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M AG A Z I N E
We trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
(1 Timothy 4.10)
DECEMBER 2018
NEW TITLES
1 Corinthians by John Riddle £10.99 / 9781912522422
John Riddle is well known throughout the United Kingdom and further aield
as a gited Bible teacher. For many years he has conducted a Friday evening
Bible Class in Cheshunt. Those who have been able to atend this Bible Class
have been blessed richly, and others are now able to get the beneit as well.
Notes from these meetings have been reproduced as commentaries, the
latest of which is 1 Corinthians. This epistle deals primarily with local church
problems, and the commentary looks very practically at why these problems
arose and how we can learn lessons from them today. The style of these
commentaries is easy-to-read, and will appeal to
new Christians and younger people in particular.
Whilst this book is not a ‘word-by-word’ in-depth
commentary, those looking for a good outline and overview of 1 Corinthians
will ind it very helpful.
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Heroes of the Faith in 19th Century Italy (12), the late John Shaw Anderson 5-6
Notices 33-34
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Cover picture: A Red-legged Partridge on a frosty morning.
3
FROM THE
EDITOR
“… a partridge in the mountains”
(1 Sam 26.20)
4
HEROES OF
THE FAITH
In 19th Century Italy
by the late John Shaw Anderson of Florence, Italy
5
Pietro, having made a note of these passages of Scrip- letter, informing him of his separation from the Romish
ture, arose and, thanking his kind friend, expressed the Church, but the news had already reached him. Pietro
hope that they might soon meet again. possessed numerous documents of a recent date,
proving how highly he was held in esteem by the local
His greatest trial now was in maintaining a dual life. He ecclesiastical authorities. These made no attack upon
had to conceal from his mother, the people and the his character or motives, but contented themselves
local priesthood the spiritual experience through which with his excommunication and consequent isolation
he was passing. “I must choose between playing the from the fellowship of his relatives and friends.
hypocrite and passing as a heretic.” This was the decisive
question with which he sought sleep in vain that night. Pietro had now to face the question exercising many
The morning found him still wearied, and he arose late, young priests of Rome: how to earn a living. If they would
spending the afternoon reading afresh the Scriptures only face it, as Pietro did, with faith in God, their religious
which he had noted in his Vulgate Bible. The early evening freedom would be an accomplished fact. Pietro was not
found him again at the house of his friendly neighbour, to ashamed to work. He rejoiced to know that God had
whom the unexpected visit was a pleasant surprise. Don justified him by faith, and he lived to prove that his faith
Pietro looked very careworn, and his friend perceived was not “without works” (Jas 2.20). He preached the
that it was a question of the spiritual condition more than Gospel publicly and powerfully, and day by day enjoyed
the official position of the young priest. in his own experience the theme of his Gospel testimony
– “the just shall live by faith” (Rom 1.17).
“What a sublime doxology that is which we were reading
last night: ‘Thou art worthy’ - can you sing it, Don The Romish priesthood may morally and spiritually be
Pietro?” “No, I cannot!” Saying so, he wept, sobbing out divided into three classes. The first comprises those who
the deepest feelings of his soul: “I am unworthy.” “Weep entered it without any serious reflection, and remain in
not, Don Pietro. The New Song is not: “I am worthy”, it simply as a profession by which they may gain a living.
but “Thou art worthy”. Let us read slowly this beautiful And we freely and frankly admit that the Roman Catholic
doxology: “Thou art worthy ... for thou wast slain, and Church is not the only religious sphere in which this class
hast redeemed ...” “Me”, interposed Don Pietro. “… to is found. To it there is no great moral gulf between truth
God by thy blood.” “There is no place in the New Song and error, right and wrong. All is convenience. We confess
for the boast of works of supererogation”1 exclaimed that with this class we have little sympathy, and for it
Don Pietro, continuing: “Thou art worthy … Thou wast much pity. Then there are those who entered the Romish
slain … Thou hast redeemed. This is the Gospel, echoed priesthood and remain in it from a sincere conviction of
in Heaven. I believe it!” the sacredness of the office. For these we have a sincere
and prayerful consideration. The third group are those
His friend afterward prayed with him and, rising from who entered the Romish priesthood sincerely believing
his knees, Don Pietro embraced him saying “Now I am it to be a divine institution, but have now discovered the
your brother: call me no longer Don Pietro.” Nor shall true priesthood of all believers in the Gospel dispensa-
we call him Don Pietro any more, but simply Pietro. tion, and are sincerely endeavouring to follow its holy and
heavenly calling. For this increasing class, to which Pietro
However carefully Pietro had counted the cost, he belonged, we have the deepest sympathy and fellowship.
could not have known the bitterness of the persecu-
tion he was now to endure as a follower of Christ. The conversion to God of any man, be he a public
His conversion was not an official, dogmatic change priest or a private person, should not be judged from
of religion; it was not a step from Popery to Protes- any party standpoint. Pietro’s conversion was not a
tantism; it was from self to Christ. His daily life became step from the dogma of Rome to another creed, but
a testimony to the reality of his conversion. from a state of spiritual doubt and darkness to the
assurance and light of the Gospel.
The first verbal confession of his personal faith in Christ
was made to his mother, and it caused an immediate 1
Works of supererogation are those performed beyond what
and irreconcilable rupture. Pietro was not a stoic, and God requires.
his filial feelings were torn with grief by the action
which his mother was, by the confessional, obliged to (This article is concluded; the series continues …)
adopt. He next wrote to his late bishop a respectful
6
DANIEL (4)
Jack Hay, Perth, Scotland
Introduction With the image complete, it was time for its “dedication”
When interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s vision, Daniel told (Dan 3.2). The elite of the empire were summoned and
him “Thou art this head of gold” (Dan 2.38). This seemed they “stood before the image”, among them Shadrach,
to send him on a massive ego trip and, in chapter 3, we Meshach and Abed-nego (vv 2-3). Daniel had smoothed
encounter his “image of gold” (v 1). His empire was cosmo- their pathway to promotion without realising it would
politan, so he possibly deduced that a common religion, endanger them (2.49). Sometimes ‘putting in a word’ for
a single object of worship, would be a binding influence. someone is legitimate; on other occasions it can intro-
All “people, nations, and languages” were ordered to “fall duce them to temptation, as when an unnamed disciple
down and worship the golden image” (vv 4-5). eased Peter’s access to the “palace of the high priest”
(Jn 18.15-16). When asked to give references, be sure you
There are parallels between this incident and the final are not facilitating circumstances that could be to your
Gentile administration headed by the Beast (Rev 13). In friend’s spiritual detriment.
both there is the demand for universal worship (Dan
3.4; Rev 13.7-8). In Babylon the object of worship was Only men of status were present for the dedication,
a golden image; in the future it will be “the dragon so another lesson is that believers in promoted posts
… the beast … the image of the beast” (Rev 13.4, 15). are exposed to temptations that those in humbler
Blasphemy features in both passages: “who is that circumstances avoid. Here, the three Hebrews were
God that shall deliver you?” (Dan 3.15); “he opened his under pressure to behave like their peers, but they were
mouth in blasphemy against God” (Rev 13.6). In the uncompromising. In less demanding circumstances
two scenarios there are death threats directed against some have sacrificed their ethics and compromised
God’s people: here the three Hebrews are victimised; their integrity to save face. They have no stomach for
in latter days the beast will “make war with the saints” being a jarring note at a function, or a stick-in-the-mud
(v 7). In both passages the number six is prominent: as regards some doubtful financial proposal. Success
the image in Daniel’s prophecy is 60 x 6 cubits and has exposed them to options that others never face
there are six instruments of music; the “number of the so, like our three heroes, they must make wise choices
beast … is six hundred threescore and six” (v 18). whatever the cost.
7
Every nation has its anthem to stir loyalty, and their citi- was faced with a crisis, his behaviour was just as it had
zens experience tingling sensations of patriotism when always been, praying three times a day “as he did afore-
the first notes are struck! The music of the regimental time” (6.10). Steady, consistent behaviour in the normal
band is calculated to stir and embolden the warriors (2 routine of life develops reserves that are necessary
Chr 20.21-22). Protest and freedom movements have when emergencies strike.
capitalised on the emotive effects of music, and religion
has tapped into this valuable medium with instruments Nebuchadnezzar was incandescent, but neither his
and choirs being major features of the regular ‘services’, fury nor the opportunity to recant influenced them
to stir the spirit of ‘worship’. Believers are not dependent (3.14-18). They were courageous, and their mind was
on emotional lyrics or catchy tunes to induce worship; we made up: “we are not careful to answer thee in this
“worship by the Spirit of God” (Phil 3.3, Revised Version). matter” (v 16). The situation was black and white, and
Here, the music was calculated to charm the attendees. they made no appeal for time to ‘consider their posi-
tion’, or to formulate a defence plea, or to toy with
The latter part of the herald’s proclamation was less options. We all need, at times, to be as decisive.
subtle; it was the threat of a particularly nasty death as the
penalty for non-compliance; the fiery furnace awaited. Not only had they convictions, consistency and courage,
Both the “angel of light” and “roaring lion” aspects of they also had confidence in their God: “our God … is
Satan’s character were in evidence as the assembled able to deliver us” (v 17). Their belief in God’s power was
celebrities were ordered to bow the knee. Even today, tempered by the thought of His sovereignty: He does
emotional blackmail and abusive language are combined not always choose to exercise omnipotence, hence their
to move believers to comply with accepted norms. words “but if not …” (v 18). God permitted James to be
martyred but delivered Peter from prison miraculously
The Determination of the Hebrews (Acts 12). In Luke 7, two men experienced Christ’s miracu-
They refused to bow and it was noticed, just as when lous intervention in healing and quickening, but in Mark 6
Mordecai refused to bow (Esth 3.2-4). In both cases there we read how John Baptist was beheaded. Could omnipo-
were those with an eye to promotion who were quick to tence not have intervened for James and John Baptist?
report the offenders. The fact that the three Jews had Certainly, but it was not His will, and there are times when
been “set over the affairs of the province of Babylon” we just have to bow to the mystery of His ways with us.
rankled with the informers, and they happily anticipated As far as these Hebrews were concerned, whether or not
their demise. As a believer with convictions, you may find God intervened, they were adamant; they would not bow
yourself being victimised by others if they can turn it to (Dan 3.18). Loyalty despite adversity is a noble virtue.
their advantage. They will feign outrage at your dated
Christian ‘opinions’, and make their ‘grievances’ heard. The Demonstration of God’s Power
That loyalty was severely tested, but was rewarded
The wording of the complaint was to the credit of Shad- three-fold. The overheated furnace consumed their
rach, Meshach and Abed-nego. Nebuchadnezzar was told executioners, but they themselves emerged without
they “have not regarded thee” (Dan 3.12). How could they even the smell of fire upon them - what an evidence of
obey the king when in the first and second command- God’s power and His ability to do things thoroughly (v 27)!
ments Jehovah had outlawed rivals and graven images? Second, they had the support of the divine presence (v
It was a clear-cut choice, expressed in New Testament 25). Paul enjoyed that when passing through the waters
language: “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 27.23-26); they experienced it when walking through
(Acts 5.29). That principle should prevail in all our deal- the fire (Isa 43.2). The promise of God is “I will never leave
ings. If demands are made that conflict with the teaching thee” (Heb 13.5): we should cling to His promise when
of Scripture, God’s Word must always take precedence. facing either flood or flames. The third encouragement
was to see how their stance affected the king (Dan 3.28-
The second phase of the complaint stressed their 30). His conversion was still future, but no doubt this
consistency: “they serve not thy gods, nor worship the event was a link that led to it, for at this point there was
golden image” (Dan 3.12). In other words, their conduct stirred within him sympathies for their God. Your stand
that day was in keeping with their track record; they for truth and your Christian convictions can impact on
had never acknowledged Babylon’s gods, and today the thinking of others.
was no exception! The crisis served to reveal loyalty to
God that had always been there. Similarly, when Daniel (To be continued …)
8
RENEWAL OF A RIGHT SPIRIT (1)
Walter Gustafson, Hatboro PA, USA
God is so interested in the condition of our spirit that He Paul wanted to clear himself from the insinuation
will send chastening to improve its condition or to correct of some of the Corinthians that (quoting Albert
a wrong spirit: “we glory in tribulations also: knowing that McShane) “while he himself did not burden them, yet
9
he obtained indirectly what he refused personally” spirit, they have never had a time in their life’s expe-
and, further, “they had to admit that he was truthful rience when they saw that they were unit for God’s
when he claimed this right as an apostle to accept presence the way they were, and they have never
their support had not been exercised. But they blamed learned the truth of John Dickie’s poem:
him for sending others to obtain what he had refused,
and so through his envoys he had craftily caught them When I took my place as sinner,
with guile” (2 Cor 12.16).1 In 2 Corinthians 12.16, Paul And at mercy’s footstool lay,
quoted his enemies to show that he never used craft Jesus took His place as Saviour,
or guile against the Corinthians. He refuted the accu- And took all my sins away.
sation by asking them four questions. The answer to
the irst two questions that Mr McShane asked (taken In Isaiah we read “for thus saith the high and lofty One
from verses 17 and 18a) is an emphatic ‘no’, and the that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell
answer to the last two questions in reference to Titus in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a
(taken from verse 18b) is ‘yes’: “walked we not in the contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the
same spirit?”, and “walked we not in the same steps?” humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones”
(57.15). Matthew Henry comments: “He that dwells in
1 Peter 2.2 (RV2) instructs believers, “as newborn the highest Heaven, and dwells in the lowest heart,
babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without inhabits sincerity as surely as He inhabits eternity.” In
guile”. We should always want the guileless Word to Psalm 34.18, David wrote “the Lord is nigh unto them
grow spiritually. There are three things about the Lord that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a
Jesus that show He does not want us to use guile - His contrite spirit.” And, in Psalm 51.17, the Psalmist wrote
example, His evaluation and His exhortation: “the sacriices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and
a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” God
1. The example of Christ: “Who did no sin, neither was is intensely interested in how we humble ourselves
guile found in his mouth” (1 Pet 2.22). before His Word.
2. The evaluation of Christ. When Nathaniel was told
about Jesus of Nazareth, he said “Can there any good In Jeremiah, the prophet says “hear ye, and give ear;
thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip gave him good be not proud: for the Lord hath spoken … but if ye
advice: “Come and see” (Jn 1.46). Jesus saw Nathaniel will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for
coming to Him, and said of him “Behold an Israelite your pride” (13.15, 17). We read that “all the captains
indeed, in whom is no guile!” (v 47). of the forces, and Johanan, the son of Kareah, and
3. The exhortation of Christ: “Behold I send you as Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from
sheep in the midst of wolves; be therefore prudent the least even unto the greatest, came near” (42.1).
as the serpents, and guileless as the doves” (Mt 10.16, They requested “that the Lord thy God may shew us
JND3). the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we
may do” (v 3). How sad that, after Jeremiah had given
A Humble Spirit them direction in chapter 42, we read in chapter 43
“then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan
A humble spirit is humility in reality. We all had a the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto
humble spirit when we got saved. Like the Queen Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: the Lord our God
of Sheba, when she saw the greatness of Solomon, hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn
“there was no more spirit in her” (2 Chr 9.4). The next there” (v 2). We can all see why they missed direction
four verses show her praising Solomon and God. Isn’t from God, because of their pride, and any of us can
that like God’s salvation? When we got to the end of make the same mistake!
ourselves so that there was no more spirit in us, then
we were ready for God to reveal to us His salvation 1
Albert McShane, 2 Corinthians - What the Bible Teaches,
and to begin praising God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Kilmarnock, Scotland: John Ritchie Ltd).
There are some people hoping to get to Heaven by 2
Revised Version.
striving to keep the Sermon on the Mount, yet they 3
J N Darby, The Holy Scriptures - A New Translation from the
do not know experimentally the irst words of that Original Languages.
passage: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5.3)! They are still rich in (To be continued …)
10
CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH
John Parkinson, Ballymena, N Ireland
In our pluralistic age, we often hear the Bible described These are the words which I spake unto you … that
as merely another source of divine inspiration alongside all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the
the sacred texts of Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms,
Sikhs. It is also argued that the Bible makes its own claim concerning me. Then opened he their understanding,
to be the Word of God and, therefore, the claim cannot that they might understand the scriptures (vv 44-45).
be valid. Why should anyone believe what the Bible says
about itself? This is the key to understanding how the Bible is self-
validating. Many of the prophecies written in the Old
The question may be posed in a spirit of unbelief, or Testament (OT) were fulfilled in the New Testament
it may be asked by a genuine seeker who wants help. (NT), with accuracy that defies all natural explanations.
For the benefit of the genuine enquirer, we propose to
show that the Bible is not like any other book, but that We name some of the OT prophecies concerning Christ
it is self-validating, self-interpreting, self-consistent which have already been fulfilled: He was born of a virgin
and self-contained. (Isa 7.14); was of the line of Abraham (Gen 12.3); was of
the tribe of Judah (49.10); was of the house of David
1. The Bible is self-validating (2 Sam 7.12-13); was born at Bethlehem (Mic 5.2-3); was
The Bible makes stunning claims about itself. For called out of Egypt (Hos 11.1); had a forerunner (Isa 40.3);
example, Paul advises Timothy that “all scripture was a worker of miracles (35.5-6); was a man of sorrows
is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for and rejected of men (53.3); was deserted (Zech 13.7);
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction was scourged and spat on (Isa 53.5); was numbered
in righteousness” (2 Tim 3.16-17). Is there any way in with transgressors (53.12); was given vinegar to drink (Ps
which this claim can be validated? 69.21); was pierced with nails (22.16); was forsaken by
God (v 1); was surrounded by enemies (vv 7-8); agonised
The Bible was written over a time span of approxi- with thirst (v 15); had His garments distributed (v 18);
mately 1,500 years by about 40 different writers. commended His spirit to God (31.5); had no bone broken
The earlier authors made many detailed predictions (34.20); was buried with the rich (Isa 53.9); rose from the
about events which would happen later. On the road dead without seeing corruption (Ps 16.9-10); ascended
to Emmaus, the Lord Jesus rebuked His two disciples: into Glory (68.18).
O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the The list is by no means exhaustive. There are other
prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have prophecies which relate to the nation of Israel and the
suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? wider Gentile world, many of which have been already
And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he fulfilled, and many yet to be fulfilled. Thus, by checking
expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things the OT prophecies against their fulfilment in the NT, we
concerning himself (Lk 24.25-27). can see that the Bible is manifestly demonstrated to be
true, accurate and divinely inspired. We have every good
Later that evening the Lord appeared to the disciples reason to believe what the Bible says about itself. No
and said: other book in existence is self-validating in this way.
11
2. The Bible is self-interpreting declared all foods clean, thus bringing the Gentile into
The Bible is its own interpreter. Believers in any culture, equal blessing with the Jew. The holy days, such as the
with a reasonable translation of the Bible in their own Sabbath, new moon and the annual feasts of Jehovah,
language, will be able to read and understand the Scrip- are all fulilled in Christ and are not part of the Church’s
tures for themselves. To draw out the teaching of a calendar. There are no feast days given to the Church.
passage we must compare Scripture with Scripture. Paul
told the Corinthian Christians that the natural man cannot Paul explains to the Colossians “let no one judge you in
discern spiritual truth, whereas believers have the Spirit of food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon
God to illuminate the Scriptures: “Which things also we or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but
speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, the substance is of Christ” (Col 2,16-17, New King James
but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual Version). There is a unity between the OT and the NT
things with spiritual” (1 Cor 2.13). Thus, the believer can which is inally and fully expressed in Christ. The whole
come to an understanding of a passage by comparing Bible is non-contradictory, and is self-consistent from
Scripture with Scripture as led by the Spirit of God. beginning to end.
Peter tells us that no one has the right to make a private 4. The Bible is self-contained
interpretation: “Knowing this irst, that no prophecy of The Bible is a completely self-contained book. Jude
the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the tells us that all we need has been delivered: “Beloved
prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but … I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you
holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for
Ghost” (2 Pet 1.20). In other words, no one can claim all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3, New King James
divine authority to interpret Scripture. Any such claims Version). In other words, the revelation of Scripture is
by a ‘church’ to be the sole interpreter of Scripture must complete – there is nothing more to add.
be rejected. Individual Christians can read and under-
stand the Bible precisely because it is self-interpreting. The Lord Jesus said “Heaven and earth shall pass away,
but my words shall not pass away” (Mt 24.35). The Bible
3. The Bible is self-consistent will never be revised, corrected, updated, withdrawn
The Bible, which never contradicts itself, should be read or declared obsolete. In fact, the Bible will outlive the
in its totality in the knowledge that it has one true, uniied universe.
meaning. The great themes of creation, redemption and
gloriication are dealt with progressively throughout Some key truths about the Scriptures:
the Bible in total harmony and agreement. But, without • They speak of Christ (Lk 24.27; Jn 5.39).
doubt, the over-arching theme of Scripture is God’s reve- • They tell us the way of salvation (2 Tim 3.15).
lation of Himself in His Son. The Lord Jesus said “Search • They are inspired of God (2 Tim 3.16; 2 Pet 1.20-21).
the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: • They cannot be broken (Jn 10.35).
and they are they which testify of me” (Jn 5.39). • They shall never pass away (Mk 13.31).
• They are proitable for doctrine, reproof, correction,
Some have claimed that there are contradictions and instruction in righteousness (2 Tim 3.16).
and inconsistencies between the OT and the NT. For • They nourish us and cause us to grow (1 Pet 2.2).
example, why were animal sacriices required in the OT
but discontinued in the NT? Why were food restrictions Conclusion
necessary under the law but not under grace? Why The Bible is not like any other book. We have sought to
were believers required to keep holy days in the OT but show, though be it brief, that the Bible is self-validating,
not in the NT? self-interpreting, self-consistent and self-contained. On
the eve of His cruciixion, the Lord Jesus prayed to His
There is nothing contradictory between the OT and Father concerning His disciples, saying “I have given
the NT. The coming of Christ has fulilled the types them thy word … Sanctify them through thy truth: thy
and shadows of the OT. The oferings of the OT have word is truth” (Jn 17.14, 17). The Christian can contend
fulilled their purpose in pointing to Christ, but now that for the faith in total conidence regarding the inspira-
Christ has come they are no longer necessary. The food tion, accuracy, harmony and truth of the Bible.
laws demanded a separation from Gentile diet and from
what was ceremonially unclean, but Christ has now (Concluded)
12
MALACHI (19)
John Riddle, Cheshunt, England
The Conduct of the Remnant (3.13-18) (continued) that God “will hasten [His] word to perform it” (Jer
1.12). Note J N Darby’s translation here: “I am watchful
The final section of chapter 3 clearly falls into two over my word to perform it”. If we make our excuses,
parts: the attitude of the nation (vv 13-15) and the atti- and give up our service for God, we are “stout against
tude of the remnant (vv 16-18). Last month we noticed him”. The attitude of the perfect Servant was so
that the nation were unaware of their attitude to God. different: “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy
This month we will continue our study, considering law is within my heart” (Ps 40.8).
how the nation were uncomplimentary about the
service of God (3.14), and unthinking about the char- b) They disparaged obedience to God’s Word:
acter of God (3.15). “What profit is it that we have kept his ordinance?”
For the technically minded, two different words
The Attitude of the Nation (3.13-15) are used for “ordinance” in this chapter. In verse
7 (“ye are gone away from mine ordinances”), the
“Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit word choq refers particularly to ritual observances,
is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have whereas here the word mishmereth refers to
walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts?” (Mal general religious duties.
3.14). God describes this attitude as “stout against me”
(v 13). This is most searching. We, too, can oppose God Their complaint reminds us that obedience to the
by disparaging His service, by disparaging obedience Word of God is not necessarily accompanied by
to His Word, and by disparaging godly living. immediate and spectacular blessing. We should obey
God’s Word whether or not He is pleased to show
1. They were uncomplimentary about the service His approval at once. We should obey God’s Word
of God ( 3.14) because it is God’s Word. This applies both to our
personal life and to our assembly life. We are some-
a) They disparaged God’s service: “It is vain to serve times tempted to wonder why some ‘churches’ with
God”. It seemed pointless. There was no improvement little or no desire to conform to God’s Word in either
in their circumstances, and the wicked continued to doctrine or practise seem to flourish. Whatever the
prosper. Do we sometimes think that it is “vain to serve answer to that problem, it remains our duty to obey
God”? After all, there often seems to be so little return God’s Word. The apostle Paul was able to say at
on the capital expenditure of time, energy and finance. the end of his life “I have fought a good fight, I have
All those tracts and invitations. All that preaching. All finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim 4.7).
those prayers. All that personal witnessing to family, The Lord Jesus commended the church at Philadel-
friends and neighbours. Is it really worth it? We must phia for their faithfulness: “thou hast a little strength,
let God answer: “Be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name”
abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye (Rev 3.8). This leads to:
know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1
Cor 15.58); “Every man shall receive his own reward c) They disparaged godly living: “What profit is it …
according to his own labour” (3.8). We can be sure that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of
13
hosts?” Paul thoroughly disagreed: “Godliness is prof- took effect in the lives of those who were spiritually
itable unto all things [spiritually, mentally, and physi- minded. So, the ministry of Malachi promoted further
cally], having promise of the life that now is, and of godliness. Proverbs 9.9-10 tells us to “give instruction
that which is to come” (1 Tim 4.8). The word “mourn- to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just
fully” is literally ‘in blackness’, and reminds us that man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the
godliness involves self-judgment and self-restraint. It Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge
is not always easy to “mortify the deeds of the body” of the holy is understanding.” We must now notice
(Rom 8.13), especially when people around us do as what they did, and what God did:
they like and seem to suffer no ill effects. We can
understand why the Psalmist said “I was envious at What they did
the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” They did three things: They “feared the Lord”; they
(Ps 73.3). Was Paul really right in saying “godliness is “spake often one to another”; they “thought upon
profitable unto all things”? The answer will be made his name”.
very clear when we come to the end of the passage
(see verses 17-18). But what generated these questions a) They “feared the Lord”. This is how they lived.
in the first place? The “fear of the Lord” is a reverential awe of Him.
It is a fear of grieving Him - not out of terror, but
2. They were unthinking about the character of motivated by love for Him. The range of references
God ( 3.15) is immense. Here are some of them: “The fear of
the Lord is clean” (Ps 19.9); “The fear of the Lord
“And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov 1.7); “The fear
work wickedness are set up [meaning ‘prosper’ or of the Lord is to hate evil” (8.13); “The fear of the
‘successful’]; yea, they that tempt God [the same Lord is a fountain of life” (14.27); “The fear of the
word as ‘prove’ in verse 10] are even delivered.” The Lord is the instruction of wisdom” (15.33); “The fear
wicked challenge God with their evil, and apparently of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall
get away with it. Doesn’t this remind us of Malachi abide satisfied” (19.23). Bearing in mind Malachi 1.6
2.17: “Ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in - “If I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord
the sight of the Lord, and he delighteth in them”? of hosts” - these godly people must have brought
You can just hear them saying “The wicked seem to the Lord great pleasure. He will honour them at His
be having such a good time, so why bother about coming (4.2).
obeying God’s Word and trying to please him?” We
are about to see that these arguments ignore the b) They “spake often one to another”. This is how
character of God. God does differentiate “between they spoke. They didn’t just speak; they spoke
the rightous and the wicked, between him that “often”. They certainly fulfilled the instructions of
serveth God and him that serveth him not” (3.18). Deuteronomy 6.7: “thou … shalt talk of them [“these
This brings us to: words, which I command thee this day”, v 6] when
thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest
The Attitude of the Remnant (3.16-18) by the way, and when thou liest down, and when
thou risest up.” It wasn’t a case of addressing meet-
“Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to ings either! They “spake often one to another”, and
another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and displayed the spirit of Hebrews 10.24-25: “Let us
a book of remembrance was written before him for consider one another to provoke unto love and to
them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his good works … exhorting one another.” This wasn’t
name” (v 16). They have been described as ‘a remnant social ‘chit-chat’; it was spiritual conversation and
within a remnant’. The little word “then” is most signif- true fellowship. Remember, fellowship is more
icant. The Bible does not say that these godly people than friendship! Do notice that it does not say that
began to fear the Lord, but that they already feared ‘they spake often one about another’, but “one to
the Lord, and the ministry of Malachi had a salutary another”! There was no ‘biting and devouring’ here
effect on them. His preaching helped and encouraged (Gal 5.15). We will continue our study of this section
them. This reminds us of Isaiah 9.8: “The Lord sent a next month, God willing.
word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.” In
other words, God spoke to all the people, but it only (To be continued …)
14
DAVID AND JONATHAN (3)
Lessons in Fellowship Christo Benson, Leicester, England
Thus far we have developed the concept of fellowship expressing and having fellowship), hence the concept of
by gleaning information from the fellowship that there fellowship is also multi-faceted. In summary, believers in
was between David and Jonathan, and have established Christ are united in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and He
that it involves: is the reason we can have fellowship with one another
and express it in several ways.
1. More than one person.
2. Commonality of interest between those involved. It is often assumed that believers meeting to spend time
3. Only those who share that commonality. with each other constitutes fellowship. Even though
4. Multi-faceted issues. this is not false, it does not capture the true essence
of fellowship. Trying to deine fellowship can be chal-
The Present lenging and complex, but it could be considered as a
relationship based upon the common sharing of the
Unlike faith, fellowship does not have a deinition in Holy Spirit, leading to an inter-dependency and related-
the Bible. Hence, it is useful to identify the signiicance ness, resulting in external expressions of the Holy Spirit
of the word, because it is commonly used in assembly in our lives by achieving God’s will on earth.
settings. In the Old Testament, the root word for
fellowship comes from the Hebrew word hbr, which We will now consider the various aspects of fellowship in
can mean a common or shared house (Prov 21.9), the New Testament as described by the word koinonia:
binding (Ex 26.6), or companion (Mal 2.14). None of
these examples include God in the relationship. Relationship
In the New Testament, the word we use for fellowship This aspect of fellowship is described both with God
is irst mentioned in Acts 2.42 by Luke. It is derived from and man:
the Greek word koinonia (Strong’s, G28421), and is used a
total of 19 times, mostly by the apostle Paul. When used, • With God - 1 Corinthians 1.9 describes believers as
it means fellowship (12 times), sharing (three times), being “called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ
participation (twice) and contribution (twice). We know our Lord”. It is also used in 1 John 1.3: “our fellowship is
that the most signiicant event mentioned in Acts 2 is the with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”
Day of Pentecost, and the fact that the word koinonia • With man - in 1 John 1.7 we read “if we walk in the light,
appears after the giving of the Holy Spirit clearly implies as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another.”
that fellowship in the New Testament is related to the
Holy Spirit indwelling believers. The abiding presence of This relationship is ongoing and continuous - it cannot
the Holy Spirit is the commonality that brings believers be practised only at certain times. The continuity is due
together in fellowship: we have a relationship with, and to the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit within
can relate to, one another because we are indwelt by the believers, which emphasises the importance of every
Holy Spirit. As we have already seen, the word koinonia believer spending time in prayer and communion with
has several meanings (describing diferent ways of the Lord.
15
Partnership Considering these various facets of fellowship demon-
strates the need for believers to spend time in prayer,
This aspect of fellowship serves to attain a goal, which and to work together with one accord to further God’s
includes ministering and preaching the Gospel with a will on earth.
view to souls being saved. The partnership between
men is described using the word koinonia: To explain the working of fellowship within an
assembly, we can think of Paul’s example of the body
• Ministering - in 2 Corinthians 8.4 we read “take upon and its members in 1 Corinthians 12, and the illustra-
us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.” tion of believers as participants in a race in chapter 9.
• Gospel - in Galatians 2.9 Paul says “they gave to Whilst running a race, the body works with one spirit,
me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that and all its members contribute to the running of the
we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the race with the aim of reaching the inish line. The eyes
circumcision.” focus on the road ahead, the legs move in harmony,
the arms swing by the side to help propel the body
Paul calls Titus his “partner” in 2 Corinthians 8.23. The forward, and the whole body moves together in one
Greek word used for partner is koinonos (Strong’s, luid motion.
G2844), which is derived from the word koinonia.
Life is full of trials and tribulations and, although
Companionship we are not immune from them, we can face and
overcome them in a way in which the world cannot.
This aspect of fellowship is related to the Holy Spirit, Continuing with the example of a person running a
the Gospel and the Lord’s suferings: race, we can consider a trial to be akin to that person
falling down and hurting himself. Being in one spirit,
• With the Spirit - Paul wrote to the Philippians “… if the above-mentioned members now change their
any fellowship of the Spirit” (Phil 2.1). function to do what they can to support the body as
• With the Gospel – again, Paul wrote to the Philip- a whole. The whole body feels the pain: the eye might
pians “for your fellowship in the gospel from the irst shed a tear, taking its gaze away from the road and
day until now” (1.5). looking at the injury, the arms stop swinging but help
• With His sufferings - in Philippians 3:10 we read the body lift itself up from the ground, and the legs
“… and the fellowship of his suferings, being made stop running but help the body steady itself. All of
conformable unto his death.” these actions are performed instinctively and harmo-
niously, with each member recognising what they
This companionship should be with the Holy Spirit in have to do to support the body in order to continue
prayer. On earth, the companionship is demonstrated and achieve the inal goal, either by continuing to do
by identifying with the suferings of one another as we what they did before or by changing their contribu-
share Christ in common. However, we not only share tion to the overall efort.
sorrows, but also joys.
Every member of the body of Christ is gifted, but
Stewardship each member of the assembly has their own gift. By
being in one spirit, each believer will recognise when
This aspect of fellowship involves sharing mate- to contribute, how to contribute, what to contribute,
rial possessions for the purposes of spreading the when to change what they can contribute, and how
Gospel and helping those who are involved in God’s long to continue with this change. Only by being
work: in one spirit can this be achieved, as believers will
then be led by the Holy Spirit and not their own will.
• In 2 Corinthians 9.13, Paul commends the Christians And, when the Holy Spirit governs all its members,
at Corinth for “your liberal distribution unto them, and we can be sure that the final goal will definitely be
unto all men.” achieved.
• In Romans 15.26, Paul records “it hath pleased
them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain 1
James Strong, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible.
contribution for the poor saints which are at
Jerusalem.” (To be continued …)
16
INTO ALL
THE WORLD
Robert Revie
Development
In 1971, John and Valerie McQuoid felt guided to
commence a new work in the capital and, since the
Revies had not completed their language training, they
followed the McQuoids there to finish the course.
Around the same time, Ron and Maria Cunningham
commenced a medical work in Dagan and, some time
later, Robert and Sheena joined them to help out in
that ministry. Mary Breeze also started a school in the
village of Dagan while, in Batie, Eileen Semple became
“Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her involved in the work of the school there.
hands unto God” (Ps 68.31)
Communism
Although this verse has a prophetic application, many In 1973 there was a severe famine in Ethiopia but, sadly,
feel that it is already being experienced today in news of it was generally withheld from the rest of
Ethiopia. The following report goes back to a time 50 the world. It led to Emperor Haile Selassie’s eventual
years ago … removal from the throne, and he died on 27th August
1975 at the age of 83. This commenced a reign of
Beginnings Communism which continued until 1991, during which
In February 1969, following the call of the Lord, Robert many believers lost their lives and many others were
and Sheena Revie, with their two children Crawford imprisoned. During the five years from 1973-1978 the
and Jane, travelled to Ethiopia to commence work Communist government increasingly made it impos-
there, believing that it would be for their lifetime. They sible for the missionaries to continue in the country
travelled to Batie, a town 1,500 metres above sea level and, very reluctantly, they all left Ethiopia in 1978.
in the north-central region of Ethiopia, where the work
had been started in 1952 by John and Martie Flynn. Opposition
During their first year at Batie, the Revies began to Standing on the tarmac at the Addis Ababa airport,
study the Amharic language under the expert teaching the missionaries felt that this was the worst day in the
of John McQuoid. Amharic is the national language, history of Ethiopia, especially for the spread of the
and, being a Semitic tongue, is closely related to Gospel. They were leaving behind three small assem-
Hebrew and Arabic. blies in Addis, Batie and Dagan, with the total number
17
of believers not much more than 100. Shortly after the
missionaries left Ethiopia, the government took away
the buildings where the believers met, and the church
went underground, meeting in safe houses in compa-
nies of no more than five until 1991. In that year, a blood-
less coup evicted the Communist regime, replacing
it with a military government, and the brethren were
given back the two Halls in Addis and Batie. However,
these were in a very poor state of repair, and the Dagan
Hall was never returned to the believers.
Return
Robert and Sheena returned to Ethiopia in 1993 as Two brethren working at translation
tourists since they no longer had work permits, and
for the next 25 years they visited Ethiopia for three- attended. Only a few years later there were 3,000 at
month periods. In their absence the local believers the Conference, demonstrating how the work of God
had continued to reach out to new areas. Instead of was spreading into new areas.
Bible School
Some of the better-taught brethren in Addis felt
that there was a need of teaching for those who had
recently left animism and had little knowledge of the
Bible. A self-supporting Bible school was established,
where evangelists and elders could attend for six
weeks every year for three years. During this time a
wide range of subjects was taught, mainly by brethren
from the capital. If an evangelist wanted to go to
the Bible school the assembly that was sending him
provided his food for the six weeks he was there and,
in this way, many who came from a pagan background
learned the basic truths of Scripture.
Conference time at Chobi
Children’s Work
going north to Batie or Dagan, where there was a very Around 1995, God raised up a young man called
strong Islamic presence, they travelled west to a place Digaffe, who had a great burden to reach children
called Ginchi, and a new work was
commenced there with about 30
believers. By this time God had
also raised up seven evangelists
who were supported by their
six local assemblies. In the area
around Ginchi there was a mixture
of animism and witchcraft, but
the work gradually began to
increase. Soon it spread into the
countryside, and the evangelists
were increasingly reaching out
to new territories. Robert recalls
a few years after 1993 when he
went to a Conference in a place
called Chobi, about 60 kilome-
tres from Ginchi, and over 700 Members of a discipleship class
18
with the Gospel. He commenced by encouraging the
assemblies in and around the capital to commence
Sunday Schools again, since these had ceased to exist
under the Communist regime. One Saturday he organ-
ised a meeting of the various Sunday Schools in the
capital, and around 500 attended. At the lunch break
he remarked that, although it was wonderful to have
the children for a day, it would be great if they could
have these children for a weekend or even longer.
Camps
The situation encouraged Robert to consider the Brother Mulugeta and his wife Alum
possibility of having a campsite for children. Soon this
was commenced at Ginchi and, for a good number of travelling there every four months for a week. In time
years, many children came under the teaching of the he then commenced a course himself in Addis Ababa,
Scriptures at camp, and many trusted the Saviour. The where he taught five brethren. There are ten modules
leaders of the youth work today would accredit their to be completed and, when the person reaches module
interest to their involvement in children’s work when five, they initiate a new course with at least five new
they were quite young. Until recently, all the camps had believers. Some of the subjects include ‘Finishing the
been conducted in Amharic but, since there are now Great Commission of Matthew 28’, ‘How to reach a new
so many children who speak the Oromo language, a territory’, ‘How to study the Bible’, and ‘How to pass on
camp was convened to others what you
for them in July of have been taught’.
this year. These courses have
developed maturity
BES (Bible Educa- among the believers.
tion Services)
About five years ago Conference
contact was made A Conference was
with Sam Balmer, arranged in 2015
who is responsible at Ginchi, where
for the work of the around 400 people
Postal Bible School attended.
internationally, and The desire of the
soon the Postal Conference leaders
Bible School book- was to look back
lets were translated to remember what
and ready to be God had done in
printed in Amharic Some of the Sunday School leaders the early days of
by Revival Move- Batie and Dagan,
ment. The work and also they
is done in Northern Ireland, where the booklets are wanted to think of what God had done in the area
printed free of charge and the cost of delivery to around Ginchi and into the interior.
Addis is covered. Some of the books have also been
translated into the Oromo language, and have been New Work
well received by the children. There are now well However, they were also burdened to reach out to
over 6,000 children being taught in Sunday Schools new areas in the south-west and south-east of Addis,
throughout Ethiopia. and among the new works they decided to commence
was one in a province called Kefa. The area that they
Discipleship are concentrating on is controlled by 400 witch
Mulugeta, one of the leaders in the capital, attended doctors. A new work was also commenced in a place
a discipleship course for over three years in Kenya, called Adiyo and, by April 2017, numbered six believers.
19
resigned, which meant parliament had to
appoint a new Prime Minister. After four
weeks of deliberation Dr Abiy Ahmed
was elected and, at the age of 42, he is
the youngest leader in Africa. He comes
from a mixed family: his mother, who
recently died, was a born-again believer,
and her son has followed in her foot-
steps. One of the important decisions he
made was to end the enmity that there
had been with Eritrea for over 20 years.
Many feel that his appointment is of God,
and all are looking forward to serving
under his rule.
Reflection
As one looks back over these past 25 years
A Conference in rural Ethiopia it has been wonderful to see the way
in which God has been at work, mainly
By October this number had increased to 40 and, as through the local evangelists, who now number 287,
a result, inroads are being made to this previously and who are all supported by their local assemblies.
unevangelised area. The number of assemblies has risen from six to over
Bali
Around the same time, a number of farmers from
the Chobi area bought some farms in an area
called Bali, south-east of Addis. Because of the
Muslim opposition in the area the brethren felt it
was better for them to visit us in a neutral loca-
tion. This involved a walk of around nine hours
for some of them to reach the bus to take them
to the neutral town. Already there are five assem-
blies in this area, and recently they learned that
five Muslims have been converted.
Unrest
A gathering of national evangelists
Since 2015 there have been many peaceful
protests in the country, and they came to a head in
February 2018. As a result the existing Prime Minister 215, and the evangelists thank God for what He has
done through them during this time, desiring to give
God the glory. Eighteen new assemblies commenced
in 2017 alone, and we can truly say “What hath God
wrought!”
Prayer Points
1. Pray that God will continue to bless the children’s
work, and that many children might trust the Saviour.
2. Pray for the new Prime Minister that he will be given
freedom and wisdom to rule well.
3. Pray that the wider outreach work might continue,
and that many more villages in the region will be
A Lord’s Day meeting in Akaki reached with the Gospel.
20
QUESTION
BOX
What is God’s book which He has written in Will there be nations in the eternal state?
Exodus 32.32?
The context is the making and worship of the golden calf. This question might not seem to be of much significance,
Moses said to the Lord “Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their but it opens up the wider point of how we are to under-
sin –; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book stand Revelation 21.9 - 22.5. From the marriage of the Lamb,
which thou hast written.” at the beginning of chapter 19, through to the description of
the eternal state, concluding in chapter 21 verse 8, events are
Some hold that everyone’s name goes in the “book of described in chronological order. There are good reasons for
life” when he or she is born, and is removed from it if thinking that from 21.9 to 22.5 there is a retrospective descrip-
he or she dies unsaved (see question in October 2018 tion of the conditions that prevail in the Millennium, from a
Believer’s Magazine). However, if that were so, it would new standpoint.
mean that everyone presently alive on earth is in it. This
is not supported by Scriptures such as the Lord telling It is generally agreed that Revelation 21.1-8 refers to the
His disciples to “rejoice, because your names are written eternal state. This is described as “the day of God” (2
in heaven” (Lk 10.20), or Paul’s reference to those Pet 3.12), when God will be “all in all” (1 Cor 15.28). It is
“whose names are in the book of life” (Phil 4.3). These no surprise, therefore, that in verses 1-8 there is a clear
statements strongly imply that there are those on earth emphasis on God, whereas from verse 9 onwards there is
(unbelievers) whose names are not there. an emphasis on God and the Lamb.
So, the book of life contains only the names of believers, The two sections are further distinguished by the description
and the eternal security of believers ensures that their of the Lord Jesus. He is described as “the Lamb” in relation
names cannot be removed from it. Nor would any believer to the marriage and the marriage supper in chapter 19, and in
want to be removed from it, even if it were possible. Thus, 21.9 the Church is “the bride, the Lamb’s wife”. In fact, this is
Moses is not speaking of the book of life here. the first of seven references to the Lamb in the section from
21.9 to 22.5. This is because all that is described is the fruit
The simplest way to understand the book to which Moses of Calvary. He has redeemed the purchased possession, and
refers is that it is God’s record of those currently living on the bride at His side is the firstfruits of His redemptive work.
earth, and that to have one’s name blotted out of it means However, in the eternal state, the Church is eternally seen as
to have one’s life taken away – to die. This fits the context: a bride adorned for “her husband” (21.2), viewed not so much
Moses’ desire was that the people be spared from death, as the fruit of Calvary but as the eternal object of His love.
and if the Lord was not going to do that then he did not The eternal thought will have been achieved.
want to live either. However, God told Moses that there
was no question of him dying: “go, lead the people unto In the eternal state, Revelation 21.1-8, God has to do with
the place of which I have spoken unto thee” (Ex 32.34) but, “men” (v 3). Here there is no reference to kings and nations.
contrastingly, “whosoever hath sinned against me, him will God will then have finished with man’s government of men
I blot out of my book” (v 33); that is, he would die. as there will be no evil to repress. Peter speaks of new
heavens and a new earth, “wherein dwelleth righteous-
So, the book referred to in Exodus 32.32 is the record of ness” (2 Pet 3.13). The character of Revelation 21.9 - 22.5
everyone presently alive in the world (both believers and is different. Everything is connected to time. There are
unbelievers). People are added to it when they are born, geographical locations (21.13), measurements (v 15), divi-
and removed from it when they die. In contrast, the book sions of time (22.2), and nations (21.24, 26; 22.2), none of
of life records those with eternal life (that is, believers which characterise the description of the eternal state.
only). People are added to it when they are born again, There is no suggestion, therefore, here or elsewhere, that
and they can never be removed from it. there will be nations in the eternal state.
21
THE INCARNATION OF THE LORD JESUS (1)
Jeremy Gibson, Derby, England
The entire Christian faith hangs on the vital doctrine Christ’s words and actions affirmed His deity. When
of the incarnation of Christ. It was firmly believed the Lord Jesus said “My Father worketh hitherto,
by the early Church and, with every member of and I work” (Jn 5.17), the Jews knew full well that He
the Godhead being actively involved, our view of it “was making a unique claim upon the fatherhood
projects our theological stance, reveals our spiritual of God. He was the Father of Christ in a manner in
state, and affects our eternal destiny (Jn 8.23-24; 1 which He was not the Father of anyone else.”2 Christ’s
Jn 4.2-3). words, “before Abraham was, I am” (8.58), were an
unequivocal claim to be the eternally self-existent and
He who is the “Father of Eternity” entered time self-sufficient God, who predated Abraham (cf Ex 3.13-
(Isa 9.6, JND1). Having been forever enthroned in 14). “The Greek text reads prim Abraham genesthai
the splendour of holiness, at the centre of angelic ego eimi (literally, “Before Abraham came to be, I
worship (6.1-3), He “was made a little lower than am”).”3 Christ accepted and commended worship (Mt
the angels for the suffering of death” (Heb 2.9). The 8.2; 9.18; 14.33; 15.25; 28.9, 17), forgave sins (9.1-8; cf Ex
eternal “Word was made flesh, and dwelt among 34.7), walked on stormy waves (14.25; cf Job 9.8), and
us” (Jn 1.1, 14). As the Son of the Father, He “came even raised the dead (Jn 12.1; cf 1 Sam 2.6). These all
down from heaven, not to do [His] own will, but the attested to His deity.
will of him that sent [Him]” (6.38). Being the living
bread, He came down to give His flesh “for the life The irreversible and indivisible unity between Christ’s
of the world” (v 51). The Son of God added a spot- divine and human natures following the incarnation
less human body to deity (Col 2.9; 1 Tim 3.16). With explains some apparent paradoxes. Immutable (Heb
the utmost humility, “Christ Jesus: Who, being in the 13.8; cf Ps 102.27) and uncontainable, He who “filleth
form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with all in all” (Eph 1.23; cf 1 Kgs 8.27) humbly entered
God … made himself of no reputation, and took upon Mary’s womb. For nine months His tiny body grew
him the form of a servant, and was made in the like- steadily, dependent upon Mary, while simultane-
ness of men” (Phil 2.5-7). ously upholding the universe (Heb 1.3). Although He
hungered in the wilderness while tempted by the devil
At His incarnation, the Son of God retained every (Mt 4.1-2), He could feed thousands of men, women
attribute of deity. The psalmist testified to the and children in a desert place (14.13-21; cf Ex 16).
divine nature of Messiah when he wrote “Thy While Jehovah neither slumbers nor sleeps, Christ
throne, O God, is for ever and ever” (Ps 45.6). Isaiah Jesus “was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a
prophesied of Him being named “Emmanuel, which pillow” (Ps 121.4; Mk 4.38). Yet, as soon as “he arose,
being interpreted is, God with us” (Isa 7.14; Mt 1.23). and [with omnipotent power] rebuked the wind, and
Jeremiah foresaw Israel’s future King “called, THE said unto the sea, Peace, be still … the wind ceased,
LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Jer 23.6). When and there was a great calm” (v 39; cf Ps 65.7; 89.9). On
God brought “the first begotten into the world, he the Mount of Transfiguration His divine glory shone
saith, And let all the angels of God worship him” visibly from His body of flesh and blood (Mt 17.2).
(Heb 1.6; cf Ps 97.7). Although the Son of God knows everything, is able to
22
read all hearts (Jn 2.24; cf 1 Sam 16.7; 1 Kgs 8.39; Prov (Ex 33.20). When God descended on Mount Sinai,
15.11), and in Him “are hid all the treasures of wisdom Moses was ordered to “set bounds unto the people
and knowledge” (Col 2.3; cf Prov 8), He voluntarily round about … whosoever toucheth the mount shall
withheld from His conscious knowledge the day of be surely put to death” (19.12). The incarnation gave
His glorious return (Mt 24.36). Even though in His human beings a full and accessible revelation of God
human body the Saviour experienced the restriction (Jn 1.18). “God, who commanded the light to shine
of locality, He remained omnipresent (cf Ps 139.8-12). out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give
He saw Nathaniel before meeting him (Jn 1.48), He the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the
was in Heaven while speaking to Nicodemus on earth face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor 4.6). He is “the image of
(3.13), and with ease He healed the nobleman’s son at the invisible God … the brightness of his glory, and
a distance (4.46-54). the express image of his person” (Col 1.15; Heb 1.3).
The incarnation brought a materialisation to the When God created Adam “in [His] image, after
Old Testament anthropomorphic depictions of [His] likeness” (Gen 1.26) it was in anticipation of
God. David’s words, “when I consider thy heavens, the incarnation, Adam’s body being a kind of proto-
the work of thy fingers”, expressed, in human terms, type of the body God would prepare for Christ
the incomparable skill of a creator God (Ps 8.3). (Rom 5.14; Heb 10.5). But, while Adam’s representa-
When Isaiah wrote “the Lord hath made bare his tion of God was limited, the revelation which the
holy arm in the eyes of all the nations” (Isa 52.10), he Saviour gave was so complete that He could make
conveyed the idea of an omnipotent Saviour. Zecha- the astonishing assertion “he that hath seen me
riah’s phrase “the eyes of the Lord, which run to and hath seen the Father” (Jn 14.9). In contrast to the
fro through the whole earth” (Zech 4.10) ascribed distance of Sinai, the Son of God was “heard … seen
to Jehovah the twin attributes of omniscience (all with … eyes … handled” (1 Jn 1.1).
knowledge) and omnipresence (all presence). Since
God is spirit, He does not have fingers, or an arm, or Unlike Adam, who would always have had the
eyes (Jn 4.24). But, at the incarnation, this language capacity to sin, His miraculous conception ensured
was realised literally. that the Lord Jesus was forever impeccable (inca-
pable of sinning). Although sent “in the likeness of
sinful flesh” (Rom 8.3), He was “that holy thing”
THE INCARNATION IS (Lk 1.35), the seed of the woman (Gen 3.15), who
inherited none of Adam’s sinful nature. This untar-
A WONDERFUL TRUTH, nished purity meant that He could experience the
FAR BEYOND OUR full depth of human suffering and the severest form
of satanic temptation, yet always without sin. Such
UNDERSTANDING. a first-hand experience of human trials equipped
Him to be this world’s righteous Judge (Jn 5.22), as
well as being His people’s sympathetic High Priest
One of Jehovah’s titles must have perplexed Old Testa- (Heb 2.16-18; 4.14-15; 5.6-8) and flawless example (1
ment saints. How could the unapproachable Jehovah be Pet 2.21).
so closely linked to Israel as to be their Goēl – Kinsman-
Redeemer (Isa 43.14)? The incarnation answered this The incarnation is a wonderful truth, far beyond our
question. By becoming a true Jewish man, Christ iden- understanding. The only appropriate response is to
tified Himself with Israel in particular, and mankind in believe it, and to fall down in adoring worship before
general. Having a blood-based circulatory system, and our unfathomable God.
being entirely free from sin, He offered Himself as a
flawless sacrifice for sinners, bearing “the sin of many”, 1
J N Darby, The Holy Scriptures - A New Translation from the
and redeeming by His “precious blood” (Isa 53.12; Heb Original Languages.
9.14, 28; 1 Pet 1.19, 2.24; 1 Jn 3.5). 2
Robert Gromacki, The Virgin Birth (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel
Publications, 2nd ed, 2002), p 53.
During the Old Testament era the overwhelming 3
Ibid, pp 50-51.
brightness of God’s glory prevented any mortal
from surviving a face-to-face encounter with Him (To be continued …)
23
BELIEVER’S
BOOKSHELF
A Great Blessing To Me by Grant Gordon, published by Christian Focus Publications, 2016, and available
from John Ritchie Ltd; 220 pages. Price was £8.99 now £6.99 (9781781917152)
The sub-title John Newton Encounters George Whitefield more speciically describes what this
book is about. Grant Gordon’s detailed knowledge of the historical background of Whiteield
(1714-1770) and Newton (1725-1807), and his access to many of their manuscripts, have enabled
him to describe and analyse the inluence these men had on each other and their ministries.
The book is partly detailed historical narrative and partly analytical. It begins with short,
but comprehensive, biographies of the two men up to their irst meeting in 1755. During the
seven years at sea since his remarkable conversion, Newton’s spiritual life had been isolated
from the evangelical movement which was sweeping through England and America. He seized
the moment to make up for this, and went to London as soon as possible to hear Whiteield
preaching. He was captivated, and returned frequently for private conversation on many points
of doctrine. These were Newton’s formative years.
His subsequent ministry at Olney is described, and Whiteield came to Olney several times at Newton’s request.
Although oten separated from each other, their mutual friendship and the “great blessing to me” which Newton spoke
of never diminished until Whiteield’s sudden death in America. Notes of the funeral sermon preached by Newton in
London are in Chapter 5.
Bert Cargill
The Inner Chamber and The Inner Life by Andrew Murray; available from John Ritchie
Ltd. Price £10.99 (9781629118338)
The 36 short chapters of this very challenging book will give the discerning reader much food
for thought. Its author, Andrew Murray (1828-1917), was a Dutch Reformed minister in South
Africa, and many of the chapters were originally published as magazine articles in The South
African Pioneer. This means that each chapter can be read in isolation, and it is perhaps best to
approach the book in this way rather than reading it through from cover to cover.
In many ways it is reminiscent of the writings of A W Tozer - the major theme is that it is vital for
each believer to have a genuine, habitual walk with God, rather than being satisied with a merely
theoretical Christianity. The author gives examples from the lives of Moses, Eljah and the Lord Jesus Himself, and draws
practical lessons about the need for reality in Christian experience. Particular emphasis is laid on the importance of
starting each day in the presence of God in order to draw strength for what the day will bring.
Thought-provoking statements abound: “[there is a] danger of substituting prayer and Bible study for living fellowship
with God” (p 12); “prayer is an index of the spiritual life” (p 23); “[doing the will of God] proves whether it is a god of my
own sentiment and imagination that I confess, or the true and living God who rules and works all” (p 46). There are many
similar quotes that will cause the reader to examine whether his or her own spiritual life is what it ought to be.
Not everyone will agree with all that Andrew Murray believed, nor with everything that he says in this book, but it is
nevertheless a challenging read. Taking time to read and consider one chapter a day (as an addition, not an alternative,
to daily Scripture reading!) would make for a very proitable month.
Michael Wilkie
24
Managing Your Family’s High-Tech Habits by Arnie Cole, Pam Ovwigho and Michael Ross; available from
John Ritchie Ltd. Price £5.99 (9781630583736)
This litle book deals with what is an important and very relevant modern-day subject: the use
(and particularly the abuse) of digital technology and the internet. If the statistics contained in it
are to be believed (and I have no reason to doubt them), it also deals with what is a bigger problem
among believers than we might think. The three authors of the book come from an evangelical,
non-assembly background, and we might console ourselves that they are writing about a situation
that exists ‘out there’. We should not be so readily fooled.
The book is writen in a straightforward, easy-to-read style, and the authors write frankly about
both the time-wasting aspects of technology and its dangers, including subjects such as social
media and pornography. The book also explains the efect that 24/7 connection can have on our brains, our behaviour
and our relationships: much, perhaps most, of it damaging.
Chapter 10 is the best part of the book as it gets down to the important subject of ‘Biblical Solutions for a More Balanced
Life’. As believers, the Word of God is what feeds us. Statistics and data are all very well, but Bible-based instruction is key.
The ive Scriptural lessons in this chapter are very important, and I was disappointed that they did not form a larger part
of the book. While the book recognises that technology is a central part of our lives, I felt that it was too accepting of
this. As believers, we should never forget that these things are part of the world system: most of the material available
on the internet is, ater all, called the ‘World Wide Web’.
Andrew Grieve
Prove It by Paul McCauley, 2017; John Ritchie Ltd; Price £8.50 (9781871642872)
Paul McCauley is not defensive about the Bible, and he doesn’t want us to be defensive
either. His objective in writing this book is twofold. Firstly, to give the believer conidence in
the Word of God so that they will feel no need to blush when they say that they are a Bible-
believing Christian. Secondly, to challenge the unbeliever with the reality that the Bible is
demonstrably the Word of God, and that we are responsible to bow to its message.
He aims to prove the authenticity of the Word of God using ive proofs based on the ive
leters of the word ‘PROVE’: Prophecy, Reality, Oneness, Veriication and Experience. It is a
comprehensive treatment of the subject, and is writen very much in Paul’s own individual
style. If you have ever heard Paul preach, that is the lavour of this book: he is not writing
in a theoretical way. Much of the material he presents he has used in personal evangelism,
where he has encountered many people who are either nonchalant or antagonistic towards
the Bible. He doesn’t claim to be presenting ‘knock down’ arguments that will remove the
objections of every opponent, but he will give you insights and conidence to present the claims of Scripture and the
Gospel to any fair-minded hearer, and help you in dealing with the people you encounter in your daily Gospel witness.
There are parts of the book which are necessarily quite technical, but Paul keeps a proper balance between the ‘hard’
arguments from apologetics and the ‘sot’ arguments from spiritual experience. The book is a good read, and you should
be able to get through it in about seven hours.
Andrew Grieve
25
WITH CHRIST
In view of the number of obituary notices the publishers are requested to insert, we ask those who submit
them to keep them as succinct as possible. All obituaries will be edited with the utmost care and respect.
Mrs Barbara Joan Freeman, aged 85, was called into Miss Frances Graham of Castlewellan, aged 93,
the presence of the Lord on 28th August, having been passed into the presence of the Lord peacefully on
associated with the Ormeau Road assembly from her 25th September. Frances was saved by the grace of
earliest days. As a girl she always wanted to help, even God on 21st October 1938, while attending Gospel
in the marking of the little attendance cards which were Meetings conducted by the late Robert Hawthorne in
used for the Children’s Meetings, and being involved in Wallace Avenue Gospel Hall, Lisburn. After a solemn
helpful activity gave her great satisfaction. Following meeting on the Great White Throne judgment,
her marriage to Jim Freeman they continued in the Frances trusted the Lord Jesus as the congregation
Ormeau Road assembly until, due to political unrest in sang the closing hymn, “Come, every soul by sin
the area, the assembly moved to Laganvale. Joan had oppressed … Only trust Him … Only trust Him now”.
a great interest in missionary work, and continued this Her father’s employment moved the family first to
interest until she fell ill and was moved to Faith House Newcastle and then, in 1955, to Castlewellan. For over
Residential Home. It was always a pleasure to accept an 63 years Frances lived in this small provincial town as
invitation to their comfortable home, where her activity a shining testimony of the grace of God to neighbours
as she busied herself preparing a lovely meal for her and townsfolk. She and her late mother contributed
guests will be missed, and where the singing led by Jim much to the work of the Lord in the area, evidenced
was much enjoyed. We miss her, but look forward to by their entertaining of the Lord’s servants and their
the moment of reunion around our adorable Lord. support of the Gospel. Her large funeral saw many
local neighbours, along with friends from all over
Mrs Lila Gilmour, aged 79, went Home to be with Northern Ireland, come to the Gospel Hall and later
her Saviour on 9th October. Lila was saved as a girl of to Drumnee Cemetery, where they heard the Gospel
11 on 6th November 1950 in a potato field, through the plainly presented. The funeral service, arranged by
words of the hymn ‘Just as I am’. She was received into herself, was conducted by her two nephews-in-law,
fellowship in Gorteade assembly a few years later, and with local brethren sharing.
her steadfast Christian testimony was an example to all
who knew her. Her husband David, who predeceased Mrs Annie (Anne) Magill (née Gallagher), aged
her by five years, was saved at meetings conducted by 92, was called Home to be with the Lord on 22nd
John Thompson. She will be sorely missed as a faithful September. She was a native of Banbridge, Co Down,
member of the Gorteade assembly, and also by her having been born there on 20th April 1926. Anne was
sister Wilma, brother-in-law Robert, and the entire saved in the village of Donaghcloney on 1st September
family circle, who tended to her faithfully during her 1954 through the preaching of Mr Bunting. Her
illness. Her funeral service was conducted by John husband-to-be, Sammy Magill from Donaghcloney,
Rogers and David McGarvey, assisted in prayer by was saved three days later. They were later married,
Jonathan Buchanan and Wesley Martin. and eventually went to reside in Banbridge. Her
husband predeceased her by just over a year and a
Mr Ian Glasgow, late of Drumnamalta Road, half, and she greatly missed him. She was in fellow-
Cookstown, went to be with Christ on 3rd August from ship for many years in the local assembly that gathers
Craigavon Area Hospital, surrounded by his family. in Victoria Street, Banbridge, where she attended
Ian was the beloved husband of the late Florence, until family caring commitments and, eventually,
much-loved father of Rhoda, Shirley, Nigel and Freddy, illness hindered her in the latter years of her life. She
father-in-law of Roy, Richard, Phyllis and Kim, and a was a generous and caring sister who showed this
loving grandfather and great-grandfather. A service of forth to all she came into contact with. Her funeral
thanksgiving was held in Killycurragh Gospel Hall on 5th service in the Gospel Hall, Banbridge was shared by J
August, followed by interment in Cookstown Cemetery. Rogers, S Dawson and A Petrie. Prayer is requested,
Ian will be lovingly remembered by the entire family and very much valued, for her daughters, son and
circle. “With Christ; which is far better” (Phil 1.23). grandchildren.
26
Mrs Margaret Robinson went to be with Christ when she was unable to attend some of the meet-
on 1st October, in her 78th year. She was saved in ings, but she maintained a keen interest throughout
February 1957 as a girl of 16, while attending meet- her illness. Her courage and strength in adversity
ings in Edenderry Gospel Hall conducted by the was a great example to all the believers and, even
late Edmund Allen and W J Nesbitt. That moment in the midst of these difficulties, she was able to
secured her eternal destiny and set her life’s course maintain a happy disposition, sharp wit and sense of
to live for Christ. Shortly afterwards she was humour. Her very large funeral from Ballymagarrick
baptised and received into the assembly meeting Gospel Hall was conducted by Keith Henderson and
in Edenderry. Margaret was held in high esteem by David Gilliland, with Andrew Steele preaching the
all, and was consistent in her attendance at all the Gospel at the graveside. Margaret’s homecall is a
assembly meetings. She was a willing worker, dili- great loss to her husband Ernest, sons Maurice and
gent in giving help, given to hospitality, and a true Trevor, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, the wider
friend in times of need. As her health began to fail family circle, and the saints at Edenderry. She will
in the past few years she was greatly disappointed be sorely missed.
The assembly in Buckie has been encouraged again Tim Coltman’s WW1 presentation, based on the life of
by this year’s Holiday Kids Club in October which, as William Coltman VC and entitled The Story of the Two
before, was taken by Richard Smith from Bridge of Crosses, is still being used to reach many with the Gospel.
Weir. Well over 100 children came each day to hear In October, over 1,000 were reached in this way, all of
stories from the Bible, sing choruses, and commit to whom also received a tract. The believers at the Spencer
memory a verse from God’s Word. Bridge Road Gospel Hall, Northampton hired the
Towcester Town Hall on 12th October for a presentation,
Over 160 children heard the Gospel throughout the and 25 visitors from the town attentively listened to
week, and on the Parent’s Night the Hall was full to the Gospel. Many good conversations were held at the
capacity, with around 320 people sitting or standing end. From September to December Tim has over 70
wherever space could be found. A simple Gospel presentations planned, and many bookings have been
message was presented, and the believers’ prayer is taken for 2019. Prayer is valued for this ongoing work.
that the joy of salvation will come into the lives of
these children and their parents. In Bath, a Seed Sowers effort in October saw a good
number of believers coming together to give out 20,000
Every day some believers from the Cullen assembly packets of Gospel literature, and Jim McMaster gave
came along to help, which was very much appreciated. helpful ministry.
It is always a joy to see believers working well together
in the Gospel. In Hanslope, J Black and P Scarsbrook had two weeks
of Gospel Meetings in October, with a few new people
A similar Bible Week for children was held in coming to hear the Gospel.
Peterhead, with nearly 100 children coming each
morning during the schools’ mid-term holiday.
Different local brethren gave the key message each
WALES
day, while others in the assembly willingly supported
the work in a variety of ways at the York Street Hall. At Adamsdown, Cardiff, a week of Gospel Meetings
A large number of parents also came to the final was held in September with H Rees. Many invitations
meeting on the Friday, where the Gospel was clearly with Gospel texts were distributed, and some good
presented. conversations were held on the streets and at people’s
27
doors. Each evening saw unbelievers present, some Ballintoy: J Black and J Rogers are expected for
of whom had serious conversations after the meet- Gospel Meetings early in January.
ings and accepted copies of John’s Gospel. The saints Ballymoney: The assembly was greatly encouraged by
were encouraged, and request prayer for the Lord’s the diversity and number of unbelievers who attended
continued blessing. throughout the entire series of Gospel Meetings
with W Martin and T Armstrong. Even at the closing
End-of-Year Opportunities meeting some were there for the first time. News of
December brings the opportunity to use the Christmas blessing in salvation also brought much joy.
season once again to point people to Christ Himself. Ballyvaddy: The assembly enjoyed a week of very
Secularists and humanists want to obliterate any helpful, challenging and encouraging ministry from J
reference to the advent of the Saviour, and commercial Hay. The meetings were very well attended and the
interests smother it in their high-profile drive to sell assembly was encouraged.
things. We can try to offset this, distributing Christmas Broughshane: W Martin and D Strahan have
tracts and booklets, as well as 2019 Gospel calendars, commenced Gospel Meetings in a portable hall at
to our friends and in our own communities. There Eaton Park on the outskirts of the village. Prayer is
are plenty of good ones to choose from. We can also requested for this needy area.
invite folk to our Christmas Carol Services since many Harryville: The assembly enjoyed a week of Bible
local people seem more willing to come into our Halls Readings conducted by D McAllister on ‘The Seven
then than at other times. As they listen to the Gospel Churches’ in Revelation. They were fairly well
carefully and faithfully presented, pray that minds and attended, with good participation, and proved to be
hearts will be opened to the Saviour’s call. Contacts most profitable.
already made in schools and Care Homes can be built Portrush: During October, the assembly had a most
on, along with efforts made to show kindness and care encouraging and extremely helpful visit from D Rudge.
to the homeless and destitute in many of our towns His subject was ‘Old Testament Foreshadowings of
and cities. May the Lord help us, for it is “in the midst Christ and Calvary’, and the saints were refreshed
of a crooked and perverse nation [that we] shine as by a renewed and unique view of the Saviour. Once
lights in the world” (Phil 2.15). again, the support and encouragement of surrounding
assemblies was greatly appreciated.
28
gathered to hear challenging and refreshing ministry CO LONDONDERRY
from M Radcliffe, D Gilliland, A Sinclair, M Penfold, Bellaghy: The assembly enjoyed a report by S
D Strahan and R Pickering. This was a profitable and Ussher from Venezuela. A young sister was also
encouraging day for all present. Prayer will be valued recently baptised and received into assembly
for the preservation of the new building, as well as for fellowship.
the blessing and preservation of the assembly. Limavady: The saints enjoyed, and were greatly
Please note: The assembly intends in future, God encouraged by, a week of profitable ministry on
willing, to continue to hold the Conference on the 2nd the Epistle of James from E Fairfield. There was
Saturday in October. good support from surrounding assemblies, and
Banbridge: Gospel Meetings being conducted by J a number of believers outside of assembly fellow-
Rogers and D Gilliland in a showroom on the Newry ship attended too. Many saints commented on how
Road are being very well attended, especially by people helpful the ministry had been.
from the vicinity. A Caldwell was also in Limavady for a very encour-
Dromore: A Steele and P Tinsley have concluded aging week of Children’s Meetings at the end of
Gospel Meetings held in a portable hall on the September, when his subject was ‘The Character of
outskirts of the town. The assembly was encouraged Joseph’.
by blessing in salvation, and by the good attendance Portstewart: The Gospel was clearly and faith-
of local people. fully preached by D McGarvey in the Cromore Halt
Kilkeel: D Strahan was with the assembly for one Restaurant. Neighbouring assemblies gave excep-
week of well-attended and profitable ministry. His tional support, and the Lord granted blessing when
subject was ‘The week that changed the world’, and a lady professed to be saved.
over the five nights he spoke on ‘The Fragrance’, ‘The
Foal’, ‘The Farthing’, ‘The Feet’ and ‘The Faithful’. CO TYRONE
Shanaghan: The Annual Conference was well Donemana: The assembly held its Annual Confer-
attended, and very helpful ministry was given by ence on 18th October. The speakers were J Hay, J
A Davidson, T Meekin, J Procopio, U Ussher, B Wishart, D Gilliland, R Wilson and D Armstrong. The
Glendinning, E Fairfield and J Fleck. ministry given was much appreciated.
29
Methil: Gospel Hall at 7.30pm. D Gillies. New Stevenston: Assembly Hall at 6.30pm. J Coltman,
New Stevenston: Assembly Hall at 6.30pm. M Wilkie, P Coulson.
W Banks.
Prestwick: Bethany Hall, Glenburn at 7.00pm. J Hay. JANUARY 5
Tayport: Gospel Hall at 7.30pm. A deVille. Culloden: Gospel Hall, Keppoch Road at 7.30pm. A
Summers. Subject: ‘Gabbatha’.
DECEMBER 15 Gorgie: Gorgie Gospel Hall, Edinburgh at 7.00pm.
Ayr: Gospel Hall, Prestwick Road at 7.00pm. Ministry Bible Reading (1 John 3.1-24: ‘Reality Checks for the
and Bible Reading (Revelation 20.11-15). J Hay. Children of God’).
Barrhead: Gospel Hall at 7.00pm. F Munro. Hamilton: Low Waters Gospel Hall at 6.30pm. J Dunlop,
Forres: Caroline Street Gospel Hall at 7.30pm. I G Woods. Mr Woods continues on Lord’s Day at 3.15pm
Murray. and 6.45pm.
Gourock: Bethany Hall, Drumshantie Road PA19 1RU Kennoway: Arnot Gospel Hall at 7.30pm. B Martin.
at 7.00pm. S Grant. Livingston: Gospel Hall, Deans at 6.30pm. I Steele, S
Luthermuir: Gospel Hall, Church Road at 7.30pm. B Arbuthnot.
Martin.
Newton Stewart: Gospel Hall, Jubilee Road at
4.00pm. D Miller.
ENGLAND
DECEMBER 22 DECEMBER 1
Aberdeen: Fountain Hall, Woodside at 7.30pm. I Grant. Ash Vale: Ash Vale Christian Assembly at 6.45pm. A Henry.
Corby: Gospel Hall, Rockingham Road at 7.00pm. D
DECEMBER 31 Scarsbrook.
Glencraig: Gospel Hall. Annual Conference at 3.00pm Ely: Gospel Hall, Ship Lane at 7.00pm. S Baker. Mr
and 6.00pm in Rothes Halls, Kingdom Shopping Centre, Baker continues on Lord’s Day at 4.00pm and Monday
Glenrothes KY7 5NX. Ample parking and crèche facilities to Wednesday at 7.45pm.
are available. Ministering brethren expected. Supper will Great Yarmouth: Gospel Hall, Kitchener Road at
be served afterwards in the Glencraig Gospel Hall. 7.30pm. K Totton.
Jarrow: Gospel Hall, Cambrian Street. Bible Reading at
DECEMBER 31 - JANUARY 1 4.00pm, Ministry at 6.45pm. S Grant.
Hamilton: High Parks Gospel Hall. Monday 31st at Leeds: Harehills Gospel Hall, Hovingham Avenue at
6.45pm. R Catchpole, A Summers. Tuesday 1st at 1.15pm, 7.30pm. P Kaye.
Conference in High Parks Gospel Hall. R Catchpole, C Luton: Selbourne Gospel Hall, Waller Avenue at
Munro, A Summers. 6.30pm. M Anness.
Prestwich: Gospel Hall, Venwood Road at 7.00pm.
JANUARY 1 J Riddle.
Ayr: Woodpark Assembly. Conference in Riverside Westcliff-on-Sea: Gospel Hall, Carlton Avenue at
Evangelical Church, Ayr at 1.30pm. K Binnie, J Dunlop, 7.30pm. D Rudge.
A Gamble. West Mersea: Assembly Hall, East Road at 4.00pm
Kennoway: Arnot Gospel Hall. Conference to be held and 6.00pm. M Hall.
in Kirkcaldy Gospel Hall, Hayfield Road at 2.30pm. J Wimborne: Emmanuel Gospel Hall at 7.00pm. R Hill.
Hay, A Sinclair, M Wishart. Mr Wishart will also give a
report on the Lord’s Work in India. (See box advert.) DECEMBER 8
New Stevenston: Assembly Hall. Annual Conference in Bromborough: Gospel Hall, The Rake at 7.30pm.
Holytown Parish Church at 11.30am. E Fairfield, P Coulson, A Gamble. Mr Gamble continues on Lord’s Day at
J Coltman. (Please note change of venue.) 8.30pm and Monday at 8.00pm.
Cheshunt: Mill Lane Chapel at 7.00pm. J Lee.
JANUARY 2 Derby: The Meeting Room, Curzon Street at 7.15pm.
Cowdenbeath: Union Hall, Broad Street at 6.30pm. A J Holifield.
Sinclair (Ministry), N McMeekin (Report). Leeds: Harehills Gospel Hall, Hovingham Avenue at
Methil: Gospel Hall. Annual Conference at 3.00pm 7.30pm. R Collings. Mr Collings continues in ministry
and 6.00pm. J Hay, C Hutchison, B Martin. on Lord’s Day at 4.30pm.
30
Leicester: York Street Gospel Hall at 7.30pm. M Lacey. Wrexham: Norman Road Gospel Hall at 7.00pm. M
Redditch: Foxlydiate Crescent Gospel Hall at 7.00pm. Cooper.
S Dunn.
Warrington: Hope Hall, Hawthorne Street at 7.00pm. DECEMBER 7
R Revie. Mr Revie continues in ministry on Monday at Port Talbot: Gospel Hall at 7.30pm. K Gibson.
7.30pm.
DECEMBER 15
DECEMBER 15 Johnstown, North Wales: Rehoboth Gospel Hall at
Cheltenham: Bethany Gospel Hall at 7.30pm. S 7.00pm. W Banks.
Buckeridge.
Mitcham Junction: Gospel Hall, Percy Road. Bible DECEMBER 22
Reading at 7.00pm (Philippians 4.11-23). I Jackson. Port Talbot: Gospel Hall at 7.00pm. Community Carol
Peterborough: Orton Gospel Hall, Malborne Way at Service. G Evans, R Collings.
7.00pm. M Buckeridge.
Stoke-on-Trent: Gospel Hall, Fletcher Road at JANUARY 5
7.00pm. J Black. Deri: Gospel Hall at 7.00pm. H Rees.
31
DECEMBER 8 Ballymoney: Gospel Hall. Ministry. D McKillen. Subject:
Armagh: Gospel Hall at 8.00pm. Report Meeting. T ‘Future Events’.
Wright (Brazil). Portrush: Gospel Hall. Ministry. J Fleck.
Bangor (Central Hall): Gospel Hall at 7.30pm.
Ministry. D Williamson. JANUARY 8
Growell: Gospel Hall at 8.00pm. Ministry. C Logan. Limavady: Gospel Meetings are expected to commence
in the Town Hall. Speakers: D Gilliland, J Hay.
DECEMBER 10-14
Coleraine: Gospel Hall at 8.00pm. Ministry. B Currie. JANUARY 12
Bangor (Central Hall): Gospel Hall at 7.30pm.
DECEMBER 26 Ministry. W Martin.
Buckna: Gospel Hall. Annual Conference at 1.00pm. Growell: Gospel Hall at 8.00pm. Ministry. S Grant.
Interval at 3.30pm.
Cregagh Street: Gospel Hall at 7.00pm. Annual JANUARY 13
Ministry Meeting. W McBride, D Radcliffe. Refresh- Ballymena (Cambridge Avenue): Gospel Meetings
ments provided at the close. All will be made most are expected to commence, and to continue for a
welcome. number of weeks. Speakers: J Fleck, A Steele.
DECEMBER 27 JANUARY 26
Belfast: Christmas Conference and Bible Readings. Kingsmills: Gospel Hall at 8.00pm. Ministry. S Wells.
(See box advert.)
JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 1
DECEMBER 31 Newry: Gospel Hall. Ministry. D Gilliland. Subject:
Aughrim: Gospel Hall at 10.00pm. Watchnight Service. ‘Prophetic Subjects’.
R Hewitt.
Ballymena (Cambridge Avenue): Last Meeting of FEBRUARY 1
the Year at 11.00pm. Portrush: Gospel Hall. Ministry. G Woods. Subject:
Bangor (Central Hall): Gospel Hall at 7.30pm. ‘Focusing on the Fundamentals’.
Ministry. M Radcliffe.
Fortwilliam: Gospel Hall at 7.30pm. Ministry. P FEBRUARY 2
McCauley. Ballymagarrick: Gospel Hall at 8.00pm. Ministry. E
Sandringham: Gospel Hall at 7.30pm. Ministry. M Fairfield. Subject: ‘There is Hope in Hebrews’.
Penfold, J Black. Refreshments at the close.
FEBRUARY 4-7
DECEMBER 31 - JANUARY 4 Sandringham: Gospel Hall at 8.00pm. Ministry. D
Omagh: Gospel Hall at 8.00pm. Ministry. W Martin. Gilliland.
JANUARY 1 FEBRUARY 9
Ardmore: New Year’s Night Ministry Meeting at Bangor (Central Hall): Gospel Hall at 7.30pm.
7.00pm. Refreshments at 8.30pm. J Fleck, C Logan. Ministry. P McCauley.
Newtownstewart: Gospel Hall. Annual Conference. Growell: Gospel Hall at 8.00pm. Ministry. M Radcliffe.
Prayer at 12.30pm; Bible Reading from 1.00pm - 2.30pm
(Hebrews 11.1-19). J Fleck. Refreshments at 2.30pm; FEBRUARY 11-15 & 18-21
Ministry from 3.30pm - 5.30pm. (See box advert.) Growell: Gospel Hall. Ministry. M Radcliffe. Subject:
‘Tabernacle Studies’.
JANUARY 5
Ballymagarrick: Gospel Hall at 8.00pm. Ministry. C FEBRUARY 16-21
Munro. Subject: ‘The Women in Revelation’. Glenburn: Gospel Hall at 8.00pm. Ministry. J Hay.
Lord’s Day 17th at 7.00pm.
JANUARY 7-11
Ballymagarrick: Gospel Hall at 8.00pm. Ministry. C FEBRUARY 23
Munro. Subject: ‘The Women in Revelation’. Kingsmills: Gospel Hall at 8.00pm. Ministry. A Steele.
32
MARCH 2 MARCH 17
Ballymagarrick: Gospel Hall at 8.00pm. Ministry. A Bangor (Central Hall): Gospel Hall. Gospel Meetings
Summers. Subject: ‘Jewels from Jude’. are expected to commence with M Radcliffe and E
Fairfield.
MARCH 11
Bangor (Central Hall): Gospel Hall at 7.30pm. MAY 12-17
Ministry. E Fairfield. Glenburn: Gospel Hall. Ministry. N Emerson.
To order, go to www.onlinebible.co.uk
33
BELFAST CHRISTMAS NEWTOWNSTEWART
CONFERENCE GOSPEL HALL
Assembly Buildings Conference Annual Meeting for Believers
Centre, Fisherwick Place, will be held (DV) in
Belfast BT1 6DW The Model School,
Thursday 27th December 2018 6 Baronscourt Road,
Newtownstewart BT78 4EX
Bible Reading: 11.00am - 1.30pm
Bible Reading: 2.30pm - 5.00pm Tuesday 1st January 2019
Ministry of the Word: 6.00pm - 8.00pm Prayer Meeting: 12.30pm - 1.00pm
Bible Reading Subjects: Bible Reading: 1.00pm - 2.30pm
1 John 4.7 - 5.3 Refreshments: 2.30pm - 3.30pm
(The Vitality of Love) Ministry of the Word: 3.30pm - 5.00pm
1 John 2.12-29 Bible Reading Subject: Hebrews 11.1-19
(The Victory of Faith)
Conducted by Mr J Fleck
Conducted by Mr P McCauley and EVERYONE HEARTILY WELCOME
Mr A Summers (New Gospel Hymnbook Used)
34
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