Christ became incarnate or, which is the same thing, became man to put Himself in a capacity for working out our redemption. For though Christ as God was infinitely sufficient for the work, yet to His being in an immediate capacity for it, it was needful that He should not only be God, but man. If Christ had remained only in the divine nature, He would not have been in a capacity to have obtained our salvation; not from any imperfection of the divine nature, but by reason of its absolute and infinite perfection: for Christ, merely as God, was not capable either of that obedience or suffering that was needful.
The divine nature is not capable of suffering; for it is infinitely above all suffering. Neither is it capable of obedience to that law which was given to man. It is as impossible that One, who is only God, should obey the law that was given to man, as it is that He should suffer man’s punishment.
“In no instance does the word ‘gospel’ convey any thought of a mere ‘free-offer of grace’.”
Like so many Bible terms, the word ‘gospel’ has been given various definitions contrary to its original and proper meaning. The word has its origin “in Christ before the foundation of the world.” This was contained in the “promise” God made before the foundation of the world (Titus 1:2). The “gospel”, the “good news” or “good tidings” is the declared fulfilment of that promise.
In Isaiah 61:1-3 is found the outstanding proclamation made by the Sum and Substance of the good tidings, Jesus Christ Himself. “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek. He hath sent Me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.” The Redeemer repeated this same proclamation of Himself in the synagogue…….
On the 11th of May our witness on stand S92 at the Sandown Christian Resources Exhibition was brought to a close, It began on the 8th of May and the campaign ‘Who is on the Lord’s side’ had plenty of exposure, along with our support for the Keep Marriage Special campaign. Many visitors were confused when we asked them to sign the KMS petition, as they had previously signed the much more well known petition C4M – Coalition for marriage. It may help some of our members with our response at the exhibition to their confusion, and answer those who state that one petition is enough.
We explained that while we are pleased to see folk of all religious persuasions, and none, coming out against same sex marriage; nevertheless the KMS petition is to be presented to the government as one based upon Holy Scripture. It was explained that however the world and the men of this world are by nature often revolted by perverse acts: e.g Paedophilia, Tranvestism etc. so that even their own iniquity is found hateful. The Christian stands upon the Holy Oracles of God in their hatred of all sin which is offensive and at enmity against God; and not merely upon the fashionable whims and caprice of men. After all, it was not so long ago when unmarried men and women living together was a matter of shame. Now this ‘living in sin’, seems to be quite acceptable to the majority in society. Just as sodomites living in homosexual ‘civil’ partnerships is winked at by many who are against same sex marriage and signed the C4M petition.
By Rev. David Blunt, Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) – 29th October, 2010.
The Rev. David Blunt of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) on the Isle of North Uist spoke on the subject of “The Antichrist: The Present and Future Threat” at the 2010 Christian Watch Annual Meeting held on 29th October in Luton.
The Rev. Blunt opened his address by highlighting how everyone seems to have heard of the Antichrist, but few seem to really understand the term and in particular who and what Antichrist is. He also warned against the two extremes when considering the Antichrist, of 1) being “over literal” in interpreting the scriptures and 2) “being unduly shy in our approach” to this important matter thinking these are issues too difficult to comprehend. He continued that it was his conviction that the Papacy was the very Antichrist revealed in God’s word and then clearly laid out the development of the Papacy through history until the present day.
Rev. Blunt continued by identifying the new strategies of the Papacy now it can no longer impose its views outside its own “Church” as it did in times past. The first strategy being its apparent reform, the second its hypocritical demands for the very minority rights it so often denies others and, finally, in its ecumenical endeavours to create a “unified” church under the headship of the Pope.
Further Rev. Blunt showed how these new tactics of guile by the Papacy have successfully deceived many including the Monarchy and successive Governments to think that Rome has somehow changed, and is no longer the murderous persecutor of the dark ages. Indeed so successful have these new tactics been that even some professing Christians and “evangelicals” no longer see the Church of Rome as an apostate church but rather have the deeply misguided view that they are “fellow brothers in Christ” and we should join together to fight the forces of secularisation. Rev. Blunt then gave four causes for this worrying shift in attitude.
This excellent address was concluded with an exhortation for true Christians to play their part in the Papacy’s destruction by faithfully contending for, and preaching, the Biblical gospel and, finally, an encouragement to take heart because the final destruction of the Papacy was inevitable, at the Lord’s return.
Rev. David Blunt was born in Essex in 1958 and brought up in Hampshire. He was converted to Christ in 1983 while engaged in scientific research in Scotland and studied at the Free Church College in Edinburgh.
Following ordination to the ministry in the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) in 2000 he served as an Evangelist/Church Planter in Aberdeen.
In 2007 he was inducted as Minister of the North Uist & Grimsay Congregation in the Western Isles. Rev. Blunt is a founding member of the James Begg Society and the author of “Which Bible Version?” published by the Trinitarian Bible Society. He is married to Sybil.
On the 11th of May our witness on stand S92 at the Sandown Christian Resources Exhibition was brought to a close, It began on the 8th of May and the campaign ‘Who is on the Lord’s side’ had plenty of exposure, along with our support for the Keep Marriage Special campaign. Many visitors were confused when we asked them to sign the KMS petition, as they had previously signed the much more well known petition C4M – Coalition for marriage. It may help some of our members with our response at the exhibition to their confusion, and answer those who state that one petition is enough.
Rev. David Blunt was born in Essex in 1958 and brought up in Hampshire. He was converted to Christ in 1983 while engaged in scientific research in Scotland and studied at the Free Church College in Edinburgh.