On the evening of the 8th of August 2011, I was joined by my brother Marc to stay the night in the church building for the purpose of protecting the facilities from theft, vandalism and arson. Between the 6th and 10th of August, widespread riots, arson and looting was carried out across England. Approximately 3,000 people were arrested, 3,443 crimes committed, five people died, at least 16 people injured and an estimated £200 million worth of property damage incurred.

While sitting in the church office and watching the live news feed, it occurred to me . . .

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Upon instructing Timothy on how pastors and deacons are to conduct themselves as servants of Christ, the apostle Paul adds, “These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:14,15) Every disciple of Christ should know how to behave himself in the house of God. Maintaining good order in the church of the living God is called discipline.

This study is the first of five lectures on the subject of church discipline. Herein we attempt to answer six basic questions . . .

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Observations on the Divine Attributes, Necessary to be Premised, in Order to Our Better Understanding the Doctrine of Predestination.

Although the great and ever-blessed God is a being absolutely simple and infinitely remote from all shadow of composition, He is, nevertheless, in condescension to our weak and contracted faculties, represented in Scripture as possessed of divers Properties, or Attributes, which, though seemingly different from His Essence, are in reality essential to Him, and constitutive of His very Nature.

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The Reformed Baptist Movement has given rise to a new form of church leadership not practiced by Baptist churches prior to the 1950′s. The majority of modern books and articles almost invariably assert that each church should be overseen by a plurality of elders. While many churches have conformed to the new trend, others staunchly cling to their traditional practice of having a single pastor assisted by a group of deacons. It is unwise to follow a trend, or support a tradition, without knowing the Scriptural, historic and practical reasons undergirding such a conviction.

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The Earthen Vessel is a 19th century magazine promoting the values of Strict and Particular Baptist Churches. Its 21 volumes comprise the complete set of monthly publications extending over a 20 year period (1845-65). The magazine was printed in London by the following publishers: (1) James Paul, 1846-55; (2) Banks, 1848-55, 1857-65; (3) Houlston & Stoneman, 1855-6; (4) Patridge, 1856-8; G. J. Stevenson, 1859, 1862, 1864-5. The editor was Charles Waters Banks and by 1859 its circulation had reached to more than 8,000. The content included a variety of materials including theological essays, devotional articles, sermons, anecdotes, poetry . . .

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Kevin Price sits on the committee of the Strict Baptist Historical Society. He has also served as a pastor for more than thirty years and has enjoyed an itinerate ministry in both the United Kingdom and the United States. His commitment to the historic values of the Strict Baptists has secured for many congregations a stedfast voice of support and encouragement.

Is Jesus Christ merely a potential Saviour, or is He a certain Saviour? Did He die to make redemption possible to all sinners, or did He die to secure redemption particularly for those whom the Father has given Him? The answers to these questions strike at the heart . . .

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Dr. David Allen served as pastor of the Free Baptist Church, Belvedere, Kent from 1983 to 1990. He has subsequently served as a Deputation Speaker for the Trinitarian Bible Society from 2000 to present. He is a Senior Speaker with TBS and highly esteemed for his defense of the Gospel as preserved in the Authorised Version.

“What think ye of Christ?” This is the question with which Jesus confronted the Pharisees and it is the subject which comprises Dr. Allen’s first challenge on why the Authorised Version remains the most reliable English translation of the Bible today.

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Two of the greatest challenges facing any church is the persecution brought against her by oppressors, and the perversion of truth wrought within her by deceptive members. It is Jude’s purpose to deal with the latter problem, wherein he provides a helpful guide in not only identifying the true Christian, but also exposing false professors. This study seeks to challenge the testimony of every professing believer, by bringing all claims to Christ under the scrutiny of His Sovereign Grace.

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A Selection of Hymns, for Public Worship: “Sing ye praises with understanding.” Psalm 47:7

To be employed, with solemn pleasure, in singing the praises of God with the spirit and with the understanding also, is a blessing peculiar to God’s elect; nor can even they be thus engaged, only as the blessed Spirit influences the mind, and favours them with the unction of His grace. It is one thing to have the ear charmed, and another to have the heart engaged in this most delightful part of God’s worship, in His church below. “Blessed are the people that know the joyful sound.”

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Preface: The following is designed, as its name implies, to be a directory to the doctrines and practices of Baptist churches. Its plan is different from that of any other work; more comprehensive in the range of its subjects, but more concise in its statement of facts. It is rather a hook for reference than a book for general reading. The arrangement is intended to be so clear and convenient, that any subject on which information is wanted, can be found at once. The style is adapted to the condition of those who desire information on such subjects, but who have little disposition for laborious or protracted investigation—instances of which are frequently occurring within the observation of every pastor.

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