The London Presbyterian Conference 2012 turned out to be a huge blessing to many people, on many levels. For those who were not able to attend the conference, the sermons are now available on the EPCEW website.
The link is: http://www.epcew.org.uk/art/index.html
There may also be people who were at the conference but they also want to listen to the sermons again.
Enjoy!
Kevin Bidwell
Tuesday, 13 November 2012
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
A Christian's Pocket Guide to Baptism by Robert Letham
The sub-title for this book published by Christian Focus Publications (2012) is: "The Water that Unites". This should immediately grab our attention because often discussion on the subject of baptism among Christian's appears sometimes to do the opposite. This little book is a summary of the historic reformed position on baptism which includes children of a believing parent(s).
There are nine mini-chapters and I recommend this to all Baptists also to read. Why is that? Well, I do not make the recommendation as a subversive way to convert them to our presbyterian position (though that would be great), but rather to foster a greater degree of understanding and humility on all sides. Paul's admonitions are so valuable and here are three of them.
Ephesians 5:2 "Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God".
Philippians 2:3 "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves".
Romans 12:18 "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all".
I would not want to stir up controversy regarding baptism but quite honestly some comments I have received from Baptists regarding a presbyterian view on baptism have sometimes been founded on a misunderstanding.
One section towards the end of the book is worth it's "weight in gold". It is entitled "Is it Biblical to Require a Conversion Narrative of Christian Children?" (p 99-101). No matter what one's persuasion on baptism, this section is of great pastoral use to every section of the church. I commend this book to you!
There are nine mini-chapters and I recommend this to all Baptists also to read. Why is that? Well, I do not make the recommendation as a subversive way to convert them to our presbyterian position (though that would be great), but rather to foster a greater degree of understanding and humility on all sides. Paul's admonitions are so valuable and here are three of them.
Ephesians 5:2 "Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God".
Philippians 2:3 "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves".
Romans 12:18 "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all".
I would not want to stir up controversy regarding baptism but quite honestly some comments I have received from Baptists regarding a presbyterian view on baptism have sometimes been founded on a misunderstanding.
One section towards the end of the book is worth it's "weight in gold". It is entitled "Is it Biblical to Require a Conversion Narrative of Christian Children?" (p 99-101). No matter what one's persuasion on baptism, this section is of great pastoral use to every section of the church. I commend this book to you!
Thursday, 1 November 2012
The Third Mark of the Church
John Calvin was not a detached theologian; he was a pastor at heart, and one who refused to drive a wedge between theology and practical ecclesiology. In 1539, during a time of temporary exile in Strasbourg, the pastor from the church at Geneva clearly defended the Reformed doctrine of the church in a letter to Cardinal Sadolet. He writes that ‘there are three things on which the safety of the church is founded, namely, doctrine, discipline and the sacraments’(1) and also that ‘the body of the church, to cohere well, must be bound together by discipline as with sinews’(2). This concern for a well ordered church highlights discipline as a third strand of Reformed ecclesiology.
This third mark is widely accepted among Reformed scholars and Berkhof explains that the faithful exercise of discipline is ‘absolutely essential to the purity of the church’(3) a notion also clearly upheld by Clowney (4). The Scottish Reformation unashamedly walked in Calvin’s footsteps and modelled itself on Geneva and it is no coincidence that John Knox and Andrew Melville prepared books of discipline. Donald Macleod explains that their intention was that ‘the church must have proper biblical organisation’ if things were to be done decently and in order, to which end ‘functionaries and officers are to be appointed to facilitate the life and mission of the church’(5). However, Macleod has a clear and important goal in sight in that he asserts that ‘the church must organise itself in such a way, that it can serve the gospel with maximum efficiency’(6). This third mark is arguably a vital component for the maintenance of the first two, which may well stand or fall by the effective upholding of church discipline as part of the exercise of the ministry in the congregations.
1. John Calvin, ‘Reply by John Calvin to the Letter by Cardinal Sadolet to the Senate and the People of Geneva’ in Calvin’s Tracts Relating to the Reformation, Vol. 1 (Edinburgh: The Calvin Translation Society, 1844), p 38.
2. John Calvin, ‘Reply by John Calvin to the Letter by Cardinal Sadolet to the Senate and the People of Geneva’ in Calvin’s Tracts Relating to the Reformation, Vol. 1 (Edinburgh: The Calvin Translation Society, 1844), p 55.
3. Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1958, repr. 2005), pp 576-8.
4. Edmund P. Clowney, Living in Christ’s Church (Philadelphia: Great Commission Publications, 1986), pp 130-6, offers helpful discussion of these three marks.
5. Donald Macleod, A Faith to Live By: Understanding Christian Doctrine (Fearn, Ross-shire: Christian Focus Publications Ltd., 1998), pp 259-60.
6. Donald Macleod, A Faith to Live By: Understanding Christian Doctrine (Fearn, Ross-shire: Christian Focus Publications Ltd., 1998), pp 259-60.
This third mark is widely accepted among Reformed scholars and Berkhof explains that the faithful exercise of discipline is ‘absolutely essential to the purity of the church’(3) a notion also clearly upheld by Clowney (4). The Scottish Reformation unashamedly walked in Calvin’s footsteps and modelled itself on Geneva and it is no coincidence that John Knox and Andrew Melville prepared books of discipline. Donald Macleod explains that their intention was that ‘the church must have proper biblical organisation’ if things were to be done decently and in order, to which end ‘functionaries and officers are to be appointed to facilitate the life and mission of the church’(5). However, Macleod has a clear and important goal in sight in that he asserts that ‘the church must organise itself in such a way, that it can serve the gospel with maximum efficiency’(6). This third mark is arguably a vital component for the maintenance of the first two, which may well stand or fall by the effective upholding of church discipline as part of the exercise of the ministry in the congregations.
1. John Calvin, ‘Reply by John Calvin to the Letter by Cardinal Sadolet to the Senate and the People of Geneva’ in Calvin’s Tracts Relating to the Reformation, Vol. 1 (Edinburgh: The Calvin Translation Society, 1844), p 38.
2. John Calvin, ‘Reply by John Calvin to the Letter by Cardinal Sadolet to the Senate and the People of Geneva’ in Calvin’s Tracts Relating to the Reformation, Vol. 1 (Edinburgh: The Calvin Translation Society, 1844), p 55.
3. Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1958, repr. 2005), pp 576-8.
4. Edmund P. Clowney, Living in Christ’s Church (Philadelphia: Great Commission Publications, 1986), pp 130-6, offers helpful discussion of these three marks.
5. Donald Macleod, A Faith to Live By: Understanding Christian Doctrine (Fearn, Ross-shire: Christian Focus Publications Ltd., 1998), pp 259-60.
6. Donald Macleod, A Faith to Live By: Understanding Christian Doctrine (Fearn, Ross-shire: Christian Focus Publications Ltd., 1998), pp 259-60.
Monday, 22 October 2012
BBC Radio Interview on the Berlin Church Planting Work
Dear all,
BBC Radio Sheffield rang me up on Friday asking if they could interview me live on Sunday morning regarding our work of church planting in Berlin. Here is the link and scroll to 1:38 to avoid listening to the whole programme.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00zblzq (This is no longer available on the BBC I-Player to be listened to)
Be gracious with me as you listen. This interview was live and I had no idea what questions I would be asked except that it would be about the work in Berlin. She has interviewed me twice before and that helps to build a rapport.
In the work of the gospel,
Kevin Bidwell
PS Please continue to pray for our work in Sheffield and now also Berlin.
Pps It is only available on the website for the next 6 days.
BBC Radio Sheffield rang me up on Friday asking if they could interview me live on Sunday morning regarding our work of church planting in Berlin. Here is the link and scroll to 1:38 to avoid listening to the whole programme.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00zblzq (This is no longer available on the BBC I-Player to be listened to)
Be gracious with me as you listen. This interview was live and I had no idea what questions I would be asked except that it would be about the work in Berlin. She has interviewed me twice before and that helps to build a rapport.
In the work of the gospel,
Kevin Bidwell
PS Please continue to pray for our work in Sheffield and now also Berlin.
Pps It is only available on the website for the next 6 days.
Saturday, 13 October 2012
Reformation Christianity for Today: November 2012
In 2008, we had the first study conference for men. This came at the request of some young men who were studying for the ministry but they had a whole range of questions that they wanted to ask concerning their new found reformed convictions. This conference has continued one year at a time. If you are a man and you would like to join us, here are the details of this years programme.
Reformation Christianity for Today: 2012
Venue: Bawtry Hall, Doncaster.
Friday 9th November 2012
9:45am Arrival , & Tea and Coffee
10:15am Session 1
Opening Devotion (Andrew Graham)
The Ingredients of Public Worship (Kevin Bidwell)
Greek Exegesis of the Main Points of Hebrews 12:18-29 (Dominik Frank)
Session 2: The Call to Worship, Congregational Singing and the Benediction (Kevin Bidwell)
Devotion (Phil Baiden)
7:30-9. 30pm Session 3
Lessons from the Life of John Paton, Missionary to the New Hebrides (Andrew Graham)
Prophesying?: A Biblical and Reformed Understanding (Bill Schweitzer)
Saturday 10th November 2012
9.30-12.30, Session 4 (Coffee Break around 10:45am)
Devotion (Paul Thorpe)
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Kevin Bidwell)
Preaching: The Theological Examination of Ministers (Joel Halcomb)
The Saturday afternoon we will have time to relax and a game of five-a-side football may be organised.
4.00-6.00pm Session 5
Devotion
Delighting in the Christian Sabbath (Kevin Bidwell)
Closing Devotion
6.00 pm Evening Meal
Kevin Bidwell is the minister of Sheffield Presbyterian Church
Andrew Graham is the conference administrator and he is the minister of Bradley Road Evangelical Church, Wrexham
Joel Halcomb has completed research at the University of Cambridge on the Westminster Assembly. He is involved with Chad van Dixhoorn on the Westminster Assembly Project.
Dominik Frank is training for the ministry at the University of Tübingen, Germany.
Bill Schweitzer is the minister of Gateshead Presbyterian Church.
If you would like to come then please email Andrew Graham as soon as possible: andrewmichaelgraham@gmail.com
Reformation Christianity for Today: 2012
Venue: Bawtry Hall, Doncaster.
Friday 9th November 2012
9:45am Arrival , & Tea and Coffee
10:15am Session 1
Opening Devotion (Andrew Graham)
The Ingredients of Public Worship (Kevin Bidwell)
Greek Exegesis of the Main Points of Hebrews 12:18-29 (Dominik Frank)
Session 2: The Call to Worship, Congregational Singing and the Benediction (Kevin Bidwell)
Devotion (Phil Baiden)
7:30-9. 30pm Session 3
Lessons from the Life of John Paton, Missionary to the New Hebrides (Andrew Graham)
Prophesying?: A Biblical and Reformed Understanding (Bill Schweitzer)
Saturday 10th November 2012
9.30-12.30, Session 4 (Coffee Break around 10:45am)
Devotion (Paul Thorpe)
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Kevin Bidwell)
Preaching: The Theological Examination of Ministers (Joel Halcomb)
The Saturday afternoon we will have time to relax and a game of five-a-side football may be organised.
4.00-6.00pm Session 5
Devotion
Delighting in the Christian Sabbath (Kevin Bidwell)
Closing Devotion
6.00 pm Evening Meal
Kevin Bidwell is the minister of Sheffield Presbyterian Church
Andrew Graham is the conference administrator and he is the minister of Bradley Road Evangelical Church, Wrexham
Joel Halcomb has completed research at the University of Cambridge on the Westminster Assembly. He is involved with Chad van Dixhoorn on the Westminster Assembly Project.
Dominik Frank is training for the ministry at the University of Tübingen, Germany.
Bill Schweitzer is the minister of Gateshead Presbyterian Church.
If you would like to come then please email Andrew Graham as soon as possible: andrewmichaelgraham@gmail.com
Saturday, 6 October 2012
London Presbyterian Conference, 2012
Twenty-five years ago, the Presbyterian Association in England, forerunner of EPCEW, was formed. The London Presbyterian Conference 2012 will, we trust, be a reminder of the grace of God over the last quarter of a century to our denomination, and an opportunity to engage with those who are interested in EPCEW and who are in sympathy with our desire to plant churches in England and Wales. The purpose of this conference is threefold.
1). To present biblical and warm-hearted Presbyterianism. This day will provide a window through which people can learn more of EPCEW.
2). To foster and develop our church planting contacts with a view to seeing new churches planted in the years ahead.
3). To be a rallying point for our church members as well as our office bearers.
Date: Saturday 20th October, 2012
Venue: Regent Hall, 275 Oxford Street, London W1C 2DJ
Time: 11.00am for 11:30am until 4.00pm.
Programme
Introduction
"Building Christ's Church" by Rev. Dr Robert Letham
"The Challenges and Opportunities of Church Planting"
Rev. Dr. Kevin Bidwell
Lunch
A Time of Prayer led by Rev. Andy Young and Rev. Dr Bill Schweitzer
"Thus Far has the Lord Led Us: A Historical Review of the Last 25 Years" by Rev. Brian Norton
"Warm Hearted Presbyterianism" by Rev. Ian Hamilton
There is a bookstall with a range of reformed books at excellent prices. A nominal charge of £5.00 will be made on the day for registration to help cover the costs.
This conference is open for all including families. This is not just for ministers and elders. If you cannot come then please pray for the Lord's blessing upon this momentous occasion to celebrate a recovery of confessional presbyterianism in England and Wales.
1). To present biblical and warm-hearted Presbyterianism. This day will provide a window through which people can learn more of EPCEW.
2). To foster and develop our church planting contacts with a view to seeing new churches planted in the years ahead.
3). To be a rallying point for our church members as well as our office bearers.
Date: Saturday 20th October, 2012
Venue: Regent Hall, 275 Oxford Street, London W1C 2DJ
Time: 11.00am for 11:30am until 4.00pm.
Programme
Introduction
"Building Christ's Church" by Rev. Dr Robert Letham
"The Challenges and Opportunities of Church Planting"
Rev. Dr. Kevin Bidwell
Lunch
A Time of Prayer led by Rev. Andy Young and Rev. Dr Bill Schweitzer
"Thus Far has the Lord Led Us: A Historical Review of the Last 25 Years" by Rev. Brian Norton
"Warm Hearted Presbyterianism" by Rev. Ian Hamilton
There is a bookstall with a range of reformed books at excellent prices. A nominal charge of £5.00 will be made on the day for registration to help cover the costs.
This conference is open for all including families. This is not just for ministers and elders. If you cannot come then please pray for the Lord's blessing upon this momentous occasion to celebrate a recovery of confessional presbyterianism in England and Wales.
Monday, 1 October 2012
The Marks of the Church (The Lord's Supper)
The second mark of a true church is the right administration of the sacraments, which are baptism and the Lord's Supper. My concern in these blog articles is to contend for the honour of the Lord and the pastoral well-being of Christians. New traditions can be formed quickly. So quickly that they may gain acceptance to be the norm and become solidified unchallenged. This can be the case with respect to the administration of the Lord's Supper.
Communion was instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ and therefore it is to be a vital feature for the life and health of the church. Paul records these words of institution for the Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, and they are also found in Matthew, Mark and Luke's Gospel. "For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread" (1 Cor. 11:23).
Paul the apostle had a rich understanding concerning the Lord's Supper as he wrote: "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?" (1 Cor. 10:16). This kind of rich language concerning our communion with Christ, spiritually speaking, through the Communion is probably a neglected theme.
With respect to the administration of this sacrament how is it commonly administered? Is it served as a quick snack, like fast food or is it served a rich feast to nourish the church? In my experience over the years, it is all too common that the Lord's Supper is served hastily and this can deny the church the blessings for which Christ intended for the church.
Listen to the Westminster Larger Catechism on this subject.
Question 170: How do they that worthily communicate in the Lord's Supper feed upon the body and blood of Christ therein?
Answer: As the body and blood of Christ are not corporally or carnally present in, with, or under the bread and wine in the Lord's Supper, and yet are spiritually present to the faith of the receiver, no less truly and really than the elements themselves are to their outward senses; so they that worthily communicate in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, do therein feed upon the body and blood of Christ, not after a corporal and carnal, but in a spiritual manner; yet truly and really, while by faith they receive and apply unto themselves Christ crucified, and all the benefits of his death.
Let us all join in prayer for a recovery of the right administration of the Lord's Supper for the honour and glory of the Triune God.
Communion was instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ and therefore it is to be a vital feature for the life and health of the church. Paul records these words of institution for the Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, and they are also found in Matthew, Mark and Luke's Gospel. "For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread" (1 Cor. 11:23).
Paul the apostle had a rich understanding concerning the Lord's Supper as he wrote: "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?" (1 Cor. 10:16). This kind of rich language concerning our communion with Christ, spiritually speaking, through the Communion is probably a neglected theme.
With respect to the administration of this sacrament how is it commonly administered? Is it served as a quick snack, like fast food or is it served a rich feast to nourish the church? In my experience over the years, it is all too common that the Lord's Supper is served hastily and this can deny the church the blessings for which Christ intended for the church.
Listen to the Westminster Larger Catechism on this subject.
Question 170: How do they that worthily communicate in the Lord's Supper feed upon the body and blood of Christ therein?
Answer: As the body and blood of Christ are not corporally or carnally present in, with, or under the bread and wine in the Lord's Supper, and yet are spiritually present to the faith of the receiver, no less truly and really than the elements themselves are to their outward senses; so they that worthily communicate in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, do therein feed upon the body and blood of Christ, not after a corporal and carnal, but in a spiritual manner; yet truly and really, while by faith they receive and apply unto themselves Christ crucified, and all the benefits of his death.
Let us all join in prayer for a recovery of the right administration of the Lord's Supper for the honour and glory of the Triune God.
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