
James Arminius
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The Object of Theology
0JHN 14:6ROM 1:16EPH 1:23EPH 2:12HEB 5:9James Arminius preaches about the importance of Theology, emphasizing the necessity of faith in Christ for salvation and the union between God and Christ as the foundation of Christian Theology. He highlights the significance of studying God and Christ, urging believers to prioritize this pursuit above all other worldly concerns. Arminius stresses the essential role of Christ as the mediator between God and humanity, emphasizing the need for faith in Christ for salvation and the enjoyment of God's goodness. He encourages diligent study and reflection on God and Christ, drawing inspiration from biblical figures like David and Solomon who prioritized the study of Divine things even amidst their worldly responsibilities.
The Author & the End of Theology
0AMO 3:81TI 4:62TI 2:15TIT 3:12PE 1:8James Arminius preaches about the importance of embracing Sacred Theology, focusing on the Object, Author, End, and Certainty of this divine science. He emphasizes the necessity of understanding Theology's Object, which is God, and its Author, who is God Himself for Legal Theology and God through Christ for Evangelical Theology. Arminius delves into the End of Theology, highlighting the ultimate goal of union with God and Christ, leading to salvation and eternal glory. He urges his audience, especially the chosen youths, to diligently study the Scriptures, be inspired by the Spirit of Prophesy, and become good ministers of Jesus Christ, sowing the gospel with patience and diligence.
The Certainty of Sacred Theology
01CO 2:71JN 2:271JN 5:10James Arminius preaches about the certainty of sacred theology, emphasizing the necessity of a sincere desire to study the divine theology with the hope of attaining knowledge of God and the blessed end. He discusses the property of certainty in the mind, distinct from opinion, and the truth viewed in two aspects - simple and compound. Arminius delves into the necessity of divine revelation to understand God and Christ, the method by which man may understand the meanings declared in the word, and the importance of the internal witness of the Holy Spirit to produce certainty in our minds. He highlights the divine nature of scripture, the agreement of its doctrine, the prophecies, miracles, antiquity, propagation, preservation, defense, sanctity of its administrators, constancy of its professors and martyrs, and the testimony of the Church as evidence of the divinity of the sacred theology.
The Priesthood of Christ
0ROM 13:12The preacher delves into the meaning of 'hoplon,' originally referring to tools or implements for various purposes but later specialized to denote weapons of warfare. In the New Testament, 'hoplon' is used to describe the Christian's body as weapons in the spiritual battle against evil, emphasizing the need to offer our members to God for righteousness. The sermon highlights the importance of not allowing sin to reign in our lives and the power believers have in Christ to resist presenting themselves to sin. The fear of the Lord is presented as a key element in turning away from evil and living a life that honors God.
Reconciling Religious Dissensions Among Christians
0MAT 10:34ROM 10:102CO 4:132CO 10:5GAL 4:161TI 6:102TI 4:3HEB 2:4James Arminius preaches about the nature, effects, causes, and remedies of religious dissensions among Christians. He highlights the presence of evil in all ages, the conflict between divine benevolence and human perversity, and the prevalence of discord within Christendom. Arminius emphasizes the importance of understanding the nature of dissension, its causes like pride, avarice, and pleasure, and the perpetuating factors like prejudices and fear. He warns against false remedies like blind faith and universal salvation, advocating for a deeper knowledge of true doctrine and a humble approach to reconciliation.
On Predestination
0MAT 11:28JHN 3:16ROM 6:23PHP 2:121TI 2:1James Arminius preaches against the doctrine of Predestination, highlighting the various opinions and controversies surrounding it within the Church. He rejects the idea that Predestination is the foundation of Christianity, salvation, or certainty, emphasizing the importance of repentance, faith, and obedience in the Gospel. Arminius argues that this doctrine is not in line with the teachings of the early Church Fathers, Councils, or Reformers, and that it contradicts the nature of God, man, eternal life, eternal death, sin, grace, and the ministry of the Gospel. He concludes that this doctrine is detrimental to the glory of God, the salvation of men, the foundation of religion, and the Christian faith, as it has caused division and controversy within the Church.
Divine Providence
0PSA 145:9PRO 16:9ISA 55:8ROM 8:28JAS 1:17James Arminius delves into the concept of Divine Providence, emphasizing God's meticulous care and oversight over the entire world and all His creatures, with a particular focus on believers. He clarifies that nothing in the world occurs by chance, as God preserves, regulates, and directs all things, including the free will and actions of rational beings. Arminius distinguishes between good and evil actions, attributing good acts to God's will and evil acts to His permission, without making God the cause of sin, a point he has defended in various disputations and writings.
The Freedom of the Will
0JHN 15:52CO 12:9EPH 2:8PHP 2:13TIT 3:5James Arminius discusses the free-will of man, emphasizing that in his original state, man was created with the ability to understand, will, and perform good deeds, but only with the assistance of Divine Grace. However, in his fallen state, man is incapable of thinking, willing, or doing good on his own and requires regeneration by God through the Holy Spirit to be able to do what is truly good. Once regenerated, man is capable of good deeds but still relies on the ongoing help of Divine Grace.
The Grace of God
0JHN 3:16ACT 7:51EPH 2:8PHP 2:13TIT 3:5James Arminius preaches on the grace of God, emphasizing that it is a gratuitous affection from God towards sinners, leading to eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, justification, and adoption as sons. He describes grace as the infusion of gifts of the Holy Spirit for regeneration and renewal, enabling man to think, will, and do what is good. Arminius highlights that grace provides continual assistance through the Holy Spirit, guiding believers to will and act in accordance with God's goodness.
The Perseverance of the Saints
0JUD 1:24James Arminius discusses the perseverance of the saints, emphasizing that true believers, empowered by the Holy Spirit, have the strength to overcome spiritual battles with the assistance of God's grace. He acknowledges the ongoing assistance of Jesus Christ in times of temptation, highlighting the importance of believers seeking His help and remaining steadfast in faith to avoid falling away. Arminius expresses the need for a thorough examination of Scripture to understand if believers can potentially drift away due to negligence, returning to worldly ways and forsaking sound doctrine, despite his belief that genuine believers cannot ultimately lose their salvation.
The Assurance of Salvation
01CO 4:3James Arminius discusses the assurance of salvation, emphasizing that believers in Jesus Christ can be certain and persuaded of their status as children of God, standing in His grace. This assurance is a result of the Holy Spirit's work within the believer, the fruits of faith, the believer's conscience, and the testimony of God's Spirit. Arminius believes that a person can confidently face death without fear, yet should continually pray for mercy. He acknowledges that ultimate judgment lies with the Lord, cautioning against equating the assurance of salvation with the certainty of God's existence and Christ's role as Savior.
The Perfection of Believers in This Life
0JHN 15:5ROM 3:23EPH 2:8TIT 2:111JN 1:8James Arminius addresses the topic of the perfection of believers in this life, clarifying that he does not believe in the possibility of believers perfectly keeping God's precepts without the grace of Christ. He references St. Augustine's views on the subject, highlighting Augustine's belief that it is possible for a man to live in this world without sin through the grace of Christ and free will. Arminius distances himself from the Pelagian doctrine, emphasizing the need for the grace of Christ for believers to live without sin, contrary to the belief that man can fulfill the law of God by his own strength. Despite facing rumors and accusations of holding destructive sentiments and heresies, Arminius stands firm in his beliefs and seeks to clarify his position on the Divinity of the Son of God and the justification of man before God.
The Divinity of the Son of God
0PRO 30:4ISA 9:6JHN 1:14JHN 5:26JHN 10:30JHN 14:91CO 8:6COL 2:9HEB 1:31JN 5:7James Arminius addresses the controversy surrounding the Divinity of the Son of God, refuting the notion that the Son is autotheos, having His essence from Himself and not from the Father. Arminius defends the traditional belief that the Son derives His Deity from the Father by eternal generation, warning against the errors of Tri-theism and Sabellianism. He highlights the importance of upholding the truth of the ancient Church's teachings on the Trinity and the eternal generation of the Son.
The Justification of Man Before God
0ROM 3:22ROM 4:5GAL 2:16EPH 2:8PHP 3:9James Arminius discusses the controversy surrounding the justification of man before God, particularly focusing on the differing opinions regarding the righteousness of Christ imputed to believers. He highlights the peaceful coexistence of varying beliefs within the Christian community and expresses his own stance on the matter, emphasizing the importance of faith and the obedience of Christ in the justification of sinners before God.
Revision of the Dutch Confession & Heidelberg Catechism
0PRO 2:6ACT 17:11EPH 4:14COL 2:81TH 5:212TI 3:162PE 1:201JN 4:1James Arminius discusses the need for examination and revision of the Confession of the Dutch Churches and the Heidelberg Catechism, emphasizing the importance of aligning human writings with the word of God to ensure accuracy and avoid errors. He presents seven key inquiries to be made during this examination, including checking for doctrinal accuracy, necessity for salvation, and maintaining peace and unity within the Church. Arminius also addresses concerns about potential controversies and the fear of disturbing established doctrines, highlighting the significance of scrutinizing teachings to uphold truth and promote unity.
The Authority & Certainty of the Sacred Scriptures
0EXO 20:1DEU 6:5MAT 17:5JHN 5:39JHN 6:67ACT 16:16ROM 1:5ROM 8:51CO 1:181CO 13:12CO 5:192CO 10:5GAL 1:11TI 1:15HEB 3:8HEB 6:18JAS 4:122PE 1:19REV 2:17James Arminius delivers a sermon on the authority and certainty of the sacred Scriptures, emphasizing that the Scriptures derive their authority solely from God, who is infallible in truth and power. The authority of Scripture is evident through various inscriptions, introductions, petitions, and divine methods used in the Bible. Arminius refutes the notion that the Church's authority surpasses that of the Scriptures, highlighting that the Scriptures are both divine and canonical, serving as the rule of faith and living. He discusses the persuasion of faith through human testimony, internal suasion of God, and the efficacy of Scripture's doctrine in transforming lives and destroying opposing religions.
Sufficiency & Perfection of Scripture vs. Tradition
0ISA 30:18ROM 1:18ROM 2:5ROM 5:9EPH 4:31COL 3:6JAS 1:19REV 6:16In this sermon, the preacher delves into the concept of 'Orge,' which conveys God's settled indignation and controlled passionate hostile feeling toward sin. This wrath is not a momentary, emotional anger but a deep resentment that seethes and smolders within God. 'Orge' is used primarily to describe God's holy, righteous wrath against all unrighteousness, showcasing His intolerance for sin in any form. The preacher emphasizes that God's wrath is not a loss of temper but a reflection of His righteous reason and holy law, contrasting it with human anger tainted by sin.
Sufficiency & Perfection of Scriptures vs. Human Traditions
0JHN 20:311CO 2:122TI 3:161PE 4:112PE 1:21James Arminius preaches on the sufficiency and perfection of the Holy Scriptures in opposition to human traditions, emphasizing that all doctrines necessary for the salvation of the Church were delivered by the apostles over fifteen hundred years ago. He discusses Divine traditions and the opinion of the Papists, highlighting the importance of Divine doctrine manifested by a Divine act. Arminius addresses the controversy with the Papists in three questions regarding the sufficiency of Scripture, the necessity of unwritten traditions, and how to ascertain the certainty of Divine doctrines.
On the Nature of God
0PRO 14:29PRO 19:11PRO 22:24PRO 29:22EPH 4:29JAS 1:19Steven Cole preaches on the importance of an overseer not being quick-tempered, emphasizing the need for self-control and patience, as quick-tempered individuals are easily provoked and lack the ability to govern their passions. The overseer should exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, showing kindness, patience, and self-control, rather than being irritable or touchy. Paul and James both highlight the significance of not being easily provoked and the righteousness that comes from controlling one's anger, which is essential for effective leadership in the church.
The Person of the Father & the Son
0JHN 1:1JHN 5:26JHN 10:30ROM 8:9PHP 2:6James Arminius delves into the deep theological discussion on the Person of the Father and the Son, emphasizing the eternal relationship between them and the divine nature they both possess. He explains that the Father is the First Person in the Holy Trinity, who eternally begat the Son by communicating His own Divinity to Him. Arminius highlights the Son as the Word of the Father, begotten from Him from all eternity, and proceeding from Him by sharing the same Deity. He establishes the Son's divinity through the names, attributes, works, and Old Testament passages attributed to Him, affirming His equality with the Father in essence but distinction in mode of existence.
The Holy Spirit
01TI 3:1Marvin Vincent and W. E. Vine discuss the Greek word 'oregomai,' which means to stretch out or reach after, metaphorically symbolizing desire, ambition, and longing. The patriarchs, like Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Jacob, exemplified this heavenly mindset of desiring a better country. The Bible describes this desire as a reflection of faith in God's promise, leading to reliance on His promises and obedience. John MacArthur and D. Edmond Hiebert emphasize the importance of having a strong internal desire that drives outward action, contrasting legitimate aspirations with the love of money that leads to spiritual wandering and self-inflicted sorrows.
The First Sin of the First Man
0GEN 3:6ROM 5:12ROM 6:23EPH 2:31JN 3:4James Arminius delves into the first sin of the first man, emphasizing the disobedience and offense committed by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He explores the causes of this sin, attributing it to man's free will and the influence of Satan through the serpent. Arminius also discusses the heinousness of the sin, highlighting the transgression of God's law and the effects it had on humanity, leading to the loss of righteousness and holiness. He concludes by pointing out that the consequences of this original sin extend to all of humanity, making everyone subject to condemnation and in need of redemption through Christ Jesus.