How I Became Reformed (my faith journey)

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Matthew Everhard

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 201

@rb19v15 3 жыл бұрын

Reformed...OK! Informed...vital! Transformed...priceless!

@GirolamoZanchi_is_cool Жыл бұрын

And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. -Jeremiah 29:13 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. -John 3:16 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out. -Acts 3:19 :)

@GirolamoZanchi_is_cool Жыл бұрын

Heretical prayer: O Mother of Perpetual Help, thou art the dispenser of all the gifts which God grants to us miserable sinners; and for this end He has made thee so powerful, so rich, and so bountiful, in order that thou mayest help us in our misery. Thou art the advocate of the most wretched and abandoned sinners who have recourse to thee: come to my aid, for I recommend myself to thee. In thy hands I place my eternal salvation, and to thee I entrust my soul. Count me among thy most devoted servants; take me under thy protection, and it is enough for me. For, if thou protect me, I fear nothing; not from my sins, because thou wilt obtain for me the pardon of them; nor from the devils, because thou art more powerful than all hell together; nor even from Jesus, my judge, because by one prayer from thee He will be appeased. But one thing I fear: that in the hour of temptation I may through negligence fail to have recourse to thee and thus perish miserably. Obtain for me, therefore, the pardon of my sins, love for Jesus, final perseverance, and the grace ever to have recourse to thee, O Mother of Perpetual Help. This is a legit Roman Catholic prayer, look up "O Mother of Perpetual Help" if you want to know if it’s legit. This is super heretical. This doctrine of invoking departed saints doesn’t seem just like "hey it’s like praying to a friend.". :)

@gogos869 Жыл бұрын

I discovered Ligonier ministries with R.C. Sproul around 2010. It took me 2 years to realize that his Church, St. Andrews Chapel? was less 45 minutes from where I lived! The first time I went, he was the pastor! I got in line to meet him and felt a little like a “groupie” ! I will never forget how warm and soft his hand was when I shook it; mine melted into his! 😢

@stacyclark5910 Жыл бұрын

WOW!

@victoryak86 14 күн бұрын

Pastor Matt, you have a special gift. Appreciate your teaching and testimony of the Lord’s mighty grace.

@seasonedsaintsmnstry 3 жыл бұрын

Reformed Baptist here. Really enjoyed your spiritual journey. Keep on keeping on! I loved your story and especially your analysis of Whitfield and Edwards.

@taranlarousa3082 23 күн бұрын

Absolutely love the way you articulated your testimony. Truly a testament of the way the diversity of the body of Christ can be useful in one’s life

@MatthewEverhard 22 күн бұрын

Thank you so much Taran!

@nextzipcode 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Matt, I enjoyed this story of faithfulness of God in your life. I am Bible believing, strongly non-denominational,Reformed and of a “believers baptism only” theology. I am so very thankful for your ministry and how God is using you to share the gospel. May He receive all the Glory and may you be blessed in your obedience to His call in your life.

@GirolamoZanchi_is_cool Жыл бұрын

@tjblanchard Жыл бұрын

I am grew up in a fundamental baptist church, then went nondenominational as a young adult. After a few years of bouncing around nondenominational churches, I finally came to a reformed baptist church, which I absolutely love dearly. The expository preaching and rock solid, confessional doctrine completely overtook me and got me reading the Puritans and Reformers. Now, I am a Westminsterian with no reservations whatsoever. I have no plans for leaving my baptist church at all, but if the Lord moved me away from it, I’d be looking for an OPC or PCA church.

@15RunAway 3 жыл бұрын

Love you bro.. Reformed Baptist here.. Will still break bread with you..

@andrewclover1462 3 жыл бұрын

But with grape juice, right? 😉

@15RunAway 3 жыл бұрын

@@andrewclover1462 Lol

@andrewclover1462 3 жыл бұрын

@@15RunAway Yeah, I'm pretty funny.

@timwildsmith 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing, Matt... I enjoyed listening to your journey.

@MatthewEverhard 3 жыл бұрын

Welcome bro!

@LoriJMarshall 5 ай бұрын

Listening to your journey, especially when you talked about Edwards and Whitefield, gave me such encouragement that I am on the right path with my relationship in Christ. Thank you. Lori from Medicine Hat 🇨🇦

@aneforeffort 2 жыл бұрын

Reformed, revivalistic, and pietistic. Not extremes of any, love it! Thank you brother for sharing. Briefly, I was raised in a broken Christian home and went to a Christian school. Had a falling away while in college and played in pop rock bands the whole time. Then God called me and told me "I want you to move back to San Diego". I looked at my old merch guy and told him what God had audibly just told me and he said, "well looks like you're going!" Nonetheless, I still wrestled to give up the dream of being a rock star until a pastor at a men's purity meeting told me "if you follow God, it will never look like what you expect but it will always be better". And that was enough to move me on. Went through a discipleship school at my then church and became really on fire for God. I can't point to an earlier salvation before all this. Though my mom said I prayed the sinners prayer at 5 years old. However I did hear a fiery gospel message in the program after I graduated and responded then. Went to India for 9 months as a missionary, fell into a major depression and had to return. Backslid quite a bit, to which God's answer was to bring me a wife. We have been married almost 5 years, but now I find I have more questions than answers in my faith and sense things growing stale or just routine to say the least. I always look for the next fire to get things going but that's what drew me here because I think I need to harp on the sovereignty of God more since if I try to make sense of my life it just gets more hazy, like you said. Gonna listen to your video on getting out of the cage into calvinism. Please pray for me brother as I'm still unsure whether I'm truly saved, or maybe thats just pride talking, and if so what God wants me to do with my life and next. God bless

@RyGuy8989 2 жыл бұрын

My faith journey started being raised in the IFB, then when I was about 22 I started going to a non-denomination church. Then after about 5 years slipped into the hyper charismatic and the prosperity gospel church for a year each. Then God brought us out of that and reestablished us in the faith at a Southern Baptist Church for about 9 months and then we found the church we had been looking for for a long time, a church reformed in its theology but yet still believing in the spiritual gifts and not hyper charismatic. The most biblical church I’ve ever seen, lead by a plurality of elders and lives life like the early church in the New Testament.

@andrewshaw3703 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing. All things work for the good for those that believe. I also have had a strange journey to a Reformed understanding of our faith. Came to faith at 17, kicking and screaming, but the Holy Spirit convinced like no one every could. Started my journey in the Pentecostal AOG church, moved to local Church of England church in my thirties and studied theology under the direction of the Church Army. I was was introduced to Reformed Theology by accident in my early years and hit it head on during my formal studies. Heavily influenced by Sproul, D. Martin Lloyd-jones and RT Kendal. My wife likes our local ‘Hill Song’ church due our friendship circle but has the same opinion about their methods and integrity as I do. So currently praying am seeking for direction.

@monjournalmyjourney Ай бұрын

I completely understand your journey since I have also progressed in my theology

@FrederickLong-gt4lf 4 ай бұрын

Love you bro - I came to reform after more than 50 years wondering through the incoherent theologically shallow waters of evangelicalism. The more deeply I studied the Bible over the years and witnessed the extremes and emotional manipulation I found in evangelical fundamentalism the more I realized theologically that no matter how hard I tried make the Swiss cheese holes line up it no longer did. A chance (?) to a solid reformed congregation opened a whole new theological vista.

@erictadlock8137 3 жыл бұрын

Matthew. I grew up loose catholic accepted Chist at assemblies of God and then drifted into charismatic church. Felt empty in charismatic church and started listening on youtube to Macarthur, Sproul, Piper, and Washer, and Justin Peter's. Been reformed now for 3 years.atthew could you help me as a new reformed guy and recommend one or two books you would recommend for newly reformed believers? Thanks brother!

@lespetitessouris297 2 жыл бұрын

Calvin's Institute of Christian Religion. Berkhof's Systematic Theology. James Jordan's Through New Eyes.

@CryoftheProphet Жыл бұрын

I remember when one of the women in Mcarthurs audience stumped him with a one question. I dont understand why Calvinists think their systematic is valid but when they get a hard question they default to "God is mysterious". The apostles were always ready to give an answer.. It takes all of about 2 seconds to stump a calvinist. Its like asking a Pentecostal why they speak in tongues when Paul said not to.

@erictadlock8137 Жыл бұрын

@Vanessa GEORGEL Thank you, Vanessa. I appreciate the recommendations. I will look into those.

@bigtobacco1098 9 ай бұрын

@@CryoftheProphetask away

@CryoftheProphet 9 ай бұрын

@@bigtobacco1098 the most obvious question is why does Calvinism teach that God arbitrarily refuses to save some from hell. Calvinists believe humans are not capable of choosing God over sin, and that God arbitrarily chooses to save some from hell, but refuses to save others. Tyrants arbitrarily choose people for destruction. But God is not a tyrant. How does Calvinism not teach that we are nothing more than fleshbots that God created with only the capacity to choose evil.

@kpope7007 3 жыл бұрын

baptized as infant in Episcopal church, rebelled in teens, prayed sinners prayer by calling into 700 Hundred Club at age 21 after having married 9 mos prior. Started attending Presbyterian church, after 3 yrs and birth of of my first child switched to 4 Square, went through a church split approx 6 yrs later and gathered in homes, hired a pastor and started a nondenominational which shortly went through another split, found a high school friend who used to also attend 4 square came back to area after seminary and pastoring a church in California. When he came back he was hired by a non denominational church filled with mostly Mennonites, He began teaching the doctrines of grace and because of it lost 1/2 the church. He introduced me to the Puritans and Reformers. For Sunday school played the RC Sproul teaching series. Our church has slowly grown but we are still a small but faithful church. Funny things is many who left 4 Square found there way to this same Reformed church. Amazing how the Lord works. Still unsure about baptism although I did listen to the MacArthur/Sproul debate. Lean amil/postmil

@petrashappyplace 2 жыл бұрын

Pastor Matt, I had to stop the video halfway through because you said 2 words that floored me! Malone College!!! I have never heard of anyone going there except my daughter!!! and interestingly enough we lived in Monaca< PA at the time. The more I listen to you and hear your story as well as explaining things so succinctly, the more I am coming to understand my own "place" and feel more confident in whose I am. Thank you so much!

@rdub907 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the story of your journey! My journey into reformed theology was also birthed out of influence from MacArthur and Sproul. I started out in the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement. it had gotten to the point where I was watching all of the "tongues" and "slayings in the spirit" and by God's grace I was growing more and more uncomfortable with it and was failing to see evidence for what I was witnessing in Scripture. So I began my journey of research which led me to hours and hours of watching the Strange Fire Conference videos and Clouds Without Water seminars from Justin Peters. By God's amazing grace He has pulled me out of that deception into Reformed Theology. I am now a 1689 affirming Reformed Baptist, on staff at a Baptist Church in AZ, interning with the Pastor here and enrolled in Seminary, due to start next year! Thank you for all your content!

@15RunAway 3 жыл бұрын

Sounds real similar to my story. I watched all the Strange Fire sermons also.

@rdub907 3 жыл бұрын

@@15RunAway that’s awesome! I’m forever grateful for those videos.. I still go back and watch them frequently

@jonnyboat2 3 жыл бұрын

Holy Cow🐄!!!! That's a very similar story as to how I came to identify with baptist and or reformed Presbyterian such as MacArthur is because he was key in opening my eyes to all of the wrong things I dealt with in the First Assembly of God church I attended years ago. I'm a big fan with the book Strange Fire, John MacArthur and Justin Peters. The things I encountered from having gone to that First Assembly church. I have stories and experiences.

@rongrimes9102 3 жыл бұрын

@@jonnyboat2 I was in the A/G for 22 years and even went to CBC in Springfield Mo after I got out of the Army, but I just couldn’t handle all the crazy stuff anymore. I am now a proud reform baptist. Hallelujah

@jonnyboat2 3 жыл бұрын

@@rongrimes9102 It's not until someone that knows the bible well enough and that can point out the things that denominations like the pentecostals and first assembly and word of faith teach that are wrong and that can show you in the bible what the truth is, that we wake up and realize what some of the doctrines of demons are that we just accepted as truth or gospel. I took for granted that first assembly taught real speaking in tongues, and that what they did there was how it was supposed to be done. It didn't follow the biblical pattern or precedent as shown in the bible. John MacArthur points out how what they practice is similar to pagan worship and being influenced by demons. What I finally experienced in that church before I left was an instance of "speaking in tongues" by the two designated persons who always performed that manifestation each Sunday morning service. There was the person, who was a man, speaking the gibberish unknown tongue utterance and the interpreter, who against biblical guidelines, was a woman interpreting his message. The thing that happened that morning was that before the woman could speak out in her, what always seemed like a spiritually influenced and excited manner, I knew what the interpretation was before she spoke it. When she did speak it, it was literally word for word what I had heard in my mind. I have no recollection as to what that message was, but I remember that it was exactly what she said and I knew it before she said it. After the service, I mentioned to my friend that I knew the interpretation before the interpreter spoke it and it was word for word the same. Then my friend said to me, so did I. In other word, he knew it too. Here's the thing, I've thought and thought about that experience to try to figure it out. I remember knowing what the message was and that to speak what I knew aloud would take probably 30-40 seconds. Thing is, I knew it entirely start to finish in a second or two. It was like it was telepathic or something. I started thinking how a person can know that much information instantly and what seems logical to me is that it was a spirit that was imparting it's knowledge to me like a partial possession where we were sharing minds or something. I don't exactly know how to explain the experience so someone else can understand it fully. When I came to understand what real speaking in tongues was, ad explained by MacArthur and Peters, as on the day of pentecost and thereafter while the apostles were alive and active in the church, I knew that what I had experienced was not as it was outlined in the bible. These churches, I believe, are practicing worship involving demons or fallen angels. I believe that because I experienced first hand what the interpreter must have experienced when I knew the message before she spoke it and then my friend saying he experienced it too. It's real. This is what happens and goes on and it's not according to the bible. These are the same churches that practice being slain in the spirit. Where's that in the bible. Those people go to those churches and don't know enough to question what's going on. It took me listening to MacArthur on the radio while driving to work each day to even begin to want to question the things I experienced in that church. Those churches, I believe, encourage a person to be sensitive to the things they hear or sense in their spirit and to believe that it's the Holy Spirit speaking to them without discerning or trying to discern what spirit or what kind of spirit it might be that's talking to them or if it's a spirit talking to them at all. The fact is that there really are demons or fallen angels and they really interact with people or their minds. It's a mess.

@duckburgz 8 ай бұрын

This is great. Thank you for this breakdown. I was a denominational journeyman too.

@Dalton1689 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your story brother. I was raised in a freewill Baptist church. My wife was raised it what sounds to be a similar Lutheran church to your past. We were married while both lost. We were converted at the Freewill Baptist church about 6 months later going on 7 years ago where my Dad and brother are currently Deacons. About a year or so ago I was exposed to Paul Washer then Voddie Baucham. Then began re-reading scriptures over again that I thought couldn't mean what they say, (Romans 8 and 9). And while listening to a debate between James White and Leighton Flowers, I was cheering for Flowers but seeing White was showing a more consistent exegesis of the scripture. So during this few months of listening to Washer, Baucham, White, Sproul, Macarthur, and Lawson and re-reading John and Romans with what seemed like blinders removed, I was a believer in reformed soteriology. I have listened to multiple arguements and views on baptism and while I see the reason behind views on paedobaptism I am still a creedobaptist but still love listening some of my paedobaptist brothers on KZbin like you, Sproul, and Doug Wilson... After a couple months of looking up churches online nearby and reading numerous statements of faith and doctrines we found a couple churches that seemed to fit at least on paper with what we were looking for. After visiting the 3 churches we have been going to a nondenominational reformed church about 30 miles away. We left the Freewill Baptist church about 6 months ago and have been going there ever since. We live in a rural area in NW Indiana and there are very few reformed churches within an hour radius but have been blessed to take part in the one we found. It's a small church that was started 6 years ago with a weekly attendance of about 30 people, so in no way a megachurch lol... I have been talked about and probably considered an apostate by some because of my belief in predestination and election but feel that I have grown in my faith and understanding of the word at so much more of an accelerated pace than I had prior. Thank you for your videos.

@capellerk Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@donaldsproson2494 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing Matt and being so open. I could identify with the effectual calling aspect of your conversion. I did not get much exposure to expository preaching except through reading Banner of Truth books.

@stacyclark5910 Жыл бұрын

I grew up Southern Baptist, w/ a few German Catholics in my paternal ancestry. I have primarily attended Southern Baptist churches… until recently… I have attended several Bible churches with reformed leanings. I don’t recall any references to reformed theology until the 500th anniversary of The Protestant reformation. Then I heard it from the Bible churches & I heard it from SB churches I attended (but had recently removed Baptist from their name although they still were). Probably about this same time I was told by a “mentor” friend about Ligonier & RC Sproul, I was HOOKED! I joined & completed many studies through Ligonier online & learned of Sinclair Ferguson & others. I already knew of John MacArthur but dove deeper into his & affiliates’ teachings. Allistair Begg is another favorite! (Though I can’t always understand him!) As well as Chad Bird from 1517. I am currently attending a Bible church that has never given into pop music, smoke machines, laser light shows. They have a large orchestra & 100+ person choir & their music consists of psalms, hymns & reformed traditionals. While there are -many other pastors whose sermons/teachings, I am able to worship/learn from, I can not, will not grant an audience to the likes of ; Bethel, Hillsong, Jesus Culture, Elevation & the like. And it seems that is VERY PREVALENT in the region of evangelical churches where I live! Have I become Presbyterian? I also include you in my list of favorite/trusted pastor/teachers! Thanks 🙏🏼h

@blackukulele Жыл бұрын

I grew up in a Methodist church masquerading as a Presbyterian church. They encouraged me to read the Bible, then a retired Minister took us through communicant classes and gave us each a copy of Alexander Whyte's commentary on the Shorter Catechism. I read it and said, Hey! Why wasn't I told this before?

@frankborsellino2885 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your path to Reformed Theology Dr. Everhard. Another powerful message that hits home. The Lord is Sovereign and his ways are above are ways. Every true conversion is a miracle I believe and it’s impossible to get tired or bored of hearing all the diverse and wonderful ways in which The Lord brings salvation to his elect ones. Our God is so creative and awesome. Love in Jesus from the Republic of Ireland. Looking forward to your next video Dr. Everhard.

@RuminantHairdo Жыл бұрын

I was raiaed in a Southern Baptist church, then gone nondenominational, then I became a Calvinist with no denomination than became Presbyterian (PCA). I'm learning each day and God has led me to my current position in faith by studying the Bible.😅

@elpeehs8479 3 ай бұрын

Binge watching..lol Ur material is strait Biblical, enlightening and addicting(for lack of better word...I am truly intrigued. Ty for ur time,dedication as well as devotion to a better understanding about ur beliefs, denomination and pretty much everything!😅

@SM-JIL 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing your journey and testimony. I see our spiritual life as a road and the road isn't always straight, there are detours. At those detours, you pick up an experience, and learn new things, which help but you're still on the same journey. And the road leads to our destination - Christ and His Kingdom. Mine was (and still is) a bumpy road. I'm learning more about reformed theology, after listening to MacArthur and Sproul (esp love listening to Sproul) and am also enjoying your videos on this topic. I also think I finally understand what is meant by a conversion experience (though my church doesn't preach it as such), or being saved, even though I was baptised and attended church as a child. I also went to an Anglican secondary school. I have never ever been in a personal relationship with Christ until 2016, when I reconciled with Christ and have yearned His word every single day since then. Not a day have I missed reading the bible, thanks be to God. In fact, I have been blessed to own so many bibles now, I can't miss them even if I tried! lol I found like-minded you tubers and have been on a journey since. Thanks for your videos, God bless your new church plant.

@garythomas3150 3 жыл бұрын

I enjoyed your story. Thank you for sharing.

@mooaaron Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing your testimony ...

@eileenmi2935 11 ай бұрын

So interesting. Thanks for sharing. Reminds me of recent advice from John Piper to choose a college based on the teachers/professors there.

@dfpolitowski2 Жыл бұрын

Wow, thank for share God's work in your life. I can relate.

@justinjones2160 2 жыл бұрын

I'm really glad you posted this. I have a similar story. A lot of twist and turns in my path.

@jonnyboat2 3 жыл бұрын

Pastor, you may not have had the experiences that you alluded to in attending the pentecostal church, but I did. You should here what I experienced at the First Assembly of God church that I attended mainly in the 1980's.

@jameshetherington3087 3 жыл бұрын

I have a lot to learn, and by the Lord's grace I have a desire to learn and am learning more and more everyday.

@readthewordwithme7063 2 жыл бұрын

Grew up LCMS/confirmed LCMS. Fell away. Conversion/Born Again experience at age 22-24. Served in LCMS as an elder from 24-30. Left LCMS on a doctrinal journey. While “attending” a non denom mega church for 1-2 years and have now left, I have been in heavy in reformed doctrinal journey. I can’t say I am staying with the pedo baptism ways that I have always known, but definitely love reformed doctrine and only listen and read reformed teachers, old and current. Still discovering various doctrinal stances, Eschatology etc. Love the reformers, the puritans, the JMacs, Sprouls, Ligoniers, Master’s, and Washers of the current age. My story seems very similar to yours, Matthew!

@PaulMattoon-d2c Жыл бұрын

So many similarities including my Lutheran beginning, then LDS, Methodist, Unitarian-Universalist, Southern Baptist, PCUSA, PCA, OPC, back to PCA (due to proximity).

@fumastertoo 3 жыл бұрын

What a fantastic story, sounds like you've been in school your whole life. God bless!

@marktaylor601 Жыл бұрын

Very cool!

@vngelicath1580 2 жыл бұрын

From a (confessional) Lutheran perspective, we would say that even in that Liberal Lutheran context, the Scripture-packed Liturgy, your baptism as a child, your Confirmation instruction... the Holy Spirit had been working on you for quite some time. I have had similar experiences throughout my life where I feel more "on fire" or alive and other times where I feel likewarm.. but no matter what I have felt I credit my salvation (and even my feelings to my baptism in the ELCA all those years ago -- that is how the Holy Spirit comes into our lives and He never abandons us).

@pastorpeteonthestreet3112 3 жыл бұрын

glad to hear you finally got it right.

@MichaelTheophilus906 Жыл бұрын

Deut 6.4-6, Mark 12.28-32, John 17.3, John 20.17, Rom 15.6, Rom 16.27, I Cor 8.6, II Cor 11.31, I Tim 2.5, Rev 3.2, Rev 3.12, and many other scriptures.

@mygirlmacy 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing, I would love your advice and help, I have been in the pentecostal churches for almost 3 decades and want to learn more sound theology that unfortunately I feel I'm missing out on, what would you suggest I study, I was encouraged by some of the doctrines you had mentioned, I was hoping you can point me in a solid direction..

@theresaplash2462 2 жыл бұрын

John MacAurther. Costi Henn, John Piper

@jerseyjim9092 3 жыл бұрын

Had a reformed church not been an option for you, what would have been your second choice? Are there significant deal breaking doctrines in LCMS that would exclude it from consideration.

@cristinavetsch3468 3 жыл бұрын

Found it so interesting. Great journey

@CarlixtaMercedes 8 ай бұрын

really appreciate your journey...mine has similarities...which Puritan author is your recommendation to start with?

@ericbudnovitch7630 10 ай бұрын

Hey man, I'm a newly reformed, newly married, new youth pastor at am EPC church about an hour from Pittsburgh near Grove City and my church wants to send me to seminary in the fall. RPTS is one of my top choices and I'm going there for a tour on Thursday, I'm just worried about the hour long commute. It seems like you have already been through the exact crossroads/seasons of life I'm in and I'd love to talk to you sometime.

@theelizabethan1 2 жыл бұрын

Any exposure to John Bunyan, the writer of Pilgrim's Progress?

@thinktank8286 2 жыл бұрын

Pastor Matt, how do read and track your Bible reading everyday? Enough to even know when you last didn't read. Amazing!

@kellydunn7113 Жыл бұрын

I am just curious, but what city/town did you grow up? My family were "Lutheran" as well (LeMars, Iowa). I have learned much from your videos. I mention you in my prayers.

@JonathanMeyer84 2 жыл бұрын

What are your thoughts on Confessional Lutheranism (found in denominations such as the LCMS) as opposed to the highly questionable ELCA? It sounds like your views and those of the LCMS overlap a fair bit.

@JosephQuinton Ай бұрын

Matthew, can you recommend a book of church history and a book of Christian history accessible to the laity, please?

@arishkolnik9316 6 ай бұрын

Pastor Matthew, This question may be out of context with this video, but is the book of common prayer 1662 truly biblical? It seems to have "catholic" ordinances within it by mentioning certain prayers for absolution, etc? Wanted to know your thoughts about that Thank you for your videos BTW, I have recently made the change to be reformed

@peterjaro6804 2 жыл бұрын

I have just found you ! You have produced some REALLY interresting video's and explained things I never understood before. You are very good at communicate scripture and I don't know why I never seen you before. I was born in Sweden into an atheist family. Not that unusual in Sweden, but I guess almost unheard of in the US. I became a Christian at 16, but BOY did I have problems finding a good fellowship. I have lived and worked in Sweden, Peru, Middle East, Hong Kong and for the 25 last years the UK (England). For what it is worth, I also had a long line of Churches before I found Reformed Faith. I came to it late because just about every Church I've been to think that being reformed is strange or even bad (you can get away with being Methodist, Baptist, Pentacostal, 'new' Church follower, and most Evangelical but STAY AWAY from those Presbytarians... they are CALVINISTS!!!). Without knowing anything about being Reformed, i just put Presbytarians into the same box as SDA, JW, LDS and the like... and then I read books by John Piper and Tim Keller and found out (to my horror!?!) that I must be Reformed too. Anyway, its a bit more to my life with Jesus than that, but in a nut-shell, thats how I became Reformed. However, living in England we really only have United Reformed Churches that are Reformed, but they are mostly like PC in the US i guess, so almost anything goes, and scripture is an afterthought. Ok, a bit harch perhaps, but welcoming everyone into the Church is the right thing to do, but it is NOT the same as accepting everything into the Church. This is very sad... Said that, I have found a congregation of Presbytarians that is made up mostly of non-UK people, foreign students and a few people who has the same issues with the United Reformed. The UR call us conservative (and you call yourself that too) but I don't think we are more concervative than anyone else... but I feel that we are more BIBLE BASED than our brothers and sisters that are more liberal... I just don't think liberal is very Bible based, but what do I know... I strive to know the Bible as well as my small brain can possibly understand, and I do believe there are things that are right and things that are wrong from a Biblical perspective (Godly, if you like). If THAT makes me concervative, well then I am I guess. Oh, I need to stop bubbling on now. I am just happy I found your KZbin station, and even if I might not agree with 100% of all your video's, I think you are right 99% of the time. Thank you for doing all this!

@monjournalmyjourney Ай бұрын

What do these abreviations stand for ? EPC ? PCA ? OPC ?

@anitrarn 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Matt. Could you please explain to me how you came to believe in infant baptism? My church teaches that being baptized is a decision that is made by the person as an outward sign of the decision they have made to follow Christ and that the Bible has no examples of infants being baptized. Thank you for your Faith journey. You have helped me to understand what Calvinism and reformed Christians believe somewhat. I’m pretty ignorant on those subjects and would like more information on those subjects as well. I know I don’t believe that God has created some to be saved and for some to perish. His Word says that He doesn’t want any to perish. Whether a person is saved or perishes is based on the decision they make to follow Christ wholeheartedly or not. Again, I would appreciate you pointing me to some resources that would help me dove into the subjects more and answer my questions. To better help you understand where I’m coming from, I go to Calvary Chapel.

@lornaz1975 2 жыл бұрын

I was stuck in my arminian view until a guy at college named Jeremy told me his understanding of Romans 9. His plain reading of the text lead him to a Calvinistic understanding although I don't think he was aware that Calvinism existed. I didn't either. 5 years later I came across a bible study that was and it all clicked due to years of reading passages and thinking that it sounded like what Jeremy said. As for paedo baptism. I did historical research and determined that it was a wide spread practice as of 100AD. Then comes the question, how could such a theological aberration come about and be so wide spread so close to the teachings of the Apostles? Also as Sproul added that no one spoke wrote it this child baptizing false view. A good historical argument at least.

@loganbaumstark8950 3 жыл бұрын

Takeaway: You wrestled?? Lol thanks for sharing your story with us

@gogos869 Жыл бұрын

Wow! Great testimony. I was saved LATE at around 45, so a short cut was necessary! I went from reformed to more reformed thanks to the radio and R.C.Sproul! When you get saved as an adult and learn reformed theology, everything else seems stupid!

@Amilton5Solas 2 жыл бұрын

Born into a Catholic Church converted at 21 in jail and my pastor for most of the 8 years that I did was reformed Presbyterian now I’m out and go to a bible preaching baptist church. I want to be part of a reformed church but there is none around me and i want to be loyal to the church I’m in.

@SirMillz 2 жыл бұрын

Be in the world, never confirm to it. Is that reformed enough?

@gail63907 Жыл бұрын

No church denomination or nondenominational church perfectly follow God’s Word. I have attended many different denominations & nondenominational churches (except never Catholic or LDS or SDA). I have realized that there are false doctrines taught in every one of them & between moving & getting upset over the false doctrines, I finally settled on a Church that teaches most of the time correctly but personally only take what is in God’s Word as true & not any Man’s (Pastors). I have learned a lot from Pastors & small group studies, but I always compare those teachings with scripture & if I find anything false, I throw it out. I still respect those Pastors, but I don’t have to swallow their teachings.

@jasonkellar8585 4 ай бұрын

Well said!!

@kevinerose 3 ай бұрын

9:45 I can tell you read your Bible every day. It is quite obvious in your videos how well you understand everything. I wish more people would do that before starting a channel. 20:00 Infant Baptism. Here I do disagree but I will not say why. But I do understand how you can believe in infant baptism just by reading the scriptures. Unfortunately, understanding of baptism is the one thing we believe that is not explained in the Scriptures. So all I will say in my disagreement is that to understand what baptism means, you need to search outside the Scriptures. I am not saying what my disagreement is because it is also not agreeing with other Christian scholars. Only that you may search outside Scripture about baptism then combine that with what is in Scripture to come up with the proper understanding given help from the Holy Spirit for guidance. Nothing I can say to you to persuade either way. Only by the Holy Spirit. 22:30 Also just to mention, a proper understanding of baptism will help to answer all other strange disagreements between the various churches. If Christians only understood baptism properly, it would eliminate all disagreements and immediately dissolve all denominations. My Story: I was Church of God (Cleveland) for 16 years then Assembly of God for 1 year then Church of the Brethren for 6 years then Church of the Nazarene for 1 year then Catholic for 6 years then United Methodist for 1 year then Crossroads (nondenominational) for 6 years then Solid Rock Church for 4 years then Baptist for 3 years And in-between out of church while in the military and while I was married. about 11 years total. Similar to you I started reading the Bible in 1997 and in entirety 15+ times since then. So about every 2 years reading the Bible through and alternate years doing other studies outside of the Bible. 1993 - I asked my pastor what baptism means and he wasn't able to give me an answer other than to imitate what Jesus did. I had read the Bible through once already by that time. So I realized since then that I couldn't always rely upon my church leaders for all the answers. But it wasn't until after getting out of college I was able to devote more time into the Scriptures. 1999 - God gave me a dream about Faith. And when I asked church leaders about Faith, again, they were not able to give me answers. But God laid that dream upon my heart ever since. So now, I am concerned about 2 things. Baptism and Faith. 2002 - After getting divorced, I decided it would be a good time to find out what Catholics believed. 2008 - I had an interesting "date" with a Lutheran pastor from a local church. During the meeting, she asked about my faith. After she stated that she would be okay with marrying an atheist. Only that her husband would support her work and attend her services. I thought that odd for a female Lutheran pastor to say. But I told her I had been part of several churches and still had some questions. I didn't discuss either baptism or faith with her at the meeting. However, her response has always puzzled me. She did not like that I "moved around churches so much" or still had questions about religion. And like I said, she would have been perfectly happy if I were an atheist. ?? I decided not to into the Lutheran church after that encounter. And her being a pastor, I would have thought she might be sympathetic to someone with questions about religion. 2020 - After much reading of Scripture over the years, the Holy Spirit finally gave me the meaning of Faith. 2022 - Again, the Holy Spirit revealed unto me the meaning of Baptism. 2024 - Today, I have recently moved and looking for a church. I'd say I lean more towards the Reformed Baptists however having found the understanding of Faith and Baptism, I do not fully agree with the Baptists. And recently I have discovered a wealth of knowledge within church history that I am focusing on that more so than any particular denomination.

@hymnsarebeautiful6353 5 ай бұрын

A 2024 Update: Malone is a conservative evangelical school now. Still consistent and strong, biblically.

@rongrimes9102 3 жыл бұрын

Brother I truly love your KZbin channel BUT ( lol ) as a Southern Baptist preacher/ pastor I just can’t wrap my head around infant baptism I have listen to you and RC Scroll over and over again teaching about infant baptism and I just don’t see it. If you are ever in the Nashville Tn area I would love to meet up for lunch and talk about it. God Speed. Ron

@starwarsfan7093 3 жыл бұрын

I was baptized many years ago but I was not Born Again I was part of the world then I was into politics and Mormon Glenn Beck was my idol but I now know the truth about Glenn Beck and Mormonism. I am a former Freemason God brought me out of Freemasonry and in 2014 I watched Pastor Greg Laurie California Harvest Crusade and I realize now I was a sinner in need of a Savior I prayed the prayer he offered and now I made a recommitment to follow Jesus Christ but I know that’s when I was truly Born Again and I know the prayer I prayed didn’t save me Jesus saved me. Now I am indwelt with the Holy Spirit He helps me understand the Word of God when I read it. I love being in church and around other Believers. I’m going to heaven not based on anything I have done or being a good person but because of what Jesus did for me dying on the cross and rising from the dead 3 days later. I am saved by grace through faith alone in Christ Alone! I know where I was into Freemasonry taking God’s name in vain and horoscopes and Harry Potter and many other things before I was Born Again and those things I did before I was Born Again were and are demonic. But I know where I am now I know God and am in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ Who is my Savior and Lord of my life I have passed from Spiritual death to Spiritual Life from Hell to Heaven and am indwelt with The Holy Spirit and am covered by the Blood of Jesus Christ.

@erykpatrykchudy5675 3 жыл бұрын

Interesting.

@GirolamoZanchi_is_cool Жыл бұрын

@sdhute 3 жыл бұрын

What's the view of cessationist when they find or hear or experience somebody healed through the spirit of God by laying of hands ?

@sigiligus Жыл бұрын

Just kind of listening in the background. Maybe I didn’t hear right, but it sounded to me like you were just a child who got scared into believing it and that that traumatic experience is the bedrock of your entire religious outlook.

@stephenwalls4007 3 жыл бұрын

You definitely sound Reformed. Many buzzwords are used. What I'm heard here was a young believer looking for truth getting heavily influenced by Piper/McArther/Sproul, etc. Then again influenced by Reformed teachers at college. You are not the first Lutheran I have heard transition from Lutheranism to RT. It's a good step, but incomplete. Men can be persuasive, especially Sproul. Especially smart men who can quote scripture to benefit their message. Keep studying the Word, and I look forward to your step OUT of Reformed Theology ;) Regardless, keep the faith, and keep serving God the best you can. I left RT b/c of RC Sproul (on good terms). He challenged me to study hard, not trust men's message, and challenge tradition. When I did that, I found most of the men I looked up to all had four men in common: Jesus (common among anyone claiming the faith), Augustine, then Calvin (claiming Augustin was the only "consistent" saint) and then Luther (an Augustinian Monk). That's when my red flags went up. Why was Augustine such a main figurehead of RT? Why wasn't there anyone before him or WITH him? That's when I began to wonder if I was following the ways of "man" in RT... Anyways. Thank you for your testimony.

@RyGuy8989 3 жыл бұрын

Reformed Theology didn’t start with Augustine, it starts in the Bible.

@stephenwalls4007 3 жыл бұрын

Not a helpful comment. The same comment could be used against your position. Your statement assumes you are interpreting the text correctly. I have no issue with the words in the Bible. I have issue with the interpretation brought by the Reformed Position. Luther = AUGUSTIN-ian Monk. Calvin said, "...apart from AUGUSTINE the early Fathers were so confused, vacillating, and contradictory..." Both of these Reformed men pointed to Augustine as having a major influence on these matters and they agreed with him. So I'm sorry, but it started with Augustine (per Calvin's words mind you).

@RyGuy8989 3 жыл бұрын

@@stephenwalls4007 Maybe written out, but reformed theology is in the Bible. You can’t exegete Romans 8 and 9 and come to a different conclusion unless you butcher it.

@stephenwalls4007 3 жыл бұрын

@@RyGuy8989 Yes you can. To assume others can't because you can't is unfair to the MANY who disagree with your stance. I know what you are saying about Romans 8, but that is because I used to attend a Calvinistic Church. I never saw R.T. nor determinism in the Bible until I joined that church. I do feel there are a couple errors made to come to the conclusion of RT being the "correct" way to exegete Romans 8. There are just way too many texts in scripture that are unintelligible from the reformed point of view, and that is ultimately why I (and others) must reject it...

@oracleoftroy 4 ай бұрын

@@stephenwalls4007 I think your posts reveal a truth I have noticed over and over again. You said to be careful of RT people, they can quote the Bible and make their position look good. True, we should search the scripture and make sure what is being claimed is true. But what about you? Can you? I saw not one claim of a view you found superior to Reformed Theology and no scriptural support. Reformed Theology sees itself as beginning and ending with scripture. What I find true about most anticalvinists is they don't seem to care about scripture at all or presenting their understanding of scripture. They don't even seem to care about Christianity at all, all they want is people to leave Calvinism and don't seem to care where they end up or whether they apoatisize from the faith entirely to do so. As I see it, the way to get people to leave Calvinism is to boldly preach scripture and positively show a better understanding of what it says. Not what it doesn't say. Not "Calvinism bad". But show how it fits together and make scripture come alive in a way it can't if RT is false.

@LucianaPelota 3 жыл бұрын

Reformed, revivalist, pietistic

@ric_gatewood 2 жыл бұрын

The problem I have with the Reformers is their persecution of the Anabaptist which was horrific.

@ethanrayment8157 Жыл бұрын

The problem I have with saying im this or that is I dont want to have a set a presuppositions im looking through when I read the text. I want the Holy Spirit to be my teacher the bible my textbook letting the Word of the Lord speak for himself

@matthewkloskowski6991 2 жыл бұрын

Why PCA and not OPC?

@jamesvanderhoorn1117 Жыл бұрын

Post longos errores in litus unae sanctae catholicae et apostolicae ecclesiae appelles!

@AarmOZ84 2 жыл бұрын

I was baptized in the PCA. Very nice denomination..... although many of them are turning to flashing lights, fog machines, and a "praise and worship" band these days. 😖

@omnitheus5442 2 жыл бұрын

Wow the disrespect toward Arminians at 26:10 is poor Matthew. Learn what they believe. I am not Arminian. But like you, they also believe in a quickening from God to be saved. If you read your Bible Jesus also 'connived calling people to 'come' over and over again. That's poor fella. Really poor. Pull your head in.

@WholeBibleBelieverWoman 2 жыл бұрын

May I have your snail mail address? I would like to write to you and tell you my story.

@teambible7803 3 жыл бұрын

🤢1) “Where did Jesus give instructions that the Christian faith should be based exclusively on a book?” 2) “Other than the specific command to John to pen the Revelation, where did Jesus tell His apostles to write anything down and compile it into an authoritative book?” 3) “Where in the New Testament do the apostles tell future generations that the Christian faith will be based solely on a book?” 4) “some Protestants claim that Jesus condemned all oral tradition (e.g., Matt 15:3, 6; Mark 7:813). If so, why does He bind His listeners to oral tradition by telling them to obey the scribes and Pharisees when they “sit on Moses’ seat” (Matt 23:2)?” 5) “Some Protestants claim that St. Paul condemned all oral tradition (Col 2:8). If so, why does he tell the Thessalonians to “stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter” (2 Thes 2:15) and praises the Corinthians because they “hold firmly to the traditions” (1 Cor 11:2)? (And why does the Protestant NIV change the word “tradition” to “teaching”?)” 6) “If the authors of the New Testament believed in , why did they sometimes draw on oral Tradition as authoritative and as God’s Word (Matt 2:23; 23:2; 1 Cor 10:4; 1 Pet 3:19; Jude 9, 14 15)?” 7) “Where in the Bible is God’s Word restricted only to what is written down?” 8) “How do we know who wrote the books that we call Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Hebrews, and 1, 2, and 3 John?” 9) “On what authority, or on what principle, would we accept as Scripture books that we were not written by one of the twelve apostles?” 10) “Where in the Bible do we find an inspired and infallible list of books that should belong in the Bible? (e.g., Is the Bible’s inspired?)” 11) “How do we know, from the Bible alone, that the individual books of the New Testament are inspired, even when they make no claim to be inspired?” 12) “How do we know, from the Bible alone, that the letters of St. Paul, who wrote to first-century congregations and individuals, are meant to be read by us as Scripture 2000 years later?” 13) “Where does the Bible claim to be the sole authority for Christians in matters of faith and morals?” 14) “Most of the books of the New Testament were written to address very specific problems in the early Church, and none of them are a systematic presentation of Christian faith and theology. On what biblical basis do Protestants think that everything that the apostles taught is captured in the New Testament writings?” 15) “If the books of the New Testament are “self-authenticating” through the ministry of the Holy Spirit to each individual, then why was there confusion in the early Church over which books were inspired, with some books being rejected by the majority?” 16) “If the meaning of the Bible is so clear-so easily interpreted-and if the Holy Spirit leads every Christian to interpret it for themselves, then why are there over 33,000 Protestant denominations, and millions of individual Protestants, all interpreting the Bible differently?” 17) “Who may authoritatively arbitrate between Christians who claim to be led by the Holy Spirit into mutually contradictory interpretations of the Bible?” 18) “Since each Protestant must admit that his or her interpretation is fallible, how can any Protestant in good conscience call anything heresy or bind another Christian to a particular belief?” 19) “Protestants usually claim that they all agree “on the important things.” Who is able to decide authoritatively what is important in the Christian faith and what is not?” 20) “How did the early Church evangelize and overthrow the Roman Empire, survive and prosper almost 350 years, without knowing for sure which books belong in the canon of Scripture?” 21) “Who in the Church had the authority to determine which books belonged in the New Testament canon and to make this decision binding on all Christians? If nobody has this authority, then can I remove or add books to the canon on my own authority?” 22) “Why do Protestant scholars recognize the early Church councils at Hippo and Carthage as the first instances in which the New Testament canon was officially ratified, but ignore the fact that those same councils ratified the Old Testament canon used by the Catholic Church today but abandoned by Protestants at the Reformation?” 23) “Why do Protestants follow postapostolic Jewish decisions on the boundaries of the Old Testament canon, rather than the decision of the Church founded by Jesus Christ?” 24) “How were the bishops at Hippo and Carthage able to determine the correct canon of Scripture, in spite of the fact that they believed all the distinctively Catholic doctrines such as the apostolic succession of bishops, the sacrifice of the Mass, Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist, baptismal regeneration, etc?” 25) “If Christianity is a “book religion,” how did it flourish during the first 1500 years of Church history when the vast majority of people were illiterate?” 26) “How could the Apostle Thomas establish the church in India that survives to this day (and is now in communion with the Catholic Church) without leaving them with one word of New Testament Scripture?” 27) “If is so solid and biblically based, why has there never been a full treatise written in its defense since the phrase was coined in the Reformation?” 28) “If Jesus intended for Christianity to be exclusively a “religion of the book,” why did He wait 1400 years before showing somebody how to build a printing press?” 29) “If the early Church believed in sola Scriptura, why do the creeds of the early Church always say “we believe in the Holy Catholic Church,” and not “we believe in Holy Scripture”?” 30) “If the Bible is as clear as Martin Luther claimed, why was he the first one to interpret it the way he did and why was he frustrated at the end of his life that “there are now as many doctrines as there are heads”?” 31) “The time interval between the Resurrection and the establishment of the New Testament canon in AD 382 is roughly the same as the interval between the arrival of the Mayflower in America and the present day. Therefore, since the early Christians had no defined New Testament for almost four hundred years, how did they practice sola Scriptura?” 32) “If the Bible is the only foundation and basis of Christian truth, why does the Bible itself say that the Church is the pillar and foundation of truth (1 Tim. 3:15)?” 33) “Jesus said that the unity of Christians would be objective evidence to the world that He had been sent by God (John 17:20-23). How can the world see an invisible “unity” that exists only in the hearts of believers?” 34) “If the unity of Christians was meant to convince the world that Jesus was sent by God, what does the ever-increasing fragmentation of Protestantism say to the world?” 35) “Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” What is the expiration date of this verse? When did it become okay not only to disobey the Church’s leaders, but to rebel against them and set up rival churches?” 36) “The Koran explicitly claims divine inspiration, but the New Testament books do not. How do you know that the New Testament books are nevertheless inspired, but the Koran is not?” 37) “How does a Protestant know for sure what God thinks about moral issues such as abortion, masturbation, contraceptives, eugenics, euthanasia, etc.?” 38) “What is one to believe when one Protestant says infants should be baptized (e.g., Luther and Calvin) and another says it is wrong and unbiblical (e.g., Baptists and Evangelicals)?” 39) “Where does the Bible say God created the world/universe out of nothing?” 40) “Where does the Bible say salvation is attainable through faith alone?” 41) “Where does the Bible tell us how we know that the revelation of Jesus Christ ended with the death of the last Apostle?” 42) “Where does the Bible provide a list of the canonical books of the Old Testament?” 43) “Where does the Bible provide a list of the canonical books of the New Testament?” 44) “Where does the Bible explain the doctrine of the Trinity, or even the word “Trinity”?” 45) “Where does the Bible tell us the name of the “beloved disciple”?” 46) “Where does the Bible inform us of the names of the authors of the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John?” 47) “Where does the Bible [tell us] who wrote the Book of Acts?” 48) “Where does the Bible tell us the Holy Spirit is one of the three Persons of the Trinity?” 49) “Where does the Bible tell us Jesus Christ was both fully God and fully man from the moment of conception (e.g. how do we know His Divinity wasn’t infused later in His life?) and/or tells us Jesus Christ is One Person with two complete natures, human and Divine and not some other combination of the two natures (i.e., one or both being less than complete)?” 50) “Where does the Bible that the church should, or someday would be divided into competing and disagreeing denominations?” 51) “Where does the Bible that Protestants can have an unity when Jesus expected a visible unity to be seen by the world (see John 17)?” 52) “Where does the Bible tell us Jesus Christ is of the same substance of Divinity as God the Father?”

@The12thSeahorse 3 жыл бұрын

You know a lot! I am only guessing that your Roman Catholic. It would probably take hours to answer those questions. Also I didn’t notice any spelling mistakes. You sound like your very comfortable with academia.

@teambible7803 3 жыл бұрын

@@The12thSeahorse they were simple questions

@The12thSeahorse 3 жыл бұрын

@@teambible7803 - Ha…ha…ha….you crack me up 😂…….if they were simple questions…….thank goodness you didn’t post the tough ones!

@allenbournes4697 2 жыл бұрын

This man is probably satanic. Satans greatest tactics and lies-1) hell does not exist and 2) the Bible is not to be trusted. Satan is the great deceiver.

@theelizabethan1 2 жыл бұрын

@@teambible7803 .....hardly.....

@mjrybread 8 ай бұрын

How I didn't become reformed eazy I read the whole Bible

@goodshorts 2 жыл бұрын

Abandon Calvinism. Abandon man made philosophy over the simple truth of God's Word.

@oracleoftroy 4 ай бұрын

I don't think anyone is going to abandon what they see on every page of scripture just because they see some man dislike Calvinism. Instead, make a positive case for a better understanding of scripture. That's the thing that always seems missing. Many people don't like Calvinism, but few actually demonstrate a workable alternative.

@GirolamoZanchi_is_cool Жыл бұрын

@mattl.4993 Жыл бұрын

So tired of traditions. Context is Theology in Context. That context is the ancient near east. 1517-1650 is by far outside of the biblical period. Augustine dropped the ball on the supernatural worldview of the biblical authors. The Church still suffers from his blunder with the “Sons of Seth Daughter of Cain” nonsense. At what point do we as a Church shelve our tradition and embrace the context and worldview of the Ancient Near East? Or is that just a road that we are scared to go down because it might point to flaws in our understanding of how the world works?