clogher valley bible class

CLOGHER VALLEY CLOGHER VALLEY BIBLE CLASSBIBLE CLASS

THE REFORMED FAITHTHE REFORMED FAITH

A STUDY IN THEOLOGY AND DOCTRINE

WHY STUDY THEOLOGY?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 BIBLEDOCTRINE 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.


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:


The Focus of Bible Study

1Ti 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to

reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.


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.


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.


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 Properly Applied Produces Holiness

2Ti 3:10 But thou hast fully known my

doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity,

patience,


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.


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 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.


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 THE BENEFITS OF DOCTRINEDOCTRINE

• 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 Apostasy Begins With A Lack of DoctrineA Lack of Doctrine

The Decline of Spirituality in 19th 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, 2005. 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 1887. 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 Apostasy Begins With A Lack of DoctrineA 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


• Popularly known as Calvinism


• Popularly known as Calvinism

• A characteristic of the Protestant Churches associated with Geneva


• John Knox applied Calvin’s teachings to the Scottish Church

• The Reformed Faith is a Protestant and a Presbyterian heritage

Incorporated Into The Great Incorporated Into The Great Confessions Of The ChurchConfessions Of The Church

• The Heidelberg Catechism

• The Canons of the Synod of Dort

• The Westminster Standards

Does The Reformed Faith Follow Does The Reformed Faith Follow The Teachings of a Man?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 WHAT IS THE ESSENCE OF THE REFORMED FAITHTHE 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, 1998. Page 303

UNDERSTANDING THE UNDERSTANDING THE REFORMED FAITHREFORMED 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

TULIPT otal Depravity of ManU nconditional ElectionL imited Atonement or Particular

RedemptionI rrestible Grace or

Effectual CallingP erseverance of the Saints or

Eternal Security

Covenant Theology as theCovenant Theology as theBedrock of the Reformed FaithBedrock 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 TIMEFOR NEXT TIME• The Total Depravity of

Man

• Search for references which show that man cannot save himself

• Any Questions????

clogher valley bible class

Documents

doctrine of christ

good doctrine

biblefalse doctrine

biblelack of doctrine

apostles doctrine

sound doctrine

itching ears doctrine

biblethe basis