Bethel Community Church

Reformed Baptist Congregation Exaltation | Edification | Evangelism

A REFORMED BAPTIST CONGREGATION
EXALTATION  |  EDIFICATION  |  EVANGELISM
Sarasota, Florida
941-922-6007

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Making Vows

“If a man vows a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth. If a woman vows a vow to the LORD and binds herself by a pledge, while within her father’s house in her youth, and her father hears of her vow and of her pledge by which she has bound herself and says nothing to her, then all her vows shall stand, and every pledge by which she has bound herself shall stand.” (Numbers 30:2 – 4)

The central theme of Numbers is the accomplishment of the promise that God made to Abraham to give him descendants without number (Gen. 12:1–3; 15:1–6; 17:1–8). Supporting themes are the promise of land to be inherited, the blessing of other nations, and the covenant relationship with God. [Read more…]

Subsitution

“He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.” (Leviticus 1:4)

There are three things to notice immediately in this verse. First, the idea of identification is present. The one making the offering lays his hand on the head of his sacrifice. Second, the idea of substitution is also present. His offering is accepted in his place. Third, atonement is accomplished. The ideas of identification, substitution, and atonement are crucial to the doctrine of salvation.

Sin and Satan

Until we have sinned – Satan is a parasite; when we have sinned – Satan is a tyrant
Thomas Brooks, Precious Remedies against Satan’s Devices, Works, Vol. 1, p. 17

The Only Sufficiency

According to the opening lines of the Confession (1689.1.1, Of The Holy Scriptures), Scripture is the only sufficiency. Before speaking of its certainty and infallibility, the authors communicated sufficiency. And also this entire opening phrase in the 1689 is not in the the Westminster Confession. Well, how interesting!  I like this. Here is an immediate statement about the Word of God – what it is. It makes sense because the phrase beginning with “although” (see Westminster) should follow some introductory clause. And so we have the 1689’s opening lines. How beautiful and right.

The Beginning

1689.4.1 (Of Creation) states that it simply pleased God in the beginning for the manifestation of the glory of his power, wisdom and goodness to create the world in six days.

What more do we need?

What Do You Do With Faith (1 Timothy 4:1, 2) June 8, 2025

Conscience & Confession (Genesis 50:15 – 21) June 8, 2025

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