Unusual Persecution

UNUSUAL PERSECUTION

During this past week I had the pleasure and privilege of ministering the Word of God to a little company of saints who gather to the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, forming an Assembly in Somerset U.K.

At the close of the meeting, and before we enjoyed a little more fellowship, including refreshments, a sister approached me wearing a perplexed look upon her face. She has been convicted over a period concerning believers' baptism. She was in earnest to obey the Spirits' clear exercise within her soul. But she was experiencing persecution from her husband. He makes a profession of faith in Christ, but whether it is genuine or not I have no knowledge at all. He is adamant that infant baptism suffices as he and his wife have both undergone this erroneous "rite." He also harbours some Judaistic teaching, including circumcision, I believe!

Our dear sister, "A" (I refer to her in this simple way so as to protect her, I am sure you will understand,) feels afraid to ask her local Assembly to arrange a baptismal service, fearful her husband will discover her plans, and thwart her. She knows she has to obey him, but realises "we ought to [literally, "must"] obey God rather than men," even her husband. Acts 5:29.

I would covet your prayers for her as she seeks to make arrangements elsewhere so as to avoid confrontation. Her approach to me encouraged me in the things of the Lord, and my heart goes out to her in her difficult dilemma.  

Apart from the Scripture I quoted earlier, the fact that her exercise is "directly" from the Spirit of God, confirms me in my appeal to you for your prayers on her behalf.



The Skin of the Burnt Offering

The Skin of the Burnt Offering
Leviticus 7:8.

Last Lords' Day at the close of the "feast of love divine," having gathered to His Name and remembered Him in the Breaking of bread, I had opportunity to speak with a "visiting" brother. He was to be responsible for the Gospel preaching a little later that morning. During our precious time in worship of the Lord Jesus, announcing His death, our beloved brother "gave a sweet word" on the skin of the burnt offering.

For some time I had linked the "skin" with the "covering of skins" with which Jehovah "clothed" the fallen man, Adam and his wife, Eve. I believed that the skins (notice it is PLRAL, a sacrifice for each of them,) were from a sacrifice of burnt offering, as no "other offering" is recorded until the Law was given. Ever reticent to express this thought "openly," I took courage to ask my brother whether he would be happy to support this little thought, as I have never read or heard it expressed before. He was very gracious and assured me that it was in keeping with the truth, and even thanked me for drawing his attention to it.
Of equal instructio0n I feel is the fact that judgment was pronounced upon them while still in their nakedness, and the "offerings" followed their exercises of faith.

I have "posted" it with not a little "fear and trembling," anxious not to lead astray. Please deliberate upon it in the light of the Divine record.

I leave this with you hoping it may prove of blessing to your souls.

Prayer and Praise Addressed to the Son

Prayer and Praise Addressed to the Son.

Is it unscriptural to address the Lord Jesus in prayer and praise? Many of my beloved "brethren" believe that to be the truth as presented in the N.T. Scriptures.





For a half century or so, I have always addressed the Father in prayer and praise, both privately and in public. I need to qualify that statement a little, because I have sung a myriad praises addressed to the Son! I expect that is true of a considerable number of those who hold this "view."

For some years I have been much exercised as to this question. Although I had not been "fully persuaded" in my own mind, I found myself severed from a dear servant of God over this perplexing dilemma. For quite a few years we had engaged in open-air preaching and distributing tracts very Lords' Day throughout those years. We felt exercised as to commencing an Assembly testimony in our district, where there was no "gathering to His Name alone," and incidentally none still to this day. We "fell out" over the choice of hymnbook to be used; there was no animosity, only heart-break as we could find no "middle ground." To many this may appear to be trivial, but take a moment to reflect upon the amount of time saints spend in "singing." Furthermore I would have had to surrender hymns that had so helped me to give expression to my hearts' worship over so many years.

I have read the different arguments put forward regarding this somewhat perplexing question, and have formulated my own "view", forgive this term please, you understand what I am saying, my own thought based upon the Word of God and concluded that the Son MUST be afforded EQUAL honour with the Father.

Now I address both my God and Father and His lovely Son and my Saviour in prayer privately as well as in praise publicly. Just to clarify that statement; I still am not able to address the Son in the meetings, no doubt fear of man, and the "unspoken law" among many "brethren," for decades: "Prayer and praise is to be addressed to the Father only, through the Son, by the Holy Spirit." The different prepositions "through" an d "by" may well be transposed or even replaced with others, but that is the general "idea" of the "unspoken law."

As ever it is NOT my intention to give offence, far be the thought; just an "airing" of my experience regarding this matter that has weighed upon my heart for so long. Finally I must say what a joy it has been to speak directly to my Saviour, it has thrilled my soul! 



New King James Version

NEW KING JAMES VERSION

Some time ago I asked why this version was needed. I have yet to receive any answer of reasonable validity or authority. That numerous "Brethren" have been gripped by it gives no weight to the arguments set forth for its use.

Many assert that the A.V. is inexplicable to modern man, as it is couched in ancient language. But it has been used for over 400 years, why suddenly has it become unintelligible? God has been pleased to bless this translation as none other!

Are we to kowtow to the worlds' thinking?
Strange that the population of today has no difficulty with the language of Shakespeare or even Chaucer!

What of the argument that suggests it was written in the language "of the day," i.e. the population then used "Thee" and "Thou" when addressing one another? That is fallacious! One has only to refer to the preface preceding the text of that Translation to see that this was NOT the case!

In my own experience I discovered very early, by Gods' grace, the inestimable value of reading the Authorised Version of the Scriptures. When in my early teens I received a copy of the New English Bible New Testament, I read it eagerly thinking that this would solve my difficulty in understanding the Word, imagining that it was the archaic language of the A.V. that prevented me from grasping the truths of the Bible! I was saved, but ill-taught, yet very soon I set it aside as lacking any authority  or power.

In my latter teens, a "brother" persuaded me to adopt the R.S.V. Again my reading a "new" version stopped abruptly, under the good hand of God I verily believe. The "brother" held Christadelphian views, denying every fundamental truth of the Scriptures. The R.S.V. obviously was easily used to apply their false interpretation of the Word of God! 

I am not slavish when it comes to the A.V. but I read it every day of my life, (in conjunction with J.N.Ds' version,) and I read it publicly, believing this to be respectful and diminishing confusion. The A.V. has its faults, but they are easily addressed by referring to more literal translations.

One very serious problem associated with the N.K.J. Version has to do with the distinction between singular and plural numbers in grammar. This may appear at first as of little account. But the personal pronoun "you" in our English language can be either singular or plural, and the context will not always help one distinguish which is meant. Many Scriptures are "robbed" of their precision, preciousness and power where the text reads "you." Furthermore I judge that it leads to familiarity when addressing the Person of our God (and His lovely Son.) Put it to the test, you may well be surprised. Believe it or not, this is sufficient to prevent me from reading this version!

Psalm 119

SOME UNDERLYING THOUGHTS IN THE LONGEST PSALM

I am in possession of a booklet with the above title. It is a precious, succinct and profound spiritual "help" in the understanding of this beautiful Psalm. There is just a line or two of "deep" commentary on every verse. No name is appended to this delightful little work, no date given, nor is the publisher noted anywhere in this brief meditation on this Psalm.

I have tried to learn what I can regarding these details, but without any success. It is not to be found on "Stem" or the Rylands Collection.

In addition there is a short address  entitled "Some Searching Thoughts from Psalm 119," and another brief address with the arresting title, "An Earnest Plea for Loving, Learning, and Living Psalm 119." Altogether, a little gem within the treasures of the labours of Gods' servants to open up the Scriptures of truth.

If any dear child of God could furnish me with any details regarding this publication, it would be greatly appreciated.

(Many years ago copies could be obtained from:- 61 Upton Lane, Forest Gate, London E7.)

May you know richest spiritual blessings during another year of the extension of Gods' grace to us-ward,  should it be His will. 

Assembly Meetings Curtailed

Assembly Meetings curtailed.

It has become common practice for Assemblies to "curtail" some of their meetings, especially the Gospel Service. There is cause for concern, even alarm!
Firstly, what is the principle or purpose behind this practice? One explanation is that we are not prepared to give more time to these things than as absolutely necessary. A second suggestion is that the "attention span" of those gathered, either believers or a "mixed" company as may be the case for the Gospel Service, is comparatively short compared to earlier generations. I once heard a brother declare that the seats in the hall were "twenty minute chairs," i.e. it was too uncomfortable to sit for any longer. But he and many others were able to sit for far longer when "chatting" once the meeting had concluded!
One concern is that we have less appetite for the things "unseen." Another, is the fact that a brother having something laid upon his heart by the Lord, feels restricted  and unable to give full expression to his exercise. 
The alarm is that the Holy Spirit may thus be "restricted" too. If it is His purpose that the message is to be a particular length then who are we to place restrictions on His servant or His Person?
It is to be conceded that certain brethren do speak for longer than is the divine necessity, if I may so express it; but it would be more profitable if we suffered this to happen, rather than curtailing the length of our gatherings.
If we MUST shorten the amount of time set aside for preaching, teaching etc. why not sing fewer hymns? Why not give out the notices before the meeting is due to commence? These suggestions would prevent the time being lost for the public reading of the Word of God, and the ministry of that Word to saint or sinner.
Ezra read out of the book of the law of Moses before a considerable multitude "from the morning [lit."light"] until midday." Ezra 8:3.
The Lord Jesus frequently taught the crowds that followed Him, and at great length; so much so that after they had continued with Him for "three days," He was compassionately concerned that on being dismissed to return to their homes, they might "faint in the way" due to their hunger; Matthew 15:32.
On one occasion Paul "continued his speech until midnight." Acts 20:7.
And it may well be the case that some of the "addresses" in the Scriptures were of much greater length than it pleased the Holy Spirit to "record" for us; Stephens' defence in Acts 7 may well be an example.
May I courteously and lovingly exhort you brethren to consider the implications of curtailing the length of time that we spend in worship and service for and to Him.
We speak as willing to occupy our hearts with Him in an unbroken eternity of bliss, why not then in the brief interval between? May we seize every favourable opportunity to "gather t o His name, as LONG as Her would desire of us!    


Something for Him

Something for Him

Many of the Lords' servants are presently engaged in the distribution of the written Word of God, whether in the form of Bibles, scripture portions, tracts, magazines or at this season of the year, calendars. It is simple just to insert an invitation to a Carol Service or similar meeting at this time of the year, when many more are likely to "attend." A "sticker" with an invitation stuck on the front of the calendar is an easy way to contact local people with a view to reaching them through the Gospel message preached at the various services.

There is perhaps no easier way to do something for Him! If you have the time and have not as yet used this method, why not try it this time, prayerfully, and trust Him for others to come and hear words of life whereby they may be saved.

It may appear to be an insignificant task as "men" view it, but it requires no "gift" ability, training or learning, just the desire to reach the innumerable number of perishing souls in this dark scene of sin.

Together we must pray that the Lord will bless every missive replete with the Word of God wherever it is "delivered," that the Holy Spirit may use it to salvation blessing for the rejoicing of the heart of Gods' lovely Son, as He sees something of the fruit of the travail of His soul.