Useless Kinds of Religion

There are two ways by which a man may lose his own soul. What are they?

He may lose his soul by living and dying without any religion at all. He may live and die like a beast prayerless, godless, graceless, faithless. This is a sure way to hell. Mind that you do not walk in it.

He may lose his soul by taking up some kind of religion. He may live and die contenting himself with false Christianity, and resting on a baseless hope. This is the commonest way to hell there is.

What do I mean by useless kinds of religion? I will tell you.

The first thing I wish to say is this. A religion is entirely useless in which Jesus Christ is not the principal object, and does not fill the principal place.

Address on our 30th Anniversary

How I Came Into The EPC

As a young lad of 19 years of age, I came to Tasmania to study at the World Evangelistic Crusade (WEC) Missionary Training College at St Leonards, Launceston. Up until this time, I had mainly been associated with Baptist and Methodist churches, but more particularly in fellowship with what is known as WEC, which is the World-wide Evangelisation Crusade. I came, with eight or nine other young people to the College at St. Leonards.

It was during the time that I was at the College (2¼ years), that the Lord really dealt with my soul and my heart. I had a very hard time at college, for I had no real, firm instruction or teaching in the word of God; and during the time I was in college, I came under great conviction of sin; and I came to a place of great depression.

40th Anniversary Of The Evangelical Presbyterian Church

Beginnings in Revivalism

In the years after the war (1948-50), there arose a group of men who were concerned with the spiritual welfare of our land. They were instrumental in the importation of national and international Evangelists who “maybe were just the ones” to bring “revival” to Tasmania, and thousands would be won to the Lord.

Prayer For Revival

So with this in mind, prayer meetings would be “called for” on Saturday or Sunday afternoons, where some 10-20 persons would in turn pray that the Lord would send a “mighty revival” when many would be swept into the Kingdom. These prayer meetings were understood to be “battering rams” hammering at heaven’s door. There was much shouting and excited laughter, as one by one thought that their prayer had prevailed, that they had “got through” to the Lord. Despite this folly the Lord did visit us many years later, but in the most unexpected manner.

Our Heritage

Exodus 6:6-8. v.8 “And I will bring you in unto the land … and I will give it you for a heritage.” A heritage, or inheritance, is the estate, or possession, that passes from an ancestor to an heir. It is signed and sealed as a promise that it shall become the property of the heir named.

In this instance, the inheritance was the land of Canaan, and the heirs were the people of God. It was a very rich and wonderful land – a land beyond the thoughts and imaginations of a people in captivity and slavery, yet God set His name and seal on this promise. “I will give it to you. I am the Lord.”

Beginning Of My Journey Within The EPC

In 1968 Libby & I were married by Pastor Rodman in St. Andrews Church Launceston. At that time we did not have our own Church Building at Talune Street Youngtown. We had decided that in our married life it was important that “Church” would be a part of it. Having only nominal church backgrounds and no understanding of the Reformed Faith, it was our express intention to shop around for a church to attend.

John Wycliffe

1. The early life of Wycliffe at Oxford, and his increasing knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures.

Nearly 700 years ago, probably in 1324, in Yorkshire, England, John Wycliffe was born. This was a period when great spiritual darkness lay across most of Europe. However, this brilliant man was used by God to influence greatly the spiritual life of England, and indeed much of Europe. Wycliffe has been called The Morning Star of the Reformation.

Calvin & Knox’ Relationship of Mutual Love and Esteem

In May 1554 John Knox went to Geneva where he, for the first time, met John Calvin face to face. It is apparent that there had been correspondence between the two prior to this time, as Calvin had recommended Knox to Bullinger at least as early as March of the same year.[1]

The exact path that Knox trod to get to Geneva, and the reasons for it, go beyond the purview of this article. It was in January 1554 that Knox began this journey when he was forced into exile from England. This was due to the ascension to the throne of the devoted Roman Catholic, Mary Tudor, more popularly known as Bloody Mary, and as a consequence of the persecution she aimed at Protestants upon her ascension.

Book Review: Truth’s Victory Over Error

A reprint of David Dickson’s commentary on the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF).
Hardcover, 219 pages; AUS$28.00 (Dec 2002)
Published by Presbyterian’s Armoury Publications
PO Box 37 Legana Tas. 7277 Australia.

“Truth’s Victory Over Error” is David Dickson’s commentary on the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). David Dickson lived from 1583 to 1663, and was, as most will be aware, a Scottish minister and theologian. His life spanned the meeting of the Westminster Assembly, and it reception by the Church of Scotland, and he co-authored (together with James Durham) “The Sum Of Saving Knowledge” which is found in the back of the Free Presbyterian publication of the WCF most of us use.

Dickson’s commentary on the confession is the fruit of his lectures to students for the ministry, as Professor of Divinity at Glasgow and later Edinburgh. This book has the distinction of being the first commentary on the Confession. This fact gives it a special significance for us, for it represents the instruction on confessional Presbyterianism in its clear and undiluted integrity. As such this book is a must for all the office-bearers and serious minded members of the EPC, for we are vitally concerned with being faithful to the heritage the Lord has given us.

Book Review: Modern Moderate Calvinism

Preface
An Outline of the Principles Involved

Let it be first appreciated that sincere and good men do grievously err concerning the truth, even men of great talent, ability and learning, yet we do not malign them nor intend disrespect in opposing them, nor ought we to shrink from the exposure and shunning of their errors.

The Scripture has exhorted us that, “ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). Such is the warrant and purpose of this exposure, which is to demonstrate the difference between orthodox Calvinism, and that which is accurately termed modified or moderated Calvinism. During the last one hundred and fifty years it has also been called modern Calvinism, even by some of its proponents.

Book Review: “Jesus Christ King Of The Church”

The James Begg Society have reprinted the classic Presbyterian work on Church government by Porteous. It originally published in 1872 under the title: The Government of the Kingdom Of Christ. An Inquiry As To The Scriptural, Invincible, and Historical Position of Presbytery.

The brethren have produced a fine book; the content is exceptional, and the book itself is a well bound hard cover volume of 340 pages, on quality paper. It will last, and it is excellent value.

Porteous divides his material into two main parts. The first is “An Inquiry as to The Essential Scriptural Principles of Church Government” pages 1-108. The second addresses the proposition: “Presbytery – Untenable or Invincible?”

The chapters are mostly only 6-7 pages. At the end of every chapter is a principle. This is a concise statement expressing the truth explained in that chapter. There are also a series of questions that unfold the various aspects of the teaching in each chapter. This means that the book is perfectly suited for use as a tool for instruction in the principles of church government. Here is a means to really strengthen our understanding and practice of Biblical Church Government!