A ‘Man-Taker’
By admin | February 5, 2010
Joseph Ivimey records this fascinating anecdote about a 17th century General Baptist pastor, George Hammon. It was the normal practice of the day for ministers to do itinerant evangelistic work, even during times of great persecution.
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Topics: Baptist History, Evangelism, Means of Grace, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching, Providence | No Comments »
Nehemiah Coxe on the Importance of the Gospel Ministry and the Means of Grace
By admin | February 1, 2010
In 1681, Nehemiah Coxe preached a sermon at the ordination of officers in a London church. That sermon was published and later portions of it were used by Benjamin Keach, in his book Tropologia, to reinforce the importance of the gospel ministry.
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Topics: Baptist History, Church, Means of Grace, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching, Puritanism, Puritans | No Comments »
Sobering Words about Baptism
By admin | January 28, 2010
From Benjamin Keach’s Tropologia or Preaching from the Types and Metaphors of the Bible page 632:
We would caution all that would approach to this sacred evangelical ordinance, unless they be dead to sin, that is, such as truly and really hate wickedness, and the empty vanities of the world; and unless they have a prospect of, and long to have an interest in that never-fading inheritance, promised by our dear Lord Jesus to his children; not to profane this blessed institution; because, if they want [i.e. lack] the due qualification of serious and converted souls, viz., faith, repentance, and good lives, they are hereby entitled, not real members of Christ, but hypocrites, and incur as great a hazard, as such do who eat and drink unworthily of the Lord’s supper.
Topics: Baptism, Baptist History, Church, Puritanism, Puritans | No Comments »
The Headship of Christ in the Church
By admin | January 8, 2010
From John Cotton’s The Keys of the Kingdom 65-67
All legislative power (power of making of Laws) in the Church is in [Christ], and not from him derived to any other, Jam. 4. 12. La. 33. 22. The power derived to others, is onely to publish and execute his Laws and Ordinances, and to see them observed, Mat. 28. 20. His Laws are perfect, Psal. 19. 9. and do make the man of God perfect to every good work, 2 Tim. 3. 17. and need no addition.
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Topics: Authority, Church, Pastoral Ministry, Puritanism, Puritans, Reformation, Reformed Theology, Regulative Principle of Worship, Scripture, Worship | Comments Off
Pastor, How do you spend your time?
By admin | January 5, 2010
Pastor, how do you spend your time? Is it devoted to the study of spiritual things? Here are some words from a Master, comments made in an ordination sermon:
And I do not know a warning that I judge more necessary to be given those who are called this day, than to charge them not to trade too much with their natural gifts, and abilities, and learning.
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Topics: Means of Grace, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching, Puritanism, Puritans | Comments Off
On the Morning of Christ’s Nativity
By admin | December 25, 2009
On The Morning of Christ’s Nativity by John Milton
This is the month, and this the happy morn,
Wherein the Son of heaven’s eternal King,
Of wedded Maid and Virgin Mother born,
Our great redemption from above did bring;
For so the holy pages once did sing,
That He our deadly forfeit should release,
And with His Father work us a perpetual peace.
That glorious form, that light unsufferable,
And that far-beaming blaze of majesty,
Wherewith He wont at heaven’s high council-table
To sit the midst of Trinal Unity,
He laid aside: and here with us to be,
Forsook the courts of everlasting day,
And chose with us a darksome bouse of mortal clay.
Say, heavenly Muse, shall not thy sacred vein
Afford a present to the Infant God ?
Hast thou no verse, no hymn, or solemn strain,
To welcome Him to this His new abode,
Now while the heaven, by the sun’s team untrud.
Hath took no print of the approaching light,
And all the spangled host keep watch in squadrons
See how from far upon the eastern road
The star-led Wizards haste with odours sweet:
O rim, prevent them with thy humble ode,
And lay it lowly at His blessed feet:
Have thou the honour first thy Lord to greet,
And join thy voice unto the angel choir,
From out His secret altar touch’d with hallow’d fire.
Topics: Gospel, Puritanism, Puritans, Worship | Comments Off
A Year with Baptist Classics
By admin | December 17, 2009
A Year with Baptist Classics
compiled by Dr. James Renihan and Michael Gaydosh
Can you name the Baptist pastor who served one church for over 50 years, and left us a marvelous testimony of his faith? Did you know that a famous Baptist wrote a book similar to The Pilgrim’s Progress, and that it was also a best seller? Who was the young Baptist pastor who dedicated himself to missions only to be prevented from going? What foreign missionary became a Baptist, while on his way to the mission field, through careful study of Scripture?
You will find the answers to these questions by spending 2010 in the company of 11 classic Baptist books (July and August are combined).
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Topics: Baptism, Baptist History, Calvinism, Church, Doctrines of Grace, Evangelism, Gospel, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching, Puritanism, Puritans, Reformed Theology, Scripture, Spurgeon | Comments Off
Rest Assured Hymns
By admin | November 25, 2009
I love music. For all of my life, I have enjoyed a wide variety of genres and forms. Whenever the opportunity arises, I listen to music; at times I am even brave enough to try to play some of it myself. When others listen to talk radio, you can be sure that I will have some kind of music on in the background. Melody, harmony, tempo: these are great gifts from God.
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Topics: Gospel, Worship | Comments Off
Henry Dunster, First President of Harvard College
By admin | October 8, 2009
Among the fascinating people of colonial American Baptist history, Henry Dunster must rank right at the top. A graduate of Cambridge University and an orthodox puritan divine, Dunster was chosen, at the age of 28, to serve as the first president of Harvard College. His scholarship, preaching ability and leadership skills made him the perfect candidate for the position, and he served in it well. But by 1653, Henry Dunster had come to the conclusion, based on careful study of Scripture, that infant baptism was not authorized by the Bible, and he refused to present his infant son for baptism.
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Topics: Baptist History, Calvinism, Church, Puritanism, Puritans | Comments Off
Changin’ Times (Part 3)
By admin | September 17, 2009
The Times They Are A-Changin’ – Confessionalism Adrift Amid the Siren Cries for Relevancy – Part 3
The Solution
I have spent the greater amount of time in this address seeking to persuade you of my claim that even amongst those who claim to be reformed; we are drifting from our confessional roots and convictions; from our confessional standards as they are historically understood.
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Topics: Authority, Church, Confessions, Gospel, IRBS Events, Ministerial Training, Pastoral Ministry, Reformed Theology, Regulative Principle of Worship, Scripture, Seminary, Worship | Comments Off
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