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.
What a Gospel this is! Christ, his love, his pardon, his righteousness, his Spirit, his holiness, his strength and his fulness, are all offered freely to poor, miserable sinners. Nothing must interfere with this freeness.
Why did the Lord institute the sabbath day, and in what way has it changed with the coming of Christ? This article responds to these questions, showing that the sabbath principle is still God’s will for believers today.
This article presents the traditional view that we are to seek real guidance from the Lord in all the major decisions of life, and he will certainly clarify our thinking, or overrule our circumstances.
We may have no assurance, coldness, and small desire to pray. Isaiah 50.10 is a good solution: ‘Who is among you.. that walketh in darkness and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.’
‘These things have I written unto you… that ye may know that ye have eternal life…’ (1 John 5.13). This verse is written for those who doubt whether they have been forgiven and saved by God, and struggle with assurance.
There is nothing quite like the Ten Commandments for stimulating progress in sanctification, once our minds are primed to see all that they teach. In the New Testament we read that keeping them is an act of love to Christ, and also the basis of assurance. This article employs five biblical keys to unlock the riches of the ‘royal law’.
The loss of separation has already led to a weakened, worldly, psychological evangelicalism in Britain, and the situation will grow worse still without a return to former standards of loyalty to Christ and his Word. But the commands to stand clear of false doctrine, immorality and worldliness are still in the Bible.
With Calvary before Him, the Lord spoke these remarkable words – ‘Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.’ From this time Satan would be curbed in his power, still able to work much wickedness until the final day, but severely limited. But how exactly was Satan cast out by Christ’s death?
It is often claimed by those cynical toward the Bible that Genesis 1 is contradicted by Genesis 2. But these claims are so obviously mistaken and easily refuted. Genesis is amazingly precise and consistent as narrative.
It is enough to know and believe what the Word of God has revealed, that the holy angels of God take special care of each believer. In this respect angels are collectively called ‘their angels’ (Matthew 18.10). They are said to encamp about them that fear the Lord (Psalm 34.7). This is further evident by the many services which angels do to them and for them.
As a man, there is only one adjective for Karl Barth and that is ‘great’. Everything about him was big. He clearly had a first-class intellect. Nothing else could account for his acute criticism of theological outlooks and his own massive Church Dogmatics. He appeared to be reasserting the Calvinistic position. But alas, it was only a matter of appearance.
‘For the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.’
The Spirit does not search in the sense that he needs to find out. He is the Holy Spirit, eternal, all-knowing, equal with the Father and the Son. He searches in the sense that he surveys and penetrates all knowledge and all events. He has the past, present and future in his mind all the time.
Let every parent know assuredly that it is well with the child, if God has taken it away from you in its infant days. You never heard its declaration of faith; it was not capable of such a thing. Nevertheless, you may rest assured that it is well with the child, well in a higher and a better sense than it is well with yourselves.
A divine covenant is a pledge by God to relate to mankind on certain conditions. God does not relate to man in a haphazard, random, disorderly way, but in accordance with clear principles and purposes, reflecting his holy nature and requirements.
Genesis is the foundational book of the entire Bible, chronicling the origin of the universe and the human race, the entry of sin into the world, and the launching of the history of redemption. Many Christians do not know that all the great doctrines of the faith are introduced in this book.
In Leviticus, the Lord prescribes very precisely the order and manner of worship. They were not to devise services for themselves, and even in our day of greater liberty we are not to create expressions of worship not seen in the New Testament.
The duty of separation, whether primary or secondary, is laid upon us in the Bible by the infinite kindness of God. Far from being loveless, it is a Gospel-preserving and a church-protecting duty. It is to keep us from a thousand snares and heartaches.
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.
In John 12 there are seven ‘voices’ about the Messiah. There is the voice of the people, first of all. Then the voices of prophecy, the witnesses to the raising of Lazarus, the Pharisees, the Gentiles, Christ speaking of his own death, and finally the voice of God speaking from Heaven.
How could it be that God allowed the Fall, and all the evil and horror that was brought into the world, when our first parents fell? How was it that sin was ever permitted in the first place? Our limited, human way of reasoning soon calls into question the righteousness of God.
When we speak of the sufficiency of Scripture, we mean that the Word of God provides all that we need to know in order to be saved, to be sanctified, to worship, and to organise and operate the church of God (2 Timothy 3.16-17). It clearly shows a pattern for the church.
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.
‘This covenant [grace] is the only city of refuge for a distressed soul to fly to for sanctuary, when all the billows and waves of temptation run over him, or Satan doth furiously assault him. If we fly to this armoury, we can never want weapons to resist the devil.’ – Benjamin Keach (1640-1704)
This article will sweep through Deuteronomy 29 – 30 to demonstrate that it records how Moses presented an ‘evangelical covenant’ which was set beside and distinct from the covenant of Sinai, the latter being a ‘works’ covenant that could only condemn. (This is how Paul expounds it in Romans 10.)
‘..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 outstanding hymnwriter’s compositions have formed the backbone of numerous hymnbooks for three centuries, unfailingly expressing biblical doctrines and themes, and it is profoundly unsettling to believers to see his theological integrity attacked by ill-informed articles, blogs and forums. Dr Aniol has researched the literature very thoroughly and presented a balanced picture of where Isaac Watts laid himself open to such criticisms, while retaining solid Trinitarian convictions.
The second of two addresses
This was the Reformation doctrine most shattering to the priests of Rome, for it took away their status and their living (just as it had taken the priesthood from the Jews at the dawn of the church). The priesthood of all believers conveys to Christians sublime privileges and also solemn obligations. It is the basis of both public and personal access to God, and also of participation in Christian service by all His people. The first of two addresses.
Rome is ruled by pope and tradition; the Church of England changes and corrupts moral values by Synod, while a true Reformation tradition must uphold and apply the authority of the Word alone in everything. This address will show how.
The rediscovery of justification by faith brought vast numbers to Christ, but it is still denied (by mis-definition) in Catholicism, and diluted to extinction in much modern evangelicalism by inadequate views of sin and repentance. This address will focus on ‘Reformation’ faith and its exercise.
The second of two addresses on church history.
In this session, Dr Tom Nettles, Rev John Thackway and Pastor Chris Hand will each briefly show how the universal tender of salvation is rightly expressed in harmony with the doctrines of grace.
Do we but barely fulfil the work of the Gospel in our church? Pastor Ibrahim will outline the exhortations and the outworking of the calling of believers to work together for Christ.
Since the 1960s, the liberal social mandate has steadily taken over major platforms of the evangelical world, equalling and even surpassing in importance the place of the great commission. Although once resisted, it is now invading independency. Dr Ted Williams will trace its recent resurgence, its unbiblical reasoning and its extreme goals (not to be confused with traditional compassionate ministry).
Though carried out in time, atonement is exclusively an act by God and to God. This study presents the implications that enrich our reflection, devotion and worship.
Hollywood depicts merely the external, physical pains of Christ, but we must proclaim the true nature and the extent of atonement. This address will consider the depths of the price paid, and for whom.
Directions to precious believers in the most morally corrupt environment
of the first century have special resonance for today. These two studies will explore the prime themes for message preparers, showing the doctrines and applications of the supreme ‘ethical epistle’.
The work of Christ is sometimes expressed only as a formula for salvation, whereas it is to be honoured for its extent, including power to atone, cleanse, purchase, secure and present faultless for eternity.
Rarer aspects of the mighty accomplishments of Christ. We bow our heads and wonder at the sublime scope of Calvary, where a countless host was redeemed, where also the material creation was delivered, and where the decisive conflict took place between Satan’s hosts and the Son of God. A call to full appreciation.
Parallel Old Testament Covenants: This address will show how ‘amazing grace’ was administered in the Old Testament.
The Covenant of Grace: Why, Who, and When? There was a time, and it ran for two centuries, when Baptists held a distinctive doctrine of God’s covenants quite different from the Presbyterian view, and eminently more scriptural. Then dispensational ideas made it a minority view. But a revival is taking place. Two addresses will present the traditional ‘1689’ covenant, its difference from Sinai, and its devotional rewards.
C H Spurgeon followed the Puritans in embracing a doctrinal approach to giving strength and consolation in trials. Dr Nettles will show how Spurgeon administered biblical counsel in the pulpit ministry.
It is said that the hardest operation in the soul is the melting of pride and the building of true humility, yet it is the essence of sanctification, and Calvary the means.
Calvary and covenant unite to move hearts of God’s people to love and dedicated service, an outcome vastly more valuable than theoretical consent.
There are many examples of matters once considered essential by evangelicals, which are now neglected or discarded, such as the right use of the Lord’s Day, standards of discipleship and service for the Lord, the honouring of church order, and the contentious issue of departure from worldliness. Obedience to the Lord is fundamental to true spiritual usefulness, and Dr Masters and other speakers advocated a return to scriptural faithfulness to these fading principles.
There are many examples of matters once considered essential by evangelicals, which are now neglected or discarded, such as the right use of the Lord’s Day, standards of discipleship and service for the Lord, the honouring of church order, and the contentious issue of departure from worldliness. Obedience to the Lord is fundamental to true spiritual usefulness, and Dr Masters and other speakers advocated a return to scriptural faithfulness to these fading principles.
We revisited this vital topic from a different perspective as it is pivotal and decisive in securing instrumentality in both witness and preaching. What is the correct view of the order of salvation?
Dr Masters showed the authentic Calvinistic doctrine and the practice of Puritan preachers and 18th-19th century worthies of awakenings alike.
Preparatory Devotional Address (Psalm 116): The spiritual responses and resolutions of a serving heart to the love of God.
There is no doubt that reverence and awe, accompanied by a deep sense of the majesty and holiness of God, are becoming rare in the evangelical world, leading to the demise of convicting power as entertainment genres of music sweep into the churches.
Dr Makujina exposed the many fallacies on which the contemporary worship movement is confidently based, answering the justifications – such as the supposed neutrality of music and harmlessness of rhythmic musical genres – thereby demonstrated the priceless value of generations of godly traditional worship.
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.
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.
These twin graces paramount in apostolic preaching, memorably defined in the great Confessions, and so prominent in The ministry of Spurgeon, are frequently downgraded to a mere assent in our day. Dr Nettles will strongly affirm the Christ-centred nature of true repentance.
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.
