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Feb
1

C H Spurgeon and 1887

by Admin

Following up the sermon illustration from last Sunday’s Bible talk.

Exert from “The Sword and the Trowel” February 1880 .

“Mr. W. Osborne has resigned the charge of the Thrissell-street Church, Bristol, and has removed to Carlisle, with the view of forming a Baptist church in that important northern town. We beg our brethren in Carlisle rally to the standard, and make this attempt a success”

from “The Sword and the Trowel” November 1880

“Mr. A. A. Saville has left us to continue the work commenced by Mr. Osborne at Carlisle.”

In C. H. Spurgeon Autobiography, Volume 2: The Full Harvest (p. 114) we read.

“Several students, at different periods in the. history of the College, [Spurgeon’s Preachers’ College] on being sent out as pioneers to start new churches, received this singular charge: — “ Cling tightly with both your hands; when they fail, catch hold with your teeth; and if they give way, hang on by your eyelashes!” Mr. Saville went to Carlisle with these words ringing in his ears, and he obeyed them all too literally. With true heroism, he would not let his dear President know the hardships he was enduring for Christ’s sake and the gospel’s; but someone, who discovered the plight he was in, wrote about his trials and sufferings; and as; soon as the tidings reached Mr. Spurgeon, substantial help was sent to him.”

In July 1887 the Carlisle Baptist Church minute book records. “The Rev C Spurgeon laid a cheque on the stone he had laid for £150 from his father C H Spurgeon (£150 has been estimated in 2012 to be the equivalent of £63,500) The entry ends with the words “We thanked God and took courage”

0 Categories : Church

Jan
19

The Bible’s really not about you

by Admin

“Jesus is the true and better Adam who passed the test in the garden and whose obedience is imputed to us.

Jesus is the true and better Abel who, though innocently slain, has blood now that cries out, not for our condemnation, but for acquittal.

Jesus is the true and better Abraham who answered the call of God to leave all the comfortable and familiar and go out into the void not knowing wither he went to create a new people of God.

Jesus is the true and better Isaac who was not just offered up by his father on the mount but was truly sacrificed for us. And when God said to Abraham, “Now I know you love me because you did not withhold your son, your only son whom you love from me,” now we can look at God taking his son up the mountain and sacrificing him and say, “Now we know that you love us because you did not withhold your son, your only son, whom you love from us.”

Jesus is the true and better Jacob who wrestled and took the blow of justice we deserved, so we, like Jacob, only receive the wounds of grace to wake us up and discipline us.

Jesus is the true and better Joseph who, at the right hand of the king, forgives those who betrayed and sold him and uses his new power to save them.

Jesus is the true and better Moses who stands in the gap between the people and the Lord and who mediates a new covenant.

Jesus is the true and better Rock of Moses who, struck with the rod of God’s justice, now gives us water in the desert.

Jesus is the true and better Job, the truly innocent sufferer, who then intercedes for and saves his stupid friends.

Jesus is the true and better David whose victory becomes his people’s victory, though they never lifted a stone to accomplish it themselves.

Jesus is the true and better Esther who didn’t just risk leaving an earthly palace but lost the ultimate and heavenly one, who didn’t just risk his life, but gave his life to save his people.

Jesus is the true and better Jonah who was cast out into the storm so that we could be brought in.

Jesus is the real Rock of Moses, the real Passover Lamb, innocent, perfect, helpless, slain so the angel of death will pass over us. He’s the true temple, the true prophet, the true priest, the true king, the true sacrifice, the true lamb, the true light, the true bread.

The Bible’s really not about you—it’s about him.”

0 Categories : Church, Teaching

Jan
6

How to read the Bible for all it’s worth

by Admin

During January and February on Sunday evenings we will be thinking together about how to get the most out of the Bible. It’s hoped that these sessions will be useful for those who are teaching the bible to others, for example in a small group or in Sunday Club. Even if that is not how you are currently serving they sessions should prove to be helpful and informative for all types and levels of Bible reading and understanding.

0 Categories : Church, Teaching

Jan
1

Sharing books at Carlisle Baptist Church

by Admin

Why not join others from Carlisle Baptist Church sharing books in our “virtual library” at SharedBookshelves.com

What’s this all about?

The aim of this site is to facilitate the sharing of Christian books. Users list the books they own and link up with others at the same church so that members can search their network for books they want to read. An example of this kind of intra-church book-sharing can be found here for St Helen’s Bishopsgate in London, UK.

Once sign up is complete (which is quick and free), you’ll want to start adding books you’re willing to lend to other people. Straight away you’ll be presented with the option of adding books from a suggestion list of popular titles. Alternatively, use the form to search via keyword or ISBN for specific books and add them to your list that way.

Browsing the books already known to belong to members of the church family is another good way to find books you yourself might own. Do this by selecting Search church books. Books you want to read can also be found here and added to your wishlist. The number of copies of each title is shown and clicking on the number takes you to a page with specific information about the book. Names of the owners (and those wishing to read it) are shown along with any reviews.

0 Categories : Church, News

Jan
1

Ephesians

by Admin

Theme

There are two main themes of Ephesians:

(1) Christ has reconciled all creation to himself and to God, and

(2) Christ has united people from all nations to himself and to one another in his church.

These great deeds were accomplished through the powerful, sovereign, and free working of the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and are recognized and received by faith alone through his grace.

In light of these great truths, Christians are to lead lives that are a fitting tribute of gratitude to their great Lord.

More about the Ancient City of Ephesus

An important port city on the west coast of Asia, Ephesus boasted the temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world). Just a few decades before Paul, Strabo called Ephesus the greatest emporium in the province of Asia Minor (Geography 12.8.15; cf. 14.1.20–26). However, the silting up of the harbor and the ravages of earthquakes caused the abandonment of the harbor city several centuries later. Today, among the vast archaeological remains, some key structures date from the actual time of the NT.

The grandiose theater, where citizens chanted “great is Artemis of the Ephesians” (Acts 19:29–40), had been enlarged under Claudius near the time when Paul was in the city. It held an estimated 20,000 or more spectators. The theater looked west toward the port. From the theater a processional way led north toward the temple of Artemis. In the fourth century b.c. the Ephesians proudly rebuilt this huge temple with their own funds after a fire, even refusing aid from Alexander the Great. The temple surroundings were deemed an official “refuge” for those fearing vengeance, and they played a central part in the economic prosperity of the city, even acting at times like a bank. A eunuch priest served the goddess Artemis, assisted by virgin women. Today very little remains of that once great temple beyond its foundations and a sizable altar, although the nearby museum displays two large statues of Artemis discovered elsewhere in Ephesus.

The wealth of some residents of Ephesus is apparent in the lavish terrace houses just off Curetes Street. Later inscriptions mention a guild of silversmiths and even give the names of specific silversmiths (cf. Demetrius the silversmith, mentioned in Acts 19:24). However, as in most Roman cities, many people would have been in the servant class, and others would not have claimed much wealth. By the end of the second century (after the NT period) many other monumental structures were added, including some important gymnasia and the famous Library of Celsus. Remains of the giant Byzantine Church of Mary remind one that this former pagan town later hosted an important church council (the Council of Ephesus, a.d. 431).

This information and much more about the letter to the Ephesians can be found at http://www.esvbible.org/resources/esvsb/introduction-to-ephesians/