Evangelical Presbyterian

Sep-Oct 2004 75p

Evangelical Presbyterian
Editor:

is published by the Presbytery of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

Rev. Stephen Atkinson 1 Lord Wardens Dr Bangor, Co Down BT19 1YF (E-mail: sgt.atkinson@ukonline.co.uk)

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CONTENTS
Editorial: A New Start-er Obituary Miss Margaret Jeanette Speers The Regions Beyond: The Restraining Hand A New Day Dawning: The Holy City (View of the Interior) Church News: Stranmillis Appoint a Student Worker Books etc. Heavenly Wisdom for Earthly Use On Course with Christiana (5) - Pardon and Punishment Cover Photo: 1 E. Brown E. Brown S. Atkinson 3 6 9 15 16 19 21

S. Atkinson

All we like sheep... Robert Johnston

Editorial: A New Start-er

Car Starter Autumn start Importance of starting well - outreach, prayer, personal study, missionary interest.

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OBITUARY
Miss Madge Speers (1st October 1904 - 15th July 2004) Stranmillis In the early hours of Thursday 15th July the earthly pilgrimage of Miss Madge Speers drew to a close and she was called into the immediate presence of her Saviour in whom she had trusted for many years. Miss Speers was the last surviving foundation member of the Botanic Avenue/Stranmillis congregation and she, along with her sisters Kathleen and Anna, had been for many years at the very heart of the churchs life and witness. Miss Madge, as she was affectionately known amongst us, had served the church in a number of different ways, most notably as the organist for a time and for many years as a Sunday School teacher. She, with her sisters and their good friend Miss Newell, ran a home noted for its genuine and warm Christian hospitality. Firstly in Rutland Street and thereafter in South Parade the Lords people were always made most welcome. This was a home known for more than just buns and chat for often the things of God were pondered and discussed. For the last eleven years Miss Madge resided in the Bethany Nursing Home, Osborne Park, where, although unable to be present at the services of worship she was kept in touch with the life and work of the church through the twice weekly visits of a long standing family friend, Miss Irene Brown. As a congregation we will greatly miss Miss Madge. Having been brought up in a godly home the Lord was pleased to draw her to himself through the ministry of Rev W J Grier. We know that she is now in the presence of the One she loved and served so well. We will especially miss her prayers and her example. In his first book, Serving the King, Rev Derek Thomas included the following dedication: To Madge and Anna Speers for showing me what Christian service is. The example of those who have gone before us, saints like Madge Speers, is truly a challenge to us today. May we be found faithful in our day and generation. After the funeral service in Stranmillis Church the earthly remains of Miss Speers were laid to rest in her native soil in Portglenone Parish Churchyard where Rev Albert Baxter (1st Portglenone) assisted Rev Gareth Burke in the brief graveside service.We extend our sincere sympathy to the entire family circle who keenly felt her passing and assure each one of the prayers of the church. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord for they do rest from their labours and their works do follow them. (Rev. 14:13) Gareth Burke
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Miss Margaret Jeanette Speers 1904-2004

Article by Mr Ernest Brown: Church Historian

Sunday evenings they helped with the Belfast and Irish Evangelical Miss Madge Speers died on 15 July 2004, two and a half months short of her 100th birthday. The attainment of 1st October 2004 would indeed have been a celebrated achievement, but we rejoice that the Lord did not ask her to wait any longer to behold His face in light and glory, for that is far better. We pay special tribute to Miss Madge because she was the last surviving foundation member of the original Irish Evangelical Church that came into being in 1927. Church Churchs outreach work in Boyne Square. When James Hunter launched Miss Madge was a member first of the the Presbyterian Bible Standards Shaftesbury Square congregation, and League in May 1926 to organise his then of Botanic Avenue which later public campaign against liberalism in became Stranmillis. She came to Belfast Assemblys College ,Miss Kathleen from her home in Portglenone in 1920 Speers and her friend Agnes Newell and began business training at day and began to attend its meetings. They evening classes. She first attended studied doctrinal literature and made Fitzroy Avenue Presbyterian Church themselves acquainted with the issues, with her sister Kathleen who had come and when the Irish Evangelical Church to Belfast around 1910. Soon they was formed they committed themselves moved to Great Victoria Street and on to it from the start, with the full
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support of Miss Madge.

congregation became known as South Belfast. The first Minute Book bore The Knock and Crosscollyer Street the title: Irish Evangelical Church. congregations came into being in South Belfast. and the Irish Evangelical October 1927, meeting at first as house advertised the meetings under this churches. Another house church name until September 1928. The first followed in November 1927 holding membership roll of the new evening services in the Lisburn Road congregation was dated 11 March 1928 home of the Misses Hillis. This group and Miss Madge was one of its took a formal, inaugural step when W J signatories, as was Charles H Garland Grier, a Licentiate and witness for the who went to be with the Lord in March prosecution at the Heresy Trial of 1927, 2003. They had both attended from the began advertised morning services on beginning. 11 December 1927 in the Alliance Hall, Shaftesbury Square, the premises of the When the Lisburn Road building Irish Alliance of Christian Workers opened in October 1928 the generic Unions. It was an upstairs hall located South Belfast identity was no longer at the junction of Great Victoria Street as appropriate. The Shaftesbury and Dublin Road, on the site of the Square/Ormeau section of the present day Ulster Bank House and had congregation worshipped in Lisburn its entrance from Great Victoria Street. Road on Sunday evenings, but their It was the Hall where Rev James Sunday morning service in the Alliance Hunter and others had taught in the Hall continued. So from the opening of Alliance Bible School. The new Lisburn Road the Alliance Hall group congregation rented the hall from the adopted the location name of Alliance for services on Sunday Shaftesbury Square, and the Irish mornings and for its Wednesday night Evangelical advertisement notes this Prayer Meeting. As the CWU used it change from October 1928. In August for its own meetings on Sunday 1930 the congregation moved to evenings, the house church Botanic Avenue. Miss Madge shared in arrangement continued for the evening playing the organ at the Alliance Hall services. and became Botanic Avenues first organist when the building was South Belfast and Shaftesbury purchased in 1935. Square Church and Family Life As the work of the new congregation began to develop in two separate areas, The Speers sisters Kathleen, Madge Lisburn Road and Shaftesbury Square/ and Anna, who arrived in Belfast in Ormeau Road - the localities from 1928, along with their lifelong friend, which the membership of the Alliance Agnes Newell, lived in Rutland Street Hall group was mainly drawn - the on the Ormeau Road until 1957 when
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they moved to South Parade. Their home was one given to hospitality. They loved visitors and entertained unceasingly on behalf of the Church members and friends of the congregation, missionaries and visiting preachers. They laboured in the Sunday School, at childrens meetings, at open-air meetings, annual meetings, and at various meetings for prayer; they were unfailingly faithful in attendance; they loved the Church and they played an enormous part in its congregational life. Miss Madge herself was away from 1949-1965 caring for her mother and her sister Helen in Portglenone, but she maintained her membership in Botanic Avenue and her deep commitment to its work throughout this time. She had worked in business until 1949, first in the office of a Belfast Draper, and then in the Civil Service. Miss Madge cared in turn for her three sisters and for Miss Newell during their declining years and she regarded it is one of the major contributions of her life. She had a sense of calling to it and found great pleasure and fulfilment in doing it.

her own words, it was under the reformed preaching of Rev W J Grier, continued in the ministry of Rev Thomas that she came to ever increasing clarity of faith. Her favourite hymn was One day when heaven was filled with His praises, and she also had a great liking for Nothing either great or small. They expressed the theology she had espoused. She and her younger sister, Anna, developed a special love for Isaiah 12, and they read it frequently, in the period before Annas death in December 1991. Miss Madge spent the last eleven years of her own earthly life in Nursing Home care. She did not always enjoy good health and from time to time she was troubled by a lack of the assurance she had enjoyed when in normal Church life, but she was always responsive to visits, spiritual conversation and prayer. She often would take part in prayer herself after hearing her visitor.

Miss Madges passing, as our last surviving foundation member, is truly the end of an era. We have entered into her labours and of those who stood with her in 1927 and during the hard years that followed. We give thanks for her, for her faith, her Spiritual Experience teaching, her prayer, her fellowship, her unquenchable love for the Church, Miss Madge grew up in a Christian home where there was family worship and especially for the Lord. May we be worthy successors! and parents who made the way of salvation clear. She came to faith in Christ in her youth although, like many Christians, she was unable to date her conversion precisely. However, to use
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The Restraining Hand: Ernest Brown

The Church at Smyrna the Church, Smyrna was a centre of Emperor worship, and in competition First century Smyrna was a large and with other cities had won the right to beautiful city! It was situated about 40 build the first temple in honour of miles north of Ephesus on an inlet of the Tiberias. Under Domitian (AD 81-96), Aegean Sea, and enjoyed a constant sea the Emperor whose reign was coming to breeze which made it cool and pleasant a close when Revelation was written, in summer. It was a wealthy, cultured Emperor worship became compulsory city, the reputed birthplace of the Greek for every Roman citizen on pain of poet Homer, and renowned for its death. It was costly to be a Christian in advances in medicine and science. Smyrna! Christs letter to this Church Ephesus was the capital of the region, (Rev 2:8-11) is the shortest of the group but the people of Smyrna regarded of seven, but carries more praise than Smyrna as the premier city, calling it any of the others. Smyrna was also one first in Asia. The Church there was of the two churches without rebuke. The most likely to have been founded during letter depicts Smyrna as a persecuted, Pauls 2 year stay at Ephesus on his 3rd suffering Church, with worse to follow. Missionary Journey (AD 53-56). Acts 19:10 informs us that at that time all the Christ told this church that He knew all residents of Asia heard the Word of the about its afflictions, its poverty and the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. Smyrna slanderous accusations it suffered at the exists today as Izmir in Turkey, the only hands of a section of Judaism. The true surviving city of the seven church-cities condition of these Christians was one of of Asia. richness, for those who are persecuted for righteousness sake possess the Smyrna had been a faithful ally of Rome kingdom of heaven! But why did they since the beginning of Romes greatness not share in the prosperity of their city? and had earned the privileges of a free It was because economic sanctions were city. But, of particular significance for part of their persecution. Employment
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practices of the day involved false worship, something they could not do. They lost their jobs. They could not earn their living. They were the outcasts of society. Then there were certain Jews who lied maliciously about the Christians to incite and intensify persecution against them. They hated the Christians as they hated Christ. The verdict of Christ was they were not true Jews at all. He had said during His earthly ministry (John 8) that true children of Abraham do what Abraham did. Christ in his letter called their synagogue a synagogue of Satan, pointing to the true source of their persecution. It was from hell! Satan is the father of lies, a liar and a murderer from the beginning, the accuser of the people of God. Before going into details, the Lord tells the Smyrnean Christians not to fear the escalation of suffering they are about to experience. Stop being afraid! The devil is about to throw some of them into prison to test them. He is going to put them through the mill their families and the Church! He would try to break them in order to destroy them and the witness for which they stood. Imprisonment, beatings, torture, and martyrdom would begin to happen very soon. This period would last ten days - it would be intense, it would flare up periodically, but it would not be of indefinite duration. God would limit it precisely to his timescale. Polycarp of Smyrna suffered martyrdom in 155, about 60 years after Christ dictated his letter, so the trials of this church did

extend for some time. Christ urged his Church at Smyrna to be faithful unto death, even if faithfulness cost life itself. He promised to each faithful individual the crown of life. The Crown of Smyrna was Pagos Hill with its beautiful public buildings the hill of the city which sloped up from the sea. We receive eternal life at our conversion, but the promise here is the reward of consummated life in all its fullness in glory, for ever. We are familiar with the Biblical concept of the crowning of Christ. Crown Him and crown Him Lord of all! But here He is giving the crown to us to those who persevere, who are faithful and loyal in whatever circumstances of life he calls us to serve. Paul considered the trials of this present time not worthy to be compared with that future glory. Those who overcome, Christ wrote to Smyrna, would not be hurt by the second death Gods eternal punishment (Rev 20:14, 21:8). There is natural birth and spiritual birth, natural death and spiritual death. If were only born once we die twice, but if were born twice we only die once! Application Today In the west today the church generally lives in freedom from persecution of the kind experienced at Smyrna in the first century. It has not always been the case, and it may not continue to be the case. There are other sanctions too when we live for the Lord and His Day,
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in the world, but not of it. How would we react if we faced such a situation again? Would we be able to comply with Christs exhortation: Do not fear what you are about to suffer? Would we recognise that Gods purpose is our testing, the fortification of the Church and its witness?

but Bosshardt himself endured 560 days of captivity, and when freed he was almost at deaths door. He and his colleagues wandered some 6000 miles mostly on foot, and were billeted in more than 300 houses. The headings of some of the chapters in the book are based on 2 Corinthians 6:3-9, e.g. In Journeyings oft, Beaten with Rods, This is a missionary article and its Alone yet not Alone, In Hunger and purpose is to remind us that our Thirst, By Force and Cruelty, Cast brothers and sisters in Christ in various into Prison. parts of the world are suffering a Smyrnean-type persecution today, for Bosshardt accepted his trial as an example, in parts of the African and agreed part of the Lords service: Asian continents. The cost to them is When our Lord commissioned His very great. We often do not take the servants to Go into all the world and trouble to inform ourselves, to pray and preach the Gospel unto every creature support the body of Christ as we he was fully aware that they were going should. We are to hear what the Spirit into a hostile camp. says to the Churches! We must listen, pay heed, and not pass on unmoved or Behold I send you as sheep among unchanged. Christ described Himself to wolves, He told them. In a very special the Church at Smyrna as the First and way this was true of us while among the godless, but one can clearly trace the the Last, who was dead and came to hand of God restraining the furies of life. This was the divine feature that men. Hence the title of this account, was especially appropriate for these The Restraining Hand. The dust cover of believers to focus upon for their the book pictured a large hand keeping comfort and strengthening. We pray back a pack of wolves, fierce, but small that persecuted Christians today will have grace to do the same, assisted by and impotent in comparison with the hand. our constant prayer and support. We pray then that the Lord will restrain The Restraining Hand the persecutors of his church and also The Restraining Hand is the title of a of the missionaries of the cross who missionary classic written in 1936 by a serve in areas where these conditions Swiss missionary of the China Inland prevail. We pray too that in whatever Mission, R A Bosshardt. It tells of the the Lord calls upon His church to capture of five CIM missionaries by the experience that His people will be Red Armies of China in 1934. The faithful in all that He requires of them. missionaries were progressively released
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The closing chapters of Scripture with all their mystery reveal to us some of the most glorious themes concerning the believers future, and yet also some of the most awful matters concerning those who remain without Christ. In these articles we turn our attention to that - New Day Dawning.

The Holy City - a view of the interior.

(Revelation Chapter 21:22-27 )
by

Rev Stephen Atkinson

But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of the Lord illuminated it, and the Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honour into it. Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). And they shall bring the glory and the honour of the nations into it. But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lambs book of life.

In Revelation chapter 21 John is given a vision of the church in glory, perfected and ultimately beautified through the work of Christ on the cross. She is the bride of Christ, furthermore, the wife of Christ, and this community of the new humanity is

also described as the City of God, the New Jerusalem. Some of the things John initially saw are repeated, for he is taken and shown certain things in greater detail. He narrows the focus on several aspects of
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this great sight. In the verses of study in our last issue, John was given a view from a distance. He was taken to a high mountain and shown the vastness of this city; its capacity and its overall brilliance, shining with the glory of God. He saw the overall dimensions as likened unto a great cube, mighty in length, breadth and height. Twelve gates formed the entrance to this city; and all the gates really were the same, one enormous pearl, the pearl of great price. Jesus himself is the way in, and only He. We saw the unity of both Old and New Testament witness, and the people of God in both ages. Of course we must yet again remind ourselves that this is not a place where believers will go to, as such; but this sight is that corporate entity of Christs people. What we read is not so much a description of heaven, but is the description of the believer, and believers, now glorified and perfected. Now John moves from considering the exterior splendour, of magnificence and capacity, to the interior splendour and specifically of the activity and character of this city, people, bride. And first we see

Lamb. And there are specifically two things which are no longer needed, whose places are taken by the immediate presence of the living God. Those two things are the temple, and the sun. Now these things are central to everyones life while on earth. Man is a religious creature. The fool says in his heart there is no God. Implanted in everyone of us is that desire to reach out for God. Our sinning nature makes us a slave of the god of this world, namely Satan. We may be permitted by him to follow after many false gods, and many idols of our own making. But the bottom line is - Man is religious. He has some temple. Irreligious, pagan, 21st century man is a liar to himself. He will quell any thought of there being a God, for he has made himself divine. But every now and then the thought of his own mortality comes home to him and he will search and seek. But it will be in vain until the Lord opens his heart. Nonetheless the natural man seeks a temple. It may be that that temple is the pub, or the betting shop. It may be that that temple is his business. But man must have his temple.

In addition he must have the sun. How dependent we are upon the sun, 1. THE IMMEDIACY OF GOD - AS OBJECT OF WORSHIP AND and how little is thought of our fragile earths dependence upon it. We are SUSTAINER OF HIS PEOPLE. beginning to be alerted to the way the v22,23. suns rays affect us, the matter of ozone, and the melting icecaps. We are truly Looking on the inside now, central to dependent upon the sun for everything. this scene is the Lord God and the
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Of course the sun is created, not Creator. Some have made the mistake of bowing down to the sun, and stars, believing their life solely dependent upon these created things. You can see why the mistake is made, though it cannot be excused.

This city, modelled upon the Holy of Holies Cube, (or perhaps we should think the other way around), has no need of a fabricated temple. We do not need to go to worship. The time has truly come when we will not worship on this mountain or that, but in Spirit and truth - and perfectly so. In this So we need a temple, and we need a scene of the glorified saints there is no sun. We need a place of worship. God congregating together once a week, for has provided us with a meeting place; a the congregating will be permanent, place where we can go to worship. and immediate, and the worship of Of course we may worship in our God will be immediate since God homes, and have our private family himself will be ever present in the worship, but as God sees our needs, he midst. knows we can focus upon him in even greater measure in the company of a We are thankful to God for the means group of believes, and has given us a of grace he has given for our spiritual place of worship. enrichment. But then there shall be no need of such. We shall stand in the Within that place of worship he has immediate presence of the Lord God given us the ordinances of religion, the Almighty and the Lamb, and our scriptures, prayer, praise, apostolic worship will be immediate, unpolluted, teaching, the sacraments. We are and worthy. The glory of God will graciously given these for our soul perfectly emanate from within us; from needs as we live in this dark age. the very soul of this corporate wife! Further, as with all people we need the In a very immediate way He will be the sustenance of the sun. We thank the object of our perfect worship. But also, Lord that he sends the rain on the just there will be no need of that secondary and the unjust, and similarly causes the light of the sun, for we will be bathed sun to shine upon us all. in uncreated, primary light, - our But - and this is a great BUT returning to Johns vision, and seeing things inside this city, there is no need of Temple, and no need of Sun.

Creator and Sustainer. And in eternity we will still remain dependent upon Him to sustain our very being. This is not pantheism which is being spoken of here. We are not being lost in all this Why? - The Lord God Almighty and divinity. But we shall enjoy an the Lamb provide all such necessary immediate sustenance of the Light of things in an immediate and perfect all lights from the One who said, Let way. there be light.
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I dont know if you have experienced much of pitch darkness. I lived 27 years of my life never having experienced pitch darkness. It was only when I went to Co. Tyrone, that I first experienced pitch darkness. Where we lived there were no street lights and no car lights, down our lane; no lights of any description. If the night was particularly dark with cloud cover you were virtually blind without some form of artificial light like a torch. Everything we see is a reflection from some form of light. But that light is secondary. It is a given light, a sustained light from the father of lights. And in His light we see light. (Psalm 36:9) How we need to acknowledge his light upon us and ever seek more and more of that enlightened mind. to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Rom 8:6). Michael Wilcock speaks of a total interpenetration between man and his God - the light in the city, the city in the light. Now we must be careful not to misunderstand this. It is not man becoming divine; but we do need our minds stretched to see the immediacy, what Wilcock calls, the interpenetration, of city and light. Is this not the full married union of Christ and his Bride?

will call Jerusalem The Throne of the Lord, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honour the Name of the Lord. The Olympic Games have recently been constantly on our screens. The opening ceremony and procession is always worth watching. The various competing nations, clothed in national costume, march past the assembled crowds. In these verses we have a march past. What a wonderful sight is before us in Revelation 21, of the internationality of the people of God. Remember that this was first written for first century Judea and what is brought into view is the sight of all those nations surrounding Israel who have been her enemy, now coming, as brethren redeemed. And John sees wondrous new nations unknown to that time. This march past would have some national names unknown to John.

When I ministered in Cambridge I often commented on how each Sunday we had a measure of heaven upon earth. We showed this internationality. What a march past we had. Ireland! England! Scotland! Wales! - and Switzerland and Holland. Add USA, Australia and South Africa. Continue with Nigeria, and Kenya, and Korea, 2. THE INTERNATIONALITY OF and Persia! What a thrilling sight for us THIS CITY all in Cambridge. But what greater sight for old John who saw this international v24,26 community and yet who knew nothing of these unknown, undiscovered lands This has been the promise of the and nations. Consider, and worship! scriptures right through from the beginning. Jer 3:17 - At that time they 3. THE SECURITY OF THIS CITY
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v25 Enjoying immediate uncreated light, there is obviously no night there. But what else does this mean? We also have the picture of open gates. Some have argued from a liberal position that this means that all will be welcomed, even after the Judgment. The gates are open, and so all may enter in. However we must remember that this is not a place but a community of the new humanity, and the only way into this community is through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. That entrance is only possible in these days of grace in which we now live.

fought and won on Calvary but the enemy has not given in. In this life there will be times of satanic attack; times of darkness. But in this revelation to John the enemy is beyond harming us. In this scene there is no night, no more darkness, no more pain or suffering or sorrow. It is done. It is finished. We have nothing to fear from the enemy. Thus the gates are open wide, for it is eternal day!

But there is another point we can make concerning the fact of there being no more night. When night comes we rest. Our bodies need that sleep. When Jesus These are days of Gods favour; days told the disciples to watch and pray which we must make the most of for they could not, for it was past midnight Jesus has spoken clearly in parable form and going into the early hours of the that when the Bridegroom returns the morning. door is shut! There is no second chance. This scene in Revelation does So we live not only in a body of death, but we live with weak flesh. The spirit not present us with a continuance of is willing, but the flesh is weak. We may grace of entry after Judgement. The unbeliever has already been dealt with be tired even as we endeavour to and sent to the lake of burning sulphur. engage our souls in spiritual things. We may experience spiritual lethargy. But So what does this mean then? The then, there is no night, and no need of open gates speak of a secure and such nightly rest. Our Sabbath rest is blessed peace. The cities of old would active worship and our glorified bodies close their gates at night. This would be and souls will experience no weakness for the protection of the citys or tiredness in this glorious day. inhabitants. Watchman would be placed on the walls for there was always When we are having a wonderful day out in glorious sunshine there may be a the fear of attack. desire for it to go on and on. What a Jesus has called us in this life to watch wonderful day is ahead of us and it will and pray. We are to be alert and keep on go on and on. praying for all the saints. We are in the 4. THE PURITY OF THIS CITY midst of a holy war; a battle for our souls. The battle has already been
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v27

called and does so even now in these days of grace, calling sinners to This stands as a warning as well as a repentance and faith in the finished comfort. It is a warning to all who work of Christ. Those he called he also remain in their sins. Nothing impure justified, and brings that divine peace to will ever enter it. The invitation is clear, the heart as we stand in the grace of and the blessing that accompanies it. Christ. Those he justified he also We must come to the Lord Jesus glorified and by gracious revelation Christ, this lamb, that was slain, who unto John we have the vision of just receives all the honour and praise, and that before us in this passage. we must come to him, for washing in his blood; to be cleansed - that is the Is your name in the Lambs Book of fruit of his work. Life? I cannot see your heart. Your name on a church membership roll is In so coming to him, and being washed no guarantee. Nothing but the blood of by him, we gain a right - a right to be a Christ can provide a sufficient covering. child of God, to have access to the tree Have you come to him for that? Are of life, and entrance to this city through you trusting him for that? Has he given that precious pearl the Lord Jesus. to you even now that inner witness of Nothing less than perfect purity will do. the spirit testifying with our spirits that Nothing less that that seamless robe of we are sons of God. Has he given you His Righteousness will do. that guarantee, that sealing of the spirit? But then we rejoice in his grace that Let us look to his grace for our gifted just as he made coverings for our first purity. Let us rejoice in our present and parents, so for those he has predestined future security. Let us wonder at the from all eternity, he has already glorious universality of the kingdom of inscribed in the Lambs Book of Life. God. And let us long for that glorious We rest in that unbroken chain of day of immediate and perfect worship divine purpose and wisdom, that those of our gracious God. he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his son and so be perfectly pure and eligible for glory. Those he predestined he also ... in eternity, we shall have the full manifestation and enjoyment of the atmosphere of Gods being. The radiance of Gods being will fill the entire city of God. It will be fully manifest everywhere, to everyone. There will be no back settlements in the heavenly Canaan, no dark corners in the new Jerusalem. All Gods elect will dwell in the immediate, direct, presence of God forever Don Fortner - Discovering Christ in Revelation
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New Appointment in Stranmillis: Student Worker Mr Robert Johnston

From 1st September 2004 (DV), Stranmillis congregation will have a new Student Worker engaged in ministry among the students of the area. Robert Johnston will engage in a similar ministry to that profitably undertaken by Rev Billy Elliott a few years ago, except that this is to be a full-time appointment, locally funded, rather than part-time and funded by Presbytery. There is a huge evangelistic opportunity among students in the surrounding area of Stranmillis EPC, and Robert will be seeking to build on existing contacts within the congregation and establish more Bible studies with international students. The work however will not be solely confined to overseas students as there is a deep concern to reach home-grown students also, and advance the existing student work within Stranmillis EPC. We would wish to highlight this new appointment that you might pray for its spiritual prosperity. Robert is available to speak around the churches and make known the particular needs and difficulties involved in this work. Please contact Rev Gareth Burke for more details: 028 9045 0900
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Books etc.
Holiness and Sexuality
effectively as the holy people of God Homosexuality in a Biblical context Christians are not at liberty to alter his demands or to ignore what contradicts Ed. David Peterson his holy will. Paternoster I found the book interesting but could 172 pages 7.99 not agree with every jot and tittle. At Reviewer: Billy Elliott times the careless use of the term This collection of the 2003 Oak Hill homosexual Christian was confusing School of Theology papers considers and needed further clarification while homosexuality within the context of the mention of low self-esteem also the Bibles overall teaching upon gave cause for concern. At some points holiness and sexuality. It is not for the I would have liked to have been able to fainthearted or those coming to the ask for further clarification. subject without any previous All in all, I welcome the conclusion introduction to the issues involved. that regardless of any future The book is both academic and developments in the nature, nurture or pastoral, and has as its goal to help readers reconsider and integrate in their personal choice debate, homosexuality own thinking the Biblical, theological is a sin to be repented of and not an acceptable alternative lifestyle - a and medical evidence relevant to this message that needs to be heard more topic. and more! The contributors see consistent Biblical The Church teaching regarding marriage and sexuality across a range of contexts and One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic with different sanctions. Holiness is the Richard Phillips, Philip Ryken, Mark theological framework in which the Dever material is offered. You shall be holy, for I am holy is viewed as the ongoing Presbyterian & Reformed 6.50 challenge set by the Holy God for His 147 pages people. Reviewer: Stephen Atkinson First presented at an Alliance of We are assured that Scripture encourages us to be honest about our Confessing Evangelicals conference in 2003, these addresses instruct us struggle with sin and not to mask it concerning the church, through the and calls us to be repentant before God and patient with each other. We statement of Nicea in AD 381, which described the church as one, holy, are also reminded that to function catholic, and apostolic.
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Although all good material, the chapter on unity is excellent with much to be prayerfully considered. One of the principles we should uphold is sincerely seeking to understand the other position, charitably engaging it with our concerns. Furthermore, I do not mind saying that there are weaknesses and potential excesses in views I hold passionately... By humbly listening to the critiques of disagreeing brothers, I am protected against excessive tendencies... (p.36) In this chapter Richard Phillips is not afraid to earth his argument. Perhaps the Lord leaves us with differences to work out in order to learn how to love. How many people consider theological disputes to be instruments of teaching us how to love! So God leaves intelligent brothers blind to what I think is the overwhelming evidence in favour of infant baptism, just so I can learn to be humble and gentle in relationship with them. (p. 38) Our Baptist brother Mark Dever carries through this beautiful argument in his chapter on the Catholic church. In criticising provincialism, sectarianism, and racism he points out Some things we take for granted and become wrongly committed to, so that we never submit to the searching examination of Scripture. This is one reason that travel can be useful for a Christian - getting out to discover Christian practices in other places. One of the quickest ways to grow in understanding your own culture is to live in another one. Wasnt this

something the early church had to learn as the Lord blessed and expanded the kingdom to Samaria and the farthest ends of the earth. Being initially delivered as conference addresses these are not superficial, but nor are they dry doctrines. They truly display the beauty of Gods one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. Well worth our study.

Should we leave our churches?

A Biblical Response to Harold Camping

J. Ligon Duncan & Mark R. Talbot Presbyterian & Reformed 59 pages 2.99 Reviewer: Stephen Atkinson It is often the case that controversies across the pond eventually reach our shores. If that is true in this case then we need this booklet as our defence. A couple of years ago Harold Camping, president of Family Radio Network, began announcing the end of the church age. He openly declared and spread his misguided assumptions that world reaching technology could and should replace missionaries and ministers, and religion from radio replace corporate congregational communion. Spurred on by an understanding that the institutional church is apostate, he calls on believers to come out and huddle in informal groups on Sunday listening to Family Radio.
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While this side of the pond we may not be infected with full-blown Campingitis, it is good to be immunised against Just me, Jesus, my Bible and Family Radio (p21).

for the Big Bang Theory and show evolutions failure to account for the development of complexity in living systems.

The book is well laid out and an easy This booklet is not only a clear rebuttal read. Scientific content is presented so of these aberrations but a useful little as to be relevant and non-technical. refresher study on the church. Each chapter contains practical exercises to help the reader grasp the Creation Chance or concepts being discussed. And there Design? are questions to promote discussion David Tyler and further thought. Particularly useful are the sections relating to the nature of Evangelical Press God in the context of creation and the 221 pages 8.00 ethics of work and labour, the latter Reviewer: Neil Campbell sometimes overlooked as being a creation ordinance. This latest book in The Guide series is aimed at communicating Biblical teaching on creation in a straightforward and readable way. In this it succeeds very well. Beginning with God and His work of creation, the author works through issues such as the Fall and its effects, Gods purposes in creation, design in creation and irreducible complexity in nature. There are good examples throughout of the agreement between biblical teaching and scientific fact. By contrast the case against evolution is soundly and simply put. Criticism ranges from the problems with natural selection and Darwins Origin of Species to more recent discoveries that raise serious difficulties Not a book for those looking for in depth discussion of creation versus evolution issues, but a good starting point for study. It is suitable for both personal study and group activity, particularly with young people. While there is a recommended reading list and some notes, given the study style of the book, it may be a little weak on reference materials and sources of further information.

The way of our human condition is that God has put us within sight of the Himalayas of his glory in Jesus Christ, but we have chosen to pull down the shades of our chalet and show slides of Buck Hill - even in church. John Piper - Desiring God
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DESIRING GOD John Piper

(Updated Edition) 391 pages IVP 9.99 Practical advice on a contemporary issue.

photo of book cover

Jo

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page 20

(John Bunyan presented the world with a wonderful picture of Christian experience in The Pilgrims Progress. Not so well known is Part II concerning Christiana, Pilgrims wife. We plan here to retell some of the main parts of the story.)

PILGRIMS PROGRESS PART II

- (5) Pardon & Punishment Our travellers now arrived at the cross - the very one where Christianas husband had lost his burden. Christiana immediately asked their guide Mr Great-Heart, The cross is about pardon, but what really is pardon? Pardon is where you are let off for all your guilty deeds. It is God forgiving you, when you deserve punishment. But cant God do that without a cross? In the cross there is a great exhange. Jesus was perfectly sinless, and wonderfully he took our badness, and gave us his goodness. But wouldnt that make him guilty, and us innocent and free? Exactly! On the cross Jesus suffered punishment, that we might receive pardon. And that is why my husbands burden rolled away, and Im told, he lept for joy. Now I am so happy to be here at the cross. Our friends moved on, and came to a more distressing sight. They saw three men hanged. They were Simple, Sloth and Presumption. Christian had met them when he journeyed, and tried to stir them, but now it was too late. Great-Heart continued to explain the damage these three had done in persuading others to stumble and stop. They told lies about the King, and complained about all the difficulties of being a pilgrim. They got what they deserve. As we think about this part of the story we need to remember not only the wonderful truth about gospel pardon - that our sins may be forgiven if we come to the cross of Jesus and trust him as our Saviour - but also, the serious consequences if we dont. Simple, Sloth and Presumption, caused others to stop, characters such as Sleepy-Head and Slow Pace.What about you? Are you On Course with Christiana? - or are you slowing down, a sleepy-head, that may lead to great danger?

Evangelical Book Shop

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