At Caesarea Philippi our Lord Jesus Christ declared, 'upon this rock I will build my church'. In his epistle to the Galatians, Paul addresses 'the churches of Galatia' (Galatians 1.2). There is no contradiction between the singular of Christ and the plural of Paul. Scripture interprets scripture and we are obliged by these two statements to reject any absolute independency in church government.
I. The Apostolic Visitation
A. Note that there is a place for visitation in the church. The wider church has an interest in local developments, to encourage spiritual life and to maintain due order.
B. The Apostles would not accept a two-tier Church. We find that here with the Samaritans and in Acts 10 with Gentiles the Pentecostal blessing was extended.
II. Worldliness exposed
A. Spiritual rebirth is essential in order to understand spiritual things. Often the nominal Christian thinks he understands spiritual things but there is no real change in his thought patterns.
B. It is no good mincing words in dealing with the need for spiritual rebirth. Christ was direct with Nicodemus, (John 3.3).
III. Gospel Hope
Can there possibly be hope for such a worldly character? We answer, Yes! And that is why in the most discouraging of circumstances we continue to preach the Gospel.
A. Simon already knew of Christ. (8.12)
B. Simon lacked a spiritual response to the Gospel.
C. Simon needed to repent and pray for forgiveness.
D. Simon had some realization of his need. (8.24).
Conclusion
There are many who sneer at the preaching of the Gospel. They will tolerate the method as long as the message is changed. Th
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Pastor Roy Mohon MA, Dip. Theol. is the minister of the Presbyterian Reformed Church at Stockton-on-Tees. The subordinate standard of the Church is the Westminster Confession of Faith. He has served as Treasurer and committee member for the Trinitarian Bible Society and has...