Posts in The Protestant Witness
TPW 75 Eastern Orthodoxy James 2 Justification Response to Critic on Baptism and Works
TPW 75 Eastern Orthodoxy James 2 Justification Response to Critic on Baptism and Works

I received an email in response to an old video here:

https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?m=t&s=5317151991

Here is the text of that email:

You tried to separate baptism from belief. But it may not be in Paul's argumentation in Romans 4 but it is clearly linked in scripture elsewhere:

Mark 16:15-16

Acts 2:38; 9:18; 10:43-48; 18:8; 22:16

Rom. 6:3-4

Gal. 3:27

1 Peter 3:21

These are just a few that connect faith with baptism. For one who prides himself in using scripture you sloppily dealt with this one and scripture agrees with the Priest. How is baptism a work? It is a work of God to wash man from his sin once he has believed and repented. Where in the Jewish law does it command us to be baptized?

BTW you did some nifty dancing with James 2. Bad exegesis again. If what you are saying is true then James only applies to people who claim to have faith. Which begs the question because wouldn't that be every Christian?

Paul talks about faith apart from works (of the law) he is reference the heresy of the judiazers who claimed you had to be under the law and observe it in some external way to be saved (Romans 2?). James distinguishes a different kind of works, in fact he is talking about faith and works apart from "works of the law" because the law hadn't been given yet. See the difference? James 2:22 is a keyverse. His faith and works were "Sunergeo". Dang, there is that pesky EO synergism.

This episode is my response

The Protestant WitnessPatrick HinesReformed TheologyComment
TPW 69 John Piper's False Gospel Revisited and Refuted from Scripture
TPW 69 John Piper's False Gospel Revisited and Refuted from Scripture

Introduction music: Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, 3rd Movement

Evidently, John Piper will be featured in the film “Puritan” as shown in this trailer for it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7CAD83ouD8

Here are several articles from Desiring God’s website. They are fairly clear and speak for themselves. This is not the gospel.

Does God Really Save Us by Faith Alone?

Faith Alone: How (Not) to Use a Reformed Slogan (Video sermon and transcript)

John Piper’s Attempt at Clarification

Please pray that God will raise up shepherds who will take seriously these warnings:

Acts 20:28-30 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. [29] For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. [30] Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

Romans 16:17-20 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. [18] For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. [19] For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. [20] And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Please pray also that God will raise up shepherds in His church who will love and stand for these truths as well:

Galatians 5:1-4 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. [2] Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. [3] And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. [4] You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

Romans 5:6-9 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. [8] But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

And especially this one:

Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.

What’s one of the main reasons false teachers are not called out and are enabled to spread their poison? People who value their friendships more than truth. People who fear men more than God.

The Protestant WitnessPatrick HinesReformed TheologyComment