E.P. Sanders on the New Covenant

“We must grant that there is a good deal to be said for the view that Christianity is a new covenant which, once established does function somewhat as does the old: for those in it there is salvation; for those outside condemnation and death, while remaining in it requires obedience, and disobedience leads to expulsion […]

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What are the deeds by which we will be judged?

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless indeed you fail to meet the test! – 2 Corinthians 13:5  What exactly does the Bible mean by “good deeds”? Scripture tells us that everyone, both believers and […]

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The Book of Galatians

Christ Covenant Church is currently in a study of the book of Galatians. Watch and listen as Pastor Jarrett works through the backstory, the theme and the instruction that we find in the first epistle written by Paul. Here are some of the questions that will be answered throughout the series: When was Galatians written? […]

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“In Christ” = In the visible Church

  From The Baptized Body by Peter J. Leithart: 1 Corinthians 12:12 is particularly striking the way Paul identifies the Head-and- members body of Christ as “Christ.” “‘Christ” is not just the title of the Anointed Head. The anointing flows like the dew of Hermon down from our priestly Head, down the beard, down to […]

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23 Bible passages which teach the loss of . . . something . . .

  The vast majority of Evangelical and Reformed theologians accept the doctrine which teaches that no man who has been sovereignly elected to salvation will be lost (John 6:39, 10:25-29, 17:12-15) as this doctrine is well-supported in Scripture. However, if not understood with biblical precision, this idea creates apparent inconsistencies with a large number of […]

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Justification Rediscovered: History

One of the key factors in understanding the Bible’s teaching on Justification is history or historical context. In other words, words have meaning which are directly tied to and determined by the historical context in which they are communicated. This means, if we are going to understand what any of the given biblical authors are […]

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4 Critical Keys to Understand Your Bible

I. Works of the law are clean laws versus commands. A. Within Reformed thinking, theologians have historically held to a tripartite distinction/division of the OT law. In other words they have broken it into three categories: 1. Ceremonial: laws pertaining to temple ceremony, sacrifice and duties of the priests. 2. Civil: laws pertaining to commerce, […]

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20 Statements Characteristic of Antinomianism

There is only one heresy, and that is Antinomianism. – Rabbi Duncan The following is taken from the article “Antinomianism” as found in The Encyclopedia of Christianity, edited by Edwin H. Palmer. As a part of the longer article, William Young seeks to provide a definition for antinomianism and then gives twenty ideas which are […]

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10 Truths Taught by the Clothing Metaphor in Scripture

A metaphor is used to illustrate unfamiliar ideas through the means of familiar objects and Scripture often uses the common object of clothing as a picture of man’s standing before God. There are scores of instances where Scripture uses the metaphor of clothing in order to picture one’s standing before God. We find instances of […]

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Lord before Savior

Christ Covenant Church has recently completed the first major point in our Sound Gospel series: The good news of abundant life in Jesus Christ. A.W. Pink once said, “Many are deceived into supposing that they have accepted Christ as their personal Savior who have not first received Him as Lord.” Thus we come to the second element of the […]

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Justification Rediscovered

Earlier this spring as a part of Christ Covenant Church’s Wednesday Night Seminary, we undertook an intensive study of the doctrine of justification in light of the biblical evidence, historical record and contemporary thought.

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The ‘obedience of faith’ according to Paul

The following quotes are from ‘The Obedience of Faith’ A Pauline Phrase in Historical Context by Don Garlington. The work of Garlington and others like him has proven invaluable in determining the structure of the Christian faith and covenant by providing a historically accurate picture of Second Temple Judiasm. This picture shows that Judaism was […]

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Justification Series

The Sound Gospel is the good news of abundant life in Jesus Christ if we submit to Him as Lord before Savior in the relationship of covenant. It is nearly impossible to undertake an in-depth study of the biblical Gospel without including discussion of the doctrine of Justification.

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The importance of good deeds to salvation

Finding the proper perspective and place for good deeds in the Christian life can be a tricky task. The relationship between “good works” and salvation has been debated from the beginning of the Christian faith and this relationship is still controversial. While it is nearly impossible to solve all of the pertinent issues in one […]

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