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Sunday, August 19, 2012

John Downame on Covenant and Justification.

Was reading John Downame today and came across this gem, which among other things reminds us that the Reformed orthodox did, in fact, distinguish between the law and the gospel -- and for good reason. Enjoy.

"The condition of these two covenants differ: the Law or the Covenant of works offereth salvation, under condition of perfect obedience: the Gospel or Covenant of Grace, under the condition of faith, that is to say, if we believe in Christ, who hath done it for us.

Of both these covenants, the Covenant of Works, and the Covenant of Grace, Jeremie [Jeremiah] speaketh in his one and thirtieth Chapter, and Paul to the Galatians sheweth, how they were shadowed by two women, as by two types, that is to say, by Hagar the bond, and Sara the free-woman: for these women (saith he) are the two Covenants. You may see further touching them both, Phil 3. Rom 9. Rom 10. Gal 3. And these two being the only means, whereby true happiness may be attained, are so contrary one unto another, that where the one is, the other cannot be: neither can salvation come in part by the one, and in part by the other. Whereupon the apostle useth to dispute that we are justified by works only, or by faith alone. This is the sum of the whole argument in the three first chapters of the Epistle to the Romans: Either we are justified by Works or by Faith. But not by Works, neither of the Law of Nature, nor of the moral Law, neither Gentile, which is without the Law written, nor Jew which hath it. Therefore by Faith. So he saith, Gal 3.17. For if the inheritance be by the Law, then it is not any more by promise, making it impossible and absurd, that both should concur together in the act of justification."

John Downame, The Summe of Sacred Divinitie Briefly and Methodically Propounded: More Largely and Clearly Handled and Explaned (London: Stansby, 1625), pp. 307-308.


1 comment:

Steve Finnell said...

CALLING ON THE NAME OF THE LORD?

What is the meaning of calling on the name of the Lord? Many assume that believing in Jesus and saying a form of a sinner's prayer constitutes, calling on the name of the Lord. The problem with that theory is none of the conversions under the New Covenant support that assumption. Not one time is anyone ever told to believe and say the sinner's prayer in order to be saved.

The apostle Peter on the Day of Pentecost quoted the prophet Joel, Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (NKJV)

The apostle Peter preached the first gospel sermon under the New Covenant. Peter did not tell the 3000 converts to believe and say the sinner's prayer.

Peter preached the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. He preached Jesus as both Lord and Christ. When they heard this they asked Peter and the rest of the brethren what they should do?(Acts 2:22-37) Peter told them what to do. Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.(NKJV)

How did the 3000 on the Day of Pentecost call on the name of the Lord and become saved?
1. They believed that Jesus was both Lord and Christ.
2. They believed that God raised Jesus from the grave.
3. They repented. Repentance is a change of heart. Repentance means to be converted so that God may forgive your sins. Repentance is to make the intellectual commitment to turn from sin and turn toward God. (Acts 3:19, Acts 2:38)
4. They were immersed in water (baptized) so that their sins could be forgiven.

How did the 3000 on the Day of Pentecost not call on the name of the Lord?
1. They did not say a sinner's prayer.
2. Not one person was asked to pray for forgiveness.
3. Not one single man was told to be baptized as a testimony of his faith.
4. No one was told that water baptism was a just an act of obedience.
5. No one was informed they were saved the very minute they believed.
6. Not one person was told that water baptism was not essential for the forgiveness of sins.
7. Not one person was told to be baptized so they could join a denominational church.

Jesus said he that believes and is baptized shall be saved. (Mark 16"16) Jesus did not say he who believes and says a sinner's prayer shall be saved.


You ARE INVITED TO READ MY BLOG POSTINGS--Steve Finnell