Introductory Post To The Spiritual Gifts

“Cessationism” is the doctrine that the Apostles and their messengers where given signs and wonders to perform in order to validate the Gospel proclamation, that there is no promise or necessity to any future generation for those gifts, and that there is no “lesser” form of the Apostolic gifts.-Centuri0n

Frank Turk posted that definition of cessationism on his blog, ‘…and his ministers a flame of fire’ yesterday. He then requested an equally-concise and equally-specific definition, so using his defintion as a template, for equality’s sake, I offered this definition of my non-charismatic continuationism.

“Continuationism” is the doctrine that the Apostles and their messengers were given signs and wonders to perform in order to validate the Gospel proclamation, that there is no premise or necessity in any generation for the cessation of those gifts, and that there is no “lesser” form of Christ’s gifts to the church.

I intend to go into a little more detail of my position here. The next few posts will clarify my position. Feel free to disagree, reprove, rebuke, and exhort.

First off, I think I must qualify all that I will write beforehand with this statement, “My views are as honoring to the doctrine of inspiration and a completed canon as I can be.” It has become something of a custom to lump a low view of Scripture in with continuationism, but let me assure you, I have a very high view of Scripture, and I hope that comes through as I put forth my beliefs.

Introduction: In the discussion of Spiritual Gifts I think it is very important not to exclude certain people, or offices, as gifts to the church. These offices are; Apostle, Prophet, Evangelists, and Pastor-Teachers.
As for Apostles, they are all dead, yet they continue as gifts to the church through Scripture.
Prophets are also a continuing gift to the church. Their function is to give guidance in areas where Scripture is silent. It is the responsibility of individual congregations to weigh the Prophets speech with clearly defined principles in Scripture.
Evangelists are not itinerate preachers who travel church to church to hold ‘revival’ meetings. Evangelists are more like missionaries in their function (although there are some churches who could use a missionary).
Pastor-Teacher is one who oversees, leads, and teaches a local congregation. There is typically one main Pastor who is helped in his ministry to the church by others who are similarly gifted.
Each of these offices however also have a corresponding gift. The Apostle has the gift of Apostleship; the Prophet, prophecy; the Evangelist, evangelism; and the Pastor-Teacher, pastoring and teaching.

A quick guide for interpreting the definition(s) I have given above. I believe that all the gifts are still operative today, but only in the manner in which they are described in Scripture. I do not intend to add to the gifts as charismaticism has done, most notably in the cases of tongues and prophecy, nor do I intend to diminish them as is the tendency in cessationism. Rather, I want to be thoroughly Biblical and consistent in my definitions of the gifts. So I have these three guidelines in mind:
1. Scripture is the final authority in everything.
2. Creeds and confessions reveal what the Church has believed throughout history. We dare not turn a blind eye to this ‘tradition’. And yet these ‘traditions’ must be judged by Scripture.
3. Both experience and non-experience color the ways we think. I think both are to be used in moderation and in subjection to Scripture.

“We have learned the plan of our salvation from no one else other than from those through whom the gospel has come down to us. For they did at one time proclaim the gospel in public. And, at a later period, by the will of God, they handed the gospel down to us in the Scriptures-to be the ‘ground and pillar of our faith.’”
From“Against Heresies”by Irenaus

BTW, I have a few things to say about the Church Covenant as well, but am putting that on hold for a week or so.

The Church In Covenant

This is our Church Covenant at West Broadway Baptist Church. Whenever we have new members join, after taking the Lord’s Supper, or on a night like tonight, after a study of the Covenant, our church family reads the covenant together as a reminder of how we have promised each other we will live our Christian lives.

Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, and on the profession of our faith having been baptized In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, to the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Saviour.

We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Saviour to secure it without delay.

We moreover engage that when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

A Covenant, along with a Statement of Faith, are the basic building blocks of a Baptist fellowship. The Covenant states how we believe the Bible teaches us to live together in community, and the Statement of Faith states what we believe the Bible teaches doctrinally.

I Can’t Take No More!

Following Phil Johnson’s lead, I am closing up shop and forming a group blog. It’s the trendiest thing I could think of doing. Let’s face it guys, you’re all a burden to me. I need some relief. I need to be able to come home at night and think to myself, “Someone else will post if I don’t feel like it tonight. They will answer both of the comments that are generated on this blog.”

O. K. Game over. I’m just kidding. But now you know why I keep this blog at a sub-par level. I would hate to have to call in Centuri0n or this guy to take care of my blog for me! Can I get an AMEN here? Somebody testify! You know that’s right!

Also, I don’t think I could handle things as well as the FIDE-O boys. But, come to think of it, I don’t go out trying to pick fights with Michael Spencer on every post either. For those of you who don’t know Michael Spencer, he is the I-Monk.

So, I will continue to hold back, drag along behind everyone else, pick up their scraps, digest and regurgitate them out here, like right here, for all to see.

Hello world!

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!

E-mail To A Friend Concerning The New IMB Policies

Over the weekend I received an email from a fellow blogger, asking me my position on the IMB policy changes that have taken place. Not that he wanted me to convince him, but he knew that we disagreed on this topic and requested a clarification. Here is the edited text of two emails that I sent him. These deal mainly with the Baptism policy. I have one issue with the tongues policy, but it, in my opinion, is nothing to be made a big deal of. The Baptism policy, however, I find to be a dangerous step for the following reasons.

NOTE: This is not going to be a big issue of contention for me. As Southern Baptists, we are one of, if not the largest missionary unions in the world. I am continuing to give through my local church to the Cooperative Program.

I am attaching a copy of the IMB Policies which were enacted by the trustees. You probably already have these policies, but just in case, there you go.
The opening statement on the policy regarding baptism should throw up some red flags. Each candidate’s baptism should be examined in light of the BF&M and the points listed below.
Clearly, we should proceed with caution now. I’m ok with examining a person’s baptism in the light of the BF&M, but what has been added in the statement in the points below?
There follows the article from the BF&M on Baptism. Fine. Then under point 2, The Church, letter a., Baptism is a Church Ordinance, we find this clause inserted at the end that states, “Baptism must take place in … a church that embraces the doctrine of the security of the believer.” Then under letter b., the candidate who does not meet this requirement is expected to request rebaptism in a church that has already accepted him as a member.
This is extra-biblical and extra-confessional. There are a number of problems with the statement.

1. Southern Baptist churches are autonomous. If a Southern Baptist Church recognizes a believer’s baptism as valid in light of Scripture and the BF&M, then that church has a final say in the validity of that baptism as regards any missions organizations that are supported by said church.

2. The policy does not merely affirm what we believe a valid baptism to be, it actually adds to that definition. It says that if a baptism is not performed by a church that affirms the doctrine of the security of the believer, then that baptism is not valid. This is a contradiction to what the BF&M states concerning the validity of baptism, and more importantly, what the Bible says about the validity of baptism.

3. Baptism is not made valid by a church, the church recognizes the validity of baptism. In other words, a particular church’s stance on the security of the believer does not matter in the ordinance of baptism. Rather, Christian baptism is validated by God through His commands concerning baptism.

A. Baptism is by Immersion (not sprinkling)

B. Baptism is for Believers only (not infants)

C. Baptism is being baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit (not oneness)

D. Baptism is an act of Obedience (not regenerative)

E. Baptism is a Symbol, or drama, of the Savior’s death, burial, and
resurrection and our identification with Him in those acts. (not regenerative,
again)

F. Baptism is a testimony of faith in the final resurrection of believers. (not soul salvation, gnosticism)

4. Nowhere in Scripture, or the BF&M, does the doctrine of security of the believer validate or invalidate baptism. Baptism is not valid because of the administrator, the church, or any other thing where these elements are present. It was validated by God, when He gave the command to baptize.

5. I take it to mean when the trustees say, ‘the doctrine of the security of the believer’, that they are referring to Eternal Security. If that is true, then it needs to be pointed out that Southern Baptists historically and confessionally do not believe Eternal Security. Rather, Southern Baptists have always affirmed the final perseverance of the saints. You do not need me to tell you the difference. If they do mean what is affirmed in the BF&M, then good. They should have used the language of the BF&M, but good. But I personally, (knowing the preaching of most Southern Baptists) do not think they do mean what the BF&M teaches.

6. Even if your scenario is the case, it is still a bad policy. There is no getting around that. In my opinion the IMB is accountable to the local churches. This policy makes local churches accountable to the IMB. It rejects that churches wisdom in discerning what a valid baptism is, and forces another interpretation that is not Scriptural on that church should they have a candidate for missionary service.

Who Has Known? by Jeremy Weaver

Who has known the love of our God?
In all His ways He stands above,
And watches o’er the smallest dove.

Who has known the mind of our God?
Who has descended to the depths?
Who will require of Him a debt?

What is the love of man, but naught,
When placed beside His only Son,
He has giv’n for sinners undone?

Where is the wisdom of the wise?
Where is the power of the strong?
They will not stand before Him long.

I abhor myself when I see
Your only Son, who died for me!
And though I come before you now,
My mouth I’ll shut, my knee shall bow.

Pastor Steve Weaver’s Blog: From Theology to Doxology (Exposition of Romans 11:33-36)

Here’s the underlying theme for my blog. I just wish I could live up to it.
Pastor Steve Weaver’s Blog: From Theology to Doxology (Exposition of Romans 11:33-36)

End Of The Spear Reviews From The Media

Here’s a link to a site that has 37 different reviews of The End Of The Spear from the secular media.
Try to see if you can find a reviewer who saw the Gospel anywhere in the film.

Although the movie is not meant to be an evangelistic tool, surely, in the name of historical accuracy, they would have depicted the Gospel as a motivating factor in the missionaries being in Ecuador in the first place! Sadly, if they did, nobody ‘got it’.

What Is The Gospel Message?

Here’s a post from July of last year. I am republishing it now, because there may have been something that we have forgotten in all the hoopla over The End Of The Spear Movie. This is not a full treatment of the minutia of the Gospel, but as it is painted with broad brush strokes.

I Corinthians 15:1-11

In these verses we find Paul’s definition of the Gospel. And, since Paul was inspired, we find what the Gospel consists of in reality. This Gospel is not a self-help, how to have a successful marriage, ordering your finances, how to raise your kids lecture. The Gospel is the very power of God to salvation. (Romans 1:16) It is God speaking, revealing Himself and the way to eternal life. And it is centered on Christ. Christ Died for our sins, Christ fulfilled Old Testament prophecy, Christ was buried and rose again and Christ was seen by the Apostles before, and after, His ascension.

Christ Died For Our Sins

The first part of the message that Paul preached, is that Christ died for our sins. The necessity of the Gospel is due to the fact that we are sinners. ‘Well, nobody’s perfect’, you might say. This is true, and the fact that it is true is what makes it imperative that we understand and believe the Gospel. You see the ‘nobody’s perfect’ argument does not mean that since everyone has sinned that God will somehow grade on the curve. In truth, it means just the opposite. Since no one is perfect we must suffer an eternity in hell. But really the problem of sin is not just falling a little short of perfect. Sin is falling short of the Glory of God. (Romans 3:23) God created us in His image, in order that we might reflect His Glory back to Him. (Genesis 1:26-28) But something has gone terribly wrong with creation. Sin entered, and when sin entered the image of God in mankind was broken. James Montgomery Boice used this illustration in his Expsoitional Commentary on Ephesians.

“The Bible teaches that men and women were created in the image of God. But when our parents, Adam and Eve, sinned by disobeying God’s righteous law, that image was broken beyond repair. This does not mean that there is no value at all to human nature. Even a broken pitcher is not without value. Archaeologistsuse pieces of broken pottery to date civilizations uncovered by their digs. I have seen bits of pottery used as ashtrays or even some on which pictures have been printed. Broken pottery is not worthless. But it is worthless so far as carrying milk is concerned. In the same way, human nature in its broken state is useless for pleasing God or earning heaven.”

(James Montgomery Boice, Ephesians, An Expositional Commentary, Grand Rapids, Mich.:Baker Book, 2002, 64-65.)

As broken humans we are incapable of serving the purpose for which we were created. We are sinners, unable to glorify God, unable to reflect His Glory back to Him. And sin has its consequences. All who live in sin are condemned to an eternity in hell. And there is no one that does good. (Romans 3:10-18) Except for one. The Son of God became man, and lived among us as the perfect man. (John 1:14) He lived a life as a man without sin. The Bible also tells us that He perfectly reflected the Glory of the Father. (John 1:14-18) He is called the ‘Express Image’ of the Father. (Colossians 1:15) And then, as the only man who ever lived that did not deserve death, He died. Why? Not for His own sins, He had none. He died for our sins. He became sin for us so that we could become the righteousness of God. (II Corinthians 5:21)

According to the Scriptures

The Apostle Paul continues with his Gospel ‘presentation’ by saying that Christ died ‘according to the Scriptures.’ In these words Paul tells us that the coming of Christ was no surprise. The Old Testament scriptures had looked forward to Christ from the time sin first entered the world. (Genesis 3) Paul as a student of these scriptures, though blinded in the early years of his life, was keenly aware of all of the prophecies, types and anti-types, sacrifices, feasts, and the covenant that looked forward to Christ. Time and space do not permit a listing here, but there are many books available that point this out. Or better yet, read the Old Testament and look for Christ. (Luke 24:25-27) You will find Him. At any rate, the point is that Jesus is the promised Redeemer, not only of Israel, but of the whole world. Jesus is the Christ.

(Also in these words we find that through the pages of scripture is how Paul preached the Gospel. And it is only in the pages of scripture where the Gospel is found. Man will not be saved by general revelation. It is through the preaching of the Gospel as revealed in the pages of scripture.)

He Was Buried And Rose Again

After Jesus death on the cross as a common criminal, in which He experienced the wrath of God to the fullest for each of those who believe, we have testimony that he was buried. He lay dead in the tomb for three days and three nights. But the story of Jesus death ends there. On the third day he rose from the dead! He rose as the victor over death, hell, and the grave. Death, hell and the grave is what we deserved, but Christ conquered them and now offers us the oppotunity to share in that victory. The resurrection also offers us the comfort that the Father accepted Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf, and so accepts us in Christ. The Father approved of the death of the Son, why should we think then that He will not accept us in His Son? (Acts17:22-31)

He Was Seen By the Apostles

The resurrection of Christ is not without proof. He was seen by the Apostles. He was even seen by five hundred people at once. He really did come back to life. And Paul saw Him. And to those Apostles He gave this commission, “Go preach the Gospel.” And they did. They faithfully passed on to the next generation the ‘Good News’ of salvation by faith in Christ. This Gospel has been passed on to us. May we be faithful to pass it our children and grand-children.

End Of The Spear, My Perspective

There has been a lot of controversy over the past couple of weeks in the blog-world over the movie, End Of The Spear. Up until just one day ago I was undecided as to whether or not I would even see the movie. I decided not to see the movie.

I know a lot of people are emotionally charged over this movie, and I was very excited about the movie when I first heard of it last year. I had been looking forward to seeing the lives of these faithful servants of God portrayed on the big screen, and equally excited about the fact that Steve Saint continues their work among the Waodoni people.

Then last week, my world crumbled. And I am glad it did. I read Jason Janz’ article at SharperIron, and I must admit, I was stunned.
First, there was the revelation that Nate Saint was being played by a gay activist. Not just a homosexual, not just someone who had marched for gay rights a couple of times, but Chad Allen, a man known for his activism in the gay community. But even that I could have overlooked at first, if not for this second point.
The Gospel is hardly present, if present at all in the movie. They cut the heart of the story out. It is like a passion play without a Jesus, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory without a ‘Chocolate Factory’, or The Lord Of The Rings without a ring. Jim Elliot was a man consumed by the glory of God and passionate about spreading His glory. The whole reason the missionaries were in Ecuador was to spread the Gospel. The fabric of the story revolves around the Gospel. And it has been omitted.

When you cut the Gospel out of those missionaries’ stories, then they died for nothing. I don’t particularly want to watch a movie about people who die for no reason.

How are these two points related? Well, in a story such as this, where the Gospel is intricately woven into the fabric of the story, you must take great care who portrays the story. As Christians, we have a sacred trust, the Gospel.

We who have had the Gospel passed to us by martyr hands dare not trifle with it, nor sit by and hear it denied by traitor, who pretend to love it, but inwardly abhor every line of it… (Charles Spurgeon).

Where is the wisdom of turning this Gospel over to the world to proclaim for us? We need look no further than the movie ‘End Of The Spear’, which has been produced by the unregenerate, to see what the outcome is. A denial of the power of the Gospel in the lives of Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Roger Youderian, Ed McCully, and Peter Fleming.

To top it off, today I read Tom Ascol’s review of the movie. He confirmed my decision to not see the movie. Thank you, Tom.
So I would encourage you to not waste your time with the movie. Read Through Gates of Splendor, instead. Or, as Tom Ascol suggests, get the DVD documentary, Beyond Gates Of Splendor.

More resources for researching the movie:
What Were They Thinking? The Controversy Over The End Of The Spear, Coming Soon: The End Of The Spear, The End Of The Spear: Is The Messenger The Message?, and End Of The Spear, Redux. Centuri0n, at …and His Ministers a Flame of Fire, will also be discussing this in the future.
I think this is a fair sampling, along with the links in the post body, for making an intelligent decision to view or ignore the movie.