August 2014

Total Depravity 26

In his epistles, John the Apostle continued what he previously documented in his gospel. To begin with, John explained that sinners exist in spiritual darkness. “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth” (1 John 1:5-6 ESV).

In his epistles, John the Apostle continued what he previously documented in his gospel. To begin with, John explained that sinners exist in spiritual darkness. “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth” (1 John 1:5-6 ESV).

Total Depravity 25

James said a lot about the fallen nature and condition of man before God. He began with an explanation about the reality and pattern of temptations and sinful choices.

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (James 1:13-15 ESV)

James said a lot about the fallen nature and condition of man before God. He began with an explanation about the reality and pattern of temptations and sinful choices.

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (James 1:13-15 ESV)

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The remaining New Testament Epistles effectively present the doctrine of radical depravity in fallen and sinful man. The Book of Hebrews, along with the epistles by James, John, and Jude, all contribute to the argument that sin has totally affected sinners in their intellect, emotions and will.

The remaining New Testament Epistles effectively present the doctrine of radical depravity in fallen and sinful man. The Book of Hebrews, along with the epistles by James, John, and Jude, all contribute to the argument that sin has totally affected sinners in their intellect, emotions and will.

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In Paul’s three Pastoral Epistles, he clearly presented the doctrine of radical depravity.

Paul explained that the unconverted fail to see themselves as the sinners they truly are.

Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted. (1Timothy 1:8-11 ESV)

In Paul’s three Pastoral Epistles, he clearly presented the doctrine of radical depravity.

Paul explained that the unconverted fail to see themselves as the sinners they truly are.

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Paul continued this examination of radical depravity in the epistles to the churches in Ephesus, and Thessalonica.

In Ephesians 4:17-19, Paul indicated that all unbelievers live in a condition of spiritual darkness.

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. (Ephesians 4:17-19, ESV)

Paul continued this examination of radical depravity in the epistles to the churches in Ephesus, and Thessalonica.

In Ephesians 4:17-19, Paul indicated that all unbelievers live in a condition of spiritual darkness.

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The same theme of radical depravity is not only conspicuous in the Book of Romans, but continues to be seen in Paul’s two epistles of the Corinthians along with his letter to the churches located in the region known as Galatia.

I Corinthians immediately begins with an extended treatise by the apostle on man’s fallen nature.

The same theme of radical depravity is not only conspicuous in the Book of Romans, but continues to be seen in Paul’s two epistles of the Corinthians along with his letter to the churches located in the region known as Galatia.

I Corinthians immediately begins with an extended treatise by the apostle on man’s fallen nature.

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Unquestionably, the Apostle Peter accurately denoted the sinful condition of fallen man in the Scriptures. However, so too did the Apostle Paul.

Paul’s Epistle to the Romans is a hallmark by the apostle concerning the sovereign grace of God and the radical depravity of man. Within the epistle are the following characteristics of man’s total depravity.

Unquestionably, the Apostle Peter accurately denoted the sinful condition of fallen man in the Scriptures. However, so too did the Apostle Paul.

Paul’s Epistle to the Romans is a hallmark by the apostle concerning the sovereign grace of God and the radical depravity of man. Within the epistle are the following characteristics of man’s total depravity.

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The Apostle Peter clearly acknowledged the culture of corruption that man encounters originates within himself. Sinful man must lay the blame for all the evil in the world to the source of that evil: his fallen and sinful soul.

Peter wrote that all people, including believers prior to their salvation, were engulfed in spiritual darkness. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10, ESV).

The Apostle Peter clearly acknowledged the culture of corruption that man encounters originates within himself. Sinful man must lay the blame for all the evil in the world to the source of that evil: his fallen and sinful soul.

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The Acts of the Apostles also depicts the radical depravity of man in the church’s formative years. The early church’s birth and infancy recognizes the core need of salvation from man’s core problem: his sinful nature. Luke’s portrayal of this condition is found in two of Peter’s sermons.

The Acts of the Apostles also depicts the radical depravity of man in the church’s formative years. The early church’s birth and infancy recognizes the core need of salvation from man’s core problem: his sinful nature. Luke’s portrayal of this condition is found in two of Peter’s sermons.

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When Jesus met Nicodemas in John 3, the Lord indicated that regarding man’s depraved condition, sinful, fallen man is spiritually blind. Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3, ESV).

Jesus also told this ruler of the Jews that sinners are alienated from God because of their sin. “Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (John 3:5-6, ESV)

When Jesus met Nicodemas in John 3, the Lord indicated that regarding man’s depraved condition, sinful, fallen man is spiritually blind. Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3, ESV).

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