How Christ Builds His Kingdom Through Appointed Means | Jonathan Edwards

Deep Dive into A History of the Work of Redemption by Jonathan Edwards - From Christ's Resurrection to the End of the World - Established Means of SuccessFollowing Christ’s resurrection, God implemented several foundational changes to establish the success of the gospel on a global scale. A primary shift was the abolition of the Jewish dispensation. The old ceremonial laws and the requirement to worship in Jerusalem were impractical for a universal church and acted as a "wall of partition" between Jews and Gentiles. In its place, the Christian Sabbath was established on the first day of the week, marking a permanent era of public worship and holy rejoicing.The success of the new church was further ensured by Christ’s appointment of the gospel ministry and the ordinance of baptism. To empower the apostles in their mission to "teach all nations," the Holy Spirit was poured out in abundance, granting miraculous gifts like healing and prophecy. These miracles served as standing proof of Christianity's truth and enabled the apostles to record an infallible rule of faith. This era also saw the transition from the "shadows" of the Old Testament to the clear revelation of the mysteries of redemption. Doctrines regarding Christ’s satisfaction and righteousness, previously obscured, were now fully manifest.The Apostle Paul played a pivotal role in this expansion; his unique calling and prolific writings were the primary means by which the gospel reached the Gentiles. Structurally, the church was strengthened by the creation of the office of deacons to manage charity and the institution of ecclesiastical councils to settle controversies. Finally, the commitment of the New Testament to writing completed the canon of Scripture. By the end of the apostolic age, the written rule of faith was sealed and finalized. These established means of grace were intended to remain the unchanging foundation of the church until the end of the world.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReformedExplainerSpotify Music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1t5dz4vEgvHqUknYQfwpRI?si=e-tDRFR2Qf6By1sAcMdkdwhttps://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730