Articles
Martin Luther as Pastor and Preacher
The life of Luther is vital because in him, we have a prototype of salvation by justification by faith. I know that there will be those who visit this website who trust in good works to get to heaven. That is misguided and disastrous. Ultimately there are only two kinds of people on earth, those who trust in themselves and their own goodness and those who abandon their own merits entirely and trust only in the perfect and completed work of Christ for salvation. Martin Luther attempted to find salvation by his own efforts and found that ended in despair. He discovered that God’s salvation is a free gift and in that gift Christ’s righteousness is imputed to the sinner. Christ is the Sinbearer and He has propitiated the wrath of God for my sins. My sins have been imputed to Christ. Commentaries on Paul’s letter to the Romans from Luther’s day to ours in this 21st Century confirm that this child-like simple way to eternal life is correct.
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Sixth Missionary Paradigm in Church History
Any candidate for Bible College should ask about the Missionary department. We go to Bible seminary to train as pastors and missionaries. In my article on Missiology I provide an overview of Church history from a missionary point of view. Motivation is crucial. We need missionaries who are highly motivated. Inspiration is in plentiful supply from the story of missions.
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The Amazing Eschatological Dimensions of Isaiah
The substance of this exposition was presented at the FIEC Church Planters’ Conference at Cuckfield, Sussex, on 11th November, 2003. At the conclusion of this, the second of three expositions, a leader of the FIEC testified that in forty years of ministry in England he had witnessed downgrade only and that Isaiah’s optimism was hard to credit. It is mysterious that while church attendance is in declension in Britain it is on the increase in the USA.
The substance of this article is important because the promises of Scripture are used by the Holy Spirit to create zeal and effort. I maintain that the cause of Christ is not going to go into demise. The very opposite is true. He will reign until his enemies become a footstool for his feet (Psalm 110:1). See what Isaiah declares concerning this matter.
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The Eldership and Protocol
This article concerns church government. I have served on three elderships, one for twenty-three years, one for three years and one for twenty years. The eldership can be like a heaven on earth but if wrongly constructed can be like hell on earth. If a protocol is observed it will certainly help whatever the merits or demerits of an eldership. Most elderships function well and fulfil our Lord’s intention of feeding and caring for the sheep.
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Martyn Lloyd-Jones as Pastor and Preacher
Dr D Martyn Lloyd-Jones was omni-gifted. He was a born leader and a brilliant chairman of meetings, whether in church meetings or in conferences. But he was pre-eminently a preacher. It was his care for and his love for souls that made him an effective preacher. When he was leader of the large congregation at Westminster Chapel, London, it was not possible for him to engage in systematic pastoral visitation of the flock. However it was his custom after every service to spend about two hours in his vestry counselling those who needed his help. A deacon was always in charge to supervise this part of the doctor’s ministry. Mr Micklewright was a principal helper in this work. He had pastoral experience himself and was ideal for assisting the doctor. Dr ML-J was a pastor by telephone to many other pastors. Much of his time was spent in advising and shepherding fellow pastors, especially younger men.
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Why I am a Baptist
My story falls into two parts. The first part describes my personal experience. I am a Baptist by experience. But was that experience biblical? Can my position stand the test of Scripture? The second part, in which I face searching questions, is doctrinal.
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