Free Presbyterian VISIONThe Official Organ of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster REFORMATION 500 REVIEW Jan - Feb 2018 . Issue 31 . £1 Letter from America Consider Christ Update: Ireland’s Call Wanted: Non-Confomrists Ordination and Installation in Australia CONGREGATION CALL: MISSIONARY VISION: 16 LONDONDERRY 22 UGANDA PLAY Park – AND MORE 04 Reformation 500 Review 12 Wanted: Non-Conformists Consider Christ Update Letter from America 06 18 Ireland’s Call Ordination and Installation News 08 20 in South Australia Maxwells Celebrate A Fresh Start 11 21 Thirty Years’ Service Subscriptions Editorial FP Vision nd they continued…’ – three is available from your local Free Presbyterian Church, words much in my mind in or by contacting Colin McKee: Arecent days. In context, they are His followers, well, by following Tel: 028 91821304 Him, by walking in‘Why conformity call ye me to Lord, His Mob: 07764224363 Lord,Word. and Remember do not the how things He which challenged I say?’ [email protected] Publications Committee confirm a genuine work of grace in another audience: those arrested by Peter’s message on Dr R Johnstone (Convenor) the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41-42). (Luke 6:46) Mr I Campbell Subsequent lines reveal that these new Rev D Creane believers demonstrated the reality of And so, the true believer will continue. Rev L Curran (Associate Editor) Faced with the countless temptations Mr C McKee (Business Manager) their conversion by commitment to Rev T Nelson (Editor) apostolic teaching, practical fellowship, and the sore discouragements that Rev G Wilson (Associate Editor) and corporate worship. At Jerusalem assail the Christian in the twenty-first (Secretary) Rev M Lecky they began to thrive individually, and century, he will simply carry on. He to contribute to the life of the local will neither give in, nor give up. He is congregation. called to be true to Christ come what www.freepresbyterian.org may. Practically, this will mean he is The Lord Jesus Christ did not a faithful and dedicated member of authenticate all who professed to follow the church where Christ has placed Him. Mere profession was not – and is him, and a light shining brightly for not – enough.‘If yeAddressing continue inthose my word,Jews the Gospel in a world that grows ever thenwho appearedare ye my to disciples espouse indeed’ discipleship, darker. As 2017 is consigned to history, he declared and the dawn breaks on 2018, this is (John the challenge for us all. ⁞⁞ Timothy Nelson, Design and Print by 8:31). No matter how loudly we affirm [email protected] Pepper Collective our allegiance to Christ, the real test is T: 07729 526366 obedience. We must manifest that we THE YEAR OF OUR REDEMPTION ‘The year of my redeemed is come’ Isaiah 63:3 he redemption of the soul is so precious that nothing save a ransom of infinite value can Tredeem it. brought in the year of everlasting righteousness by His life for without shedding of blood there is no remission’ and death. The Creator and Lawgiver voluntarily subjected No less a ransom price than that of blood Himself to His own law; and His obedience to it unto death will do, ‘ placed upon it a glory and honour that no creature could (Hebrews 9:22). Yet no ordinary blood is worthy. The blood have done. Had ever the law such a subject? In this year of of a mere creature can never satisfy Divine justice nor redemption the covenant of grace, or the testament of Christ, expiate the guilt of the least sin. It must be that THE YEAR OF was confirmed and certified by His own blood. of a chosen Redeemer, sinless in His Person, and HIS REDEEMED That testament now prevails, hence the shadows matchless in His perfection and power. IS THE GREAT of all the Jewish ceremonies are fled away forever. ‘I have JOY OF THE Christ the substance of them all has come. laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted Redeemer’s oneGod chosenthe Father out speaksof the people’of One in the words: HEART. WITH PLEASURE HE The year of His redeemed is the great joy of the (Psalm 89:19). His SENDS FORTH Redeemer’s heart. With pleasure He sends forth chosen is of the seed of the woman and in whom HIS MESSENGERS His messengers to proclaim His salvation unto dwells all the fullness of the Godhead. Who can TO PROCLAIM the ‘the ends day of ofthe the earth. gladness The occasion of his heart’ of His applied declare His generation? Without father as to HIS SALVATION redemption in effectual calling and conversion His human nature‘in himand shallwithout all themother seed asof toIsrael His UNTO THE ENDS is (Song of OF THE EARTH. bedivine justified, nature, and He shall is glory’the heir of all things, our Solomon 3:11). Redeemer and (Isaiah45:25). Let us then celebrate the praises of the One who ‘This peoplehad have the Iyear formed of our for redemption myself, that so they much should upon show His In the Mosaic economy the nearest of kin was forth my praise’heart. His redeemed remember that He has said: to be the avenger of his kinsman’s blood. Christ who is our Kinsman-Redeemer, bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh, (Isaiah 43:21). Israel of old was obliged to came in the greatness of His strength to engage and destroy remember her typical and temporal redemption. Shall we the powers of Hell and dominion of Satan. The year of the not then continually praise Him throughout this New Year redeemed was purposed in eternity. The plan of redemption for our spiritual and eternal redemption? was in God’s heart from before the foundation of the world. ⁞⁞ Rev Leslie Curran There, in the counsels of the Godhead, it was agreed that , Associate Editor, is the Director of Let the Bible the eternal Son would come forth as our glorious Redeemer Speak radio ministry in N Ireland, and a regular preacher on its undertaking man’s redemption. Made of a woman, He worldwide network of broadcasts. 03 REFORMATION 500 REformatION REVIEW Ministers at the Rally he commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the TProtestant Reformation reached its climax with a special Presbytery Rally hosted by Martyrs’ Memorial Church on Friday 27th October 2017. In excess of 2000 people were welcomed by Reformation 500 Committee Convenor Rev Ron Johnstone. A choir brought appropriate items of worship and Committee members Garth Craig, Ian Campbell and Revs Ian Kenny, David Brown, David McMillan and John Greer also contributed. Deputy Moderator Rev Gordon Dane offered prayer and Moderator Rev Thomas Reformation 500 Committee Murray brought a stirring message. Clerk of Presbytery Rev Ian Brown led in the closing affirmation, committing the denomination to Reformation principles, after which all joined in spirit, and acknowledged the vision guide on the five ‘Solas’ and an already singing the Doxology. and encouragement of the Moderator. twice-reprinted book on Martin Luther. Mention was also made of the Presentations were made to designer Those in attendance received a copy Gospel booklet posted to the 787 000 Mark Thompson and to Rev Johnstone of a beautifully produced souvenir residential addresses in N Ireland, for painstaking labour over many brochure in which Rev Johnstone subsequently used elsewhere in the months. Mr Johnstone paid tribute to wrote of the many items produced to UK and in the Republic of Ireland, members of the Committee for their commemorate this historic occasion. Africa and Australia, with permission dedicated service and unanimity of These included an introductory study granted for a German translation for 04 use in Luther’s homeland. In addition, a CD of carefully chosen hymns had been produced to general acclaim, and numerous congregations had made use of the Reformation Display Boards. Many had accessed the website www.justbyfaithalone.net and a variety of groups and individuals had visited the Reformation Room exhibition and tour at Martyrs’ Memorial Church. All in all, it was a memorable year, with many congregations holding special weeks and rallies, all with the dual purpose of educating and evangelising. It is to be hoped that the precious truths of the Reformation era – which were but a rediscovery of the Gospel of the New Testament – will again grip the hearts of our people and usher in those times of refreshing of which we stand in need more than ever. Reformation 500 Committee receiving the tracts ⁞⁞ Editor 05 LETTER FROM AMERICA are visitors here. I think it surprised me, but the shared language (sort of!) can’t hide the differences in thinking and customs. But I’m not seeking sympathy: We live in a beautiful home, in a nice neighbourhood, in a wonderful state. The cupboards are full of good food and the people are very friendly. I want to be honest though, and we appreciate your prayers as we continue to acclimatise. The church family has been a living testimony of the truth of the communion of saints who live God’s in communion with Christ. PEOPLE FACE Very quickly we felt part THE SAME JOYS AND of this family. It feels TRIALS AS IN U.K. THE that we have been CONGREGATION COMPRISES here much longer SINNERS, AND SAVED SINNERS ight months ago the roads GROWING IN GRACE AND than nine months – were daunting, the accents IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF in a good way! Early Just the other Eunfamiliar, the currency CHRIST. on, many members new and the breakfast cereals full day, I was asked: helped us find our way of cinnamon! ‘Have you settled around the highways in now?’ I suppose and the bureaucracy.