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Can You Give Me The Gospel You Offer?
The late Charles Rolfe (1802-1877), Rector of Shadoxhurst and Orlestone, Kent, a good scholar in the school of Christ, a consistent follower of the Lamb, and a faithful champion for the truth, frequently told an anecdote of a person who went to a minister who had been offering salvation to all who chose to accept it, and said to him, "Sir, last night you offered me salvation; can you give it to me?" "No!" "Then why did you offer it? Preach the Gospel of the grace of God boldly, as you ought, without seeking to please men, and then the Holy Ghost will apply the truth to the hearts of those whom the Lord shall call." Our omnipotent Saviour is not a suitor at the…
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Study 8: Three Groups, Three Covenants, Three Laws
This study explores the distinctions between three major groups, covenants and laws recorded by Paul in his letter to the Romans. The Non-Elect are under the authority of the Covenant of Works, subject to the heart law; the Elect are under the authority of the Covenant of Grace, subject to the gospel law; the Jewish people as a nation were under the authority of the Mosaic Covenant, subject to its law. Failure to distinguish between these groups, covenants and laws is the cause of much confusion among professing Christians. This is particularly true with reference to the issues surrounding Hyper-Calvinism. Arminians and Moderate-Calvinists mistakenly believe the whole matter revolves around an excessive view of divine sovereignty, when it actually turns on the hinges of the…
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The Nature And Design Of Gospel Invitations
The occasion of the following Sermon having been preached, and of its being now published to the world, is as follows. An association of Baptist Ministers in London, maintaining the distinguishing doctrines of the Gospel, are in the habit of meeting together once in three months, at each other's places of worship, for their mutual edification, and to promote union among their respective Churches; after which, a sermon is preached, on a previously appointed subject. Being one of that Association, I was at our meeting in June last, chosen the Lecturer for the next occasion, and the subject assigned me was, “The nature and design of the invitations of the Gospel." Accordingly on the 22nd of September, 1835, being through the kind providence of God,…
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A Blow Struck At The Root Of Fullerism
The following letter originated in a conversation upon Mr. Fuller’s sentiment, viz. “faith the duty of the unconverted,” between the writer and the gentleman to whom it is addressed, in which this question was put, by the former, to the latter. Is the peculiar faith of God’s elect, or the faith of the operation of God, a duty of the moral law? It has long appeared to me, that this question is the grand hinge upon which the controversy between Mr. Fuller, and others, about faith, turns; and that, upon this ground, the Fullerian system must stand or fall; must be fully established, or eternally demolished. Some argue against Mr. Fuller’s notion, from man’s inability, concluding, that the faith in dispute cannot be the natural…
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A Specimen Of Hercules Collins’ Teachings
The Reformed Baptists are under the impression they represent the teachings of the 17th century Particular Baptists (17th PB’s). They believe the 17th PB’s were Moderate-Calvinists. During the 18th century, there arose a new generation of preachers who deviated from their forefathers, running to the extremes of Hyper-Calvinism. These hyper teachings killed evangelism which in turn suffocated the churches. To the rescue came Andrew Fuller, who in the latter part of the century restored the Particular Baptists to their former glory. Evangelism was reintroduced and churches could breathe again. As you might expect, the Hyper-Calvinists believe this to be a false narrative. However, you probably have seldom, if ever, heard their side of the story. I will present it from my perspective (as a Hyper-Calvinist).
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Moody And Sankey’s Errors, Versus, The Scriptures Of Truth
Before James Popham was appointed pastor of Galeed Chapel, Brighton (1882), he served seven years as pastor of the church meeting at Shaw Street Chapel, Liverpool. It was at that time he published a pamphlet entitled, “Moody And Sankey’s Errors, Versus, The Scriptures Of Truth.” Dwight L. Moody (1837-1899) was an American Congregational evangelist. Ira D. Sankey (1840-1908) was an American Methodist hymn-writer and soloist. Between the years 1873-1875, these men traveled around the United Kingdom, hosting “evangelistic campaigns”. Sankey attracted the crowds with his singing; Moody “closed the deal” with his “gospel sales pitch”. They held 285 meetings in London alone, with an estimated attendance of two-and-a -half million people. Their message was that of free will works religion, couched in the language of…