May - June 2019 289

Why should Baptists bother with the Synod of Dort? Pink and the gospel ‘offer’ God’s providence in missions

The Canons of Dort Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility Editorial Kees van Kralingen

23 The Canons of Dort

08 32 This issue of Reformation Today is Scripture. But do we understand these Inside this Issue largely dedicated to the 400th anniversary doctrines and why they are firmly of the publication of the Canons of Dort. anchored in Scripture? Robert Strivens What are these ‘canons’? Why should explains these matters for us in an article 03 The Canons of Dort Editor we read them, take them seriously? The that was first delivered as an address at Kees van Kralingen Kees van Kralingen reason is that they explain the ‘doctrines the Carey Ministers’ Conference earlier 08 Why should Baptists bother Founding Editor of grace’. I trust this is still a familiar this year. He rightly draws attention to with the Synod of Dort? Erroll Hulse phrase among us. We often express this why we as Reformed Baptists should Robert Strivens Associate Editors phrase as belonging to the essence of keep studying and applying the teaching what we believe and preach based on of the Canons of Dort. 22 New Books UK Mostyn Roberts David Kingdon 23 Pink and the gospel ‘offer’ Brett Lee-Price USA Tom Nettles Michael Haykin 32 Hungry for the Word: South Africa training pastors for the global church Irving Steggles Tim Beavis Australia 35 God’s providence in missions John Campbell Keith Underhill

44 News 45 African Pastors’ Conference News

Notice to non-UK subscribers: Please ensure payment of your subscription as soon as possible after receiving theearly reminder in order to guarantee uninterrupted delivery of your copies of RT. rtDesign and Print 02 www.PepperCollective.comrt rt MayMay - JuneJune 2019 03 The importance of this is illustrated in pray and in what way we pray. Or we are remarkable statement. He has ‘spoken Jesus have only been the result of human several other ways in this issue. First, the so convinced of God’s sovereignty that through the mouth of his servant David’ action. Did man then thwart God’s plans? teaching of Arthur Pink regarding these we neglect or reduce the importance of (v25a). This is how they view Scripture: it How could Jesus’ death have been the matters is re-examined by our Australian prayer. We prefer to wait and sit back to is God speaking through people who have origin of our salvation if it was only man brother Brett Lee-Price as part of his see what the Lord will do in a particular been inspired by God through his Holy acting? studies in the life of Pink. situation. Spirit. They cite Psalm 2 and apply this to what happened to our Lord Jesus Christ. If we only believe in God’s sovereignty Second, the Canons of Dort have a lot If we are not sure about these issues, we Psalm 2 is prophecy and they recognise and rule out human responsibility, then to say about God’s providence. Keith can learn a lot from the early church and that what is written in this psalm is now the act of crucifying the Son of God would Underhill helps us to see that this is not from what we read in Acts and especially being fulfilled in their own time. All were not have been sin, as people were only a topic of theoretical interest only, but from their prayers as we find them in gathered against the Lord: Pilate, Herod, passive instruments in the hands of God. that it has major practical implications the New Testament. In Acts 4 we find a the Romans and the people of Israel. In If this act were not sinful, how can it be for our lives. He demonstrates this by great example of the power of prayer to other words, they hold all these people that all other sins were sinful? In that discussing the great commission that the sovereign Lord in difficult and trying fully responsible for Jesus’ crucifixion. case, people were not morally guilty. This our Lord gave to his disciples, and by circumstances. would imply that they would not have implication to all of us as his church. An But then in verse 28 of Acts 4 follows required reconciliation with God. Then experienced missionary to Kenya, our The message of this text is that, rather something that is even more remarkable. the cross of Christ was meaningless as a brother offers a vivid illustration of the than inhibiting prayer, our faith in God’s People did this to Jesus, but God had way of reconciliation with God. So, we can wonderful truth of God’s providence in sovereignty stimulates us to prayer and appointed that this was exactly what easily see that in both cases we lose the the missionary enterprise from his own adds power to it. This is a wonderful must happen. We find the same also essential meaning of the Christian faith life. Instead of stifling our missionary encouragement for us and teaches us at the end of Luke’s Gospel (see Luke altogether! work, acknowledging God’s providence how to do this. Three points emerge as 24:26,44-48). They confess that God is the stimulates us to press on with the task we study this prayer by the early church God of history (his-story) who controls, We need to believe both God’s sovereignty our Lord gave us, and to do so full of in Jerusalem. rules, governs and is sovereign in his and human responsibility. Both are taught hope and expectation that our labours purposes and the way he brings them in Scripture and they come together are not in vain but that the Lord will How they approach God in prayer to pass from beginning to end. This in remarkable ways in several parts accomplish his purposes. When the apostles return to the church applies to his plan of salvation and to of Scripture in both the Old and New and tell them about the pressure put on the climactic event of Jesus’ death on the Testaments. Examples are Genesis 50:20; I now want to illustrate the importance them by the Sanhedrin to stop speaking cross as part of this plan. Acts 13:46,48; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5. of these truths for our prayer life from a about the Lord Jesus Christ, the whole brief consideration of Acts 4:23-31. church starts to pray immediately. They The remarkable thing is that the The believers in Acts 4 were convinced of address God as the sovereign God. They early church confesses BOTH human the need to preach the gospel and at the Divine sovereignty, human are filled with praise and they begin their responsibility AND Gods sovereignty!1 same time they noticed the opposition. responsibility and prayer prayer by mentioning three things about When we reflect on this using Scripture, This drove them to prayer and they We know that prayer is of crucial him: he creates, speaks and decides/ we can see that both beliefs are essential turned to their sovereign Lord. Taking importance. We also confess that our controls all things. They refer to God as for the Christian faith. Assume for a human responsibility seriously means God is sovereign but this does not nullify the Creator which reminds them of his minute that only human responsibility that we are convinced of the need to pray. human responsibility. What does this great power. Faith in God as our Creator is true and God is not sovereign. In that Belief in God’s sovereignty gives real mean for the way we pray? We risk is an important reason to expect our help case, the sufferings and death of our Lord hope in prayer as we know we address going off in one of two wrong directions: from him as Psalm 146:5-6 shows. we totally rely on ourselves and our

effort including prayer. We think that They also address God as the one who 1 For much of this material I have made use of Carson, D A, A Call to Spiritual Reformation: Priorities from Paul and his everything depends on how often we has revealed himself: They make a Prayers (Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1992), 230pp

04 rt rt May - June 2019 05 our petitions to him who has all power in truly amazing. Their first thoughts in the (see also 1 Cor 2:1-5). God and his Word people in the proclamation of the gospel. heaven and on earth and will accomplish middle of these challenging circumstances are of central importance, not human The consequence is that they are enabled all his purposes. are about God. Only then do they start to experience. The focus of their request is to speak the Word of God with boldness, pay attention to their needs. Is this how that God’s plans will be fulfilled. as we read in verse 31. And even signs Sometimes it is said that belief in God’s we start our prayers? and wonders are given to confirm the sovereignty inhibits evangelism. Nothing Please consider how the example of this preaching (Acts 5:12). The preaching of the can be further from the truth. I once Their first request is another striking prayer helps us to pray. Do we jump at gospel goes on and on. This is seen clearly received a letter from a brother from feature of this prayer. We read in verse 29 presenting our ‘shopping lists’ to our God? in how the book of Acts ends. We read Chester who even until old age was very that they ask the Lord to ‘look upon their Or do we first acknowledge who he is, and that Paul, even while being imprisoned, active in street evangelism among the threats.’ They do not ask God to bring their then commit our cares into his hands, is ‘proclaiming the kingdom of God and many people visiting this old, historic city. adversaries to judgment. Not so long ago only then to be followed by requesting his teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all He wrote to me: ‘Evangelism is not going John and James were quick to ask the Lord grace and help for our Christian lives and boldness and without hindrance’ (Acts 28:31, to be easier: people are hardening in to send fire from heaven upon people who ministries? emphasis mine). spiritual matters. If it were not did not want to receive the Lord for election, we would have no The biblical Jesus, a request that led to a stern The outcome and the results This also gives hope for us as individual hope.’ God’s sovereignty actually view about rebuke by the Lord. Now they do We have seen how these believers prayed believers, for our children and for the motivated him to vigorous God’s not even ask the Lord to take the and first worshipped their sovereign Lord church, for our preaching and teaching, evangelism! A biblical example sovereignty threat away; all they ask for is and only then submitted their petitions. for our witness, evangelism, and mission. is found in Acts 18:10-11. Paul rather than that he looks at their threats. What is the outcome? We read this in the has started to preach in Corinth taking the fuel remainder of the text. This passage teaches us some wonderful but finds opposition and few out of prayer, This is all. It is as if they want lessons about divine sovereignty and results. The Lord encourages actually fires to say, these threats are your Three things happen: the place was shaken, human responsibility and the way these Paul and tells him, however, that us up to seek business, Lord. We must get they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and truths not only stimulate us to pray, but he has many people in this city. our sovereign on with the task of preaching. they spoke the Word of God with boldness. also lead to practical advice for our prayer And what does Paul do? Wait Lord in prayer! ‘Please, Lord, can you take The place was shaken. This is an answer of life. This has always been the way people and see from a distance what is care of these threats?’ This God, who thereby immediately confirms have prayed in the Bible. Examples can be going to happen? None of this! is remarkable, but they can what the believers confessed in their prayer: given from the lives of Moses, Daniel and We find Paul staying there for pray like this because of God’s He is the Creator of heaven and earth. Paul. Please, let me invite you to study a year and six months teaching sovereignty! The threat is God’s their prayers for yourself. the Word of God. business, the preaching and proclamation They were also filled with the Holy Spirit. of the gospel is their task. They are fully Note that this happened again even Moreover, let’s apply these lessons. The The biblical view about God’s sovereignty aware of what they need to do. They ask though we read that something similar greatest need is still the preaching of the rather than taking the fuel out of prayer, the Lord therefore that they may speak had already occurred somewhat earlier gospel to our contemporary world. The actually fires us up to seek our sovereign the Word of the Lord with all boldness, as we read in Acts 2. This shows what this task can only be achieved in the power Lord in prayer! And we have a great and that he will continue to do so. expression means: they receive a new of the Holy Spirit. Realising this should example of this in our text. This becomes measure of the Holy Spirit and his power in lead us to pray to our sovereign Lord and even more clear in how the people They also ask that God will stretch out order to go on with the work of preaching to worship him. ‘Now to him who is able continue in this prayer. his hand to heal and confirm the Word the gospel. This clearly invalidates second to do far more abundantly than all we by signs and wonders in the Name of his blessing theology. They were filled again. can ask or think, according to the power What they ask holy servant Jesus. The emphasis is not on Later, the apostle Paul exhorts the believers at work within us, to him be glory in the It is only now, after having said all these human action or power, but they expect in Ephesus ‘Be filled with the Spirit’ church and in Christ Jesus throughout things to worship the Lord, they come to the Lord to do what pleases him. The (Eph 5:18). This also means being under the all generations, for ever and ever. Amen’ their first petition in this prayer. This is priority is on the preaching of the Word authority of the Holy Spirit who guides his (Eph 3:20-21). ■

06 rt rt May - June 2019 07 Robert Strivens

Why

Introduction should On the face of it, it is not at all clear why a Baptist conference in England in the twenty-first century should have on Baptists its programme a paper on the Synod of Dort. That Synod took place four hundred years ago, in another country, as a result in part of the unique political bother and economic struggles which that country was then experiencing; it was a thoroughly Presbyterian affair: the Synod concerned a Presbyterian confession of with the faith, was centred on a dispute between Presbyterians and was made up in large part by Presbyterian members and representatives – I say ‘in large part’, Synod of because there were a few Englishmen from the Church of England there, but there were definitely no Baptists. Why Dort? then should we even bother with the Synod of Dort?

I want, towards the end of this paper, to give four substantial reasons why, as Reformed Baptist ministers, we should certainly be bothering with the Synod of Dort and its conclusions and why, indeed, we can expect great benefit from doing Address presented at the Carey so, for ourselves and for our churches. MINISTERS’ Conference, January 2019 I will, however, first give a very brief overview of the events leading up to

08 rt rt MayMay - JuneJune 2019 09 the Synod. I will then try succinctly to and application of that confession would war might break out. Gradually, however, procedural issue then arose. The expound the substance of the Canons. lead to greater peace in the church. the Remonstrants began to lose ground Remonstrants wanted to be treated They also wanted to see a higher level of politically. Prince Maurits, the Stadtholder, as equal partners, debating the issues Events leading up to the control by the State over the church. The threw in his lot with the Counter- on equal terms. The Synod, however, Synod of Dort Reformed opposed these developments. Remonstrants and in August 1618, the controlled by the Counter-Remonstrants, It is a fact of church history that creeds and They believed that the Belgic Confession Remonstrant leaders were arrested. decided that they should be treated as the confessions are usually hammered out in needed to be strictly applied and they Oldenbarnevelt was found guilty of defendants in a court called to examine the midst of bitter theological controversy. desired to preserve a clear separation treason and sentenced to death, executed and judge them on their doctrine. In the The protagonists sometimes seem in the between church and state, not permitting by beheading on 13 May 1619. absence of agreement, they were expelled eyes of history to be distinctly unpleasant the state any power to rule in matters from the meetings on 14 January 1619. and to have sometimes conducted their related to church life and doctrine. So it was that, on 13 November 1618, a The delegates then discussed each of the campaigns with less than biblical methods. National Synod was finally five Remonstrant points in Too often, as well, political issues have Johannes Uyttenbogaert was the convened in the town of The Synod clearly turn and drafted and agreed become intertwined with the theological theological leader of the Arminian party Dort (otherwise known as believed that the their responses, thereby debate, to the benefit of neither. after the death of Arminius in 1609. Dordrecht, situated about 15 biblical doctrine formulating what became Uyttenbogaert, with Oldenbarnevelt’s miles south-east of Rotterdam), of election has the Canons of the Synod of These features are all present in the support, drew up the Remonstrance which to consider the Remonstrance. to be understood Dort which were formally history of the Synod of Dort. Theologically, lay at the root of the Synod of Dort. The The Counter-Remonstrants, in the context confirmed by the Synod in the Reformed were concerned about the Remonstrance called for the revision of who were firmly in control of the fact that May 1619. The Synod came to attempts of Jacobus Arminius, a professor the Belgic Confession, argued for greater of the Synod, intended from everyone is fallen an end, after 180 sessions, on of Theology at Leiden University, to State authority over the churches and the start that the meeting and is in Adam 29 May 1619. reformulate Reformed doctrine as it sought the acceptance of Arminius’s be international. The Dutch justly subject to relates to God’s sovereignty in matters theological views on election. Their core representatives were divided God’s wrath and With that background, let us of salvation. Arminius believed that the doctrinal claims were set out in five into ten colleges – one punishment. turn now to the four reasons classic Reformed view suffered from two points, the origin of the five points of representing each of the which I want to put forward as fatal flaws: it gave insufficient place in Calvinism which formed the response eight provincial synods, one to why Baptists should concern its system to the decisions of the human to the position of the Remonstrants. The representing the Walloon themselves with the Synod and will and it made God the author of sin. Remonstrance was signed by forty-four Church and one for the its findings. Arminius consequently put forward an preachers of the church and presented by universities. There were delegations alternative understanding of election Oldenbarnevelt to the States in July 1610. from Germany, Switzerland and Britain. The Canons of Dort which effectively placed the ultimate A proposal for a disputation before the Louis XIII refused permission for Let me say a word first about how the determination as to whether someone States was accepted by the Reformed, who Huguenot representatives to attend from Canons are organised. They are in Latin. would be saved in the decision of that in the following year (1611) presented France (their absence being marked by an Several English translations are available. individual rather than in the eternal their Counter-Remonstrance denying the empty bench at the Synod). In 2011, the Christian Reformed Church in decree of God. points of the Remonstrants. The battle the USA approved a translation which is lines were drawn. The representatives of the Remonstrants available online. Politically, there was a drive led by Johan arrived at the Synod on 6 December and van Oldenbarnevelt, Advocate of Holland, However, it would be seven more years attention turned to theological issues. The Canons set out the substance of for a less strict application of the Belgic before a national synod could be called At sessions on 13 and 17 December, the the theological decisions reached by Confession, which was the confessional to adjudicate upon the dispute. Political Remonstrants presented in a formal the Synod under four main heads, standard of the Dutch Reformed churches struggles at the regional level continued, document their Sententiae, Opinions, responding to the five points of the at that time. He and his supporters argued affecting churches, councils, preachers and expanding on the five points of the original Remonstrance. (The reason for that more flexibility in the interpretation universities. By 1617, it looked as if civil Remonstrance of 1610. A significant the fewer heads in the Canons is that, as

10 rt rt May - June 2019 11 we shall see, the third and fourth points and continue in a state of saving faith it are saved. Article 5 makes clear that chosen, and the foundation of their of the Remonstrance were combined and obedience. The Canons categorically the root of and blame for unbelief is in salvation. And so he decided to give the and dealt with in the Canons under one reject this view and, in its place, set forth humanity alone and ‘is not at all in God’; chosen ones to Christ to be saved, and head.) Each head is divided into a series of a clear articulation of the doctrine of saving faith, by contrast, is ‘a free gift to call and draw them effectively into articles setting out the Synod’s view of the unconditional election to eternal life, of God’. The reason, according to Article Christ’s fellowship through his Word theological points to which the issue gives without consideration of foreseen faith. 6, why some come to saving faith and and Spirit. In other words, he decided rise, followed by a series of points – the The manner in which the Canons others do not finds its root ultimately in to grant them true faith in Christ, to ‘Rejection of Errors’ – refuting the errors addressed this issue is, however, of the eternal decree of God, whereby he justify them, to sanctify them, and finally, of the Remonstrants on the doctrine in great interest. The Remonstrants on this ‘graciously softens the hearts, however after powerfully preserving them in the question. The Canons have a concluding point, both in their original document of hard, of his chosen ones and inclines them fellowship of his Son, to glorify them. God statement and end with the 1610 and in their expanded to believe, but by his just judgment he did all this in order to demonstrate his sentence pronounced against views of 1618, began with leaves in their wickedness and hardness mercy, to the praise of the riches of his the Remonstrants, with the By asserting election and God’s decree. The of heart those who have not been chosen’. glorious grace.’ approval of the States-General that the cause of Canons do not begin there. This, says Article 6, discloses to us God’s and the names of those saving faith is They begin, rather, with the ‘act – unfathomable, and as merciful as it The following four articles supply various subscribing to the Canons. exclusively God’s condition of humanity in sin. is just – of distinguishing between people clarifications: the decree of election is decree whereas The Synod clearly believed equally lost’. It is to be noted that the first single and applies to both Old and New The first head of doctrine the cause of wrath that the biblical doctrine of mention of election in the Canons is here, Testament believers; election is not based addressed by the Canons is man’s sin, the election has to be understood in Article 6. on God’s foresight of who would believe deals with the subject of Synod refuses in the context of the fact that or of anything else in humanity; rather, election. I will deal with to place election everyone is fallen and is in And it is only at this point, in Article 7 election is based exclusively in God’s this in some detail, in order and reprobation Adam justly subject to God’s of this first head of doctrine, that the good pleasure; and election is utterly to show how the Synod on precisely the wrath and punishment. So Canons set out a full, formal statement of unchangeable. addressed its task, and same basis, while in Article 1 of this first head, the doctrine of election. This wonderful much more succinctly with clearly asserting the Canons state, ‘God would refutation of Arminian predestinarian Articles 12 and 13 address the important the remaining heads of both. have done no one an injustice theology and tremendous affirmation question, in this context, of assurance: doctrine. This first head, then, if it had been his will to leave of biblical predestinarianism reads as the elect are given assurance in due responded to the assertion the entire human race in sin follows: time, but in different degrees and at of the Remonstrants that and under the curse, and to different stages. It comes, not by seeking God’s election was not absolute and condemn them on account of their sin.’ ‘Election is God’s unchangeable purpose to peer into God’s decree, but by noting unconditional but was based on foreseen That is the starting-point for the Synod. by which he did the following: Before the the evidence of election in true faith faith. In the view of the Remonstrants, foundation of the world, by sheer grace, and godliness of life. Article 14 provides predestination and election are to be Article 2 then speaks of the love of God in according to the free good pleasure of guidance on how best to teach the believed and upheld – unlike many sending his Son to save those who believe his will, he chose in Christ to salvation doctrine of election: it must be taught, but present-day Arminians, they were – it is essentially a quotation of John 3:16. a definite number of particular people ‘with a spirit of discretion, in a godly and predestinarian in their theology. However, Article 3 then speaks of the preaching out of the entire human race, which had holy manner, at the appropriate time and they understood predestination to be of of this good news: that God ‘mercifully fallen by its own fault from its original place, without inquisitive searching into those who would believe and persevere sends messengers’ to proclaim the ‘very innocence into sin and ruin. Those chosen the ways of the Most High’. In Article 15, in saving faith and obedience: God’s joyful message’ of the gospel and to call were neither better nor more deserving the Synod says that there is such a thing decree to save individuals did not people to repentance and faith. Article 4 than the others, but lay with them in the as the decree of reprobation, but defines precede his decree to create them, but says, as the logical next step, that those common misery. He did this in Christ, it carefully to make clear that it is God’s took into account the question whether who reject the gospel message remain whom he also appointed from eternity decree to pass by and not grant salvation the individual concerned would come to under God’s wrath, while those who accept to be the mediator, the head of all those to certain people, thereby leaving them

12 rt rt May - June 2019 13 in their sin and unbelief, because of whereas the cause of wrath is man’s sin, and declared without differentiation or wrath, unfit for any saving good, inclined which sin and unbelief they are subject the Synod refuses to place election and discrimination to all nations and people, to evil, dead in their sins, and slaves to to God’s wrath and condemnation; this reprobation on precisely the same basis, to whom God in his pleasure sends the sin’. It goes on, ‘Without the grace of the does not, stresses the Synod, in any way while clearly asserting both. This does gospel’. The Synod clearly affirmed that regenerating Holy Spirit they are neither make God the author of sin (this being not solve the mystery of the doctrine, a doctrine of definite atonement placed willing nor able to return to God, to one of the principal accusations made by which is ultimately insoluble by mere no restriction on the audience for gospel reform their distorted nature, or even to the Remonstrants against the Reformed human minds, but it does relieve it of the preaching. dispose themselves to such reform’ (Art. doctrine). In Article 16, the Synod seeks to misunderstandings to which it is too often 3). Therefore, the regenerating power of provide comfort to the unbeliever who is subject. By going on to speak of assurance, The next section of the Canons is entitled the Holy Spirit is necessary if a person is seeking the truth but does not yet have the Synod underlines its pastoral, as the third and fourth heads, as it deals with to come to saving faith. They will never faith – they are not to think that they well as strictly theological purpose in the next two articles of the Remonstrance do so of their own unaided, unrenewed are reprobate, but are to continue to use setting out the doctrine in this way. The in one (as the Remonstrants themselves will. Furthermore, in accordance with the means of grace to seek the Lord. It is Canons are not simply a statement of had done in the Sententiae God’s decree, the regenerating those who are careless and unconcerned theological truth, but a helpful aid to faith, which they had presented work of the Holy Spirit without about their spiritual condition who should understanding and Christian devotion. to the Synod). It is often said fail brings a person to saving be anxious whether they are reprobates. that there was agreement The Synod faith. This work takes place Article 17 addresses the salvation of the Much more briefly, the second head of the between the two parties on the clearly affirmed in the will, not abolishing the infants of believers and Article 18 closes Canons deals with Christ’s atoning death subject of human sinfulness. that a doctrine will or treating us like ‘blocks by quoting Paul’s doxology at the end of and the redemption of the elect through Superficially, this is true, as of definite and stones’ (Art. 16) or acting atonement Romans chapter 11. it. This head answers the Remonstrant the Remonstrants asserted by force or compulsion, but placed no assertion that Christ ‘died for all men the universal sinfulness of renewing, healing and reviving restriction on I have dealt at some length with the and for every man, so that he merited mankind and their inability to the audience the will ‘in a manner at once Canons’ first head of doctrine, in order reconciliation and forgiveness of sins do anything good, including for gospel pleasing and powerful’ so as not only to bring out the main theological for all … yet so that no one actually to believe savingly on Christ, preaching. to work true saving faith and points being made, but also to show enjoys this forgiveness of sins except without the grace of God. obedience. how pastorally and sensitively the the believer’. The Canons reject this and In truth, however, there is a Synod sought to deal with the issue of assert rather that it was God’s plan that substantial difference, as the Finally, in the fifth head of predestination. Calvinists are routinely the ‘saving effectiveness of his Son’s Remonstrants asserted that doctrine, the Canons deal with accused today, as they were then, of costly death should work itself out in all God provides sufficient grace the subject of perseverance. being harsh, even cruel, in their view the elect, in order that God might grant to all people which, if accepted, The Remonstrants, following of a deterministic God who arbitrarily justifying faith to them only and thereby would lead to their conversion. This grace Arminius, were unwilling in their 1610 selects some humans for salvation and lead them without fail to salvation’ (Art. 8). is not irresistible, however – and so, by document to express a definite view others for eternal hell, with no sense The statement goes on to make clear that implication, there must be something in on whether a believer could in fact fall of love or mercy – like some kind of ‘it was God’s will that Christ through the some individuals, at least, which leads away after they had believed, though celestial lottery draw. By starting from blood of the cross … should effectively them not to resist God’s grace, whereas their Sententiae of 1618 seem to make human sinfulness and the fact that we redeem . all those and only those who others do. In other words, under the a much clearer assertion that that is all deserve nothing from God except hell were chosen from eternity to salvation Remonstrant scheme, some people are, in possible. The Synod wanted nothing of and by then going immediately to God’s and given to him by the Father; that Christ themselves, better than others. this uncertainty and set forth the definite love in sending his Son to save all who should grant them faith’. At the same doctrine that, although sin continues to believe, the Synod carefully places the time, asserts the Synod in this head of Against this, the third and fourth heads dwell in the believer all his life, ‘God is exposition of predestination in the right doctrine (Art. 5), the promise of the gospel, of doctrine of Dort assert the universal faithful, mercifully strengthening them context. By asserting that the cause of ‘together with the command to repent effects of the Fall, so that ‘all people are in the grace once conferred on them and saving faith is exclusively God’s decree and believe, ought to be announced conceived in sin and are born children of powerfully preserving them in it to the

14 rt rt May - June 2019 15 end’ (Art. 3). Again, we see the pastoral of grace among evangelicals in this central message of the gospel. If we choose had a deadening effect upon their work. sensitivity of the Synod, as it warns country. This recovery followed a lengthy to continue along this course, the results against the dangers of temptation and period in which evangelicalism had been will, I believe, be disastrous for the church The Canons of Dort address these issues the terrible effects, even for the believer, sincere and zealous but theologically in this country. head on. The question of ‘duty faith’, as of falling into gross sin. Nevertheless, the fairly broad and unconcerned with it became known in Particular Baptist certainty of God’s merciful preservation detailed doctrine. Through the ministry of It is here that the Canons of Dort can be of circles, is addressed directly in Article 6 of of the saints is re-asserted. Questions Martyn Lloyd-Jones and others, however, great help to us, for they set the second head of doctrine of of assurance which may arise are then and the establishment of institutions out clearly and unashamedly the Canons of Dort. It is there carefully and at some length addressed. such as the Banner of Truth Trust, the the doctrines of grace, in a stated that the fact that many doctrines of grace began to be clearly and manner which demonstrates It is here that who hear the call of the gospel Four reasons why Baptists should unashamedly taught and explained as a how integral those doctrines the Canons of do not believe but perish is Dort can be of bother with the Canons of Dort significant part of the teaching of Holy are to the central message ‘not because the sacrifice of great help to Scripture. A generation was gripped by of the gospel and, more than Christ offered on the cross is us, for they set 1. The Canons of Dort provide a clear these truths and transformed in their that, which teach clearly out clearly and deficient or insufficient, but exposition of the doctrines of grace, which devotional and daily lives by them. They how those doctrines are to unashamedly because they themselves are we are in danger of forgetting. also provoked sharp opposition in some undergird and direct the the doctrines at fault’. If those who persist It has often been said, truthfully I quarters. manner in which the gospel of grace, in a in unbelief are thus ‘at fault’, believe, that when vital biblical doctrine message is communicated. manner which the clear implication is that is recovered it becomes very important Where are we now, however, on this issue? demonstrates they ought to have believed to the generation which recovered it While it is impossible for a minister to 2. The Canons address how integral or, put another way, that and they are unstinting in their efforts know very much about what is preached the hyper-Calvinist issue, those they had a duty to believe to pass it on to the next generation. and taught in churches other than his a perennial issue in any doctrines are savingly in Christ. Thus, as the to the central The next generation are persuaded by own, my judgment is that we are not recovery of the doctrines of Canons state it, ‘The cause or message of the what they receive, but begin to take it teaching the doctrines of grace with the grace. blame for this unbelief . is gospel. for granted: the truths for which the clarity, enthusiasm and delight which Particular Baptist life in not at all in God, but in man.’ previous generation struggled and at gripped that first generation to which I England in the middle years (First head, Art. 5). On the whose recovery they so greatly rejoiced referred a moment ago. We believe them, of the eighteenth century was free offer of the gospel, the now appear to be commonplace, believed I’m sure, but we tend now to assume stultified by a high Calvinist Canons make clear, as we have by everyone with whom we have serious them and I am not convinced that we are theology which denied the already seen, that the gospel fellowship. The truths begin to be doing a good job at passing them on to free offer of the gospel. According to is to be preached indiscriminately to all. assumed. The inevitable happens: they the next generation as living and vital the logic of these high Calvinists, Christ are not handed down with such eagerness doctrines which are biblical, important had died only for the elect (as we would It is much to be regretted that the higher and clarity to the generation which to the Christian faith and central to a affirm); therefore a sincere gospel call Calvinists among the English Particular follows, which then assumes that they are truly vibrant and persistent Christian can be made only to those elect (which Baptists in the eighteenth century – and not so important and forgets them. We are life and witness. In fact, rather like the we would deny); furthermore, since the indeed subsequently – did not pay more back to square one. generation of evangelicals before the unbeliever is unable without the power sustained attention to the balanced and recovery of Reformed doctrine, I believe of God to put his faith savingly in Christ, biblical exposition of Reformed doctrine With regard to the doctrines of grace, we are in danger of being preoccupied there can be no duty upon the unbeliever which the Canons of Dort provide. Let us I fear that we may be already quite a in church life with evangelism to the so to believe (which we would also, I hope, ensure that we do not repeat their errors long way down the road which I have extent that questions of doctrine seem of deny). Unsurprisingly, this led to the – and one helpful way to ensure this is just mapped out. The 1950s and 60s saw little importance if they have no obvious strangling of evangelistic effort among through a careful study of the Canons of a widespread recovery of the doctrines bearing upon what we regard as the the mid-century Particular Baptists and Dort.

16 rt rt May - June 2019 17 3. The Canons are pastorally useful, to and of itself, the duty to proclaim the 4. The Canons of Dort form part of our effective atonement only for the elect, avoid our being theologically arid and gospel to all, the guilt of those who Particular Baptist heritage - theological conversion only by the power of the Holy unfruitful. refuse to believe the gospel and the fact and confessional. Spirit, and the perseverance of the saints. As we have seen, the first five articles that saving faith is entirely a free gift English Particular Baptists emerged in There is furthermore an assertion that the of the Canons, under the first head of from God, before finally reaching the the early decades of the seventeenth gospel is to be preached to all. doctrine, on Predestination, do not question of the persons for whom Christ century largely from congregational mention the words predestination or made satisfaction. It is only at this point, settings which themselves emerged The London Confession of 1644 thus election (other than in the title). Instead, with this thorough preparation, that the from the established Church of England. espouses a clear Counter-Remonstrant they preach the elements of the gospel: Canons assert, as has been seen, that All these shared a clear Reformed position on all the key doctrinal issues the justice of God in condemning the Christ’s redemption was effective only theology. Thus the theological heritage addressed by the Synod of Dort in 1618- world for sin, the love of God in sending for the elect. The Canons do not attempt of the early Particular Baptists was a 19. This is not to say that the framers his Son into the world to give everlasting to argue out this position by way of a thoroughly Reformed one. Although they of the 1644 Confession were necessarily life, the mercy of God in sending strictly logical argument flowing from held a different position from others on aware of the Canons formulated twenty- preachers into the world to preach the the doctrine of election alone. Instead, questions of church government and five years earlier, still less that they good news, salvation for those who they address the various strands of the baptism, the Particular Baptists thus saw consciously made use of them in the receive the news and ‘embrace Jesus the biblical data which demonstrate the themselves as an integral part of the drafting of their confession of faith. Saviour with a true and living faith’ and necessity, biblically and theologically, Reformed movement of seventeenth- Indeed, the 1644 Confession appears to wrath for those who do not believe, for for a definite and non-universal scope to century England. They looked back on derive partly from a confession which which unbelief and for all sins they alone the benefits of the atonement. Mankind’s the preaching, theology and practice predates the Dort assembly: the ‘True are responsible. By setting the doctrines hopeless condition, guilty for his sin of the reformers and Puritans who Confession’ formulated by Separatists of grace in their pastoral and practical and responsible to God for his unbelief, preceded them and regarded them as from the national church in 1596, a context in this way, the Canons of Dort demonstrates that only an effective their forebears and viewed themselves as document in which God’s sovereignty in help us avoid aridity and irrelevance redemption of particular individuals – participants in the heritage which those the salvation of the elect is also clearly set in theological debate and controversy not a general atonement which simply men had bequeathed. The Canons of Dort out, though not with the distinctiveness – something to which even Reformed makes salvation possible on condition of formed part of that heritage. and clarity of the 1644 Confession. The Baptists have not proven themselves faith – is sufficient to save. latter document demonstrates, then, that to be entirely immune. Dort concerned Evidence for the shared nature of their the early Particular Baptists shared in the itself not only with the substance of the The same emphases and approach Reformed heritage can be seen in the theological heritage of their Presbyterian doctrine to be believed but the manner in can be seen in the remaining heads of confessional documents which Particular and Independent Reformed brethren, which it is to be conveyed. doctrine. This pastoral and practical Baptist ministers of the seventeenth such that on these essential doctrines emphasis is somewhat unusual in a century put together. The First London connected with salvation they desired to These same concerns can be seen in technical confessional document of Baptist Confession of Faith, of 1644 had make clear to all, especially to those who the second head of doctrine addressing the seventeenth century. Yet it is most as one of its express goals to refute suspected them of Remonstrant beliefs, the question of the scope of Christ’s welcome. Perhaps, again, had the English charges that were being made against that they stood firmly on Calvinistic atonement. As with the first head, the Particular Baptists of the eighteenth the Particular Baptists that they were foundations. Canons do not plunge directly into the century given more attention to an ‘holding Free-will, Falling away from question, but begin with an assertion approach of this kind, they would have grace, denying Originall sinne’. That The Calvinistic soteriology expounded of God’s righteousness in punishing sin been spared some of the more injurious confession therefore goes to great lengths in the first edition of the 1644 Confession and the need therefore for an adequate effects of the theological controversies in to affirm clearly and unequivocally the was strengthened in a second edition satisfaction for sin, such as Christ has which they engaged over the course of various elements of the doctrines of grace: and then again in the Second London made. They go on to assert the infinite the that century. unconditional election, the thorough- Confession agreed by a larger number value of that sacrifice, considered in going sinfulness of all humanity, an of ministers in 1677 (republished

18 rt rt May - June 2019 19 in a second edition in 1688 and found little cause to quarrel with the assiduous students of the past and very Some, of course, do have more of an generally known today as the ‘1689’ conclusions of the Synod of Dort. learned. Careful weighing of what is read inclination than others. It is inevitable Baptist Confession of Faith). This latter and studied, against the Scriptures and and right that, just as we each have document is largely based upon the Conclusions through conferring with one another, is different gifts and opportunities, some Westminster Confession of Faith, though I hope that my attempt at an introduction also required. This will not be achieved, will be more familiar with this heritage also taking in some of the adaptations to the Synod and Canons of Dort will therefore, without serious planning and than others. There are those who have made to that confession by the Savoy provide motivation to their study, sustained energy. spent relatively large amounts of time on Declaration of Faith and Order agreed in this the 400th anniversary year of this kind of study. The others of us need by the Independents in 1658. The use the Synod’s conclusion. But I want to Where ever do we find the time and to learn from them. But the true recovery by the Particular Baptists of these two close by suggesting that what we have energy for this, however? Ministers and apprehension of this heritage for us confessional documents again manifests considered has broader and more general already feel overwhelmed with the as Reformed Baptists in the twenty-first their shared heritage as well as their implications of great significance for regular work of preaching, century is an exercise to which desire to demonstrate in a public manner Reformed Baptists in the 21st century. The evangelism, visiting, just we all need to be committed, Let us not, in their agreement with Reformed brethren factors which I have sought to spell out in keeping things going. We as a body of ministers and our day and on the large majority of doctrinal issues. relation to the Synod of Dort should, in my have absolutely no time for preachers. We need together to generation, shirk The doctrines of mankind’s utterly fallen view, convince us of the benefits which anything extra. We live in an recognise and affirm the vital the challenge condition; of the unconditional election would accrue, of a serious and substantive increasingly hostile society importance of such a project. which that of those who will be saved; of Christ’s recovery of our Reformed, Puritan and and it is all we can do simply We should make use of what heritage brings death for the redemption of the elect confessional heritage. I have argued that to keep our congregations has already been done in our us, to study it and alone; of the work of the Spirit effectually this is a very significant part of our own faithful to the gospel and day in this direction and then apprehend it so to draw them to Christ; and of the final heritage. I hope that there would not be uphold in some fashion the we should find and agree ways as to inform and perseverance of the saints are replicated too many dissenters from that view. But vital work of evangelism. My in which we can put time, enrich the work in the 1677 Baptist Confession in almost how seriously do we really take this? If response is that the issues energy and funds into making of the gospel in identical language to that found in the our interest does not translate into action, addressed in this paper this a reality. our own day. Westminster Confession. then we cannot say that we really are are absolutely necessary, taking it seriously. especially if we are to survive The Reformed and puritan The seventeenth-century Particular and make progress in a confessional heritage of which Baptists thus stood squarely in the If we take this seriously, we will devote sceptical and hostile society I am speaking belongs to us, as Reformed tradition of the Puritans from time and energy to taking possession of such as our own. Within this heritage are Reformed Baptists, as much as it belongs whose circles they had emerged. Though this heritage. This would involve more real treasures stored up for us to ransack to the Presbyterians or to any other they appear not to have cited or made than the occasional foray into reformation and make use of in our ministry today. grouping of Reformed believers today. conscious use of the Canons promulgated theology and Puritan writings. Rather, it They are the funds laid up for us by our Let us not, in our day and generation, by the Synod of Dort in 1619, they shared would mean a careful, sustained study of forefathers, on which we are to draw for shirk the challenge which that heritage a heritage with those who formulated the major writings and the history which the benefit and fruitfulness of our service brings us, to study it and apprehend it so those measures, such that in their constitute this heritage as well as the today. If we fail to find a way to make us as to inform and enrich the work of the confessions of faith they expressed the teaching and passing on of that heritage of them, to come into and truly possess gospel in our own day – and ensure that same Calvinistic and Reformed doctrines to the next generation. This cannot be this marvellous inheritance which has we effectually pass on this wonderful as had been expounded by the Dutch done in a moment. And time spent in come down to us, we and our work will be heritage to the generation of Reformed Reformed in response to the tenets of study does not guarantee that we will very much the poorer. This is not just a Baptists which succeeds us. ■ the Remonstrants. Despite cultural, successfully grasp that which we have nice optional extra for those who have the national and doctrinal differences, these come into – many of those who have gone time or the inclination – it is an absolute Robert Strivens is the pastor of Bradford on early Particular Baptists would have down a hyper-Calvinist route have been necessity. Avon Baptist Church.

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22 rt rt MayMay - JuneJune 2019 23 ‘The gospel is not an “offer” to be bandied or even offered, but instead, given the popular is that of a distracted Father, making a formal profession of faith around by evangelistic peddlers. The context of this quote in Sovereignty as struggling in heartbroken desperation to in order that the membership of the gospel is no mere invitation but a well as the systematic and chronological get people to accept a Saviour of whom churches may be swelled, take those who proclamation, a proclamation concerning thought of Pink at the time, that this they feel no need and in whom they have are inspired by a genuine compassion Christ; true whether men believe it or no.’1 quote is a statement specifically against very little interest. To persuade these self- and deep concern for the perishing, who the means by how the gospel was, and in sufficient souls to respond to his generous earnestly long and zealously endeavour It’s probably one of the most infamous many ways still is, being ‘offered’ (thus, offers God will do almost anything, even to deliver souls from the wrath to come, quotations from A W Pink (1886-1952) Pink’s use of the offer in quotation marks). using salesmanship methods and talking yet unless they be much on their guard, of all time. Appearing in his most well- Rather, Pink exhorted that the gospel by down to them in the chummiest way they too will inevitably err. Unless they known title, The Sovereignty of God, this its very nature necessitated its sharing imaginable. This view of things is, of steadily view conversion in the way God quote is seemingly taken to mean that and proclamation to all. course, a kind of religious romanticism does – as the way in which he is to be Pink rejected the idea that the gospel is which, while it often uses glorified – they will quickly something that ought to be offered to all. However, before proceeding, I wish to flattering and sometimes begin to compromise in the It has been used extensively by others; by also advise that it is not my intent to go embarrassing terms in praise Pink means they employ. The some to argue that Pink leaned towards into the theological discussion pertaining of God, manages nevertheless exhorted feverish urge of modern hyper-Calvinism, at least at the time of to the ‘Free offer of the Gospel’. I don’t to make man the star of the that the evangelism is not how to writing Sovereignty, and by others, who believe that this is what Pink specifically show.’ 3 gospel by its promote the glory of the do embrace a form of hyper-Calvinism, to sought to engage with, either regarding very nature triune Jehovah, but how to support their position against evangelism. the quotation or the larger context of the Whilst Pink’s wholehearted necessitated multiply conversions. The ‘Difficulties and Objections’ chapter from embracement of Calvinism its sharing whole current of evangelical Yet, is this what Pink actually meant? which it is drawn. Although there are and God’s sovereignty4 was and activity during the past fifty Is Pink against the idea of the gospel certainly, and obviously, implications that to leave him outside the proclamation years has taken that direction. being ‘offered’ to all? Iain Murray, in his one can possibly draw out, I will leave mainstream evangelicalism to all. Losing sight of God’s end, the biography of Pink, referencing this quote, a more in-depth engagement of Pink in of the time, this was further churches have devised means writes: relation to that subject to another time. compounded by Pink’s firm of their own.’ convictions on the nature of ‘Along with hyper-Calvinists, [Pink] still Pink and ‘offer’ the church, the gospel, and Contemporary evangelism, wanted to reject the idea that the gospel Pink lived and ministered during a salvation. Like Tozer, Pink was in Pink’s sight, erred in its invitations are an “offer” of Christ … time in which man-centred theology utterly dismayed at the state of the church priorities and miscomprehended the Rather, he thought, it was to be presented dominated the evangelical landscape. and evangelism. Critiquing the state of ‘so- focus of the gospel. Instead of focusing on primarily as a witness and testimony — A W Tozer, another preacher who once called evangelism of [his] day’, which was Christ, it focused on the sinner. Instead of “no mere invitation, but a proclamation”. quipped that he had ‘preached himself ‘a grief to genuine Christians’, in his article evangelism being a vehicle in which God Gospel preaching was a statement of facts off every Bible conference’, made the on Evangelism appearing in the July 1948 is glorified through the unadulterated by which the elect are brought to faith following assessment of the Christianity issue of Studies in the Scriptures, Pink goes proclamation of salvation to the repentant while “God suffers” it “to fall on the ears of during his (and Pink’s) time: on to attack. sinner, it instead emphasised numbers, the non-elect.”.’2 driving so-called evangelists to attempt ‘Christianity today is man-centred, ‘[T]hose cheap-jack evangelists who a plethora of tactics and theatrics It is my intention here to demonstrate not God-centred. God is made to wait aim no higher than rushing people into in order to bring forth conversions, that Pink was not against the idea of patiently, even respectfully, on the whims the gospel being preached, proclaimed, of men. The image of God currently

3 James L Snyder, The Life of A W Tozer (Christian Publications, 1991), p107. 4 Some have argued that Pink’s Calvinism was a ‘High’ form. However, whilst Pink was certainly a ‘staunch’ 1 Arthur W Pink, The Sovereignty of God (Baker Books, 1984) p209. Calvinist as he labelled himself in the 1920s, the Calvinism that he did encounter was largely watered down. This 2 Iain Murray, The Life of Arthur W Pink (Banner of Truth, 2011) p320.. was especially the case in Australia during Pink’s time.

24 rt rt May - June 2019 25 without imparting any real scriptural Tent Evangelism in California and Seattle, The gospel is not an “offer”, the gospel is substance. This often led consequently had some relationship with the ministry a proclamation, not an “invitation”. The to many unregenerate people in church of Open-Air Campaigners whilst in gospel is a proclamation about Christ, and holding to a superficial notion of the Sydney7, and was involved in many Bible the gospel, is true even if not one man on gospel – people who, in Pink’s experience, conferences throughout the United States, earth tonight believed it! My believing the believed that they could avoid hell simply Australia and Britain, some of which had gospel does not make the gospel true. The by intellectually ‘believing’, without an explicit emphasis on evangelism.8 gospel is true whether I believe it or no, exhibiting any real faith, and all while However, Pink had a particular distaste for because the gospel is not about me, the believing they could retain their carnal those who he felt ‘sold short’ the gospel. gospel is about Christ. and worldly desires.5 They were nothing more than evangelistic pedlars, doing anything they could do ‘Now listen to my next statement, and ‘The nature of Christ’s salvation is to win converts, all while presenting a let it sink in. We are not responsible woefully misrepresented by the present- vacuous articulation of the truth and, to bring sinners to Christ. No preacher day “evangelist”. He announces a Saviour fundamentally, an anaemic God. Such is responsible to do that. No open-air An OAC event advertisement which appeared from hell, rather than a Saviour from pedlars failed to portray the reality of the in the Sydney Morning Herald, 1925. worker is responsible to bring any sinner sin. And that is why so many are fatally sinfulness of sin, failed to bring people to Christ, for there is none of us [who] deceived, for there are multitudes who to a true understanding of their need of can do it; we have not got the power. wish to escape the lake of fire who have a Saviour, and avoided preaching about God’s sovereignty and which sought to Our responsibility is to bring Christ no desire to be delivered from their a Christian’s ongoing duty of holiness give men assurance without substance. to the sinner. Did you get that? Our carnality and worldliness.’6 and exercising of faith. Instead, many He instead wanted people to have a responsibility is to preach Christ to the presented the gospel in a way which clearer understanding of what the sinner! Needless to say, A W Pink’s use of the potentially tackled some moral or social gospel was, what it entailed, and what it word ‘offer’ needs to be framed within this ill, outlined the possibility of avoiding certainly was not. He wanted to outline ‘How man turns God’s things upside down, context of how he saw evangelism. Pink final judgment, and then invited the that salvation belongs to the Lord,9 and doesn’t he, every time, and the awful thing was not an individual who simply wrote listener to make a decision for Christ. The concurrently dismantle the notion that today is, and it is true almost everywhere, against a practice from the comfort of his offer was on the table, if only the sinner the onus of someone’s salvation rested that we are far more concerned about the own chair. Rather, at the time of writing would take it up. on the messenger. This can be noted in results of the gospel than we are about Sovereignty, and throughout its revisions, his fourth address on Election at Ashfield the purity of it! We are more concerned he was involved in many different Pink was determined to push back against Tabernacle, given in 1925 (Note the similar in the blessing of man than we are about evangelistic outreaches and ministries. this form of decisional evangelism, which use of language as the main quote in the glory of Christ! Is not that true? Is In the early 1920s, he was involved with lauded man’s ability at the expense of question): it not true that the first great question asked everywhere to-day is, What are ‘Most people in this twentieth century are the “results”? What is the fruitage? How so ignorant they imagine that the gospel many people have been saved in your 5 ‘The terms of Christ’s salvation are erroneously stated by the present-day evangelist. With very rare exceptions, he tells his hearers that salvation is by grace and is received as a free gift, that Christ has done everything for the concerns sinners. It does not, and the church the last year? I am not saying that sinner, and that nothing remains but for him to “believe”, to trust in the infinite merits of his blood. And so widely gospel is not about sinners. The gospel the question has no importance, but I do does this conception now prevail in “orthodox” circles, so frequently has it been dinned in their ears, so deeply has it taken root in their minds – that for one to now challenge it and denounce it as being so inadequate and one- is the gospel of Christ! It is about the say that if that is the first question that is sided as to be deceptive and erroneous, is for him to instantly court the stigma of being a heretic, and to be charged person and the work of God’s Son! Now asked, it only shows what a low level we with dishonouring the finished work of Christ by inculcating salvation by works! … Salvation is by grace, by grace 10 alone – for a fallen creature cannot possibly do anything to merit God’s approval or earn his favour. Nevertheless, listen, I want you to get this very clearly. are living on!’ divine grace is not exercised at the expense of holiness, for it never compromises with sin. It is also true that salvation is a free gift – but an empty hand must receive it, and not a hand which still tightly grasps the world!’ Evangelism, Studies in the Scriptures, July 1948.. 6 Signs of the Times, Studies in the Scriptures, December 1937. 7 ‘Basement Town Hall, United Intercessory Services’, Sydney Morning Herald, 4th April 1925. 9 Psalm 3:8. 8 ‘Bible Conference: Emphasising Evangelism’, Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 19th November 1921. 10 Election: Address by A W Pink at Ashfield Tabernacle, 26 June 1925.

26 rt rt May - June 2019 27 Pink was adamant that the gospel was all in a way which stifled evangelism, but – if God has only elected a certain number about Christ. It was relevant to the sinner, rather he desired to root evangelism in its to be saved? The reason is, because God but it was not about sinners. Instead, the proper doctrinal bearings, and believed commands us to do so. Well, but, you gospel was a proclamation of a universal that evangelism was a fundamental duty say, it does not seem reasonable to me. truth about what Christ had done, not of all Christians. This conviction was to That has got nothing to do with it; your something to be simply extended, or lead him to struggle with his pastorate at business is to obey God and not to argue offered, to sinners to decide if true. There Belvoir Street Particular Baptist Church, with him. God commands us to preach was, Pink was convinced, an authoritative in Sydney, between 1925-1927, a church the gospel to every creature and it means element to the gospel which meant it which would rightly be identified as what it says – every creature and it is a had to be proclaimed in an authoritative having hyper-Calvinistic tendencies. solemn thing. fashion. It was to be presented in a way Writing to a sympathetic congregant after in which sinners were still implored to his resignation, Pink states: ‘Every Christian in this room tonight trust in Christ, but with a commanding has yet to answer to Christ why he has aspect which emphasised both God’s right ‘Having discovered that their views of not done everything in his power to as sovereign Creator to command sinners human responsibility were very defective send that gospel to every creature! Yes, I to repent and the sinner’s obligation to and that they were altogether lac[k]ing believe in missions – probably stronger do so. This is evident through Pink’s own in evangelistic zeal, I sought by the Lord’s than most of you do, and if I preached articulation of what the gospel is, as given help to remedy this. Seeking grace to be to you on missions perhaps I would hit in a few lines after the original quote in “as wise as a serpent and harmless as you harder than you have been hit yet. Sovereignty: a dove”, I proceeded slowly and gently. The great majority of God’s people who From April to October 1926 I averaged profess to believe in missions, are just ‘The gospel, in brief, is this: Christ died for one sermon out of five to the unsaved; playing at them – I make so bold as to sinners, you are a sinner, believe in Christ, the last you heard and endorsed … on say of our evangelical denominations and you shall be saved. In the gospel, God Bartimaeus. The deacons took me to today that we are just playing at missions simply announces the terms upon which task for this sermon. At the next church and that is all. Why my friends, there is men may be saved (namely, repentance meeting, very soon after, the secretary almost half of the human race – think of and faith) and, indiscriminately, all are denounced it as a “free-will” sermon.’13 it – in this 20th century – travel so easy commanded to fulfil them.’11 and cheap. Bibles printed in almost every Pink desired Indeed, Pink desired individuals to language under heaven, and as we sit individuals to This understanding of both the gospel have a correct understanding of God’s here tonight there is almost half of the as an authoritative proclamation as sovereignty, but in a way which compelled human race that never yet heard of Christ, have a correct well as man’s duty to repent and turn to them to evangelism. In his third address and we have got to answer to Christ for understanding Christ was to permeate Pink’s theological on Election at Ashfield Tabernacle, Pink, that yet! You have and I have. Oh yes, I framework in regard to evangelism after outlining that sinners can only believe in man’s responsibility. I do not of God’s throughout his life.12 However, Pink was come to Christ if drawn by God, aptly believe in man’s “freedom” but I do in never to position this understanding challenges his listeners to take mission man’s responsibility, and I believe in the sovereignty, and evangelism seriously by stating: Christian’s responsibility in a double way, and every one of us here tonight has yet but in a 11 Arthur W Pink, The Sovereignty of God (Baker Books, 1984) p209. ‘Now the question arises again, why are got to face Christ and look into those eyes way which 12 It is likely that Pink was particularly influenced by we to preach the gospel to every creature? as a flame of fire, and he is going to say to the apostle Paul’s addresses in Acts 17 wherein Paul compelled them ‘proclaimed‘ the good news of Christ at Thessalonica (17:3), Berea (17:13), and Athens (Acts 17:23); finishing his to evangelism proclamation in Athens by stating that God ‘commands all people everywhere to repent’ (Acts 17:30). 13 Unpublished Letter to Brooks, 27 December 1927

28 rt rt May - June 2019 29 us, I entrusted to you my gospel. ‘“Go ye into all the world.” Well then, you ‘Ah, my friends, we are playing at or accept its truth as much as it was a It was committed as a “trust” to you say, Where am I to go? Oh, that is very missions: it is just a farce, that is all! “Go declaration to them of what Christ had (see 1Thess 2:4). It is required in easy. You say, easy? Yes, I mean it: it is ye” is the first command. Go where? Those done and a commanding imploration for stewards that a man be found faithful.’ very easy. There is nothing easier in the around me first. Go what with? The gospel! them to believe and receive the ‘gift’ of world than to know where you ought to Well, you say, “Why should I go?” Because Christ and salvation.16 ‘Oh, my friends, we are playing at things. begin missionary work. You have it in God has commanded you to! We have not begun to take religion the first chapter of Acts and the eighth Well, you say, “What is the It was this firm Pink’s high view of God’s use of doing it if he has just sovereignty was to in no seriously, any of us. We profess to verse: “Ye shall receive power after that belief that God believe in the coming of Christ, and we the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and elected certain ones?’ Because way to curtail or hamper his was sovereign profess to believe that the one reason ye shall be witnesses unto me both in that gospel is the means that understanding of evangelism. why Christ has not come back yet is Jerusalem (that is the city in which they God uses to call out his own and would draw Rather, it was this firm belief because his Church, his body, is not yet were) and in all Judea (that is the State elect, that is why! You do not sinners which that God was sovereign and complete. We believe that when his in which their city was), and in Samaria know, and I do not know, and compelled Pink would draw sinners which body is complete he will come back. (that is the adjoining State), and unto the nobody here on earth knows, to advocacy for compelled Pink to advocacy who are God’s elect and who for evangelism. He pleased And my friends, his “body” never, never, uttermost part of the earth.” If you want to evangelism. will be complete until the last of his begin missionary work, you have to begin are not. They are scattered for a robust evangelism fully elect people will be called out, and his it in your home-town, and my friends if over the world, and therefore grounded in and driven by elect people are called out under the you are not interested in the salvation we are to preach the gospel God’s Word, one prompted by preaching of the gospel by the power of the Chinese in Sydney, then you are to every creature, that it may God’s command to do so, and of the Holy Spirit, and if you are really not really interested in the salvation of reach the ones that God has marked out emphasising the tenets of man’s total anxious for Christ to come back soon, the Chinese in China, and you are only among those creatures.’14 depravity and God’s total goodness. The then you had better be more wide awake fooling yourselves if you think you are! gospel was not an ‘offer’ to be thrown to your responsibility in connection Oh, I am calling a spade a spade tonight. Pink believed in evangelism and he around haphazardly, but had to be placed with taking or sending the gospel to the If you are anxious about the souls of the believed that the gospel was to be in its proper moorings. To do anything heathen!’ Chinese in China, then you will be equally preached, proclaimed, and offered to other was to sell short what he saw as the anxious about the souls of the Chinese all. Yet, it was to be an authoritative glorious treasure of the gospel. ■ ‘Christ’s word, and it is Christ’s word here in Sydney, and I wonder how many proclamation given to sinners that God to us, is “Go ye into all the world and in this building tonight have ever made would utilise to draw forth his elect. It was God’s means to separate the wheat from preach the gospel,” he does not say any serious effort to reach the Chinese Brett Lee-Price (B Arts (Hons) in History, a “Send ye”, he says “Go ye”, and you have in Sydney with the gospel! I wonder. I chaff through the proclamation of the GradDip.Div, and a M Arts in Early Christian to answer to Christ yet because you have wonder how many here tonight have been majestic work, achievement, and glory of Studies) lives in Australia, has been a pastor, 15 not gone! Well, you say, do you mean by round to the Bible House in Sydney and Christ. It wasn’t to be a mere arbitrary and is currently doing ‘non-ministry’ work and that that everyone of us here tonight have said to the manager there, “Do you ‘invitation’ or ‘offer’ extended to sinners itinerant preaching. He is preparing a PhD ought to go out to the mission field? I have any New Testaments in the Chinese to have the final authority to determine thesis on Arthur Pink. have not said that, I am not any man’s language, or do you have any Gospels of judge, Many of you here tonight have John in the Chinese language? How much a good reason which will satisfy Christ are they per hundred? or per dozen?” And 14 Election: Address by A W Pink at Ashfield Baptist Church, 13 June 1925. why you have not gone. He gave you I wonder how many of you have bought 15 Arthur W Pink, The Sovereignty of God (Baker Books, 1984) p210. work to do here. He put you in a position a thousand or a hundred, and then have 16 ‘A slight distinction between receiving and believing. I would express it thus. Believing respects Christ as he is set forth in gospel testimony. When a preacher preaches the gospel he presents Christ to the hearer, if the hearer here. He has given you responsibilities gone round to the houses in the Chinese believes that testimony, he is saved. “Faith cometh by hearing.” Believing has to do with the saved hearer of the to discharge here, but every Christian quarter and have said, “My friend, this is a gospel testimony. Receiving has to do with Christ as he is presented to us as God’s gift: you believe a testimony, you receive a gift.’ Unpublished Sermon on Exodus 12, A W Pink, 1925; ‘It is also true that salvation is a free gift – but who is free to go, and does not go, has little gift that will do your soul good if you an empty hand must receive it, and not a hand which still tightly grasps the world!’ Evangelism, Studies in the got to answer to Christ for it yet.’ will read it.”’ Scriptures, July 1948.

30 rt rt May - June 2019 31 Tim Beavis phrase that has been coined by the Gospel Coalition, most of the world’s church is facing ‘a theological famine’.

By the grace of God, Carey International Pastoral Training is engaged in this work of theological famine relief. Carey was Hungry founded in 1997 by Dr Bob Penhearow after a request for training from a group of pastors in Romania. Today we are active in 20 locations across nearly a dozen for the countries, including the Philippines, India, Myanmar, Egypt, Lebanon, Cuba and other sensitive regions in the Far East. Our mission is to train spiritual leaders Word: that shape the church and influence the nations. We work at the invitation of church network leaders, to serve them through establishing Bible institutes and Training pastors for training centres. the global church When we receive a new invitation to a new field, our first step is usually to work with Carey International the national church network leader to host Pastoral Training a Pastors’ Conference. This allows us to encourage and instruct those who attend as well as to develop relationships with the ‘Most of our pastors around do not have local pastors and learn more about their Bible college skill, so we request Carey to specific needs and challenges. Out of these come and instil knowledge on the Bible to conferences, we then work with the local enhance initiative and proper leadership leadership to plant a formal training centre in their churches. Please help and train us or Bible institute. We work closely with the to be ready for the bringing of more lost network leader to name the school, set up souls to the King Jesus Christ.’ the training calendar and identify the level easy access that we have to Bibles, quality per cent of churches in the world are led of training that will be most appropriate These words came to me in a recent email Christian books, Christian Radio, Bible by men and women who have no formal for the pastors in each region. from a church network leader in Africa. conferences and seminaries. But, while training in theology or ministry.’ Some They represent countless similar requests we enjoy such abundance, pastors and studies report that this percentage is even Our foundational training level is a that I receive almost weekly. There is church leaders all around the world find higher. If we turn this statistic around, certificate programme where pastors are a hunger for God’s Word and for solid themselves with little or no access to these what we discover is that only about equipped through 10-week-long modular theological training throughout the global kinds of resources. 1 in 10 of the world’s churches are led by courses in subjects such as Old and New church. In Western Europe and North people who have ever had the opportunity Testament Survey, Biblical Theology, America we often take for granted the Dr David Livermore states, ‘Eighty-five to receive formal equipping. To use the Hermeneutics, Systematic Theology

32 rt rt May - June 2019 33 Overview and Expository Preaching. Since same regions year after year. As a result, Keith Underhill we work primarily with those who are they not only provide excellent training, already in pastoral ministry, our students but also develop lasting relationships and are able to begin to immediately apply friendships with the pastors that they are what they are learning in the context of equipping. their own local churches and community. In most of our regions it takes the pastors As the pastors being trained by Carey 2-3 years to finish these courses. After go back into their local churches and completing the certificate programme, communities, they are armed with fresh pastors can continue to take an additional tools to more effectively lead God’s people 10 courses toward a diploma. Thanks to and reach the lost. Yet there’s more work our recognition by the Florida Council of to be done. More requests for help come Private Colleges (USA) we are also able, streaming in. There’s a hunger for God’s in some regions, to offer both Bachelor Word! of Theological Studies and Master of Theological Studies programmes. These As our work continues to grow, we are programmes allow pastors who are looking for more pastors to volunteer as serving in areas with a higher educational part of our global teaching team. If you background to study at a deeper level are theologically Reformed and have over and be equipped to trained up a new ten years of pastoral ministry experience generation of Christian leaders in their together with a minimum of a Master’s own communities. degree, we would be delighted to hear from you. God's Our focus, however, is not on granting degrees, but rather on equipping and To learn more about the work of shaping godly and effective pastors Carey, request a speaker or ministry and leaders. In order to do this, we send presentation at your church, or discover Providence academically credentialed, biblically how you and your church can partner qualified, seasoned pastors to teach these with us in training leaders for the global modular courses. Many of our global church, visit us online at: teaching team members return to the www.careyoutreach.org ■ in Missions

The Canons of Dort are a clear and practical others who at best neglect it. One of the exposition of what has come to be known first books I recommend to new converts is as ‘The five points of Calvinism’ although John Flavel’s The Mystery of Providence. not specifically arranged in that way or order. There are clear statements about In October 2018 Trinity Baptist Church, God’s sovereignty in salvation, but the Nairobi commemorated its 40th anniversary. sovereignty of God embraces all of life, I was privileged to speak on that what we call ‘providence’. This is one of the occasion at which I reflected on so many www.careyoutreach.org most practical doctrines and distinguishes providences of God during those 40 years the lifestyle of those who believe it from and even in preparation for them. Both

34 rt rt May - June 2019 35 before and since 1978 many unplanned Missions in the New Testament what it was as we are not specifically of a natural desire to see how the churches things took place without which the church told. But because the Lord’s answer was to established on the first missionary trip would not have developed as it has done. Getting out of Jerusalem choose Barnabas and Saul and send them were getting on (15:36), and to deliver the Jesus gave his apostles clear instructions out ‘for the work to which I have called decisions that were reached in Jerusalem. The doctrine of the providence of God is in the Great Commission (Matt 28:19-20). them’ (v2), it seems reasonable that they They first went through Syria to Cilicia such an important one, especially to those There is no evidence that they had were praying about the Gentile mission. (15:41), in which Paul’s home town of of us who call ourselves Reformed, ie planning seminars as to how to fulfil We assume their hearts had been thrilled Tarsus was situated (see 9:30). Then as heirs of the Protestant Reformation. The it. How could they? From day one there at the reception of the gospel by the they tried to go forward the Holy Spirit 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, chapter 5, were 3000 souls to care for. In only a short Greeks and they wanted to know from the made it very clear where they were not section 1 defines it. ‘God the good Creator time that persecution was their lot (Acts Lord how that gospel could be taken yet to go (16:6-7). They were ‘forced’ to wind of all things, in his infinite power and 4). They met in homes with no central further. The only thing that is recorded is up in Troas, for in his providence God had wisdom does uphold, direct, dispose, and place of their own to gather. No effort to earnest prayer and God’s decision. Their somewhere specific for them to go to – govern all creatures and things, from the go outside Jerusalem is recorded. It seems two long-standing leaders Macedonia. This was made greatest even to the least, by his most that they only moved when, at the time of were to be sent off, Barnabas clear to Paul in a vision (v9). wise and holy providence, to the end for Stephen’s martyrdom, ‘there arose on that and Saul. At this early stage What they were to do was One plan we the which they were created, according day a great persecution against the church we are not even told the now clear, whether or not unto his infallible foreknowledge, and in Jerusalem’ (Acts 8:1). It was as if they specific nature of the work to must always they had thought of it before. the free and immutable counsel of his were forced to move. All Christians except which they had been called! have is that own will; to the praise of the glory of his the apostles scattered and for the first time It seems they naturally went we will pray Principles for mission wisdom, power, justice, infinite goodness, we read about Judea and Samaria first to Cyprus, probably constantly From these details recorded and mercy.’ (8:2, see 1:8). But they did know what to because this is where and preach in Acts we can discern the do; they preached the gospel! It was not so Barnabas came from (4:36). the gospel following principles for It is a doctrine that can only consistently much planning but God’s providence in Then they went north to the wherever missions: be held by those who believe that God bringing persecution that started the wheels mainland, the nearest land there is an is absolutely sovereign in creation, of mission in motion to the ends of the earth. mass away from Antioch, in opportunity. 1. God’s will for missions providence and redemption. It must Some of those so scattered reached as far as modern-day Turkey. In city is absolutely clear in the fundamentally influence a biblical view Antioch in Syria (11:19). Exactly who they after city persecution was Great Commission, variously of missionary were and why they travelled in this direction experienced so they had revealed in each of the work. we are not told. But the stage was now set to flee, in Pisidian Antioch Gospels and Acts. This is the in God’s providence for the Gentile mission (13:50), in Iconium (14:5-6), church’s responsibility until to be spearheaded by Saul, whom we know in Lystra (14:19-20). Why the end of the age. It is not as Paul. did they turn around and go back after a matter of resources, personnel or even having ministered in Derbe? As they had perceived opportunity. It is a work to The first missionary journey left hurriedly, they wanted to strengthen which we must be fully committed. It was at Antioch that the gospel was the disciples and establish church order first preached to non-Jews, Greeks (or (14:22-23). They must have felt it was time 2. Prayer must be earnestly offered for the Hellenists), and there was great success to go back home to Antioch and report fulfilment of this commission. Specific (11:21). Then we read that the church ‘how God has opened a door of faith to the needs are brought to our attention in leaders (prophets and teachers) in Gentiles’ (14:27). The Great Commission God’s providence, through personal Antioch were ‘worshipping the Lord was being fulfilled. contact, local church, internet, etc. There and fasting’ (13:2). Clearly they had are specific examples of prayer in Acts something about which they needed The second missionary journey 4:23ff. where they prayed to continue to help from the Lord. We can only guess The second missionary journey arose out speak the Word with all boldness; and

36 rt rt May - June 2019 37 Acts 13:2 where the leaders of the Antioch My experience of God’s providences the missionary bookstall (are there such 5. The registration of the Church. All local church worshipped with fasting. I went to Kenya in 1968 directly from things today?) and on two occasions the churches in Kenya must be registered with college to teach in a secondary school. word Sudan jumped up from the pages. the government and this is not automatic 3. God’s providence in bringing In 1975 I returned with my wife and It was largely unreached with the gospel so, when by mutual agreement we sought opportunities (persecution, vision) may baby to help in the ministry of the Bible but was closed to missionaries in late for such independence, the application for be totally unexpected. Open doors are Fellowship Church in Thika. In 1978 we 1965. But I continued my interest in registration was refused (1979). This was generally to be pursued (1 Cor 16:9, Col 4:3, started Trinity Baptist Church, Nairobi. Africa. I sought advice about the way a surprise as the Baptist Church was well Rev 3:8), although not always if there are Almost all turning points can be seen as a forward. ‘Apply to be a teacher in newly known and I believe the Attorney-General other priorities (2 Cor 2:12). Surely where result of specific providences. independent Kenya and see how you get used to attend there. On appeal, however, God purposes to bless is where he will open on there was what’ I was told. I found we were directed to discuss things a door for the messenger of the gospel. Getting out of Jerusalem it to be good advice, was sent to a rural with the National Council of Christian Going to Kenya as a Pastor/Missionary Protestant sponsored school and had Churches. We have no idea if this was a 4. Grabbing opportunities by faith, not 1. How was it that I wanted to be a preacher great ministry opportunities far and common way for the government to deal only on the basis of planning or available of the gospel? When I went to college wide. with appeals, but if it recommended us all resources. This is not to deny the need (Aberystwyth) my room-mate was a clear would be well. As is so often the way in for planning, but rather to bring to the Christian, through whom I was converted. 3. How was it that we first went to Thika Kenya, if you know someone who knows forefront the providence of God. For How gracious was the Lord to put me to minister? A few years before I even someone you can seek to get what you example, a person representing a specific with Brian when humanly speaking it became a Christian (1964) it seems ought to get. A good friend of mine ‘just group in your area walks into the service could have been with any number of the Lord was preparing the way. And happened’ to be good friends with the ‘out of the blue’, as it were. This may non-Christians. I had been religious as probably before Geoff Thomas knew Deputy General-Secretary, and both are present an opportunity to be pursued a teenager but had never clearly been anything much about Kenya, in 1961 at fine Christians. The rest is history and the with prayer and planning. taught the gospel in the Methodist Westminster Theological Seminary his church was registered in 1981. Church. Up to that time I would have room-mate just happened to be a Kenyan! 5. Go where you already have knowledge been incredulous if you had suggested It was this contact that enabled us to go 6. Obtaining a plot and a permanent and contacts, for example Paul to his that I would spend my life as a public to serve the Lord in church ministry in building. It has never been our policy to home area of Cilicia, Barnabas to his speaker. I was far too shy and retiring. Kenya for the first time in 1975.. campaign for money. We had a church home on Cyprus, revisiting previously Yet I obviously had a strength of character that sent us to work in Kenya, Alfred established churches. God will show that thrust me into leadership roles. So it The Planting of Trinity Baptist Church, Place Baptist in Aberystwyth. It was the way forward when we are actively happened that I found myself preaching Nairobi enough for them to know the situation. pursuing the mission, for example the call in the Methodist Church and leading Bible 4. The relocation to Nairobi. While in Thika But getting a suitable piece of land in the to Macedonia only occurred when they studies. And some people were converted! I had often said that we needed to plant part of Nairobi where we lived (Eastlands) were already moving. a church in Nairobi, the capital city, from was difficult. The Government provided 2. How was it that I went to Kenya in 1968 where we can spread the biblical truth ‘church plots’ for free where there were 6. One plan we must always have is that to teach? In our hall of residence there throughout the country. Sadly, difficulties new developments, but although we were we will pray constantly and preach the were many from Africa and, for reasons arose in 1977 and I was summarily the first church in the area, we did not get gospel wherever there is an opportunity. I cannot remember, I often sat with dismissed, and it looked like it was all the one set aside. The Jewish developer them at meal times. I joined a Christian over. But Geoff Thomas knew the then of the area had constant visits from us Union Prayer Group for Africa. How pastor of Nairobi Baptist Church and that and proved very positive. Eventually could one keep on praying for people church agreed for us to work under them they offered us a good-sized plot which and needs there and not say to the Lord, in a newly-developing part of Nairobi, had been earmarked for flats on the plan, ‘I am willing to go if it is your will’? I which work was started in early 1978 with and at a reasonable price. It was a lot of remember one Saturday evening after contacts both from teaching days and money in those days. As a small group the meeting flicking through books on from the Thika ministry. we did what we could to raise the money

38 rt rt May - June 2019 39 but it was only a tiny fraction. The Lord through it over the decades. Although it to ecumenism (1980). But they could not bribery and went to visit Adan in the used our friends and churches, many with was something that I knew would have to get registered with the government and police cell. He directed them towards us whom we had never had any previous be done, the Lord chose that it would start so approached TBC Nairobi to work under and after a while they became Christians. contact, to raise all that was needed, so in this way. us (1990) as they were being threatened Thus began a ministry amongst Somali that in 1989 the auditorium was officially with action against them. Why us? Well, refugees who are from a totally Islamic opened. 8. Church planting outside Nairobi. Paul one of the sons had visited the UK and one country. A few have professed faith. One became part of the church when we were of the churches known to us, and so the of these men now broadcasts the gospel Some special ministries begun small and meeting in our house. While he connection was made. This was all in God’s to his people over a very wide area and is 7. Training of pastors. In December 1980 was on leave from work in 1981 I decided providence. There are now 13 established very much a leader of Somali Christians I was invited to Kisumu to speak at the to visit him at his home very far away in churches, more than 300 baptised believers, worldwide, of whom there are still very gathering of delegates from all over Thimlich, the south-west corner of Kenya. primary and secondary schools that are few. But the story of God’s providence East Africa for the Central Council of Little did I suspect that a group of leaders sponsored, with six ordained leaders, three does not end here. the International Council of Christian there would request the planting of a of whom are ‘missionaries’. Churches (ICCC). Someone must have church in their area. We later sent Paul 11. Rendille. Before he professed Christ known me, although I cannot remember back home to lead the church plant and 10. Somalia. A civil war erupted in one of the Abdis was a heavy drinker, and who it was. The Bishop of the Church this was the first church planting effort we Somalia in 1991 and many Somalis began his ‘drinking partner’ was Osman, the self- of Christ in Africa (CCA), an African made. But Paul was untrained and no one to relocate to Kenya. There are about 3 styled leader of the Rendille community Independent Church, talked with me in the area had biblical knowledge despite million indigenous Somalis. As some in a slum area called Kwa Njenga. The about the young men he sends abroad to there being so many churches. How could came to live around us a few of us began Rendille are pastoralists in north-central train for the ministry but who never come we bring the truth here? Training Paul to pray for a witness to them, as there are Kenya and 20 years ago 90% of them were back to work in the church. I replied that was one way. But we decided to start the no public Christian churches in Somalia. unreached with the gospel. I had travelled I would help him by setting up a study Grace & Truth publication, just a two-sided Then suddenly it happened! When I around the outskirts of their land in 1970 course for students to come for a few days foolscap in the local language, Dholuo. responded to the knock on the church in a Land Rover when I was a teacher. I each month so they need not go abroad. I had to compose it in English first for office door there was Adan. ‘Please help was pursuing my interest in unreached What is now known as the Trinity Pastors’ it to be translated. Hence the English me to teach my people English as so many peoples. Now in God’s providence they College began. It was extended to contacts magazine Grace & Truth saw the light of of them are going to America without were coming to me, not me to them. Many in Nairobi and about 150 men have gone day and the most recent issue, 130, had 60 a knowledge of the language.’ I would Rendille men come to towns to work for pages. It became all the more necessary normally have employed delaying tactics a while as watchmen. Osman told his as people came into our church in Nairobi before agreeing to such a request, but I kinsmen to come to TBC where they would and then wanted a similar church back in immediately saw the hand of the Lord in get all kinds of help – this is how so many their home area. Many used articles in the this and provided what he needed. He view the churches. Many came and easily magazine for preaching. soon professed Christ and was arrested made professions of faith in the late 1990s. at the instigation of his community on We were not at all convinced of their 9. Pokot North. This is an area in north- false charges and put in police custody. genuineness until they began to say that west Kenya that began to receive As with Joseph, they meant it for evil, they have now come to see they are not Christianity in the 1970s. The work but God was working for good. The local Christians. The Lord had begun to convict was founded by some of the sons of Imam announced at Friday prayers that a them of sin. A number were genuinely George Kendagor (a pioneer local certain sum of money needed to be raised converted and in the mid-2000s we sent missionary among the Pokot people). (a bribe) so that the police would proceed them back to start a church in the main When the church with which they were to prosecute this our brother who has town of Korr. working joined the National Council rejected the faith. Two Somalis named of Christian Churches they left to form Abdi heard this, were not happy that their 12. South Sudan. A most amazing their independent church in opposition religious leader could so publicly promote providence has been in relation to

40 rt rt May - June 2019 41 South Sudan, the place in which I was so the apostles. This was the work he gave 3. Having faithfully explained the Word draw near to the sort of people you are not interested soon after I became a Christian. them, and through them the church, and prayed accordingly, the local church used to, then the opportunity might well This is the story as I have been told it. A until the end of the age. The apostles are must expect the Lord to give specific be squandered. group of Christians in the Malakal area, the foundation of the church, so this is direction through providences. We do led by their Moderator David decided corporate and not individualistic because not cast lots for the continent, country 4. The local church will encourage they wanted to become Baptists, rejecting we are not apostles. It is not that one and then specific area/people. We do not involvement according to the various their Presbyterian background. They individual here, and one there, is ‘called’ just do a statistical analysis and make gifts the Lord has given to its members. called themselves The Trinity Baptist to fulfil the Great Commission. The local decisions on that basis as to where our Ultimately messengers of the gospel must Church of South Sudan and were formally church is to fulfil it by its ministry of interests will focus. As we faithfully serve go to the ends of the earth. They will recognised. What was the next thing to the Word and sending out messengers. the Lord through the local church where need prayerful and financial support. be done? Find help from a church outside; The biblical example is Acts 13:1-3. Of we are, we can expect things like the Carey famously said to those back home so they looked for Trinity Baptist Church course, the Great Commission is not only following to happen: in England, ‘I will go down in the early 2000s. James was sent all the for far away but also for near. It was the dark well if you will hold way to find this TBC in Nairobi. Twenty Jerusalem as well as the ends of the earth; »» You will be challenged by Can it really be the rope.’ There is something years ago, with war still raging between everywhere. But equally the emphasis reading an article like this that a few earthly everyone can do in this great north and south, this was no simple must not only be on the near but to the one! comforts are enterprise as part of the journey. James did find us and did some ends of the earth. »» You will read about more important church. training in Nairobi, although his English another part of the world than fulfilling was very poor. Eventually in 2010 and 2. The local church must pray for the in a magazine or on social the Great A final challenge. I have 2012 I made two visits to the South Sudan fulfilment of the Great Commission. Our media. It will challenge Commission of heard that I should not expect I had only dreamed of decades before. prayers tend to be very parochial. Yet we you because you know your our Lord who Christians to go to Kenya to Then war intervened again and is only are commanded to pray, ‘Your kingdom responsibility in the Great left the glory of serve the Lord, because they now subsiding. As I write this I have been come.’ Jesus said to his disciples, ‘The Commission (see 4). heaven to suffer are too comfortable here in communicating with James on Facebook. harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are »» Someone you do not know on the cross for the West. Can it really be that He is now pastoring a church in Juba. few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord may seek to befriend you our sins? a few earthly comforts are A further providence has occurred. A of the harvest to send out labourers into on Facebook. more important than fulfilling Sudanese family has been attending TBC his harvest’ (Matt 9:37-38). It appears »» A visitor walks into your the Great Commission of our Nairobi in the last year. The man works that they became the answer to their own service, especially one from Lord who left the glory of for the South Sudanese government, was prayers as they were immediately sent a community that is very hard to reach heaven to suffer on the cross for our sins? on extended leave, and is now back in out (10:1). Paul urged the Thessalonians where they come from. It could be a Specifically, I have heard that it has been Juba. This should promote the contact to ‘pray for us, that the word of the Lord student, or an immigrant. said no Westerner should live in a place with South Sudan. may speed ahead and be honoured, »» A new church member joins who has a like Rendille because of the inclement as happened among you’ (2 Thess 3:1). special experience and interest. conditions. Then why did waves of Practical conclusions Meaningful prayer is not easy without missionaries go to West Africa in the late information, detailed and constant If God is sovereign in his providence 19th century to perish in the ‘white man’s 1. Local churches must commit information. Gone are the days when none of these things (and many others) is grave’? ■ themselves to fulfilling the Carey had to scour for information from totally insignificant. They may all present Great Commission, to ‘go journals like that of Captain Cook; we have opportunities for the spread of the gospel and make disciples of a surfeit that is just a click away. How and in prayerful expectation you must Keith Underhill preached the gospel in all nations’. These much of our praying as a local church is ‘put your foot in the door’ to keep the Kenya for 40 years and was a pastor of Trinity Baptist Church Nairobi from 1978 to were our Lord’s final for the discipling of the nations, including opportunity open. However, if you are not 2018. He now lives in Liverpool and makes words before leaving our own? willing to have your schedule disrupted or regular visits to Kenya for pastoral training experience some discomfort by seeking to and preaching.

42 rt rt May - June 2019 43 In September last year the church was able to call their third pastor and on News 25 January 2019 that fact was formally marked with a service of induction. A good number of members and friends from other churches attended, including A Dutch pastor for Magherafelt, Reformed Presbyterian Ted Donnelly and John McDermott of Magherafelt Baptist Northern Ireland Church, which also is now moving in a more Reformed direction.

The new pastor is Alexander Roks, who has recently finished his theological Update on studies at London Seminary. He and his African Pastors’ wife, Roselien, and their teenage children, Daniël and Saralie, hail originally from Conferences the Netherlands, where they were members of a Reformed Baptist Church This time no statistics, but a summary but have now happily relocated to report of one of the conferences held in Magherafelt. November 2018 in Mseleni, KwaZulu- Natal in South Africa. The worship service was introduced by Harry McCrory, a deacon in MRBC The town boasts the efficient and well- and included sung praise, prayers and run Mseleni Hospital as well as the readings; a history of the call, actually a Mseleni Children’s Home, both run, brief history of the church, from another with local help, by surgeon Dr Victor deacon, Sam Gordon; preaching from Fredlund and his wife Rachel. This Pastor Jeremy Walker of Maidenbower missionary couple are sent by Serving on the love of God from 1 John 4; the in Mission and are also APC local laying on of hands, in which Pastor organisers, having lived in this rural Walker was assisted by retired pastor area for many years. Sadly, many of the Austin Walker from Maidenbower, Pastor local inhabitants suffer from a genetic From L to R: Gary Brady, Robert Strivens, Alexander Roks , Austin Walker, Jeremy Walker Gary Brady from Child’s Hill, where the joint disease. Dr Fredlund is also an Roks attended when in London and elder of the local church, situated Magherafelt is a small town in Northern serve the Lord in their community. Over former Seminary principal, Pastor Robert adjacent to the hospital, and used Ireland of eight or nine thousand, largely the years retaining a pastor and elders Strivens, now pastoring in Bradford-on annually by APC as a conference venue. made up of Roman Catholics but with a has proved difficult and the church has Avon. Pastor Roks closed the meeting significant Protestant community. Some often relied on the oversight of other local in prayer. Greetings were then received Pastor David Harding, the main twenty-two years ago a group of believers churches. Initially these were Reformed from churches in America and in Wetzlar, speaker, flew to South Africa from the came together to form the Reformed Baptist churches in America. More recently Germany, and a lovely tea followed. Do UK and joined the APC team at their Baptist Church in the town where they oversight has been with Maidenbower pray for Alexander as he settles into his base in Midrand. Kabelo Makgabo, the now have an attractive building. The Baptist Church, Crawley, conveniently first pastorate. ■ APC Assistant Conference Manager, membership is committed and eager to situated near Gatwick airport. Report by Gary Brady led the team and Sonwabile Gobololo

44 rt rt May - June 2019 45 Subscriptions General Enquiries: Frederick Hodgson, 170 Coach Road, Sleights, Whitby, North Yorks., YO22 5EQ, UK, e: [email protected]

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USA: South Africa: Andy Lutz Matthews Nkuna Single copies Edgewood Baptist Church, 13 Dick Muller Drive, Norkem Park, may be purchased. 3743 Nichol Avenue, Anderson, IN 46011 Gauteng, South Africa 1618, In this case the e: [email protected] Tel +27 72 635 8282 Pastor David Harding, Dr Victor Fredlund and Kabelo Makgabo in the church cost is one-sixth or Chapel Library, e: [email protected] of the annual 2603 W. Wright St. Pensacola, FL 32505 Cheques to Birchleigh Baptist Church handled the books and admin. Both their talks with care, enthusiasm and cost. Postage is e: [email protected] (specify – For RT subscription) young men serve Birchleigh Baptist passion. Common doctrinal errors were included, but ($30 for 1-year subscription) (R130 for 1-year subscription) please note Church in Kempton Park, of which APC dealt with biblically. The talks were well that we have to Singapore & Malaysia: Kenya: is a ministry. They travelled together by received with positive response. The charge extra for Shalom Christian Media Naphtally Ogallo, Grace Baptist Church, road in a vehicle towing a trailer laden delegates said that the teaching was airmail. A 1-year 8 New Industrial Road, Eldoret, PO Box 170-30100 with books. They were joined in Mseleni clear, biblical and helpful and they were subscription has LHK3 Building Mob: +254 723 918 943 # 03-01, Singapore 536200 e: [email protected] by the second speaker, Pastor Sipho grateful for the good teaching sessions. surcharge of £5.00 if airmail delivery e: [email protected] (950 Ksh for 1-year, discount for 5+ Mfusi, who pastors a church in Estcourt in is required. ($35 for 1-year subscription) copies to one address) KwaZulu-Natal. APC has begun a new venture – downloading good, Reformed resources The 26 delegates were mostly Zionist such as sermons, videos, books, websites Donations and Pentecostal/Charismatic. Some and more onto 16gig SD cards which can Donations to RT can be made anytime via the above agents. (UK taxpayers may use gift aid. follow traditional African religion which be used with a cell phone or a computer. Reformation Today is a registered UK charity – number 1017000). includes the worship of ancestors and At present the resources are in English Please make any cheques payable to ‘Reformation Today’. supposed contact with the dead. Many and French but hopefully in future will be Donations to APC: These should be sent to Phil Roberts, 121 Hartshill Road, Hartshill, pastors are not biblical in their doctrine in Zulu and other languages. Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 7LU. Cheques should be made payable to ‘African Pastors’ Conferences’. and syncretism is common. The Mseleni Could UK donors please let Phil Roberts know if they intend to use gift aid. area is well known for its involvement in APC thanks Pastor Fred Malone and superstition and witchcraft. members of First Baptist Church, Clinton, Further Details Los Angeles, USA for their generous Further details about individual APC conferences are available from Both speakers were well prepared, spoke support of this and several other APC Phil Roberts ([email protected]) or powerfully but simply and presented conferences. ■ Frederick Hodgson ([email protected])

46 rt rt May - June 2019 47 TRAIN (Kenya) Helping to Promote the Gospel in Kenya

TRAIN stands for: Truth Reaching Africa In Need

Visit: www.trainkenya.com Please see the article by Keith Underhill on page 35.

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