Begg and Blogging

On my way to Greenville this morning I was listening to a message by Alistair Begg.  Begg just happens to be one of my favorite preachers, so this was no coincidence.  Apart from enjoying his Scotish brogue, I also enjoy Begg's refreshing practicality.  In this particular message he was reading from 2 John, and when he got to verse 12 I couldn't help but think of my new blog.

2 John 12, "Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full."

There are a few reasons why I started a blog, but not one of them is because of my ability to write.  I am not being self-deprecating by any means, but truth is truth.  Over the years I have gotten lazy in my grammar and my sentence structure, and as they say if you don't use it then you lose it.  I regret not being more careful in how I treat the English language; especially when I write. 

You might be wondering what this has to do with 2 John 12?  Notice what John says.  In a nutshell he says that he has many things to say, but he would prefer rather to speak those things as opposed to writing them.  I know exactly how the apostle feels.  I too prefer speaking (aka preaching/teaching) as opposed to writing.  Now lest I be accused of poor exegesis, I understand that John does not say what he says in verse 12 because of poor grammar and sentence structure.  Regardless, I couldn't help but chuckle when I heard Begg read that verse this morning.

I guess what I am saying is that I am a much better speaker than I am a writer.  If anyone is actually taking the time to read this blog I do hope that you will remember that.  The theological, historical, and devotional reflections I write about would probably sound a whole lot better if I were speaking them, but since I cannot speak face to face with everyone then I decided to go ahead and give blogging a try.  If you get nothing else out of this particular post at least go subscribe to Alistair Begg's podcast.  It will be well worth your time.

Benefits of Brotherhood

As the early church faced persecution for their faith at the hands of the Roman Army, the writer of Hebrews reminded them in chapter 1 of the supremacy of Jesus Christ over all things.  No matter what they faced there was nothing worth turning away from Jesus Christ for.  Then in the last half of chapter 2 he encourages the hearts of the true believers by reminding them of their union with Christ by faith alone, by the grace of God alone, because of the finished work of Christ alone.  These are 7 benefits of having Jesus Christ as our elder brother that should be enough to make the hearts of all God's children rejoice.

Hebrews 2:9-18

1. We are sons that are brought unto glory - verse 10
2. We are sanctified - verse 11
3. Christ is not ashamed of us - verse 11
4. Christ declares unto us the Father's name - verse 12
5. We have been given by the Father to the Son - verse 13
6. We are delivered from bondage - verses 14-15
7. We have a merciful and faithful High Priest - verses 16-18

Here's to you, Mr. Robinson!

     I have never been too interested in writing a blog.  I do not have much time to read many blogs, so the time and motivation it takes to write one was always a little out of reach for me.  That all changed this morning as I read the account of the Reverend William Robinson.  I love to see the providential hand of God working throughout history to accomplish his will.  The way God worked in the life of William Robinson and the lives of those whom he touched in Hanover County, Virginia is simply too rare of a jewel not to share.  The account comes from William Henry Foote's Sketches of Virginia First Series.  Please allow me to first set the context for you before diving into Foote's work.

     As a result of the Great Awakening in more eastern states, reflections and inquiries about the matters of true salvation began to arise in Virginia as well. Some people were getting a hold of specific works by Thomas Boston and Martin Luther, and in doing so they found true conversion and things spoken that they were not hearing from their parish Churches. In Hanover County some families dissented from the established church. These families were gathering together in 'reading houses' discussing volumes such as Luther’s commentary on Galatians as opposed to meeting in the established church. They did not have a minister as of yet because they were completely ignorant to the fact that they were becoming Presbyterians. Some had gotten a hold of written sermons preached by George Whitefield. Through these sermons many came to Christ, and the crowds of people leaving the established church to join them began to grow. They were being questioned by the established church as to why they were leaving, and if they had a name for their religious group. As a result they brought before the Governor and Council the Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland as their creed. This enacted the Governor to label them as Presbyterians. William Robinson, a powerful Presbyterian evangelist, was invited to come to Hanover County and preach to these people. This takes us to Foote's account of Robinson's journey through Virginia.
    
     'On the day appointed, Mr. Robinson, after a fatiguing journey, protracted through most of the night proceeding, in order to prevent a disappointment, arrived, and found a large crowd assembled. Mr. (Samuel) Morris and friends proceeded immediately on Mr. Robinson's arrival to have an interview with him in private. In this they inquired of him his denomination, his doctrinal and practical views of religion, and his method of procedure. He produced his testimonials which were full and satisfactory as it regarded his ministerial standing; and gave them his creed and views of practical religion. "Being satisifed" - says Mr. Morris, - "about the soundness of his principles, and being informed that the method of his preaching was awakening, we were very eager to hear him." In none of the few particulars that are left to us, of the proceedings of Mr. Robinson, does he show himself so worthy of his office as Evangelist, as in this interview. The knowledge of human nature of the principles of the gospel, and the practical operations of grace in the heart, producing meekness and candor, - the giving an answer about his creed to those he came to instruct, and a reason of the hope that was in him to these people that did not know what they were themselves, - these things exhibited in this interview, show him to have been a man gifted from on high to be a teacher of babes and an instructor of wise men.'

     'On Sabbath, July 6th, 1743, the first sermon from a Presbyterian minister, was heard in Hanover County, Virginia. The text was Luke 13:3, - "I tell you, nay: but except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish." What a subject for a warmhearted preacher to pour into the ears and hearts of an excited people, assembled, for the first time, to hear an evangelical minister proclaim the solemn truths of the gospel. "He continued" - says Mr. Morris - "with us preaching, four days successively. The congregation was large the first day, and vastly increased the three ensuing. 'Tis hard for the liveliest imagination to form an image of the condition of the assembly on these glorious days of the Son of Man. Such of us as had been hungering for the word before, were lost in agreeable surprise and astonishment, and some could not refrain from publicly declaring their transports. We were overwhelmed with the thoughts of the unexpected goodness of God in allowing us to hear the gospel preached in a manner that surpassed our hopes. Many, that came through curiosity, were pricked to the heart; and but few of the numerous assembly on these four days appeared unaffected. They returned alarmed with apprehensions of their dangerous condition, convinced of their former entire ignorance of religion, and anxiously inquiring what they should do to be saved. And there is reason to believe, there was as much good done by these four sermons, as by all the sermons preached in these parts before or since. Before Mr. Robinson left us he successfully endeavored to correct some of our mistakes; and to bring us to carry on the worship of God more regularly at our meetings. After this we met to read good sermons, and began and concluded with prayer and singing of psalms, which till then we had omitted"' (Foote, pages 127-28).

     As the late Paul Harvey used to tell us the rest of the story, so I will continue at a later date with 'Here's to you, Mr. Robinson! Part Two', but I feel compelled to shoot an arrow or two of reflection at you from withering hands to the glory of Christ and the increase of His Kingdom.

     First of all, how providential that this group of dissenters from the established church came to be known as Presbyterians. Remember how they presented the Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland to the Governor and Council?  It is amazing to learn how they were even able to present that Confession as their stated creed. It was another of God's divine acts of providence. Foote tells us the account of a group of these men that went to answer to the Governor and Council in Williamsburg. He says, 'One of the company, travelling alone, was overtaken and detained, by a violent storm, at the house of a poor man on the road. He interested himself in looking over an old volume, which he found upon a shelf covered with dust. Upon perusing it he was amazed to find his own sentiments, as far as he had formed any on religious things, drawn out in appropriate language; and as far as he read, the whole summary met of his approbation. Offering to purchase the book, the owner gave it to him. In Williamsburg, he examined the old book again, in company with his friends; they all agreed that it expressed their views on the doctrines of religion'(Foote, pg 124).  What was that book? You guessed it - the Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. The God who caused the storm that drove this man into the house of a stranger is the same God who controls all things for His glory and purposes, and gave His Son as the substitutionary atonement for our sins.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

     Secondly, it was not enough for this group of dissenters to simply have the Confession of Faith,  nor was it enough for them to be labeled as Presbyterians. They needed a minister of God to open these truths to them. Therefore, in the providence of God, William Robinson preached as the first Presbyterian minister in Hanover County on July 6th, 1743, and things were never the same. Foote notes that there was much dissent among these folks as to whether or not they should let Mr. Robinson come and preach to them at all. Yet, who can stay the hand of our God? God raised up William Robinson to preach four sermons to these people for the conversion of many, and the firm establishment of believers in the faith of our Lord.