CLOGHER VALLEY BIBLE CLASS

THE REFORMED FAITH A STUDY IN THEOLOGY AND DOCTRINE

WHY STUDY THEOLOGY? Theology Literally means “the science of God” The Bible is a book of theology because it teaches us about God The Christian life must be spent learning about God through his word

DOCTRINE AND THE BIBLE The Basis of the Apostolic Church Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

DOCTRINE AND THE BIBLE The Primary Thrust of Scripture 2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

DOCTRINE AND THE BIBLE The Focus of Bible Study 1Ti 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

DOCTRINE AND THE BIBLE The Proclamations of the Preacher 2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

DOCTRINE AND THE BIBLE The Definition of the Teaching Elder 1Ti 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

DOCTRINE AND THE BIBLE Builds Up Believers 1Ti 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

DOCTRINE AND THE BIBLE Doctrine Properly Applied Produces Holiness 2Ti 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

DOCTRINE AND THE BIBLE Necessary as a Guard Against Apostasy 1Ti 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

DOCTRINE AND THE BIBLE Lack of Doctrine is a Characteristic of Spiritual Carelessness 2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

DOCTRINE AND THE BIBLE Doctrine Distinguishes Truth From Error 2Jo 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

DOCTRINE AND THE BIBLE False Doctrine is to be Rejected Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

THE BENEFITS OF DOCTRINE It teaches us who we are It helps us differentiate truth from error It enables us to exercise discernment should a doctrinal controversy threaten the church It means that we do not depend upon men to teach us what the Bible says God’s people must know the truth

Apostasy Begins With A Lack of Doctrine The Decline of Spirituality in 19 th Century Britain Quotes From “Contending For The Faith, E.J. Poole-Connor, A ‘prophet amid sweeping changes in English evangelicalism”, David G. Fountain, The Wakeman Trust, London, Pages 55,57,58,59.

“Thus the doors to higher criticism had been opened by men of ‘unquestioned evangelical faith’. The pew did not want it but the men in the pulpit wanted above all to be ‘in the fashion’. …Ministers were concerned not to disturb their people with higher criticism, yet wanted to introduce it gently. They tended to keep the ‘old’ interpretations in so far as they were not directly contradicted by the higher criticism they accepted. Some accepted more than others, and each found his own compromise…

‘Spurgeon,however, could see where all this was going to lead, and that there was no half-way position. He was the first, and one of the very few, to sound an alarm. But so subtle was the behaviour of the modernists that even Spurgeon underestimated the apostasy, and had sounded the alarm too late. …The battle came with Spurgeon’s Down-Grade controversy in It was an attempt to draw out the enemy in open battle, but they would not fight. They had succeeded too well by other means”.

Apostasy Begins With A Lack of Doctrine Decline of the Irish Presbyterian Church Professor Davey, a lecturer in Assembly’s College did not believe doctrines such as the Virgin Birth and the Deity of Christ At his heresy trial he was acquitted of all charges as a result of the vote not of the ministers but of the elders of the Presbyterian Church

THE REFORMED FAITH Popularly known as Calvinism

THE REFORMED FAITH Popularly known as Calvinism A characteristic of the Protestant Churches associated with Geneva

THE REFORMED FAITH John Knox applied Calvin’s teachings to the Scottish Church The Reformed Faith is a Protestant and a Presbyterian heritage

Incorporated Into The Great Confessions Of The Church The Heidelberg Catechism The Canons of the Synod of Dort The Westminster Standards

Does The Reformed Faith Follow The Teachings of a Man? Calvin did not invent Calvinism He was deeply influenced by the views of Bishop Augustine of Hippo, a Church Father While this doctrine is Bible truth it is distinctively Pauline in character The writings of Paul were the basis of Calvin’s theology He only rediscovered or reformed what had been lost

WHAT IS THE ESSENCE OF THE REFORMED FAITH God Is Sovereign “As a systematic and Biblical theology, the Reformed faith gives proper prominence to to the sovereignty of God in His eternal decree and its execution because it is consistently a theology of the word of God, whose revelation is sufficient and whose word is final” Dictionary of Theological Terms, Alan Cairns, Ambassador Emerald International, Page 303

UNDERSTANDING THE REFORMED FAITH 1.The Doctrines of Grace Salvation is solely a matter for God alone God does not merely play a role in salvation in partnership with men God absolutely accomplishes Salvation

TULIP  T otal Depravity of Man  U nconditional Election  L imited Atonement or Particular Redemption  I rrestible Grace or Effectual Calling  P erseverance of the Saints or Eternal Security

Covenant Theology as the Bedrock of the Reformed Faith God made a Covenant of Works with Adam in Eden. Adam’s refusal to comply brought misery to us all From eternity God had entered into a Covenant of Grace with His Son Christ’s faithfulness to this covenant brings eternal life to the elect of all ages

FOR NEXT TIME The Total Depravity of Man Search for references which show that man cannot save himself Any Questions????