Free Presbyterian VISIONThe Official Organ of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster Interview: Rev. Gordon Ferguson Investigating the Issues: Abortion 30 YEARS FPC News IN KENYA Margaret Russell reflects on the work at Bible Christian Faith Church Mar - Apr 2013 . Issue 2 . £1 ‘A Look at the Book’: Genesis YOUTH: What Music MISSIONARY VISION 12 should I Listen to? 21 ‘Sending Forth’ Services 04 Interview with Gordon Ferguson 16 A Word to Women 06 Investigating the Issues: Abortion 18 A Look at the Book: Genesis 10 Children’s Corner 20 The Believer’s Books 11 Youth Focus 21 Missionary Vision Editorial Subscriptions ne of the four conventional heard, we long for Divine intervention, for a FP Vision is available from your temperate seasons, following ‘rending of the heavens’ (Isaiah 64:1) local Free Presbyterian Church, winter and preceding summer’ or by contacting Colin McKee: ‘O A certain Virgil Kraft once observed, ‘spring Tel: 028 91821304 – the definition is factual but hardly Mob: 07764224363 inspiring. It does little to convey the shows us what God can do with a drab and [email protected] gentle beauty of spring, and the welcome dirty world’. The wonderful transformation most feel for those months that arrive to witnessed every year in the natural world Presbytery Publications Committee dispel the darkness of winter. is indeed a picture of what He can do in the Dr R Johnstone (Convenor) spiritual realm – life instead of death, light Rev I Kenny (Secretary) instead of darkness, warmth instead of In nature, spring stands for growth, renewal Dr S Barnes coldness. May God revive His work and, as Rev D Creane and new life. Nationally and politically, it is the song says, ‘bring back the springtime’! Rev L Curran (Associate Editor) often a metaphor for the start of better times Mr C McKee (Business Manager) – the celebrated ‘Prague Spring’ of 1968, Rev T Nelson (Editor) and the so-called ‘Arab Spring’ just last year Speaking of new beginnings, I think Free Dr S Pollock (Associate Editor) come to mind – times of hope, of reform, of Rev A Smylie increasing freedom. grateful to all who took time to respond so www.freepres.org Presbyterian Vision still qualifies. I am were such an encouragement! Do continue And what of the church? Does it not need topositively stand with to our us andfirst pray issue for – your us. comments awakening, quickening, a new experience of that blessed phenomenon we call ‘revival’? I think we all know the answer. At a time Timothy Nelson when it is ‘success’ if we can hold the ground ⁞⁞ [email protected] we have, when there is complacency within Designed by Pepper Collective Printed by JC Print. and apathy without, when our voice is barely ‘Risen with ChRist’ “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” Colossians 3:1 he resurrection of Christ of necessity presupposes more dominion over Him! He lives, having the keys of hell and His death. Our Saviour’s death was the completion of death, possessing all power in heaven and in earth. He sits Tof His humiliation. ‘Thou hast brought me into the at the right hand of the Father and as our covenant head He dust of death’ (Psalm 22:15) was a cry that described the has raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly degradation and darkness of the cross. Jesus knew that He places even in Him. Because He lives all who die in Christ shall was to suffer and die as our Substitute – but He also knew that live also. His resurrection is the pattern of theirs, since there death could not hold Him in the grave! is a union between Christ and His people by which they are vitally one. While His body was placed in the earth it could not remain there. He rose bodily from Joseph’s tomb and did what no Though our bodies return to the dust they shall not see one else had done. Elijah raised the widow’s son and Elisha corruption forever! ‘This corruptible must put on incorruption, restored a young man to life; but they were raised from the and this mortal must put on immortality’ (1 Corinthians 15:53). dead to die again. Lazarus too was raised from the dead only As the Saviour rose with the same body, though changed, so to yield his body at the appointed time to the grim reaper. He will change our vile bodies that they may be fashioned Every dying saint falls asleep in Jesus. The body sleeps in its like unto His glorious body. As His body was raised from the lonely bed of earth and the soul goes to be with Christ. so the resurrection of the saints will be to them the day of the Paul reminds us that Christ is ‘the firstfruits of them that slept’ gladnessdead to be of glorifiedtheir hearts. and crowned with gladness and honour, sheaf was brought as a token or pledge of the complete harvest What consolation would there be in this world if the hope of and(1 Corinthians dedicated 15:20).to God During as a testimony the feast ofof the the firstfruits, gratitude the of firstthe the resurrection were taken away? We would be ‘of all men people for the harvest He had given. This was a picture of Christ most miserable’ (1 Corinthians 15:19) – but it is not so, death is swallowed up in victory! ‘Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (1 Corinthians 15:57). ‘the firstfruits’ – a pledge of the resurrection of all who are His. righteous dead were virtually raised in Him. All His chosen hadAs the a resurrection firstfruits, whenChrist theirrose Head as our appeared representative. as ‘risen indeed’.All the ⁞⁞ Rev Leslie Curran, Associate Editor, is the Director of Let the Bible Speak radio ministry in N Ireland and a regular preacher on its worldwide network of broadcasts. He was the first to enter heaven bodily after lying in the grave. The first who rose from the dead to die no more, death has no 03 the inteRview: Rev GoRdon Ferguson TN: Where did you work? GF: I worked in the Ulster Bank for ten TN: You were brought up in the years, first in Belfast, then Lisburn, West, isn’t that so? a spell in Head Office, before GF: Yes. I was actually born in westfinishing again. my Ibanking did enjoy career my in time the Portadown, but County Armagh withArea theOffice bank. in Omagh – back to the childhood memories since we TN: How did you come into the doesn’t figure significantly in any IN EARLY moved to Fermanagh when I was Free Presbyterian Church? DECEMBER just over four. We lived in various GF: My background was Church of 2012, THE GENERAL locations there, near Derrygonelly, Ireland, in common with most PRESBYTERY APPOINTED Protestants in Fermanagh, Lisbellaw – so, yes, my upbringing although we did attend Methodist REV GORDON FERGUSON TO then Springfield, and finally near SUCCEED DR JOHN DOUGLAS was very much in the West. services for a time since the church AS PRINCIPAL OF THE was nearby. TN: WHITEFIELD COLLEGE OF THE What about your schooldays? GF: BIBLE. THE EDITOR CAUGHT UP After primary school I spent almost A friend with a concern for me WITH MR FERGUSON RECENTLY seven years at Portora Royal School brought me to hear various other IN HIS NEW SURROUNDINGS. in Enniskillen. However, I did not preachers including the late Pastor really enjoy my years at school. I Willie Mullan, and Dr Paisley when was glad to move into employment. he ministered in the Ulster Hall. TN: Timothy Nelson GF: Gordon Ferguson 04 It was in Dr Paisley’s Ravenhill Road Church that forward. The church has now been constituted I was converted, through the preaching of visiting and the Rev Patrick Baker has been ordained and American evangelists, in February 1966. While I installed as minister. This is a development for did not leave the Church of Ireland immediately, which we are most grateful. the connection with the Free Church was established, and the break came in 1969. That was TN: Retirement has brought you back to the year Rev Ivan Foster conducted a memorable Northern Ireland. GF: We felt that was the right thing and Anne and services he conducted in our church in Lisbellaw. I prayed that the Lord would open doors of Manymission other in Springfield, family members and I werewas led saved to attend under the usefulness for us as we returned to the Province. ministry of Mr Foster, and, later, Rev Gordon Cooke led my parents to Christ. TN: Were you surprised when asked to consider the work of the College? TN: Lisbellaw brought one very GF: I certainly was. I had known that there would be important encounter. an opportunity for me to help out in teaching the GF: Yes, it was there that I met my wife! Anne has been Greek class, but I had no thoughts of becoming a great help to me and unfailingly supportive in Principal. However, when the contact was made, I the work to which the Lord has called us. I am very felt duty bound to consider the matter before the thankful. Lord. I decided to allow our Presbytery to decide, and I am very conscious of the great responsibility TN: How did you come to be in the ministry? committed to me by the Presbytery. GF: I was concerned about the future and had a sense of calling for some time.