Tomorrow begins our 2011 Fall Shepherd's Retreat ("SR"). We have invited two men to speak on the topic of Legal issues facing Pastors and Churches (in PA). Attorney Jeff Conrad, and Pastor Mark Montgomery. We look forward with excitement not only because of the interesting but vital topic, but also to be around some of God's finest servants, Pastors and their wives. The SR is designed to encourage, equip and enrich Pastors of like faith and practice. Some of the previous materials from the past SR is found in the SR blog here.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
A short study of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts (part 1)
This series of articles is a personal study concerning the person and work of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts. In systematic theology, the study of the Holy Spirit is called “Pneumatology.” It is taken from the word “pneuma” which is translated “Spirit.”
First, the terms “Spirit” and “Ghost” bears no definite distinctions, and are interchangeable. Second, there is a ministry of comfort that the Holy Spirit is involved in, this is found in Acts 9:31. He is the Comforter as Christ said in John 14:6. This important point is referenced only once in the book of Acts. The baptism with the Holy Spirit was a historical event that occurred once on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit took over the administration of the church, and initiated a saved people group into this present New Testament dispensation. When this dispensation was opened to the Gentile believers, the Spirit was once again “poured out” or “given” in the same fashion “as the beginning” (Acts 11:15). This happened in Acts 2:4 for the Jewish believers, for Samaritan believers (Acts 8:15), to believers in Caesarea (Acts 10:47; 11:15-16), to the Gentile believers (15:8), and the Ephesian believers (Acts 19:6). Baptism with the Holy Spirit is no longer repeatable because both Jewish and Gentile believers are corporately initiated into this new dispensation.
We must use the Scriptural term “baptism with the Holy Spirit” because this eliminates confusion when compared to the false doctrine which is usually referred to as “baptism of the Spirit” which term does not even appear in the Bible. The agent of “Spirit baptism” (if I may refer to it as such) is not the Holy Spirit, but Christ (see for example Mark 1:8b). The Holy Spirit is the medium, not the agent, of baptism. It is Christ who collectively baptized all believers with the Holy Spirit upon the day of Pentecost. This event was remarkable, prophetic, dispensational, and occurred only once for each people group starting with the Jews, then the Samaritans (which were half Jews), and then the Gentiles (which are non-Jews).
Friday, October 21, 2011
More excerpts from "The Pastor in Prayer"
"May those of us who bear in their body the marks of the Lord Jesus be solemnly concerned that our baptism should be no fiction, but that we should be really baptized into the death of Christ with all the fullness of the deadening power that is about the sacred burial by fellowship with Him." (Chapter 6, Sitting Over Against the Sepulchre, page 38)
Thursday, October 20, 2011
hardecker.blogspot.com
New blog address: hardecker.blogspot.com. I am working on a few things, and this is one of them. Thanks!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Disciplines for New Believers (Kindle)
Writing Disciplines for New Believers ("DfNB") was a wonderful experience. If you are interested in "discipling" a new convert, then this is one book that you may want to consider. DfNB is an eight week devotional booklet with a special emphasis on Baptist Distinctives covering a wide range of topics: Baptism, Communion, Tithing, Witnessing, and so much more. I also included a summary of several recommended basic Bible study tools for the serious student of the Bible. You can read a little bit more about my book here. I trust this will be a blessing to many who are interested in learning more about God and His Word.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Remembering Lorna Trump
I used to call her "Ms. Trump." She was a shut-in. Couldn't go anywhere. Wanted so bad to be in church, she reminded me of this every single time I went to visit her. My wife and I, and now my son (who is 1) will miss her dearly. We are so glad that she is at rest in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. At her funeral (Monday, Oct. 3) Pastor Starr said, and this is so true, we are better [Christians] for having known Lorna. Amen!
***
AIRVILLE Lorna H. (Miller) Trump, 83, died on Thursday, September 29, 2011, at York Hospital. She was the wife of Myrl W. "Tiny" Trump, who passed away on September 20, 1978. The couple had been married for 29 years. A celebration of life tribute service will be 10 a.m. on Monday, October 3, 2011, at Life Tributes by Olewiler & Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 35 Gotham Place, Red Lion, with Pastor Randy Starr officiating. Viewings will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday and 9 to 10 a.m. on Monday, both at the funeral home. Burial will be in Susquehanna Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Trump was born on June 29, 1928, in Lower Chanceford Twp., a daughter of the late Andrew W. and Sarah (Moore) Miller. Lorna was a housewife. Mrs. Trump was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Her family and church were most important in her life. Mrs. Trump is survived by a son, Rick Trump and his wife, Tamara of Brogue; two daughters, Joyce Kline and her husband, Michael of Airville, and Beverly Trump of Dallastown; five grandchildren, Scott, Michele, Kerry, Troy, and Heather; eight great-grandchildren, Darian, Kelby, Courtney, Faith, Brenna, Colton, Talia, and Kendyl; a brother, Ronald Miller and his wife, Nancy of Red Lion; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother, Daren Miller. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society , 924-N Colonial Ave., York, PA 17403. Send Condolences at BestLifeTributes.com
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