The Jerusalem Chamber » Podcast

Can you define the perseverance of the saints? What’s the difference between this doctrine and what is sometimes called “once saved always saved”? Why does this paragraph build on what God has done? Where do the Scriptures teach the doctrine of perseverance? Why are there warnings in Scripture about falling away? How has this doctrine been abused? Join Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and Kyle as they discuss WCF 17.1:

They, whom God has accepted in his Beloved, effectually called, and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.

https://jerusalemchamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/ep-17.1-perseverance-of-the-saints.mp3

Where in Scripture do we fine unbelievers doing things God commands? Is it fair to call the works of unbelievers “good works”? What is missing from unbeliever’s works? What aspect of Roman Catholic theology does this paragraph address? Should we encourage unbelievers to do good things? Join Nathan, Joel, Shawn, and Kyle as they discuss WCF 16.7:

Works done by unregenerate men, although for the matter of them they may be things which God commands; and of good use both to themselves and others: yet, because they proceed not from an heart purified by faith; nor are done in a right manner, according to the Word; nor to a right end, the glory of God, they are therefore sinful and cannot please God, or make a man meet to receive grace from God: and yet, their neglect of them is more sinful and displeasing unto God.

https://jerusalemchamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/ep-16.7-good-works-in-unregenerate.mp3

What does union with Christ have to do with this paragraph? How does the ministry of the Spirit impact how we understand this teaching? If a good work isn’t unreprovable or perfect, what is it? How do we know if our sincerity is real? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and Kyle discuss WCF 16.6:

Notwithstanding, the persons of believers being accepted through Christ, their good works also are accepted in Him; not as though they were in this life wholly unblamable and unreproveable in God’s sight; but that He, looking upon them in his Son, is pleased to accept and reward that which is sincere, although accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfections.

https://jerusalemchamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/ep-16.6-acceptable-good-works.mp3

Can you give a general outline of paragraphs 4, 5, and 6? Can you discuss the distinction between strict and covenantal merit? Why can our good works not merit anything from God strictly? What is meant by the “great disproportion”? What is the infinite distance between us and God? Why can our works not merit anything from God covenantally? What is the “weakness” and “imperfection” in our good works? What is the particular ministry of the Spirit emphasized in this paragraph? Join Nathan, Joel, Shawn, and Kyle as they discuss WCF 16.5:

We cannot by our best works merit pardon of sin, or eternal life at the hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that is between them and the glory to come; and the infinite distance that is between us and God, whom, by them, we can neither profit, nor satisfy for the debt of our former sins, but when we have done all we can, we have done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants: and because, as they are good, they proceed from his Spirit, and as they are wrought by us, they are defiled, and mixed with so much weakness and imperfection, that they cannot endure the severity of God’s judgment.

https://jerusalemchamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ep-16.5-merit-and-good-works.mp3

As a background to this paragraph can you discuss the Roman Catholic teaching on sainthood and supererogatory works? What Scripture texts are sometimes used to defend the teaching that a Christian can do more than the moral law of God requires? How does the doctrine of supererogatory works undermine the sufficiency of Jesus Christ? How does repentance contradict this doctrine of supererogatory works? What encouragement can be found in this paragraph? Join Nathan, Joel, Shawn, and Kyle as they discuss WCF 16.4:

They who, in their obedience, attain to the greatest height which is possibly in this life, are so far from being able to supererogate, and to do more than God requires, as that they fall short of much which in duty they are bound to do.

https://jerusalemchamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ep-16.4-supererogatory-works.mp3

How does the title “Spirit of Christ” develop our understanding of the Holy Spirit? Are good works monergistic or synergistic? How does the Spirit’s work nudge us toward a greater appreciation for union with Christ? How are we tempted to grow negligent in good works? What is meant by waiting for a “special motion” of the Spirit? Do you think people are confused about whether or not we can live a life pleasing to God? How do we stir up the grace that is in us? Tune in as Nathan, Joel, Shawn, and Kyle discuss WCF 16.3:

Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ. And that they may be enabled thereunto, beside the graces they have already received, there is required an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in them to will, and to do, of his good pleasure: yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty unless upon a special motion of the Spirit; but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them.

https://jerusalemchamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ep-16.3-good-works-and-the-holy-spirit.mp3

What does the Confession mean that good works are done in obedience to God’s command? What are the essential characteristics of a good work? How do good works show evidence for a true and lively faith? How do good works show thankfulness? How do good works strengthen assurance? How do good works edify the brothers? How do good works adorn one’s profession? How do good works stop the mouths of adversaries? How do good works glorify God? Are good works essential to salvation? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, and Kyle discuss WCF 16.2:

These good works, done in obedience to God’s commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith: and by them believers manifest their thankfulness, strengthen their assurance, edify their brethren, adorn the profession of the Gospel, stop the mouths of the adversaries, and glorify God, whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto, that, having their fruit unto holiness, they may have the end, eternal life.

https://jerusalemchamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/ep-16.2-the-evidence-of-good-works.mp3

What is Antinomianism and what relationship does it have to this paragraph? Can you discuss the placement of this paragraph in the theology of the standards? Positively, what makes something a “good work”? Why are good works restricted to God’s Word and how does that relate to the Confession’s teaching on the sufficiency of Scripture? What criteria would you use to determine what is “warranted” by the Word? Negatively, what are not good works? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, and Kyle discuss WCF 16.1:

Good works are only such as God has commanded in his holy Word, and not such as, without the warrant thereof, are devised by men, out of blind zeal, or upon any pretence of good intention.

https://jerusalemchamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/episode-16.1-definition-of-good-works.mp3

Where in the Bible do we see the obligation to make private confession of sin? Why do we pray for the forgiveness of sins? What does it mean to forsake sin? What does it mean to “find mercy”? Why is the Roman Catholic view of penance wrong? What is public confession? According to Matthew 18 why are the courts of the church to sometimes get involved? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, and Kyle discuss WCF 15.6:

As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God, praying for the pardon thereof; upon which, and the forsaking of them, he shall find mercy; so he that scandelizeth his brother, or the Church of Christ, ought to be willing, by a private or public confession and sorrow for his sin, to declare his repentance to those that are offended; who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him.

https://jerusalemchamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Episode-15.6-Repentance-and-Reconciliation.mp3

What’s the difference between admitting I’m a sinner and particularly repenting of sin? What biblical examples do we have of this? What is repentance saying about our sin and ourselves? Do we need to repent of original sin? How do we help those who don’t think they need to particularly repent? How do we encourage balance? What errors are being responded to in this paragraph? Join Nathan, Joel, Shawn, and Kyle as they discuss WCF 15.5:

Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man’s duty to endeavor to repent of his particular sins, particularly.

https://jerusalemchamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Ep-15.5-Particular-Repentance.mp3