That Baptism does not only signify, but really and truly seal and convey, grace to those to whom it belongs according to the covenant -- that is, to the elect.... This efficacy does result... From the personal presence and sovereignly gracious operation of the Holy Spirit, who uses the sacrament as his instrument and medium. Through these channels the grace signified is really
conveyed to the persons to whom, according to the divine counsel, it truly belongs.

-- A.A. Hodge, Commentary on the Westminster Confesssion [28.6]

DEFINITION OF BIBLICAL THEOLOGY

Biblical Theology is that branch of Exegetical Theology which deals with the process of the self-revelation of God deposited in the Bible. In the above definition the term ‘revelation’ is taken as a noun of action. Biblical Theology deals with revelation as a divine activity, not as the finished product of that activity. Its nature and method of procedure will therefore naturally have to keep in close touch with, and so far as possible reproduce, the features of the divine work itself.

The main features of the latter are the following:

1. The historic progressiveness of the revelation-process It has not completed itself in one exhaustive act, but unfolded itself in a long series of successive acts. In the abstract, it might conceivably have been otherwise. But as a matter of fact this could not be, because revelation does not stand alone by itself, but is (so far as Special Revelation is concerned) inseparably attached to another activity of God, which we call Redemption.

Now redemption could not be otherwise than historically successive, because it addresses itself to the generations of mankind coming into existence in the course of history. Revelation is the interpretation of redemption; it must, therefore, unfold itself in instalments as redemption does.

And yet it is also obvious that the two processes are not entirely co-extensive, for revelation comes to a close at a point where redemption still continues.

In order to understand this, we must take into account an important distinction within the sphere of redemption itself. Redemption is partly objective and central, partly subjective and individual. By the former we designate those redeeming acts of God, which take place on behalf of, but outside of, the human person. By the latter we designate those acts of God which enter into the human subject. We call the objective acts central, because, happening in the centre of the circle of redemption, they concern all alike, and are not in need of, or capable of, repetition. Such objective-central acts are the incarnation, the atonement, the resurrection of Christ.

The acts in the subjective sphere are called individual, because they are repeated in each individual separately. Such subjective-individual acts are regeneration, justification, conversion, sanctification, glorification. Now revelation accompanies the process of objective-central redemption only, and this explains why redemption extends further than revelation. To insist upon its accompanying subjective-individual redemption would imply that it dealt with questions of private, personal concern, instead of with the common concerns of the world of redemption collectively. Still this does not mean that the believer cannot, for his subjective experience, receive enlightenment from the source of revelation in the Bible, for we must remember that continually, alongside the objective process, there was going on the work of subjective application, and that much of this is reflected in the Scriptures. Subjective-individual redemption did not first begin when objective-central redemption ceased; it existed alongside of it from the beginning. There lies only one epoch in the future when we may expect objective-central redemption to be resumed, viz., at the Second Coming of Christ. At that time there will take place great redemptive acts concerning the world and the people of God collectively. These will add to the volume of truth which we now possess.

Here it is said, "Ye that are baptized in to Christ, put on Christ." The reason of this speech is threefold. (1) The washing of the body with water is an outward sign to represent to our eyes and mind the inward washing and our union or conjunction with Christ. Therefore, they that are baptized are said "to put on Christ." (2) Because the washing by water seals unto us our inward engrafting into Christ. For as certainly as the body is washed with water, so certainly are they that believe engrafted into Christ. (3) Because baptism is after a sort an instrument whereby our insition into Christ and fellowship with Him is effected. For in the right and lawful use of baptism, God according to His own promise engrafts them into Christ that believe. And the inward washing is conferred with the outward washing. For these causes, they that are washed with water in baptism are said "to put on Christ."

-- William Perkins, Commentary on Galatians

Election Takeaways - Batch No. 1:

1) The idea Biden legitimately got 15M > votes than Harris is obviously nonsense. This definitively proves 2020 was stolen.

2) Trump nearly won the Hispanic vote (46%) by promising mass deportations and asserting immigrants were "poisoning our blood." They understand better than anyone else how bad Hispanics are for a country, don't want them here, and came here to escape them. Take their word for it.

3) While Catholics supported Trump more this time, White evangelicals voted Trump by a 50% margin. Without them, he would have lost, and if only they voted, every state would be red. We are the Lone Bulwark.

For baptism is not bestowed on us for remission of original sin only, or our sins past, but of all the offenses of our whole life, even as the pulling out of the waters is a sign of a new life, not for one day, but for all our time, as the apostle saith, "We are buried with Him by baptism into death", that as Christ rose from death by the glory of His Father, so we should (always) "walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:4). We were once washed with outward water, but the blood of Christ is a continual stream, washing and cleansing us daily from our sins.

-- Jerome Zanchi, Confession of the Christian Religion, Ch. 15

Baptism confers grace because it is a means to give and exhibit to the believing mind Christ with His benefits, and this it does by His signification. For it serves as a particular and infallible certificate to assure the party baptized of the forgiveness of his sins and of His eternal salvation. And whereas the minister in the name of God applies the promise of mercy to him that is baptized, it is indeed as much as if God should have made a particular promise to him. In this regard, baptism may well be said to confer grace, as the king's letters are said to save the life of the malefactor when they do but signify to him and others that the king's pleasure is to show favor. Again, baptism may be said to confer grace because the outward washing of the body is a token or pledge of the grace of God. And by this pledge faith is confirmed, which is an instrument to apprehend or receive the grace of God.

-- William Perkins, Commentary on Galatians

Election Takeaways - Batch No. 2:

1) The mainstream media has never had less power. Covid was used to restore people's trust in media, but it soon backfired.

2) Perhaps we made it Too Big to Rig, but the ability of the regime to steal elections no doubt stands. Trump was ahead in WI, PA, MI, GA, and AZ by *greater* margins in 2020 when of course, counting suddenly stopped at 11 p.m. Future steals are possible.

3) It is therefore my contention that the regime allowed Trump to win. Why? Perhaps to better guarantee support to Israel? Perhaps to steady the economy which was too mismanaged for their comfort? Or perhaps there's a planned crash / covid 2.0 that will be blamed on Trump.

Election Takeaways - Batch No. 3:

1) Seeing leftoids threatening to report illegals and those who obtained abortions illegally is great salt, but the right should be doing this unironically.

2) Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell is a mixed bag, but no friend of Trump despite being appointed by him. Trump can't appoint a new chairman till May of 2026. Powell seems to be apolitical, but watch out for a sabatoge.

3) Much of the deportation of illegals will happen via state and local law enforcment cooperating with ICE. This is the time where applying local pressure to your county sheriff could get illegals out of your area.

2. The actual embodiment of revelation in history The process of revelation is not only concomitant with history, but it becomes incarnate in history.

The facts of history themselves acquire a revealing significance. The crucifixion and resurrection of Christ are examples of this. We must place act-revelation by the side of word-revelation.

This applies, of course, to the great outstanding acts of redemption. In such cases redemption and revelation coincide.

Two points, however, should be remembered in this connection:

first, that these two-sided acts did not take place primarily for the purpose of revelation; their revelatory character is secondary; primarily they possess a purpose that transcends revelation, having a God-ward reference in their effect, and only in dependence on this a man-ward reference for instruction.

In the second place, such act-revelations are never entirely left to speak for themselves; they are preceded and followed by word revelation.

The usual order is: first word, then the fact, then again the interpretative word. The Old Testament brings the predictive preparatory word, the Gospels record the redemptive revelatory fact, the Epistles supply the subsequent, final interpretation.

We utterly damn the vanity of those that affirm sacraments to be nothing else but naked and bare signs. No, we assuredly believe that by Baptism we are ingrafted in Christ Jesus to be made partakers of his justice, by the which our sins are covered and remitted; and also, that in the Supper, rightly used, Christ Jesus is so joined with us, that he becomes the very nourishment and food of our souls.

-- Scots Confession Ch. 21, John Knox 1560

I share many people's frustration with Trump on his softening position on abortion. However, he did deliver the greatest pro-life victory in a generation, so thank God for Dobbs.

But it's really a symptom of a deeper rot in the Republican base -- I anecdotally know many conservatives who are not strongly (if at all) pro-life. And when the ball was in red states' courts, many voted *for* abortion.

We have work left to implement the complete Christian pro-life position.

The invisible mark [of baptism] is two-fold. The first is the eternal election of God: "The foundation of God stands sure, and has this seal, The Lord knows who are his" (2 Tim. 2:19). And by this the elect of all nations are marked (Rev. chs. 7 and 9). The second is the gift of regeneration, which is nothing else but the imprinting of the image of God in the souls of men. And by this believers are said to be "sealed" (Eph. 1:13; 2 Cor. 1:22). And baptism is a means to see this mark in us because it is the laver of regeneration.

-- William Perkins, Commentary on Galatians

This is definitely NOT financial advice but....

You should prioritize investing in hard assets which have proven to retain value across generations (land, gold, etc.), not Bitcoin. Yes, it's mooning right now and that's fun, and if you want to dabble go ahead.

I am convinced crypto is a techno-futurist pipe dream which the moneychangers have co-opted as a mechanism to divert right wing investment from more effective avenues.

Look at BlackRock: They aren't buying Bitcoin, they're buying houses. Take note. Larry Fink is many things, but one thing he isn't is stupid.

"I don't think my daughter is regenerated because she doesn't show any interest in God or his Son." -- actual quote by an actual Pres-Bapterian pastor

"I don't think my daughter is straight / a girl because she doesn't show any interest in boys / babies."

The same logic in a different context is obviously retarded. We see a) the folly of heart-reading, b) the confusion of maturity and reality, and c) the very real link between ecclesiastical individualism and the gender bender madness.