Theology - Page 2 of 15

Infant Baptism

Infant Baptism Though infant baptism has been the majority practice of historic Christianity, its propriety has been solemnly challenged by godly Christians of various denominations. The question surrounding infant baptism rests upon several concerns. The New Testament neither explicitly commands infants to be baptized nor explicitly prohibits them from being baptized. The debate centers on …

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The Church

Theology / By Youssef Matta

The Church The church refers to all the people who belong to the Lord, those who have been purchased by the blood of Christ. Various other images and expressions are also used to define or describe the church. The church is called the body of Christ, the family of God, the people of God, the …

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Baptism

Theology / By Youssef Matta

Baptism Baptism is the sacramental sign of the New Covenant. It is a sign by which God seals His pledge to the elect that they are included in the covenant of grace. Baptism signifies several things. In the first instance, it is a sign of cleansing and the remission of our sins. It also signifies …

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The Sacraments

Theology / By Youssef Matta

The Sacraments The word sacrament historically was used for something sacred. The Latin term sacramentum was used to translate the New Testament word for mystery. In a broad sense all religious rites and ceremonies were called sacraments. In time, the term sacrament took on a more precise and narrow meaning. A sacrament became defined as …

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The Last Resurrection

Theology / By Youssef Matta

The Last Resurrection A question that every believer has contemplated is the question of what we will look like in heaven. Will we be able to recognize our loved ones? Will our resurrected bodies have the characteristics of age or of youth? Many of these matters remain mysterious to us. The Bible only hints at …

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Perseverance of the Saints

Theology / By Youssef Matta

Perseverance of the Saints Most of us know people who have made a profession of faith in Christ and who have perhaps even made a strong display of faith, involving themselves deeply in the life and ministry of the church, only to later repudiate that faith and become spiritual dropouts. Such evidence always raises the …

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Merit and Grace

Theology / By Youssef Matta

Merit and Grace The issue of merit and grace is at the heart of the historic debate between Roman Catholic theology and Protestantism. A major declaration of the Reformation was sola gratia—salvation is by the grace of God alone. Believers bring no merit of their own before the judgment seat of God, but rest solely …

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Repentance

Theology / By Youssef Matta

Repentance The opening message of John the Baptist, who served as a herald for Jesus, was, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This call to repentance was an urgent appeal to sinners. No one who refuses to repent can ever enter the kingdom of God. Repentance is a prerequisite, a necessary condition …

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Faith and Works

Theology / By Youssef Matta

Faith and Works Many people assume that by trying to live a good life, they have done all that is necessary to get to heaven. They rest their confidence on the good works they have performed to satisfy the demands of God’s justice. This is a futile hope. God’s law requires perfection. Since we are …

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Saving Faith

Theology / By Youssef Matta

Saving Faith Jesus once remarked that unless we have the faith of a child we will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. A childlike faith is a prerequisite for membership in God’s kingdom. There is a difference, however, between a childlike faith and a childish faith. The Bible calls us to be babes …

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