Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible omits any reference to children needing to be converted in the section entitled: "Raising children in the Lord"

In the 'Christian Living Section' of 'The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible', there is an article entitled: "Raising Children in the Lord".

This article outlines five "means" which Christian parents are to employ in raising children in the Lord. There is first a reference to praying for children. This is expanded to mean labouring to bring our children to Jesus so that He might bless them. Matthew 19:13-15* is included as a reference at this point. [*see below]

Subsequent "means" of raising children are outlined as: teaching the Bible to your children, disciplining them in love, offering wise counsel, and lastly, living as a godly example before them.

Who are the "dozens" of unnamed contributors to The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible?

Who are the: dozens of contributors* who have written other articles throughout this study Bible, both interspersed within the text and in the Christian living section? *See "Acknowledgements" section on page 2,217 of the Study Bible.

Which articles, within the text and in the Christian living section, did these unnamed contributors write? 

The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible's article on Regeneration contradicts the Perseverance of the Saints

Within The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible article on Regeneration, the following paragraph is found: The sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper reflect this twofold meaning of regeneration. The one is a rite of initiation, administered only once, as a sign of the new birth that happens only once. The other is a rite of nurture, signifying the way in which our souls are nourished and refreshed by feeding on Christ as the true food and drink of eternal life. It must be administered frequently, because the new life within us is still created, dependent life that will wane and die if not refueled and sustained.

The last sentence of this paragraph makes reference to the Believer's 'new life' waning and dying and needing to be refueled and sustained by the Lord's Supper to avoid this happening. The sentences states: It [ie. The Lord's Supper] must be administered frequently, because the new life within us is still created, dependent life that will wane and die if not refueled and sustained. [Emphasis mine]

Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible employs a 'somewhat vague' and 'confusing' definition of the doctrine of 'Regeneration'. Why?

In 'The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible' there is a full page article given over to an explanation of the important doctrine of 'Regeneration'.

This full page article appears on page 1,774 of the Study Bible, in connection with the occurrence of the word 'regeneration' in Titus 3:5. This word translated 'regeneration' only appears twice in all the New Testament, and only in Titus 3:5 does it refer to the subject of individual salvation. The other place the word appears is Matthew 19:28, where it is used with respect to the coming restitution of all things.

The definition employed, by whoever wrote this article for the Study Bible, reverts back to an older definition that is not normally employed today in Reformed circles to describe the important doctrine of 'Regeneration'. A definition that was employed before the Order of Salvation was fully developed.

Correction of doctrinal errors in The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible

Dr Joel Beeke, General Editor of The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible, has announced the correction of some errors to future editions of the Study Bible. These corrections have already been made in the electronic version and will be incorporated into future printing of the hard copies.

These corrections were announced via a post on his Blog. Dr Beeke announced that these corrected errors did indeed "impinge on doctrinal issues". This is a welcome acknowledgment, as a number have questioned the validity of the posts on this Blog pointing out these doctrinal errors.

The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible justifies drinking alcohol Part 3

This Blog post is a continuation of previous articles on The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible justifying drinking booze.

The statement in 'The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible' notes, attached to Genesis 9, reads: Beware of the danger of drunkenness. We personally need to be very careful with strong drink. It is a stumbling block to many. Alcoholic drink is not wrong per se, but the Bible does clearly teach that drunkenness makes one unaware of what is happening. We must not misuse our bodies. Drunkennes is often linked to immorality and unseemly behavior. Therefore, respect the civil laws limiting alcohol consumption and guard yourself against ever becomimg intoxicated. [Emphasis mine]

In reading the Study Bible's commentary, in this place, the following points need commenting upon: 
1. "Alcoholic drink is not wrong per se".
2. Readers are to find out and then respect the local civil laws limiting alcohol consumption.
3. A Christian is only to be on their guard against being caught breaking the law on alcohol consumption and drunkenness.
4. This view of alcohol is a suitable subject for teaching at family worship, where children are present.

Alcohol forbidden to Kings and Priests

In Old Testament times there were two groups of individuals who were particularly forbidden to drink wine. They were:

1. The Priests, cf. Leviticus 10:8-11: And the LORD spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.

Sermon on Abstinence From Alcohol

One of the best expositions, explanation and defence of the Temperance position of the Free Presbyterian Church that I have heard. This is a sermon on Abstinence from Alcohol, preached passionately by Dr Mark Allison, minister of Malvern Free Presbyterian Church.



 MP4 also available, see here: Abstinence from Alcohol.

Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible justifies drinking alcohol, Part 2

This Blog post is a continuation of a previous article on The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible justifying drinking booze.

The statement in 'The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible' notes, attached to Genesis 9, reads: Beware of the danger of drunkenness. We personally need to be very careful with strong drink. It is a stumbling block to many. Alcoholic drink is not wrong per se, but the Bible does clearly teach that drunkenness makes one unaware of what is happening. We must not misuse our bodies. Drunkennes is often linked to immorality and unseemly behavior. Therefore, respect the civil laws limiting alcohol consumption and guard yourself against ever becomimg intoxicated. [Emphasis mine]

In reading the Study Bible's commentary, in this place, the following points need commenting upon: 
1. "Alcoholic drink is not wrong per se".
2. Readers are to find out and then respect the local civil laws limiting alcohol consumption.
3. A Christian is only to be on their guard against being caught breaking the law on alcohol consumption and drunkenness.
4. This view of alcohol is a suitable subject for teaching at family worship, where children are present.

Understanding the Foundation of the Church

There are two verses of Scripture in Luke's Gospel which help our understanding regarding who or what is the foundational rock upon which the Church is built. These verses are found in Luke 6:48,49: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

The term 'foundation' is used in two ways here:

Firstly, in v49, the term is used to refer to the immovable rock that lies beneath the surface of the earth. This rock is here used in contrast to the movable 'earth', upon which a man seeks to build a house. The earth is akin to the clay, or sand, as Matthew mentions in his similar account, cf. Matthew 7:26: And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand. The earth has no strength or ability to hold up the structure built upon it. There is the rock, and there is the sand, upon which the whole structure can be built. Only the house built upon the rock will stand.

Christ Jesus is this rock upon which the whole edifice of the Church is built. He is 'Petra', the rock.

Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible is wrong on a second count about the crossing of the Red Sea

Laying aside for a moment the serious issue of the map 'visualising' the Exodus from Egypt, which contains no actual crossing of the Red Sea, the 'Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible' also fails to accurately show the true route that Israel took.

In Numbers 33:5-8 we read of the route taken by Israel when existing Egypt: And the children of Israel removed from Rameses, and pitched in Succoth. And they departed from Succoth, and pitched in Etham, which is in the edge of the wilderness. And they removed from Etham, and turned again unto Pihahiroth, which is before Baalzephon: and they pitched before Migdol. And they departed from before Pihahiroth, and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, and went three days’ journey in the wilderness of Etham, and pitched in Marah.

The record in the book of Exodus is equally clear about this 180˚ turn around and also gives us the reason for it taking place, cf. Exodus 14:1-4: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea. For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so.

The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible Map Section endorses the liberal interpretation of the Exodus, with no crossing of the Red Sea

Great care ever needs to be taken, by Bible believing Christians, with respect to which Bible maps and atlases they employ or purchase. No where is that care more necessary than employing, or purchasing, maps which show the crossing of the Red Sea by the Israelites, when they came out of Egypt, on the night of the Passover. 

Sadly, it has long been the case that most of the Bible maps and atlases in circulation today give credence to a liberal interpretation of the supernatural details of the Bible. One subsequent assertion is that the Israelites didn't really cross the Red Sea when they came out of Egypt.

Simple Test

When purchasing a new Bible, if it contains any maps, or if I am looking to purchase a Bible atlas, this is one of the first places I turn up to see what sort of map the publishers have included for Israel's journey out of Egypt and across the Red Sea to Mount Sinai. I have long thought that to be a basic, elementary point to check out when purchasing a Bible with maps or buying a Bible atlas! 

Quotable Quote - A. W. Pink on Justification and Sanctification

In his book on the Doctrine of Justification A. W. Pink had this to say about the connection between Justification and Sanctification:

It is therefore the bounden duty of those who profess to have been justified by God to diligently and impartially examine themselves, to ascertain whether or not they have in them those spiritual graces which always accompany justification. It is by our sanctification, and that alone, that we may discover our justification. Would you know whether Christ fulfilled the law for you, that His obedience has been imputed to your account? Then search your heart and life and see whether a spirit of obedience to Him is daily working in you. The righteousness of the law is fulfilled only in those who "walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Rom. 8:4). God never designed that the obedience of His Son should be imputed to those who live a life of worldliness, self-pleasing, and gratifying the lusts of the flesh. Far from it: "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor. 5:17).

A. W. Pink on whether Justification brings about a change in man's moral nature

A. W. Pink wrote on the Doctrine of Justification. In chapter two of his work upon this subject he deals with the meaning of Justification. Here is what he says regarding whether a moral change is made in man's nature and explaining the difference between Justification and Sanctification:

Sanctification is moral or experimental, justification is legal or judicial. Sanctification results from the operation of the Spirit in me, justification is based upon what Christ has done for me. The one is gradual and progressive, the other is instantaneous and immutable. The one admits of degrees, and is never perfect in this life; the other is complete and admits of no addition. The one concerns my state, the other has to do with my standing before God. Sanctification produces a moral transformation of character, justification is a change of legal status: it is a change from guilt and condemnation to forgiveness and acceptance, and this solely by a gratuitous act of God, founded upon the imputation of Christ’s righteousness, through the instrument of faith alone. Though justification is quite separate from sanctification, yet sanctification ever accompanies it.

To read the whole chapter use this link - The Meaning of Justification To read the whole book online use this link - A. W. Pink: The Doctrine of Justification

Quotable Quote - John Bunyan on Justification

But if you do not put a difference between justification wrought by the Man Christ without, and sanctification wrought by the Spirit of Christ within, teaching believers their duty to their God for his love in giving Christ, you are not able to divide the word aright; but contrariwise, you corrupt the word of God, and cast stumbling-blocks before the people, and will certainly one day most deeply smart for your folly, except you repent. John Bunyan

Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible wrongly teaches that Justification brings about a "change of man's moral nature"

There is at best a most unfortunate mistake in the Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible concerning the vital doctrine of Justification. At worse, it is the incorporation of false teaching, even Roman Catholic teaching, into this Study Bible regarding the important truth of Justification.

Either way it surely needs, and deserves, an immediate, public clarification and correction!

There are a number of Christians, including young believers, who have purchased hard printed copies of this Study Bible, who will be unaware of the erroneous nature of this statement. They will accept the content of this footnote as being accurate, believing it to be indeed the truth about the great doctrine of Justification. After all, it is contained in this Study Bible and no clarification or correction has been publicised, even though the publishers know about the error.

Dr Paisley on who was the 'rock' upon which the Church was built

This quote is taken from Dr Paisley's Concise Guide to Bible Christianity and Romanism. It was in the form of questions and answers:

Question 27: What text in Matthew's Gospel does the Church of Rome use to support her claims for St. Peter being the first Pope?

Answer - Matthew chapter 16 and verse 18: 'And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.' The meaning of this text is obvious. Jesus having heard from the disciples the various notions which were entertained of Him, asked them: 'But whom say ye that I am?' and Peter, always more forward than the rest, replied: 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.' 

The Church Fathers didn't even all believe that Peter was the 'rock', but The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible does!

The Church of Rome has a major problem with the claim that the words of Matthew 16:18, teach Peter to be the rock upon which the Church is built: And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

It is a fundamental tenet of Roman Catholic Bible interpretation that you cannot interpret any passage of Scripture but by the "unanimous consent of the Church Fathers". That Roman Catholic principle of Bible interpretation immediately creates a dilemma for Romanism and leaves Romanism totally unable to substantiate her own interpretation of this passage of Scripture. 

As someone once said: the only thing that the Church Fathers were unanimous about, was that they continually disagreed. The "unanimous consent of the Church Fathers" is a myth. It is impossible to find any difficult passage to explain where they were in complete agreement with one another. It is most certainly a myth in respect to Peter being the rock upon which the church is built.

Peter is the Rock upon which the Church is built. So teaches The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible!

Strange to observe that the "Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible" teaches in its footnotes that Peter is the Rock upon which the church is built, in Matthew 16:18: And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The "Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible" notes at the foot of the page against this verse read:

Peter. Jesus makes a play on Peter's name, which literally means "rock." The rock that Jesus builds His Church upon is most naturally understood as Peter, together with the other apostles in their Spirit-given testimony of Him (Eph. 2:20; Rev 21:14).