Love and Unity?

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (Jude 3)

The purpose of the National Council of Churches is to “manifest ever more fully the unity of the church...” claimed the Reverend Bob Edgar, general secretary of the NCC in this news article. However, it came as no surprise that with out missing a beat he said “My full-time task is to attack fear, fundamentalism, and Fox News...”

Hmm, how is this attitude manifesting unity?

Can you feel the love?

Stay salty,
Brother John

Hot Off the Presses!

Living it Up with Downs!

I have put a new link on my side bar. I put it there intentionally, as I do all the links I add. I did not put it on as a “favor for a friend”, though if he were to ask me to I would have done so and that without hesitation. M. L. Ramirez (I know him as Martin) author of a new book, just released called Living It Up With Downs, is a father of three, and a co- worker on the “other side” of the postal service. ;-) He is a Clerk and if you didn’t know, I am a Carrier.

I can speak with authority as the Safety Captain of the Reynolds Corners Post Office when I say He works well with people, Martin is the Union Steward of the Clerks, and we do have the opportunity to work on problem solving tasks together from time to time. It did not take long for me to realize he loves working well with people, as if it were his purpose in life.

Martin has a special mentor in his life, his 10 year old son Mario. Mario has Downs and has taught his dad (Martin) four basic life lessons. Martin has learned them well, and he would like to share this valuable information with you. Further Martin has started a Web site Living it Up with Downs.Com to raise the awareness level of the value of individuals with special needs. I am asking you to go visit that site and then recomend it to others. You'll be glad you did.

I have read the book Living It Up With Downs word for word, from cover to coverand I recommend it to all who visit here.

Stay salty,
Brother John

What’s New?

What’s new at The Earnest Contender Blog?

I am in the process of changing the direction of this blog. I want to get back to the original intent of presenting Authentic Fundamentalism. What is Authentic Fundamentalism? Thanks for wondering. Authentic Fundamentalism is first of all authentic, it has to do with a life lived well in Christ. Fundamentalism is not just a doctrinal statement of faith, it is the faith! There is nothing better than being alive in Christ and growing in His grace daily.

Sadly, there are many religionists who may not know the first thing about the abundant life in Christ (or perhaps they have forgotten) and therefore they seem hell bent on begrudging and belittling others (usually in the name of tolerance of course) for the joy that they have of knowing sins are forgiven and take pleasure in a growing relational bond with God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

An Authentic Fundamentalist will take doctrine very seriously, without taking himself or herself too seriously. Exposing errors and edifying the saints. This is more of the model I wish to represent.

The name of this blog is The Earnest Contender not the obstinate offender. I like this name for several reasons.

1. That is what saints are called to be and do. (Jude 3)

2. This blog is in a sense dedicated to my very first Bible believing, Authentic Fundamentalist pastor, Earnest Pickering.

3. I want to be more earnest in contending for the faith.

4. I like the word “contender” I may have the entomology a little off, but if the prefix “con” is to put together or hold together and the word “tender” means kindhearted, loving caring, and passionate, and the object being contended for is the faith once delivered to the saints, then that is a great and noble idea. BTW it is not my idea (Jude 3)

Yes I know theology and the biblical distinctives of Baptists are important. The whole counsel of God is important. That’s why I will do my best to maintain two other Blog Spots, TEC Theology Page and Baptist Distinctives Re-Blogged in Order.

Thanks for reading feel free to ask questions and express your views and opinions here as well.

In His fellowship,
Brother John

A New Begining!

I have decided to change the direction of The Earnest Contender Blog. I will posting within a few days with more detail. In the mean time, not to disappoint both of my readers who may or may not be interested in continuing in the study of the attributes of God I will continue to post at a new site TEC Theology Page. I have started there where we left off here. So one may click onto the current post The Attributes that Are True of God Alone: Freedom and still discuss theological issues there.

Many of my friends know that I am a Regular Baptist. I love being a Baptist, I love my church Emmanuel Baptist Church, and I love the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches. If one would wish to find out why click over to Baptist Distinctives re-blogged in Order. These sites will soon appear on my sidebar as well.

I welcome all questions, suggestions and comments on each blog.

Thanks for your patience,
Brother John

The Attributes that Are True of God Alone: Unity

Unity

The attribute of unity means that God is One, God is numerically one and as such He is unique. This doctrine stresses the oneness of God, and the unicity of God, and the singularity of God. This does not violate the concept of the Trinity, instead it emphasizes that God is one in essence, though He is distinct in subsistence.*

Scripture
Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him. (Deut. 4:35)

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD... (Deut. 6:4)

See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. (Deut. 32:39)

That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else. (1Kings 8:60)

Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. (Is. 44:6)

I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me... (Is. 45:5)

And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one. (Zech. 14:9)

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (John 17:3)

As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. (1Cor. 8:4-6)

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1Tim. 1:17)

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (1Tim. 2:5)

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. (James 2:19)

Application
This should give us a consciousness of Whom it is that we worship, and we should worship Him alone.

* When I post on the Trinity I will demonstrate three and only three distict persons of the One essence.

Stay salty,
Brother John

The Attributes that Are True of God Alone: Simplicity

Simplicity

Simplicity means that God is un-compounded, incomplex, indivisible. God is one essence not made up of in parts. Incorporeal, invisible, without material substance, and without physical parts, or passions, and therefore He is free from all temporal limitations. This is possible for God because God a Spirit.

Scripture
John 4:24; "...God is Spirit..."

There are at least Seven consequences of being a Spirit

1. God is not a corporeal or material being (cf. Luke 24:39).

2. God is immaterial, He can't be divided or compounded (see Luke 24:39).

3. God is invisible (Rom 1:20; Col. 1:15; 1Tim 1:17).

4. He is a spiritual substance, or reality. (John 4:24)

5. He posseses personality. This is seen in His intellect (God knew Abraham in Genesis 18:19; God knows Israel's affliction in Exodus 4:31),emotion (God was grieved in Genesis 6:6; God has the emotions of anger love and pity in Psalm 103:8-13 and so on), and will (God says, "...I will..." as in Genesis 3: 15 and in John 19:30 He does; God does whatsoever He pleases, and whatsoever God pleases He does as in Psalm 115:3).

6. He is a living God (see Joshua 3:10; 1Sam. 17:26; Ps. 84:2; 1Thess. 1:9).

7. Morality, God is a moral being (Ex. 34:6-7).

Application
We must worship God in spirit (John 4:24).

This strikes me with a sense of awe that God would allow sinful man (anthropos) to worship Him in His holiness. That He would desire worship from the likes of you and me. That the holy God would make a provision for us to worship Him (Christ crucified, arose), free of sin and guilt. That we may be born of His Spirit, become His very own child and worship Him in Spirit and truth. Will you make time today, brother and/or sister to worship Him in Spirit and in truth?

Brother John

The Incommunicable Attributes of God: Self Existence

There is a temptation on my part to settle the great debate over God's governing attribute; is it love or is it holiness? Instead of ending this debate once and for all (since it is one of those debates that will go on and on this side of heaven). I opted as an alternative to begin with the incommunicable; natural or non-moral; imminent or intransitive; absolute; personality; negative; passive attributes... better put…

The attributes which are only true of God

I will leave these posts up for a while for three reasons,

1. For the purpose that we may have time to contemplate each one.

2. So I am not spending undue time sitting at the computer when I have other things that must be attended to.

3. Because I am lazy.

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The Self Existence of God

God's self existence means that God is not dependent on anything outside of Himself, and He is self sufficient in His whole being. The ground of God’s existence is Himself. Let this truth sink in deep. One will soon ask, "Where did my pride go?"

Scripture
And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. (Ex. 3:14)

For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. (John 5:26-27)

God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things... (Acts 17:24-25; This is in the context of Paul's sermon on Mars Hill. I think I shall open my Bible now, and read the whole sermon.)

Application
This truth means that God is also the cause of our own existence, as taught by Ps. 36:9 and we should honor Him as such.

God, I ask that I may be receptive and obedient to the Words your mouth, in Jesus Name, Amen.