Excellent three points - this from a Baptist minister. The superchurches often fail on all three points: (1) worship as entertainment, (2) doctrine as unimportant and seldom mentioned if at all, and (3) moral, financial, and other clear failure on the part of the superstar leadership. God bless you.
Seems strange that the Baptists are the only ones (with some exceptions) who have remained true to scripture and not become apostate. Those churches who love creedalism and "orthodoxy" (as defined by them of course) are the ones who have left the faith. Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Episcopal and Methodists are anything but Christian, yet they recite the creeds every Sunday. It is only those Baptists that descend from the Separate Baptists along with a few other like some Assemblies and Church of God which continue to believe the inerrant word. Those "guard rails" of confessions and creeds have done nothing to keep the "historic" churches true to the faith
Rev. Everhard, my big Amen to your pleas for historic, orthodox creeds & confessions (plus regulated worship) in churches. Sadly, these pleas often fell on deaf ears as I’d observed.
This really resonates with the situation I'm in. My church has unfortunately ceased to be a mission church of the PCA recently and has gone nondenom, something which many of us warned the rest of the congregation would be dangerous. Now we are trying to see if we can get the church to join anything, but I am not sure, at what point is it worth leaving a church that I have learned so much in over the years. I don't want to leave, but in an extremely unstable environment, I think it might start to feel more and more like I am a sheep that is too distant from the flock. That said, I do want to attend as many congregational meetings as I can to steer the church in the right direction
@techmsl3283 I mean that Tim Keller was about the pragmatic church growth model, not confessional theology and solid expository preaching. He was part of the social justice movement and accommodation to LFBTQIA+. When a PCA church claims to be non denominational, it means they are hiding their Presbyterian doctrine, or they do not preach it at all.
For Steve Lawson, the latest statement I saw yesterday said he was/is a member of the church where he preached and is under their discipline. That came from G3, who I would think is closer to being in the know than most. Regarding a lack of clear doctrine creeds, error can take the shape of an improper triage of issues, where what should be a matter of personal conviction among members (which could be based on Biblical principles but isn't a matter of salvation) gets elevated to a primary Gospel issue and causes division and/or bizarre legalism. I grew up with it in the Churches of Christ, where neighboring congregations wouldn't have anything to do with each other based on things like whether they should have Sunday School or have fellowship halls.
G3 cannot speak on behalf of the Dallas church. If the Dallas church does not publicly affirm that Steve Lawson was a member then the report that he was not is not refuted.
As you're well aware these levels of accountability also help to defend against false accusations. Pastoral transparency is incredibly important all the time, but especially during a storm of accusation.
Originally the CofC had a very healthy back and forth between congregations in newsletters/publications. I don’t know if this is still the case, but orthodoxy was established this way in Campbell’s time. Unity is essentials, liberty in nonessentials, in all things love.
@indyregen It ended up in liberalism. The Disciples of Christ is one of the most liberal apostate denominations. The Churches of Christ are divisive because they reject the 39 Old Testament books of the Bible; they even reject the Trinity.
The initial report of Steve Lawson not being a member of Trinity Bible Church wasn't correct. The latest reports are that he was (or is) a member of Trinity. I agree with the need for accountablity.
I read The Screwtape Letters many years ago. In my language it's called : "From the Correspondence School of Hell" ... Now I think I will have to buy it.
Same, as, sadly, the Nearest Valid, Reformed, Bible Believing, Church that will take me as a Member is 105 Miles away and the Second Nearest is 130 Miles away...and I do not have the money to move house at the Moment, so I am kind of Stuck!
@@honsville No Presbytery, Synod or Plurality of Elders to ensure Good Discipline and ensure false, Wesleyan-Arminian-Pelagian, teaching cannot take Root. There needs to be a Hierarchy to prevent the Risk of a Diotrephes taking power and Corrupting said Housechurch.
Appreciate your videos. 👍🙏❤️ Blessings. Small side note: G3 had a clip came out yesterday saying that Steve Lawson was actually a member of that church.
1) the church were Lawson preached has not come out to say that. 2) that same guy who said it in the video had himself tweeted (or confirmed a twit) that Lawson wasn’t a member of the church. As of now, neither Lawson nor the Church has come out to tell the congregation the whole truth. It seems that everyone is on self-preservation mode, which I believe is unbiblical.
Conservative Presbyterian churches are going the way of the dodo in California. Women are invited to give sermons on Sundays, and pastors promote the occult, or decide that same-sex relationships are fine when one of their children grow up and engage in same-sex relationships, or declare their indulgence of secular consumption in their sermons. Leaders like Timothy Keller pass on without leaving an inheritance of support for conservative, Biblical doctrine. Conservative Presbyterians are jumping ship and finding a home in conservative Baptist churches. Reformed churches have become another option, but it is easier to stay a secret Presbyterian in a Baptist church than in a Reformed church, despite the closer historical ties.
I would to retire in a small town, I listen to sermons from churches. Only with conservative presbyterian congregations do I get a consistent sense of church order. Others churches may have a certain quality, but often I'm left with questions. In Texas only in East Texas do I find PCA or OPC congregations in smaller cities of 35,000 population like Lufkin - otherwise the conservative reformed congregations are in major population areas. In Missouri the Covenant Seminary out of Saint Louis has planted congregations in smaller towns. It might be good if Texas had a seminary.
Aren’t we just to keep it really simple and just sit at the feet of Jesus! I’m so over all this ! Jesus his crucifixion and going out and telling people about Jesus dying for them! I miss you Pastor Matt! Love in Christ
I know of a specific PCA Church in Florida that is quite left leaning, and follows after Tim Keller. They never talk about hell, or any other controversial issues found in scripture whatsoever. If there is accountability, I don’t see it. They’re not necessarily explicitly “wrong”, but they only focus on the happy and good feeling parts of Christianity, while nearly completely avoiding what we need saving from.
Would love to hear a conversation between you and a confessional Lutheran on worship. Points of agreement and disagreement as well as perspectives on the pragmatic/attractional approach
Agree that most evangelicals have settled for mediocre faith, though I'm not reformed but rather Bible Believing Baptist which rejects much of modern worship CCM
I’m right there with you… exact same position. Guess that’s why I lean to these biblical reformed guys more without taking hold of reformed theology solely
I would not say that I was raised toward any singular view, though I would say that we likely walk a rope between the Normative and Regulative principles. The followers of the Pragmatic Principle eventually compromise doctrine. I was firmly raised that we are permitted those things that are permitted in Scripture, such as emotive expressions of praise characterized by singing, shouting, dancing, and the raising of our hands, while at the same time remembering the words of Paul to the Corinthians that everything must be done decently and in order. Generally speaking, it is the pastor who sets the course for the congregation leading some to be highly restrictive, others to be quasi-charismatic, and a third group that are somewhere in between. Generally, the quasi-charismatics eventually cease to be quasi and embrace the whole thing as they move toward the Pragmatic Principle.
I couldn't find your email on your channel page, but I have a sincere question I'm wanting to ask. I respect your opinion and want to get your advice on something. Grace and peace.
I say this with all love and care: Is not the word of God all sufficient? The moment we introduce creeds and confessions we run the risk of being like the Pharisees and scribes giving men interpretations as commandments of God
You misunderstand; apart from creeds and confessions, you make yourself into your own pope, being your own final and only authority on _interpretation_ of God's word; you aren't defending the sufficiency of Scripture, you're defending the sufficiency of _you._
@@matthewdyer2926 creeds and confessions make people in my opinion lazy, leads to denominations, and traditions. if I can’t question a creed or confession we’ve made men interpretations same as God’s word . Are there men more knowledgeable and knowing yes should their interpretation be the golden standard no, each person needs to test their own faith and assure their calling, if we aren’t speaking or thinking the same then we need to sit down and come to an understanding using the Bible, not commentaries, creeds, confessions, etc. This will always be an ongoing thing until the day we die or are taken with the Lord, so let us pray as we search the Scripture
@saulsanchez410 Are denominations and traditions bad in your estimation? The historic, orthodox Christian church for all of history has not thought so. Why do you think so?
@ traditions could be both good and bad, but denominations I certainly would say are bad, because we are no longer united. As 1 Corinthians 3 would talk about. Who are we following Jesus or his servants? True some servants are better equipped but in the end Jesus is where we should be building upon and God gives the people the increase. The moment I start identifying with certain brethren and start calling myself something other than a Christian I’ve taken on a different identity and am no longer using Jesus as my corner stone.
Hello Pastor Everhard, thanks for this video. I sent you an email asking about a book written by Heinrich Bullinger. Can you pls reply to me? Thank you and blessings!
Sadly enough, some "churches" seem to push the concept that any worship that differs from their own preferrered sounds, is not worship. That's where the haughty devil steps in.
@cranmer1959 we are to worship from the heart, praise from the lips? In that case, my favorite worship songs & bands are indeed in truth, even if they also happens to be entertaining too.
I disagree with your premise for the purpose of the church. Nowhere does the Bbile say that the purpose for the New Testament church is to worship God/Christ. Sure, you have some words, in the Greek, being mistranslated "worship" in the NT, such as proskuneo, 80% (35 out of 44 times the word worship is translated in the New Testament) of the time, which actually means to prostrate (literally not figuratively bow down to someone, or something), which I haven't seen, in my 40 + years as a professing believer, practiced in our churches on a regular basis. 1Cor 14:26 goes as far as to say let ALL things (when believers come together) be done for "edification". It says edifiction, not worship. The purpose of the church is for the believer and his/her growth until we all come into the unity of the faith and maturity (Eph. 4:13). It seems that we think that everything we do in church is , or should be, considered worship. Does that include drinking at the water fountain? We see the concept of "worship" is srangely silent in the First Century churches. Our problem is that we make the Greek translation so generic that we think worship can and does mean anything we do within the four walls of the brick and mortar church, then we (unjustifiably) project our mistranslation back onto them in the First and Second Centuries which there is no evidence for in the Scriptures. Last I remember, that is a prime exmple of Eisegesis and not Exegesis of the Scriptures.
To understand what worship is we must go back to Genesis and start from there. We glorify God in our worship and fulfill his commands. It is the proper response of all men to their creator. I would suggest that you do a word search for “worship” in the Bible. God gives us a clear understanding of what worship is and what we do in worship. You are right to point out that worship is not anything that goes on in a church building or our lives. It is a distinct function of God’s people as they assemble together to meet with him.
@@algotstephenson1858 Yes, I agree with the thrust of this comment. Disciples worship God because they are thankful and in awe of his goodness. But what God wants from humans is not worship but transformation into the image in which they are made.
Agreed. Unfortunately, orthodoxy might be maintained while the preaching of the gospel is minimized. Many orthodox sermons do not maintain the urgency of the gospel of Christ.
I am 100% in favor of churches adopting one of solid historic confessions. My first choice is the 2nd London Baptist Confession of Faith which is a slightly edited version of the Westminster Confession and the Savoy Declaration. They are far far superior to the skeletal statements common to many independent churches. First a church owes it to its members and potential members a clear statement of what it holds to be doctrinally true, second it is a demonstration of pure hubris not to acknowledge that we can truly benefit from the writing of great Christian minds of the past. On the other hand, we must avoid at all costs subconsciously holding either our confessions or the ecumenical creeds as being in any way inspired as scripture is. The Confession X or Creed Y says... should never be the response to any question of doctrine. I further believe that it would be advisable for churches to make it a policy to review its confession or statement of faith as a congregation every few years to see if any church member has a valid challenge to any of its statements of doctrine. While I sincerely doubt any valid challenges to the historic confessions will be successfully made, it will remind the congregation that scripture alone is inspired as well as what the church holds to be true. May we never be guilty of the sin of implicit faith. When it comes to examination of doctrine the only thing that should be "off the table" is sola scriptura and the fact that scripture is both inspired and inerrant.
I agree with you. I also confess the Second London Baptist. However, about the creeds, especially the Apostles and the Nicene, is that they are a succinct statement of our beliefs. We are to have a response in defense of our faith. God’s word tells us that the Holy Ghost will give us utterance in times of need, but these creeds are a short, succinct statement of our beliefs. Given more time with a willing listener we could recite the entire WCF OR SLBC. Given even MORE time we could quote the Bible. Creeds are a good starting point. As Matthew says, they help keep us in the proper lane. God bless.
I confess the 2nd London as well. But the kicker is a Confession is only as good as the people upholding it. Machen was ousted by Presbyterianism. Spurgeon could not stop the Downgrade in the Baptist Union. The inroads the Dissident Right and Woke Left have made in Confessional Reformed demonstrate that a Confession is only as good as the willingness of its Confessors to vigilantly uphold it by catechesis and discipline.
Those are all short term. What i have seen twice in my area, are churches that have been active for 150 years, go out of business and shut down because the current congregation did nothing to attract new members. They eventually aged out, and either moved into assisted living or died. The congregation dwindled down to three or four couples and then they can’t afford to even pay the electricity bill, so they close the church. Then someone buys it and turns the building into a night club.
If I wanted to undermine the church, the first thing I would do is have seminaries seek the approval of the government for their existence and accreditation. This would get them to continually make adjustments in their doctrine and practice in order to maintain their status and credibility in the eyes of the world. Second, I would influence churches to require all their men (and later women) to have a seminary degree. Third, I would incrementally introduce minor errors into the seminaries as “scholarly” which would then be disseminated into the church. Voila!
@@cranmer1959 there are a gazillion things the government isn’t supposed to do but they do it anyway. Seminaries will change their courses in order to maintain their state accreditation. I know, I’m a graduate of 2 seminaries that have done so.
@@KildaltonTheologicalStudies That's not exactly accurate. Accrediting agencies are not necessarily state sponsored. Though accreditation is important, it's not absolutely necessary. I would agree with you that Christian colleges and universities as well as Christian seminaries do tend to go liberal over time. I experienced that as well. I graduated from a Pentecostal college, which is now a liberal arts college, and a Wesleyan seminary that is now almost completely liberal. I'm a Calvinist now.
Jesus gave the church five (not 4, not 3...) post ascension gifts for a reason. If churches would function on the foundation of apostles & prophets and let the other 3 offices operate under that covering in the order God intended then saints would be equipped for the work of ministry and build the church up to a maturity of the measure of the fullness of Christ. Jesus gave us a blueprint...use it.
@@anthonym.7653 I do. Which is why I know that it Clearly Declares that there were only ever Twelve Apostles of the Lamb (Revelation Chapter 21) and that anyone who calls themselves apostle who is not among those Twelve (the 11 True Disciples and Paul) is a false apostle and a minister of Satan (2nd Corinthians Chapter 11), there are NO apostles today all 12 are at home with the Lord, the last one, John, Dying in around 101-105 AD (recorded by Irenaeus of Lyon, the Disciple of Polycarp of Smyrna, who was the Disciple of John, who was the Disciple whom Jesus Loved), so that Office is Closed. Scripture is also Clear that the Last and Greatest Prophet was John the Baptist, as John the Baptist was the last Prophet, and he was Martyred in 31 or 32 AD, that Office is also Closed. Scripture, the Bible, is what makes it Clear that the Offices of Apostle and Prophet are Closed. Repent!
I heard a top calvanist theologian say we take the doctrines and put them into the bible, (doctrine, theology, creeds,) many man made, why not go back the bible, and feast on the inspired word!! You cant add to the bible, the last phrase in revelation says adding and taking away brings judgement.
The creeds are "full of Scripture"... Then wouldn't it be safe to just use Scripture? We are warned about the "traditions of men" usurping the commandments of God Mark 7:7-9. While there are differences amongst restoration movement churches, nothing has come out of them as blasphemous as we've seen with the Presbys... so much for the "guardrails"
Positive side: I understand and like what you said about the "Guard Rails" on a road/highway, which is very true. Negative side: I was a long-time attender, then a member of an "A.R.B.C.A.", 1689 2nd London Baptist Confession of Faith Church. They also had a "Church By-Laws" document and a legal-beagle "incorporation" document. Even with all that stuff and several independent churches in the association with get-togethers/meetings and a publication there was a big problem. Some pastors in ARBCA* protected another pastor from accusations by elders and congregation members. {In my mind it is soooooo very strange that in a congregation of about 400 people (many of which were members) can read the Holy Bible and come up with such different ideas as to what a Bible verse or paragraph or chapter actually means.} The founding church of the association had a problem, and when the Pastor did not like the outcome, he "took a ministry call" to another State to an independent (Non-A.R.B.C.A.) church. About a third of the congregation left. {Some folks thought we should all hug and say happy thoughts and not be 'judgmental", while others thought that Church discipline is what the Bible orders us to do and should be done or else more bad stuff can & will happen.} After a few years of bad feelings and cover-ups, one ex-Pastor is in prison and the association which had several serious "Guard Rails" lost about half of the congregations. The replacement pastor at my former church supposedly subscribed to the 2nd London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689,,,, but never mentioned it when he gave a sermon from it, instead he gave psycho-babble messages. Myself and others left. {I went quietly.} * = Association of Reformed Baptist Churches in America. They were group that agreed with the "1689 2nd London Baptist Confession of Faith" and who are very friendly to John Gill (Commentary writer) and Pastor Charles H. Spurgeon of London, England. Hymn book was used with an organ and a piano. No R & R band blaring 7-11 tunes. They have sent potential Pastoral candidates to a Presbyterian seminary in San Diego County, Cal..
@@cranmer1959 {You have a good screenname --- I have my grandma's 1928 B.O.C.P. :-) Short version of a long story. Child abuse / possible child molestation charges in Arizona brought by some members/parents at that ARBCA church after their kids told their parents some things. {The Pastor would "babysit" kids (usually boys) for $ while the parents were at jobs/work.} The accused pastor left and moved to pastor a R.B. church in Wisconsin (or Minn.?) and not long after, parents/kids at that church had the same complaints as the people at the Arizona church. The pastor blamed the elders at both churches. Judge & Jury in Arizona agreed with the parents. If/when he gets out of the Arizona prison, he might be charged in the Wisconsin case. The Pastor at my former Church (one of the very first members of ARBCA) sided with the child abuser pastor at the Arizona church. Why? It seems that he was of the mindset that since boy pastor was the son of an ARBCA pastor & author, and ARBCA elders had laid hands upon him and ordained the son of the author, then he must be "A/Okay". {Bad thinking IMO.} That is another reason why he* left and went to another church (a "Founders" Baptist church but not an ARBCA member) in Louisiana. He is retired now. * The Pastor of one of original ARBCA churches and author of several pamphlets/leaflets about topics & issues. ------ - --------- ---------- --------- ------- ----- -------- ARBCA has lost several member churches. Some because of the cover-up of a child abuser/molester and some left because the child abuser/molester was exposed, and they thought he should be protected because he was 'ordained".
"Guard Rails" only work if the drivers of the vehicles have good vision and functioning brains, and the tires have treads and air and the brakes and steering wheel works correctly. Those leaflets/pamphlets written the R.B. pastor in So. Cal. were good. I bought & read them at a bookstore near my work location. That was when I was still a member/ adult S.S. teacher at a "Church of the Nazarene" and tired of the wishy-washy new "Pastor" and his "new" take on "Worship" services. He changed it from a Wesleyan-Arminian holiness church into a sugar-coated nothing-muffin assembly of wannabe garage band members. Ugh. He took the church into the dreaded "Seeker Sensitive" direction. I have avoided using names. The places are issues and squabbles are true (sadly).
@@cranmer1959 A female church member (late teens/early twenties) got pregnant out-of-wedlock. Main Pastor wanted her excommunicated from the congregation. {Her Dad was the Co-Pastor.) Church members voted. It was about 55% to 45% percent to NOT expel her from membership. Main Pastor then went after the Co-Pastor for various charges. Co-Pastor left and about a third of the congregation left also. Main Pastor was upset that he did not have 100% of the people on his side, (and for another reason) so he left for another Church (Not an ARBCA member) in a different state. A new Pastor came in from another state. Ugh.
@@gusloader123 If she was unrepentant, then she should have been excommunicated until she did repent. Excommunicated means not partaking of the Lord's table. Shunning is only for the worst cases.
Thanks for the video. I agree with all you say. However, it seems to me some of our creeds and confessions would need to be updated when it comes to the topic of worship. I can see alot of hot button issues that we are wrestling with today which the writers of our confessions (e.g. WCF) would have never dreamed of. One prominent issue that seems to come up again and again is "women in ministry". As a confessional refomred Presbyterian church there are a variety of views within our denomination which range from outright liberal/egalitarian views (e.g. women as elders) over "entry egalitarian" views (e.g women should lead a worship service and mixed Bible studies but not preach or be elders) to reformed views (e.g. women should neither be elders nor should they teach men but they are alowed to sing, pray, read the Bible, give a testimony ) to "very strict reformed views" ( women should not speak at church at all). This is just one example. But I think we would need some new/updated framework/confessional document on worship for such issues.
I am not Reformed but am learning theological differences of Presbyterian Churches (PCA and PC USA) and Baptist Churches (SBC). I haven’t heard much about worship entertainment but came across a theatrical version of Christianity called The Thorn on Facebook. My stomach dropped. I am definitely not going to watch that🙄
How to ruin Christianity: blindly follow a random like John Calvin, pretty sure most 'reformed' beliefs came from Calvin's own POV. I find John Calvin a very bitty man
@gregb6469 I would say Prima Scriptura. The final authority in the believer's life is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit reveals to us the truth from scripture, from pastoral teaching, from the church, from prayer time, and sometimes from special revelation. Scripture should be our first test to examine if what we are hearing is from God. No special revelation, ecclesiology, systematic theology, or counsel from our pastor, priest or bishop may disagree with scripture. But to say we only recognize scripture as the means by which God communicates with us is extreme, and is itself not founded upon scripture. Sola Scriptura leaves us in confusion when one teacher exposits a doctrine different from another. Without seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit two believers who may affirm Sola Scriptura may hold different doctrines. Without guidance from the Holy Spirit two believers who trust their church may affirm different doctrines. Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit will teach us. We shouldn't outsource this to other theologians or church bodies. John 14:26 & 15:26-27. Blessings.
09:36 Presbyteries are only as good as the ministers who are members. Unfortunately, many of the presbyteries in the Presbyterian Church in America have gone off into heresy, including the Revoice error and the Federal Vision. I live in Lexington, SC. The PCA churches in this area are uniformly weak. The largest one near me is into the Tim Keller version of Revoice. You know? Homosexuals are born with a sexual orientation? That's an invention of wicked men who wish to give an excuse for sexual perversion.
1 You just Denied the Gospel. 2. Correct. 3. You just denied the clear teaching of the Bible. Sadly, it is very clear from your user name and 2 of your Statements that you hold to Heresy and are not Saved, and I beg of You in Love to Repent and Believe the Gospel of the Bible to be Saved!
@simeonyves5940 1. no. 2. Correct. 3. no. Sadly, it is very clear from your Statements that you hold to Satanic theology, and I beg of You in Love to Repent and Believe the Gospel found in the Bible!
@@christianuniversalist Your a fine one to talk, clinging like a Scared Infant to Greek Heresy! Begone from me! And be Prepared to hear those same words from Christ unless you Repent.
1. To use worshiptainment as a defense of the Regulative Principle is suspect at best. 2. To have a Protestant worry about not being Orthodox is, well interesting. 3. You worry about church leadership but you aren't a member of the church you pastor - you're a member of the Presbytery. You probably should rethink these points.
Don’t we want the maximum number of people to hear the gospel? I personally do not see a problem with larger churches, attractional churches, as long as the gospel is preached. Mr. Everhard, you showed your nias by stating that larger churches want to bring in more donors. That says more about your opinion of those in the pews than anything else. It’s cynical and counterproductive, and in my experience inaccurate. I can’t speak for the case at large. Perhaps you have been to many churches which you describe. Still, I do not believe you could have intimate enough knowledge of them to make such a crass accusation.
Left Calvinism and the Reformed Religion because of their stern darkness and regulations ie, legalism, as opposed to meeting people where they’re at and actually helping others.
The problem with the worhsiptainment folk and the creed and confession folk...you're both too religious. Yup. Going to the same place from different sides. Trying to set an atmosphere. Nothing organic about either
Excellent three points - this from a Baptist minister. The superchurches often fail on all three points: (1) worship as entertainment, (2) doctrine as unimportant and seldom mentioned if at all, and (3) moral, financial, and other clear failure on the part of the superstar leadership. God bless you.
Seems strange that the Baptists are the only ones (with some exceptions) who have remained true to scripture and not become apostate. Those churches who love creedalism and "orthodoxy" (as defined by them of course) are the ones who have left the faith. Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Episcopal and Methodists are anything but Christian, yet they recite the creeds every Sunday. It is only those Baptists that descend from the Separate Baptists along with a few other like some Assemblies and Church of God which continue to believe the inerrant word. Those "guard rails" of confessions and creeds have done nothing to keep the "historic" churches true to the faith
@@caman171 what are Baptist churches doing in your opinion that other denominations get wrong?
@@IdontKnow-jt2oz ive tried responding to your question 5 times and it keeps getting deleted
@@caman171 try liking your comment after you post it and wait a minute before clicking away
@@IdontKnow-jt2oz still no success. Not sure how anything I was trying to say about Baptists would get me deleted
Rev. Everhard, my big Amen to your pleas for historic, orthodox creeds & confessions (plus regulated worship) in churches. Sadly, these pleas often fell on deaf ears as I’d observed.
This really resonates with the situation I'm in. My church has unfortunately ceased to be a mission church of the PCA recently and has gone nondenom, something which many of us warned the rest of the congregation would be dangerous. Now we are trying to see if we can get the church to join anything, but I am not sure, at what point is it worth leaving a church that I have learned so much in over the years. I don't want to leave, but in an extremely unstable environment, I think it might start to feel more and more like I am a sheep that is too distant from the flock. That said, I do want to attend as many congregational meetings as I can to steer the church in the right direction
The PCA is no longer a Presbyterian denomination. Tim Keller ruined it.
@cranmer1959 What do you mean by that?
@techmsl3283 I mean that Tim Keller was about the pragmatic church growth model, not confessional theology and solid expository preaching. He was part of the social justice movement and accommodation to LFBTQIA+.
When a PCA church claims to be non denominational, it means they are hiding their Presbyterian doctrine, or they do not preach it at all.
@@techmsl3283 Seeker friendly churches are full of reprobates.
@@cranmer1959stop
For Steve Lawson, the latest statement I saw yesterday said he was/is a member of the church where he preached and is under their discipline. That came from G3, who I would think is closer to being in the know than most.
Regarding a lack of clear doctrine creeds, error can take the shape of an improper triage of issues, where what should be a matter of personal conviction among members (which could be based on Biblical principles but isn't a matter of salvation) gets elevated to a primary Gospel issue and causes division and/or bizarre legalism. I grew up with it in the Churches of Christ, where neighboring congregations wouldn't have anything to do with each other based on things like whether they should have Sunday School or have fellowship halls.
The Churches of Christ have no doctrine but Christ. That narrows it down to almost nothing.
The G3 churches are not confessional.
G3 cannot speak on behalf of the Dallas church. If the Dallas church does not publicly affirm that Steve Lawson was a member then the report that he was not is not refuted.
@conceptualclarity Trinity Church did acknowledge that Lawson was a member there and that he had a paid ministry position there.
@@cranmer1959 -- "...no doctrine but Christ." What does that mean?
Brother Matthew, you are so right about Pragmatic Worship!
@@edwinspeaks2515 please define "pragmatic worship"
As you're well aware these levels of accountability also help to defend against false accusations. Pastoral transparency is incredibly important all the time, but especially during a storm of accusation.
The “no creed but Christ” in the thumbnail cut deep as someone who was raised in the Church of Christ.
Originally the CofC had a very healthy back and forth between congregations in newsletters/publications. I don’t know if this is still the case, but orthodoxy was established this way in Campbell’s time. Unity is essentials, liberty in nonessentials, in all things love.
@indyregen It ended up in liberalism. The Disciples of Christ is one of the most liberal apostate denominations. The Churches of Christ are divisive because they reject the 39 Old Testament books of the Bible; they even reject the Trinity.
Happy belated Birthday brother!
The initial report of Steve Lawson not being a member of Trinity Bible Church wasn't correct. The latest reports are that he was (or is) a member of Trinity. I agree with the need for accountablity.
Actually both Steve and his wife WERE MEMBERS. The church came out and clarified. In the sake of accuracy.
Well, the church told Josh Buice. And I trust him more than I trust Protestia, but the church needs to make a public statement on this.
I read The Screwtape Letters many years ago.
In my language it's
called : "From the Correspondence School
of Hell" ...
Now I think I will have to buy it.
Nice. I’m curious, what language?
@@ing-mariekoppel1637 i watched it on TV once, years ago
Am in limbo as far as attending a fellowship...All the ones I have attended are entertainment centers now...
There are orthodox churches, but they may not be everyones cup of tea
Same, as, sadly, the Nearest Valid, Reformed, Bible Believing, Church that will take me as a Member is 105 Miles away and the Second Nearest is 130 Miles away...and I do not have the money to move house at the Moment, so I am kind of Stuck!
@@honsville No Presbytery, Synod or Plurality of Elders to ensure Good Discipline and ensure false, Wesleyan-Arminian-Pelagian, teaching cannot take Root. There needs to be a Hierarchy to prevent the Risk of a Diotrephes taking power and Corrupting said Housechurch.
@@frankstevenson5013Female deacons?
Thank you for your teaching sir
Well said. The Apostle Paul constantly dealt with discord sown by false teachers who wanted to insert Jewish principles into Christian worship.
Thanks!
Wow! Thank you so much! That was really kind of you!
The Church should be more about worship and less about entertainment.
You nailed it brother, “ if I was the devil” reminded me of Paul Harvey. Good, your book is awesome. The screwtape letters was such a great read.
Same. If I recall correctly Paul Harvey adapted that from Donald Barnhouse.
Appreciate your videos. 👍🙏❤️ Blessings.
Small side note: G3 had a clip came out yesterday saying that Steve Lawson was actually a member of that church.
Yeah but Trinity hasn’t said that.
1) the church were Lawson preached has not come out to say that.
2) that same guy who said it in the video had himself tweeted (or confirmed a twit) that Lawson wasn’t a member of the church.
As of now, neither Lawson nor the Church has come out to tell the congregation the whole truth. It seems that everyone is on self-preservation mode, which I believe is unbiblical.
I bought a copy of Worshiptainment! Thanks for all you do!
Thank you so much I really appreciate that!!!
Conservative Presbyterian churches are going the way of the dodo in California. Women are invited to give sermons on Sundays, and pastors promote the occult, or decide that same-sex relationships are fine when one of their children grow up and engage in same-sex relationships, or declare their indulgence of secular consumption in their sermons. Leaders like Timothy Keller pass on without leaving an inheritance of support for conservative, Biblical doctrine. Conservative Presbyterians are jumping ship and finding a home in conservative Baptist churches. Reformed churches have become another option, but it is easier to stay a secret Presbyterian in a Baptist church than in a Reformed church, despite the closer historical ties.
I would to retire in a small town, I listen to sermons from churches. Only with conservative presbyterian congregations do I get a consistent sense of church order. Others churches may have a certain quality, but often I'm left with questions. In Texas only in East Texas do I find PCA or OPC congregations in smaller cities of 35,000 population like Lufkin - otherwise the conservative reformed congregations are in major population areas. In Missouri the Covenant Seminary out of Saint Louis has planted congregations in smaller towns. It might be good if Texas had a seminary.
Some good things to think about here ! Thank you.
Aren’t we just to keep it really simple and just sit at the feet of Jesus! I’m so over all this ! Jesus his crucifixion and going out and telling people about Jesus dying for them! I miss you Pastor Matt!
Love in Christ
Doctrine does matter, though.
I know of a specific PCA Church in Florida that is quite left leaning, and follows after Tim Keller. They never talk about hell, or any other controversial issues found in scripture whatsoever. If there is accountability, I don’t see it. They’re not necessarily explicitly “wrong”, but they only focus on the happy and good feeling parts of Christianity, while nearly completely avoiding what we need saving from.
You don't have to harp in Steve Lawson. There's also David Platt.
@honsville
TH-cam's algorithm follows our viewing habits. 😁
Would love to hear a conversation between you and a confessional Lutheran on worship. Points of agreement and disagreement as well as perspectives on the pragmatic/attractional approach
If you look on his channel he actually has had a conversation with Dr. Jordan Cooper, a Lutheran pastor!
@1988casco oh really? I'll check it out thanks 😊
I was baptist, now CRC for these very reasons.
I have that same Marvel comic book. Collector's item for me.
Can creeds be amended to resolve theological disputes?
When the altar becomes a stage, it's time to move on.
Can you point me to info on exactly how and when the "regulative principle" started?
It started when God inspired the Scriptures.
See the breakthrough, masterpiece novel "Where Do We Go Now, LORD? - Burke."
Agree that most evangelicals have settled for mediocre faith, though I'm not reformed but rather Bible Believing Baptist which rejects much of modern worship CCM
I’m right there with you… exact same position. Guess that’s why I lean to these biblical reformed guys more without taking hold of reformed theology solely
I would not say that I was raised toward any singular view, though I would say that we likely walk a rope between the Normative and Regulative principles. The followers of the Pragmatic Principle eventually compromise doctrine. I was firmly raised that we are permitted those things that are permitted in Scripture, such as emotive expressions of praise characterized by singing, shouting, dancing, and the raising of our hands, while at the same time remembering the words of Paul to the Corinthians that everything must be done decently and in order. Generally speaking, it is the pastor who sets the course for the congregation leading some to be highly restrictive, others to be quasi-charismatic, and a third group that are somewhere in between. Generally, the quasi-charismatics eventually cease to be quasi and embrace the whole thing as they move toward the Pragmatic Principle.
I couldn't find your email on your channel page, but I have a sincere question I'm wanting to ask. I respect your opinion and want to get your advice on something. Grace and peace.
Awesome video, but Steven Lawson was a member, Josh Buice released a video on G3, watch that.
I say this with all love and care: Is not the word of God all sufficient?
The moment we introduce creeds and confessions we run the risk of being like the Pharisees and scribes giving men interpretations as commandments of God
Amen!
You misunderstand; apart from creeds and confessions, you make yourself into your own pope, being your own final and only authority on _interpretation_ of God's word; you aren't defending the sufficiency of Scripture, you're defending the sufficiency of _you._
@@matthewdyer2926 creeds and confessions make people in my opinion lazy, leads to denominations, and traditions. if I can’t question a creed or confession we’ve made men interpretations same as God’s word . Are there men more knowledgeable and knowing yes should their interpretation be the golden standard no, each person needs to test their own faith and assure their calling, if we aren’t speaking or thinking the same then we need to sit down and come to an understanding using the Bible, not commentaries, creeds, confessions, etc. This will always be an ongoing thing until the day we die or are taken with the Lord, so let us pray as we search the Scripture
@saulsanchez410 Are denominations and traditions bad in your estimation? The historic, orthodox Christian church for all of history has not thought so. Why do you think so?
@ traditions could be both good and bad, but denominations I certainly would say are bad, because we are no longer united. As 1 Corinthians 3 would talk about. Who are we following Jesus or his servants? True some servants are better equipped but in the end Jesus is where we should be building upon and God gives the people the increase. The moment I start identifying with certain brethren and start calling myself something other than a Christian I’ve taken on a different identity and am no longer using Jesus as my corner stone.
Hello Pastor Everhard, thanks for this video. I sent you an email asking about a book written by Heinrich Bullinger. Can you pls reply to me? Thank you and blessings!
Sadly enough, some "churches" seem to push the concept that any worship that differs from their own preferrered sounds, is not worship. That's where the haughty devil steps in.
Sadly, most churches ignore biblical worship.
@cranmer1959 define "biblical worship".
@umarae27 It's called the regulative principle of worship. Whatever is not prescribed in Scripture is forbidden.
@cranmer1959 we are to worship from the heart, praise from the lips?
In that case, my favorite worship songs & bands are indeed in truth, even if they also happens to be entertaining too.
@umarae27 Truth is not emotional. Truth is rational and logical.
I disagree with your premise for the purpose of the church. Nowhere does the Bbile say that the purpose for the New Testament church is to worship God/Christ. Sure, you have some words, in the Greek, being mistranslated "worship" in the NT, such as proskuneo, 80% (35 out of 44 times the word worship is translated in the New Testament) of the time, which actually means to prostrate (literally not figuratively bow down to someone, or something), which I haven't seen, in my 40 + years as a professing believer, practiced in our churches on a regular basis.
1Cor 14:26 goes as far as to say let ALL things (when believers come together) be done for "edification". It says edifiction, not worship. The purpose of the church is for the believer and his/her growth until we all come into the unity of the faith and maturity (Eph. 4:13).
It seems that we think that everything we do in church is , or should be, considered worship. Does that include drinking at the water fountain? We see the concept of "worship" is srangely silent in the First Century churches. Our problem is that we make the Greek translation so generic that we think worship can and does mean anything we do within the four walls of the brick and mortar church, then we (unjustifiably) project our mistranslation back onto them in the First and Second Centuries which there is no evidence for in the Scriptures.
Last I remember, that is a prime exmple of Eisegesis and not Exegesis of the Scriptures.
To understand what worship is we must go back to Genesis and start from there. We glorify God in our worship and fulfill his commands. It is the proper response of all men to their creator. I would suggest that you do a word search for “worship” in the Bible. God gives us a clear understanding of what worship is and what we do in worship. You are right to point out that worship is not anything that goes on in a church building or our lives. It is a distinct function of God’s people as they assemble together to meet with him.
@@algotstephenson1858 Yes, I agree with the thrust of this comment. Disciples worship God because they are thankful and in awe of his goodness.
But what God wants from humans is not worship but transformation into the image in which they are made.
Agreed. Unfortunately, orthodoxy might be maintained while the preaching of the gospel is minimized. Many orthodox sermons do not maintain the urgency of the gospel of Christ.
All Scripture is profitable for doctrine. 2 Timothy 3:16.
Check, check, check. I guess I was right in leaving then.
I am 100% in favor of churches adopting one of solid historic confessions. My first choice is the 2nd London Baptist Confession of Faith which is a slightly edited version of the Westminster Confession and the Savoy Declaration. They are far far superior to the skeletal statements common to many independent churches. First a church owes it to its members and potential members a clear statement of what it holds to be doctrinally true, second it is a demonstration of pure hubris not to acknowledge that we can truly benefit from the writing of great Christian minds of the past.
On the other hand, we must avoid at all costs subconsciously holding either our confessions or the ecumenical creeds as being in any way inspired as scripture is. The Confession X or Creed Y says... should never be the response to any question of doctrine. I further believe that it would be advisable for churches to make it a policy to review its confession or statement of faith as a congregation every few years to see if any church member has a valid challenge to any of its statements of doctrine. While I sincerely doubt any valid challenges to the historic confessions will be successfully made, it will remind the congregation that scripture alone is inspired as well as what the church holds to be true. May we never be guilty of the sin of implicit faith.
When it comes to examination of doctrine the only thing that should be "off the table" is sola scriptura and the fact that scripture is both inspired and inerrant.
I agree with you. I also confess the Second London Baptist.
However, about the creeds, especially the Apostles and the Nicene, is that they are a succinct statement of our beliefs. We are to have a response in defense of our faith. God’s word tells us that the Holy Ghost will give us utterance in times of need, but these creeds are a short, succinct statement of our beliefs. Given more time with a willing listener we could recite the entire WCF OR SLBC. Given even MORE time we could quote the Bible. Creeds are a good starting point.
As Matthew says, they help keep us in the proper lane. God bless.
I confess the 2nd London as well. But the kicker is a Confession is only as good as the people upholding it. Machen was ousted by Presbyterianism. Spurgeon could not stop the Downgrade in the Baptist Union.
The inroads the Dissident Right and Woke Left have made in Confessional Reformed demonstrate that a Confession is only as good as the willingness of its Confessors to vigilantly uphold it by catechesis and discipline.
Those are all short term. What i have seen twice in my area, are churches that have been active for 150 years, go out of business and shut down because the current congregation did nothing to attract new members. They eventually aged out, and either moved into assisted living or died. The congregation dwindled down to three or four couples and then they can’t afford to even pay the electricity bill, so they close the church. Then someone buys it and turns the building into a night club.
Do you think the use of instruments is ok? Not mentioned in NT.
your info on membership of lawson is incorrect
If I wanted to undermine the church, the first thing I would do is have seminaries seek the approval of the government for their existence and accreditation. This would get them to continually make adjustments in their doctrine and practice in order to maintain their status and credibility in the eyes of the world. Second, I would influence churches to require all their men (and later women) to have a seminary degree. Third, I would incrementally introduce minor errors into the seminaries as “scholarly” which would then be disseminated into the church. Voila!
The government cannot interfere with the free exercise of the Christian religion. It's in the Bill of Rights.
As for apostasy, that happens because of internecine denominational politics over theological issues.
@@cranmer1959 there are a gazillion things the government isn’t supposed to do but they do it anyway. Seminaries will change their courses in order to maintain their state accreditation. I know, I’m a graduate of 2 seminaries that have done so.
@@KildaltonTheologicalStudies That's not exactly accurate. Accrediting agencies are not necessarily state sponsored. Though accreditation is important, it's not absolutely necessary. I would agree with you that Christian colleges and universities as well as Christian seminaries do tend to go liberal over time. I experienced that as well. I graduated from a Pentecostal college, which is now a liberal arts college, and a Wesleyan seminary that is now almost completely liberal. I'm a Calvinist now.
I never lost my basic understanding of the Bible, in spite of having a bachelor of arts and a master of divinity.
Jesus gave the church five (not 4, not 3...) post ascension gifts for a reason. If churches would function on the foundation of apostles & prophets and let the other 3 offices operate under that covering in the order God intended then saints would be equipped for the work of ministry and build the church up to a maturity of the measure of the fullness of Christ. Jesus gave us a blueprint...use it.
The offices of Apostle and Prophet are Closed! Repent!
@simeonyves5940 read your bible, bruh.
@@anthonym.7653 I do. Which is why I know that it Clearly Declares that there were only ever Twelve Apostles of the Lamb (Revelation Chapter 21) and that anyone who calls themselves apostle who is not among those Twelve (the 11 True Disciples and Paul) is a false apostle and a minister of Satan (2nd Corinthians Chapter 11), there are NO apostles today all 12 are at home with the Lord, the last one, John, Dying in around 101-105 AD (recorded by Irenaeus of Lyon, the Disciple of Polycarp of Smyrna, who was the Disciple of John, who was the Disciple whom Jesus Loved), so that Office is Closed.
Scripture is also Clear that the Last and Greatest Prophet was John the Baptist, as John the Baptist was the last Prophet, and he was Martyred in 31 or 32 AD, that Office is also Closed.
Scripture, the Bible, is what makes it Clear that the Offices of Apostle and Prophet are Closed.
Repent!
It's all God ordained right???
I’m Orthodox. I find it interesting that you mention confession. Do you believe that you as minister pronounce the forgiveness of sins, as Christ did?
I heard a top calvanist theologian say we take the doctrines and put them into the bible, (doctrine, theology, creeds,) many man made, why not go back the bible, and feast on the inspired word!! You cant add to the bible, the last phrase in revelation says adding and taking away brings judgement.
The creeds are "full of Scripture"... Then wouldn't it be safe to just use Scripture? We are warned about the "traditions of men" usurping the commandments of God Mark 7:7-9. While there are differences amongst restoration movement churches, nothing has come out of them as blasphemous as we've seen with the Presbys... so much for the "guardrails"
Positive side: I understand and like what you said about the "Guard Rails" on a road/highway, which is very true.
Negative side: I was a long-time attender, then a member of an "A.R.B.C.A.", 1689 2nd London Baptist Confession of Faith Church. They also had a "Church By-Laws" document and a legal-beagle "incorporation" document. Even with all that stuff and several independent churches in the association with get-togethers/meetings and a publication there was a big problem.
Some pastors in ARBCA* protected another pastor from accusations by elders and congregation members. {In my mind it is soooooo very strange that in a congregation of about 400 people (many of which were members) can read the Holy Bible and come up with such different ideas as to what a Bible verse or paragraph or chapter actually means.}
The founding church of the association had a problem, and when the Pastor did not like the outcome, he "took a ministry call" to another State to an independent (Non-A.R.B.C.A.) church. About a third of the congregation left. {Some folks thought we should all hug and say happy thoughts and not be 'judgmental", while others thought that Church discipline is what the Bible orders us to do and should be done or else more bad stuff can & will happen.}
After a few years of bad feelings and cover-ups, one ex-Pastor is in prison and the association which had several serious "Guard Rails" lost about half of the congregations. The replacement pastor at my former church supposedly subscribed to the 2nd London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689,,,, but never mentioned it when he gave a sermon from it, instead he gave psycho-babble messages. Myself and others left. {I went quietly.}
* = Association of Reformed Baptist Churches in America. They were group that agreed with the "1689 2nd London Baptist Confession of Faith" and who are very friendly to John Gill (Commentary writer) and Pastor Charles H. Spurgeon of London, England. Hymn book was used with an organ and a piano. No R & R band blaring 7-11 tunes. They have sent potential Pastoral candidates to a Presbyterian seminary in San Diego County, Cal..
You have not identified what the issue was that caused the pastor to leave.
Also, why did the other ex-pastor go to jail?
@@cranmer1959 {You have a good screenname --- I have my grandma's 1928 B.O.C.P. :-)
Short version of a long story. Child abuse / possible child molestation charges in Arizona brought by some members/parents at that ARBCA church after their kids told their parents some things. {The Pastor would "babysit" kids (usually boys) for $ while the parents were at jobs/work.}
The accused pastor left and moved to pastor a R.B. church in Wisconsin (or Minn.?) and not long after, parents/kids at that church had the same complaints as the people at the Arizona church. The pastor blamed the elders at both churches. Judge & Jury in Arizona agreed with the parents.
If/when he gets out of the Arizona prison, he might be charged in the Wisconsin case.
The Pastor at my former Church (one of the very first members of ARBCA) sided with the child abuser pastor at the Arizona church. Why? It seems that he was of the mindset that since boy pastor was the son of an ARBCA pastor & author, and ARBCA elders had laid hands upon him and ordained the son of the author, then he must be "A/Okay". {Bad thinking IMO.}
That is another reason why he* left and went to another church (a "Founders" Baptist church but not an ARBCA member) in Louisiana. He is retired now.
* The Pastor of one of original ARBCA churches and author of several pamphlets/leaflets about topics & issues.
------ - --------- ---------- --------- ------- ----- --------
ARBCA has lost several member churches. Some because of the cover-up of a child abuser/molester and some left because the child abuser/molester was exposed, and they thought he should be protected because he was 'ordained".
"Guard Rails" only work if the drivers of the vehicles have good vision and functioning brains, and the tires have treads and air and the brakes and steering wheel works correctly.
Those leaflets/pamphlets written the R.B. pastor in So. Cal. were good. I bought & read them at a bookstore near my work location. That was when I was still a member/ adult S.S. teacher at a "Church of the Nazarene" and tired of the wishy-washy new "Pastor" and his "new" take on "Worship" services. He changed it from a Wesleyan-Arminian holiness church into a sugar-coated nothing-muffin assembly of wannabe garage band members. Ugh. He took the church into the dreaded "Seeker Sensitive" direction.
I have avoided using names. The places are issues and squabbles are true (sadly).
@@cranmer1959 A female church member (late teens/early twenties) got pregnant out-of-wedlock. Main Pastor wanted her excommunicated from the congregation. {Her Dad was the Co-Pastor.) Church members voted. It was about 55% to 45% percent to NOT expel her from membership.
Main Pastor then went after the Co-Pastor for various charges. Co-Pastor left and about a third of the congregation left also. Main Pastor was upset that he did not have 100% of the people on his side, (and for another reason) so he left for another Church (Not an ARBCA member) in a different state. A new Pastor came in from another state. Ugh.
@@gusloader123 If she was unrepentant, then she should have been excommunicated until she did repent. Excommunicated means not partaking of the Lord's table. Shunning is only for the worst cases.
Darn. You're a Calvinist. I agree with most of what you say in this video. But you are a Calvinist. Sad.
Thanks for the video. I agree with all you say. However, it seems to me some of our creeds and confessions would need to be updated when it comes to the topic of worship. I can see alot of hot button issues that we are wrestling with today which the writers of our confessions (e.g. WCF) would have never dreamed of. One prominent issue that seems to come up again and again is "women in ministry". As a confessional refomred Presbyterian church there are a variety of views within our denomination which range from outright liberal/egalitarian views (e.g. women as elders) over "entry egalitarian" views (e.g women should lead a worship service and mixed Bible studies but not preach or be elders) to reformed views (e.g. women should neither be elders nor should they teach men but they are alowed to sing, pray, read the Bible, give a testimony ) to "very strict reformed views" ( women should not speak at church at all). This is just one example. But I think we would need some new/updated framework/confessional document on worship for such issues.
I am not Reformed but am learning theological differences of Presbyterian Churches (PCA and PC USA) and Baptist Churches (SBC). I haven’t heard much about worship entertainment but came across a theatrical version of Christianity called The Thorn on Facebook. My stomach dropped. I am definitely not going to watch that🙄
How to ruin Christianity: blindly follow a random like John Calvin, pretty sure most 'reformed' beliefs came from Calvin's own POV.
I find John Calvin a very bitty man
Nothing pleases me more than seeing the false doctrine of Sola Scriptura undercut by its proponents' promotion of creeds and confessions.
So you are for Sola Ecclesia?
@gregb6469 I would say Prima Scriptura. The final authority in the believer's life is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit reveals to us the truth from scripture, from pastoral teaching, from the church, from prayer time, and sometimes from special revelation. Scripture should be our first test to examine if what we are hearing is from God. No special revelation, ecclesiology, systematic theology, or counsel from our pastor, priest or bishop may disagree with scripture. But to say we only recognize scripture as the means by which God communicates with us is extreme, and is itself not founded upon scripture. Sola Scriptura leaves us in confusion when one teacher exposits a doctrine different from another. Without seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit two believers who may affirm Sola Scriptura may hold different doctrines. Without guidance from the Holy Spirit two believers who trust their church may affirm different doctrines. Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit will teach us. We shouldn't outsource this to other theologians or church bodies. John 14:26 & 15:26-27. Blessings.
Sola Scriptura is the basis for creeds and confessions. The first chapter of the Westminster Confession of Faith is the doctrine of Sola Scriptura.
@@nathancjarrettThe Holy Spirit speaks only through the Scriptures, which are the infallible and inerrant words of God.
Opinions of individuals change with the wind. Confessions of faith are deduced from Scripture by good and necessary consequence.
09:36 Presbyteries are only as good as the ministers who are members. Unfortunately, many of the presbyteries in the Presbyterian Church in America have gone off into heresy, including the Revoice error and the Federal Vision. I live in Lexington, SC. The PCA churches in this area are uniformly weak. The largest one near me is into the Tim Keller version of Revoice. You know? Homosexuals are born with a sexual orientation? That's an invention of wicked men who wish to give an excuse for sexual perversion.
1. Be a Calvinist/Reformed church
2. Be a charismatic/ NAR church
3. Teach eternal conscious torment or annihilation of the unsaved/reprobate
1 You just Denied the Gospel.
2. Correct.
3. You just denied the clear teaching of the Bible.
Sadly, it is very clear from your user name and 2 of your Statements that you hold to Heresy and are not Saved, and I beg of You in Love to Repent and Believe the Gospel of the Bible to be Saved!
@simeonyves5940
1. no.
2. Correct.
3. no.
Sadly, it is very clear from your Statements that you hold to Satanic theology, and I beg of You in Love to Repent and Believe the Gospel found in the Bible!
@simeonyves5940
someday you’ll get beyond milk.
@@christianuniversalist Your a fine one to talk, clinging like a Scared Infant to Greek Heresy!
Begone from me! And be Prepared to hear those same words from Christ unless you Repent.
Isn’t the worship in heaven liturgical? Look at what John sees in Revelation.
1. To use worshiptainment as a defense of the Regulative Principle is suspect at best.
2. To have a Protestant worry about not being Orthodox is, well interesting.
3. You worry about church leadership but you aren't a member of the church you pastor - you're a member of the Presbytery.
You probably should rethink these points.
I hate the complexity of music now. Hymns in their original form, and simple instruments are gone for good.
Don’t we want the maximum number of people to hear the gospel? I personally do not see a problem with larger churches, attractional churches, as long as the gospel is preached.
Mr. Everhard, you showed your nias by stating that larger churches want to bring in more donors. That says more about your opinion of those in the pews than anything else. It’s cynical and counterproductive, and in my experience inaccurate. I can’t speak for the case at large. Perhaps you have been to many churches which you describe. Still, I do not believe you could have intimate enough knowledge of them to make such a crass accusation.
Another step is Matt, let Steve Lawson into your church.
Or Robert Morris
Iron age middle eastern mythology
Left Calvinism and the Reformed Religion because of their stern darkness and regulations ie, legalism, as opposed to meeting people where they’re at and actually helping others.
3:25 the irony of a Protestant saying this. Just join the Catholic Church and stop being prideful and stubborn.
Catholics...very humble. Yes.
I will be Burned at the Stake long before I sell out to the Whore of Babylon and the Mother of Harlots!
RC = too many man made rules. Follow the Bible only. Learn the truth.
We don't want to pray to Mary
Catholics are humble because humbleness is one of their works.
It's a works based religion.
The problem with the worhsiptainment folk and the creed and confession folk...you're both too religious. Yup. Going to the same place from different sides. Trying to set an atmosphere. Nothing organic about either
There is nothing "religious" about the worshiptainment folk, it's fake and blasphemous.
Doctrine is very important.
Creeds are man made dumbness.
Hallelujah!!! I’m favored and blessed with $60,000 every week! Now I can afford anything and also support the work of God and the church.
Oh really? Tell me more!
This is what Melissa Jonas Richard does, she has changed my life.
After raising up to 60k trading with her, I bought a new house and car here in the US and also paid for my son’s (Oscar) surgery. Glory to God.shalom.
I know Melissa Jonas Richard, and I have also had success...
Absolutely! I have heard stories of people who started with little or no knowledge but managed to emerge victorious thanks to Melissa Jonas Richard.