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  • Resurrection Doctrines in Romans

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    CHRISTOLOGY

    Resurrection Declares Christ as Son of God

    Romans 1:3-4

    Declared Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection.

    DEFINITION

    The resurrection vindicates and installs Jesus as the Son of God in power.

    EXPLANATION

    The Spirit’s declarative energy revealed what was veiled in the flesh: the eternal Son, glorified as God and man, appointed messianic Lord (Col. 1:18). Calvin: ‘The power peculiar to God shone forth, proving him to be God.’ Gaffin: Christ entered a new phase of Sonship — resurrection is not evidential of divinity but transforming of his humanity. Luther: before resurrection his Sonship was hidden in the flesh; now publicly revealed in power.

    Sources: Calvin, Hodge, Vos, Gaffin, Schreiner, Lloyd-Jones

    JUSTIFICATION

    Resurrection Declares Sinners Righteous

    Romans 4:24-25; 10:9-10 Raised for our justification. Believe in your heart that God raised him — you will be saved.

    DEFINITION

    Christ’s resurrection is God’s verdict that the atoning work is complete and accepted.

    EXPLANATION

    Murray: Christ was raised for the purpose of our justification — his resurrection is his justification before God, and through union with him by faith, his vindication becomes ours. Edwards: ‘The resurrection is God declaring his satisfaction; he thereby declared it was enough.’ Without resurrection, faith is futile and we remain in our sins (1 Cor. 15:17). Saving faith confesses the risen Lord (Rom. 10:9-10).

    NEWNESS OF LIFE

    Resurrection Empowers Present Obedience

    Romans 6:4

    Just as Christ was raised by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

    DEFINITION

    Union with the risen Christ breaks sin’s dominion and empowers holy conduct now.

    EXPLANATION

    Baptism seals co-crucifixion and co-resurrection with Christ, shattering sin’s reign. Murray: ‘The decisive entrance upon newness of life is required by the decisiveness of Christ’s own resurrection.’ Gaffin: ‘There is no more basic NT perspective on sanctification than Romans 6 – a continual living to God of those alive from the dead.’ This is inaugurated new-creation existence, eschatology already begun in history.

    SANCTIFICATION

    Resurrection Defines Our New Identity

    Romans 6:1-14

    Consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (v. 11)

    DEFINITION

    The believer’s definitive break with sin and ongoing transformation flows from co-resurrection.

    EXPLANATION

    Romans 6 grounds sanctification in union with the resurrected Christ, not moral effort. Murray’s ‘definitive sanctification’: an irreversible breach with sin’s reign (vv. 2-11) distinguishable from progressive sanctification. Gaffin: ‘Christian existence is a manifestation of the resurrection life and power of Christ, the life-giving Spirit.’ Believers begin at the top — already perfect in Christ, being progressively conformed.

    HOPE OF GLORY

    Resurrection Guarantees Final Glorification

    Romans 8:11, 18-23, 29-30 He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit.

    DEFINITION

    The indwelling Spirit as first-fruits of resurrection guarantees future bodily glorification.

    EXPLANATION

    Gaffin: Christ’s resurrection is ‘the actual beginning of the general epochal event’ – two episodes of one eschatological reality. The Spirit (8:9-11) is the down-payment. Vos: Christ’s resurrection inaugurates the new creation; believers are first-fruits. Schreiner: present sufferings incomparable to glory to be revealed. The golden chain (8:29-30) — predestined, called, justified, glorified — anchored in Christ as Firstborn.

  • Biblical Themes

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  • Psalm One


    The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked
     1       Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 
     2       but his delight is in the law of the LORD,  and on his law he meditates day and night. 
    3       He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. 
    4       The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 
     5       Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 
     6       for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. 

    The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Ps 1:1–6). (2025). Crossway Bibles.

  • Resurrection in Romans: A Theological Interpretation.

  • The Resurrection in Romans

    Resurrection Research

  • The Lord’s Supper

    Lord’s Supper Research

  • Reformed Baptist Theology for Beginners

    Short version: Reformed Baptists are Baptists who hold to historic Reformed (Calvinist) theology and believe the Bible teaches believer’s baptism and congregational church life.

    This guide explains the basics in plain language.

    1. What Is a Reformed Baptist?

    A Reformed Baptist is a Christian who believes three main things:

    • The Bible alone is the final authority for faith and life.
    • Salvation is entirely by God’s grace, not by human effort.
    • Baptism is for believers only, not infants.

    Historically, most Reformed Baptists follow the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, which summarizes their beliefs.

    Think of it like this:

    TraditionKey Distinction
    Reformed (Presbyterian)Calvinist theology + infant baptism
    BaptistBeliever’s baptism
    Reformed BaptistCalvinist theology + believer’s baptism

    2. The Big Authority: Scripture Alone

    Reformed Baptists hold to Sola Scriptura.

    This means:

    • The Bible is the highest authority.
    • Church traditions can be helpful but must submit to Scripture.
    • Every teaching should be tested by the Bible.

    Common verse used:
    2 Timothy 3:16–17 — Scripture equips believers for every good work.

    3. The Five Solas (Core Reformation Ideas)

    These come from the Protestant Reformation and shape Reformed Baptist theology.

    LatinMeaningSimple Explanation
    Sola ScripturaScripture AloneThe Bible is the final authority
    Sola FideFaith AloneWe are justified by faith, not works
    Sola GratiaGrace AloneSalvation is a gift from God
    Solus ChristusChrist AloneJesus is the only mediator
    Soli Deo GloriaGlory to God AloneAll glory belongs to God

    4. The “Doctrines of Grace” (TULIP)

    Reformed Baptists believe salvation is completely initiated and accomplished by God.

    This is often summarized with TULIP.

    T — Total Depravity

    Humans are sinful in every part of their nature.

    • People are not as bad as possible.
    • But sin affects everything, including our will.

    Result: We cannot save ourselves.

    U — Unconditional Election

    God chooses who will be saved.

    • Not based on future good works.
    • Not based on human merit.

    Salvation begins with God’s choice, not ours.

    L — Limited Atonement (Particular Redemption)

    Jesus died specifically to save His people.

    His death actually secures salvation, not just makes it possible.

    I — Irresistible Grace

    When God calls someone to salvation, His grace changes their heart so they willingly come to Christ.

    This doesn’t mean people are forced; it means their desires are transformed.

    P — Perseverance of the Saints

    True believers will continue in faith until the end.

    God preserves those He saves.

    5. Covenant Theology (How the Bible Fits Together)

    Reformed Baptists believe the Bible unfolds through covenants.

    Key ones:

    CovenantWhoPurpose
    Covenant of WorksGod and AdamPerfect obedience required
    Covenant of GraceGod and His peopleSalvation through Christ
    New CovenantThrough JesusForgiveness and new hearts

    Reformed Baptists believe the New Covenant is made only with believers, which is why they reject infant baptism.

    6. Believer’s Baptism

    Unlike Presbyterians, Reformed Baptists believe baptism should only be given to people who personally trust in Christ.

    So baptism is:

    • After conversion
    • A public profession of faith
    • Done by full immersion in water

    It symbolizes:

    • Union with Christ
    • Death to sin
    • New life

    7. The Church

    Reformed Baptists typically believe:

    • Each local church is governed by its congregation.
    • Churches are led by elders/pastors and deacons.
    • Membership matters and discipline may be practiced.

    Two ordinances are practiced:

    1. Baptism
    2. The Lord’s Supper

    8. Worship

    Reformed Baptists often follow the Regulative Principle of Worship.

    This means:

    The church should only do in worship what Scripture commands or clearly supports.

    Typical worship includes:

    • Preaching
    • Prayer
    • Scripture reading
    • Singing
    • The Lord’s Supper

    Services tend to be Bible-centered and simple.

    9. How Reformed Baptists Differ from Other Baptists

    TopicTypical BaptistReformed Baptist
    SalvationOften ArminianCalvinist
    ElectionConditionalUnconditional
    ConfessionsOften minimalHistoric confessions (1689)
    TheologySometimes less systematicStrongly theological

    10. Famous Reformed Baptists

    Some well-known figures include:

    • John Bunyan – author of Pilgrim’s Progress
    • Charles Spurgeon – famous London preacher
    • James White – apologist and theologian
    • John Gill – early Baptist theologian

    11. Key Books for Beginners

    If you want to go deeper:

    • The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith
    • What Is Reformed Theology? – R.C. Sproul
    • The Five Points of Calvinism – Steele & Thomas
    • Pilgrim’s Progress – John Bunyan

    12. Quick Summary

    Reformed Baptists = Calvinist theology + Baptist church practice.

    They believe:

    • The Bible alone is the final authority
    • Salvation is entirely by God’s grace
    • Jesus fully accomplishes redemption
    • Baptism is for believers
    • The church is governed locally