The Two Natures in the Child of God
By E.W. BULLINGER, D.D.
1906
In this 8 chapter work on the two natures of the child of God, Bullinger (Brethren, Hyperdispensationalist) presents us with a contrastive study between the old and the new natures. He looks at the characteristics of the old and the new natures, as well as the conflict between them, and our responsibilities towards them.
Brown The Devil's Mission of Amusement 7 page article from 1889. Hollywood in the church and her ministries. Brown was a student of C.H Spurgeon.
Excerpts:
Different days demand their own special testimony. The watchman who would be faithful to his Lord and to the city of his God needs to carefully note the signs of the times and to emphasize his witness accordingly. Concerning the testimony needed now, there can be little if any doubt. An evil is in the professed camp of the Lord, that is so gross, so brazen in its impudence, that the most shortsighted of spiritual men can hardly fail to notice it.... Amusement for the people is the leading article advertised by each... until the hideous fact has been proved up to the hilt, that "amusement" is ousting "the preaching of the Gospel" as the great attraction... The Concert is fast becoming as much a recognized part of church life as the Prayer Meeting; and it is already, in most places, far better attended.
"Providing recreation for the people" will soon be looked upon as a necessary part of Christian work, and as binding upon the Church of God, as though it were a Divine command, unless some strong voices are raised which will make themselves heard.
Read the 7-page article: Brown, The Devil's Mission of Amusement.
CONTENTS
1. The Names and Characteristics of the Old Nature.
2. The Character and End of the Old Nature.
3. The Names and Characteristics of the New Nature.
4. The Character and End of the New Nature.
5. The Conflict between the Two Natures.
6. Our Responsibilities as to the Old Nature.
7 . Our Responsibilities as to the New Nature.
8. Practical Conclusions.
This article and work of Dr. Bullinger is duplicated in full. It is pristine in its message about these two natures, the one of flesh and the one of spirit, the one received at our physical birth and the other at our selection and calling by God (the Father) when we respond to His beckon.
PREFACE
The experience of the child of God is described, in Galatians 5:17, the following words: “the flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”
In everything but this the mere professor can imitate the true child of God: and it is this which distinguishes the merely religious person from the real Christian. Every true child of God always has an abiding experience of conflict within, as described in Galatians 5:17. But not every child of God understands the doctrine concerning it. To have the experience without knowing the doctrine is the fruitful source of confusion, disquietude, and discouragement. To know the doctrine and not to have the experience is fatal, and means eternal disaster. The only remedy for this is to learn, direct from the Word of God, all that is there taught concerning the nature inherited through generation by Adam, and the nature bestowed through re-generation by God. This alone can give the believer the true knowledge concerning “God’s workmanship”; and the key to his experiences which are otherwise inexplicable to him. When the doctrine of the two natures is clearly understood, then, that which before was the cause of doubt is not only removed, but it becomes the ground of assurance; and is, indeed, the best assurance that one can ever have that he is God’s workmanship, and that God has actually begun in him that good work which He Himself will perfect and complete (Phil. 1:6).
The object of the following pages is to give the knowledge of this doctrine, so that the experience, which produces doubt and fear, may become the source of peace and joy.
E.W. BULLINGER.
May, 1906.
INTRODUCTORY
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; And that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John 3:6.
We hear much in the present day about what is called “the teaching of Jesus”; and an attempt is made to set it above and against the teaching of Paul, overlooking the fact that both Gospels and Epistles are given by the Inspiration of the same Holy Spirit. Men talk thus, not because they desire to know or to obey the teaching of the Lord Jesus, but because they wish to lower the authority of the teaching of God by Paul, and to get rid of what they call Pauline Theology. Bring them face to face with the actual teaching of the Lord Jesus, and they will have none of it. They will turn back, and walk no more with Him (John 6:66); or they will be “filled with wrath”, and seek to do away with Him (Luke 4:28, 29). In John 3:6, we have the teaching of the Lord Jesus on a fundamental doctrine. It states an eternal truth. But it is the one truth which the natural man will not have. It declares that, by nature, we are descended from fallen Adam; are begotten in his likeness (Gen. 5:3); and are partakers of his fallen nature. Born of the flesh, we possess the nature of the begetter, and are flesh. This flesh, “the teaching of Jesus” declares, “profiteth nothing” (John 6.63); and in it “dwelleth no good thing” (Rom. 7:18). But, as we have said, this is the teaching which man will not receive. Pulpit, platform, and press, with one voice proclaim the opposite; and declare that there is some good thing in man, and that all we have to do is to discover and improve it.
It is against this lie of the devil that the axe of Divine truth is laid when the Lord Jesus declares that “That which is born of the flesh is flesh” that “The flesh profiteth nothing”; and that in it dwelleth “No good thing”. If any good thing is to be found in man, it must be first put in by God. It must be “born of the Spirit”: and, when that “good thing” is thus born and found in a man, then it is seen to partake of the nature of the begetter. It is spirit. It is Divine. Now these two natures are so opposite in their origin: nature; and character, that they each have several names; and each name reveals some fresh trait and some additional truth. Let us first look at the names by which man, by nature, is spoken of.
ch94 How to Destroy a Church explains how the church functions, and gives us the criteria for judging if a person is a blessing or not, if they are like Christ.
Topics: The Tares against the Wheat | A Person can Know the Work of God | Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing | “Church” is for our Good | The Tares Destroy Love | Shared Church Goals.
Read the Tract: ch94 How to Destroy a Church.
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hi there,
how do you price your downloads and how do i download from your site?
I am interested in everything you offer now-and in the future- by e w bullinger.
for, probably, most of the by now well discussed reasons i neither use nor trust paypal, ebay or the various popularized social sites; ergo, i pay either by credit/debit cards or, if need be, money order will do in a pinch.
for perhaps the past year i have been using my sword since it was discovered bullinger’s companion bible was available (i would also note that the inputting of the verse/word changes into the text as opposed to leaving in the ‘campanion’ is an interesting alternative), i am very happy with it and, while i am not interested in most of the free module downloads found on many sites for various bible programs and versions i am interested in the better research and study reference material.
i am, partially for health reasons as well as age, retired, living on social security and part time (2 days/week 5 hours each) work, living in my older rv presently in longmont, co, looking to see what The Lord may have me in the appalachian/pennsylvania/kentucky region perhaps mid-late spring next year; actually, i’ve always wanted to check out more closely our Brothers residing within the mennonite/amish faith.
i find it curious that we still throw labels around at our own Brethren (hyperdispensationalism as a case in point, the jab is undeniable despite a major central issue simply being: did The Church begin at acts chapter 2, 9 or 25?) and yet, when we go to so very many of what is unquestioningly accepted as true and accurate reference material (strong’s as another case in point) to bolster our, generally prooftexted, opinions how many are even aware that those numerously revered authors believed in a more universal salvation or, as scripture so aptly puts it, the restitution of all things?
i do believe a workman is worthy of his hire and while my means are limited such that large amounts these days are frequently not permissable; still, smaller routine amounts easier to budget in are always capable.
you’ve been richly blessed with managing a truly great task from and to the glory of God and for something like this i would be honored to support.
kind regards,
art holland
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Hi Art, At the present, I am not charging for any mysword modules. Giving does get me motivated to put up new modules though.This is how it works. If you would like to send me an occasional donation, it would be well received. Just as a guide, trying sending me 25 cents per module you download. 40 modules is like $10 donation. That will help me keep this site up and running, and not break your bank either. If you don’t use paypal, then why don’t you just send a check to my home church (you will get a tax deductible receipt from them at year end). See this page http://www.davidcoxmex.com/donating-to-our-ministry and send a check to them. You need to put “for David Cox”. It doesn’t matter whether it is for our missionary ministry or for donation to myswordmodules.com, because what doesn’t come in for this site, I pay for it out of our personal ministry fund. Thanks. David