The Evangelical Presbyterian - March-April 2011

7/29/2019 The Evangelical Presbyterian - March-April 2011

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MarMar--Apr2011Apr2011

Gresham Machen in UlsterGresham Machen in UlsterGresham Machen in Ulster

The Paper EvangelistsThe Paper EvangelistsThe Paper Evangelists

A Tribute to Ernest LloydA Tribute to Ernest LloydA Tribute to Ernest Lloyd

I am the Resurrection and the LifeI am the Resurrection and the LifeI am the Resurrection and the Life

Marar-Apr 2011pr 20111.501.50TheThe

EvangelicalEvangelicalPresbyterianPresbyterian


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TheEvangelicalPresbyterianTheEvangelicalPresbyterian

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Subscriptions 2010

Collected 9.00BypostwithinUK 11.00BypostoutsideUK15.00Enquiriesto:EvangelicalBookShop(Seebackpageforcontactdetails)

Take NoteTake NoteThe Continuing Erosionhe Continuing ErosionThe constant and sometimes subtle attacks

on Biblical principles in our land continueto give the church much concern. The re-cent call by the Minister for Social Devel-opment, Alex Attwood, for a review of theSunday Trading laws in Northern Irelandis a further attempt to increase the hoursof business on the Lords Day and to makeit the same as any other day of the week.

Marriage and family life have been thesubjects for debate in the House of Lordsduring February. In an article in TheTimes William Rees-Mogg called on theGovernment to Reward marriage andrescue British society.

Here are two areas of life on which Godhas given clear and direct guidance. Theyare the basis of a stable and ordered so-ciety. The rescue of society in any coun-try will not be delivered by Governmentrewards but by a return to the principles ofGods Word. The Puritans called the LordsDay the market day of the soul. EvenWinston Churchill commented Sunday isa divine and priceless institution.

The whole area of marriage is under con-

stant attack and the present Governmentis seeking to pass laws that will allow civilpartnerships to take place in churchbuildings. Marriage and the Lords Dayare creation ordinances and are given tomankind to express Gods care and provi-sion for us. As J. C. Ryle notes The nearera nations laws about marriage approachto the law of Christ, the higher has the

moral tone of that nation proved to be.

Take Note: Hold fast to the Lord your God,as you have done to this day. (Josh 23.8)

Cover PhotographGracie, eldest daughter of RevEmmanuel and Mrs Ekka, Vijay

Nagarcongregation,Jabalpur,India.SheissixandahalfandgoestoanEnglishMediumschool.Hersister,Glory,isthreeandahalf.

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Editor

HaroldGibson

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TheEditordito raddressesthequestion:WhatistheGospel?

The Authentic GospelThe Authentic Gospel

TheApostlePaul,writingtotheGalatiansexpressedhisastonishmentthatsome

of the believers were turning to a different gospel from the one that he hadpreached to them. False teachers had infiltrated the church troubling it andseekingtodistortthegospelofChrist. Throughtheyearsthechurchhasbeentroubledwithunbeliefthathasresultedinfalseteachingandgospeldistortion.DrGreshamMachenwasinvitedtowriteanarticlefortheUnionSeminaryReviewin1927onthethemeWhatistheGospel?ThiswasafollowuptoapreviousarticleonthesamethemeinanearlierissueoftheReview,whichhadinvitedmembersofacongregationtogivetheiranswertothisquestion.DrMachencommentedItiscertainlyinterestingtodiscoverwhatthe

peoplewhoactuallyformthemembershipofthechurchesthink withregardtothebasicquestionsoftheChristianfaith. 1Oneofthethingshenotedwasthateveninarelativelywellinformedcongregationtherewasconsiderableconfusionofmind. TherecentdebateoverNTWrightsNewPerspectiveonPaulprovokedthecomment fromBurkParsons thathis(Wrights)portrayalofthegospel andofjustificationinparticularissodisfiguredthatitbecomesdifficulttorecognizeasbiblicallyfaithful.

2HowwouldweanswerthequestionWhatistheGospel?and

howdowedistinguishtheauthenticfromthefalse?The Gospel of Godhe Gospel of GodInRomans1PauldescribeshimselfasanapostlesetapartforthegospelofGod.AttheoutsethedeclaresthegospelheproclaimsasbelongingtoGod.HetellsusthatthegospelissomethingthatwaspromisedbeforehandthroughhisprophetsintheHolyScriptures.TheOldTestamentforetoldthecomingSaviour.HeremindstheGalatiansthatthegospelhepreachesisnotmansgospelbutwassomethingthatwasrevealedtohimthroughJesusChrist.TheapostlePeterwritesForwedidnotfollowcleverlydevisedmythswhenwemadeknowntoyouthepowerandcomingofourLordJesusChrist,butwewereeyewitnessesofhismajesty.(2

Pet1.16);thegospelisnotamythassomewouldsuggestbutistherevelationofGodtomankind.Peterlinkshismessagewiththeotherapostlestoaffirmthattheyallpreachthesamemessage.ThroughoutthepagesoftheBibleweclearlyseethatthegospelistheGospelofGod.PaulwritesForinthegospelarighteousnessfromGodisrevealed(Rom1.17)The Christ of the Gospelhe Christ of the GospelTheheart of the gospel centres upon the person andwork of the Lord JesusChrist. Paul sets forth in Romans1 thedeity of Christ,descended fromDavidaccordingtothefleshanddeclaredtobetheSonofGodinpoweraccordingto

theSpiritofholinessbyhisresurrectionfromthedead.HeremindstheCorinthiansofthefundamentalsoftheChristianfaithandthegospelthathepreached,thatChristdiedforoursins,thathewasburiedandthatheroseagainonthethirdday,allinaccordancewiththeScriptures.


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The gospel is not about social action or the improvement of the welfare ofmankind.It isgoodnews,thatswhatthewordgospelmeans!ThegospeltellsusnotmerelythatChristdied,butwhyhediedandwhatheaccomplishedbyhisdeath. Watch out for those who tell you that Jesuswas a great man and anexampletofollowbutwhoomittotellyouthereasonwhyhecameandwhathedid.TheOneofwhomIsaiahspokecameandfulfilledallthatwasspokenofhim

intheOldTestamentScriptures.Thecentraltruthofthegospeltellsus thattheFathersenttheSonwholovedusandgavehimselfforus.Hediedinourplaceuponthecross, takingthepunishmentforoursins,andcompletingthegloriousworkofredemptionbyhisresurrectionfromthedead.AsMachenwrote:Thatisthecentreandcoreofthegospelthattheapostlesproclaimed.The Power of the Gospelhe Power of the GospelTheauthenticgospel transforms lives. It is thepower ofGoduntosalvationtoeveryonewhobelieves.Wheneverthegospelisfaithfullypreacheditwillalwaysbringreactions.Itwillarousenotonlyopposition,ridiculeandcontemptbutwill

leadtofaithinJesusChrist.WhenPaulpreachedinAthens(Acts17)weseethekindofresponsesthathispreachingbrought,somemocked,someprocrastinatedbutsomemenjoinedhimandbelieved.Theauthenticgospeltransformslives,translatingmenandwomenfromthekingdomofdarknessintothekingdomoflight. TheapostlePaulinhistestimonybeforeKingAgrippa(Acts26)speaksofthatdaywhenhemetJesusChristontheroadtoDamascus,andhislifewastotallychanged.He,whohadbeenablasphemerandpersecutorofthechurchofChrist,wasnowcalledtobeawitnesstothethingsinwhichyouhaveseenmeandtothoseinwhichIwillappeartoyou.WeseethistransforminggraceatworkinthelifeofZacchaeus,hislifechangedandtheevidenceofthatnewlifeinhisdesiretoobeytheWordofGod.Theauthenticityofthegospelisseenintransformedlives.MachenwritesHowrichandhowvariedaretheeffectsofthegospel inhumanlives;inwhatmanifoldwaysourSavourholdscommunionwiththosewhoarehis! The Promise of the Gospelhe Promise of the GospelThe authentic gospel is one of promise. Not only has Jesus accomplishedredemption for his people but, asJohnMurray remindsus,Glorification is thefinal phase of the application of redemption. In the death of Christ, the last

enemyhasbeendefeatedandweaccordingtohispromisearewaitingfornewheavensandanewearthinwhichrighteousnessdwells.Jesuspromisedaplaceinheavenforallthosewho loveandtrusthim.Thetruegospel isamessageofhopeandcertaintytoahopelessanduncertainworld.TheunbelieveriswithoutGod,andthereforewithouthopeinthisworld. Howwouldyouanswer thequestionWhat istheGospel?Machenremindsusthatifwearetodeterminewhatthegospelis,wemustturntotheScripturesandtotheScripturesalone.NotintoourownsoulsbuttotheBibleshouldwelooktoobtainananswertothemomentousquestionWhatistheGospel?

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1JGreshamMachen,SelectedShorterWritings,editedbyDGHart,P&R,2004,p123.2Tabletalk,February2010,LigonierMinistries. 3Machen,p132.

If you believe what you like in the gospel, and reject what you dont like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself. Augustine


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Rev Samuel Watsonev Samuel Watsonev Samuel Watson ,,Finaghy,proceedswiththeIamsayingsofJohnsGospel.SinceChristisboththeResurrectionandtheLifewecanliveentirelyinhope.

I am the Resurrection and the LifeI am the Resurrection and the Life

ThisisthefifthoftheIAMsayingsoftheSaviourintheGospelofJohn,butwetake it now since this magazine issue spans theEaster period. Thewords ofJesus in John 11.25-26 are almost invariably quoted at some point in everyfuneralservice.Sowhatdotheytellus?The Reality of Lifehe Reality of LifeTherealityoflifeisthatinthemidstoflifeweareindeath!ThiswastherealitythatfacedMaryandMartha.Lazaruswasdeadandgriefhadinvadedtheironcehappy home. He whom they had loved so dearly was snatched from theirpresenceandtheyweredevastated.Andthat isarealitywhichconfrontsusall.

Deathandbereavemententerintoallourhomesatsomepoint.Anddeathisanugly,universaland,moreoftenthannot,unexpectedeventwhichbringsbrokenheartsandgreatdistressinitswake.Ofcoursedeathisbuttheultimateofthetroubleswe face in life.WhenAdamsinned in thegardenofEdenhewastoldthattheperfectionofthelifehehadknownuntilthenwasfinished.Fromthenonhe and his descendantswould know trouble and strifeeven from nature,withwhichhewouldnowhavetostrugglebythesweatofhisbrowtomakea living.Thefactisthat,throughallofourlifehereonearth,wehavetodealwithvariousaccidents, illnesses, difficulties, stresses, strains and troubles, eventuallyculminatingindeath.Howevermuchwemightliketoavoidordenythesethingstherealityisthattheyinevitablycatchupwitheachofus.The Resurrection and the Lifehe Resurrection and the LifeInto thisworldwheredeathappears towieldundisputedsway,however,cameOnewhodescribed himself as"theResurrection and theLife'!On each of thethree recorded occasions when our Lord came into contact with death hechallengedit,grappledwithitandforcedittogiveupitsprey.Jairus'sdaughter,thesonofthewidowofNainandLazarusalltestifytoChrist'sregalpoweroverman's "last enemy" (1 Cor 15.26). As D L Moody quaintly phrased it: "Jesus

spoiledeveryfuneralheattended".WhenJesusdiedonthecross,someofhislastwordswere,"Itisfinished!"Hedidnotsay,"Iamfinished."Thiswasnotthecryofadefeateddyingman,butthetriumphantshoutofagreatVictor.ItwasthecryofOnewhohadcompletedhistaskandfulfilledhismission.Itisimportanttonote, therefore, thatwhenJesus said, I am theResurrectionand theLife,hedidntsimplysaythattheOTScripturescontainedapromisedresurrectionofthedead.Rather,hemadehimselfthecentralfocusofthatresurrectionhope.Infact,hiswordsareemphatic:IevenIamtheResurrectionandtheLife. Soonegreatlessonthatweshouldlearnfromthisisthatthereisnohopefor

resurrectionno hope for victory over deathapart from Jesus Christ. He isntsimplypassingonthehopeofresurrectiontous.Heisntevenjustourexampleof what resurrection will be like. He is those things; but hes much more. Hehimself is the resurrectionand the life.Remember thatwhenJesussaid these


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wordstoMartha,itwasbeforethecrucifixionandthefirstEaster.JesusclaimedtobetheresurrectioninresponsetoMartha'sstatedbeliefthatherbrotherwouldriseonthelastday.AndwhatHewastellingherwas"I'mnottalkingaboutsomegreatmassresurrectionattheendoftheworld.I'mtheOnewhoisgoingtoraisethedeadthenandnowbecauseIAMtheResurrectionandtheLife.SoJesuswasmovingMartha'sfaithfromaconcepttheresurrectiontoaPerson,himself.

Resurrectionisthevictoryoverdeath,andJesusdeclaresthatheistheOnewhohasthepowertotriumphoverdeath. Butnotonlythat,heisalsotheLifetheOnewhoislifeitselfandtheOnewhothereforecangivelifetoothers.TheLordJesusistheprincipleoflife!Heisthe source of life! He is God! The apostle John (who saw these events) laterwrote,Andthisistherecord:thatGodhathgiventouseternallife,andthislifeisinhisSon.HethathaththeSonhathlife:andhethathathnottheSonofGodhathnotlife(1John5.11 -12).AstheResurrectionheraisedLazarusfromthedeadhegothimup.AstheLife,hesustainedhimwithlife-hekepthimup!

The Revelation on Lifehe Revelation on LifeJesusChristaloneistheResurrectionandtheLife.Weclearlyseethat,notonlyinhismiraclesofraisingthedeadduringthecourseofhisearthlyministry,butsupremely inhisOwnrisingagainon thethirddayto liveafterthepowerofanendlesslife.Asaresultourwholelivescanbecharacterizedbyhope. First, Jesuspresentshopeconcerningthosewho havedied in him.He toldMartha,Hethatbelievethinme,thoughheweredead,yetshallhelive.Thisisahope that comforts us with respect to thosewho, as believers in Christ, havepassedonbeforeus.Whendeathhastakenawaysomeonewelove,oursorrowisreal.Wemissthemandwelongfortheirfellowshipagain.Wegenuinelygrieve.Jesushimself knewwhat that grief felt like.But because Jesus himself is "theResurrectionandtheLife",ourgriefisexperiencedinthecontextandanticipationoffuturejoyandvictory.TheapostlePaulwrotetohisfellowbelieversinthecityofThessalonica,becausemanyoftheirlovedoneshaddiedfortheirfaiththroughpersecution.Heacknowledgedtheirsorrow;andthenhebroughtthemtremendous comfortandassuranceabouttheirlovedonesin1Thess4.13-18.

Second, Jesuspresentshope concerning those of uswho live.HenotonlymeantthishopetobeacomforttouswhenweloseabelovedoneintheLordbydeath.Itsalsomeanttogiveus,whoareliving,hopeevenwhilewelive.JesusalsotoldMartha,Andwhosoeverlivethandbelievethinmeshallneverdie(v26).Literally...heshall innowaydieuntoeternity.AsChristians,weliveourliveswiththerecognitionthatdeathmaycometousatanytime;butwealsolivewiththe recognition that death is in nowaypermanent.Wewill in nowaydieuntoeternity.PhysicaldeathfortheChristianshouldnotbesomethingwhichfrightensustoourcore.ForthosewhobelieveinJesuswillsimplygofromlifeheretolifeintheParadiseofGod;itwillbegoingfromthisworldofsinanddeathtoliveina

worldwithneithersinnordeath.Andso,weliveinhope(2Cor4.16-5v1).

Third,withoutChristyounevertrulylive.whosoeverlivethandbelievethinmeshallneverdie.Thereisanewkindoflifethatstartsevennowthatdoesnot


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runoutevenatdeath.Jesusimpartsnewlifetoday.Christdidnotcometoimproveour livesbygivingus instructions.He came to impartnew life by givingushisSpirit. LikeLazarus,wearedead,what theScripturescallvoidofGodsSpirit.Christ came tomakeusalive,securing forgiveness throughHis deathand theoperationofhisSpirittogiveusnewlife,anewheartwithnewlovesandanewcapacitytobeallGodenvisionsustobeashumanbeingsmadeinhisimage.

Fourth,ifourgreatestenemy,death,hasbeendefeatedbyChristandsubjecttohim,thenallourlesserenemiesareunderhisfeetaswell.Isntitamazinghowwewillbelieveintheresurrectionatthelastday,yetreallynottrustChristtohelpusinourtrialstoday?Whatistheretofear?Whatcanmandotous?IfJesusastheResurrectionandtheLifecouldraiseLazarusfromthedeadandbringhelpandcomforttoMaryandMarthainthecourseoftheirlives,canhenothelpyouinthestruggles,troublesandheartbreaksofyourlifetoday?WithChristyouneverreallydie.WithoutChrist,younevertrulylive.HeistheResurrectionandLife

ouronlyhopeindeath;ouronlyhopeforlife.Doyouknowhim?DoyoubelieveinHim?ThekeytohavingthisresurrectionandlifeistohaveChrist,thePerson,andnotjusttoholdtoadoctrine. HavingmadethisgreataffirmationtoMarthaJesusasked,"Doyoubelievethis?Well?Doyou?Enoughtobelieveinhim?

Visit from the Presbyterian Free Church of Central Indiaisit from the Presbyterian Free Church of Central Indiaisit from the Presbyterian Free Church of Central IndiaRevSamitMishra andMrPradeepKumar,MinisterandElderofthecongregationofChhapara,whereMissNanDunlopspenthermissionaryservice,plantomakeashortvisittouson: Monday 4 April 2010onday 4 April 2010onday 4 April 2010

Thisistheonlydayourfriendshaveavail-ablefromtheirvisittotheNetherlandsandtoScotlandandwearedelightedtohavetheopportunity,albeitbrief. However, 4 April is a Presbytery nightandthisrestrictsouroptionsforameeting.Wewillhaveconsultationsaboutitandad-

vise the congregations of what we havebeenabletoarrange.Itwillbegoodforasmanyaspossibletomeetthemandheartheirstory.Ifthereareviewsamongthecongregationsastowhatmightworkbestpleaseletusknow.

Presbytery Family Day 2011resbytery Family Day 2011resbytery Family Day 2011Saturday 7 May, Stranmillis College, Belfast

Arrangementsforthisannualeventinourcalendararecurrentlyinhand.

Bookingformswithfullprogrammedetailswillbeavailablethroughoutthecongregationsquitesoon.Meantime,pleasemakeadiarynote.

Pradeep Kumar Samit Mishra


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Rev Jeff Ballantine,Groomsport,remembersthismostremarkableman.I first met Ernest Lloyd about ten years ago when Mike Moore, Director ofChristianWitnesstoIsrael,waswritinghisbiography.Mikeinterviewedhiminour

house and since then he has been a regularguestinourhome.Insomewaysheisthemostremarkable man I have ever met and I want tooutlinejustafewofthecharacteristicsthatIshallrememberhimfor,althoughhewouldhavebeenquicktoremindusofPsalm115.1:Notuntous,notuntous,butuntoyournamegiveglory.

Ernestwasanexceedinglyindustriousmanandeternityalonewillrevealhislaboursforthesalvationofsouls,particularlythoseofhisfellowJews.Hevisited

Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia on several occasions toestablishJewishmissions,nomeanfeatbeforethedaysofEasyJet!Hepreachedin a phenomenal number of evangelical churches and for someone who wasbroughtupinanorphanageduringthefirstWorldWarandhadneverdrivenacar,thatsquiteunique!Hecutdownonhistravelsonlyfairlyrecently.Hewasalsoveryhumble.HehadvastexperienceinGodsworkyethewouldaskquestionslike:Whatdoyouthinkthisversemeans,Jeff?orWhathaveyoureadonthissubject?Eveninhis97thyearhewasgrowingingraceandknowledge. Godblessedhimwith an extraordinarymemory,even in oldage. As IwasreadingTheImportanceofBeingErnestontheplane,Igotintoconversationwiththemannexttome.Hiswifethenspokeupandsaid:Iknewthatmanfortyyearsago.HevisitedmyparentshousewhenhewasworkinginLondon.IpromisedtohavethemoverduringhisnextvisitusbutIdidntrevealheridentitytoErnestjusttoseewhatwouldhappen.Sheshowedhimapictureofherselfasaten-year-oldgirlandherecognizedherimmediatelyalthoughhehadnotseenhersince.Hewentontospeakatsomelengthaboutherfamilyandchurchacquaintances. A number of other features come to mind.He had the ability to cross the

generationgap.Hecouldrelateto everyagegroupandlittlechildrenlovedhim.Hedistinguishedbetweenessentialsandnon-essentials,helped,nodoubt,byhisinteractionwithmanyChristiansthroughouttheworld.Hewouldhaveagreedwithanother great Jew, Rabbi Duncan: Its exceedingly foolish, but exceedinglycommon, for men to put the adiaphora (non-essentials) in the place of theessentials.Hispreachingwasmemorableeveninhisadvancingyears,revealinghisclarityofthoughtandstructure.Hewasanamazingletterwritertoo.InanswertoSheenasquestionwelearnedapproximatelyfiftyeachweek.Ifyoureceivedoneyouknewwhoitwasfrom,becauseErneststypingwasnotlikeanythingIhaveeverseen!Apparentlyhereceivedthreesacksofpostonhis95

thbirthday!

Ernest rested from his labourson 22December 2010 andhisconsiderableworksdofollowhim.Weshallmissouragedgentlegiantfriend.However,onedayweshallmeetagain.Thememoryofthejustisblessed(Prov10.7)

A Tribute to Ernest LloydA Tribute to Ernest Lloyd


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AswecometoPsalm62weseeDavidspeakingfirstlytohimself,tohisownsouland then later toall believers.He reassureshimself inGodalone. ThisPsalmwaswritteninthebackgroundofDavidssonAbsalomsrebellionandthereforeisaverydifficultperiodinhislife.1 Davids Trust (62.1avids Trust (62.1-2))Davidsentirebeinghisinnerself,mind,emotionandwillistrustinginGodandinhimalone.TheHebrewwordforGodhereisElohimallpowerful,majestic,onehavingdominion.DavidvowstotrustaloneinGodandinhimfindshis:Salvation,Strength,SecurityandStability.

Dwell here for a moment and realise what is happening. In the midst of apotentially devastating set of personal circumstances David finds completeprotectioninGodalonebyquietlytrustinginhim.2 Davids Troubles (62.3avids Troubles (62.3-4))InthesetwoversesweseeDavidinhisweakenedstate.HefeelsthepressureofhisenemiesmadealltheworsebecauseitwashisownbelovedsonAbsalomwhowasseekingtobringhimdown.Davidsworldiscrumblingaroundhimwhowillheturntowhatwillhedo?3 Davids Testimony (62.5avids Testimony (62.5-8))David turns to God and in him alone he waits.We know that David was animpulsivemanwholikedtosortthingsoutquicklybutGodhasbroughthim tothispointandheknowsthatnothinghedoescanbringrelieftothissituation.DavidissayingtoGodthathehasfailedandthatonlyGodcanrestorehishonouronlyGodcanbringhimrelief.AsDavidcomestothisrealisationbywaitingandlookingtoGodinsilenceheinvitesothers(v8)tosharehisconfidentfaithinGod.TrustinHimatalltimes,Opeople;pouroutyourheartstohim,forGodisourrefuge.

4 Davids Truth (62.9avids Truth (62.9-12)2)DavidconcludesthisPsalmbycontrastingtheweaknessofmanwiththepowerofGod.HealsoremindsusoftwogreatattributesofGod,hisstrengthandhislove. FinallyDavid remindsus allof ourduty to serveGod faithfully in this lifebecauseGodwillsurelyrewardeachofhischildrenaccordingtowhattheydoforhimallthedaysoftheirlifeonthisearth. AsweclosethisbriefreflectiononPsalm62howisyourlifeofservicebeforeGod?Areyoudoingallyoucantoreflecthisglorytobeafaithfulwitnessunto

himwherehehasplacedyouinthislife?HopefullyweallareworkinghardforHim and like David can echo: My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvationcomesfromhim.Healoneismyrockandmysalvation;heismyfortress,Iwillneverbeshaken.

Colin Mooreolin Moore ,Stranmillis,asksustoconsiderourlivesofserviceinthelightofPsalm 62-thesecondofaseriesofmeditationsonthePsalms.

In God AloneIn God Alone


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All Lands to God!All Lands to God!

Justover fifty yearsago,Mr&MrsWEAllenstartedaministrycalledRevivalMovementAssociation.Fromanearlystage,partofthevisionwastoreacheveryhomeinNorthernIrelandwithanitemofGospelliteraturewhichwasproducedonasmallprintingpressinthefrontroomoftheirhomeinEastBelfast.Thispartofthework becameknownasEveryHomeCrusade andhas since expanded toreachcountriesallroundtheworld.Today,literatureisprintedinalargefactorynearDromara,CoDown,andthereportfor2010tellsof91,000,000publications:

10,760,000 GospelsofJohn

22,082,000 Scripture&GospelBooklets58,846,000 GospelTracts&Leaflets55,000 SetsofChildrensBibleLessons80,000 Books

Nochargeismadeforthisliteratureandtheworkisentirelysupportedbygiftsanddonations,largelyfromNorthernIreland.Youcanreadmoreofthisamazingstoryinthebook,AMissiontoMillionsbyVictorMaxwell. Requests for literature are received from all parts of theworld and care is

needed in wisely meeting these requests. Questions such as the language,suitability, purpose group, quantity and distribution of the literature must beconsidered. In aneffort to answer these questions, regular visits aremade toreceivingcountries.IwasprivilegedtoaccompanySamuelAdams(co-leaderofthework)onsuchavisittoNigeriaforsevendaysinJanuary2011.OutofthemanypaperevangelistssenttoNigeria,letthefollowingfourtelltheirstory.

TheGospelofJohn: IarrivedinLagosfromNorthernIrelandina large container alongside thousands of other paperevangelists.IendedupinthehandsoftheMissionDirectorofa

large denomination for distribution within the 3000congregations.SomeofusareprintedinEnglish,othersareintheHausaorYorubalanguages.

EscapetheTrap:TheleaderoftheFellowshipofChristianStudents(ScriptureUnion)overseeingworkin3500secondaryschoolsamong1,000,000studentsacrossthecountryasked forme. Idealwiththespecificevilofpornographyandamsuitedtotheteensandtwentiesgroup.IalsothinkthattheleaderoftheChristianUnions in the 293 Universities throughoutNigeriawill beafterme!IknowhewantsGospelliteraturetobeavailableoneverycampus.

TheWonderDevotionalBook: I was packed alongside theChildrens BibleLessons and delivered to the leader of Child Evangelism Fellowship inNigeria.Hewasdelightedtoreceiveusandwewillbeaidingtheteachingof

David Watson, Ballyclare, visits Nigeria with EHCDavid Watson, Ballyclare, visits Nigeria with EHC

Jos

Lagos

The Paper EvangelistsThe Paper Evangelists

Johns Gospel


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theGospel to boys and girls, by full time and volunteer workers, in everyprovinceinNigeriaexciting?

Holiness(JCRyle):PastorRaymondaskedforme(alongwitheightothertitles). HehasdevelopedaministryofencouragingpastorstoteachtheWordofGodthroughexpositorypreaching.Eachyearheholds12trainingsessionswithan

average of 250pastors in attendance.Hewantsus to gohomewith thesepastors. He works not onlywithin his denomination in Nigeria, but also inEthiopia,UgandaandCameroonsowearenotsurewherewecouldendup!

Readers of this magazine will befamiliar with the work of ACTS (AfricaChristian TextbookS). For two days wemadeACTSHeadquartersinJosourbase,holdingmeetingswiththeleadersofvariousChristian churches and organisations.

Then in Lagos we participated in theofficialopeningofaliteraturedistributiondepot,developedinpartnershipwithACTS.Our literature and books are available intheir bookshops. This streamlines thedistributionandalreadyhasprovedtobemutuallybeneficial.MayGodcontinuetousetheliteratureforhisglory. If youwish tosupportthisministryorwishtoknowmoreaboutit,justlogontowww.revivalmovement.org or invite arepresentativesfromEveryHomeCrusadefor a deputation meeting. Also, a groupfrom your church can visit the factory inDromarabyarrangementandseefirsthandsomethingofthescopeofthework.

Itwasaprivilege to be partof this trip.Samuel and Iwere kept safeandwellthroughout,sothankyouforpraying.

ItwasalsoadelighttoenjoythefellowshipandhospitalityofourmissionariesPamelaMusaandGracie,RickieAngieandNoah inJosforashorttime.PrayespeciallyfortheirprotectioninthesedaysleadinguptoelectionsinApril.

The Book Ministry

Entrance to new Lagos Depot

Awaiting Distribution
http://www.revivalmovement.org/http://www.revivalmovement.org/http://www.revivalmovement.org/


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TIME TO CHANGE!

By the age of 19, John Bunyan had left the army and returned home.Sadly, he did not yet care for God.

John returned to the work of a tinker and to his old, wild

way of life. Then something changedhe fell in love and got

married! John and Mary were penniless, without a dish or a

spoon between them, but in their little cottage they did have

two books which told of the way to heaven. Reading these

books along with Marys good influence had some effect onJohn and he began to go to church twice on Sundays.

However, although he sang enthusiastically when he was

there, his wicked life did not change at all.

One Sunday, after the minister preached against Sunday

sport, John went out as usual to play tip-cat with his friendson the village green. When it was his turn, he hit the cat (a

short stick) up into the air with a longer stick. As he waited

for the cat to come down, it was as if a voice from heaven

darted into his soul.

Will you leave your sins and go to heaven

or keep your sins and go to hell?

John was so shaken that he let the cat fall to the ground

while he stood looking upwards.

It was a serious question, but John quickly made up his mind.

He reckoned he had left it too late to be forgiven and go to

heaven, so he would just go on sinning. It was a terrible

decision. John became worse than ever with his dreadfulcursing, swearing and running wild in the streets. How sad

poor Mary was. All she could do was pray.
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Part 2 of the John Bunyan story

One day a shopkeepers wife heard Johns foul language onthe street and scolded him. You will spoil all the young

people in the town! she declared. John felt very ashamed

and from that day he stopped his swearing. He began to read

his Bible and tried to keep the ten commandments. He thought

he was doing well, but his heart had not been changed.

By now, John had a little daughter called Mary. He loved

her dearly especially when they discovered she was blind.

It was not always easy to find enough work to feed his

family so John would go to the streets of nearby Bedford

looking for pots and pans to mend. One afternoon he

overheard a group of women chatting in a doorway. They were

talking of what Christ had done for them and seemed full oflove and joy. John was amazed at what he heard. Ladies, he

inquired, can you tell me what it is that makes you so glad?

Quiz

1. What did John and Mary have in their cottage? 2. What game did John

play one Sunday afternoon? 3. What question seemed to come from

heaven? 4. What terrible decision did John make? 5. What did Mary do?

6. Who spoke to John about his bad language? 7. Which rules did he tryto keep? 8. What was wrong with baby Mary? 9. Why did John go to

Bedford? 10. What were the ladies chatting about in the doorway?

Could God change John

Bunyans heart and give

him that same happiness?
http://uk.wrs.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTf2uyTDBNFRsAG2pWBQx./SIG=12c5ijbo8/EXP=1295039794/**http%3a/etc.usf.edu/clipart/16800/16829/baby_16829_lg.gifhttp://uk.wrs.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTf2uyTDBNFRsAG2pWBQx./SIG=12c5ijbo8/EXP=1295039794/**http%3a/etc.usf.edu/clipart/16800/16829/baby_16829_lg.gifhttp://uk.wrs.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTf2uyTDBNFRsAG2pWBQx./SIG=12c5ijbo8/EXP=1295039794/**http%3a/etc.usf.edu/clipart/16800/16829/baby_16829_lg.gifhttp://uk.wrs.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTf2uyTDBNFRsAG2pWBQx./SIG=12c5ijbo8/EXP=1295039794/**http%3a/etc.usf.edu/clipart/16800/16829/baby_16829_lg.gifhttp://uk.wrs.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTf2uyTDBNFRsAG2pWBQx./SIG=12c5ijbo8/EXP=1295039794/**http%3a/etc.usf.edu/clipart/16800/16829/baby_16829_lg.gifhttp://uk.wrs.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTf2uyTDBNFRsAG2pWBQx./SIG=12c5ijbo8/EXP=1295039794/**http%3a/etc.usf.edu/clipart/16800/16829/baby_16829_lg.gif


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Church NewsChurch NewsObituary: Mrs Jean Gibson, Finaghybituary: Mrs Jean Gibson, FinaghyJane(familiarlyknownasJean)wasborntoSamuelandIsobelMcGurkin1934.Shewasthefirstofsixchildreninacloseandlovingfamilyunit.JeanmetJohn

Gibsonin1950.Theyweremarriedin1955andGodwaspleasedtogivethem55yearstogether,untilhecalledherhome,suddenly,onLordsDay6February2011. Jeanservedhertimeandworkedintheupholsterytradeuntil theirsonGarywasborn.InlateryearsshewenttoworkintheMusgraveParkHospitalSewingRoom,andthen,until2010,intheUlsterClinicatStranmillis.Herfamilywasspe-cialtoherandshewasanexceptionaldaughter,wife,mother,grandmother,sis-ter,aunt,great-aunt,neighbourandfriend. ShewasbroughtupintheEvangelicalPresbyterianChurchandservedGodparticularlyinFinaghycongregationwithallofherpowers.Whetheritwassing-ing,cleaning,catering,flowerarranging,providinghospitality,MissionarySecre-tary,leaderoftheWomensMeetingandsoon,allwasdonequietly,efficiently,faithfullyandtothegloryofGod.Ashumbleasaintasyoucouldevermeet,Jeanwasextremelykindandthoughtful,compassionateandgraciousandutterlyself-less.IneveryaspectofherlifesheconveyedtheloveandfragranceofChristherSaviour.Herdeathhasbeenadevastatingblowtoherhusband,son,familycir-cle,andalsotoFinaghywhereshewasgreatlyloved.However,justaswearecertainthatshehasgonetoherrewardinheaven,sowearealsosurethatGodwillgivegraceandhelptothoseonearthwhomisshersomuch.Tohersorrow-ing loved ones we conveyour sincere sympathy and continuing thoughtsand

prayers....shelovedmuch...(Luke7.47) SWObituary: Mrs Evelyn Knox, Somerton Roadbituary: Mrs Evelyn Knox, Somerton RoadMrsKnox,afaithfulmemberofSomertonRoadpassedintothepresenceofherLordandSaviouron3October2010justafewdaysshortofher89

thbirthday.

MrsKnoxgrewuponafarmnearCarryduff,theyoungestofsixchildreninalovingChristianhome.SheattendedGranshawPresbyterianChurchwheresheprofessedherpersonalfaithinChristasayounggirl.ShelovedfarmworkandafterleavingschoolworkedonthefamilyfarmuntilhermarriagetoSam.Shehad

anexcellentbrainandextensivegiftsincludingplayingthepiano,embroideryandneedlework,winningprizesatlocalcountryevents. AfterhermarriageshelivedmostofherlifeatSkegonielAvenueinNorthBel-fastwheresherearedhersixchildren.Shehadgreatnaturalleadershipabilitiesexercising them inCampaigners,SundaySchooland theWomansMeetingaswellasplayingtheorganasrequired.Hersummeroutingtripswerelegendaryinthe districtand she loved tohelporganise theChristmas socials.Widowed foralmost 30 years she shoulderedher family responsibilities courageously alongwith her commitment to the Lords work. Increasingly immobile in the last fewyearsshedependedlargelyonhercarersasshereceivedhercallersinherhome.

Herlast3monthswereinBrackenwoodNursingHomenearBangorawaitingherhomecallto joinherSaviour.Weextendoursympathytoherchildrenandtheirfamilies: Samuel, Phyllis, Ruby,Wesley,Mervyn and to the family of the lateRonnie.Maytheybereunitedwithheringlory! RCB


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Praythatthismagazinewillbeofintellectualandspiritualvaluetoallages

Prayforthediligent,effectiveuseofthisPrayerDairythroughouttheChurchdaily

PraythatGodwillusethosewhoministertheWordasapowerfulmeansofgrace

Prayforourconcentrated,obedienthearingoftheWordofGodatallourservices

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3100177244

PrayfortheCrumlincongregation,particularlythevacancynowinitsthirdyear

GivethanksfortheworkatOmagh;usethefourprayerpointsonpage16

PrayforthestaffoftheEvangelicalBookShopandtheirvitalwitnessinliterature.

RememberthemeetingsandthecontinuousworkofPresbyteryanditsCommit tees

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PrayfortheChristianInstitute,GuesthouseandCharitiyCommissionissues:page21

PrayforSessionsandDiaconatesthatthehardworktheydowillbeeffectivePrayfortheworkofournorthBelfastworkatCrosscollyerStreetandSomertonRoad

PrayregularlyformoreMinistersandStudentsfortheMinistry.Thiswillbeanur-gentneedforourchurchinthecomingfewyearsandwemustmakeitaprayerpriorityuntiltheLordblessesuswithafavourableanswer.

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PrayfortheworkoftwoofourprovincialcongregationsBallyclareandRichhill

Praythatthe400millionchildrenofIndiawillhearandreceivetheGospel.Seecover

PrayforthePaperEvangelistsinNigeriaandotherplaces.Seepages10 -11

PrayforthesummercampsJunior,IntermediateandSeniorandotheroutreach

activities, includingUganda.Planningworkandmeetingsgoon throughmuchoftheyear.Prayfortheleadersandforthedetailedarrangementstheyneedtomake.

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PrayfortheMinistersandOffice -BearersConference4-5March2011

PrayfortheplanningofthePresbyteryFamilyDay,Saturday7May2011

PrayforNormanandAngelaReidasapproachtheendoftheirmissionaryserviceinSA

PrayforthechildrenofourcongregationsthattheywillcometoChristearlyinlifeandspendthewholeoftheirlivesinhisservice.PraythattheChildrensPage,12-13,willbeaparticularinterestandhelptotheminregularlearningtheWordofGod.

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PrayforthevisitofRevSamitMishraandMrPradeepKumaron4April seepage7PrayforEveryHomeCrusadeandthenewpartnershipwithACTSpages10-11

PrayfortheworkoftheBelfastcongregationsofFinaghy,KnockandStranmillis

Give thanks for the lifeofErnest Lloydandpray thatGodwill raise up awholerangeoflike-mindedsuccessorstoworkamongJewishpeopleinvariouspartsoftheworld.PrayforCWI,forwisdom,strategyandresources.

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PraythatmanyofourchildrenwilldotheSundaySchoolProjectandprofitfromit

Prayfortheyouthworkinourcongregations,itssafety,regulationandspiritualgood

PrayforthesafetyoftheMissionariesinNigeriaatthepresenttime.Prayforthepersecutedchurchinmanypartsoftheworldtoday.GivethanksfortheBarnabasFundandforOpenDoors.Usetheirinformationtohelpwithprayer.

Prayforourpeoplewhoarecomingthroughbereavementandothertrials

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Our Locationur LocationOmagh(thevirginplain)nestlesundertheshadowoftwohills,BessyBellandMaryGray,namedafterthedaughtersoftwoScottishgentlemen.AFranciscanFriarywasbuilt onthesitec792AD,but itwasnotestablishedasa townuntil1610.Accordingto the latestcensusalmost 70%of thepopulationareRomanCatholic,andsince1768OmaghhasbeenthecountytownforTyrone.Our Workur WorkThelifeandwitnessofthecongregationcentersaroundtheregularSabbathDayservicesandthemidweekmeeting,butinadditiontothesewehavefollowing:

Sunday School and Young Adults Bible Class: In recent years, the Lord hasblesseduswithyoungfamiliesandagrowingnumberofcovenantchildren.Wedohavesome fromoutside the congregation attendingSundaySchool,butwewouldlovetoseemore.TheYABCcatersfor16+andoftenleadstolivelydebate!

FridayClub: Thenumbersare relatively smalland largelymadeupofour ownchildren,butwedogetyoungsterswhodonotattendourSundaySchool.

LadiesBibleStudy:Thismeetsonceamonthandisparticularlyencouraging,asanumberofladiesfromoutsideofthecongregationattendandnotallwouldbe

saved.Ithasadiscussionformatanditisalwayssimulatingandhelpful.Omagh Show: Thousands attend this agricultural show every July. For manyyearswehavehadastandsellingChristianbooksandwegiveouthundredsoffreeevangelisticbooklets.Recentlywehaveupgradedourbookshelvesandtablesand wedisplay two banners outlining the history of the EPC and our doctrinalstance.Thishasraisedourprofileandledtomanyinterestingconversations.

AugustHolidayBibleClub:Numbershavebeenincreasingmorerecentlywithlastyearparticularlyencouraging,becauseofthenumberofyoungerchildrencomingforthefirsttime.TheClubcentresaroundaBibleStory,andincludesindoorand

outdoor games. We introduced a craft session last year which proved verypopular.OnFridayeveningweinviteparentstoaBBQandprizedistribution.

EvangelicalTimesChristmasIssue:Wedeliverhundredstohomesinthearea.Our Prayer Pointsur Prayer Points Pray for the regularmeetings of the congregation, thatwemight know theLordspresenceandhisrevivingpower,andgrowspirituallyandnumerically.

Pray that we might make a greater impact upon our community and thatstrangersmightcomeinandbesaved.

PrayfortheSession.SincethepassingofMrHughCrawford,theonlyElderisRevAndrewLucas.PraythattheLordwouldblesstheworkofourAssessorElders,butthathewouldalsoraiseupEldersfromwithinthecongregation.

Prayaboutourbuilding.Ouroutreachpotentialishinderedbylimitedfacilities.

Congregations: OmaghCongregations: OmaghRev Andrew Lucasev Andrew Lucas outlinesoutlinestheOmaghworkandwitness

andasksustoprayaboutsomeimportantmatters.


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The Editor will award a Book Token for the winning entry

JaF2

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Across2 Offspring,progeny,ages(11)8 Consume(3)

10 Greeks(9)12 Wentquickly(3)13Tender-eyed(4)14 Seasidetown(9)17 Allthingstome(15) 20 Beeproduct(9)21 Doeg(7)23 Tribes,country(6)24 Finecloth(5)

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9 SumoftheCommandments(3) 11 Expanseofwater(3) 15 Ironthatfloated(3) 16 Saulandsonsslain(11) 18 Detestableevil(11) 19 Tents(11) 20 DidrepairswithBenjamin(6) 22 KingofBashan(2) 25 Godsestablishedorder(6) 26 Fatherofaspy(6) 29 SonofAaron(5) 31 Tree(4) 34 Bovine(2)

Clues by Jim Leckey

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Test your Bible KnowledgeTest your Bible Knowledge--22

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WhenDr.J.GreshamMachenarrivedinBritaininMay1927hehadaconsiderablereputationinthiscountry.HehadbeenteachingintheprestigiousPrincetonSemi-

naryfortwentyyearsandhisbooksonTheOriginofPaulsReligion,ChristianityandLiberalismandWhatisFaith?hadbeenwellreviewed.AftermeetingsinEdin-burgh,ManchesterandLiverpoolhecaughtthenightferrytoBelfastandonthemorningofFridayJune3,1927WJGrier,whohadspenttwoyears(1923-1925)studyingunderMachenatPrinceton,wasonthequayside.Thiswasacrucialperiod in the history of Presbyterianism in Ulster and that larger picturemustbrieflybeconsideredatthisjuncture.

The Modernismwhich had spread from Germany the previous centuryhadwashedashoreinUlstertoo.Thelecturersofthetheologicalcolleges,and

then theministersof the city churches, and finally, throughbooksandSundaySchoolmanuals,thechurchesthemselveswereseducedbyit.Thevoicesraisedagainstitwerefew.OneleadingevangelicalpreacherwastheRevJamesHunter.Since 1889 he had been in the ministry of the Presbyterian Church. He hadshownhimselftobeoneofthefewfriendsoftheFreeChurchofScotlandaftertheHouseofLordsfoundinitsfavourin1904.DuringtheGreatWarhehadintro-ducedamotiondeploringtheabsenceofthatwide-spreadspiritofprayerandrepentancewhichthechurchshouldhavemanifested.Hewasalsorightlycon-cernedforthepurityofdoctrinewhichmissionarycandidatesdisplayed.

Inthe1920'sthefocusofchurchdisciplineinPresbyterianUlsterturnedto

theAssembly'sCollege.ProfessorJEDavey's lecturesandwritingsattackedBiblicalinfallibility.HeconsideredthedoctrineofimputationasirrationalastheRomandoctrineoftransubstantiationandheldthatChrist'sviewsontheauthorshipofScripturewerenomoreauthoritativethanhisviewsonangelsanddemons.In1925twenty-threestudentsaskedforrelieffromtheformulaofsubscriptiontotheWestminsterConfession,objectingtotheterm'WordofGod'beingiden-tifiedwiththeBible,andwishingtoaccepttheConfessiononlyinageneralway.

ItwasatthispointthatJamesGrierhadreturnedfromPrincetonashewasre-quiredto takehis finalyear of theologyat theAssembly's College,Belfast.HewasgreatlygrievedattheattacksmadethereuponthesacredScripturesbytheProfessorsunderwhomhestudied.Insome cases,itwasthemostcentralandpreciousdoctrines of HolyWritwhichwere subjected toattack. Repeatedly hechallengedstatementsmadeintheclass-rooms.Whenhehadbeenonlyafewweeksat theCollegeProfessorDavey stated in the class-room that Paul did not claimanywherethatJesuspre-existedasGodbeforehecameintothisworld.MrGrierchallenged this, quoting Philippians 2.6. At the beginning of the followinglectureDaveyadmittedthat theobjectorwasrightandthatPauldidsoclaim,

butadded,MyfaithisnotinPaul.ComingintocontactwiththeRevJamesHunter,GrierreportedtohimtheteachingwhichwasbeinggivenintheCollege.MrHunterwashorrifiedatsomeofthesereportsandresolvedtoopenhisattackupon the College and press the battle to the issue. The Presbyterian Bible

Dr J Gresham Machens Ulster VisitDr J Gresham Machens Ulster VisitRev Geoff Thomasev Geoff Thomas11tellsthestoryofitsbearingonourformationin1927.tellsthestoryofitsbearingonourformationin1927.


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Standards League was formed to combat error within the Church, and MrHunteraddressedlargeandenthusiasticgatheringsinBelfastandoverUlster.

2Dr

Machendescribedhis1927visittoUlsterinthisway:

IwasmetbyGrier,oneofour formerPrincetonSeminarystudentswho is takingaleadingpartintheevangelicalfighthere,andbyoneortwoothermen.DuringmystayIamtheguestofaDrGillespiewhowasformerlyinthemissionoftheIrishPresbyterian

ChurchinManchuria,butwhoobjectedtothemodernismthatwasthere..3

OnFridayafternoonIwentovertoLondonderry(commonlycalledDerry),about80milesaway.ThemeetingwasheldintheGuildhallintheevening.Itwaswellattendedandmyaddresson"WhatisChristianity?"wassympatheticallyreceived.Derryhastheoldwalls,whichwereusedatthesiegeofDerryinabout1689;butingeneraltherearefewancientthingsinit.OnSaturdaymorningIwastakenonabeautifulmotortriptothe"Giant'sCauseway"onthenorthcoastofIreland...ArrivingatBelfastintheafter-noonIproceededalmostimmediatelytothehallwherethemeeting(at3.30pmSatur-day)washeld.Therewasnotroubleabouttheattendancethis time;foraverygreatcrowdwerepresent.AverytensesituationprevailsjustnowinthePresbyterianChurchinUlster.ChargesweremadeagainstacertainProfessorDavey,whoisamodernistin

the seminaryhere.Hewaswhitewashed in thePresbytery,butthecasehasbeenap-pealedtotheGeneralAssemblywhichmeetstonight.Thecurioussituationprevailsthattheministers(withfewexceptions)arestandingontheModernistsideintheecclesiasti-cal fight; but there is a tremendous tideofevangelical and polemically anti-modernistsentimentamongthelaity.Inthelastfiveyearsarealrevivalofreligionhasbeengoingon.Ithasbeendiscouragedineverypossiblewaybythegreatmassoftheministers.' 4

The interest isintense. The meetingsat which I havespoken areof course c o n -n e c t e d w i t h t h e e c c l e s i a s t i c a l s i t u a t i o n , t h o u g h n a t u r a l l y I havenotreferred tothe personaldetailsinmy addresses.OnSundaymorning Ipreachedinoneofthechurches-oneofthefewthathasapastoronourside. In the afternoon (Sunday) the large hall of the YMCA,whereIhadspoken

alsoonSaturdayafternoon,waspackedandjammed.AttheSundayeveningmeet-ingtheevenlargerUlsterHallwas similarlycrowded.Almost1600or1700personswerepresent.OnSaturdayafternoonIdeliveredmy"WhatisChristianity?"address.OnSundayafternoonandeveningIendeavouredtosummarizethepointsofdifferencebetweenmodernismandthehistoricChristianfaith.HeroicworkhasbeendonebyMrGrierourSeminarygraduateofwhomIhavealreadyspoken.Hehasthrownawayallhisecclesiasticalprospectsforthesakeofthecause.HisworknowisintheconductoftheBookshopoftheBibleStandardsLeague.Mostofthepulpits,ofcourse,areclosedtohim.

HeinformedmethatitwasverydifficulttogetanyconsiderablestockofChristianityandLiberalismandthatHodder&StoughtonhadsimplyinformedhimthatTheOriginofPaul'sReligionwasoutofprint.ApparentlythereisnopossibilityofanyoneinGreatBritain

securingthelatterbook,thoughitiscertainlynotoutofprintinAmerica.WhatisFaith?apparentlyissellingwellatthisBookshop,whichisarallyingpointfortheevangelicalforces.Thestrengthoftheevangelicalfighthereisthatitisgivenweightbybeingconnectedwitharevivalofreligionamongthepeople.Youngpeopleparticularlycometothe meetings.My"WhatisChristianity?"lecture,I think,isnotsobad-forme.But theother lecturesseemedtometobeverypoor.Thelectureswereprettywellreportedinthepapers.

Thestoryofthisconflictmustbetakenonemorestep.TheAssembly,asthePresbyteryhaddonebeforeit,supportedProfessorDaveyand approvedhisteachingbyavoteof707to82.BeforethevotewastakentheRevCharlesHunter,thebrotherofJames,endeavouredtomakehisvoiceheard,butin

vain.Hewashowleddownandcouldnotevenbeheardatthepresstablebeneath the platform where he stood. Statementsweremade in the daysfollowingthevotetotheeffectthatProfessorDaveyhadgainedsupportbyhisreferencestothe'secondblessing'whichhesaidhehadreceivedatKeswick.


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ItwastheendoftheroadforJamesHunter.Heandhisfriendshad manylongdiscussionswithDrMachen.TheAssemblyappointedaCommissiontodealwithhimandtheRevSHanna.Themodernistmajoritywasintentoncheckinganymoreevangelicalattemptstocontroltheteaching inthetheological college. Hunter continued to issue a series of pamphlets, andthen a monthafterMachen's visit he discontinuedmembership in the Irish

PresbyterianChurch,andafter39yearsinitsministryhedemittedhisposi-tion.Ina lettertoW JGrier,whoalsohadwrittento theClerkannouncinghissecession,JamesHunterexplainedhisdecision:Idonotsee,however,whathopethereisfortheorganizedchurchifthepreparationofits min-istersisleftinthehandsofmenwhoarehalfsceptical.SurelyitisnotthewilloftheLordthatpeopleshould remainbanded togetherwho haveso littleincommonastheModernistshavewiththoseoftheoldfaith.5

Fewotherssecededwiththesemen:

Therewasindeedlittlecon certedaction.InBelfast,andhereandthereovertheProvince,believersin littlecompaniesandofteninonesandtwos, leftthechurchoftheirfathers.Wheretherewerelargergroups,meetingswerecommenced. Mostofourcongregationsbeganas"thechurchinso-andso'shouse".On15October1927,atarepresentativemeeting itwasdecidedto formaneworganisationunderthenameoftheIrishEvangelicalChurch.ManyofthosepresentatthismeetinghadheldofficeintheIrishPresbyterianChurch.AfewofthosepresentwereundecidedandintheendcontinuedintheIrishPresbyterianChurch;afewwhohadseemedverydetermineduponsecessionintheendlikewiseremainedwithinthechurch.Butthosewho led inthe neworganisationwere thoroughly convincedthattheyhadactedinobediencetoGod'sWord,andnoneofthesethingsmovedthem.'6

ThereweresixcongregationsinBelfast,twoinCoAntrim,andoneinCoTyrone. InitiallyeightArticlesofFaithweredrawnup inharmonywiththeStandardsoftheReformedFaith,butsoonsuchabasisshoweditsweakness.Twoofthechurchsworkershelddispensationalistviewsandthechurchhadtodeclareitselfonthisissue.SotheWestminsterCatechismswereadoptedand officers were required to pledge their support. Later the WestminsterConfession itself was adopted and the denomination is now called theEvangelicalPresbyterianChurch.InJune1928themonthlymagazine TheIrishEvangelicalwasfirstissuedandwaseditedforfiftyyearsbyWJGrier.TheEvangelicalBookShop,openedbyJamesHunterin1926,wasdestinedto

become the best-known Reformed Evangelical Book Shop in the UnitedKingdom.ThenewdenominationestablishedfraternallinkswiththeFreeChurchofScotlandandco-operatedwithitinmissionaryendeavour.

In1942theRevJamesHunterwascalledinto thepresenceofhis Sav-

iourattheageof79,butthetruthshelivedforanddelightedtopreacharestill maintained by the members of the Evangelical Presbyterian Churchandthenewgenerationofyoungministerswhonowserveit.

1IoriginallywrotethisfortheBannerofTruthApril1983andhavemodifieditforthisarticle2

TheOriginandWitnessoftheIrishEvangelicalChurch.WJGrier,1945,p33.3MrGrierwastomarryDrGillespie'sdaughter,andGodhasgiventhemalongmarriedlifeto-getherandthreesons.28KnockdeneParkSouth,wastheirhomethroughouttheirmarriage.4Machenisreferringtothefar-reachingresultsofthethencurrentministryofWPNicholson.5Letterdated27July1927,quoted,Grier,p50. 6Ibid,p52.


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TheChristianownersofaguesthouseinCornwallhavebeenorderedtopay3,600compensationforrefusingtoprovideadoublebedtoahomosexualcouple.

PeterandHazelmaryBullhaveoperatedChymorvahGuesthouse,nearPenzance,since1986.Theguesthouseistheirownhome,andisruninaccordancewiththeirChristian beliefs. Biblesand evangelistic literature are placed in the bedroomsandthereceptiondeskcontainsamosaicwiththeverse:"JesusChristisLord". Following theBible's teaching onmarriage,Mr andMrsBull restrict doublebedaccommodation tomarriedcouples.Thispolicyhasbeenadhered tosincethe guesthouseopened and is clearly stated on theirwebsite, and all bookingforms.MrandMrsBullapplythepolicyeventomembersoftheirownfamily.The

policy isapplied consistently to unmarried heterosexual couples, aswell as tohomosexualcouples.Unmarriedcouplesareinsteadofferedotherrooms. InSeptember2008StevenPreddybookedadoubleroomandarrivedatChy-morvahthefollowingdaywithMartynHall,whomheintroducedashiscivilpartner. ItwasexplainedtoMrPreddyandMrHallthatthedoublebedaccommodationwasrestrictedtomarriedcouples,andtheirdepositwasrefunded.MrPreddyandMrHallissuedacivilclaimagainstMrandMrsBullandthecasewasheardatBristolCountyCourtinDecember2010.MrPreddyandMrHall'slegalactionwasfinancedbytheEquality&HumanRightsCommission,ataxpayer-fundedbody. On18January,JudgeAndrewRutherfordorderedMrandMrsBulltopay3,600indamagestothemenandruledthatcivilpartnershipsmustbetreatedonaparwithmarriage.MrandMrsBullareobviouslydisappointed:howevertheJudgedidacknowledgethatMrandMrsBullwerebeingforcedtoactinamannercontrarytotheirdeeplyandgenuinelyheldbeliefs.HealsogaveMrandMrsBullpermissiontoappealhisdecision.Inwakeoftheruling,MrsBullmadethefollowingcom-ments:"Ourdouble-bedpolicywasbasedonoursincerebeliefsaboutmarriage,nothostilitytoanybody...Itwasappliedequallyandconsistentlytounmarried het-

erosexualcouplesandhomosexualcouples,asthejudgeacceptedMuchissaidabout'equalityanddiversity'butitseemssomepeoplearemoreequalthanothers". MrandMrsBullaresettoappealandTheChristianInstitutehasagreed tofundthis.TheCourtofAppealislikelytoexaminethecaselaterthisyear. PleaseprayforMrandMrsBull.MrBullhasjustundergonemajorheartsur-gery andMrsBull has received numerousmenacingandabusivephonecalls.RememberalsoTheChristianInstituteanditslegalteamastheypreparefortheappeal.PraythatfreedomforChristianB&Bownerstooperatetheirbusinesses

inaccordancewiththeBible'steachingwouldbeprotected.

The Guesthouse CaseThe Guesthouse CaseCallum Webster,ChristianInstitute,summarisesthishighprofilecaseforus.

Please pray regularly about the Guesthouse issue and theCharity Commission situation we covered in the last issue


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The Discipline of PrayerThe Discipline of Prayer

Inpreviousarticleswehaveconsideredstudyandmeditationasspiritualdisciplines,thatispracticeswhichaidusinourdesiretoprogressingodliness.InthispieceI

wishtoconsiderprayerasaspiritualdiscipline.Butwemustbeginwithanoteofcaution:PaulwritesTheLORDisnear.Donotbeanxiousaboutanything,butineverything,byprayerandpetition,withthanksgiving,presentyourrequeststoGod.AndthepeaceofGod,whichtranscendsallunderstanding,willguardyourheartsandyourminds inChristJesus.(Phil4.5-7.However,inhisbookStrengtheningyourgripCharlesSwindollcommentsthatovertheyearssuccessivewritershavemadeprayeraguiltgivingdiscipline,notananxietyrelievingpractice.Conversation in the Context of a Relationshiponversation in the Context of a RelationshipWhatisprayer?Inansweringthisquestionit isappropriatetoconsideralsowhat

prayerisnot.ThecontestbetweenElijahandtheprophetsofBaalprovidesaclearcontrastbetweenprayerandmagic,thatistheuseofwordsandritualstotrytocontrolevents.WereadoftheprophetsofBaalcryingandshouting,dancingandcuttingthemselvesforhoursintheirattempttogetaresultbutwithoutsuccess.ThenElijahspeakscalmlytotheLORD,thecovenantGodofIsrael.HeisGodsservantactingonGodsinstructionsforGodsglory;andGodanswers. WhenChristteacheshisdisciplesonprayerweseethesamecontrasts.TrueprayerisaconversationwithGodbasedonourcovenantrelationshipwithhimascreatorandfather.WhilsttheLordsPrayerincludespetitionsthatourneedsmaybemet,it isaresponse toGods leading (Thywillbedone),and is forGodsglory.Wemustavoidtheuseofmindlessrepetitionoremptywords.Wealsomustavoid behaviors which may interfere with our relationshipswith God and ourfellowbelievers.Discipline in Conversationiscipline in ConversationIndaytodayrelationshipswerecognizetheimportanceofcertainwords:please,thankyou,sorry,Iloveyou,orsometimeshelp!SoinourrelationshipwithGodwe need to express these sentiments also. This is not so different from the

commonlyusedacrosticACTS:adoration( Iloveyou),confession(sorry),thanks,and supplication (please). We need to remember that we must also work atcommunication:a recent newspaperarticlerecommended thatmarried couplesspendasettwentyminutesadaytalkingoverissuesofsharedimportance.AndsoweneedtomaketimetotalkwithGod.ButweshouldrememberthatJesusisGodwith usand that our livesare lived in hisgaze.Theconversationmustnotbelimitedtooursettimesofprayerbutmustcontinueinthemidstofourbusylives. SoprayermustbekeptfreefromritualandattemptstomanipulateGod,ratheritmustbeunderstoodasaconversationwithGodinacontextofourrelationship

withhim.Wemustachievethebalanceofthespontaneousandtheplanned. Whilstwecanallworkatthisdisciplineitshouldnotbeamillstoneroundournecksbutratherasourceofcomfortandjoy.

Michael Trimbleichael Trimble,Stranmillis,completeshisDisciplineseries:Study,MeditationandPrayer.


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MarMar--Apr2011Apr2011Pricediscountsavailable fromEvangelicalBook ShopBelfastIndwelling Sin in Believers,ndwelling Sin in Believers, abridgedandmadeeasytoread. 5.00 4.00John Owen,PuritanPaperbackseries,BannerofTruth,168pages.TakingRomans7.21ashistext:Ifindthenalaw,that,whenIdogood,evilispresentwithinme,JohnOwendealswiththeproblemofindwellingsininbelievers inhisusualperceptive,Biblicalmanner.Thissuperblittlebookremindsusoftheongoingpresenceofsin. We are reminded of the deceitfulness of sin and the need toguard against it. The Hebrews 2.1warning: givingmore earnestheed to the things which we have heard shows the need forearnestattentiontotheWordandtoprayerandmeditation. The EditorEvangelism & the Sovereignty of Godvangelism & the Sovereignty of GodJ I Packer,Paperback,IVP,128pages 8:997.50IVPhasgivenanewgenerationofChristiansaccesstothisPackerClassic.MarkDeverasks in theForeword Are you interested inthedoctrineofGodssovereignty?Ifyes,thisisthebookforyou.PackerdealswiththequestionIfGodisincontrol,whyshouldwedoanythingatall?underDivineSovereignty, humanresponsibilityand evangelismWere it not for the sovereign grace of God,evangelismwould be the most futile and useless enterprise theworldhaseverseen,andtherewouldbenomorecompletewasteoftimeunderthesunthantopreachtheChristiangospel.Thisbookwillstiryouup.The EditorThe Erosion of Calvinist Orthodoxyhe Erosion of Calvinist OrthodoxyIan Hamilton,Paperback,ChristianFocus,240pages,11:998.99AllEPCoffice-bearersare required to take the followingordinationvow:IbelievetheWestminsterConfessionofFaithandCatechismsasacceptedbythisChurch,tobefoundedonandagreeabletotheWordofGod,andassuchIsubscribethemastheconfessionofmyfaith;andthisIdowithoutanyreservations....as acceptedbythischurchreferstotheCODEsthreeamendmentstotheConfession,

themostnotablebeingatoningdownoftheoriginalreferencetothePopeastheAntichrist.Thepresentreviewerisfullysupportiveofthesealterationsbut having read IanHamiltons fascinatingstudy isbeginning towonder at thewisdomofamendingtheoriginalConfessionalstatements.Heskilfullyshowshowvarious Scottish Presbyterian churches drifted from the truth by altering theirConfessionalsubscriptionbyDeclaratoryActsandinotherways.HischapterThemakingoftheFreeChurchDeclaratoryAct:1892showssoberlyhowaConfessionalchurchestablishedin1843soonbrokeloosefromitsconfessionalmoorings. Thebookisnota lightread. It isverydetailedandthoroughlyresearched. ForthoseinterestedinScottishPresbyterianChurchhistoryormattersConfessional itis

amust.Perhapsthisstimulatingquotationfrompage168willwhetyourappetite:..noconfessionoffaithcaneverberegardedasafinalandpermanentdocument.She(theChurch)must alwaysvindicateher right torevise, topurge,to add to it.Webelieve intheprogressiveadvancementoftheChurchintoamoreperfectknowledgeofthetruth. Rev G N Burke

Book ReviewsBook Reviews


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Evangelical Book ShopEvangelical Book Shop

Manager: John Grieranager: John GrierEntrusted With The Gospelntrusted With The Gospelntrusted With The Gospel (Ed Don Carson) 8.99 7.50Fantheflame!Sixpastors,includingPhilRyken,JohnPiper,BryanChapell&LigonDuncan, focus on 2 Timothy and model scriptural preaching. "This book will help allChristians tobefaithful tothetaskwehavebeenentrustedwith...readthisbookandapplyit."-AdrianWarnock.King's Crossing's Crossing's Cross Tim Keller 12.99 9.99TheStoryoftheWorldintheLifeofJesus.Jesus'identityaskingandhispurposeindyingonthecrosshavemeaningandsignificanceonacosmicscaleaswellasfortheindividual-newinsightsforbelieversandunbelieversalike.H/B

In The Days Of The Kingsn The Days Of The Kingsn The Days Of The Kings Michael Wilcock 7.99 6.80AfascinatingandcolourfulexaminationoftheperiodofmonarchyinIsrael&Judah,sortingoutwhowaswho,whathappenedwhen,andaboveall,challengingustofol-lowtheGodwhosepurposeswerebeingworkedout.Ignatius, Irenaeus, Polycarpgnatius, Irenaeus, Polycarpgnatius, Irenaeus, Polycarp Sinclair Ferguson 8.00 6.40NEW - hardback large format children's books, beautifully illustrated, one each ontheseearlychurchheroesofthefaith.

Moses' Selfoses' Selfoses' Self--Denialenialenial H/B Jeremiah Burroughs Special12.75Thewell-knownPuritanreflectsonHebrews11.24-25.Thisinsightful,practicalbookisahelpfulantidotetoournaturalselfishness.Particularlygoodforlateteensandtwenties. Longing for Godonging for Godonging for Godin an Age of Discouragementn an Age of Discouragementn an Age of Discouragement Bryan Gregory 9.99 7.99TheGospelAccordingtoZechariah."AtlastaseriesontheOldTestamentdesignedtoprovidereliableexposition,biblicaltheology,andafocusonChrist."-SinclairFerguson.The Doctrine of the Word of Godhe Doctrine of the Word of Godhe Doctrine of the Word of God John M Frame 37.99 27.99TheProfessorofSystematicTheology&PhilosophyatReformedTheologicalSemi-naryandrenownedtheologianathisbest.Married To A Martyrarried To A Martyrarried To A Martyr Jonathan Carswell 8.99only2.95ThetruestoryofthemurderofamissionaryinTurkey,killedbecauseofhisfaith-astoryoftragedyandhope.Maximum Impactaximum Impactaximum Impact Wayne Mack 12.99 9.75DrawnfromDrMacks lifetimeof loving,compassionateministry,thisbookwillhelpyoumakeanimpactforChristineveryaspectoflife.

On Giants Shouldersn Giants Shouldersn Giants Shoulders Mike Reeves 8.99 7.45Introducing,summarisingandcritiquinggreattheologians-thisaccessibleandinfor-mativecompanionvolumetoTheBreezeoftheCenturiescoversMartinLuther,JohnCalvin John Owen Jonathan Edwards Friedrich Schleiermacher and Karl Barth

The Evangelical Presbyterian - March-April 2011

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Transcript of The Evangelical Presbyterian - March-April 2011