This quote is so awesome! Just what I needed to hear while I sojourn among some amazing Reformed Baptists, (but Baptists nonetheless!)
There is such a thing as being a Presbyterian without being a Christian, as it is possible to be a Christian without being a Presbyterian.
Depend upon it, it is best to be both.
-Quotation taken from Dr. Morecraft’s “Authentic Christianity” Volume 2, page 307
Hey Everyone!
In light of all the talk about the latest prediction from Harold Camping, I was reading this article by Richard Baxter which shed some important truths concerning how we speak of even the most evil men. This question and answer from Richard Baxter’s article stood out to me the most. Enjoy!
“What if it be one whose honour and credit countenanceth an ill cause, and his dishonour would disable him to do hurt?
Answer. You may not belie* the devil, nor wrong the worst man that is, though under pretense of doing good; God needeth not malice, nor calumnies, nor injustice to his glory: it is an ill cause that cannot be maintained without such means as these. And when the matter is true, you must have a call to speak it, and you must speak it justly, without unrighteous aggravations, or hiding the better part, which should make the case and person better understood.
(* belie means to give a false representation; to misrepresent.)
There is a time and due manner, in which that man's crimes and just dishonour may be published, whose false reputation injureth the truth. But yet I must say, that a great deal of villainy and slander is committed upon this plausible pretense; and that there is scarce a more common cloak for the most inhuman lies and calumnies.”
The whole article is really, really good and I highly recommend it. If you are interested in reading the whole thing, here is the link…
Me (in case you weren't sure ;)Hey Everyone!
So I want to share with you all a clip that Pastor Brown put on his blog on April 29th, on the NCFIC website. This short clip is so powerful! I watch it almost every day and I highly recommend it to any Christian man, woman, or young person who wants to be used by God as salt and light in this dark world. The words in this clip are extremely convicting and motivating. I believe that the message presented here is something that every pastor needs to work towards in his own life and ministry as well. Hope you all are blessed by this!Joel Stanton, NCFIC Intern
P.S. The awesome music (it causes chills to go up and down my spine every time) is from "The Second Chance" with Michael W. Smith. Now In want to see that movie again! :)
“So who are the real legalists? Time and space limitations permit only a partial list by which we may identify whether or not we are legalists.
1. You are not a legalist if by faith in and love for the Lord Jesus Christ you obey God’s Law. Some will tell you that you are. Nevertheless, you are a legalist if you keep God’s law in order to gain or keep your salvation.
2. You are not a legalist if you believe that professing Christians should obey the Lord Jesus Christ, and if with love, humility, and mercy you exhort them to do so. Some will tell you that you are. Nevertheless, you are a legalist if you believe that your obedience makes you more acceptable to God than others who are not on “your level.”
3. You are not a legalist if you have high standards, scruples, or a more precise understanding of obedience perhaps than others do. Some will tell you that you are. Nevertheless, you are a legalist if you think that your high standards or scruples make you more acceptable to God.
4. You are not a legalist if you exhort others to obey God’s Word out of love for their souls in Christ. Some will tell you that you are. Nevertheless, you are a legalist if you bind men’s consciences to human traditions in the place of God’s Word.
5. You are not a legalist if you come to a matter that Scripture does not directly address, and by prayerful study, you reach a conclusion and implement it in your life and home. Some will tell you that you are. Nevertheless, you are a legalist, if another believer prayerfully considers the same matter, reaches a different conclusion than yours, and you think that your conclusion makes you more righteous and more acceptable to God than he.
6. You are not a legalist if you do not watch TV, you do not attend movies, you do not listen to rock music, you do not practice birth control, you do not practice mixed swimming; or if you do believe in patriarchy, you do practice courtship, you do practice covering your body modestly, and you do homeschool (I trust you recognize that this list could get very lengthy). You are not a legalist just because you do these things or ask others to consider prayerfully what you believe the Word of God teaches about them! Some will confidently tell you that you are. But if you believe that any or all these things are infallible signs that you are a true Christian and others are not; or if you believe that by holding these convictions you are more acceptable to God, then you are a legalist, and you deserve the charge.”
At the word, Theodore Beza and the delegates who had chosen him to be their spokesman were brought into the hall by the captain of the king’s guard, and came forward until their farther advance was stopped by a rail barring their nearer approach to the king and to the gathered dignitaries of his court and Church. Petty malice had planned the arrangement in order to give to the Protestant ministers the aspect of accused persons who were permitted to clear themselves of crimes laid to their charge, or of culprits about to be sentenced to condign punishment. Of petty malice, sooth to say, this was by no means the only manifestation...
"Here come the Genevese curs!" spitefully exclaimed one of the cardinals, in tones loud enough to be heard distinctly by Beza as he entered in company with another minister from the city of Calvin [Geneva]. To whom the courtly Reformer replied with unruffled composure,
Faithful dogs are much needed in the Lord’s sheepfold to bark at the wolves."
Joel