Men who Taught The BIBLE DOCTRINES of GRACE in the First Four Centuries, A.D.

[Alan Gross]

The notion that Christ died for only the elect is much later than the Early Church.

I believe God has always had a witness to His Manifold Wisdom and Whole Counsel of God encapsulated in "The Doctrines of Grace", throughout The Old and New Testament, as well as, the entire Age of churches.

from: The Doctrine Of Grace - Part 1 by Wm. Doyal Thomas - Sovereign Grace Landmark Baptist Pastor

"Give ear, 0 ye heavens, and I Will speak; and hear, 0 earth,
the words of my mouth.

My doctrine shall drop as the rain,
my speech shall distil as the dew,
as the small rain upon the tender herb,
and as the showers upon the grass:

Because I will publish the name of the LORD:
ascribe ye greatness unto our God". (Deut. 32:1-3)

According to the acknowledged principles of interpretation, the meaning and usage of a word or precept, as it appears in Holy Writ on its first instance, is usually the meaning and usage of that word or precept when later appearing. Especially is this seen to be true and evident when correct hermeneutics is applied to the study of the subject under consideration. It is equally true also in other instances.

Hermeneutics, as defined in Webster's New Twentieth Century Dictionary, Unabridged, means, "The science of interpretation, or of finding the meaning of an author's words and phrases, and of explaining it to others; exegesis; particularly applied to the interpretation of the Scriptures". We ascribe to this definition, and apply it to the subject before us at this time, as we examine THE DOCTRINE OF GRACE....

Here is, then, an expression of God's will; of God's purpose in this particular instance. God is, in fact, announcing that what man needs to know in order to satisfy the purpose, or end that God has in view, He will be the One who teaches him. God will teach man "doctrine"....

from: The Succession of Truth

Never in any age of human history has God been left without a witness for the truth. First, there is the ever-abiding witness of nature.

The visible creation declares an invisible Creator (Romans 1:18-20). It sets forth His eternal power and Godhead, and it leaves man without excuse for being an atheist.

Nature declares His glory (Psalms 19:1-4), and it reveals His providing mercy (Acts 14:14-17; Genesis 8:22).

While it is an incomplete witness of truth, it is still a faithful witness (Psalms 89:37).

Second, there are human witnesses of truth. From Adam to the flood, there were men like Enoch (Hebrews 11:5; Jude 14-15) and Noah (Hebrews 11:7; II Peter 2:5).

From the flood to the close of the Old Testament period, there were men like Abraham (Isaiah 41:8; Hebrews 11:17-19; John 8:56), and Moses (Numbers 17:7-8;18:2; II Chronicles 24:6; Acts 7:44).

The nation of Israel witnessed of the truth to the Gentile nations (Isaiah 43:8- 12).

There were also the prophets and priests of the Old Testament (Acts 10:43).

Even during the so-called "Four Hundred Silent Years" there were the Maccabees.

In the beginning of the New Testament period there was John the Baptist (John 1:7-8, 15; 3.26) and Jesus Christ (Isaiah 55:4; John 3:34; 18:37; I Timothy 6:13; Revelation 1:5; 3:14).

Just before leaving this earth, Christ appointed His church to be a witness for the truth. (Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:8).

The churches will continue in this role until the rapture of the saints.

THE SUCCESSION OF TRUTH FROM AGE TO AGE

In the patriarchal age the teaching of truth was mostly confined to home (Job 1:4-5). This was continued into the Mosaic dispensation (Deuteronomy 4:9-10; 6:7-9; 11:19-20; Psalms 78:l-7).

This teaching of truth in the home continued even into the New Testament Testament dispensation. (II Timothy 1:5; 3:15; Titus 2:3). As father and mother taught son and daughter the truth, God's truth had a succession from one to another.

The nation of Israel had priests who publicly taught the people (II Chronicles 17:7-9; 35:3; Nehemiah 8:9; Malachi 2:7). There was a succession of truth in that nation.

There were also special theological schools for the prophets at Naioth (I Samuel 19:20), Bethel (II Kings 2:3) Jericho (II Kings 2:5,15), Gilgal (II Kings 4:38), and most likely Jerusalem (II Kings 22:14; II Chronicles 34:27).

Individual believers taught other people the truth (Psalms 51:12-13; Daniel 12:3).

In the New Testament we see Christ as the Master Teacher who practiced what He preached (Acts 1:1). "And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, ..." (Matthew 4:23). "Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught." (John 7:14 cf. Luke 24:27).

Before leaving this world Jesus Christ committed the public teaching ministry to His church: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20).

John Gill comments on the words, "I am with you alway, even unto the end at the world," thusly: "... meaning, not merely to the end of their lives, which would be the end of the world to them; nor to the end of the Jewish world, or state, which was not a great way off, though this is sometimes the sense of this phrase; but to the end of the present world, the universe: not that the apostles should live to the end of it but that where as Christ would have a church and a people to the end of the world, and the Gospel and the ordinances of it should be administered so long, and there should be Gospel ministers till that time; Christ's sense is, that he would grant his presence to them, his inmediate disciples, and to all that should succeed them in future generations, to the end of time ..." (Exposition of New Testament, Volume I, page 377).

In the Book of Acts and the epistles we see the churches doing what Christ commanded them (Acts 5:42; 21:28; Galatians 6:6).

CONCLUSION

God has preserved His truth from generation to generation in the homes of true believers, by a God-fearing nation and by New Testament churches.

There have always been true churches with God-called ministers who taught the next generation.

This is why we have true churches today, who continue to hold up Jesus Christ who is the Truth.

It will continue to be so until Jesus comes.

 

[JonC]

I believe God has always had a witness to His Manifold Wisdom and Whole Counsel of God encapsulated in "The Doctrines of Grace", throughout The Old and New Testament, as well as, the entire Age of churches.

from: The Doctrine Of Grace - Part 1 by Wm. Doyal Thomas - Sovereign Grace Landmark Baptist Pastor

"Give ear, 0 ye heavens, and I Will speak; and hear, 0 earth,
the words of my mouth.

My doctrine shall drop as the rain,
my speech shall distil as the dew,
as the small rain upon the tender herb,
and as the showers upon the grass:

Because I will publish the name of the LORD:
ascribe ye greatness unto our God". (Deut. 32:1-3)

According to the acknowledged principles of interpretation, the meaning and usage of a word or precept, as it appears in Holy Writ on its first instance, is usually the meaning and usage of that word or precept when later appearing. Especially is this seen to be true and evident when correct hermeneutics is applied to the study of the subject under consideration. It is equally true also in other instances.

Hermeneutics, as defined in Webster's New Twentieth Century Dictionary, Unabridged, means, "The science of interpretation, or of finding the meaning of an author's words and phrases, and of explaining it to others; exegesis; particularly applied to the interpretation of the Scriptures". We ascribe to this definition, and apply it to the subject before us at this time, as we examine THE DOCTRINE OF GRACE....

Here is, then, an expression of God's will; of God's purpose in this particular instance. God is, in fact, announcing that what man needs to know in order to satisfy the purpose, or end that God has in view, He will be the One who teaches him. God will teach man "doctrine"....

from: The Succession of Truth

Never in any age of human history has God been left without a witness for the truth. First, there is the ever-abiding witness of nature.

The visible creation declares an invisible Creator (Romans 1:18-20). It sets forth His eternal power and Godhead, and it leaves man without excuse for being an atheist.

Nature declares His glory (Psalms 19:1-4), and it reveals His providing mercy (Acts 14:14-17; Genesis 8:22).

While it is an incomplete witness of truth, it is still a faithful witness (Psalms 89:37).

Second, there are human witnesses of truth. From Adam to the flood, there were men like Enoch (Hebrews 11:5; Jude 14-15) and Noah (Hebrews 11:7; II Peter 2:5).

From the flood to the close of the Old Testament period, there were men like Abraham (Isaiah 41:8; Hebrews 11:17-19; John 8:56), and Moses (Numbers 17:7-8;18:2; II Chronicles 24:6; Acts 7:44).

The nation of Israel witnessed of the truth to the Gentile nations (Isaiah 43:8- 12).

There were also the prophets and priests of the Old Testament (Acts 10:43).

Even during the so-called "Four Hundred Silent Years" there were the Maccabees.

In the beginning of the New Testament period there was John the Baptist (John 1:7-8, 15; 3.26) and Jesus Christ (Isaiah 55:4; John 3:34; 18:37; I Timothy 6:13; Revelation 1:5; 3:14).

Just before leaving this earth, Christ appointed His church to be a witness for the truth. (Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:8).

The churches will continue in this role until the rapture of the saints.

THE SUCCESSION OF TRUTH FROM AGE TO AGE

In the patriarchal age the teaching of truth was mostly confined to home (Job 1:4-5). This was continued into the Mosaic dispensation (Deuteronomy 4:9-10; 6:7-9; 11:19-20; Psalms 78:l-7).

This teaching of truth in the home continued even into the New Testament Testament dispensation. (II Timothy 1:5; 3:15; Titus 2:3). As father and mother taught son and daughter the truth, God's truth had a succession from one to another.

The nation of Israel had priests who publicly taught the people (II Chronicles 17:7-9; 35:3; Nehemiah 8:9; Malachi 2:7). There was a succession of truth in that nation.

There were also special theological schools for the prophets at Naioth (I Samuel 19:20), Bethel (II Kings 2:3) Jericho (II Kings 2:5,15), Gilgal (II Kings 4:38), and most likely Jerusalem (II Kings 22:14; II Chronicles 34:27).

Individual believers taught other people the truth (Psalms 51:12-13; Daniel 12:3).

In the New Testament we see Christ as the Master Teacher who practiced what He preached (Acts 1:1). "And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, ..." (Matthew 4:23). "Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught." (John 7:14 cf. Luke 24:27).

Before leaving this world Jesus Christ committed the public teaching ministry to His church: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20).

John Gill comments on the words, "I am with you alway, even unto the end at the world," thusly: "... meaning, not merely to the end of their lives, which would be the end of the world to them; nor to the end of the Jewish world, or state, which was not a great way off, though this is sometimes the sense of this phrase; but to the end of the present world, the universe: not that the apostles should live to the end of it but that where as Christ would have a church and a people to the end of the world, and the Gospel and the ordinances of it should be administered so long, and there should be Gospel ministers till that time; Christ's sense is, that he would grant his presence to them, his inmediate disciples, and to all that should succeed them in future generations, to the end of time ..." (Exposition of New Testament, Volume I, page 377).

In the Book of Acts and the epistles we see the churches doing what Christ commanded them (Acts 5:42; 21:28; Galatians 6:6).

CONCLUSION

God has preserved His truth from generation to generation in the homes of true believers, by a God-fearing nation and by New Testament churches.

There have always been true churches with God-called ministers who taught the next generation.

This is why we have true churches today, who continue to hold up Jesus Christ who is the Truth.

It will continue to be so until Jesus comes.

I also believe God has always had witnesses to His Word, His salvation, His Kingdom, and His doctrine of grace.

That is why I reject what Calvinists call the "doctrines of grace". Calvinists will typically take one of two approaches. Either they will attempt to read their doctrine into earlier writings or they will say there had to have been witnesses that we don't know about who taught their philosophy for the first millenia and a half of church history.

Neither is a satisfactory argument. The first is intellectually dishonest (it is reading into the words of another). The second is theologically dishonest (it assumes God had witnesses, but failed to preserve those witnesses).

All we have to go on is what those early Christians wrote of their faith. We have plenty of writings, but none of them present the argument that Gill presents. If the Atonement is vitally important (and it is) then why did no Christian record Gill's philosophy OR why (if there were such writings and the view is correct) did no writings expressing Gill's philosophy survive?

To us, John Gill's theology is old. But in comparison to Christian theology, John Gill's position is neo-Christian.

 

[JD731]

The emphasis of the Calvinists is on the wrong doctrine. Therefore the exaltation of Calvinism in the op is an error and should be marked thusly.

2Jo 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

The doctrine of Christ is referred to in the Chriustian scriptures simply as "the faith." Every man who embraces the faith will be saved from their sins. Men can be wrong about any other doctrine and be saved, but he cannot be worng about the doctrine of Christ.

Ac 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were

obedient to

"the faith."

Ac 16:5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Ro 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for

obedience to

"the faith"

among all nations, for his name:

2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in "the faith;" prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Obedience? God has commanded all men everywhere to repent and believe his record of Jesus Christ.

Ac 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

 

[Marooncat79]

Man is Not in a neutral position towards sin

we are bound up, in bondage/dead

that’s what it means to be at the mercy of God ie until God does something to us/for us,?we have no hope.
That something is election, regeneration, justification etc

 

[Alan Gross]

Mankind was lost and doomed to Hell, if it were not for God Loving and having Mercy of His Elect.

That is ETERNALLY GLORIOUS.

PRAISE ALMIGHTY GOD!!

You are correct!!

 

[Alan Gross]

The emphasis of the Calvinists is on the wrong doctrine. Therefore the exaltation of Calvinism in the op is an error and should be marked thusly.

Calvinism is not mentioned in the O.P.

The Doctrines of Grace are Eternal.

Nevertheless, John Calvin was born in 1509.

These Men who Taught The ETERNAL
BIBLE DOCTRINES of GRACE in the First Four Centuries, A.D.,
PREDATED CALVIN A THOUSAND YEARS.

The doctrine of Christ is referred to in the Chriustian scriptures simply as "the faith." Every man who embraces the faith will be saved from their sins.

"The Faith" is the system of Faith once delivered to the saints,
otherwise known as, "The Eternal Doctrines of Grace"
and the associated Manifold Wisdom and Whole Counsel of God.


Total Depravity
Unconditional Election
Limited Atonement
Irresistible Grace
Perseverance of the Saints

https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/gill/A_Body_of_Doctrinal_Divinity_-_John_Gill.pdf
The Body of Doctrinal Divinity.

https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/gill/Of the Worship of God - John Gill.pdf
The Body of Practical Divinity.

https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/gill/The_Cause_of_God_and_Truth_-_John_Gill.pdf

DEFINITIONS OF DOCTRINE
https://libcfl.com/articles/cole-3.htm
Volume III
https://libcfl.com/articles/cole-3.htm
The New Testament Church

by Claude Duval Cole

and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were

obedient to

"the faith."

They were saved disciples 'obedient'
to the system of Faith once delivered to the saints,
otherwise known as, "The Eternal Doctrines of Grace"
and the associated Manifold Wisdom and Whole Counsel of God.

the churches established in the faith

Saved church members established in the faith/
the system of Faith once delivered to the saints,
otherwise known as, "The Eternal Doctrines of Grace"
and the associated Manifold Wisdom and Whole Counsel of God.

By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for

obedience to

"the faith"

among all nations

Saved folks who follow "the Faith"/
the system of Faith once delivered to the saints,
otherwise known as, "The Eternal Doctrines of Grace"
and the associated Manifold Wisdom and Whole Counsel of God.
.

2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in "the faith;" prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

They continued in the system of Faith once delivered to the saints,
otherwise known as, "The Eternal Doctrines of Grace"
and the associated Manifold Wisdom and Whole Counsel of God,
except ye be reprobates.

Obedience? God has commanded all men everywhere to repent and believe his record of Jesus Christ.

God has commanded all men everywhere to repent and believe the Gospel;

I Corinthians 15:1 "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 "By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 "And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"

Ac 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent:

 

[Alan Gross]

from: Limited atonement-is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org

“Limited atonement” is a term that is used to summarize what the Bible teaches about the purpose for Christ’s death on the cross and what His life, death, and resurrection accomplished. It is the third letter of the acronym TULIP, which is commonly used to explain what are known as the five points of Calvinism, also known as the doctrines of grace. The doctrine of limited atonement is clearly the most controversial and maybe even the most misunderstood of all the doctrines of grace. Because the name can confuse people and cause them to have wrong ideas about what is meant, some people prefer to use terms like “particular redemption,” “definite redemption,” “actual atonement,” or “intentional atonement.” These terms correctly focus on the fact that the Bible reveals Jesus’ death on the cross was intentional and had a definite purpose that it succeeded in accomplishing."

Is “Limited atonement” what you mean
by "the Atonement is vitally important"?

All we have to go on is what those early Christians wrote of their faith. We have plenty of writings, but none of them present the argument that Gill presents. If the Atonement is vitally important (and it is) then why did no Christian record Gill's philosophy OR why (if there were such writings and the view is correct) did no writings expressing Gill's philosophy survive?

All these scriptures teach “Limited atonement”, although they are misinterpreted to teach a Universal Atonement.

They all are in the Bible,
which predates The Early Church Fathers and John Gill.

See Part One: https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/gill/The_Cause_of_God_and_Truth_-_John_Gill.pdf

To us, John Gill's theology is old. But in comparison to Christian theology, John Gill's position is neo-Christian.

Who is, "us"?

So, Gill theology is old and neo-Christian,
"a reinterpretation of Christianity in terms of a current philosophy"?

 

[JonC]

from: Limited atonement-is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org

“Limited atonement” is a term that is used to summarize what the Bible teaches about the purpose for Christ’s death on the cross and what His life, death, and resurrection accomplished. It is the third letter of the acronym TULIP, which is commonly used to explain what are known as the five points of Calvinism, also known as the doctrines of grace. The doctrine of limited atonement is clearly the most controversial and maybe even the most misunderstood of all the doctrines of grace. Because the name can confuse people and cause them to have wrong ideas about what is meant, some people prefer to use terms like “particular redemption,” “definite redemption,” “actual atonement,” or “intentional atonement.” These terms correctly focus on the fact that the Bible reveals Jesus’ death on the cross was intentional and had a definite purpose that it succeeded in accomplishing."

Is “Limited atonement” what you mean
by "the Atonement is vitally important"?




All these scriptures teach “Limited atonement”, although they are misinterpreted to teach a Universal Atonement.

They all are in the Bible,
which predates The Early Church Fathers and John Gill.

See Part One: https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/gill/The_Cause_of_God_and_Truth_-_John_Gill.pdf





Who is, "us"?

So, Gill theology is old and neo-Christian,
"a reinterpretation of Christianity in terms of a current philosophy"?

"Us" is "we". We don't look to John Gill (who was not without error) but to Scripture.

It is a mistake to adopt the theology of the previous generation. Each generation needs to test what was handed down and find any mistakes (there will be some as we are human).

In other words, we need to constantly go back to Scripture and reexamine our doctrine.

The problem is not "limited atonement" in the sense that Christ died for the Bride, the "elect", His Church, or His Sheep.

The problem is when we take those terms out of context to refer to people not yet Christian.

In order words the "problem" with limited atonement goes much deeper than the doctrine of limited atonement (which was part of a rebuttal to the Five Articles).

Yes, Gill's theology is old compared to theology relevant to contemporary Christianity. But it is also new compared to Christian theology.

I have no problem with Gill's theology. It is not necessarily biblical, but I still gain from reading Gill. That said, our theology needs to be ours, not borrowed from another.