The Christian's Reasonable Service, vol. 2

by Wilhelmus à Brakel, Joel R. Beeke (Editor), Bartel Elshout (Translator)

English (translation)Original Dutch

Genres: Theology, Christian Living, Christian, Nonfiction, Reference

699 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1700

Reviews

[Andy Dollahite · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plenty of outstanding material. The chapters on justification are...idiosyncratic? Brakel's lists wore me down at times, even if the substance of each (in small doses) is edifying.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biblical, understandable, and detailed (and thus, long). This volume covers ecclesiology and soteriology. I like that it includes objections and answers to them.

You can get a free ebook from Monergism.

Notes
Ecclesiastical Authority and the Use of the Keys of the Kingdom
Steps of Christian discipline
1. Rebuke (privately or before church elders).
2. Bar person from Lord's Supper.
3. Inform congregation about person, so they can pray.
4. Excommunicate.

Church members must exhort censured person to repent, and separate from them (2 Thess 3:14-15). The higher the step of censure and the more the person refuses to repent, the more complete the separation (Mt 7:6; 18:17; Titus 3:10; 1 Cor 5:2-5, 13; Gal 5:12; Rom 16:17; 2 Thess 3:14; 2 Jn 10).

The Sealing of the Believer by the Holy Spirit and by Means of the Sacraments
We're assured of salvation by seal of Holy Spirit (1 Cor 2:12), Who directs us to verses that promise salvation to His people. Our sanctified judgment convinces us of our salvation, and Holy Spirit joins this through immediate operation in our hearts (Rom 8:16).

Since sacraments are administered on behalf of Christ, they can only be administered by ministers, who are sent and authorized by Christ (1 Cor 4:1).

Holy Baptism
Sprinkling
• Verb "baptize" can also be translated "sprinkle."
• Christ's blood cleansing the soul is described as sprinkling (Heb 12:24; 1 Pet 1:2).
• Bible describes sprinkling as cleansing (Ezek 36:25).
• Apostles sprinkled 3,000 at Pentecost, jailor, others.

Infant baptism
• OT covenant children received sign of covenant (circumcision), so NT covenant children should receive sign (baptism) (Col 2:11-13).
• Children were baptized in OT crossing of Red Sea (1 Cor 10:1-2; Ex 10:24).
• Children of believers are in covenant, entitled to sign of covenant (Gen 17:7; Rom 4:11; Acts 2:38-39; 3:25; 1 Cor 7:14; Ezek 16:20-21).
• Children partake in benefits of covenant and salvation (Mt 19:14; Acts 2:39).

Any objection to baptizing infants would apply to circumcising children, which God clearly commanded.

Requirement to be instructed and repent before baptism applies to adults. Some biblical requirements are for adults, not children (e.g., 2 Thess 3:10 requiring that those who don't work shouldn't eat).

1 Cor 15:29 about baptism for dead means if there were no resurrection from dead, one would be baptized in vain, and baptism wouldn't seal resurrection of the dead. However, baptism does seal resurrection of the dead, so resurrection is a certainty.

The Lord's Supper
Lord's Supper may not be administered to children, because they can't examine themselves and make a believing application by means of sacrament.

Lord's Supper must be administered in gathering of congregation, not privately at home or elsewhere.

[Ronnie Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remarkable! This is one of the better systematics you will ever read.

[Md Meiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the finest, theologically rich books I have read.

[Shawn Hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Have been greatly encouraged from the tone in which A' Brakel writes these volumes on systematic theology. They have been useful in discipleship and teaching.