Atoning Sufferings of Christ

CHRIST: DID HE SUFFER ATONINGLY IN HIS LIFE?

The answer to this vital question is an emphatic, unequivocal NO!!

Recently while "gathered to His Name," to "call Him to mind," as He so poignantly requested His own, on giving thanks for the bread the brother referred to the loaf as symbolic of the Lords' life! I do not wish to make my brother in Christ an offender for a word, but this is gross error! That Christ suffered for sin BEFORE His death on Golgothas' cursed tree has been "taught" in past centuries and is now being disseminated among the Lords' people. 
Men from diverse persuasions within Christendom held this false doctrine: including John Stott, the late Anglican cleric; Matthew Henry, 1662-1714, a Welsh non-conformist  Presbyterian "minister;" F.W. Krummacher, an 18/19th century Reformed Church "minister, an advocate of Lutheranism; C.H. Spurgeon, a Particular Baptist preacher.
The Lord Jesus remained undefiled throughout His entire sojourn in this scene, until He was "made sin," by His God there upon the cross, and ONLY during those three hours of impenetrable darkness! It was then and only then that "Jehovah caused to meet upon Him the iniquity of us all!" Before the darkness enveloped "all the earth," and He was abandoned of His God; and as soon as He emerged Victor, He addressed His God as "Father!" During His hours of being forsaken, He cried out to the One He owned as "My God!"
"Himself bare our sins in His own body ON the tree; Note well the preposition "ON," not TO, "the tree."
It behoves us to be careful of basing "truth" upon the hymns we sing! Very many are most precious and of real value in connection with praise, but some are erroneous in varying degree! 
It is instructive to recall that in the "Meal Offering" which is most perfectly "typical" of our Lords' life, His impeccable and morally beauteous walk, there is no suggestion of sin-bearing or of His shed blood, no thought of atonement!
We could considerably multiply Scripture evidence for our setting this forth as the truth as to the atoning work of the Saviour at Calvary and nowhere else, not even in Gethsemanes' garden. But we trust this is sufficient for those who bow to the Word of God.
"Without shedding of blood there is NO remission;" Hebrews 9:22.
"For it is the (His) blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." Leviticus 17:11.

Innovative way of Distributing Tracts

INNOVATIVE WAY OF DISTRIBUTING TRACTS

I am a great believer in the distribution of the written Word of God and all printed material based upon it; especially Tracts that outline the truth of the Gospel.

Back in 2012 (I believe), some American brethren visited the U.K. to distribute "relevant" Gospel Tracts at the London Olympic Games; a worthy exercise. A number paid a visit to our Assembly and made a startling suggestion; an additional and different "way" of Tract distribution. Now whether you are fully persuaded as to the "ethical side" of things must be an individual judgement. They proposed that believers returned all pre-paid envelopes from unsolicited "junk mail" having inserted a Tract! My wife and I have been engaging in this "ministry" almost ever since. I stress unsolicited mail only!

If any of our fellow believers are able to do this with clearness of conscience, perhaps they might join those of us who are so minded.

If any believer wishes to express their unhappiness as to this innovative idea, please do not hesitate to add a comment to that end. We are desirous to know if there is any reason why would should not practice this form of "out-reach." 

The Offence of the Gospel

THE OFFENCE OF THE GOSPEL

It is becoming more and more apparent that many Assemblies of the Lords' people are compromising the message of the Gospel in a partial surrendering to "outside! influence. In my own experience and in reports from others, Assemblies have "bowed" to the complaints of unbelievers that they have been offended by the preacher, when in fact the offence has been the Spirit empowered Gospel preaching. On receiving such a plaint the brother invited to be responsible for the preaching of the Gospel, is either informed, or more often, not informed,  that he will not be "invited" back again! None of the instances I know of has resulted in the local Assembly fully declaring either their reason for this action, or the nature of the complaint, or the identity of the complainant.  

I discovered one instance involving myself by directly asking the "corresponding" brother; his explanation was neither full nor open. A second personal experience of this particular action was disclosed to me by a brother hearing it from the "elder" who made the decision; he (the elder,) has never enlightened me as to why this action was taken; but it was because of an "offended" unbeliever. I know this to be the experience the of a number of other of the Lords' servants!

Today some Assemblies want a diluted Gospel message, preached in the shortest possible time, and preferably with little or no reference to sin, and NO reference whatsoever to hell! 

The N.T. uses the word "skandalon," offence in reference to both the Person of the Lord Jesus and His cross; surely He is the centre and sum of the Gospel message, and Him "crucified!" Romans 9:33;Galatians 5:11. 

We cannot but help offending unbelievers because we must tell them how they are viewed by a Holy God, and on the basis of His written Word. Sinners, lawless, unregenerate, evil, wicked, ungodly and countless other titles.

Furthermore "We are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: to the one we are the savour of death unto death." Could anything be more offensive? But it is the Word of God. 2 Corinthians 2:15,16.

I fear I may have offended some of my brethren and may yet pay a price at their hands! But I leave all with Him Who alone "judgeth righteously." 1 Peter 2:23.