Introduction This is now my 17th day in prison. I’m in prison because I’m unwilling to compromise my convictions before God and allow the state to dictate the manner of worship and fellowship in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Imprisonment is a painful experience. You are away from all of your loved ones… Read More ›
Introduction Equipped with the bible, and in a cell 23 hours a day, you can read a lot of Scripture. Of interest, of course, are Paul’s letters written from prison. In fact, the Bible has much to say about imprisonment in both old and new testaments – something that stands out as I read it… Read More ›
Marijuana becomes legal across Canada this Wednesday, October 17th. As marijuana use becomes normalized—including a host of products containing THC (the active ingredient in marijuana)—how are Christians to react? Is it permissible for Christians to smoke marijuana or use any cannabis products? For these questions, like any other, we must turn to Scripture, God’s word… Read More ›
The following four reasons give sufficient warrant to tell us that baptism should only be given to those who repent and believe and not infants. For a fuller treatment than the summary here, see the essay on the proper recipients of baptism here. 1. The “newness” of the new covenant Baptism is the sign of… Read More ›
Introduction From the time of the Reformation, the dispute has risen, sometimes to fever pitch, regarding the proper recipients of Christian baptism. The magisterial reformer, John Calvin, gave theological expression to the protestant practice of infant baptism, and on the other hand, the radical reformers argued that believer’s baptism is the proper expression of baptism… Read More ›
Our church is led by a plurality of elders or pastors. A question sometimes raised is, “What about deacons?” In the New Testament we have many references to elders, but just a few references are made to the role of deacon within the church. In fact, they are only mentioned by name in two places… Read More ›
At Fairview we practice the Lord’s Supper weekly. (You can read here for an explanation of this practice.) One question that we receive is, who can participate in the Lord’s Supper? Closed, Close, or Open Different churches have different stances on who can participate in the Lord’s Supper. Some practice “closed” communion which permits only… Read More ›
Defending Sunday Worship? Imagine having to defend the practice of gathering together for worship (in song, Scripture reading, and preaching). How would you explain these practices to someone else? What if you also had to give good reasons for gathering together on Sunday to do these things? Would you look at church history? Your own… Read More ›
Lyrics: Venantius Fortunatus (c.530-600), tr. Richard Mant (1837), Public Domain; Alt. words, chorus lyrics, and music: Matt Merker, © 2014 See the destined day arise! See a willing sacrifice! Jesus, to redeem our loss, hangs upon the shameful cross; Jesus, who but You could bear wrath so great and justice fair? Every pang and bitter… Read More ›
The pastors who wrote the Westminster Confession stated, “All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all: yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation are so clearly propounded, and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned,… Read More ›