Reformation

The Exaltation of Jesus, Part 1

I tend to think the American Christian church, and even the Reformed church neglects the doctrine of Jesus' Ascension, or Current Exaltation. Where is Jesus right now? What is he doing? Why does your knowledge of it matter to your walk with Christ?

Listen to Acts 1:9. This is the moment of his ascension, "And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight." That's it. It's subtle. They were watching and listening to him. He starts levitating. And a small cloud takes him up through the clouds. But then angels appear and interpret his leaving this way in v. 11, "This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven…” So we have two word groups describing the ascension. We have "lifted up," and "taken up into heaven." But notice how Peter describes it to Luke in the next chapter, in Acts 2:32-33, "This Jesus God raised up [that's his resurrection], and of that we all are witnesses.  (33)  Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, …" [But that's an elaboration on his ascension. He didn't just leave us to go into the clouds. He didn't just go to heaven the way we leave Florida or Mississippi to come home to Mobile. Peter explains by the Holy Spirit that God the Father exalted Jesus the Messiah who died and rose again by seating him on the throne of exalted glory - the throne of the Messiah, the true throne of David: ruling from the position of the right hand of the Father. THAT's what happened in Acts 1:9. That is what Christ has been doing for the last two thousand years: ruling and reigning as the Messiah over all. The one who descended in the incarnation is also ascended to the right hand of the Father. (Ephesians 4). AND THIS HAS INNUMERABLE IMPLICATIONS FOR YOU AS A CHRISTIAN.]

  1. it means your Messiah, who has brought you into union with him, he is now untouchable, seated on David's Throne.

Psa 2:1-7  Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?  (2)  The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying,  (3)  “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”  (4)  He who sits in the heavens laughs; [he mocks unbelievers!] the Lord holds them in derision.  (5)  Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying,  (6)  “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.”  (7)  I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. [an action of God’s wrath to this world of unbelief and unbelievers is the coronation of his Son, the Anointed One, the Messiah to his right hand. And David and Peter together are saying, he cannot be pulled off the throne.]

He cannot be ripped down. The greatest atheists and scientist have tried. He cannot be thwarted. Satan, the world, and the flesh, have yet to succeed in two thousand you. He cannot be assailed. Where are all the arrogant throughout time who made claims against Christ? Dead. But he is now. He is resurrected. And seated permanently on the throne of glory. He cannot be mutinied. He cannot lose. All flesh will rally against him and crash likes waves at the feet of his throne; destroying themselves; destroyed by the Messiah of God. Beloved, this is King Jesus. This is your Husband. He is victorious. And since He has won, and you are his wife by faith, you too shall overcome your sin and flesh and this world. Listen to how our brother Martin Luther puts it in his memorable hymn:

1 A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

2 Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God's own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same;
and he must win the battle.

3 And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.

4 That Word above all earthly powers
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever!

In Christ, and with you all, (Mobile, AL)

Pastor Josh

Introducing: the Doctrines of Grace (or, the Five Points of Calvinism)

The Five Points of Calvinism in History and Personally:

The Five Points of Calvinism are historically and personally controversial. Historically, they are a response to the Five Points of Arminianism. The Five Points of Arminianism are named after Jacob Arminius, a Dutch Pastor and Theologian in the mid-1500's to the early 1600's. Some people have accused me of being a direct descendant of good ole Arminius (pictured below). But I promise, though we look alike, I am not.

Jacob Arminius

Those who identified with his system of theology are called "Arminians." (No, this is not the same label as the people from the country Armenia.) This is quite important today. While American evangelicalism was originally Calvinistic, today it is not, but Arminian. In fact, most American evangelical churches today teach the Arminian system of doctrine. For instance, if you believe the natural person, though a sinner, can still reach out to God in faith, unassisted by God, then, whether you knew it or not, you are Arminian in your thinking.

The Arminians and the Reformed were both Dutch. In fact, at the time, they were both apart of the Dutch Reformed Church. The Arminians were publicly antagonistic to the Reformed Theology being taught in Geneva and in the Netherlands. So they published the Five Points of Remonstrance, or "ardent protest". The Reformed Church responded publicly. They held a gathering of their church court at Dordrecht to answer these five doctrines point for point. And [drum roll please] the Five Points of Calvinism were born. The name of that Synod was the Synod of Dort. So, the Five Points of Calvinism, or the Doctrines of Grace, were a reaction to false teaching.

However, some have objected to the name "Calvinism." And I don’t mind the objection. It's not unlike the difference between "Calvinism" and "Reformed Theology." When your average Southerner hears the category "Calvinism" many respond as though you just said a cuss word. But, when you say "Reformed Theology" they are shockingly open. Maybe because "Reformed" and even "the Protestant Reformation" hasn't been taught in our churches in a long time. Maybe because the "Calvinism" well has been poisoned by opposing pastors for a long time. Or maybe, it is genuinely the name. And, the name does matter. It's unfortunate that the Five Points were named after John Calvin, a French pastor and theologian in the early to mid-1500's.

John Calvin

I highly doubt Calvin would have appreciated the name. But, it isn't named after him per se, but the system of theological thought attributed to him. If anything, Calvinism strives, using the doctrine of Sola Scriptura and the method of expository teaching, to be clearly biblical. Sola Scriptura is a mantra of the Reformation calling for the church to find its ultimate authority for any doctrine or practice in "The Scriptures Alone," hence Sola (Alone) Scriptura (the Bible). Further, expository teaching naturally flowed out of Sola Scriptura. If the Bible is our ultimate authority for any doctrine or practice, then the church should stick close to the text going verse by verse, chapter by chapter, through the Bible. This doctrine Calvin unapologetically taught. And this method of teaching is throughout his commentaries and his books. However, Jacob Arminius was three years old when Calvin died. So, Calvin wasn't even alive for the controversy, let alone the pithy response of the Five Points. The Synod of Dort was held from 1618-1619. But Calvin died in 1564, more than fifty years before. But still, he wouldn't have liked the Five Points named after him. And I personally don't mind the Reformed Church apologizing for the reference. We should not be naming movements or doctrines after sinful men. Yet, these five points of biblical doctrine are and will still be referenced as "the Five Point of Calvinism," or "the Doctrines of Grace."

Personally, these doctrines are both so biblical and so contrary to our flesh that many Christians reject the headings and the content. In fact, some just irrationally respond with vitriol to the headings. You’ll see more all the heading in future blogposts. Oddly enough when presented with the content from the Bible, but without the headings, many Christians will see just how eminently biblical the Five Points of Calvinism are. But, when you reinsert the headings … the fangs come out. However, I'm confident that the Holy Spirit working through the plain teaching of his Word, will actually show you the vast storehouses of comfort that come, not just by the doctrine, but when we see the connections of these doctrines to our living and reigning Savior, His Father in Heaven, and the Spirit who abides in us. In following posts, I will personally strive to show how each doctrine relates to your relationship with each person of the Trinity and the gospel.

In Christ, and with you all,

Rev. Joshua Sparkman

Christ Presbyterian Church (2131 Cody Road S.)

cpcmobile.com