Category Archives: salvation

THE NEW CREATION IN CHRIST

salvation October 13, 2023 1 Comment

PMW 2023-080 by Geerhardus Vos

Gentry note:
As noted in my last posting, a new version of several of Geerhardus Vos’ works on eschatology will soon be published. This book collects together some of his important eschatological articles and updates them in the process — removing his awkward, cumbersome, early-20th century writing style. In this particular excerpt from the updated Vos, he deals with the concept of a new creation in Christ.

Vos observations:
The recognition of the eschatological source of the term “new ktisis” has been held back by its assumed individual use in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature.” And likewise by the exclusively subjective-soteriological reference the representation seemed to suggest. Both obstacles also make themselves felt in regard to Titus 3:5. But in regard to neither of the two passages can these objections obscure the quite perceptible eschatology texture.

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THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB

salvation January 26, 2021 Comments: 3

PMW 2021-008 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr. (with Milton S. Terry)

The New Testament has many images of the glory of Christ’s kingdom and our joyous salvation in it. One of the most glorious images is that of a joyful marriage supper. Though this image appears directly in several New Testament passages (e.g., Matt. 22:2ff; 25:2ff) and indirectly in others, one of the most impressive presentations is in the Book of Revelation. Continue reading →

IMPRISONED GANGS CONVERTED TO CHRIST

Evangelism, salvation June 18, 2019 Leave a comment

PMW 2019-049 Caleb Parke (Fox News)

A Texas megachurch has seen incredible things happen since planting a church inside the state’s largest maximum-security prison six months ago.

But what happened last week was a first in the history of the prison.

The warden at Coffield Unit in Anderson County, which is located about 90 minutes outside of the Dallas/Fort Worth area and houses roughly 4,200 criminal offenders, invited Gateway Church to baptize a handful of inmates in administrative segregation, or solitary confinement, where they spend 23 hours of their day behind solid, steel doors with air holes in them because of how dangerous they are. Continue reading →

EVIL KING MANASSEH’S CONVERSION?

Culture, Evangelism, salvation April 19, 2019 Comments: 8

PMW 2019-032 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

Elsewhere on this blog site I define postmillennialism as follows:

Postmillennialism holds that the Lord Jesus Christ established his kingdom on earth in the first century through his preaching and redemptive work. Since then he has continued to equip his Church with the gospel, empower her by his Spirit, and charge her with the Great Commission to disciple all nations. Postmillennialism expects that eventually the vast majority of men living will be saved. Increasing gospel success will gradually produce a time in history prior to Christ’s return in which faith, righteousness, peace, and prosperity will prevail in the affairs of men and of nations. After an extensive era of such conditions, the Lord will return visibly, bodily, and gloriously, to end history. Associated with his return will be the general resurrection and the final judgment after which the eternal order follows. Because of its worldwide historical implications, postmillennialism generates an holistic worldview touching on all areas of life.

That being the case, we must be alert to an important distinction between true and false conversions. Postmillennialists are glad for the general influence of Christianity on the world. But what we labor for and ultimately expect is a dramatic impact on the world that is rooted in true conversions by the gospel which is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16). We are all aware that much of Christianity is today made up of falsely-professing “believers.” These people should be targets of our evangelistic outreach, for being “almost persuaded” is not enough. Continue reading →

THE HOUSE OF GOD

Creation, New Creation, salvation January 5, 2018 Leave a comment

PMT 2018-002 by L. Michael Morales (Tabletalk)

Gentry note:
God created man in his image and then came and dwelled with him in Eden. Due to man’s sin, God expelled him from Eden. But God lovingly and mercifully returns to dwell with man in the tabernacle, based on sacrifice and forgiveness. After Jesus’s death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, the tabernacle/temple reality begins gradually unfolding in the world through the process of new creation in Christ. Postmillennialists expect the gospel-based new creation to expand and envelope the whole world. This article from Tabletalk magazine provides remarkable insights into the relationship between the original creation and the tabernacle, then the new creation. It is insightful and may easily be adapted to the postmillennial hope, especially when we realize the new creation exists now (2 Cor. 5:17).

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MUSLIMS TURNING TO CHRIST

News, salvation October 3, 2017 Comments: 2

PMT 2017-080 by Janelle P (Open Doors)

The Islamic State has been filling the headlines for a long time and filling the hearts of many people in the Middle East with fear. But in the midst of all this, the church in the Middle East is showing the love of Christ to those who fled their homes. Muslims in the Middle East are turning to Jesus in unprecedented numbers.

Before the war, it was rare that a Muslim would become a follower of Jesus Christ. The war has changed everything. Continue reading →

JIHADI WHO TURNED TO JESUS

Evangelism, salvation September 8, 2017 Leave a comment

PMW 2017-074 by Patrick Kingsley (New York Times)

When 22 Christian refugees gathered in the basement of an apartment in Istanbul early on a recent Sunday afternoon, it was quickly clear that this was no ordinary prayer meeting. Several of them had Islamic names. There was an Abdelrahman and even a couple of Mohammads. Strangest of all, they jokingly referred to their host — one of the two Mohammads — as an irhabi. A terrorist.

If Bashir Mohammad took the joke well, it was because there was once some truth to it. Today, Mr. Mohammad, 25, has a cross on his wall and invites other recent converts to weekly Bible readings in his purple-walled living room. Less than four years ago, however, he says he fought on the front lines of the Syrian civil war for the Nusra Front, an offshoot of Al Qaeda. He is, he says, a jihadi who turned to Jesus. Continue reading →