Biblical Separation and “Platform fellowship”

“Platform fellowship’ is a phrase coined to describe the artificial distinction some see in the relationship, or fellowship, experienced among participants in a conference situation. Sometimes this conference scenario primarily involves preaching, while in others it is primarily academic in nature. However, when a conference is theological or involves handling the truth of God in any form, it cannot simply be regarded as academic, whether it involves preachers or seminarians.

The concept of ‘platform fellowship’, as defined by many conservative evangelicals, allows them to justify in their own minds the freedom to associate with, worship with, preach with and lecture with those that, on a strictly Biblical basis, they should distance themselves from. It is in many ways an attempt to find a way for men to bring together what God has put asunder! …

Click here to read the rest of the article on the Stand Still A While Blog site by Rev Andrew Foster. 

C H Spurgeon on the 'Family'

My wife drew my attention to these words about the Family [I am presently preaching a series on the Family in Newtownabbey FPC] which she read in a sermon preached by C. H. Spurgeon, entitled: 'Comfort from the Future'.

The words come from No. 2676 in Volume 46 of his sermons. It was preached at the Metropolitan Tabernacle on Lord's day evening 30th January 1881, upon the text in Job 11:16: Thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away.

The truth escapes every now and then!

Despite many concerted attempts to suppress the truth, thankfully every now and then it manages to burst forth into the 'public square'.

The Welsh secretary in the United Kingdom, Westminster Government, Mr David Jones, has said that sodomite couples 'clearly' cannot provide a 'warm and safe environment in which to raise children. His exact words are:
I regard marriage as an institution that has developed over many centuries, essentially for the provision of a warm and safe environment for the upbringing of children, which is clearly something that two same-sex partners can't do.

Mr Jones voted against the re-definition of marriage when it was debated and voted upon recently in the British House of Commons. He was one of only two cabinets ministers to do so.

Over a dozen reasons why the argument for Exclusive Psalmody doesn't stand up, Part 16

16. A number of the Psalms could not have been sung in public worship as they contained instructions forbidden in public worship. 

The Lord laid down strict instructions as to what musical instruments were to be employed in public worship in the Temple. These instructions relate to four musical instruments, namely: the trumpet, harp, psaltery and cymbals.

The use of the trumpet was present from the very beginning of the Mosaic economy. The silver trumpets were to be blown at set times, cf. Numbers 10:2-.

J. C. Ryle on Marriage

In no relation is so much earthly happiness to be found, if it be entered upon discreetly, advisedly and in the fear of God. In none is so much misery seen to follow, if it be taken in hand unadvisedly, lightly, wantonly and without thought.

New website - well worth visiting!

Believers Alerted to New Ageism & Secular Humanism

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Days of Noah & Lot to return

In Luke 17:26-30 the Saviour spoke of certain characteristics that would mark the days prior to His second coming:
And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.