In Christ ‘there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.’ Neither male nor female is superior to the other in the sight of God. All are equal in spiritual value before God.
The last few decades has seen the rejection of a precious Biblical principle – that God has a specific plan and purpose for the life of each of his children, and that they should seek his direction in all the great issues of life.
Does the Bible teach definitively that the charismatic gifts have ceased? The ceasing of revelatory and sign-gifts in the time of the apostles is so plainly taught in God’s Word, that the opposite view has only seriously appeared in the last 100 years.
It is the will of God that people will be consciously awakened and convicted to experience a sincere desire for God’s mercy and a change of thinking. They must see their need, and what Christ has done, and come (as the old confessions say) most freely and willingly to Jesus Christ.
In Paul’s prophecy in 2 Timothy 3, he identifies nineteen prominent sins which will take over society, with the first five being about self. People will unashamedly focus their attention on themselves, being ‘lovers of their own selves’, so that self-service will become the approved goal for all people.
‘..When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.’ (John 8.10-11)
‘And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.’ (Mark 16:20)
A book of great complexity if approached only for a technical grasp of Mosaic worship, but of ongoing lively application and delight if searched for the spiritual purpose behind each of the ceremonies presented.
A study of a selection of psalms to show how they minister to communion with God, and the securing of spiritual strength and perception in all conditions of life.
The quest for the message has become confused in recent decades, with the new methods of interpretation eclipsing the old. The differences are considerable. What are they, how do they affect our understanding and preaching, and which is scriptural? This address showed in a positive way how the ‘old’ well-proved method of the centuries seeks out the pastoral, spiritual application of the text – the voice of Christ to His people.
The quest for the message has become confused in recent decades, with the new methods of interpretation eclipsing the old. The differences are considerable. What are they, how do they affect our understanding and preaching, and which is scriptural? This address showed in a positive way how the ‘old’ well-proved method of the centuries seeks out the pastoral, spiritual application of the text – the voice of Christ to His people.
Emphasising the message of the prophet according to the principles of traditional interpretation, these addresses set out the topics covered by the eight questions posed in the book. Themes such as marriage and the marks of the godly abound, crying out for the attention of the expounder.
This deeply practical letter, containing some of the best-loved chapters in the Bible, suffers much by exaggeration of the corruptions of the Corinthian church, so that it is no longer ‘like our church’, or ‘in our situation’. This study showed the rich themes and counsels that apply to all churches in every age.
While Spurgeon’s sermons constitute the largest set of volumes by any author in the English language, and have attracted more readers than the sermons of any other preacher, it is evident that most of them could never have been composed using the system of expounding being promoted today. Spurgeon’s traditional approach to the Word will surely enliven greatly our own quest for the Spirit’s intended message.
Described as the perfect epistle for teaching the procedures for holiness, the glories of the Word, the root of apostasy, and the great hope of Christ’s return, 2 Peter yields up its treasures only by spiritual reflection.
Pre-eminently a reasoned appeal for living by faith, Hebrews is also a manual of Old Testament interpretation. The modern (mistaken) approach sees the epistle as a tirade against unbelieving Jews. The traditional approach sees so much more.
Emphasising the message of the prophet according to the principles of traditional interpretation, these addresses set out the topics covered by the eight questions posed in the book. Themes such as marriage and the marks of the godly abound, crying out for the attention of the expounder.
This deeply practical letter, containing some of the best-loved chapters in the Bible, suffers much by exaggeration of the corruptions of the Corinthian church, so that it is no longer ‘like our church’, or ‘in our situation’. This study showed the rich themes and counsels that apply to all churches in every age.
Possibly the oldest book in Scripture, yet a demonstration of how Satan’s arguments against the faith never change. In one address a key was proposed for unlocking the counsels, helps and encouragements of this most rare and unconventional of Old Testament books.
Proverbs is often called (by modern writers) a book of ‘sundry moral maxims’, a description that obscures the depths and purpose of its remarkable miniature parables. This address showed the plot of Proverbs, the cast, the themes and some prime examples of spiritual application evident to traditional expounders.
The quest for the message has become confused in recent decades, with the new methods of interpretation eclipsing the old. The differences are considerable. What are they, how do they affect our understanding and preaching, and which is scriptural? This address showed in a positive way how the ‘old’ well-proved method of the centuries seeks out the pastoral, spiritual application of the text – the voice of Christ to His people.
