Covenant Theology: The Church (Part 1)

Westminster Presbyterian Church ^ | Dr. James E. Bordwine

[sheltonmac]

Threads for previous sermons:

The Foundtation The Absolute Sovereignty of the Creator The Absolute Dependence of the Creature The Absolute Necessity of a Mediator The Covenant of Works (pt. 1) The Covenant of Works (pt. 2) The Covenant of Grace (pt. 1) The Covenant of Grace (pt. 2) The Covenant of Grace (pt. 3) Effectual Calling Justification (pt. 1)

Justification (pt. 2) Justification (pt. 3) Adoption Sanctification (pt. 1) Sanctification (pt. 2) Glorification (pt. 1) Glorification (pt. 2)

[sheltonmac]

*ping*

[Calvinist_Dark_Lord]

Jesus continues speaking and uses the confession just uttered by Peter to explain that the truth contained in that confession would serve as the theological and spiritual foundation for an institution that He intended to bring into being. Addressing Peter again, Jesus says: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church...” (v. 18) In the Greek, this phrase reads: “You are Petros (“Rock”) and upon this petra (“rocky ledge” or “bedrock”) I will build My church...”

Much has been written about this statement; some have insisted that Jesus is bestowing upon Peter a unique status among the others. There's no denying that Peter was an important figure in the early Church, but there is no evidence that he was viewed as one having a unique authority among the other apostles. Peter and the other apostles were not the foundation of the Church, as we will show clearly in a few minutes; but their teaching was the foundation for the Church. This is what Jesus means.

The correct interpretation of this statement begins with a recognition that Jesus is using a play on words to draw the connection between Peter's recent confession and the nature of the Church that soon would be formed. The truth represented in Peter's confession of Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God,” would serve as the solid doctrinal foundation upon which Jesus would erect a spiritual house. That spiritual house, consisting of the redeemed, would bear the characteristics of the foundation. In other words, Jesus Himself, His teaching and what is taught about Him, would determine the nature of the Church; only those who embraced the truth represented in Peter's confession would be or could be part of Christ's institution.

Hope you brought your flameproof clothing for when our Roman Catholc associates see this posting.

[thinktwice]

The doctrine of the Church is related to such important issues as the worship of God, the administration and meaning of the sacraments, salvation, sanctification, evangelism, marriage, family life, vocation, politics, economics and sociology.

Meanwhile, the doctrine of "Render unto Ceasar" is related to secular issues such as the administration of law (marriage and family life included), politics, economics and sociology -- secular matters that religion makes a business of and interferes with; but has no business being in.

[Elsie]

Is it time for me to post my ZILLION other 'rock' verses, mainly from the OT, add a bit of LIGHT to any 'heat' that may follow?

"No other rock" just about says it all...........

Isaiah 44:8
Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one."

[Markofhumanfeet]

but their teaching was the foundation for the Church. This is what Jesus means.

And it was no accident that Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount, just as Moses presided at Sinai

[Calvinist_Dark_Lord]

Is it time for me to post my ZILLION other 'rock' verses, mainly from the OT, add a bit of LIGHT to any 'heat' that may follow?

Um, Not quite yet Elsie, this here is what we call "forward deployment", which means have the required combat power up front and ready to go.

None the less, you might want to dust off that old post, looks as if it may be needed again.

This matter isn't really a Calvinism/Arminianism sort of thing anyway, so there is no controversy on that front.

[Elsie]

What!?

No C vs A in this thread???

Well, PHOOEY!


"As iron sharpeneth iron...."

[Elsie]

None the less, you might want to dust off that old post, looks as if it may be needed again.

I'm doing this on my laptop; my desk computer has given me the blue screen of death this morning.

---

(Yes, that's where all my goodies are stored!!)

[Calvinist_Dark_Lord]

This operation has committed an illegal action and will with extreme prejudice make your life an impossible hell while putting all of your private documents on the world wide web.

one word Elsie,

LINUX!

[Warlord David]

Enough of your nonsence and empty threats. If you have no reply to Isaiah 44:8. Drop it!!!

[Warlord David]

Your absolutly right. That why we should have a seperation of church and state.

[CARepubGal]

How is a suggestion to change platforms equating to an attack?

[Warlord David]

I don't run on Linux!!!!! That threating enough!

[Calvinist_Dark_Lord]

How is a suggestion to change platforms equating to an attack?

It's simple, CARepubGal and i are CALVINISTS (shudder), anything we post is construed as an attack. Never minde that i'm the one who pingged Elsie to this thread to present the posting that i'm being taken to task over.

i guess that people really need to actually READ THE THREAD before they make @$$e$ of themselves, or perhaps learn to read and write English!

[Warlord David]

Have you heard. I killed all calvinist arguments. And i do not shudder.

Example: Chinese Pastor Discuss Revival, by wiclif; read the threads.

There are others, this is my latest.

[CARepubGal]

Oh. That would be scary to come home to a Penguin on the telly! (I always wanted to say that thanks to Monty Python) :-)

[Calvinist_Dark_Lord]

Take your best shot. Calvinism and Calvinists were here before you were, and will be here after you're gone. Before you worry about Calvinism, perhaps a course in remedial English Grammar might be of more benefit.

[drstevej]

Warlord David, you are the "Windows Me" of Calvinist opponents.

[jude24]

If you're gonna suggest linux to a newby, may I suggest an easier distro? My school put out UBLinux for "students, faculty, and staff who want to install a secure version of Linux but may not have the expertise to do so. UBLinux includes most, if not all, of the software needed for academic work."

It's the distros they run on the Unix machines I sometimes use in the labs.

You should be able to download it here: http://www.cit.buffalo.edu/linux/ublinux.html