shaddai, and Kurios? 5. Is the name Father ever applied to God in the Old Testament? 6. In what different senses is this name used in the New Testaments?

÷Summary of Christian Doctrine

Part II: The Doctrine of God and Creation

Chapter VI: The Attributes of God

God reveals Himself not only in His names, but also in His attributes, that is, in the perfections of the divine Being. It is customary to distinguish between incommunicable and communicable attributes. Of the former there are no traces in the creature; of the latter there are.

1. The Incommunicable Attributes. These emphasize the absolute distinction between God and the creature, and include the following:

a. The independence or self-existence of God. This means that God has the ground of His existence in Himself, and unlike man, does not depend on anything outside of Himself. He is independent in His Being, in His virtues and actions, and causes all His creatures to depend on Him. The idea is embodied in the name Jehovah and finds expression in the following passages, Psa 33:11; Psa 115:3; Isa 40:18 ff.; Dan 4:35; Joh 5:26; Rom 11:33-36; Act 17:25; Rev 4:11.

b. The immutability of God. Scripture teaches that God is unchangeable. He is forever the same in His divine Being and perfections, and also in His purposes and promises, Num 23:19; Pa 33:11; 102:27; Mal 3:6; Heb 6:17; Jam 1:17. This does not mean, however, that there is no movement in God. The Bible speaks of Him as coming and going, hiding and revealing Himself. He is also said to repent, but this is evidently only a human way of speaking of God, Exo 32:14; Jon 3:10, and really indicates a change in man's relation to God.

c. The infinity of God. This means that God is not subject. to limitations. We can speak of His infinity in more than one sense. Viewed in relation to His being, it may be called His absolute perfection. He is unlimited in His knowledge and wisdom, in His goodness and love, in His righteousness and holiness, Job 11:7-10; Psa 145:3. Seen in relation to time, it is called His eternity. While this is usually represented in Scripture as endless duration, Psa 90:2; Psa 102:12, it really means that He is above time and therefore not subject to its limitations. For Him there is only an eternal present, and no past or future. Viewed with reference to space, it is called His immensity. He is everywhere present, dwells in all His creatures, filling every point of space, but is in no way bounded by space, 1Ki 8:27; Psa 139:7-10; Isa. 66;1; Jer 23:23, Jer 23:24; Act 17:27, Act 17:28.

d. The simplicity of God. By ascribing simplicity to God we mean that He is not composed of various parts, such as the body and soul in man, and for that very reason is not subject to division. The three persons in the Godhead are not so many parts of which the divine essence is composed. The whole being of God belongs to each one of the Persons. Hence we can also say that God and His attributes are one, and that He is life, light, love, righteousness, truth, and so on.

2. The Communicable Attributes. These are the attributes of which we find some resemblance in man. It should be borne in mind, however, that what we see in man is only a finite (limited) and imperfect likeness of that which is infinite (unlimited) and perfect in God. Here we have:

a. The knowledge of God. This is that perfection of God whereby He, in a manner all His own, knows Himself and all things possible and actual. God has this knowledge in Himself, and does not obtain it from without. It is always complete and always present in His mind. And because it is all-comprehensive, it is called omniscience. He knows all things, past, present and future, and not only the things that have real existence, but also those which are merely possible. 1Ki 8:29; Psa 139:1-16; Isa 46:10; Eze 11:5; Act 15:18; Joh 21:17; Heb 4:13.

b. The wisdom of God. God's wisdom is an aspect of His knowledge. It is the virtue of God which manifest itself in the selection of worthy ends and in the choice of the best means for the realization of those ends. The final end to which He makes all things subservient is His own glory. Rom 11:33; 1Co 2:7; Eph 1:6, Eph 1:12, Eph 1:14; Col 1:16.

c. The goodness of God. God is good, that is, perfectly holy. in Himself. But this is not the goodness we have in mind here. In this connection we refer to the divine goodness that reveals itself in doing well unto others. It is that perfection which prompts Him to deal kindly and bounteously with all His creatures The Bible refers to it repeatedly, Psa 36:6; Psa 104:21; Psa 145:8, Psa 145:9, Psa 145:16; Mat 5:45; Act 14:17.

d. The love of God. This is often called the most central attribute of God, but it is doubtful whether it should be regarded as more central than the other perfections of God. In virtue of it He delights in His own perfections and in man as the reflection of His image. It may be considered from various points of view. The unmerited love of God which reveals itself in pardoning sin is called His grace, Eph 1:6, Eph 1:7; Eph 2:7-9; Tit 2:11. That love relieving the misery of those who are bearing the consequences of sin is known as His mercy or tender compassion, Luk 1:64, Luk 1:72, Luk 1:78; Rom 15:9; Rom 9:16, Rom 9:18; Eph 2:4. And when it bears with the sinner who does not heed the instructions and warnings of God it is named His longsuffering or forbearance, Rom 2:4; Rom 9:22; 1Pe 3:20; 2Pe 3:16.

e. The holiness of God. God's holiness is first of all that divine perfection by which He is absolutely distinct from all His creatures, and exalted above them in infinite majesty. Exo 15:11; Isa 57:15. But it denotes in the second place that He is free from all moral impurity or sin, and is therefore morally perfect. In the presence of the holy God man is deeply conscious of his sin, Job 34:10; Isa 6:5; Hab 1:13.

f. The righteousness of God. The righteousness of God is that perfection by which He maintains Himself as the Holy One over against every violation of His holiness. In virtue of it He maintains a moral government in the world and imposes a just law on man, rewarding obedience and punishing disobedience, Psa 99:4; Isa 33:22; Rom, 1:32. The justice of God which manifests itself in the giving of rewards is called His remunerative justice; and that which reveals itself in meting out punishment is known as His retributive justice. The former is really an expression of His love, and the latter of His wrath.

g. The veracity of God. This is that perfection of God in virtue of which He is true in His inner being, in His revelation, and in His relation to His people. He is the true God over against the idols, knows things as they really are, and is faithful in the fulfillment of His promises. From the last point of view this attribute is also called God's faithfulness. Num 23:19; 1Co 1:9; 2Ti 2:13; Heb 10:23.

h. The sovereignty of God. This may be considered from two different points of view, namely, His sovereign will, and His sovereign power. The will of God is represented in Scripture as the final cause of all things, Eph 4:11; Rev 4:11. On the basis of Deu 29:29 it is customary to distinguish between the secret and the revealed will of God. The former is the will of God's decree, which is hidden in God and can be known only from its effects, and the latter is the will of His precept, which is revealed in the law and in the gospel. God's will respecting His creatures is absolutely free, Job 11:10; Job 33:13; Psa 115:3; Pro 21:1; Mat 20:15; Rom 9:15-18; Rev 4:11. The sinful deeds of man are also under the control of His sovereign will, Gen 50:20; Act 2:23. The power to execute His will is called his omnipotence. That God is omnipotent does not mean that He can do everything. The Bible teaches us that there are some things which God cannot do. He cannot lie, sin, deny Himself, Num 23:19; 1Sa 15:29; 2Ti 2:13; Heb 6:18; Jam 1:13, Jam 1:17. It does mean that He can, by the mere exercise of Hie will, bring to pass whatsoever He has decided to accomplish, and that, if He so desired, He could do even more than that, Gen 18:14; Jer 32:27; Zec 8:6; Mat 3:9; Mat 26:53.

To memorize. Passages to prove God's:

a. Incommunicable attributes:

Independence. Joh 5:26. "For as the Father hath life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself.

Immutability. Mal 3:6. "For I, Jehovah, change not; therefore ye, 0 sons of Jacob, are not consumed."

Jam 1:17. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning."

Eternity. Psa 90:2. "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God."

Psa 102:27. "But Thou art the same, and Thy years have no end."

Omnipresence. Psa 139:7-10. "Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in Sheol, behold Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me."

Jer 23:23, Jer 23:24. "Am I a God at hand, saith Jehovah, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places so that I shall not see him' saith Jehovah. Do I not fill heaven and earth? saith Jehovah?"

b. Communicable attributes:

Omniscience. Joh 21:17b. "And he said unto Him, Yea, Lord, Thou knowest all things', Thou knowest that I love Thee."

Heb 4:13. "And there is no creature that is not manifest in His sight; but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of Him with whom we have to do."

Wisdom. Psa 104:24. "0 Jehovah, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom hast Thou made them all."

Dan 2:20, Dan 2:21b. "Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever; for wisdom and might are His.... He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that have understanding."

Goodness. Psa 86:5. "For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness unto all them that call upon Thee."

Psa 118:29 "0 give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His lovingkindness endureth forever."

Love. Joh 3:16. "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have eternal life."

I Joh 4:8. "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."

Grace. Neh 9:17b. "But Thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness."

Rom 3:24. "Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

Mercy. Rom 9:18. "So then He hath mercy on whom He will and whom He will He hardeneth."

Eph 2:4, 5. "But God, being rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ."

Longsuffering or forbearance. Num 14:18. "Jehovah is slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression."

Rom 2:4. "Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?"

Holiness. Ex, 15:11. "Who is like unto Thee, 0 Jehovah, among the gods? Who is like unto Thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?"

Isa 6:3b. "Holy, holy, holy, is Jehovah of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory."

Righteousness or justice. Psa 89:14. "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Thy throne."

Psa 145:17. "Jehovah is righteous in all His ways, and gracious in all His works."

1Pe 1:17. "And if ye call on Him as Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to each man's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear."

Veracity or faithfulness. Num 23:19. "God is not a man, that He should lie, neither the son of man, that He should repent. Hath He said, and will He not do it? Or hath He spoken, and will He not make it good?"

2Ti 2:13. "If we are faithless, he abideth faithful; for He cannot deny Himself."

Sovereignty. Eph 1:11. "In whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the council of His will."

Rev 4:11. "Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power; for Thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they were, and were created."

Secret and revealed will. Deu 29:29. "The secret things belong unto Jehovah our God; but the things that are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."

Omnipotence. Job 42:2. "I know that Thou canst do everything." Mat 19:26. "With God all things are possible." Luk 1:37. "For with God nothing shall be impossible."

For Further Study:

a. Give instances in which the Bible identifies God and His attributes, Jer 28:6; Heb 12:29; I Joh 1:5; Joh 4:16.

b. How can God be just and gracious to the sinner at the same time, Zec 9:9; Rom 3:24-26?

c. Prove from Scripture that God's foreknowledge includes conditional events. 1Sa 23:10-13; 2Ki 13:19; Psa 81:13-15; Psa 48:18; Jer 38:17-20; Eze 3:6; Mat 11:21.

Questions for Review

1. How do we divide the attributes of God?

2. Which belong to each one of these classes?

8. What is the independence of God?

4. What is His immutability?

5. How can we explain the fact that the Bible apparently ascribes change to God?

6. What is God's eternity and immensity or omnipresence?

7. What is the simplicity of God, and how can we prove it?

8. What is the nature and extent of God's knowledge?

9. How is His wisdom related to His knowledge?

10. What is the goodness of God? Are any other names used for it?

11. Should we speak of love as more central in God than His other attributes?

12. How do we distinguish God's grace, mercy, and longsuffering?

13. What is the holiness of God?

14. In what does God reveal His righteousness?

15. What is included in the veracity of God?

16. What distinction do we apply to the will of God?

17. Do the secret and the revealed will of God ever conflict?

18. Does God's omnipotence imply that He can do everything?

÷Summary of Christian Doctrine

Part II: The Doctrine of God and Creation

Chapter VII: The Trinity

1. Statement of the Doctrine. The Bible teaches that, while He exists in three Persons, called Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These are not three persons in the ordinary sense of the word; they are not three individuals, but rather three modes or forms in which the Divine Being exists. At the same time they are of such a nature that they can enter into personal relations. The Father can speak to the Son and vice versa, and both can send forth the Spirit. The real mystery of the Trinity consists in this that each one of the Persons possesses the whole of the divine essence, and that this has no existence outside of and apart from the Persons. The three are not subordinate in being the one to the other, though it may be said that in order of existence the Father is first, the Son second, and the Holy Spirit third, an order which is also reflected in their work.

2. Scripture Proof for the Trinity. The Old Testament contains some indications of more than one Person in God. God speaks of Himself in the plural, Gen 1:26; Gen 11:7; the Angel of Jehovah is represented as a divine Person, Gen 16:7-13; Gen 18:1-21; Gen 19:1-22; and the Spirit is spoken of as a distinct Person, Isa 48:16; Isa 63:10. Moreover, there are some passages in which the Messiah is speaking and mentions two other Persons, Isa 48:16; Isa 61:6; Isa 63:9, Isa 63:10.

Due to the progress of revelation, the New Testament contains clearer proofs. The strongest proof is found in the facts of redemption. The Father sends the Son into the world, and the Son sends the Holy Spirit. Moreover, there are several passages in which the three Persons are expressly mentioned, such as the great commission, Mat 28:19, and the apostolic blessing, 2Co 13:13. Cf. also Luk 3:21, Luk 3:22; Luk 1:35; 1Co 12:4-6; 1Pe 1:2.

This doctrine was denied by the Socinians in the days of the Reformation, and is rejected also by the Unitarians and the Modernists of our own day. If they speak of the Trinity at all, they represent it as consisting of the Father, the man Jesus, and a divine influence which is called the Spirit of God.

3. The Father. The name 'Father' is frequently applied in Scripture to the triune God, as the creator of all things, 1Co 8:6; Heb 12:9; Jam 1:17; as the Father of Israel, Deu 32:6; Isa 63:16; and as the Father of believers, Mat 5:45; Mat 6:6, Mat 6:9, Mat 6:14; Rom 8:15. In a deeper sense, however, it is applied to the First Person of the Trinity, to express His relation to the Second Person, Joh 1:14, Joh 1:18; Joh 8:54; Joh 14:12, Joh 14:13. This is the original Fatherhood, of which all earthly fatherhood is but a faint reflection. The distinctive characteristic of the Father is that He generates the Son from all eternity. The works particularly ascribed to Him are those of planning the work of redemption, creation and providence, and representing the Trinity in the Counsel of Redemption.

4. The Son. The second person in the Trinity is called 'Son' or 'Son of God.' He bears this name, however, not only as the only begotten of the Father, Joh 1:14, Joh 1:18; Joh 3:16, Joh 3:18; Gal 4:4, but also as the Messiah chosen of God, Mat 8:29; Mat 26:63; Joh 1:49; Joh 11:27, and in virtue of His special birth through the operation of the Holy Spirit, Luk 1:32, Luk 1:35. His special characteristic as the Second Person of the Trinity is that He is eternally begotten of the Father, Psa 2:7; Act 13:33; Heb 1:5. By means of eternal generation the Father is the cause of the personal existence of the Son within the Divine Being. The works more particularly ascribed to Him are works of mediation. He mediated the work of creation, Joh 1:3, Joh 1:10; Heb 1:2, Heb 1:3, and mediates the work of redemption, Eph 1:3-14.

5. The Holy Spirit. Though Socinians, Unitarians, and present day Modernists speak of the Holy Spirit merely as a power or an influence of God, He clearly stands out on the pages of the Bible as a Person, Joh 14:16, Joh 14:17, Joh 14:26; Joh 15:26; Joh 16:1-15; Rom 8:26. He has intelligence, Joh 14:26, feeling, Isa 68:10; Eph 4:30, and will, Act 16:7; 1Co 12:11. Scripture represents Him as speaking, searching, testifying, commanding, revealing, striving, and making intercession. Moreover, He is clearly distinguished from His own power in Luk 1:35; Luk 4:14; Act 10:38; 1Co 2:4. His special characteristic is that He proceeds from the Father and the Son by spiration, Joh 15:26; Joh 16:7; Rom 8:9; Gal 4:6. In general it may be said that it is His task to bring things to completion both in creation and redemption, Gen 1:3; Job 26:13; Luk 1:35; Joh 3:34; 1Co 12:4-11; Eph 2:22.

To memorize. Passages to prove:

a. The Trinity:

Isa 61:1. "The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon Me" (the Messiah), cf. Luk 4:17, Luk 4:18.

Mat 28:19. "Go ye therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

2Co 13:14. "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God; and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all."

b. Eternal generation:

Psa 2:7. "I will tell of the decree: Jehovah said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten Thee."

Joh 1:14, "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth."

c. Procession of the Holy Spirit:

Joh 15:26. "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall bear witness of Me."

For Further Study:

a. In what sense can we speak of a general Fatherhood of God? 1Co 8:6; Eph 3:14, Eph 3:15; Heb 12:9; Jam 1:17. Cf. also Num 16:22.

b. Can you prove the deity of the incarnate Son? Joh 1:1; Joh 20:28; Phi 2:6; Tit 2:13; Jer 28:5, Jer 28:6; Isa 9:6; Joh 1:3; Rev 1:8; Col 1:17; Joh 14:1; 2Co 13:14.

c. How do the following passages prove the personality of the Holy Spirit? Gen 1:2; Gen 6:3; Luk 12:12; Joh 14:26; 15:26; 16:8; Act 8:29; Act 13:2; Rom 8:11; 1Co 2:10, 1Co 2:11.

d. What works are ascribed to the Spirit in Psa 33:6; Psa 104:30; Ex, 28:3; I1Pe 1:21; 1Co 3:16; 1Co 12:4 ff.?

Questions for Review

1. Can we discover the doctrine of the Trinity from nature?

2. Are there three separate individuals in God?

3. Is one Person subordinate to another in God?

4. How can we prove the Trinity from the Old Testament?

5. What is the strongest proof for the Trinity?

6. What New Testament passages best prove it?

7. In what different senses is the name 'Father' applied to God?

8. What works are more particularly ascribed to each one of the Persons?

9. In what different senses is the name 'Son' applied to Christ?

10. What is the special characteristic of each Person?

11. How can you prove that the Holy Spirit is a Person?

÷Summary of Christian Doctrine

Part II: The Doctrine of God and Creation

Chapter VIII: The Divine Decrees

1. The Divine Decrees in General. The decree of God is His eternal plan or purpose, in which He has foreordained all things that come to pass. Since it includes many particulars, we often speak of the divine decrees in the plural, though in reality there is but a single decree. It covers all the works of God in creation and redemption, and also embraces the actions of men, not excluding their sinful deeds. But while it rendered the entrance of sin into the world certain, it does not make God responsible for our sinful deeds. His decree with respect to sin is a permissive decree.

a. Characteristics of the decree. The decree of God is founded in wisdom, Eph 3:9-11, though we do not always understand it. It was formed in the depths of eternity, and is therefore eternal in the strictest sense of the word, Eph 3:11. Moreover, it is effectual, so that everything that is included in it certainly comes to pass, Isa 46:10. The plan of God is also unchangeable, because He is faithful and true, Job 28:13, Job 28:14; Isa 46:10; Luk 22:22. It is unconditional, that is, its execution does not depend on any action of man but even renders such action certain, Act 2:23; Eph 2:8. Moreover, it is all-inclusive, embracing the good and the wicked actions of men, Eph 2:10; Act 2:28, contingent events, Gen 50:20, the duration of man's life, Job 14:5; Psa 39:4, and the place of his habitation, Act 17:26. With respect to sin it is permissive.

b. Objections to the doctrine of the decrees. Many do not believe in the doctrine of the decrees, and raise especially three objections. (1) It is inconsistent with, the moral freedom of man. But the Bible clearly teaches not only that God has decreed the free acts of man, but also that man is none to the less free and responsible for his acts, Gen 50:19, Gen 50:20; Act 2:23; 4:27-29. We may not be able to harmonize the two altogether, but it is evident from Scripture that the one does not cancel the other. (2) It makes people slothful in seeking salvation. They feel that, if God has determined whether they will be saved or not, it makes no difference what they may do. But this is hardly correct, because man does not know what God has decreed respecting him. Moreover, God has decreed not only the final destiny of man, but also the means by which it will be realized. And seeing that the end is decreed only as the result of the appointed means, it encourages rather than discourages their use. (3) It makes God the author of sin. It may be said, however, that the decree merely makes God the author of free moral beings, who are themselves the authors of sin. Sin is made certain by the decree, but God does not Himself produce it by His direct action. At the same time it must be admitted that the problem of God's relation to sin remains a mystery which we cannot fully solve.

2. Predestination. Predestination is the plan or purpose of God respecting His moral creatures. It pertains to men, both good and bad, to angels and devils, and to Christ as the Mediator. Predestination includes two parts, namely, election and reprobation.

a. Election. The Bible speaks of election in more than one sense, as (1) the election of Israel as the Old Testament people of God, Deu 4:37; Deu 7:6-8; Deu 10:15; Hos 13:5; (2) the election of persons to some special once or service, Deu 18:5; 1Sa 10:24; Psa 78:70; and (3) the election of individuals unto salvation, Mat 22:14; Rom 11:6; Eph 1:4. The last is the election to which we refer in this connection. It may be defined as God's eternal purpose to save some of the human race in and by Jesus Christ.

b. Reprobation. The doctrine of election naturally implies that God did not intend to save all. If He purposed to save some, He naturally also purposed not to save others. This is also in harmony with the teachings of Scripture, Mat 11:25, Mat 11:26; Rom 9:13, Rom 9:17, Rom 9:18, Rom 9:21, Rom 9:22; Rom 11:7, Rom 11:8; 2Pe 2:9; Jude 4. Reprobation may be defined as God's eternal purpose to pass some men by with the operation of His special grace, and to punished them for their sin. It really embodies a twofold purpose therefore: (1) to pass some by in the bestowal of saving grace; and (2) to punish them for their sins.

It is sometimes said that the doctrine of predestination exposes God to the charge of injustice. But this is hardly correct. We could speak of injustice only if man had a claim on God, and God owed man eternal salvation. But the situation is entirely different if all men have forfeited the blessings of God, as they have. No one has the right to call God to account for electing some and rejecting others. He would have been perfectly just, if He had not saved any, Mat 20:14, Mat 20:15; Rom 9:14, Rom 9:15.

To memorize. Passages pertaining to:

a. God's decree in general:

Eph 1:11. "In whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His will."

Psa 33:11. "The counsel of Jehovah standeth fast forever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations."

Isa 46:10. "Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure."

b. Predestination:

Eph 1:11, cf. above under a.

Psa 2:7. "I will tell of the decree: Jehovah said unto me. Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten Thee."

Eph 1:4, 5. "Even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before Him in love, having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will."

Rom 11:5. "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace."

Rom 9:13. "Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."

Rom 9:18. "So then He hath mercy on whom He will, and whom He will He hardeneth."

For Further Study:

a. Is foreknowledge the same as foreordination or predestination? Act 2:23; Rom 8:29; Rom 11:2; 1Pe 1:2.

b. How does the Bible indicate that Christ was also an object of predestination? Psa 2:7; Isa 42:1; 1Pe 1:20; 2:4. In what sense is this to be understood?

c. What indications have we that the angels were also objects of predestination? 1Ti 5:21. How should we conceive of this?

Questions for Review

l. What is the divine decree?

2. Why do we sometimes speak of 'decrees' in the plural?

3. What are the characteristics of the decree?

4. What is the nature of God's decree respecting sin?

5. What objections are raised against the doctrine of the Decrees?

6. What can be said in answer to these?

7. How is predestination related to the decree in general?

8. Who are the objects of predestination?

9. How must we conceive of the predestination of the angels and of Christ?

10. In what different senses does the Bible speak of election?

11. What does reprobation include, and what proof is there for it?

12. Does the doctrine of predestination involve injustice on the part of God? If not, why not?

÷Summary of Christian Doctrine

Part II: The Doctrine of God and Creation

Chapter IX: Creation

The discussion of the decrees naturally leads on to the study of their execution, which begins with the work of creation. This is the beginning and basis of all revelation, and also the foundation of all religious life.

1. Creation in General. The word creation is not always used in the same sense in the Bible. In the strict sense of the word it denotes that work of God by which He producers the world and all that is in it, partly without the use of pre-existent materials, and partly out of material that is by its nature unfit, for the manifestation of His glory. It is represented as a work of the triune God, Gen 1:2; Job 26:13; Job 38:4; Psa 33:6; Isa 40:12, Isa 40:13; Joh 1:3; 1Co 8:6; Col 1:15-17. Over against Pantheism we must maintain that it was a free act of God. He did not need the world. Eph 1:11; Rev 4:11. And over against Deism, that He created the world so that it always remains dependent on Him. He must uphold it from day to day, Act 17:28; Heb 1:3.

a. The time of creation. The Bible teaches us that God created the world "in the beginning," that is, at the beginning of all temporal things. Back of this beginning lies a timeless eternity. The first part of the work of creation mentioned in Gen 1:1 was strictly creation out of nothing or without the use of preexistent material. The expression "creation out of nothing" is not found in the Bible, but in one of the apocryphal books, II Mace. 7:28. However, the idea is clearly taught in such passages as Gen 1:1; Psa 33:9; Psa 148:5; Rom 4:7; Heb 11:3.

b. The final purpose of creation. Some find the final end or purpose of creation in the happiness of man. They say that God could not make Himself the final end, because He is sufficient unto Himself. But it would seem to be self-evident that God does not exist for man, but ma for God. The creature cannot be the final end of creation. The Bible teaches us clearly that God created the world for the manifestation of His glory. Naturally, the revelation of the glory of God is not intended as an empty show to be admired by the creature, but also aims at promoting their welfare and attuning their hearts to the praise of the Creator. Isa 43:7; Isa 60:21; Isa 61:3; Eze 36:21, Eze 36:22; Eze 39:7; Luk 2:14; Rom 9:17; Rom 11:36; 1Co 15:28; Eph 1:5, Eph 1:6, Eph 1:12, Eph 1:14; Eph 8:9, Eph 8:10; Col 1:16.

c. Substitutes for the doctrine of creation. They who reject the doctrine of creation resort to one of three theories for the explanation of the world. (1) Some say that original matter is eternal, and out of it the world arose, either by mere chance, or by some higher directing force. But this is impossible, because you cannot have two eternals and therefore two infinites alongside of each other. (2) Others maintain that God and the world are essentially one, and that the world is a necessary issue (outflow) of the divine being. But this view robs God of His power of self-determination, and men of their freedom and of their moral and responsible character. It also makes God responsible for all the evil there is in the world. (3) Still others take refuge in the theory of evolution. But this is clearly a mistake, since evolution offers no explanation of the world. It already presupposes something that evolves.

2. The Spiritual World. God created not only a material but also a spiritual world, consisting of the angels.

a. Proof for the existence of angels. Modern liberal theology has largely discarded the belief in such spiritual beings. The Bible, however, assumes their existence throughout and ascribes to them real personality, 2Sa 14:20; Mat 24:36; Jude 6; Rev 14:10. Some ascribe to them airy bodies, but this is contrary to Scripture. They are pure spiritual beings (though sometimes assuming bodily forms), Eph 6:12; Heb 1:14, without flesh and bone, Luk 24:39, and therefore invisible, Col 1:16. Some of them are good, holy and elect, Mar 8:38; Luk 9:26; 2Co 11:14; 1Ti 5:21; Rev 14:10, and others are fallen from their original state, and therefore evil, Joh 8:44; 2Pe 2:4; Jude 6.

b. Classes of angels. There are evidently different classes of angels. The Bible speaks of cherubim, who reveal the power, majesty, and glory of God, and guard His holiness in the garden of Eden, in tabernacle and temple, and at the descent of God to the earth. Gen 3:24; Exo 25:18; 2Sa 22:11; Psa 18:10; Psa 80:1; Psa 99:1; Isa 37:16. Alongside of these are seraphim, mentioned only in Isa 6:2, Isa 6:3, Isa 6:6. They stand as servants round about the throne of the heavenly King, sing His praises, and are ever ready to do His bidding. They serve the purpose of reconciliation and prepare men for the proper approach to God.

Two angels are mentioned by name. The first of these is Gabriel, Dan 8:16; Dan 9:21; Luk 1:19, Luk 1:26. Evidently it was his special task to convey divine revelations to man and to interpret them. The second is Michael, Dan 10:13, Dan 10:21; Jude 9; Rev 12:7. In the Epistle of Jude he is called the archangel. He is the valiant warrior fighting the battles of Jehovah against the enemies of the people of God and against the evil powers in the spirit world. Besides these the Bible mentions in general terms principalities, powers, thrones, dominions, Eph 1:21; Eph 3:10; Col 1:16; 2:10; 1Pe 3:22. These names point to differences of rank and dignity among the angels.

c. Work of the angels. The angels are represented as praising God continually, Psa 103:20; Isa. 6; Rev 5:11. Since the entrance of sin into the world they serve those who inherit salvation, Heb 1:14, rejoice at the conversion of sinners, Luk 15:10, watch over believers, Psa 3:7; Psa 91:11, protect the little ones, Mat 18:10, are present in the Church, 1Co 11:10; Eph 3:10; 1Ti 5:21, and convey believers to the bosom of Abraham, Luk 16:22. They also frequently bear special revelations of God, Dan 9:21-23; Zec 1:12-14, communicate blessings to His people, Psa 91:11, Psa 91:12; Isa 63:9; Dan 6:22; Act 5:19, and execute judgments on His enemies, Gen 19:1, Gen 19:13; 2Ki 19:85; Mat 18:41.

d. Evil angels. Besides the good there are also evil angels, who delight in opposing God and destroying His work. They were created good, but did not retain their original position, 2Pe 2:4; Jude 6. Their special sin is not revealed, but they probably revolted against God and aspired to divine authority, cf. 2Th 2:4, 2Th 2:9. Satan, who was evidently one of the princes among the angels, became the recognized head of those that fell away, Mat 26:41; Mat 9:34; Eph 2:2. With superhuman power he and his hosts seek to destroy the work of God. They seek to blind and mislead even the elect, and encourage the sinner in his evil way.

3. The Material World. In Gen 1:1 we have the record of the original creation of heaven and earth. The rest of the chapter is devoted to what is often called secondary creation, the completion of the work in six days.

a. The days of creation. The question is frequently debated, whether the days of creation were ordinary days or not. Geologists and evolutionists speak of them as long periods of time. Now the word 'day' does not always denote a period of twenty-four hours in the Scripture. Cf. Gen 1:5; Gen 2:4; Psa 50:16; Ecc 7:14; Zec 4:10. Yet the literal interpretation of the word 'day' in the narrative of creation is favored by the following considerations:

(a) The Hebrew word yom (day) primarily denotes an ordinary day, and should be so understood unless the context demands another interpretation. (b) The repeated mention of morning and evening favors this interpretation. (c) It was evidently an ordinary day which Jehovah set aside and hallowed as a day of rest. (d) In Exo 20:9-11 Israel is commanded to labor six days and to rest on the seventh, because Jehovah made heaven and earth in six days and rested on the seventh day. (e) The last three days were evidently ordinary days, for they were determined by the earth's relation to the sun. And if they were ordinary days, why not the others?

b. Work of the six days. On the first day light was created, and by the separation of light and darkness day and night were constituted. This does not conflict with the idea that sun, moon, and stars were created on the fourth day, for these are not themselves light, but light-bearers. The work of the second day was also a work of separation, the separation of the waters above from the waters below by the establishment of the firmament. On the third day the work of separation is continued in the separation of the sea and the dry land. In addition to that the vegetable kingdom of plants and trees was established. By the word of His power God caused the earth to bring forth flowerless plants, vegetables, and fruit trees, each yielding seed after their kind. The fourth day brought the creation of sun, moon, and stars, to serve a variety of purposes: to divide day and night, to serve as signs of weather conditions, to determine the succession of the seasons and of days and years, and to function as lights for the earth. The work of the fifth day consisted in the creation of birds and fishes, the inhabitants of the air and of the water. Finally, the sixth day is marked by the climax of the work of creation. The higher classes of land animals were created, and the whole work was crowned by the creation of man in the image of God. His body was formed out of the dust of the earth, while his soul was an immediate creation of God. On the seventh day God rested from His creative labors and delighted in the contemplation of His work. c. The theory of evolution. Evolutionists want to substitute their view of the origin of things for the Scriptural doctrine. They believe that from the simplest forms of matter and life all existing species of plants and animals (including man), and also the various manifestations of life, such an intelligence, morality, and religion, developed by a perfectly natural process, purely as the result of natural forces. This is merely an assumption, however, and one that fails at several points. Moreover, it is in hopeless conflict with the narrative of creation as it is found in the Bible.

To memorize. Passages bearing on:

a. The fact of creation:

Gen: 1:1. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Psa 33:6. "By the word of Jehovah were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth."

Joh 1:3. "All things were made through Him; and without Him was not anything made that hath been made."

Heb 11:3. "By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which appear."

b. The final end of creation:

Isa 43:6, Isa 43:7. "Bring... every one that is called by my name,

c. The theory of evolution. Evolutionists want to substitute their view of the origin of things for the Scriptural doctrine. They believe that from the simplest forms of matter and life all existing species of plants and animals (including man), and also the various manifestations of life, such an intelligence, morality, and religion, developed by a perfectly natural process, purely as the result of natural forces. This is merely an assumption, however, and one that fails at several points. Moreover, it is in hopeless conflict with the narrative of creation as it is found in the Bible.

To memorize. Passages bearing on:

a. The fact of creation:

Gen: 1:1. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Psa 33:6. "By the word of Jehovah were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth."

Joh 1:3. "All things were made through Him; and without Him was not anything made that hath been made."

Heb 11:3. "By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which appear."

b. The final end of creation:

Isa 43:6, Isa 43:7. "Bring... every one that is called by my name, and whom I have created for my glory, whom I have formed; yea, whom I have made."

Psa 19:1, Psa 19:2. "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork."

Psa 148:13. "Let them praise the name of Jehovah; for His name alone is exalted: His glory is above the earth and the heavens." Cf. the connection.

c. Angels:

Psa 103:20. "Bless Jehovah, ye His angels, that are mighty in strength, that fulfil His word, hearkening unto the voice of His word."

Heb 1:14. "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation?"

Judo 6. "And the angels that kept not their principality, but left their proper habitation, He hath kept in everlasting bonds under darkness unto the judgment of the great day."

d. Time of creation:

Gen 1:1. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Exo 20:11. "For in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore Jehovah blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it."

For Further Study:

a. In what sense is the word 'to create' used in Psa 51:10; Psa 104:30; Isa 46:7?

b. Do Gen 1:11, 12, 20, 24 favor the idea of evolution? Cf. Gen 1:21, 25; 2:9.

c. Do the following passages tell us anything about the sin of the angels? if so, what? 2Pe 2:4; Jude 6; cf. also 2Th 2:4-12.

Questions for Review

1. What is creation?

2. Was creation a free or a necessary act of God?

3. Is the word 'create' always used in the same sense in Scripture?

4. Does the Bible prove creation out of nothing? Where?

5. What two views are there as to the final end of creation?

6. In what sense is the glory of God the final end?

7. What substitutes have been suggested for the doctrine of creation?

8. What is the nature of the angels?

9. What orders of angels are named in Scripture?

10. What is the function of Gabriel and Michael?

11. What is the work of the angels?

12. What proof have we for the existence of evil angels?

13. Were they created evil?

14. Were the days in Genesis ordinal days or long periods?

15. What did God create on each of the six days?

16. Is the theory of evolution consistent with the doctrine of creation?

17. Can you name some of the points on which they differ?

÷Summary of Christian Doctrine

Part II: The Doctrine of God and Creation

Chapter X: Providence

Since God not only created the world but also upholds it, we naturally pass from the doctrine of creation to that of divine providence. This may be defined as that work of God in which He preserves all His creatures, is active in all that happens in the world, and directs all things to their appointed end. It includes three elements, of which the first pertains primarily to the being, the second to the activity, and the third to the purpose of all things.

1. The Elements of Divine Providence. We distinguish three elements:

a. Divine preservation. This is that continuous work of God by which He upholds all things. While the world has a distinct existence and is not a part of God, it nevertheless has the ground of its continued existence in God and not in itself. It endures through a continued exercise of divine power by which all things are maintained in being and action. This doctrine is taught in the following passages: Psa 136:25; Psa 145:15; Neh 9:6; Act 17:28; Col 1:17; Heb 1:3.

b. Divine concurrence. This may be defined as that work of God by which He co-operates with all His creatures and causes them to act precisely as they do. It implies that there are real secondary causes in the world, such as the powers of nature and the will of man, and asserts that these do not work independently of God. God works in every act of His creatures, not only in their good but also in their evil acts. He stimulates them to action, accompanies their action at every moment, and makes this action effective. However, we should never think of God and man as equal causes; the former is the primary, and the latter only a secondary cause. Neither should we conceive of them as each doing a part of the work like a team of horses. The same deed is in its entirety both a deed of God and a deed of man. Moreover, we should guard against the idea that this co-operation makes God responsible for man's sinful deeds. This doctrine is based on Scripture, Deu 8:18; Psa 104:20, Psa 104:21, Psa 104:30; Amo 3:6; Mat 6:45; Mat 10:29; Act 14:17; Phi 2:13.

c. Divine government. This is the continued activity of God whereby He rules all things so that they answer to the purpose of their existence. God is represented as King of the universe both in the Old and in the New Testament. He adapts His rule to the nature of the creatures which He governs; His government of the physical world differs from that of the spiritual world. It is universal, Psa 103:19; Dan, 4:34, 35, includes the most insignificant things, Mat 10:29-31, and that which is seemingly accidental, Pro 16:33, and bears on both the good and the evil deeds of man, Phi 2:18; Gen 50:20; Act 14:16.

2. Misconceptions of Divine Providence. In the doctrine of providence we should guard against two misconceptions:

a. The Deistic conception. This is to the effect that God's concern with the world is of the most general nature. He created the world, established its laws, set it in motion, and then withdrew from it. He wound it up like a clock, and now lets it run off. It is only when something goes wrong that He interferes with its regular operation. God, is only a God afar off.

b. The Pantheistic conception. Pantheism does not recognize the distinction between God and the world. It identifies the two, and therefore leaves no room for providence in the proper sense of the word. There are, strictly speaking, no such things as secondary causes. God is the direct author of all that transpires in the world. Even the acts which we ascribe to man as really acts of God. God is only a God that is near, and not a God afar off.

3. Extraordinary Providences or Miracles. We distinguish between general and special providences, and among the latter the miracles occupy an important place. A miracle is a supernatural work of God, that is a work which is accomplished without the mediation of secondary causes. If God sometimes apparently uses secondary causes in the production of miracles, He employs them in an unusual way, so that the work Is after all supernatural. Some regard miracles as impossible, because they involve a violation of the laws of nature. But this is a mistake. The so-called laws of nature merely represent God's usual method of working. And the fact that God generally works according to a definite order does not mean that He cannot depart from this order, and cannot without violating or disturbing it bring about unusual results. Even man can lift up his hand and throw a ball into the air in spite of the law of gravitation and without in any way disturbing its operation. Surely, this is not impossible for the omnipotent God. The miracles of the Bible are means of revelation. Num 16:28; Jer 32:20; Joh 2:11; Joh 5:36.

To memorize. Passages referring to:

a. Preservation.

Psa 36:6b. "0 Jehovah, thou preservest man and beast."

Neh 9:6. "Thou art Jehovah, even thou alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all things that are thereon, the seas all that is in them, and thou preservest them all."

Col 1:17. "And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist."

b. Concurrence.

Deu 8:18a. "But thou shalt remember Jehovah thy God, for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth."

Amo 3:6. "Shall the trumpet be blown in a city, and the people be not afraid? shall evil befall a city, and Jehovah hath not done it?"

Phi 2:13. "For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for His good pleasure."

c. Government.

Psa 108:19. "Jehovah hath established His throne in the heavens; and His Kingdom ruleth over all."

Dan 4:3b. "His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation."

1Ti 6:15. "Which in its own times He shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords."

d. Miracles and their design:

Exo 16:11. "Who is like unto Thee, 0 Jehovah, among the gods? Who is like Thee glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?"

Psa 72:18. "Blessed be Jehovah God, the God of Israel, who alone doeth wondrous things."

Mar 2:10. "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, He saith to the sick of the palsy, I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy wan into thy house."

Joh 2:11. "This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth His glory; and His disciples believed on Him."

For Further Study:

a. Name some examples of special providences. Cf. Deu 2:7; 1Ki 17:6, 1Ki 17:16; 2Ki 4:6; Mat 14:20.

b. How should belief in divine providence affect our cares? Isa 41:10; Mat 6:32; Luk 12:7; Phi 4:6, Phi 4:7; 1Pe 5:7.

c. Name some of the blessings of providence. Cf. Isa 25:4; Psa 121:4; Luk 12:7; Deu 33:28; Psa 37:28; 2Ti 4:18.

Questions for Review

1. How is the doctrine of providence related to that of creations?

2. What is divine providence?

3. What is the difference between general and special providence?

4. What are the objects of divine providence?

5. What are the three elements of providence, and how do they differ?

6. How must we conceive of the divine concurrence?

7. How far does the divine government extend?

8. What is a miracle, and what purpose do the scriptural miracles serve?

9. Why do some consider miracles impossible?

÷Summary of Christian Doctrine

Part III: The Doctrine of Man in Relation to God

Chapter XI: Man in His Original State

From the discussion of the doctrine of God we pass on to that of man, the crown of God's handiwork.

1. The Essential Elements of Human Nature. The usual view is that man consists of two parts, body and soul. This is in harmony with the self-consciousness of man, and is also borne out by a study of Scripture, which speaks of man as consisting of "body and soul," Mat 6:25; Mat 10:28, or of "body and spirit," Ecc 12:7; 1Co 5:3, 1Co 5:5. Some are of the opinion that the words 'soul' and 'spirit' denote different elements, and that therefore man consists of three parts, body, soul, and spirit, Cf. 1Th 5:23. It is evident, however, that the two words 'soul' and 'spirit' are used interchangeably. Death is sometimes described as a giving up of the soul, Gen 35:18; 1Ki 17:21, and sometimes as the giving up of the spirit, Luk 23:46; Act 7:59. The dead are in some cases named "souls," Rev 9:6; Rev 20:4, and in others 'spirits,' 1Pe 3:19; Heb 12:23. The two terms denote the spiritual element in man from different points of view. As spirit it is the principle of life and action, which controls the body, and as soul it is the personal subject, which thinks and feels and wills, and in some cases the seat of the affections.

2. The Origin of the Soul in Each Individual. There are three views respecting the origin of the individual souls.

a. Pre-existentialism. Some advocated the idea that the souls of men existed in a previous state, and that something that happened then accounts for their present condition. A few found in this an explanation of the fact that man is born as a sinner. This view finds no favor now.

b. Traducianism. According to this View men derive their souls as well as their bodies from their parents. This is the common view in the Lutheran Church. Support for it is found in the fact that nothing is said about the creation of Eve's soul, and that descendants are said to be in the loins of their Fathers, Gen 46:26; Heb 7:9, Heb 7:10. Furthermore, it seems to be favored by the fact that in the case of animals both body and soul are passed on from the old to the young, by the inheritance of family traits and peculiarities, and by the inheritance of sinful corruption, which is a matter of the soul more than of the body. However, it is burdened with serious difficulties. It either makes the parents creators, or assumes that the soul of man can be divided into various parts. Moreover, it endangers the sinlessness of Jesus.

c. Creationism. This holds that each soul is a direct creation of God, of which the time cannot be precisely determined. The soul is supposed to be created pure, but to become sinful even before birth by entering into that complex of sin by which humanity as a whole is burdened. This view is common in Reformed circles. It is favored by the fact that Scripture represents the body and the soul of man as having different origins, Ecc 12:7; Isa 42:5; Zec 12:1; Heb 12:9. Moreover, it is more in harmony with the spiritual nature of the soul, and safeguards the sinlessness of Jesus. It is not free from difficulties, however. It does not explain the inheritance of family traits, and may seem to make God the Creator of sinful souls.

3. Man as the Image of God. The Bible teaches that man is created in the image of God. According to Gen 1:26, God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." The two words 'image' and 'likeness' evidently denote the same thing. The following passages show that they are used interchangeably: Gen 1:26, 27; 5:1; 9:6; 1Co 11:7; Col 3:10; Jam 3:9. The word 'likeness' probably stresses the fact that the image is most like or very similar. There are different views of the image of God in man:

a. The Roman Catholic view:. Roman Catholics find the image of God in certain natural gifts with which man is endowed, such as the spirituality of the soul, the freedom of the will, and immortality. To these God added a supernatural gift, called original righteousness, to keep the lower nature in check. This is supposed to constitute man's likeness to God.

b. The Lutheran view. The Lutherans are not all agreed on this point, but the prevailing opinion is that the image of God consists only in those spiritual qualities with which man was endowed at creation, namely, true knowledge, righteousness, and holiness. These may be designated original righteousness. This view is too restricted.

c. The Reformed view. The Reformed distinguish between the natural and the moral image of God. The former is the broader of the two, and is generally said to consist in man's spiritual, rational, moral, and immortal being. This was obscured but not lost by sin. The latter is the image of God in the more restricted sense, and consists in true knowledge, righteousness, and holiness. This was lost by sin and is restored in Christ, Eph 4:24; Col 3:10. Since man retained the image in the broader sense, he can still be called the image or image-bearer of God, Gen 9:6; 1Co 11:7; 15:49; Jam 3:9.

4. Man in the Covenant of Works. God at once entered into covenant relationship with man. This original covenant is called the covenant of works.

a. Scripture proof for the covenant of works. (1) Paul draws a parallel between Adam and Christ in Rom 5:12-21. In Adam all men died, but in Christ all those who are His are made alive. This means that Adam was the representative head of all men, just as Christ is now the representative head of all those who are His. (2) In Hos 6:7 we read: "But they like Adam have transgressed the covenant" (Am. Rev.). Adam's sin is called a transgression of the covenant.

b. The elements of the covenant of works. (1) The parties. A covenant is always a compact between two parties. In this case they are the triune God, the sovereign Lord of the universe, and Adam as the representative of the human race. Since these parties are very unequal, the covenant naturally partakes of the nature of an arrangement imposed on man. (2) The promise. The promise of the covenant was the promise of life in the highest sense, life raised above the possibility of death. This is what believers now receive through Christ, the last Adam. (3) The condition. The condition was that of absolute obedience. The positive command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was clearly a test of pure obedience. (4) The penalty. The penalty was death in the most inclusive sense of the word, physical, spiritual, and eternal. This consists not only in the separation of body and soul, but more fundamentally in the separation of the soul from God. (5) The sacrament(s). In all probability the tree of life was the only sacrament of this covenant,-- if it was indeed a sacrament. It seems to have been appointed as a symbol and seal of life.

c. The present validity of the covenant of works. Arminians hold that this covenant was wholly set aside. But this is not correct. The demand of perfect obedience still stands for those who do not accept the righteousness of Christ. Lev 18:5; Gal 3:12. Though they cannot meet the requirement, the condition stands. It holds no more, however, for those who are in Christ, since He met the demands of the law for them. It ceased to be a way of life, for as such it is powerless after the fall.

To memorize. Passages bearing on:

a. The elements of human nature:

Mat 10:28. "And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell."

Rom 8:10. "And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness."

b. The creation of the soul:

Ecc 12:7. "And the dust returneth to the earth as it was, and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it."

Heb 12:9. "Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live?"

c. Man's creation in the image of God:

Gen 1:27. "And God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them."

Gen 9:6. "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God made He man."

d. Man in general even now tie image of God:

Gen 9:6. Cf. above under c.

Jam 3:9. "Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made in the likeness of God."

e. The restoration of the image of God in man:

Eph 4:24. "And put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth."

Col 3:10. "And have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of Him that created him."

f. The covenant of works:

Hos 6:7. "But they like Adam have transgressed the covenant."

1Co 16:22. "For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive."

For Further Study:

a. How would you explain the passages which seem to imply that man consists of three elements, 1Th 6:23; Heb 4:12; compare Mat 22:37.

b. Does man's dominion over the rest of creation also form part of the image of God? Gen 1:26, 28; Psa 8:6-8; Heb 2:5-9.

c. What indications of a covenant can you find in Gen. 2 and 3?

Questions for Review

1. What is the usual view of the elements of human nature, and how can this be proved?

2. What other view is there, and what passages seem to support it?

3. What different views are there as to the origin of the soul?

4. What are the arguments for, and the objections to each one of these?

5. Do the words 'image' and likeness denote different things?

6. What is the Roman Catholic, the Lutheran, and the Reformed view of the image of God in man?

7. What distinction do the Reformed make, and why is it, important?

8. What Bible proof have we for the covenant of works?

9. Who are the parties in the covenants?

10. What is the promise, the condition, the penalty, and the sacrament of the covenants?

11. In what sense does this covenant still hold?

12. In what sense is it abolished?

÷Summary of Christian Doctrine

Part III: The Doctrine of Man in Relation to God

Chapter XII: Man in the State of Sin

1. The Origin of Sin. The Bible teaches us that sin entered the world as the result of the transgression of Adam and Eve in paradise. The first sin was occasioned by the temptation of Satan in the form of a serpent, who sowed in man's heart the seeds of distrust and unbelief. Scripture clearly indicates that the serpent, who appears as the tempter in the story of the fall, was but an instrument of Satan, Joh 8:44; Rom 16:20; 2Co 11:3; Rev 12:9. The first sin consisted in man's eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This eating was sinful simply because God had forbidden it. It clearly showed that man was not willing to subject his will unconditionally to the will of God, and comprised several elements. In the intellect it revealed itself as unbelief and pride, in the will as the desire to be like God, and in the affections an unholy satisfaction in eating of the forbidden fruit. As a result of it man lost the image of God in the restricts sense, became guilty and utterly corrupt, and fell under the sway of death, Gen 3:19; Rom 5:12; Rom 6:23.

2. The Essential Nature of Sin. At present many substitute the word 'evil' for 'sin,' but this is a poor substitute, for the word 'sin' is far more specific. It denotes a kind of evil, namely, a moral evil for which man is responsible and which brings him under a sentence of condemnation. The modern tendency is to regard it merely as a wrong done to one's fellow-beings misses the point entirely, for such a wrong can be called sin only in so far as it is contrary to the will of God. Sin is correctly defined by Scripture as "lawlessness," I Joh 3:4. It is lack of conformity to the law of God, and as such the opposite of that love which is required by the divine law. The Bible always contemplates it in relation to the law, Rom 1:32; Rom 2:12-14; Rom 4:15; Rom 5:13; Jam 2:9, Jam 2:10; I Joh 3:4. It is first of all guilt, making men liable to punishment, Rom 3:19; Rom 5:18; Eph 2:8, and then also inherent corruption or moral pollution. All men are guilty in Adam, and are therefore born with a corrupt nature. Job 14:4; Jer 17:9; Isa 6:5; Rom 8:5-8; Eph 4:17-19. Sin has its seat in the heart of man, and from this center influences the intellect, the will, and the affections, in fact the whole man, and finds expression through the body. Pro 4:23; Jer 17:9; Mat 15:19, Mat 15:20; Luk 6:45; Heb 3:12. In distinction from the Roman Catholics we maintain that it does not consist in outward acts only, but includes evil thoughts, affections, and intents of the heart. Mat 5:22, Mat 5:28; Rom 7:7; Gal 5:17, Gal 5:24.

3. Sin in the Life of the Human Race. Three points deserve consideration here:

a. The connection between Adam's sin and that of his descendants. This has been explained in three different ways. (1) The earliest explanation is called the realistic theory, which is to the effect that God originally created one general human nature, which in course of time divided into as many parts as there are human individuals. Adam possessed the whole of this general human nature; and through his sin it became guilty and polluted. Naturally, every individual part of it shares this guilt and pollution. (2) In the days of the Reformation the representative theory came to the foreground. According to this view Adam stood in a twofold relation to his descendants: he was their natural head, and he was their representative as the head of the covenant. When he sinned as their representative, this sin was also imputed to them, and as a result they are all born in a corrupt state. This is our Reformed view. (3) A third theory, not as well known, is that of mediate imputation. It holds that the guilt of Adam's sin is not directly placed to our account. His corruption is passed on to his descendants, and this makes them personally guilty. They are not corrupt because they are guilty in Adam, but guilty because they are corrupt.

b. Original and Actual Sin. We distinguish between original and actual sin. All men are born in a sinful state and condition, which is called original sin, and is the root of all the actual sins that are committed. (1) Original sin. This includes both guilt and pollution. The guilt of Adam's sin is imputed to us. Because he sinned as our representative, we are guilty in him. Moreover, we also inherit his pollution, and now have a positive disposition toward sin. Man is by nature totally depraved. This does not mean that every man is as bad as he can be, but that sin has corrupted every part of his nature and rendered him unable to do any spiritual good. He may still do many praiseworthy things in relation to his fellow-beings, but even his best works are radically defective, because they are not prompted by love to God nor done in obedience to God. This total depravity and inability is denied by Pelagians, Arminians, and Modernists, but is clearly taught in Scripture, Jer 17:9; Joh 5:42; Joh 6:44; Joh 15:4, Joh 15:5; Rom 7:18, Rom 7:23, Rom 7:24; Rom 8:7, Rom 8:8; 1Co 2:14; 2Co 7:1; Eph 2:1-3; Eph 4:18; 2Ti 3:2-4; Tit 1:16; Heb 11:6. (2) Actual sin. The term 'actual sin' denotes not only sins consisting in outward acts, but also those conscious thoughts, desires, and decisions that proceed from original sin. They are the sins which the individual performs in distinction from his inherited nature and inclination. While original sin is one, actual sins are manifold. They may be sins of the inner life, such as pride, envy, hatred, sensual lusts, and evil desires; or sins of the outer life, such as deceit, theft, murder, adultery, and so on. Among these there is one unpardonable sin, namely, the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, after which a change of heart is impossible, and for which it is not necessary to pray, Matt, 12:31, 32; Mar 3:28-30; Luk 12:10; Heb 6:4-6; Heb 10:26, Heb 10:27; I Joh 5:16.

c. The Universality of Sin. Scripture and experience both teach us that sin is universal. Even the Pelagians do not deny this, though they ascribe it to external conditions, such as a bad environment, evil examples, and s wrong kind of education.

There are passages in which the Bible directly asserts the universality of sin, such as 1Ki 8:46; Psa 143:2; Pro 20:9; Ecc 7:20; Rom 3:1-12, Rom 3:19, Rom 3:23; Gal 3:22; Jam 3:2; I Joh 1:8, Joh 1:10. Moreover, it teaches that man is sinful from birth, so that this cannot be considered as the result of imitation, Job 14:4; Psa 51:5; Joh 3:6. Even infants are considered sinful, for they are subject to death, which is the penalty for sin, Rom 5:12-14. All men are by nature under condemnation, and therefore need the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. Children are never made an exception to this rule. Joh 3:3, Joh 3:5; Eph 2:3; I Joh 5:12.

To memorize. Passages to prove:

a. That sin is guilt:

Rom 5:18. "So then as through one trespass the judgment came unto all men to condemnation; even so through one act of righteousness the free gift came unto all men to justification of life."

I Joh 3:4. "Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness."

Eph 2:3. "Among whom we also all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest."

b. That sin is pollution:

Jer 17:9. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it?"

Rom 7:18, "For I know that in me, that is in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing; for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good is not."

Rom 8:6. "For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit."

c. That sin has its seat in the heart:

Jer 17:9. Cf. above under b.

Mat 16:19. "For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, railings."

Heb 3:12. "Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God."

d. That Adam's guilt is imputed to us:

Rom 5:12. "Through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned." Also verse 19. "For as through one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one shall the many be made righteous."

1Co 15:21, 1Co 15:22. "For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive."

e. That man is totally depraved:

Jer 17:9; Rom 7:18; 8:5. Cf. under b. above.

g. That sin is universal:

1Ki 8:46. "For there is no man that sinneth not."

Psa 143:2. "And enter not into judgment with thy servant; for in thy sight no living man is righteous."

Rom 3:12. "They have all turned aside, they are become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not so much as one."

I Joh 1:8. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."

For Further Study:

a. Can you give some other scriptural names for sin? Job 15:- 5; 33:9; Psa 32:1, Psa 32:2; Psa 55:15; Rom 1:18; Rom 5:15; I Joh 3:4.

b. Does the word 'evil' ever mean anything else than sin in Scripture? If so, what? Cf. Exo 5:19; 2Ki 6:33; 2Ki 22:16; Psa 41:8; Psa 91:10; Pro 16:4.

c. Does the Bible explicitly teach that man is a sinner from birth? Psa 51:5; Isa 48:8.

Questions for Review

1. What it the biblical view of the origin of sin?

2. What was the first sin, and what elements can be distinguished in it?

3. How would you prove that Satan was the real tempter?

4. What were the results of the first sin?

5. Do the words 'sin' and 'evil' mean the same Thing?

6. Where does sin have its seat in man?

7. Does sin consist only in outward acts?

8. What different views are there respecting the connection between Adam's sin and that of his descendants?

9. What is original sin, and how does actual sin differ from it?

10. How do you conceive of total depravity?

11. What proof is there for the universality of sin?

÷Summary of Christian Doctrine

Part III: The Doctrine of Man in Relation to God

Chapter XIII: Man in the Covenant of Grace

For the sake of clearness we distinguish between the covenant of redemption and the covenant of grace. The two are so closely related that they can be and sometimes are, considered as one. The former is the eternal foundation of the latter.

1. The Covenant of Redemption. This is also called "the counsel of peace," a name derived from Zec 6:13. It is a covenant between the Father, representing the Trinity, and the Son as the representative of the elect.

a. The scriptural basis for it. It is clear that the plan of redemption was included in God's eternal decree, Eph 1:4 ff.; 3:11; 2Ti 1:9. Christ speaks of promises made to Him before He came into the world, and repeatedly refers to a commission which He received from the Father, Joh 5:30, Joh 5:43; Joh 6:38-40; Joh 17:4-12. He is evidently a covenant head, Rom 5:12-21; I Cor. 15: -- 22. In Psa 2:7-9 the parties of the covenant are mentioned and a promise is indicated, and in Psa 40:7, Psa 40:8 the Messiah expresses His readiness to do the Father's will in becoming a sacrifice for sin.

b. The Son in the covenant of redemption. Christ is not only the Head but also the Surety of the covenant of redemption, Heb 7:22, A surety is one who takes upon himself the legal obligations of another. Christ took the place of the sinner, to bear the penalty of sin and to meet the demands of the law for His people. By so doing He became the last Adam, a life-giving spirit, 1Co 15:45. For Christ this covenant was a covenant of works, in which He met the requirements of the original covenant, but for us it is the eternal foundation of the covenant of grace. Its benefits are limited to the elect. They only obtain the redemption and inherit the glory which Christ merited for sinners.

c. Requirements and promises in the covenant of redemption. (1) The Father required of the Son that He should assume human nature with its present infirmities, though without sin, Gal 4:4, Gal 4:5; Heb 2:10, Heb 2:11, Heb 2:14, Heb 2:15; Heb 4:15; that He should place Himself under the law to pay the penalty and to merit eternal life for the elect, Psa 40:8; Joh 10:11; Gal 1:4; Gal 4:4, Gal 4:5; and that He should apply His merits to His people by the renewing operation of the Holy Spirit, thus securing the consecration of their lives to God, Joh 10:28; Joh 17:19-22; Heb 5:7-9. (2) And the Father promised the Son that He would prepare for Him a body, Heb 10:5, would anoint Him with the Holy Spirit, Isa 42:1; Isa 61:1; Joh 3:34, would support Him in His work, Isa 42:6, Isa 42:7; Luk 22:43 would deliver Him from the power of death and place Him at His own right hand, Psa 16:8-11; Phi 2:9-11, would enable Him to [s]end the Spirit for the formation of the Church, Joh 14:26; Joh 15:26; Joh 16:13, Joh 16:14, would draw and preserve the elect, Joh 6:37, Joh 6:39, Joh 6:40, Joh 6:44, Joh 6:45, and would grant Him a numerous seed, Psa 22:27; Psa 72:17

2. The Covenant of Grace. On the basis of the covenant of redemption God established the covenant of grace. Several particulars call for consideration here.

a. The contracting parties. God is the first party in the covenant. He establishes the covenant and determines the relation in which the second party will stand to Him. It is not so easy to determine who the second party is. The prevailing opinion in Reformed circles is that it is the elect sinner in Christ. We should bear in mind, however, that the covenant may be viewed in two different ways: (1) As an end in itself, a covenant of mutual friendship or communion of life, which is realized in the course of history through the operation of the Holy Spirit. It represents a condition in which privileges are improved for spiritual ends, the promises of God are embraced by a living faith, and the promised blessings are fully realized. So conceived, it may be defined as that gracious agreement between God and the elect sinner in Christ, in which God gives Himself with all the blessings of salvation to the elect sinner, and the latter embraces God and all His gracious gifts by faith. Deu 7:9; II Cron. 6:14; Psa 25:10, Psa 25:14; Psa 103:17, Psa 103:18. (2) As a means to an end, a purely legal arrangement for the realization of a spiritual end. It is evident that the Bible sometimes speaks of the covenant as including some in whom the promises are never realized, such as Ishmael, Esau, the wicked sons of Eli, and the rebellious Israelites who died in their sins. The covenant may be regarded as a purely legal agreement, in which God guarantees the blessings of salvation to all who believe. If we think of the covenant in this broader sense, we can say that God established it with believers and their children, Gen 17:7; Act 2:39; Rom 9:1-4.

b. The promises and requirements of the covenant. Every covenant has two sides; it offers certain privileges and imposes certain obligations.

(1) The promises of the covenant. The main promise of the covenant, which includes all others, is contained in the oftrepeated words, "I will be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee," Jer 31:33; Jer 32:38-40; Eze 34:23-25, Eze 34:30, Eze 34:31; Eze 36:25-28; Heb 8:10; 2Co 6:16-18. This promise includes all others, such as the promise of temporal blessings, of justification, of the Spirit of God, and of final glorification in a life that never ends. Job 19:25-27; Psa 16:11; Psa 73:24-26; Isa 43:25; Jer 31:33, Jer 31:34; Eze 36:27; Dan 12:2, Dan 12:3; Gal 4:4, Gal 4:5, 6; Tit, 3:7; Heb 11:7; Jam 2:5.

(2) The requirements of the covenant. The covenant of grace is not a covenant of works; it requires no work with a view to merit. However, it does contain requirements and imposes obligations on man. By meeting the demands of the covenant man earns nothing, but merely puts himself in the way in which God will communicate to him the promised blessings. Moreover, it should be borne in mind that even the requirements are covered by the promises: God gives man all that He requires of him. The two things which He demands of those who stand in covenant relationship to Him are (a) that they accept the covenant and the covenant promises by faith, and thus enter upon the life of the covenant; and (b) that from the principle of the new life born within them, they consecrate themselves to God in new obedience.

c. The characteristics of the covenant. The covenant of grace is a gracious covenant, because it is a fruit and manifestation of the grace of God to sinners. It is grace from start to finish. It is also an eternal and inviolable covenant, to which God will always be true, though men may break it. Even in its widest extent it includes only a part of mankind, and is therefore particular. If its New Testament dispensation is called universal, this is done only in view of the fact that it is not limited to the Jews, as the Old Testament dispensation was. This covenant is also characterized by unity. It is essentially the same in all dispensations, though the form of its administration changes. The essential promise is the same, Gen 17:7; Heb 8:10, the gospel is the same, Gal 3:8, the requirement of faith is the same, Gal 3:6, Gal 3:7, and the Mediator is the same, Heb 13:8. The covenant is both conditional and unconditional. It is conditional because it is dependent on the merits of Christ and because the enjoyment of the life it offers depends on the exercise of faith. But it is unconditional in the sense that it does not depend on any merits of man. And, finally, it is testamentary as a free and sovereign disposition on the part of God. It is called a 'testament' in Heb 9:16, Heb 9:17. This name stresses the facts, (1) that it is a free arrangement of God; (2) that its New Testament dispensation was ushered in by the death of Christ; and (3) that in it God gives what He demands. The covenant of grace differs from the covenant of works in that it has a mediator. Christ is represented as the Mediator of the new covenant, 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6; Heb 9:15; Heb 12:24. He is Mediator, not only merely in the sense that He intervenes between God and man to sue for peace and to persuade to it, but in the sense that He is armed with full power to do all that is necessary for the actual establishment of peace. As our Surety, Heb 7:22, He assumes our guilt, pays the penalty of sin, fulfills the law, and thus restores peace.

d. Membership in the covenant. Adults can enter the covenant as a purely legal arrangement only by faith. And when they so enter it, they at the same time gain entrance into the covenant as a communion of life. They therefore enter upon the full covenant life at once. Children of believers, however, enter the covenant as a legal arrangement by birth, but this does not necessarily mean that they also at once enter it as a communion of life, nor even that they will ever enter it in that sense. Yet the promise of God gives a reasonable assurance that the covenant life will be realized in them. As long as they do not manifest the contrary we may proceed on the assumption that they possess the new life. When they grow up, they must accept their covenant responsibilities voluntarily by a true confession of faith. Failure to do this makes them covenant breakers. From the preceding it follows that unregenerate persons may temporarily be in the covenant as a purely legal relationship, Rom 9:4. They are recognized as covenant children, are subject to its requirements and share its ministrations. They receive the seal of baptism, enjoy the common blessings of the covenant, and may even partake of some special operations of the Holy Spirit. If they do not accept the corresponding responsibilities, they will be judged as breakers of the covenant. The different dispensations of the covenant. (1) The first revelation of the covenant is found in Gen 3:15, which is usually called the protevangel or the maternal promise. This does not yet refer to the formal establishment of the covenant. (2) The covenant with Noah is of a very general nature as a covenant with all flesh. It conveys only natural blessings, and is therefore often called the covenant of nature or of common grace. It is closeconnected, however, with the covenant of grace. It is also a fruit of the grace of God and guarantees those natural and temporal blessings which are absolutely necessary for the realization of the covenant of grace. (3) The covenant with Abraham marks its formal establishment. It is the beginning of the Old Testament particularistic administration of the covenant, which is now limited to Abraham and his descendants, Faith stands out prominently as its necessary requirement, and circumcision becomes its seal. (4) The covenant at Sinai is essentially the same as that established with Abraham, but now takes in the whole nation of Israel, and thus became a national covenant. Though it strongly stresses the keeping of the law, it should not be regarded as a renewed covenant of works. The law increased the consciousness of sin, Rom 3:20, and became a tutor unto Christ, Gal 3:24. Passover was added as a second sacrament. (5) The new covenant, as revealed in the New Testament, Jer 31:31; Heb 8:8, Heb 8:13, is essentially the same as that of the Old Testament, Rom. 4; Gal. 3. It now breaks through the barriers of particularism and becomes universal in the sense that its blessings are extended to people of all nations. Its blessings become fuller and more spiritual, and baptism and the Lord's Supper are substituted for the Old Testament sacraments.

To memorize. Passages bearing on:

a. Thee parties of the covenant:

Gen 3:15. "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."

Gen 3:15: "And I will put enmity between thee and the and thee and thy seed after thee throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee." Exo 19:5, Exo 19:6a. "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then shall ye be mine own possession from among all peoples: for all the earth is mine: and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation."

Jer 31:31-33, "Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith Jehovah. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith Jehovah: I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."

Act 2:39. "For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto Him."

b. Its promises and requirements:

Cf. Gen 17:7; Exo 19:5; Exo 19:6a; Jer 31:33 under a. above, for the essential promise.

Gen 15:6. "And he (Abraham) believed in Jehovah, and He reckoned it to him for righteousness."

Exo 19:5. "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be mine own possession from among all peoples."

Psa 25:14. "The friendship of Jehovah is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His covenant."

Psa 103:17, Psa 103:18. "But the lovingkindness of Jehovah is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children's children; to such as keep His covenant, and to those that remember His precepts to do them."

Gal 3:7, Gal 3:9. "Know therefore that they that are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham.... So then they that are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham."

c. Characteristics of the covenant:

Eternal. Gen 17:19b. "And I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his seed after him." Isa 54:10. "For the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed; but my lovingkindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall my covenant of peace be removed, saith Jehovah that hath mercy on thee." Isa 24:5. "The earth also is polluted under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant."

Unity. Gal 3:7, Gal 3:9 under b. above. Rom 4:11. "And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision; that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned unto them"

Testamentary. Heb 9:17, Heb 9:18. "For a testament is of force where there hath been death; for it doth never avail while he that made it liveth. Wherefore even the first covenant hath not been dedicated without blood."

d. The Mediator of the covenant:

1Ti 2:5. "For there is one God, one Mediator also between God and men, Himself man, Christ Jesus." Heb 7:22. "By so much also hath Jesus become the Surety of a better covenant."

Heb 8:6. "But now He hath obtained a ministry the more excellent, by so much as He is also the Mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises."

For Further Study:

a. Can you name some special covenants mentioned in the Bible? Gen 31:44; Deu 29:1; 1Sa 18:3; 2Sa 28:5.

b. Can you name instances of covenant breaking? Gen 25:32-34, cf. Heb 12:16, Heb 12:17; Exo 32:1-14; Num. 14; Num. 16; Jdg 2:11 ff.; 1Sa 2:12 ff.; Isa 24:5; Eze 16:59; Hos 6:7; Hos 8:1; Hos 10:4.

c. Did the giving of the law change the covenant essentially? Rom 4:13-17; Gal 3:17-24.

Questions for Review

1. What is the covenant of redemption? By what other name is it known, and how is it related to the covenant of grace?

2. What scriptural evidence is there for it?

3. What is the official position of Christ in this covenants?

4. Was it for Christ a covenant of grace or a covenant of works.?

5. Whom does Christ represent in this covenant?

6. What did the Father require of Christ, and what did He promise Him?

7. What distinction do we apply to the covenant of grace?

8. How does this affect the question, who is the second party in the covenant?

9. What is the all-embracing promise of the covenant?

10. What does God require of those who are in the covenant?

11. What are the characteristics of the covenant?

12. In what sense is the covenant unbreakable, and in what sense breakable?

13. How can you prove the unity of the covenants?

14. In what sense is it conditional, and in what sense unconditional?

15. Why can it be called a testament?

16. Where do we find the first revelation of the covenant?

17. What was the nature of the covenant with Noah?

18. How did the covenant with, Abraham and the Sinaitic covenant differ?

19. What characterized the New Testament dispensation of the covenants?

20. What is the position of Christ in the covenant of grace?

21. How can adults become covenant members?

22. How do children of believers enter the covenant?

23. What is expected of them?

24. Can unregenerate persons be members of the covenants?

÷Summary of Christian Doctrine

Part IV: The Doctrine of the Person and Work of Christ

Chapter XIV: The Names and Nature of Christ

1.The Names of Christ. The most important names of Christ are the following: a. Jesus. This is the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, Jos 1:1; Zec 3:1, or Jeshua, Ezr 2:2. Derived from the Hebrew word 'to save,' it designates Christ as the Saviour, Mat 1:21. Two types of Christ bore the same name in the Old Testament, namely, Joshua the son of Nun and Joshua the son of Jehozadak.

b. Christ. This is the New Testament form for the Old Testament 'Messiah,' which means 'the anointed one.' According to the Old Testament, prophets, 1Ki 19:16, priests, Exo 29:7, and kings, 1Sa 10:1, were anointed with oil, which symbolized the Holy By this anointing they were set aside for their respective offices, and were qualified for them. Christ was anointed with the Holy Spirit for the threefold office of prophet, priest, and king. Historically, this anointing took place when He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and when He was baptized.

c. Son of Man. This name, as applied to Christ, was derived from Dan 7:13. It is the name which Jesus generally applies to Himself, while others seldom use it. While it does contain an indication of the humanity of Jesus, in the light of its historical origin in points far more to His superhuman character and to His future coming with the clouds of heaven in majesty and glory, Dan 7:13; Mat 16:27, Mat 16:28; Mat 26:64; Luk 21:27.

d. Son of God. Christ is called 'the Son of God' in more than one sense. He is so called, because He is the second Person of the Trinity, and therefore Himself God, Mat 11:27, but also because He is the appointed Messiah, Mat 24:36, and because His birth to the supernatural activity of the Holy Spirit, Luk 1:3.

e. Lord. Jesus' contemporaries sometimes applied this name to Jesus as a form of polite address, just as we use the word 'sir.' It is especially after the resurrection of Christ that the name acquires a deeper meaning. In some passages it designates Christ as the Owner and Ruler of the Church, Rom 1:7; Eph 1:17, and in others it really stands for the name of God, 1Co 7:34; Phi 4:4, Phi 4:5.

2. The Natures of Christ. The Bible represents Christ as a Person having two natures, the one divine and the other human. This is the great mystery of godliness, God manifested in the flesh, 1Ti 3:16.

a. The two natures. Since many in our day deny the deity of Christ, it is necessary to stress the Scripture proof for it. Some old Testament passages clearly point to it, Such as Isa 9:6; Jer 23:6; Mic 5:2; Mal 3:1. The New Testament proofs are even more abundant, Mat 11:27; 16:16; 26:63, 64; Joh 1:1, Joh 1:18; Rom 9:5; 1Co 2:8; 2Co 5:10; Phi 2:6; Col 2:9; Heb 1:1-3; Rev 19:16. The humanity of Jesus is not called in question. In fact, the only divinity many still ascribe to Him is that of His perfect humanity. There is abundant proof for the humanity of Jesus. He speaks of Himself as man, Joh 8:40, and is so called by others, Act 2:22; Rom 5:15; 1Co 15:21. He had the essential elements of human nature, namely, a body and a soul, Mat 26:26, Mat 26:38; Luk 24:89; Heb 2:14. Moreover, He was subject to the ordinary laws of human development, Luk 2:40, Luk 2:52, and to human wants and sufferings, Mat 4:2; Mat 8:24; Luk 22:44; Joh 4:6; Joh 11:35; Joh 12:27; Heb 2:10, Heb 2:18; Heb 5:7, Heb 5:8. Yet though He was a real man, He was without sin; He did no sin and could not sin, Joh 8:46; 2Co 5:21; Heb 4:15; Heb 9:14; 1Pe 2:22; I Joh 3:5. It was necessary that Christ should be both God and man. It was only as man that He could be our substitute, and could suffer and die; and only as sinless man that He could atone for the sins of others. And it was only as God that He could give His sacrifice infinite value, and bear the wrath of God so as to deliver others from it, Psa 40:7-10; Psa 130:8.

b. The two natures united in one Person. Christ has a human nature, but He is not a human person. The Person of the Mediator is the unchangeable Son of God. In the incarnation He did not change into a human person; neither did He adopt a human person. He simply assumed, in addition to His divine nature, a human nature, which did not develop into an independent personality, but became personal in the Person of the Son of God. After this assumption of human nature the Person of the Mediator is not only divine but divine-human; He is the God-man, possessing all the essential qualities of both the human and the divine nature. He has both a divine and a human consciousness, as well as a human and a divine will. This is a mystery which we cannot fathom. Scripture clearly points to the unity of the Person of Christ. It is always the same Person who speaks, whether the mind that finds utterance be human or divine, Joh 10:30; Joh 17:5 as compared with Mat 27:46; Joh 19:28. Human attributes and actions are sometimes ascribed to the Person designated by a divine title, Acts 20;28; 1Co 2:8; Col 1:13, Col 1:14; and divine attributes and actions are sometimes ascribed to the Person designated by a human title, Joh 3:13; Joh 6:62; Rom 9:5.

c. Some of the most important errors concerning this doctrine. The Alogi and the Ebionites denied the deity of Christ in the early Church. This denial was shared by the Socinians of the days of the Reformation, and by the Unitarians and Modernists of our day. In the early Church Arius failed to do justice to the full deity of Christ and regarded Him as a demi-God, while Apollinaris did not recognize His full humanity, but held that the divine Logos took the place of the human spirit in Christ. The Nestorians denied the unity of the two natures in one Person, and the Eutychians failed to distinguish properly between the two natures.

To memorize. Passages to prove:

a. The deity of Christ.

Isa 9:6. "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Jer 23:6. "In His days shall Judah be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is His name whereby He shall be called: Jehovah our righteousness."

Joh 1:1. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

Rom 9:5. "Whose are the fathers, and of whom is Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever."

Col 2:9. "For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the God"

b. The humanity of Christ.

Joh 8:40. "But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I heard from God."

Mat 26:28. "Then said He unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: abide here and watch with me."

Luk 24:39. "See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself'. handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye behold me having."

Heb 2:14. "Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, He also Himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death He might bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil."

e. The unity of the Person.

Joh 17:5. "And now, Father, glorify Thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was."

Joh 3:13. "And no one hath ascended into heaven, but He that descended out of heaven, even the Son of Man, who is in heaven."

1Co 2:8. "Which none of the rulers of this world hath known: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."

For Further Study:

a. In what respect was Joshua the son of Nun a type of Christ; and in what respect Joshua the son of Jehozadak? Zec 3:8, Zec 3:9; Heb 4:8.

b. What do the following passages teach us respecting the anointing of Christ? Psa 2:2; Psa 45:7; Pro 8:23 (cf. Auth. Ver.), Isa 61:1. c. What divine attributes are ascribed to Christ? Isa 9:6; Pro 8:22-31; Mic 5:2; Joh 5:26; Joh 21:17. What divine works? Mar 2:5-7; Joh 1:1-3; Col 1:16, Col 1:17; Heb 1:1-3. What divine honor? Mat 28:19; Joh 5:19-29; Joh 14:1; 2Co 13:14.

Questions for Review

1. Which are the most important names of Christ? What is the meaning of each?

2. What elements are included in Christ's anointing? When did it take place?

3. Whence is the name 'Son of Man' derived' What does the name express?

4. In what sense is the name 'Son of God' applied to Christ?

5. What different meanings has the name 'Lord' as applied to Christ?

6. What Bible proof is there for the deity and humanity of Christ?

7. What is the nature of the Person of Christ, divine, human, or divine-human?

8. How can the unity of the Person of Christ be proved from Scripture.?

9. What are the main errors respecting the Person of Christ?

÷Summary of Christian Doctrine

Part IV: The Doctrine of the Person and Work of Christ

Chapter XV: The States of Christ

We often use the words 'state' and 'condition' interchangeably. When we speak of the states of Christ, however, we use the word 'state' in a more specific sense, to denote the relation in which He stood and stands to the law. In the days of His humiliation He was a servant under the law; in His exaltation He is Lord, and as such above the law. Naturally these two states carried with them corresponding conditions of life, and these are discussed as the various stages of these states.

1. The State of Humiliation. The state of humiliation consists in this that Christ laid aside the divine majesty which was His as the sovereign Ruler of the universe, and assumed human nature in the form of a servant; that He, the supreme Lawgiver, became subject to the demands and curse of the law. Mat 3:15; Gal 3:13; Gal 4:4; Phi 2:6-8. This state is reflected in the corresponding condition, in which we usually distinguish several stages. a. The incarnation and birth of Christ. In the incarnation the Son of God became flesh by assuming human nature, Joh 1:14; I Joh 4:2. He really became one of the human race by being born of Mary. This would not have been true, if He had brought His humanity from heaven, as the Anabaptists claim. The Bible teaches the virgin birth in Isa 7:14; Mat 1:20; Luk 1:34, Luk 1:35. This wonderful birth was due to the supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit, who also kept the human nature of Christ free from the pollution of sin from its very inception, Luk 1:35.

b. The sufferings of Christ. We sometimes speak as if the sufferings of Christ were limited to His final agonies, but this is not correct. His whole life was a life of suffering. It was the servant life of the Lord of Hosts, the life of the sinless One in a sin-cursed world. Satan assaulted Him, His people rejected Him, and His enemies persecuted Him. The sufferings of the soul were even more intense than those of the body. He was tempted by the devil, was oppressed by the world of iniquity round about Him, and staggered by the burden of sin resting upon Him,-- "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." Isa 53:3.

c. The death, of Christ. When we speak of the death of Christ, we naturally have in mind His physical death. He did not die as the result of an accident, nor by the hand of an assassin, but under a judicial sentence, and was thus counted with the transgressors, Isa 53:12. By suffering the Roman punishment of crucifixion He died an accursed death, bearing the curse for us, Deu 21:23; Gal 3:13. d. The burial of Christ. It might seem as if the death of Christ was the last stage of His sufferings. Did He not cry out on the cross, "It is finished"? But these words probably refer to His active suffering. His burial certainly was a part of His humiliation, of which He as Son of God was also conscious. Man's returning to the dust is a punishment for sin, Gen 3:19. That the Saviour's abode in the grave was a humiliation, is evident from Psa 16:10; Act 2:27, Act 2:31; Act 13:34, Act 13:35. It removed for us the terrors of the grave.

e. The descent into hades. The words of the Apostolic Confession, "He descended into hades," are variously interpreted. Roman Catholics say that He went down into the Limbus Patrum, where the Old Testament saints were confined, to release them; and the Lutherans that, between His death and resurrection, He went down to hell to preach and to celebrate his victory over the powers of darkness. In all probability it is a figurative expression to denote (1) that He suffered the pangs of hell in the garden and on the cross, and (2) that He entered the deepest humiliation of the state of death, Psa 16:8-10; Eph 4:9.

2. The State of Exaltation. In the state of exaltation Christ passed from under the law as a covenant obligation, having paid the penalty of sin and merited righteousness and eternal life for the sinner. Moreover, He was crowned with a corresponding honor and glory. Four stages must be distinguished here.

a. The resurrection. The resurrection of Christ did not consist in the mere re-union of body and soul, but especially in this that in Him human nature, both body and soul, was restored to its original beauty and strength, and even raised to a higher level. In distinction from all those who had been raised up before Him He arose with a spiritual body, 1Co 15:44, 1Co 15:45. For that reason He can be called "the first fruits of them that slept," 1Co 15:20, and "the firstborn of the dead," Col 1:18; Rev 1:5. The resurrection of Christ has a threefold significance: (1) It was a declaration of the Father that Christ met all the requirements of the law, Phi 2:9. (2) It symbolized the justification, regeneration, and final resurrection of believers, Rom 6:4, Rom 6:5, Rom 6:9; 1Co 6:14; 1Co 15:20-22. (3) It was the cause of our justification, regeneration, and resurrection, Rom 4:25; Rom 5:10; Eph 1:20; Phi 3:10; 1Pe 1:3.

b. The ascension. The ascension was in a sense the necessary completion of the resurrection, but it also had independent significance. We have a double account of it, namely, in Luk 24:50-53; Act 1:6-11. Paul refers to it in Eph 1:20; 4:8-10; 1Ti 3:16, and the Epistle to the Hebrews stresses its significance, 1:3; 4:14; 6:20; 9:24. It was a visible ascent of the Mediator, according to His human nature, from earth to heaven, a going from one place to another. It included a further glorification of the human nature of Christ. The Lutherans have a different view of it. They conceive of it as a change of condition, whereby the human nature of Jesus passed into the full enjoyment of certain divine attributes, and became permanently omnipresent. In the ascension Christ as our great high priest enters the inner sanctuary to present His sacrifice to the Father and begin His work as intercessor at the throne, Rom 8:34; Heb 4:14; Heb 6:20; Heb 9:24. He ascended to prepare a place for us, Joh 14:1-3. With Him we are already set in heavenly places, and in His ascension we have the assurance of a place in heaven, Eph 2:6; JoI1n 17:24.

c. The session at God's right hand. After His ascension Christ is seated at the right hand of God, Eph 1:20; Heb 10:12; 1Pe 3:22. Naturally, the expression 'right hand of God' cannot be taken literally, but should be understood as a figurative indication of the place of power and glory. During His session at God's right hand Christ rules and protects His Church, governs the universe in its behalf, and intercedes for His people on the basis of His completed sacrifice.

d. The physical return. The exaltation of Christ reaches its climax, when He returns to judge the living and the dead. Evidently His return will be bodily and visible, Act 1:11; Rev 1:7. That He will come as Judge is evident from such passages as Joh 5:22, Joh 5:27; Act 10:42; Rom 2:16; 2Co 5:10; 2Ti 4:1. The time of His second coming is not known to us. He will come for the purpose of judging the world and perfecting the salvation of His people. This will mark the complete victory of His redemptive work. 1Co 4:5; Phi 3:20; Col 3:4; 1Th 4:13-17; 2Th 1:7-10; 2Th 2:1-12; Tit 2:13; Rev 1:7. To memorize. Passages bearing on:

a. The state of humiliation:

Gal 3:13. "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree."

Gal 4:4, Gal 4:5. "But when the fulness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that He might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."

Phil. 2;6-8. "Who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross."

b. The incarnation:

Joh 1:14. "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth."

Rom 8:3. "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh."

c. The virgin birth:

Isa 7:14. "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel."

Luk 2:86. "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the holy thing which is begotten shall be called the Son of God."

d. The descent into hades:

Psa 16:10. "For Thou wilt not leave my soul to Sheol (hades, Act 2:27); neither wilt Thou suffer Thy holy one to see corruption."

Eph 4:9. "Now this, He ascended, what is it but that He also descended into the lower parts of the earth?"

e. The resurrection:

Rom 4:25. "Who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification."

1Co 15:20. "But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of them that are asleep."

f. The ascension:

Luk 24:51. "And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and was carried up into heaven."

Act 1:11. "Who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? This same Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have beheld Him going into heaven."

g. The session:

Eph 1:20. "Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and made Him to sit at His right hand in the heavenly places."

Heb 10:12. "But He, when He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God."

h. The return:

Act 1:11. Cf. above under f.

Rev 1:7. "Behold, He cometh with the clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they that pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth shall mourn over Him."

For Further Study:

a. What does the Old Testament tell us about the humiliation of Christ in the following passages: Psa 22:6-20; Psa 69:7-9; Psa 20:21; Isa 52:14, Isa 52:15; Isa 53:1-10; Zec 11:12, Zec 11:13.

b. What was the special value of Christ's temptations for us? Heb 2:18; Heb 4:15; Heb 5:7-9.

c. How do the following passages prove that heaven is a place rather than a condition? Deu 30:12; Jos 2:11; Psa 139:8; Ecc 5:2; Isa 66:1; Rom 10:6, Rom 10:7.

Questions for Review

1. What is meant by the states of the Mediator?

2. How would you define the states of humiliation and exaltation?

3. What took place at the incarnation?

4. How did Christ receive His human nature?

5. What proof have we for the virgin birth?

6. How was the Holy Spirit connected with the birth, of Christ?

7. Were the sufferings of Christ limited to the end of His life?

8. Did it make any difference how Christ died?

9. What different views are there respecting the descent into hades?

10. What was the nature of Christ's resurrection? What change did He undergo?

11. What was the significance of the resurrection?

12. How would you prove that the ascension was a going from place to place?

13. What is its significance, and how do Lutherans conceive of it?

14. What is meant by the session at God's right hand? What does Christ do there?

15. How will Christ return, and what is the purpose of His coming?

÷Summary of Christian Doctrine

Part IV: The Doctrine of the Person and Work of Christ

Chapter XVI: The Offices of Christ

The Bible ascribes a threefold office to Christ, speaking of Him as Prophet, Priest, and King.

1. The Prophetic Office. The Old Testament predicted the coming of Christ as a prophet, Deu 18:15 (comp. Act 3:23). He speaks of Himself as a prophet in Luk 13:33, claims to bring a message from the Father, Joh 8:26-28; Joh 12:49, Joh 12:50; Joh 14:10, Joh 14:24, foretells future things, Mat 24:3-35; Luk 19:41-44, and speaks with singular authority, Mat 7:29. It is no wonder, therefore, that the people recognized Him as a prophet, Mat 21:11, Mat 21:46; Luk 7:16; Luk 24:19; Joh 6:14; Joh 7:40; Joh 9:17. A prophet is one who receives divine revelations in dreams, visions, or verbal communications; and passes these on to the people either orally or visibly in prophetic actions. Exo 7:1; Deu 18:18; Num 12:6-8; Isa. 6; Jer 1:4-10; Eze 3:1-4, Eze 3:17. His work may pertain to the past, the present, or the future. One of his important tasks was to interpret the moral and spiritual aspects of the law for the people. Christ functioned as prophet already in the Old Testament, 1Pe 1:11; 1Pe 3:18-20. He did it while He was on earth, and continued it by the operation of the Holy Spirit and through the apostles after the ascension, Joh 14:26; Joh 16:12-14; Act 1:1. And even now his prophetic ministry continues through the ministry of the Word and the spiritual illumination of believers. This is the only function of Christ which is recognized in modern liberal theology.

2. The Priestly Office. The Old Testament also predicted and prefigured the priesthood of the coming Redeemer, Psa 110:4; Zec 6:18; Isa. 53. In the New Testament there is only a single book in which He is called priest, namely, Hebrews, but there the name is found repeatedly, 3:1; 4:14; 5:5; 6:20; 7:26; 8:1. However, other books refer to His priestly work, Mar 10:45; Joh 1:29; Rom 3:24, Rom 3:25; 1Co 5:7; I Joh 2:2; 1Pe 2:24; 1Pe 3:18 While a prophet represented God among the people, a priest represented the people before God. Both were teachers, but while the former taught the moral, the latter taught the ceremonial law. Moreover, the priests had the special privilege of approach to God, and of speaking and acting in behalf of the people. Heb 5:1, Heb 5:3 teaches us that a priest is taken from among men to be their representative, is appointed by God, is active before God in the interests of men, and offers gifts and sacrifices for sins. He also makes intercession for the people.

The priestly work of Christ was, first of all, to bring a sacrifice for sin. The Old Testament sacrifices were types pointing forward to the great sacrifice of Christ, Heb 9:23, Heb 9:24; Heb 10:1, Heb 13:11, Heb 13:12. Hence Christ is also called "the Lamb of God," Joh 1:29, and "our passover," 1Co 5:7. The New Testament speaks very clearly of the priestly work of Christ in numerous passages: Mar 10:45; Joh 1:29; Rom 3:24, Rom 3:25; 5:6-8; 1Co 5:7; 15:3; Gal 1:4; Eph 5:2; 1Pe 2:24; 1Pe 3:18; I Joh 2:2; 4:10; Rev 5:12. The references are most frequent in the Epistle to the Hebrews, 5:1-10; 7:1-28; 9:11-15, 24-28; 10:11-14, 19-22; 12:24; 13:12.

Besides bringing the great sacrifice for sins, Christ as priest also makes intercession for His people. He is called our parakletos by implication in Joh 14:16, and explicitly in I Joh 2:2. The term means 'one who is called in to help, an advocate, one who pleads the cause of another.' The New Testament refers to Christ as our intercessor in Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25; Heb 9:24; I Joh 2:1. His intercessory work is based on His sacrifice, and is not limited, as is sometimes thought, to intercessory prayer. He presents His sacrifice to God, on the ground of it claims all spiritual blessings for His people, defends them against the charges of Satan, the law, and conscience, secures forgiveness for everything justly charged against them, and sanctifies their worship and service through the operation of the Holy Spirit. This intercessory work is limited in character; it has reference only to the elect, but includes all the elect, whether they are already believers or still live in unbelief, Joh 17:9, Joh 17:20.

3. The Kingly Office. As Son of God Christ naturally shares in the universal dominion of God. In distinction from this we speak of a kingship that was conferred on Him as Mediator This kingship is twofold, namely, His spiritual kingship over the Church, and His kingship over the universe.

a. His spiritual kingship. The Bible speaks of this in many places, Psa 2:6; Psa 132:11; Isa 9:6, Isa 9:7; Mic 5:2; Zec 6:13; Luk 1:33; Luk 19:38; Joh 18:36, Joh 18:37; Act 2:30-36. The kingship of Christ is His royal rule over His people. It is called spiritual, because it relates to a spiritual realm, is established in the hearts and lives of believers, has a spiritual end in view, the salvation of sinners, and is administered by spiritual means, the Word and the Spirit. It is exercised largely in the gathering, the government, the protection, and the perfection of the Church. This kingship as well as the realm over which it extends is called in the New Testament "the kingdom of God" or "the kingdom of heaven." In the strict sense of the word only believers, members of the invisible Church, are citizens of the kingdom. But the term 'kingdom of God' is sometimes used in a broader sense, as including all who live under the proclamation of the gospel, all who have a place in the visible Church, Mat 13:24-30, Mat 13:47-50. This kingdom of God is on the one hand a present, spiritual reality in the hearts and lives of men, Mat 12:28; Luk 17:21; Col 1:13; but on the other hand a future hope, which will not be realized until the return of Jesus Christ, Mat 7:21; Luk 22:29; 1Co 15:50; 2Ti 4:18; 2Pe 1:11. The future kingdom will be essentially the same as the present, namely, the rule of God established and acknowledged in the hearts of men. It will differ, however, in that it will be visible and perfect. Some are of the opinion that this kingship of Christ will cease at His return, but the Bible would seem to teach explicitly that it will endure forever, Psa 45:6; Psa 72:17; Psa 39:36; Psa 39:37; Isa 9:6; Dan 2:44; 2Sa 7:13, 2Sa 7:16; Luk 1:33; 2Pe 1:11.

b. His universal kingship, After the resurrection Christ said to His disciples: "All authority hath been given unto Me in heaven and on earth." Mat 28:18. The same truth is taught in 1Co 15:27; Eph 1:20-22. This kingship should not be confused with the original kingship of Christ as the Son of God, though it pertains to the same realm. It is the kingship of the universe entrusted to Christ as Mediator in behalf of His Church. As Mediator He now guides the destiny of individuals and nations, controls the life of the world and makes it subservient to His redemptive purpose, and protects His Church against the dangers to which it is exposed in the world. This kingship will last until the victory over the enemies of the kingdom of God is complete. When the end is accomplished, it will be returned to the Father. 1Co 15:24-28. To memorize. Passages pointing to:

a. Christ as prophet:

Deu 18:18. "I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee; and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him."

Luk 7:16. "And fear took hold on them all; and they glorified God, saying, A great prophet is arisen among us: and God hath visited His people."

b. Christ as priest:

Psa 110:4. "Jehovah hath sworn, and will not repent: Thou are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."

Heb 3:1. "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, even Jesus."

Heb 4:14. "Having then a great high priest, who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession."

c. His characteristics as priest:

Heb 5:1, Heb 5:5. "For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins... So Christ also glorified not Himself to be made a high priest, but He that spake unto Him, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee."

d. His sacrificial work:

Isa 53:5. "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with his stripes we are healed."

Mar 10:45. "For the Son of Man also came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His soul a ransom for many."

Joh 1:29. "Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world."

1Pe 2:24. "Who His own self bare sins in His body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness."

I Joh 2:2. "And He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but for the whole world."

e. His intercessory work:

Rom 8:34. "It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."

Heb 7:25. "Wherefore also He is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them."

I John 2:lb. "And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."

f. Christ as King of Zion:

Psa 2:6. "Yet I have set my king upon my holy hill of Zion."

Isa 9:7. "Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even for ever."

Luk 1:32, Luk 1:33. "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end."

g. Christ as king of the universe:

Mat 28:18. "And Jesus came to them and spake to them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth."

Eph 1:22. "And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the Church."

1Co 15:25. "For He must reign, till He hath put all His enemies under His feet."

For Further Study:

a. What do the following passages tell us respecting the nature of the prophetic work? Exo 7:1; Deu 18:18; Eze 3:17.

b. What Old Testament types of Christ are indicated in the following passages: Joh 1:29; 1Co 5:7; Heb 3:1; 4:14; 8:3-5; 9:13, 14; 10:1-14; 13:11, 12?

c. What do the following passages teach us respecting the kingdom of God? Joh 3:3, Joh 3:5; Joh 18:36, Joh 18:37; Rom 14:17; 1Co 4:20.

Questions for Review

1. What threefold office has Christ?

2. What is a prophet, and what proof is there that Christ is a prophet?

3. How did Christ function as prophet in various periods of history?

4. What is a priest in distinction from a prophet? How did their teaching differ?

5. What Scriptural proof is there for the priestly character of Christ?

6. What are the characteristics of a priest?

7. What was the nature of Christ's sacrificial work? How was it foreshadowed in the Old Testaments?

8. In what does the work of Christ as intercessor consist?

9. For whom does Christ intercede?

10. What is the spiritual kingship of Christ, and over what realm does it extend?

11. How is the present kingdom of Christ related to His future kingdom?

12. How long will His spiritual kingship lasts?

13. What is the nature and purpose of His universal kingdoms?

14. How long will this last?

÷Summary of Christian Doctrine

Part IV: The Doctrine of the Person and Work of Christ

Chapter XVII: The Atonement Through Christ

There is one part of Christ's priestly work that calls for further consideration, namely, the atonement.

1. The Moving Cause and Necessity of the Atonement. It is sometimes represented as if the moving cause of the atonement lay in Christ's sympathy for sinners. God in His anger, it is said, was bent on the sinner's destruction, but the loving Christ steps in between and saves the sinner. Christ receives all the glory, and the Father is robbed of His honour. The Bible teaches us that the atonement finds its moving cause in the good pleasure of God, Isa 53:10; Luk 2:14; Eph 1:6-9; Col 1:19, Col 1:20. It is best to say that the atonement is rooted in the love and justice of God: love offered sinners a way of escape, and justice demanded that the requirements of the law should be met, Joh 3:16; Rom 3:24-26. Some deny the necessity of the atonement, and hold that God could have pardoned the sinner without receiving any satisfaction. The Bible teaches however, that a righteous and holy God cannot simply overlook sin, but reacts against it, Exo 20:5; Exo 23:7; Psa 5:5, Psa 5:6; Nah 1:2; Rom 1:18, Rom 1:32. Moreover, He had pronounced the sentence of death upon the sinner, Gen 3:3; Rom 6:23.

2. The Nature of the Atonement. The following particulars should be noted here:

a. It served to render satisfaction to God. It is often said that the atonement served primarily, if not exclusively, to influence the sinner, to awaken repentance in his heart, and thus to bring him back to God. But this is clearly wrong, for if a person offends another, amends should be made, not to the offender, but to the offended party. This means that the primary purpose of the atonement was to reconcile God to the sinner. The reconciliation of the sinner to God may be regarded as its secondary purpose.

b. It was a vicarious atonement. God might have demanded a personal atonement of the sinner, but the latter would not have been able to render it. In view of this fact God graciously ordained that Christ should take the place of man as his vicar or substitute. Christ as our vicar atoned for the sin of mankind by bearing the penalty of sin and meeting the demands of the law, and thus wrought an eternal redemption for man. For that reason we speak of the atonement as a vicarious atonement. The offended party Himself made provision for the atonement in this case. The Old Testament sacrifices prefigured the atoning work of Christ, Lev 1:4; Lev 4:20, Lev 4:31, Lev 4:35; Lev 5:10, Lev 5:16; Lev 6:7; Lev 17:11. We are taught that our sins were laid upon Christ, Isa 53:6, He bore them, Joh 1:29, Heb 9:28, and gave His life for sinners, Mar 10:45; Gal 1:4; 1Pe 3:18.

c. It included Christ's active and passive obedience. It is customary to distinguish a twofold obedience of Christ. His active obedience consists in all that He did to observe the law in behalf of sinners, as a condition for obtaining eternal life; and His passive obedience in all that He suffered in paying the penalty of sin and discharging the debt of His people. But while we distinguish these two, we should never separate them. Christ was active also in His suffering, and passive also in His submission to the law. Scripture teaches us that He paid the penalty of the law, Isa 53:8; Rom 4:25; Gal 3:13; 1Pe 2:24, and merited eternal life for the sinner, Rom 8:4; Rom 10:4; 2Co 5:21; Gal 4:4-7.3. The Extent of the Atonement. Roman Catholics, Lutherans, and Arminians of every description regard the atonement of Christ as universal. This does not mean that in their estimation all men will be saved, but merely that Christ suffered and died for the purpose of saving all without any exception. They admit that the intended effect is not achieved. Christ did not actually save, but made salvation possible for all. Their actual redemption is dependent on their own choice. Reformed Churches on the other hand believe in a limited atonement. Christ suffered and died for the purpose of saving only the elect, and that purpose is actually accomplished. Christ not merely made salvation possible but really saves to the uttermost every one of those for whom he laid down His life, Luk 19:10; Rom 5:10; 2Co 5:21; Gal 1:4; Eph 1:7. The Bible indicates that Christ laid down His life for His people. Mat 1:21, for His sheep, Joh 10:11, Joh 10:15, for the Church, Act 20:28; Eph 5:25-27, or for the elect, Rom 8:82-35. If the Bible sometimes says that Christ died for the world, Joh 1:29; I Joh 2:2; Joh 4:14, or for all, 1Ti 2:6; Tit 2:11; Heb 2:9, this evidently means that He died for people of all nations of the world, or (in some instances) for all kinds or classes of people.

To memorize. Passages bearing on:

a. The cause of the atonement.

Isa 53:10. "Yet it pleased Jehovah to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief: when Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of Jehovah shall prosper in His hand."

Col 1:19, Col 1:20. "For it was the good pleasure of the Father that in Him should all the fullness dwell; and through Him to reconcile all things unto Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross."

b. Vicarious atonement.

Isa 53:6. "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovah hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all."

Mar 10:45. "For the Son also came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many."

2Co 5:21. "Him who knew no sin He made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

1Pe 2:24. "Who His own self bare our sins in His body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness."

c. Active obedience and the gift of eternal life.

Mat 3:15. "But Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness."

Mat 5:17. "Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfil."

Gal 4:4, Gal 4:5. "But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that He might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."

Joh 10:28. "And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand." Rom 6:23. "For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." d. Limited atonement.

Mat 1:21. "And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call His name Jesus; for it is He that shall save His people from their sins."

Joh 10:26-28. "But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand."

Act 20:28. "Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flocks, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the Church of the Lord which He purchased with His own blood."

For Further Study:

a. What is the difference between atonement and reconciliation?

b. How do the following passages prove the vicarious nature of Old Testament sacrifices? Lev 1:4; Lev 3:2; Lev 4:15; Lev 16:21, Lev 16:22.

c. Does Joh 17:9 teach us anything respecting the extent of the atonement?

Questions for Review

1. What was the moving cause of the atonement?

2. Why was the atonement necessary?

3. What was the primary purpose of the atonement?

4. What is the difference between personal and vicarious atonement?

5. How was Christ's vicarious atonement prefigured in the Old Testament?

6. What Scripture proof is there for it?

7. What is the difference between the active and passive obedience of Christ?

8. What did each one of these effect?

9. What difference of opinion is there respecting the extent of the atonement?

10. What is meant by universal atonement, and who teach it?

11. What is limited atonement, and what Scripture proof is there for it?

12. What objections are raised against this, and how can they be answered?

÷Summary of Christian Doctrine

Part V: The Doctrine of the Application of the Work of Redemption

Chapter XVIII: The Common Operation of the Holy Spirit:

Common Grace

The study of the work of redemption wrought by Christ is naturally followed by a discussion of the application of this redemption to the hearts and lives of sinners by the special operation of thy Holy Spirit. Before taking this up a brief chapter will be devoted to the general operations of the Holy Spirit, as these are seen in common grace.

1. Nature of Common Grace. When we speak of common grace, we have in mind either (a) those general operations of the Holy Spirit whereby He, without renewing the heart, exercises such a moral influence on man that sin is restrained, order is maintained in social life, and civil righteousness is promoted; or (b) those general blessings which God imparts to all men without any distinction as He sees fit. In distinction from the Arminians we maintain that common grace does not enable the sinner to perform any spiritual good, nor to turn to God in faith and repentance. It can be resisted by man, and is always more or less resisted, and at best affects only the externals of social, civil, moral, and religious life. While Christ died for the purpose of saving only the elect, nevertheless the whole human race, including the impenitent and the reprobate, derive great benefits from His death. The blessings of common grace may be regarded as indirect results of the atoning work of Christ.

2. Means of Common Grace. Several means may be distinguished: (a) The most important of these is the light of God's general revelation. Without this all other means would be impossible and ineffective. It lightens every man, and serves to guide the conscience of the natural man. (b) Human governments also serve this purpose. According to our Confession they are instituted to curb evil tendencies, and to promote good order and decency. (c) Public opinion is another important means wherever it is in harmony with the law of God. It has a tremendous influence on the conduct of men who are very sensitive to the judgment of public opinion. (d) Finally, divine punishments and rewards also serve to encourage moral goodness in the world. The punishments often check the sinful deeds of men, and the rewards spur them on to do what is good and right.

3. The Effects of Common Grace. The following effects may be ascribed to the operation of common grace: (a) The execution of the sentence of death on man is deferred. God did not at once fully execute the sentence of death on the sinner, and does not do so now, but gives him time for repentance, Rom 2:4; 2Pe 8:9. (b) Sin is restrained in the lives of individuals and nations The corruption that entered human life through sin is retarded and not yet permitted to complete its destructive work, Gen 20:6; Gen 31:7; Job 1:12; Job 2:6. (c) Man still has some sense of the true, the good, and the beautiful, appreciates this in a measure, and reveals a desire for truth, morality, and certain forms of religion, Rom 2:14, Rom 2:15; Act 17:22. (d) The natural man is still able to perform natural good or civil righteousness, works that are outwardly in harmony with the law, though without spiritual value, 2Ki 10:29, 2Ki 10:30; 2Ki 12:2; 2Ki 12:14; 2Ki 12:3; Luk 6:33. (e) All men receive numerous undeserved blessings from God, Psa 145:9, Psa 145:15, Psa 145:16; Mat 5:44, Mat 5:45; Luk 6:35, Luk 6:36; Act 14:16, Act 14:17; I Tim. 4;10.

To memorize. Passages proving:

a. A general striving of the Spirit with men:

Gen 6:3. "And Jehovah said, My Spirit shall not strive with man for ever, for that he also is flesh."

Isa 68:10. "But they rebelled, and grieved His Holy Spirit: therefore He was turned to be their enemy, and Himself fought against them."

Rom 1:28, "And even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting."

b. Restraint of sin:

Gen 20:6. "And God said unto him (Abimelech) in the dream, Yea, I know that in the integrity of thy heart thou hast done this, and I also withheld thee from sinning against me."

Gen 31:7. "And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me."

Psa 105:14. "He suffered no man to do them wrong; yea, Ho reproved kings for their sakes."

c. Good works on the part of unregenerate:

Il Kings 10:30. "And Jehovah said unto Jehu, because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in my heart, thy sons of the fourth generation shall sit upon the throne of Israel." Cf. vs. 31.

Luk 6:33. "And if ye do good to them that do good to you, what thank have ye? for even sinners do the same."

Rom 2:14, Rom 2:15. "For when Gentiles that have not the law do by nature the things of the law, these not having the law, are the law unto themselves; in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts."

d. Unmerited blessings on all men:

Psa 145:9. "Jehovah is good to all; and His tender mercies are over all His works."

Mat 5:44, Mat 5:45. "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust."

1Ti 4:10. "For to this end we labor and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of them that believe."

For Further Study:

a. Which are the three points emphasized by our Church as to common grace?

b. How do Mat 21:26, Mat 21:46; Mar 14:2 show the restraining influence of public opinion?

c. How do Rom 1:24, Rom 1:26, Rom 1:28, and Heb 6:4-6 prove common grace?

Questions for Review

1. What is common grace?

2. What is our view in distinction from the Arminian?

3. Does common grace have any spiritual and saving effect?

4. Is it in any way connected with the redemptive work of Christ?

5. By what means does common grace work?

6. What are the effects of common grace?

÷Summary of Christian Doctrine

Part V: The Doctrine of the Application of the Work of Redemption

Chapter XVIIII: Calling and Regeneration

1. Calling. Calling in general may be defined as that gracious act of God whereby He invites sinners to accept the salvation that is offered in Christ Jesus.

It may be either external or internal.

a. External calling. The Bible speaks of this or refers to it in several passages, Mat 28:19; Mat 22:14; Luk 14:16-24; Act 13:46; 2Th 1:8; I Joh 5:10. It consists in the presentation and offering of salvation in Christ to sinners, together with an earnest exhortation to accept Christ by faith in order to obtain the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. From the definition it already appears that it contains three elements, namely, (1) A presentation of the gospel facts and ideas; (2) an invitation to repent and believe in Jesus Christ, and (3) a promise of forgiveness and salvation. The promise is always conditional; its fulfillment can be expected only in the way of true faith and repentance. The external call is universal in the sense that it comes to all men to whom the gospel is preached. It is not limited to any age or nation or class of men, and comes to the reprobate as well as to the elect, Isa 45:22; Isa 55:1; Eze 3:19; Joe 2:32; Mat 22:2-8, Mat 22:14; Rev 22:17. Naturally this call, as coming from God, is seriously meant. He calls sinners in good faith, earnestly desires that they accept the invitation, and in all sincerity promises eternal life to those who repent and believe. Num 23:19; Psa 81:13-16; Pro 1:24; Isa 1:18-20; Eze 18:23, Eze 18:32; Eze 33:11; Mat 23:37; 2Ti 2:18. In the external call God maintains His claim on the sinner. If man does not accept the call, he slights the claim of God and thus increases his guilt. It is also the appointed means by which God gathers the elect out of all the nations of the world, Rom 10:14-17, and should be regarded as a blessing for sinners, though they may turn it into a curse, Isa 1:18-20; Eze 3:18, Eze 3:19; Amo 8:11; Mat 11:20-24; Mat 23:37. Finally, it also serves to justify God in the condemnation of sinners. If they despise the offer of salvation, their guilt stands out in the clearest light, Joh 5:39, Joh 5:40; Rom 3:5, Rom 3:6, Rom 3:19.

b. Internal calling. While we distinguish two aspects of the calling of God, this calling is really one. The internal call is really the external call made effective by the operation of the Holy Spirit. It always comes to the sinner through the Word of God, savingly applied by the operation of the Holy Spirit, 1Co 1:23, 1Co 1:24. In distinction from the external call, it is a powerful calling that is effectual unto salvation, Act 13:48; 1Co 1:23, 1Co 1:24. Moreover, it is a calling without repentance, one that is not subject to change, and is never withdrawn, Rom 11:29. The person called will surely be saved. The Spirit operates through the preaching of the Word by making its persuasions effective, so that man listens to the voice of His God. It addresses itself to the understanding enlightened by the Holy Spirit, so that man is conscious of it. And it is always directed to a certain end. It is a calling to the fellowship of Jesus Christ, 1Co 1:9, to inherit blessing, 1Pe 8:9, to liberty, Gal 6:18, to peace, 1Co 7:15; to holiness, 1Th 4:7; to one hope, Eph 4:4, to eternal life, 1Ti 6:12, and to God's kingdom and glory, 1Th 2:12.2. Regeneration. Divine calling and regeneration stand in the closest possible relation to each other. With respect to regeneration several points deserve consideration:

a. Its nature. The word 'regeneration' is not always used in the same sense. Our Confession uses it in a broad sense, as including even conversion. At present it has a more restricted meaning. In the most restricted sense it denotes that act of God by which the principle of the new life is implanted in man, and the governing disposition of the soul is made holy. In a slightly more comprehensive sense it designates, in addition to the preceding, the new birth or the first manifestation of the new life. It is a fundamental change in the principle of life and the governing disposition of the soul, and therefore affects the whole man, 1Co 2:14; 2Co 4:6; Phi 2:13; 1Pe 1:8. It is completed in a moment of time, and is not a gradual process like sanctification. Through it we pass from death into life, I Joh 3:14. It is a secret and inscrutable work of God that is never directly perceived by man, but can be known only by its effects.

b. Its author. God is the author of regeneration. Scripture represents it as the work of the Holy Spirit, Joh 1:13; Act 16:14; Joh 3:5, Joh 3:8. Over against the Arminians we maintain that it is exclusively the work of the Spirit of God, and not in part the work of man. There is no co-operation of God and man in the work of regeneration, as there is in the work of conversion. Moreover, it should be said that regeneration in the most restricted sense of the word, that is, as the implanting of the new life, is a direct and immediate work of the Holy Spirit. It is a creative work in which for that very reason the word of the gospel cannot very well be used as an instrument. It may be said that Jam 1:18 and 1Pe 1:23 prove that the word of preaching is used as an instrument in regeneration, but these passages refer to regeneration in a broader sense, as including the new birth. In that more inclusive sense regeneration is undoubtedly wrought through the instrumentality of the Word.

c. Its necessity and place in the order of salvation. Scripture leaves no doubt as to the absolute necessity of regeneration, but asserts this in the clearest terms, Joh 3:3, Joh 3:5, Joh 3:7; 1Co 2:14; Gal 6:15. This follows from the fact that we are by nature dead in trespasses and sin, and must be endowed with new spiritual 1ife, in order to enjoy the divine favor and communion with God. The question is often raised which of the two is first, calling or regeneration. In answer to this it may be said that in the case of adults external calling usually precedes or coincides with regeneration in the restricted sense. Regeneration, as the implanting of the new life, precedes internal calling, and internal calling precedes regeneration in the broader sense, or the new birth. We find the greater part of this order indicated in the record of the conversion of Lydia, Act 16:14, "And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, heard us (external call): whose heart the Lord opened (regeneration in the restricted sense) to give heed to the things which were spoken by Paul (internal call)."

To memorize. Passages proving:

a External calling:

Mar 16:15, Mar 16:16. "And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation ("every creature," Auth. Ver.). He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned."

Mat 22:14. "For many are called, but few are chosen."

Act 13:46. "And Paul and Barnabas spake out boldly, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you. Seeing ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles."

b. Calling of the reprobate:

Pro 1:24-26. "Because I have called, and ye have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man hath regarded; but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh in the day of your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh."

1Pe 3:19, 1Pe 3:20a. "In which also He (Christ) went and preached unto the spirits in prison, that aforetime were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah."

Confer also the parables in Mat 22:1-8, Mat 22:14; Luk 14:16-24.

c. Seriousness of this calling:

Pro 1:24-26, cf. above under b.

Eze 18:23, Eze 18:32. "Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked? said the Lord Jehovah; and not rather that he should return from his way and, live?... For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord Jehovah: wherefore turn yourselves, and live." Cf. also 33:11.

Mat 23:37. "0 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, .that killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her! how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not."

d. The necessity of regeneration:

Jer 13:23, "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil."

Joh 3:3, Joh 3:7. "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.... Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."

e. Regeneration and the Word.

Jam 1:18. "Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures."

1Pe 1:23. "Having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth."

For Further Study:

a. Is calling a work of one Person of the Trinity or of all three? 1Co 1:9; 1Th 2:12; Mat 11:28; Luk 5:32; Mat 10:20; Act 5:31, Act 5:32.

b. Is the word 'regeneration' used in the Bible? Tit 3:5. What other terms does it use to express this idea? Joh 3:3, Joh 3:5, Joh 3:7, 8; 2Co 5:17; Eph 2:5; Col 2:13; Jam 1:18; 1Pe 1:23.

c. Does Tit 3:5 prove that we are regenerated by baptism? If not, how would you explain it?

Questions for Review

1. What do we mean by calling?

2. How do external and internal calling differ?

3. What elements are included in external calling?

4. In what sense is it universals?

5. What purpose does it serve?

6. How is the internal related to the external calling?

7. Are we conscious of it?

8. To what end is it directed?

9. What different meanings has the word 'regeneration'?

10. What is it in the most restricted sense?

11. What is the nature of the change wrought in regeneration?

12. Is regeneration a work of God alone or of God and man?

13. Is the Word used as an instrument in regeneration?

14. Is regeneration absolutely necessary? Proof.

15. What is the order of calling and regeneration?

÷Summary of Christian Doctrine

Part V: The Doctrine of the Application of the Work of Redemption

Chapter XX: Conversion: Repentance and Faith

When the change wrought in regeneration begins to manifest itself in the conscious life, we speak of conversion.

1. Conversion in General. The Bible does not always speak of conversion in the same sense. The conversion we have in mind here may be defined as that act of God whereby He causes the regenerated, in their conscious life, to turn to Him in faith and repentance. From this definition it already appears that God is the author of conversion. This is clearly taught in Scripture, Act 11:18; 2Ti 2:25. The new life of regeneration does not of itself issue in a conscious change of life, but only through a special operation of the Holy Spirit, Joh 6:44; Phi 2:13. But while in regeneration God only works and man is passive, in conversion man is called upon to co-operate, Isa 55:7; Jer 18:11; Act 2:38; Act 17:30. But even so man can only work with the power which God imparts to him. Like regeneration conversion too consists in a momentary change, and is not a process like sanctification; but in distinction from regeneration it is a change in the conscious rather than in the unconscious life of man. While conversion is necessary in the case of all adults, Eze 33:11; Mat 18:3, it need not appear in the life of each one of them as a sharply marked crisis. The Bible mentions instances of conversion, such as Naaman, 2Ki 5:15; Manasseh, 2Ch 33:12, 2Ch 33:13; Zacchmus, Luk 19:8, Luk 19:9; the eunuch, Act 8:80 ff.; Cornelius, Act 10:44 ff.; Paul, Act 9:5 ff.; Lydia, Act 16:14, and so on. Besides this it also speaks of a national conversion, as in Jon 3:10, a temporary conversion, which includes no change of heart, Mat 13:20, Mat 13:21; 1Ti 1:19.20; 2Ti 4:10; Heb 6:4-6, and a repeated conversion, Luk 22:32; Rev 2:5, Rev 2:16, Rev 2:21, Rev 2:22; Rev 3:8, Rev 3:19. This is not a repetition of conversion in the strict sense of the word, which does not admit of repetition, but a revived activity of the new life after it has suffered eclipse. Conversion comprises two elements, the one negative and the other positive, namely repentance and faith, which call for separate discussion.

2. Repentance, the Negative Element of Conversion. Repentance looks to the past, and may be defined as that change wrought in the conscious life of the sinner by which he turns away from sin. It includes three elements, namely, (a) an intellectual element, in which the past life is viewed as a life of sin, involving personal guilt, defilement, and helplessness; (b) an emotional element, a sense of sorrow for sin as committed against a holy and just God; and (c) an element of the will, consisting in a change of purpose, an inward turning from sin and a disposition to seek pardon and cleansing. Rom 3:20; 2Co 7:9, 2Co 7:10; Rom 2:4. It is wrought in man primarily by the law of God. Roman Catholics have an external conception of repentance. According to them it comprises a sorrow, not for inborn sin, but for personal transgressions, which may merely result from the fear of eternal punishment; a confession made to the priest, who can forgive sin; and a measure of satisfaction by external deeds of penance, such as fastings, scourgings, pilgrimages, and so on. The Bible, on the other hand, views repentance wholly as an inward act, an act of real sorrow on account of sin, and does not confuse this with the change of life in which it results.

3. Faith, the Positive Element of Conversion. In distinction from repentance, faith has a forward look.

a. Different kinds of faith. The Bible does not always speak of faith in the same sense. It refers to a historical faith, consisting in an intellectual acceptance of the truth of Scripture without any real moral or spiritual response. Such a faith does not take the truth seriously and shows no real interest in it. Act 26:27, Act 26:28; Jam 2:19. It also speaks of a temporal faith, which embraces the truths of religion with some promptings of conscience and a stirring of the affections, but is not rooted in a regenerated heart. It is called temporal faith, Mat 13:20, Mat 13:21, because it has no abiding character and fails to maintain itself in days of trial and persecution. Cf. also Heb 6:4-6; 1Ti 1:19, 1Ti 1:20; I Joh 2:19. Moreover, it makes mention of a miraculous faith, that is a person's conviction that a miracle will be performed by him or in his behalf. Mat 8:11-13; Mat 17:20; Mar 16:17, Mar 16:18; Joh 11:22, Joh 11:40; Act 14:9. This faith may or may not be accompanied with saving faith. Finally, it not only names, but stresses the necessity of, saving faith. This has its seat in the heart and is rooted in the regenerated life. Its seed is implanted in regeneration and gradually blossoms into an active faith. It may be defined as a positive conation, wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, as to the truth of the gospel, and a hearty reliance on the promises of God in Christ.

b. The elements of faith. We distinguish three elements in true saving faith. (1) An intellectual element. There is a positive recognition of the truth revealed in the Word of God, a spiritual insight which finds response in the heart of the sinner. It is an absolutely certain knowledge, based on the promises of God. While it need not be comprehensive, it should be sufficient to give the believer some idea of the fundamental truths of the gospel. (2) An emotional element (assent). This is not mentioned separately by the Heidelberg Catechism, because it is virtually included in the knowledge of saving faith. It is characteristic of this knowledge that it carries with it a strong conviction of the importance of its object, and this is assent. The truth grips the soul. (3) An element of the will (trust). This is the crowning element of saving faith. It is a personal trust in Christ as Saviour and Lord, which includes a surrender of the soul as guilty and defiled to Christ, and a reliance on Him as the source of pardon and spiritual life. In the last analysis the object of saving faith is Jesus Christ and the promise of salvation in Him. Joh 3:16, Joh 3:18, Joh 3:36; Joh 6:40; Act 10:43; Rom 3:22; Gal 2:16. This faith is not of human origin, but is a gift of God, 1Co 12:8, 1Co 12:9; Gal 5:22; Eph 2:8. But its exercise is a human activity, to which the children of God are repeatedly exhorted, Rom 10:9; 1Co 2:5; Col 1:23; 1Ti 1:5; 1Ti 6:11.

c. The assurance of faith. Methodists maintain that he who believes is at once sure that he is a child of God, but that this does not mean that he is also certain of ultimate salvation, since he may fall from grace. The correct view is that true faith including, as it does, trust in God, naturally carries with it a sense of safety and security, though this may vary in degree. This assurance is not the permanent conscious possession of the believer, He does not ever live the full-orbed life of faith, and as a result is not always conscious of his spiritual riches. He may be swayed by doubts and uncertainties, and is therefore urged to cultivate assurance, 2Co 13:5; Heb 6:11; 2Pe 1:10; I Joh 3:19. It can be cultivated by prayer, by meditating on the promises of God, and by the development of a truly Christian life.

To memorize. Passages showing:

a. That God is the author of conversion:

Act 11:18. "And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life."

2Ti 2:25. "In meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth."

b. That man co-operates in conversion:

Isa 55:7. "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, and He will abundantly pardon."

Act 17:30. "The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now He commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent."

c. The necessity of conversion:

Eze 33:11. "Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, 0 house of Israel?"

Mat 18:3. "Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven."

d. Historical faith:

Act 26:27, Act 26:28. "King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. And Agrippa said unto Paul, With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian."

Jam 2:19. "Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well; the demons also believe, and shudder."

e. temporal faith:

Mat 13:20, Mat 13:21. "And he that was sown upon the rocky places, this is he that heareth the word, and straightway with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while; and when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway he stumbleth."

I Joh 2:19. "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us."

f. Miraculous faith:

Mat 17:20b. "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place: and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."

Act 14:9, 10. "The same heard Paul speaking: who fastening his eyes upon him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole, said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped up and walked."

g. Christ as the object of easing faith:

Joh 3:16. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life." Joh 6:40. "For this is the will of my Father, that every one that beholdeth the Son, and believeth on Him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."

h. The necessity of cultivating assurance:

Heb 6:11. "And we desire that each one of you may show the same diligence unto the fullness of hope even to the end."

2Pe 1:10. "Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure."

For Further Study:

a. What kind of repentance is mentioned in Mat 27:3; 2Co 7:10b.

b. Can you name biblical persons in whose lives conversion in the sense of an outstanding crisis could hardly be expected? Cf. Jer 1:4; Luk 1:5; 2Ti 3:16.

c. Can you name some of the great words of assurance found in the Bible? Cf. Heb 3:17, Heb 3:18; II Cor. 4:16 -- 5:1; 2Ti 1:12.

Questions for Review

l. In how many different senses does the Bible speak of conversion?

2, How do temporary and repeated conversion differ?

8. What is true conversions? What elements does it include?

4. What elements are included in repentance?

5. How do the Roman Catholics conceive of repentance?

6. How does conversion differ from regeneration?

7. Who is the author of conversion? Does man co-operate in it?

8. Is conversion as a sharp crisis always necessary?

9. Of how many different kinds of faith does the Bible speak?

10. What is characteristic of historical, temporal, and miraculous faith?

11. How does temporal faith differ from saving faith?

12. What elements are included in faith? How much knowledge is needed?

13. What is the crowning element of saving faith?

14. Who is the object of saving faith?

15. Does the Christian always have the assurance of salvation?

16. How can he cultivate this assurance?

÷Summary of Christian Doctrine

Part V: The Doctrine of the Application of the Work of Redemption

Chapter XXI: Justification

1. The Nature and Elements of Justification, Justification may be defined as that legal act of God by which He declares the sinner righteous on the basis of the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ. It is not an act or process of renewal, such as regeneration, conversion, or sanctification, and does not affect the condition but the-state of the sinner. It differs from sanctification in several particulars. Justification takes place outside of the sinner in the tribunal of God, removes the guilt of sin, and is an act which is complete at once and for all time; while sanctification takes place in man, removes the pollution of sin, and is a continuous and lifelong process. We distinguish two elements in justification, namely: (a) The forgiveness of sins on the basis of the righteousness of Jesus Christ. The pardon granted applies to all sins, past, present, and future, and therefore does not admit of repetition, Psa 103:12; Isa 44:22; Rom 5:21; Rom 8:1, Rom 8:32-34; Heb 10:14. This does not mean that we need no more pray for forgiveness, for the consciousness of guilt remains, creates a feeling of separation, and makes it necessary to seek repeatedly the comforting assurance of forgiveness, Psa 25:7; Psa 32:5; Psa 51:1; Mat 6:12; Jam 5:15; I Joh 1:9. (b) The adoption as children of God. In justification God adopts believers as His children, that is, places them in the position of children and gives them all the rights of children, including the right to an eternal inheritance, Rom 8:17; 1Pe 1:4. This legal sonship of believers should be distinguished from their moral sonship through regeneration and sanctification. Both are indicated in the following passages: Joh 1:12, Joh 1:13; Rom 8:15, Rom 8:16; Gal 4:5, Gal 4:6.

2. The Time of Justification. The word 'justification' is not always used in the same sense. Some even speak of a fourfold justification: a justification from eternity, a justification in the resurrection of Christ, a justification by faith, and a public justification in the final judgment. In explanation of this it may be said that in an ideal sense the righteousness of Christ is already accounted to believers in the counsel of redemption, and therefore from eternity, but this is not what the Bible means when it speaks of the justification of the sinner. We must distinguish between what was decreed in the eternal counsel of God and what is realized in the course of history. Again, there is some reason for speaking of a justification in the resurrection of Christ. In a sense it may be said that the resurrection was the justification of Christ, and that in Him the whole body of believers was justified. But this was a general and purely objective transaction, which should not be confused with the personal justification of the sinner. When the Bible speaks of the justification of the sinner, it usually refers to the subjective and personal application and appropriation of the justifying grace of God. The usual representation is that we are justified by faith. This implies that it takes place at the time when we accept Christ by faith. Faith is called the instrument or the appropriating organ of justification. By faith man appropriates, that is, takes unto himself, the righteousness of Christ, on the basis of which he is justified before God. Faith justifies in so far as it takes possession of Christ. Rom 4:5; Gal 2:16. We should guard against the error of the Roman Catholics and the Arminians, that man is justified on the basis of his own inherent righteousness, or of his faith. Man's own righteousness or faith can never be the ground of his justification. This can be found only in the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ, Rom 3:24; Rom 10:4; 2Co 5:21; Phi 3:9.

3. Objections to the Doctrine of Justification. Various objections are raised to this doctrine. It is said that, if man is justified on the basis of the merits of Christ, he is not saved by grace. But justification, with all that it includes, is a gracious work of God. The gift of Christ, God's reckoning of His righteousness to us, and His dealing with sinners as righteous,-- it is all grace from start to finish. Again, it is said to be unworthy of God to declare sinners righteous. But God does not declare that they are righteous in themselves, but that they are clothed with the righteousness of Jesus Christ. And, finally, it is said that this doctrine is apt to make people indifferent as to their moral life. If they are justified apart from any consideration of works, why should they care for personal piety? But justification lays the foundation for a living relationship with Christ, and this is the surest guarantee for a truly godly life. The man who is really in living union with Christ cannot be morally indifferent. Rom 3:5-8.

To memorize. Passages speaking of:

a. Justification in general:

Rom 3:24. "Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

2Co 5:21. "Him who knew no sin He made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

b. Justification by faith, not by works:

Rom 3:28. "We reckon therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law."

Rom 4:5. "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness."

Gal 2:16. "Yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law: because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."

c. Justification and the forgiveness of sins:

Psa 32:1, Psa 32:2. "Blessed is the man whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom Jehovah imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile."

Act 13:38, Act 13:39. "Be it known unto you therefore, brethren, that through this man is proclaimed unto you remission of sins; and by Him every one that believeth is justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses."

d. Adoption of children, heirs of eternal life:

Joh 1:12. "But as many as received Him, to them gave He the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on His name."

Gal 4:4, Gal 4:5. "But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that He might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."

Rom 8:17. "And if children, their heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified with Him."

e. Justification based on the righteousness of Christ:

Rom 3:21, Rom 3:22. "But now apart from the law a righteousness of God hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe."

Rom 5:18. "So then as through one trespass the judgment came unto all men to condemnation; even so though one act of righteousness the free gift came unto all men to justification of life."

For Further Study:

a. What fruits of justification are mentioned in Rom 5:1-5?

b. Does not James teach that man is justified by works? Jam 2:21-25.

c. With what objection to the doctrine of justification does Paul deal in Rom 3:5-8?

Questions for Review

1. What is justification?

2. How does it differ from sanctification?

3. What elements does it comprise?

4. In how far are sins forgiven in justification?

5. Why must believers still pray for forgiveness?

6. What is included in the adoption of children?

7. Can we speak of justification from eternity and in the resurrection of Christ?

8. How is faith related to justification?

9. What is the ground of justification? What is the Arminian view?

10. What objections are raised to this doctrine? Can you answer them?

÷Summary of Christian Doctrine

Part V: The Doctrine of the Application of the Work of Redemption

Chapter XXII: Sanctification and Perseverance

The doctrine of justification naturally leads on to that of sanctification. The state of justification calls for a life of sanctification, consecrated to the service of God.

1. Nature and Characteristics of Sanctification. Sanctification may be defined as that gracious and continuous operation of the Holy Spirit by which, He purifies the sinner, renews his whole nature in the image of God, and enables him to perform good works. It differs from justification in that it takes place in the inner life of man, is not a legal but a recreative act, is usually a lengthy process, and never reaches perfection in this life. While it is very decidedly a supernatural work of God, the believer can and should co-operate in it by a diligent use of the means which God has placed at his disposal, 2Co 7:1; Col 3:5-14; 1Pe 1:22. Sanctification does not consist in a mere drawing out of what is already given in regeneration, but serves to strengthen, to increase, and to fortify the new life. It consists of two parts: the gradual removal of the pollution and corruption of human nature, Rom 6:6; Gal 5:24, and the gradual development of the new life in consecration to God, Rom 6:4, Rom 6:5; Col 2:12; Col 3:1, Col 3:2; Gal 2:19. While it takes place in the heart of man, it naturally affects the whole life, Rom 6:12; 1Co 6:1520; 1Th 6:23. The change in the inner man is bound to carry with it a change in the outer life. That man must co-operate in the work of sanctification follows from the repeated warnings against evils and temptations, Rom 12:9, Rom 12:16, Rom 12:17; 1Co 6:9, 1Co 6:10; Gal 5:16-23, and from the constant exhortations to holy living, Mic 6:8; Joh 15:4-7; Rom 8:12, Rom 8:13; Rom 12:1, Rom 12:2; Gal 6:7, Gal 6:8, Gal 6:15.

2. The Imperfect Character of Sanctification in This Life. While sanctification affects every part of man, yet the spiritual development of believers remains imperfect in this life. They must contend with sin as long as they live, 1Ki 8:46; Pro 20:9; Jam 3:2; I Joh 1:8. Their lives are characterized by a constant warfare between the flesh and the spirit, and even the best of them are still confessing sin, Job 9:3, Job 9:20; Psa 32:5; Psa 130:3; Pro 20:9; Isa 64:6; Dan 9:7; Rom 7:14; I Joh 1:9, praying for forgiveness, Psa 51:1, Psa 51:2; Dan 9:16; Mat 6:12, Mat 6:13; Jam 5:15, and striving for greater perfection, Rom 7:7-26; Gal 5:17; Phi 3:12-14. This truth is denied by the so-called Perfectionists, who maintain that man can reach perfection in this life. They appeal to the fact that the Bible commands believers to be perfect, Mat 5:48; 1Pe 1:16; Jam 1:4, speaks of some as perfect, Gen 6:9; Job 1:8; 1Ki 15:14; Phi 3:15, and declares that they who are born of God sin not, I Joh 3:6, Joh 3:8, Joh 3:9; Joh 5:18. But the fact that we must strive for perfection does not prove that some are already perfect. Moreover, the word 'perfect' does not always mean free from sin. Noah, Job, and Asa are called perfect, but history clearly proves that they were not without sin. And John evidently means either that the new man does not sin, or that believers do not live in sin. He himself says that, if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. I Joh 1:8.

3. Sanctification and Good Works. Sanctification naturally leads to a life of good works. These may be called the fruits of sanctification. Good works are not perfect works, but works that spring from the principle of love to God or faith in Him, Mat 7:17, Mat 7:18; Mat 12:33, Mat 12:35; Heb 11:6, that are done in conscious conformity to the revealed will of God, Deu 6:2; 1Sa 15:22; Jam 2:8, and have as their final aim the glory of God, 1Co 10:31; Col 3:17, Col 3:23. Only they who are regenerated by the Spirit of God can perform such good works. This does not mean, however, that the unregenerate cannot do good in any sense of the word. Cf. 2Ki 10:29, 2Ki 10:30; 2Ki 12:2; 2Ki 14:3; Luk 6:33; Rom 2:14. In virtue of the common grace of God they can perform works that are in external conformity to the law and serve a laudable purpose; but their works are always radically defective, because they are divorced from the spiritual root of love to God, represent no real inner obedience to the law of God, and do not aim at the glory of God. In opposition to the Roman Catholics it should be maintained that the good works of believers are not meritorious, Luk 17:9, Luk 17:10; Eph 2:8-10; Tit 3:5, though God promises to reward them with a reward of free grace, 1Co 3:14; Heb 11:26; and in opposition to the Antinomians the necessity of good works must be asserted, Col 1:10; 2Ti 2:21; Tit 2:14; Heb 10:24.

4. Perseverance of the Saints. The expression 'perseverance of the saints' naturally suggests a continuous activity of believers whereby they persevere in the way of salvation. As a matter of fact, however, the perseverance referred to is less an activity of believers than a work of God, in which believers must participate. Strictly speaking, the assurance of man's salvation lies in the fact that God perseveres. Perseverance may be defined as that continuous operation of the Holy Spirit in the believer, by which the work of divine grace that is begun in the heart, is continued and brought to completion. This doctrine is clearly taught in Scripture, Joh 10:28, Joh 10:29; Rom 11:29; Phi 1:6; 2Th 3:3; 2Ti 1:12; 2Ti 4:18. And it is only when we believe in this perseverance of God that we can in this life attain to the assurance of salvation, Heb 3:14; Heb 6:11; Heb 10:22; 2Pe 1:10. Outside of Reformed circles this doctrine finds no favor. It is said to be contradicted by Scripture, which warns against apostasy, Heb 2:1; Heb 10:26, exhorts believers to continue in the way of salvation, Mat 24:13; Col 1:23; Heb 3:14, and even records cases of apostasy, 1Ti 1:19, 1Ti 1:20; 2Ti 2:17, 2Ti 2:18; 2Ti 4:10. Such warnings and exhortations would seem to assume the possibility of falling away, and such cases would seem to prove it completely. But as a matter of fact the warnings and exhortations prove only that God works mediately and wants man to co-operate in the work of perseverance: and there is no proof that the apostates mentioned were real believers. Cf. Rom 9:6; I Joh 2:19; Rev 3:1.

To memorize: Passages to prove:

a. Sanctification as a work of God:

1Th 5:23. "And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Heb 2:11. "For both He that sanetifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren."

b. Man's co-operation in sanctification:

2Co 7:1. "Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

Heb 12:14. "Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord."

c. The mortification of the old man:

Rom 6:6. "Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away, so that we should no longer be in bondage to sin."

Gal 6:24: "And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof."

d. The quickening of the new man:

Eph 4:24. "And put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth."

Col 3:10. "And have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of Him that created him."

e. Sanctification incomplete in this life:

Rom 7:18. "For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good is not."

Phi 3:12. "Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus."

f. The nature of good works:

1Sa 15:22. "And Samuel said, Hath Jehovah as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams."

1Co 10:31. "Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

Heb 11:6. "And without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that seek after Him."

g. Perseverance of the saints:

Joh 10:28, Joh 10:29. "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who hath given them unto me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of my Father's hand."

2Ti 1:12. "For which cause I suffer also these things: yet am I not ashamed; for I know Him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is able to guard that which I have committed unto Him against that day."

2Ti 4:18. "The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me unto His heavenly kingdom: to whom be the glory for ever and ever."

For Further Study:

a. Can you infer anything from the following passages as to the time of complete sanctification? Phi 3:21; Heb 12:23; Rev 14:5; Rev 21:27?

b. What parts of man does sanctification affect according to Jer 31:34; Phil, 2:13; Gal 5:24; Heb 9:14? c. What does the word 'perfect' (cf. Auth. Ver.) mean in the following passages: 1Co 2:6; 1Co 3:1, 1Co 3:2; Heb 5:14; 2Ti 3:16?

Questions for Review

1. What is sanctification, and how does it differ from justification?

2. Is it a work of God or of man?

3. Of what two parts does sanctification consists?

4. What proof is there that it is incomplete in this life?

5. Who deny this and on what ground? How can you answer them?

6. What are good works in the strict sense of the word?

7. In how far can the unregenerate perform good works?

8. Are good works meritorious or not? Are we not taught that they are rewarded?

9. 1n what sense are good works necessary?

10. What is meant by the perseverance of the saints?

11. How can this doctrine be proved?

÷Notes by Craig White (http://www.craigwhite.net/e-Sword)

* * *

Title: A Summary of Christian Doctrine

Author: Louis Berkhof

Category: Book

Module By: Pastor Keith Throop, Immanuel Baptist Church, Bloomington, IL

Version: 03-26-2006

Source: http://pastorthroop.com/modules/mydownloads/

Changes:

1. 2006-03-25: Added this <e-Sword Module Notes> topic.

2. 2006-03-25: Renamed resource:

Reformed Pastor.top -> Baxter - The Reformed Pastor.top

3. 2006-03-26: Versified using e-Sword MEd utility (http://www.craigwhite.net/e-Sword Utilities.asp)