The Jerusalem Chamber

16/07/2024

What are some views that have been taught about the body in the life to come? How is the story of humanity’s creation and fall important to this paragraph? What is the dishonour to which the unjust will be raised? What is the honor of the just? How will the bodies of believers be made conformable to the body of Jesus Christ? Tune in as Joel, Nathan, Shawn, and Kyle discuss WCF 32.3:

"The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonor; the bodies of the just, by his Spirit, unto honor, and be made conformable to his own glorious body."

What are some views that have been taught about the body in the life to come? How is the story of humanity’s creation and fall important to this paragraph? What is the dishonour to which the …

20/06/2024

We recently joined Aldo Leon over at Kingdom Polemics to discuss objections to the practice of exclusive psalmody. Have a listen!

0:00:00 Introduction0:03:05 Introduction to Speakers0:11:08 Opening Remarks0:20:12 Intro to Objections0:21:34 Obj: Every means is the same (prayer, etc.)0:28...

17/06/2024

What does “at the last day” mean? What’s going on with the souls of people as the body is laid to rest? What happens to those who are alive on the last day? Describe the resurrection of the dead. What does “selfsame” body mean? Tune in as Nathan, Joel, Shawn, and Kyle discuss WCF 32.2:

"At the last day, such as are found alive shall not die, but be changed; and all the dead shall be raised up with the self-same bodies, and none other, although with different qualities, which shall be united again to their souls forever."

What does “at the last day” mean? What’s going on with the souls of people as the body is laid to rest? What happens to those who are alive on the last day? Describe the resurrect…

05/06/2024

Why does the confession say our bodies return to dust? Does this promote a low view of the body? What about cremation? How do we biblically know the soul has an immoral subsistence? Why is soul sleep unbiblical? What are the benefits of the soul at death? What is hell? Is there a place called purgatory? Join Shawn, Nathan, Joel, and Kyle as they discuss WCF 32.1:

"The bodies of men, after death, return to dust, and see corruption; but their souls (which neither die nor sleep), having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them. The souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies: and the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day. Besides these two places for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledgeth none."

Why does the confession say our bodies return to dust? Does this promote a low view of the body? What about cremation? How do we biblically know the soul has an immoral subsistence? Why is soul sle…

04/06/2024

The Jerusalem Chamber joined Kingdom Polemics today (for well over 2 hours!) discussing some of the objections to the practice of exclusive psalmody. Westminster Confession 21.5 says--concerning the song element of church-- that the element is: "singing of psalms with grace in the heart."

Have a listen to this special episode when it drops!

30/05/2024

What matters would the Westminster Assembly regard as ecclesiastical as opposed to civil affairs? What does intermeddle mean in this context? What specific biblical passages guide Presbyterianism in its understanding of separation between church and civil authority? How have some of these things been practiced in presbyterian history? How can we understand faithful citizenship? How do you see this section helping the church today? Tune in as Shawn, Joel, Nathan, and Kyle discuss WCF 31.5:

"Synods and councils are to handle or conclude nothing but that which is ecclesiastical: and are not to intermeddle with civil affairs which concern the commonwealth, unless by way of humble petition in cases extraordinary; or by way of advice, for satisfaction of conscience, if they be thereunto required by the civil magistrate."

What matters would the Westminster Assembly regard as ecclesiastical as opposed to civil affairs? What does intermeddle mean in this context? What specific biblical passages guide Presbyterianism i…

22/05/2024

How can synods and councils err? What are examples of the “many” that have erred? How can we use decisions of synods and councils as a help to our faith? Join Nathan, Joel, Shawn, and Kyle as they discuss WCF 31.4:

"All synods or councils since the apostles’ times, whether general or particular, may err, and many have erred; therefore they are not to be made the rule of faith or practice, but to be used as a help in both."

https://jerusalemchamber.com/2024/05/22/episode-31-4-the-fallible-church/

20/03/2024

The Jerusalem Chamber

19/03/2024

We are told in this paragraph what belongs to synods and councils. We are told that these things belong “ministerially.” What’s that mean? What would the other option be? What are the four reasons for a Synod or Council to act, and what do they mean? How are the decisions to be received? Join Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and Kyle as they discuss WCF 31.3:

"It belongeth to synods and councils, ministerially, to determine controversies of faith, and cases of conscience; to set down rules and directions for the better ordering of the public worship of God, and government of his Church; to receive complaints in cases of maladministration, and authoritatively to determine the same: which decrees and determinations, if consonant to the Word of God, are to be received with reverence and submission, not only for their agreement with the Word, but also for the power whereby they are made, as being an ordinance of God, appointed thereunto in his Word."

We are told in this paragraph what belongs to synods and councils. We are told that these things belong “ministerially.” What’s that mean? What would the other option be? What are the four reasons …

22/02/2024

This is it! Recording WCF 33.3... Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly, Amen.

Comment below with your favorite episode so far and why! We can’t wait to hear which paragraphs have encouraged you along the way!

20/02/2024

Deleted by American Presbyterianism and rejected by the RPCNA...this paragraph will be fun!

"As magistrates may lawfully call a synod of ministers and other fit persons to consult and advise with about matters of religion; so, if magistrates be open enemies to the Church, the ministers of Christ, of themselves, by virtue of their office, or they, with other fit persons, upon delegation from their churches, may meet together in such assemblies" (WCF 31.2)

Within American Presbyterianism why has this paragraph been deleted and within the RPCNA why is it rejected? Why does the confession say it’s lawful for a magistrate to call a Synod and can y…

08/02/2024

Look who's back!!!

We know, we know. It's been quite a while since a new episode of your favorite podcast has dropped -- more than a year! But the guys are back in the Jerusalem Chamber and are committed to finishing out the Westminster Confession of Faith in a mere 11 more episodes! So, get the latest episode, hit 2X speed, sit back, and enjoy our discussion on WCF 31.1 The Government of the Church.

Why did the Assembly put church discipline before church courts? Why did the congregationalists object to this chapter? Where did Christ give the Apostles authority to establish church government? …

18/07/2023

Today Shawn and Nathan met with Rev. Sean Morris from the Larger for Life Podcast. We discussed our ministries, the work of reform in the PCA and the RPCNA, and our mutual podcasts.

12/06/2023

10/05/2023

In March of 2017, The Jerusalem Chamber recorded our first episode. We have seven episodes to record (out of about 190) in order to finish the Westminster Confession of Faith.

How should we celebrate?
What should be next?

09/05/2023

We are frequently asked which edition of the Westminster Standards we recommend. Hands down, the Banner of Truth edition (the old FPC edition) is it (and now back in print)!

Puritan and Reformed books at discounted prices.

03/05/2023

The Westminster Assembly's favorite Independent soda...

03/05/2023

Annnnnnnnnd....we're back....

Nathan, Joel, Kyle, and Shawn are back in the(ir) studio(s)!

06/02/2023

For a time Presbyterian was mandatory in the Three Kingdoms.

1643 WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY.

30/01/2023

What does “officers of the Church” mean? Can you define admonition, suspension, and excommunication? Do our churches follow this path? How do each serve to meet the end of church discipline? How do those called to, enforce these censures? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and Kyle discuss WCF 30.4:

"For the better attaining of these ends, the officers of the Church are to proceed by admonition, suspension from the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper for a season, and by excommunication from the Church, according to the nature of the crime and demerit of the person."

What does “officers of the Church” mean? Can you define admonition, suspension, and excommunication? Do our churches follow this path? How do each serve to meet the end of church discip…

23/01/2023

We’ve got a special episode!

Dr. David Whitla of Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary has recently (slightly) updated and edited the famous work "The Sum of Saving Knowledge," and our friends at Crown & Covenant Publications have published it.

Tune in to hear Dr. Whitla talk about why this monumental work should still have a place on every Christian’s bookshelf! There are several give-away copies, listen carefully to hear how to get one of those.

https://jerusalemchamber.com/2023/01/23/interview-with-david-whitla/

20/01/2023

Classic Presbyterianism is always in good taste.

Listen to this weekend's interview with Dr. David Whitla as we discuss the "Sum of Saving Knowledge," a beautifully republished book from 1650. David Dickson and James Durham unfold salvation as understood by the Westminster Standards and offer Jesus most freely and sincerely.

Crown & Covenant Publications has done the church of Jesus Christ a wonderful service by bringing this book back into print.

Would you like a copy of your own? We have a few to give away. Stay tuned.

https://jerusalemchamber.com/2023/01/23/interview-with-david-whitla/

17/01/2023

How does God use church discipline to reclaim an offending brother? What are biblical examples? What are the other reasons for church discipline? Can you give pastoral counsel on these? How can churches grow in doing this well?

Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and Kyle discuss WCF 30.3:

"Church censures are necessary for the reclaiming and gaining of offending brethren; for deterring of others from the like offenses; for purging out of that leaven which might infect the whole lump; for vindicating the honor of Christ, and the holy profession of the gospel; and for preventing the wrath of God, which might justly fall upon the Church, if they should suffer his covenant, and the seals thereof, to be profaned by notorious and obstinate offenders."

How does God use discipline to reclaim an offending brother? What are biblical examples? What are the other reasons for church discipline? Can you give pastoral counsel on these? How can churches g…

11/01/2023

Imagine what our text thread looks like. Here's a small glimpse:

03/01/2023

If you are considering your charitable giving for 2023, The Jerusalem Chamber is a 501c3 charity which means your donations are legally tax deductible.

All of the donations go back into improving the podcast and your listening experience. We have some big things planned for when we finish our overview of the Confession of Faith (which will be this year).

Consider making us a regular recipient of your charitable giving. We appreciate you all.

21/12/2022

Kyle and Nathan's books were released on the same day. Make sure you pick up one of each!

Who is reading? We'd love to see your reviews.

https://crownandcovenant.com/collections/grass-market-press

21/12/2022

"What is love..? A question wrought with ambiguity from voices spanning back to the beginning of time. In this witty and compelling read you'll be challenged to tune out all those voices, and to crank up the volume on just one; the voice of the God of the Bible. In doing so you'll find that love is much more beautiful than the words the world's greatest poet could ever pen as true love flows from the very nature of God. As Pastor Kyle eloquently states, 'Love is the lightning-flash of the LORD' that strikes at the heart of every relationship." - Ricky Sands, Pastor of First Baptist Church of Weston, Missouri, Missouri

Now available for purchase at Crown & Covenant Publications!

https://crownandcovenant.com/collections/grass-market-press/products/what-is-love

What Is Love?

14/12/2022

Learn more: https://crownandcovenant.com/products/i-have-a-confession

13/12/2022

Join us in the Chamber as we discuss the keys of the kingdom and church discipline.

Where do we get the language “keys of the kingdom”? Can you show from the Bible that it’s the officers of the church who exercise the keys? How do you respond to congregationalism? What is meant by retain and remit sins? What’s meant by the absolution of censures? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and Kyle discuss WCF 30.2:

"To these officers the keys of the kingdom of heaven are committed, by virtue whereof they have power respectively to retain and remit sins, to shut that kingdom against the impenitent, both by the Word and censures; and to open it unto penitent sinners, by the ministry of the gospel, and by absolution from censures, as occasion shall require."

Where do we get the language “keys of the kingdom”? Can you show from the Bible that it’s the officers of the church who exercise the keys? How do you respond to congregationalism…

29/11/2022

Let's talk church government!

Westminster Confession of Faith 30.1 says, "The Lord Jesus, as king and head of his Church, hath therein appointed a government in the hand of Church officers, distinct from the civil magistrate."

What does the word “censure” mean? What is the distinction between the government of the church and civil government? Can you briefly define and describe different perspectives on churc…