1689 Baptist Confession of Faith – Chapter 5 – Divine Providence
Paragraph 6 – Providence and those who are Wicked – This paragraph answers the question—WHY does God tolerate sin and sinners? – God uses sin as a means of judgment for the wicked in this life. (Pro 13:15) “The way of the transgressor is hard.”
A.A. Hodge – ‘God often, as a punishment of their sins, judicially withdraws the restraints of His Spirit, and consequently whatever superficial gifts His presence may have conferred, upon ungodly men…leaves them to the influence of temptations, the unrestrained control of their lusts and the power of Satan. And unto them to whom they are graciously blessed, become a savor of death and of increased condemnation unto them who for their sins have been left to themselves.’
Paragraph 7 – Providence and His People – the providence of God is specifically meant to:
1st – Take Care of And Protect His Church – Proverbs 2:7-8 … Isaiah 43:1-4 … Acts 9:1-31 … Zechariah 2:5
2nd – Dispose All Things For The Good of His Church – Romans 8:28-32,37-39… Acts 4:1-4… 5:11-14; 6:1-7… 8:1-4-8
Bryan Wheeler Pastor Bryan Wheeler was converted to Christ in 1973. For most of the 20 years that he served in the U.S. Air Force he was actively involved in church-based preaching and teaching ministries in the U.S. and overseas. Pastor Wheeler was ordained into the gospel ministry in 1987 and was called into full time ministry in 1989. He is the pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Verona, VA. He and his wife Maureen were married in 1968 and the Lord has given them 6 children and 4 grandchildren.
