The Baptist Catechism – Exposition of Question #2

February 10, 2010

Question: Ought everyone to believe there is a God? Answer: Everyone ought to believe there is a God; and it is their great sin and folly who do not.

This second question of the Baptist Catechism works from the first. Now that we know God exists and that He is the first and chiefest being, should all people everywhere believe that God exists? The answer is yes, all people everywhere should believe God exists.

There are many who claim that there is no God. Psalm 14:1a reads, “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” Yet, we must counter that by knowing that truly all men everywhere are responsible for their sin because inherently they know God exists.

Romans 1:18–23 reads, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.” While the fool says in his heart “there is no God,” in reality, he knows God exists, suppresses that truth, and is condemned! This is why the answer is not simply “Everyone ought to believe there is a God.” The reality is to those who deny the existence of God it is to “their great sin and folly.”

The existence of God is a requirement for all to believe. It is the foundation of our Christian faith. One cannot be a Christian by definition without believing in the existence of God. Hebrews 11:6 reads, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” And Romans 10:14 reminds us that, “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed?” One must believe in the existence of God! To not, is folly and sin.

The reality is, it is complete foolishness to argue that there is no God. James 2:19 reminds us that even the demons believe in God and shudder at the fact! Their knowledge of God does not save but at least they acknowledge God exists! The recent increase of the so-called “New Atheists,” men like Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens have really offered nothing new to disbelief in God. In reality, they repackage all the old arguments but with a tenacity like never before and try to tell the world it is impossible for God to exist. Instead, God does exist, and to all those who claim otherwise, they are destined to eternity in Hell!

Job 18:18–21 reads, “He is thrust from light into darkness, and driven out of the world. He has no posterity or progeny among his people,
and no survivor where he used to live. They of the west are appalled at his day, and horror seizes them of the east. Surely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous, such is the place of him who knows not God.”

Do you believe in God? Unless you believe in the God of the Bible, your are doomed in sin for all time. Repent and believe in God today!


The Baptist Catechism – Exposition of Question #1

February 3, 2010

Question: Who is the first and chiefest being? Answer: God is the first and chiefest being.

This first question of the Baptist Catechism starts at the very beginning. Who is the first and chiefest being? Who was here first and who is chief among beings? The obvious answer is God Himself.

Isaiah 44:6 reads, “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “’I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.’” God Himself is the only one who has existed for all time. He is the first, and Isaiah reminds us, also the last. The phrase “first and last” implies eternity. God has existed for all time and will exist for all time.

Not only is He the first being but He is the first cause of all beings. 1 Corinthians 8:6 reads, “Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.” Through God came everything else. The universe, animals, and man did not come into existence from random fate, but from the sovereign, loving hand of God!

It is not only that He is first in existence but first in so many functions. Benjamin Bedomme (1717–1795), famous hymn writer, and the great Baptist pastor of the church at Burton-on-the-Water in England, who wrote an exposition of this catechism lists a number of ways that God is first. He is first in creation (Ps 33:9), providence (Acts 17:28), government (Ps 93:2), grace (2 Cor 5:18), and love (1 John 4:19).

As a result of God being first, he should be first in our minds, hearts, and spirits. If God is the first being, that naturally leads to the second point that He is the chiefest being. If He is the chiefest being, God desires our complete submission and allegiance to Him.

God is indeed the chiefest being as the Scriptures reveal.

Exodus 15:11 reads, ““Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?” The Psalms in particular illustrate how God is above all other beings in life.

Psalm 89:6 reads, “For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord? Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord.”

Psalm 97:9 reads, “For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.”

Psalm 92:8 reads, “but you, O Lord, are on high forever.”

If God is the chiefest being, what does that mean for us? It means He should be chiefly loved (Luke 10:27) and chiefly feared (Matthew 10:28).

For those who understand and truly make God the chiefest being in life, they are the truly blessed ones! Psalm 144:15 reads, “Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!”

Do you recognize God as both first and chiefest being? Does your life evidence that reality? Do you love the Lord your God with all you are? Do you submit yourself fully to Him in everything? Do you obey Him completely in your life? We worship not just any god, but we worship the true and real and living God. The only God of the universe! The first and chiefest being!


New Member Classes

January 29, 2010

I’m planning on designing a New Member Class at our church and was wondering what your church does for a class? What do you teach? Why do you teach it? Any help for a new pastor would be great!


Article in the Wyoming County Examiner

January 27, 2010

The Wyoming County Examiner has a very nice article about me and my coming to serve as Pastor of Tunkhannock Baptist Church.

You can see the article here online.


Don’t Let Haiti Allow You to Forget the Rest of the World

January 24, 2010

“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatias 6:10).

Today at Tunkhannock Baptist Church, we took up a special offering for the Haiti Disaster Relief Fund of Compassion International. We as a church felt compelled to give of what the Lord has given us above and beyond what we normally collect to help the relief efforts in Haiti. And as a Church, we are concerned no only about the physical needs of those in Haiti but also the spiritual needs of all those suffering there. The needs there currently are incredible. But, it is good to remember that the needs are great everywhere.

Don’t let Haiti allow you to forget the rest of the world.

I know the situation in Haiti is awful. But the situation around the world is awful in general. Don’t let a major disaster be the only time you pray for a nation or a people or give to support the physical and spiritual needs around the world.

For instance, did you know that 90% of towns in Russia still are without a church and that most people are barely able to scrape by with enough funds for basic necessities? How could you help in church planing efforts in Russia and meeting the needs of people there?

Even closer to home, do you know that in 2005 there were almost 1 million abortions in the US? That’s 1 million people dying (by murder no less) each year in the US. How could you help women choose life over abortion?

Those are just two examples of huge needs in two different areas of the world. Let’s be careful not to allow a major disaster to draw our attention away from the rest of the world. While the need in Haiti is incredible right now and the people there need our love, care, support, and prayers (which is why our church is giving funds to help!) it does not mean needs have ended elsewhere. Be informed of the needs around the world and as you are able, do good to all men, especially to the household of faith!


Book Review – Raised with Christ

January 23, 2010

Raised with Christ: How the Resurrection Changes Everything. By Adrian Warnock. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2010.

It seems that all it takes to receive a book offer nowadays is to have a successful blog (I’m still waiting for my offer!). Those popular bloggers that write often begin to develop their writing ability and develop an audience and it is no wonder that publishing companies notice them. As I am a frequent reader of Adrian Warnock’s blog I can attest to Warnock’s wonderful ability to communicate and to communicate important theological truths to those who might not have a seminary education. For those of us with a seminary education, we are put in our place on how to communicate the unsearchable riches of Christ to those around us! But I digress…

Warnock has authored a fascinating new book on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But not just the resurrection, but on the importance of the resurrection. The book deals with how the resurrection of Christ affects absolutely everything. There have been other books written on the historicity of the resurrection, the theological importance of the resurrection, and other concepts around the resurrection but Warnock has helped those who are simply striving to live the Christian life in the pew to understand how the resurrection affects everything. And he does this admirably. As the Western Church has in some areas denied the resurrection and the rest have often denied the power of the resurrection, it is so important to be reminded of the what and why of the resurrection of Christ today in our churches.

Warnock begins his volume with the standard fare of treating the historicity, the understanding of resurrection in the time of the Old Testament and New Testament, and some of the initial theological implications of the resurrection. But Warnock’s book begins to really resonate when he begins dealing with the neglect of the resurrection in the church. “To only think of Jesus as a long-haired, gentle man in a robe and wearing sandals has devastating effects on the church…. The world seems blind to the Bible’s description of the resurrected Jesus, full of power and authority” (p. 68). It is true the resurrection has never left the church but we may not always give full credence to it and to its effects in the life of the Christian and the church.

He continues to provide an overview of the importance of the resurrection and glimpses of the resurrection in the Bible. Moving on though Warnock gives to me as the most important section of the book, the second half beginning with chapter 8 and “What Did the Resurrection Ever Do For Us?” In this fascinating chapter Warnock outlines the importance of the resurrection in our lives. It is not simple theological abstract truth but is absolutely crucial for the Christian and the church. Surveying the preaching in the Book of Acts Warnock outlines a number of attendant  results of the resurrection (p. 114):

  • The sending of the Spirit (Acts 2:33)
  • Physical healings (Acts 3:15-16)
  • The conversion of sinners (Acts 3:26)
  • Salvation by union with Jesus (Acts 4:11-12)
  • Jesus’ role as the leader of his church (Acts 5:30-31; 9)
  • Forgiveness of sins (Acts 5:30-31)
  • Comfort for the dying (Acts 7)
  • The commissioning of gospel messengers (Acts 9; 10:42)
  • Freedom from the penalty and power of sin (Acts 13:37-39)
  • Assurance that the gospel is true (Acts 17:31)
  • Our own resurrection (Acts 17:31)
  • Jesus’ future judgment of this world (Acts 17:31)

It is amazing. The resurrection does not just promise us eternal life, but is the basis for all of the above realities in the life of the church and the Christian and this simply from the book of Acts!

Warnock moves on to treat other theological realities in the life of the Christian and the church that have results from the resurrection that we don’t always make connections: justification, sanctification, prayer, revival, glorification and other important areas in our Christian lives. Do we, for instance, believe in the resurrection as only once happened and never again, or do we believe that the Lord revives dead hearts to life? Do we pray to that end just as those in church history did for revival? “Where are the miracles? Where are the salvations? Where are the damatic acts? Where is God? The answer is, he is still here, he is still in the business of bringing life where there is death, and he still is the One who answers by fire. As churches we can ask him for the fire of revival… (p. 179).” Where indeed? The resurrection not only is the promise of our eternal life but is the promise of God that He is still in the business of resurrection!

This book is one of the most important, in my humble opinion, ever written on the topic of the resurrection. It is not that Warnock has necessarily said anything that has not been said before in different places and in different ways. Instead, the value in the book is that Warnock has made the sort of hum-drum reality of the resurrection come to life for the church and the Christian! The resurrection of Christ, far more than just some historical event, has ongoing ramifications in the our lives today! The resurrection has great implications for our lives and we fully grasp the nature of and importance of the resurrection of Christ it will profoundly change our lives. That is where this book is so important. It makes so much of the resurrection! And rightly, we should make much of it. Hopefully this book will drive more preachers and teachers to talk about the importance of the resurrection. I heartily recommend Warnock’s book to this end. May the resurrection again be a topic of constant address in the church and may we live like a community brought from death to life in our own resurrection!

For more information on this book see the website that goes along with this book, www.raisedwithchrist.net.

This book was given away as part of the Working out Salvation with Fear and Trembling 2010 Crossway Book Giveaway. If you would like to enter the contest to win other Crossway titles in 2010 check out the contest here:


What is a Catechism and Why Use it in the Church?

January 20, 2010

At our church we have begun working through the Baptist Catechism in our Pastor’s Corner bulletin insert. In light of our working through this catechism, I decided to share here what John Piper wrote concerning the what and why of using the Baptist Catechism in the church. This is found here but here it is reproduced here:

I. What is a catechism?

In 1 Corinthians 14:19 Paul says, “Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.” In Galatians 6:6 he says, “One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches.” Acts 18:25 says that Apollos “had been instructed in the way of the Lord.”

In each of these verses the Greek word for “instruct” or “teach” is katecheo. From this word we get our English word “catechize.” It simply means to teach Biblical truth in an orderly way. Generally this is done with questions and answers accompanied by Biblical support and explanation.

II. What is the history of this catechism?

This is catechism is known as “The Baptist Catechism” first put forth by Baptists in 1689 in Great Britain. It was adopted by the Philadelphia Baptist Association in 1742. It is patterned on the well-known reformed Westminster Catechism.

III. Is there a Biblical pattern of doctrine?

Several texts teach that there is. For example, in Romans 6:17 Paul gives thanks “that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed. 2 Timothy 1:13 says, “Follow the pattern of sound words which you heard from me.” Acts 2:42 says, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching.” 2 Thessalonians 2:15 says, “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us.” And Acts 20:27 says, “for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.”

So it appears that there was a body of authoritative instruction and even a way of teaching it in the early church.

IV. Why is it important?

1) We are required to “continue in the faith, stable and steadfast” (Col. 1:23).

2) We are urged to “attain to the unity of the… knowledge of the Son of God…so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine” (Eph 4:13–14).

3) There are many deceivers (1 John 2:26).

4) There are difficult doctrines “which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:16).

5) Leaders must be raised up who can “give instruction in sound doctrine and also confute those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9).

V. How shall we begin?

Make them part of your family routine or just use them for yourself. I am excited about being a partner with you in building a “stable and firm” generation who hopes in God.


And the January Winner Is…

January 20, 2010

Announcing the winner for the month of January for the Working out Salvation with Fear and Trembling 2010 Crossway Book Giveaway is…

Jordan Rieck, better known as King’sBro, the writer of the blog, The Visit Back to the Truth. Contact me with your mailing address so we can send you out your free copy!

Dave wins a free copy of Adrian Warnock’s book, Raised with Christ: How the Resurrection Changes Everything. This book, just released in January is heavily endorsed by many evangelical leaders. I would highly recommend you purchase this book and read it carefully for your own edification and growth in Christ! Check also the website of the book here. Also, be on the lookout for my review of the book posted here on the blog in the next few days.

And, you can get in on the action for February’s book giveaway where we’re giving away D.A. Carson’s, Scandalous: The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus. Just see the details about the giveaway here.


Now I Feel Like a Pastor…

January 18, 2010

Sitting here at Dunkin’ Donuts in Tunkhannock using the Wi-Fi, reading the local newspaper, setting up meetings, before I head into the church. I feel like a pastor now! So thankful to be here today in Tunkhannock serving my church during the week, not just on Sundays! Praise the Lord!


9Marks Journal – The Mindset of the New Evangelical Liberalism

January 15, 2010

9Marks has their January/February eJournal available now on the subject of “The Mindset of The New Evangelical Liberalism.” Writers include Carl Trueman, Al Mohler, Russ Moore, Greg Wills, Michael Horton, D. G. Hart, and Phil Johnson. This looks particularly helpful as pastors and churches continue to understand the theological and cultural milieu that they find themselves in. What is an evangelical? What must someone believe to be an evangelical? Who should churches cooperate with? These are excellent questions and I highly recommend this series of articles on the subject.

You can access this material here.