Is your calling to be a 'rope-holder'?

Every church evangelist, pastor, pioneer, minister, vicar (whatever the title) needs a right-hand man/woman!

Is your calling to be the 'second-fiddle'?  Every church, para-church organisation needs one, as well as the usual close team and the wider circle of committed believers.

Barnsley is famous for many things, including the birthplace of one extraordinary Christian pioneer, James Hudson Taylor (JHT).  I have at least 8 biographies of JHT on my bookshelf and how his mission work reached the millions in China.  I have one biography on Benjamin Broomhall (B.B.) 'A Flame of Sacred Love' by Norman Cliffe, published by OM & OMF. 

Who is B.B?  He was JHT's right-hand man back in England.

Apart from the supernatural partnership that JHT had with the living God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, humanely speaking B.B. was the man behind the man (JHT).  B.B. and his wife Amelia (sister to JHT) had found "their destiny" (p40) in ensuring the 'China Inland Mission' base back in the UK developed, and endured with a fruitful ministry that indeed counted for eternity, providing the support and infrastructure for the mission work in China.  It was "undoubtedly a case of the right person being in the right place at the right time" (p46). 

One principle he followed, based on his business background was to "only sell success" p53 which in reference to the magazine 'China's millions' meant "omitting any references to set backs and dismissals".  Hmmm...debatable point for honest and transparent Christianity, but I can see his point.  He was, after all, building an organisation from the other side of the world to JHT and his growing band of pioneers who were bravely and courageously venturing into unknown areas of China with the good news of Jesus.  This was in the days communication was a bit different from the instant communication of 2012.

To quote William Carey, the original modern pioneer missionary, would say of his right-hand man, "I'll go down the mine if you will hold the rope".  There is no doubt that B.B, (and JHT had another right-hand man previously - William Berger), was a rope-holder.  "The very nature of rope-holding is remaining in the background when important work is done" (p124).  But the work cannot be done with the rope-holder.

Is God calling you to be a right-hand man/woman for the spread of the gospel?  Benjamin Broomhall and his wife Amelia are unsung heroes, but without them, perhaps the church in China today would not be growing as fast.  At the last estimated count 8% of the 1.3 billion population are Christian - that's over 100 millions followers of Jesus Christ.

Are you called to be the 'rope-holder'?

The Ninth Commandment of God

“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour” –

Exodus 20.16

Preached at Gateway on 11^th November 2012.

Last week, the top boss at the BBC resigned, because of allegations made on a ‘Newsnight’ report about a named politician being linked with abuse in Care Homes in north Wales back in the 70’s.  This has proved to be untrue about the politician, with significant consequences hitting the BBC.  Journalistic standards have declined.

It’s easy to judge others and not examine our own hearts and lives.  Sometimes we are very economical with the truth, or we manipulate or we lie – in order to get our way or protect our reputation.  A Gallup morality poll discovered that 10% lie to the Taxman and 30% lie to their Spouse!

“You shall not give false testimony”.  This is a positive command of God expressed in a negative form – it’s God’s way of catching your attention.  These 10 Commandments show us the real God and they reveal the true you and me.  We read elsewhere in the Bible,

“God is not a man, that he should lie”, Numbers 23.19

“the Glory of Israel does not lie”, 1 Samuel 15.29

“God, who does not lie”, Titus 1.2

“it is impossible for God to lie”, Hebrews 6.18

The fact that the ninth commandment says, “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour”, reveals more of God’s standard.  God is a person of Truth.  There is nothing false about God.  He has complete integrity.  He does not manipulate, he does not spin a tale, he does not stretch the truth, he does not try to pull the wool over your eyes.  He’s not devious or conniving.  He does twist the truth, or cover up.  He does not exaggerate.

God says what he means and he means what he says.  He has told us so in a book – the Bible – God’s Word.  Why do you think every working day across the nation, and across the world, people in courts of law, who are giving testimony, place their hand on the Bible and promise to tell the truth, whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

But because we have broken fellowship with God, falsehood and lying is an everyday occurrence.  Rather than being in league with the living God, so many people are in league with the Devil.  This is how Jesus described a bunch of religious people, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire.  He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth. For there is no truth in him.  When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8.44).

So when you lie, you speak the devil’s native language.  J.John once said, “Honesty is: everything we say is true, but not everything true must be said”.  Discretion and wisdom is needed to know what to say in every situation.

The apostle Paul writing a devastating critique, described humankind in Romans 1.25 like this, “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie”.  This ninth Commandment is there to pull us back from committing falsehood.  Telling lies ruins relationships, it causes chaos, it sparks conflicts.  Whereas truth builds trust, a stable society is established upon the foundations of integrity.

Remember the original context of God’s commandments.  God had miraculously brought the Israelites out of captivity, the horrors of slavery in Egypt.  He had set them free, they were his chosen people.  Here they are in the book of Exodus on their way from Egypt to the promised land, a land flowing with milk and honey.  But God knowing the reality of human nature delivers these 10 commandments and many more laws for his people, because he wants to protect them.  It’s like, if we never teach our kids about crossing the road safely, they are more likely to be hurt.  My own children know my commandment of crossing the road safely, looking and listening and not running.  It is for their well-being and because they are loved.  So likewise, on a much bigger scale, God’s 10 Commandments.  They are there for your protection and well-being, because you are loved.

God actually and factually wrote these 10 Commandments – just 10 – in stone.  They were set in two tablets of stone, inscribed by the finger of God, which Moses took down from the top of Mount Sinai.  These 10 are absolute, not obsolete, and they were to be lived out by the people of God – the Israelites.

We are the church today – the people of God - and these 10 should shape our lives.  The church of God in Barnsley, this local church Gateway need to have a distinctive character.  If a report was carried out on the people of Gateway – it should hopefully read, they are content with what they have, not coveting, rather are generous in their giving (reference to the tenth Commandment).  They are a people who speak the truth, who stand up for truth, who can be trusted to the max, who ooze integrity out of every pore, who shun and form of deviation from the truth (reference to the ninth Commandment).  That’s what we’re to aim for.

But the thing is this...let’s get this straight...as we move to preparing for the baptisms taking place today.  You are not a Christian because you keep the tenth Commandment, "You shall not Covet".  You are a not a Christian because you keep the ninth Commandment, "You shall not give false testimony".

Keeping the 10 Commandments do NOT make you a Christian.  Yes, they are very admirable achievements if you seek to hold to them, they may make you religious, but they do not make you a Christian.  Remember the true way to read the Bible – it’s not a case that there are good people and there are bad people – rather it’s the case of there are bad people and there is Jesus, One who was and is perfectly good.

The sobering truth is you have broken the ninth Commandment in some form or way at different points in your life.  In fact a lot more times than you are ready to admit or recall.  There are different kinds of false testimony – gossip, flattery and slander, not forgetting the silent lie.  James reminds us, “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it” (James 2.10).

The 10 Commandments show us our need of Jesus.  Because of God’s amazing love, He comes himself into our world in our image – as one of us.  Jesus Christ – the Son of God.  If you want to know what God is like, look to the person of Jesus in the gospels.  He kept the 10 Commandments perfectly, and though he experienced temptation, he was without sin.  What God the Son accomplished for you and I, was he died on the cross in your place, for your sin.  He took the blame instead of you.  On this Remembrance Sunday, Jesus puts it so well, “Greater love has no-one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command” (John 15.13-14).  The judgement of the Father fell on the Son, and if you put your trust in Jesus, the judgement of God will be lift from YOU.  Like the Israelites, you’ll be free, not from literal slavery, but the slavery of sin.  God, by his Holy Spirit will come into your life.  He will give you new desires.  What makes you a Christian is putting your life into the hands of Jesus who was good enough.  You will be clothed in his righteousness.  So when God looks upon you, he’s see you as holy and pure, not because of your record, but because of the spotless record of Jesus that is transferred to you.

You’ll find as a new Christian, you will want to obey the 10 Commandments, you’ll have God’s power available to resist falling into sin.  “Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbour” (Ephesians 4.25).

Today we rejoice that four people, there may be more, wish to publically declare that they have put their trust, not in their own righteousness which is never good enough, but in the righteousness of Jesus.  By baptism, they are identifying their lives with the living God in Jesus, who died and rose again.  So they too, by baptism will die to sin and rise to new life.

In Jesus, trusting him, trusting God, their sins, their shortcomings, past, present and future are washed away by the death of Jesus, symbolised by the waters of baptism.  They are also declaring commitment to serving the risen Jesus in their local church - Gateway Church.  As I finish, God is Truth, we have lied, Jesus saves us from our sinfulness and the father of lies, the devil, by us being baptised into his perfect death and resurrection, transformed to live like him our Lord and Saviour.

As I finish, on this note of Baptism, with the ninth Commandment ringing in our ears, ‘You shall not give false testimony’, which you can further explore in your mid-week Growth Groups with plenty of application – let me say this:

We are the church, and because we are clothed with Christ, as Colossians 3.9-10 puts it, ‘Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator’.

Jesus - the Risen King

Gospel of John 20.19-23 : The Risen King
Part of a message preached at Gateway on 23 September 2012

Introduction

At Gateway we like to preach the Bible...why?  God speaks.  In God’s Word we discover God’s dealings with humankind through history – how not to live (there’s so much that should make us wince) as well as how to live a correct life, pleasing to God.  But above all the Bible is about a Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Son of God to the rescue – the King himself – who saves you from the most serious of human predicaments: sin, death and eternal separation from God himself.  No matter how correct a life you live, it’s never good enough, that’s why you need a Saviour.  The Bible in a rich and extraordinary way tells you about the one and only Saviour who can meet your need – Jesus Christ.  It’s all about Jesus Christ.

Today we conclude a mini-series from John’s Gospel – which has kicked off our time at Mottram Hall.  It’s a series called, ‘It’s all about Jesus Christ’.

Read John 20.30-31

Week 1 we looked at John 12.20-33 thinking about 3 things at our first meeting at Mottram Hall:

1)   Expect people different from you to turn up at Gateway

2)   Expect to be challenged about your commitment to Gateway

3)   Expect the death and resurrection of Jesus to be central in Gateway

With that third point in mind we looked last week at the death of Jesus, a snapshot of the cross John 19.16-22 which revealed truths about King Jesus:

1)   A crucified King

2)   A universal King

3)   The King of Kings

Today, we’re thinking about the Risen King in the passage John 20.19-23.  Again it’s just a snapshot, one of many that we could consider about this fact – Jesus resurrected from the dead.  Let me repeat that – Jesus resurrected from the dead.

Yes, some people have been resuscitated or even miraculously raised from the dead.  We only have to consider Lazarus in John 11 – whom Jesus raised from the tomb after 4 days of burial.  But the problem is the Lazarus’ of this world eventually died...again.

Jesus was resurrected – different – never to die again.  It’s factual.  It happened.  The evidence for the resurrection is overwhelming.  Of course people choose to ignore or simply bury their heads in the sand, or dismiss such an event.  It doesn’t happen.  Of course it doesn’t happen, that’s why the resurrection of Jesus is so mind-blowing – because it really did happen.  From a neutral point of view, if it’s true, it changes everything in your life, because then everything else is true about the Christian faith.  If it’s false, everything else about Christianity collapses lack a pack of cards.

FEAR

Verse 19 tells us everything about the nature of sin and death summed in one word – FEAR.  The disciples, these followers of Jesus, had been everywhere with Jesus during the last 3 years.  They had witnessed his astounding miracles and heard his amazing teaching.  Jesus had even given them the chance to minister to others in his name.  Numerous times Jesus had told them clearly, ‘I am going to be killed, and I shall rise again’.  There are 2 parts here...death and resurrection.  Part 1 - The disciples have seen Jesus die, they witnessed his crucifixion.  They were there at the foot of the cross.  They saw him taken down, they saw where he was buried, indeed by two of Jesus’ own supporters.  But they don’t get part 2 – they have no anticipation about part 2 – they just don’t see it coming.

That’s human nature – part 1 – death.  We all expect that.  But part 2 – resurrection – no it's off our radar screen!

So here they are terrified.  The eleven specifically commissioned by Jesus, hand-picked to be on his mission team – are huddled together somewhere, most likely the same room where they shared the Last Supper with Jesus 3 days previous.  They have locked the doors.  They have hit rock bottom.  They are confused.  They have heard rumours from the women followers and two on their way to Emmaus that Jesus has come back to life.  They are terrified of the religious authorities...if the authorities crucified Jesus what will they do to his followers, hence they take precautions to lock the doors.  They can’t make sense of what is going on.

There are many people, who in the absence of Jesus in their lives, experience fear.  Perhaps you today feel at rock-bottom, or you are confused in life – not sure which way to turn.  Perhaps you have turned inwards – not able to face the world – you’re feeling depressed.  Anxious, worried, fearful.

PEACE

It was into this situation the Risen King Jesus entered.  Though the doors are locked, Jesus stands among them.  There is no barrier that locks Jesus out.  There is nothing going on in your life that Jesus cannot break through.  He is the Risen King.  He can lift you up, he can bring order, he can bring healing, he can bring peace into your life.

V19 ‘Peace be with you’ said Jesus to the terrified disciples.  The Bible frequently speaks about God’s peace (Nu.6.26, Ps.85.8, Mal.2.5, Lk.2.14, 24.36, Jn 16.33, Phil.4.7, Col.3.15).  The Hebrew word used for Peace in the Bible is Shalom.  Jesus greeted these followers with the familiar ‘Shalom’.  Now we tend to understand the word peace as a bit of quiet and the absence of a bit of stress e.g. 9pm once the kids are in bed and the house is quiet.  But Shalom has a much richer meaning – it’s about ‘well-being’ in its fullest sense.  It’s all the blessings of God’s Kingdom, true happiness - gathered up in the word ‘Shalom’.  It’s life at its best under the loving hand of God.  Into the FEAR Jesus speaks Shalom, PEACE.

When Jesus uses it on the first Easter Sunday evening – it’s the first truly authentic ‘Shalom’ in the history of the world – because for the first time death has been conquered and life has been restored in the person of Jesus Christ.  How perfect that Jesus’ first word to these disciples after his death and resurrection should be ‘Shalom’ – because truly Jesus has accomplished reconciliation between believers and God and life everlasting.

This is what the Risen King Jesus offers – and when you know God’s peace – he turns things around – he turns fear into joy (v20).  Jesus had even predicted this joy just a few days earlier – Jn 16.19-20, 22.

So there in that room – King Jesus, yes the crucified King, is the Risen King.  But his crucifixion, his death is not forgotten.  He shows them his hands and side.  Indeed, our hurting and needy generation need to recognise Jesus by his scars.  He is not aloof from suffering. 

So in the presence of the Risen King fear evaporates – because Jesus brings purpose (we’re made to live for him), he offers hope, he is life - because death has been defeated.  He turns these depressed, frightened, inward-looking cowards into world-beaters.  These 11 become transmitters to the world in the face of the most severe persecution.  They are commissioned to go from that locked room into all the world.  The church was born and continues to shake and shape history, e.g. you cannot understand truly British history without understanding the influence of Christianity upon the people and British society.

Here’s the thing - these 11 disciples, and the other followers of Jesus – could never have held out under the pressure, even becoming martyrs, if the resurrection was NOT true.  Let me say this, before I conclude.  It usually takes many years for a major mind-shift to take hold in society about some area of discussion or trend.  Take smoking for example.  Everyone knows it harms health, but it took several generations for a mind-shift to occur and something significant to be done – i.e. banned smoking in all public places incl pubs.  It took years, decades for this mind-shift to occur in society, and impossible to happen overnight.

The resurrection – nobody at the time of Jesus believed resurrection could take place in history (except Jesus).  No matter what religions or beliefs were around at the time – and there were many – resurrection of the dead was categorically not included.  That was the mind-set of everyone.

Yet within weeks, the disciples have only one message which dominates their lives, Jesus is Risen.  How come this dramatic mind-shift took place virtually overnight?  How come this belief about resurrection that no-one held too throughout the ancient world, whatever religion, suddenly becomes the driving force in the lives of these ordinary followers?  Because it happened!  Because the crucified King became the Risen King.  Because he truly rose from the dead and therefore he truly brings peace into lives where there is fear.

Conclusion

Although there is you could say an official commissioning 40 days later by Jesus on the mountain in Galilee to these disciples, and although there is a day soon afterwards when Jesus poured out the promised Holy Spirit to anoint, empower and equip the disciples in their mission, here in this room Jesus gives them a foretaste of what’s to come.  You could say, as John Calvin puts it, here is a ‘sprinkling’ of the Holy Spirit, but a ‘saturation’ of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost 50 days later.

V21-23...It’s a picture of the Trinity sending the disciples out with this wonderful message of forgiveness of sins in the power of the Holy Spirit.

God sends His Son into the world, initially through the person of Jesus, but subsequently through His Church.  The love of God reaches people, phase one through Jesus whilst he was here on earth and then phase two, through his Church – you and I.  You are called to carry on Jesus’ work, not to start a new one, living for the Risen King who has brought about Shalom - Peace instead of Fear.

The Reward of the Games

The Reward of the Games - 1 Corinthians chapter 9.24-27    

Preached @ Gateway Church 19/08/12

Think of what’s involved to win the prize e.g. in the Olympic 5000 metres final!  To ‘run in such a way as to get the prize’ (verse 24) speaks of commitment and sacrifice.  I recall hearing one of the team GB guys who didn’t even win a medal talking about how he spent 5 weeks in an altitude tent away from his family in order to prepare to win.  Only an Olympian champion standing on the podium truly knows the absolute cost of being there – no wonder they are in tears.

There is something here in this Bible passage, written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth, about personal discipline.  The Olympian athletes get up early whilst the rest of us are still in bed, to pound the streets running or cycling.  There’s a challenge here for our discipleship.  Are we prepared to get up 20 minutes earlier in order to pray and read the Word, or do we just turn over and go back to sleep?

Here’s the thing, not only is there the strict training involved, e.g. diet and fitness programmes, but there’s something here about motivation (verse 25).  Those athletes, whatever their specialism, were not at London 2012 by accident.  They were motivated, there was something driving them on.  What was it?  It was the crown – the reward of the games.

In the 1^st century, the Isthmian Games in Corinth – second biggest after Olympia – the prize was a wreath of green leaves.  Today, it’s the gold medal.  So all this tremendous effort, and ‘they do it to get a crown that will not last’ (verse 25).  To draw on this athletic metaphor that the Apostle Paul is using, thinking of our Christian discipleship, ‘we do it to get a crown that will last forever’.  How much more should we have passion, dedication and enthusiasm!  Life is like a race, a race to Jesus.  There’s a start and a finish, and what is really important is what happens in between.

Let’s think about this, ‘a crown that will last forever’, which should always motivate us in the race, in the ‘game of life’.

What is this crown? There are clues elsewhere in the New Testament:

          Crown of righteousness (1 Timothy chapter 4.7-8) – a realm where there is no more evil.

          Crown of life (James chapter 1.12) – a realm where there is no more death.
          Crown of glory (1 Peter chapter 5.4) – a realm where there is beauty and magnificence forever.

These phrases are like signposts pointing us to heaven and eternal life.  A crown implies some kind of life-change.  Think of the Olympian equivalent today – when that gold medal is awarded and is hanging around your neck – your life is changed.  You become famous and rich.  Yet it’s not the ultimate answer.  You are still stuck in this sinful world – and eventually your good health will fade away, and not even your gold medal can do anything about it.  It’s a crown that will not last.  One of the deep sighs of life is exactly that – nothing lasts!  Everything is subject to decay causing great frustration.  Most Olympic champions at London 2012 will struggle to exceed their recent feats in 4 years time in Rio – it’s downhill from here.

The crazy thing is that people invest in the physical body as if it were the ultimate answer. 

In the Greek games winners were immortalized.  Physical prowess was so important, because Greek culture exalted and extolled the physical. 

Today people worship at the gym...it is their temple where they worship their bodies.

The highest paid people today are not politicians, surgeons or even bankers, but sportsmen and women.

The investment in the NHS, which is such a huge percentage of the UK budget, illustrates how society considers the priority of the body and its well-being.

Think of the time you spend on your body e.g. hair, make-up, and tan?  To some it becomes an idol. 

Just as an aside, idols can become so subtle.  Even the ‘legacy’ of London 2012 can become an idol, if you think the legacy is the answer to the problems of the next generation.  Sport at grass-root level may help our youngster in lots of ways, but it will not solve the heart of the human problem – the problem of the human heart – sin.  Only Jesus Christ can.

Yes, we are made in God’s image, so to an extent the physical is important.  We are to honour God with our bodies and to avoid drug abuse or sexual immorality.  But the reality is that crown of superior physique will not last, even when pushed to limits and gaining gold.  Just look at Muhammad Ali at the London 2012 opening ceremony.  In the end you will just be a memory like John Lennon and Freddie Mercury, like at the closing Olympic ceremony.  As the Bible says, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stand for ever” (1 Peter 1.24-25).

Here’s the point, there is a greater finish in a far greater race called life.  There is a greater focus, there is a greater goal, there is a greater reward, there is a greater crown that will last forever in a realm where there is no more evil or death.  When you receive this crown, yes, your life is changed, transformed forever.  It’s called resurrection life rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Whilst it’s important to look after the body, you also need to prepare for eternity.  That requires discipline.  What you believe today and how you live out those beliefs count for eternity.  I can’t compete well, unless I train well.  I can’t stay focused on Jesus and His Way, unless I put in the prayer, the study of his Word, meeting with other Christians for mutual encouragement.  A Greek athlete would prepare 10 months in order to win a wreath of green leaves, surely the Christian prize is far more worthwhile.  Whilst we need to keep an eye on physical flabbiness, let’s avoid spiritual flabbiness at all costs.

With the Christian prize in view, Paul draws again on sporting images (verses 26-27), declaring there is a purpose in all of this.  You are to have self-control, not running aimlessly.  Many people are running blind, in that they do not know where they are going in life, and they are confused.  They don’t know where to put their focus, where to channel their energy.  It’s as if they are just beating the air.  Christian – Jesus Christ has accomplished the prize for you – he did it at the cross.  If you are not yet a Christian, you need to accept what Jesus has achieved – and therefore live your life for Jesus.  He has redeemed you at great cost, more costly than gold.  In response to his free gift of eternal life, you should freely wish to run the race to Jesus, for he stands at the end waiting to stay, “Well done good and faithful servant, you have run well”.  So there must be serious discipline on your part, in order to stay focused on Jesus, in view of what he has done for you – securing your eternal salvation.  

What’s the point of getting out of bed in the morning - even 20 minutes earlier?  Now you know the answer from this passage.  Run in such a way as to get the crown that will last forever.

What’s the point of Gateway meeting each Sunday afternoon?  We are on a mission – and the church is purpose driven, because it’s biblically driven - challenging us to be motivated by the prize.  I believe Gateway church is on the verge of moving up another level.  Let’s harness our spiritual muscles by God’s grace, to reach everyperson in Barnsley with the good news of Jesus in partnership with other localchurches. 

"I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3.14).

Part 3 - In a new church, where there are different views about Baptism - what's the policy going to be? Discuss!

Introduction

My view is that this area of discussion on baptism is not a major doctrine that should be the basis of division.  This is why it was not crucial to sort out before the launch of Gateway.  Sadly it has been divisive over the centuries within and across churches and denominations.  For Gateway it is an opportunity to set an example of mature leadership, even if it means leaving aside our own personal preferences.

It is a doctrine where the two opposing views (infant baptism and believer’s baptism) are held by genuine Christians who hold to the supreme authority of the Bible as God’s Word for belief and practice.  The heart of the matter is that both views can be argued from the Bible – hence the disagreements over the centuries between evangelical Christians!

I guess that each of us will lean to our ‘default’ position, that view which we have personally practised and perhaps been ‘conditioned’ by the previous church/es we have belonged to.  Of course, one may change position over time, as long as submission to the teaching of God’s Word is evident.

What we should all agree on:

1)   The New Testament (NT) clearly teaches that Baptism is closely connected with Christian conversion (repentance, faith, receiving the Holy Spirit) – indeed it is almost simultaneous, e.g. Acts 2.38, 8.12, 8.35-38, 16.14-15, 31-33, 18.8.  The longest period recorded in New Testament between conversion and baptism is 3 days (Saul - Acts 9.9, 9.18).  Baptism signifies repentance (washing away of sins, Acts 22.16), and faith in Christ (old sinful life buried and raised to new life, Romans 6.4, Colossians 2.12). 

2)   Baptism is not necessary for salvation (unlike the view of our Roman Catholic friends who believe that baptism is an essential means of salvation).  The NT teaches overwhelmingly that our salvation is secured in Christ alone, by faith alone (nothing else) – see Ephesians 2.8-9, Romans 6.23.  Otherwise it is a different gospel, Galatians 1.6.

3)   Whether we hold to infant baptism or believer’s baptism, parents of both positions should fervently pray for their children’s salvation and discipling.  God has placed us in families, and He does not usually work in a ‘vacuum’, rather God’s love is shared and taught through families.  Whilst only a small percentage of children live in ‘Care Homes’, a third of inmates in our prisons today come from ‘Care Homes’ (quoted by ‘Care for the Family’).  The outcome of a child’s life is highly dependent on the influence and teaching of mum and dad (for better or for worse).  Whilst none of these things are ‘absolute’ and we can never ‘pin down’ God’s grace or ‘box it up’, the commitment of mum and dad is very significant, whether expressed in the baptismal or thanksgiving promises they make.

Argument for baptism including babies and infants (infant baptism)

1)   It could be interpreted from the NT that children of believing parents were included, because of reference to families/households, see Acts 2.39, 16.15, 16.33, 1 Corinthians 1.16.  It would be difficult to conceive these, possibly large households of the first century having no infants.

On the other-hand, it could be argued on closer examination of the texts (with exception of Acts 16.14-15) that there was also the exercising of household faith.  Furthermore, we have no passage in the Bible that speaks specifically of a child being baptised.  However we do have passages where Jesus blessed children (Matthew 19.13-15, Mark 10.13-16, Luke 18.15-17).

2)   There is an Old Testament argument about ‘Covenant’, e.g. Genesis 17.9-14.  This includes families and their children, e.g. the parents having their infants (male at 8 days old) circumcised.  This is a sign of ‘belonging’ to God’s people and nurturing their young in the faith of God’s people.  This is the OT equivalent to infant baptism and so is a forerunner to Christian teaching in the NT about baptism.

3)   Baptism is a sign which can work forward and be ratified by conversion in the future, or work backwards ratifying conversion that’s already taken place.  It’s a sign, not the means of salvation in Jesus.

However, the NT does not speak in these terms of baptism being a sign of something to take place in the future, it looks back at what’s already happened.  The NT writers do not say, e.g. “Can anyone keep these people from being baptised with water who probably will be saved someday in the future”? (Acts 10.47)

Argument for believer’s baptism (evidence and profession of faith by individual – which may include a child who is old enough to profess!)

1)   The Greek word baptizo used in the New Testament (NT) means “to plunge, dip, immerse” something in water.  It does not mean to sprinkle or pour.  Romans 6.3-4 and Colossians 2.12 speaks of baptism as symbolising death to one’s old way of life, dying and rising to a new kind of life in Christ.  This illustrated by going down into the waters and being raised up.  Baptism by sprinkling or pouring misses this symbolism!

2)   There are specific examples of believer’s baptism in the NT.  See Acts 2.41, Acts 8.12, Acts 10.47-48.

3)   There are also NT indications that baptism is combined with outward faith (which a baby is not capable of showing).  See Galatians 3.27 - to ‘clothe yourself with Christ’ means you are living out the Christ-life.

Conclusion

My own position, after prayerful consideration and no longer functioning as a minister of the Methodist Church is still ‘open’!  However I have concluded:

1)   We have to show respect for both positions, especially for whichever is the opposing view, because individuals and churches have come to that conclusion prayerfully and biblically.

2)   I think I now lean towards believer’s baptism only (which may still include children – if appropriate).  My main reasons are a) that is where I think the NT emphasis is b) too much confusion is caused by infant baptism.  However, this could be easily cleared up by the following point...

3)   If we did include a place for infant baptism, it would be for children of committed believers only (at least 1 parent) and married (unless a single parent) who have shown commitment to Gateway.  Godparents also to be committed believers (whichever church).  Alternatively we offer a Christian dedication/ thanksgiving ceremony which could be adjusted accordingly to Christian/non-Christian parents.

Conundrums:

1)   If we adopted a ‘believer’s baptism’ policy, what about adults who are new Christians, but have already received infant baptism and yet request baptism based on their own profession of faith?  Answers on a postcard!

2)   Lord’s Supper.  The general NT theme of the sacraments is that a) baptism is a sign of initial commitment to Jesus and entrance into the church and b) the Lord’s Supper is a sign of ongoing commitment to Jesus and the Church.  If we adopt a ‘believers baptism’ policy, what about children and Lord’s Supper?  The difficulty is, if children partake, it gives the indication that children have faith or at least part of the family of faith, yet have not been baptised?  I don’t think you can have one without the other.  We have to be consistent with both as a general rule.

Here’s a suggestion – we have to start somewhere.  It’s called ‘The Gateway Way’!!

1)   We encourage believer’s baptism, offering dedication/thanksgiving for babies/infants.  That’s our default position.

2)   We still recognise infant baptism, especially as this is the case for a number of Gateway people who have not been subsequently baptised as adults.

3)   If a committed Christian married couple (or single parent) belonging to Gateway really do prefer and urge that their child be baptised – then ok.

4)   If an adult who is newly converted, but previously baptised as an infant requests baptism based on his/her own profession of faith – then it could possibly be a renewal of baptismal vows.

5)   Lord’s Supper is for all who love Jesus and obey him or perhaps are seeking him (so Lord’s Supper is presented as an opportunity to believe).  This covers children who have some understanding, especially children of Christian families, baptised or not.  But it is the decision of parents whether their children receive or have a prayer of blessing instead.                                                                         

The above suggestions were agreed by a caring, thoughtful, wise, & selfless Leadership team on 18.01.2012 without any blood on the walls!  "For nothing is impossible with God" Luke 1.37, Bible.

Post-script:
And finally...
If you are (or in the future) a new Christian at Gateway in Barnsley, and you wished to be baptised - you have a challenge!  Our current venue, Oakwell Stadium - home to Barnsley Football Club - does not have 'baptistry' (swimming pool).  What venue would you suggest for your baptism (big enough for you to be fully immersed)?  Feel free to leave a comment... 

Part 2 - Thinking afresh about church planting

We firmly believe at Gateway in expressing what is clearly taught by God's Word.  That is paramount. 

However, the challenge for many churches, especially new churches, is getting the balance right about issues that are not essential to the Gospel of Jesus.  If a new church starts out to be 'free' in both essentials and non-essentials - therefore compromising on what is core and foundational to Christian belief and doctrine, then it is doomed.  Just look at the demise of the liberal church in the UK.   On the other-hand, if a new church starts out and is strict in both what is non-negotiable and negotiable then it's likely to end up at best irrelevant to its surrounding culture - worshipping tradition, and at worst 'extremist'.

The balance is to be strong with what the Bible plainly reveals about e.g. God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and also Creation, Human Nature, Sin, Salvation, the Church, and the Eternal Life to come.  But also to be flexible on secondary issues.  Here are two more examples, in addition to the previous post, about matters concerning the life of a new church that you can be free about, because there is no specific Biblical mandate.

Gateway Church, which is a 'Registered Charity' and a 'Company Limited', is currently independent.  We do not belong to a denomination, with the Core Team members originating from a diverse church background, but with previous strong connections with the Methodist Church.  As a new church, do we need to join a denomination or network?  We could and various options have been carefully considered.  But there is no biblical mandate for Gateway to join a denomination or an official organisation of churches.  Instead, we sense God is guiding us to form natural partnerships with other like-minded local churches.  One issue with denominations or networks, it doesn't guarantee that you have a natural affinity with any of those churches, although you may express the same convictions and views.  Also, there's a strong likelihood that those churches may not be geographically near, so it's even more challenging to relate. 

There is a place for denominations, which did not begin in New Testament days but in subsequent church history, and there is a place for organised networks of churches.  But for Gateway, at least for the moment, we are content to develop informal partnerships with other local churches, which we are finding very fruitful.  Having said all that, Gateway is very involved with 'Christians Together in Barnsley' and will become a member of the Evangelical Alliance once our church has been in existence for two years.  But our independence remains, which gives a certain freedom to function as a local church.

Secondly, as an example of that freedom, we do not have a church membership.  We have the original Core Team who launched Gateway, and there is a Leadership Team led by the Pastor, serving on behalf of the Core Team.  But Gateway is now at the stage, where we need to give new people the opportunity to commit to Gateway Church and to express that commitment.  So we are developing something similar to church membership, called 'Gateway Partner'.  Gateway believes in active participation, not static membership.  Membership, whether it's at a local church or a local history group or swimming club can imply something which is passive - there's no active involvement or at least it's just sporadic.  The Bible talks about 'partnership in the gospel' (Philippians 1.5).  Gateway understands this to mean believers united together in Jesus within a local church.  In other words, partners who are engaging together, side by side, for the faith of the good news of Jesus (Philippians 1.27).  We aim to set the bar high.  The goal of a Gateway Partner is about active participation in *Sharing faith in Jesus, *Living out a Jesus-centred life, *Sunday meeting, *Growth Group, *Bible, *Prayer, *Giving, *Serving.  We expects this to be a delight for a Christian filled with God's Spirit, but also recognising our sinfulness in constant need of God's forgiveness.

As a church, we continue to pray for God's guidance by His Holy Spirit (not magically, but by thinking, discussing and reading etc) that we will get the balance right between old and new, between biblical essentials that are binding upon us and we rejoice in, yet also biblical freedom in order to be relevant to our context and culture of Barnsley, UK.

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion" (Philippians 1.6).

Part 1 - What do you put on the blank sheet of paper when launching a new church???

When Gateway Church was being formed, before we launched (we went public on Easter Sunday 2011), we had a blank sheet of paper about how we might function as a local church. Of course, the blank sheet of paper soon began to fill up, as we considered what is binding upon us by God's Word. In other words, what must we include - no matter how new a church we are? But then we still had some blank space to fill in where Scripture is silent or at least where it's negotiable. Yes, ultimately, as a local Christian church, there are areas of belief and practise which are essential, which without, our constitution as a Christian church would be in doubt. Instead, we would be labelled as some cult or sect and rightly so. On the other-hand there are areas of belief and practise which are non-essential.

So for example, at one Gateway pre-launch meeting we examined 2 Timothy chapter 3.10-4.5. We discovered that some things are better ‘caught’ than ‘taught’ (verses 10-13). The Apostle Paul said to Timothy, without spelling it out, ‘Watch me’ (v10). We need to say (at least in our minds) to unbelievers or young Christians – you want to see the difference Jesus makes to life then ‘watch me’. Who is going to teach others to clean up their foul language or treat their family with respect (e.g. wives/girlfriends) or to pray or how to handle pressure? YOU ARE! These things can and should be taught, but often are better caught, by others watching you. So holy living, becoming more like Jesus, is an essential and is mandated throughout the Bible. As a Christian, empowered by the Holy Spirit, it should be a delight!

In chapter 3.14-17 we recognised the privilege of those who have been nurtured in a Christian home which is awesome and puts children in good stead for later years (v14-15).  Biological growth is just as important as Conversion growth. We are not into Transfer growth, better known as sheep-stealing from other local churches, unless it's absolutely obvious it's the right thing!

Then in verse 16, we saw the purpose of Scripture. It’s God-breathed – everything is there because God intended it to be there. We need Scripture to guide us in starting a new church – teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. We are bound by Scripture, especially where is it clear and plain, e.g. *Jesus is the Son of God, *Jesus is the exclusive way to God, heaven and eternal life - there is no other alternative, *the Bible is the supreme authority over all other authorities, because it is the Word of God, *marriage is between one man and one woman for life - not same-sex as being advocated by the present UK Government. These and many other beliefs are foundational, that we cannot budge from because the Bible is so clear about it. Therefore, a faithful church and individual Christians should put these truths into practise.

But also we are free to change our thinking on ‘church’ not mandated by God’s Word – otherwise we would end up worshipping tradition and not Jesus Christ. Examples of tradition not commanded by Scripture is the type of venue/building, the style of music, the structure of the church, collection of money. This where the remaining blank sheet is completed, but looked at through the lens of context and culture, as well as theology.

Gateway, which has now been in the public sphere, for just over a year has the following features:

We still meet on a Sunday, which most people still have as a day off from work, but at 4.00pm. Why 4.00pm? Our thinking is, if we are trying to reach new people in Barnsley, then Sunday morning is either a ‘sleep-in’, or ‘the kids are playing football’, or ‘it’s a trip to Meadowhall’. Sunday evenings are no good, especially if you are seeking to reach families with children. So 4.00pm is as convenient time as possible. The Bible does not stipulate what time your new church must meet, so be as strategically relevant as possible.

We meet in a football stadium. Why? At the time, we needed to find a culturally relevant building. We met once in the Civic buildings, then moved to the upstairs room of the Chambers Pub in Barnsley town. Essentially we needed two rooms, one big enough for everyone, then a second room allocated for the kids work, as part of the Gateway Sunday meeting. The opportunity arose to meet at Barnsley Football Club which meets these requirements and we also have a reception area for the welcome upon arrival and buffet food. All in all, we are pleased with what we get for the rent fee, although our long-term vision is to be right in the town centre, but that's another post for another time. As you can imagine there are advantages to meeting at the town's stadium. Whilst the New Testament term for 'church' always means the gathering of the people, the building and the venue is important for your main gathering place. The Bible does not stipulate where you should meet, so be as strategically relevant as possible.

At our Gateway Sunday meeting, we do not have any hymn or song books. For starters, which books would we choose? Plus it costs money. We simply select some contemporary songs on Power Point and play them through the PA system and sing along if we can. We ensure that those who don't know the songs, which sometimes can be most of us, feel comfortable just listening and hopefully pick it up as we go along. The lyrics are more important than the tune, because we are singing God's truths to each other, but the tune does help to lodge the words in our hearts. Most of the songs are 'band style' which especially appeals to the younger generations. Yes, it is deliberate we don't sing to an organ, holding a hymn book, although that might be strategically relevant elsewhere. Who knows, we might be blessed in the course of time, to have our own band of musicians. We have one musician - which is a start! The Bible does not stipulate what style of music you should adopt, so be as strategically relevant as possible as you sing to God and to each other.

Another example is money. Whilst is essential is that people do financially support the mission, but the Bible does not mandate the precise way to give. So far, we have never taken up a collection at the Sunday meeting! Rather people give discreetly with cash (discreetly is what Jesus taught) via the treasurer or appropriate alternative, or people give by standing order (the majority). Our message, as we think of newcomers at Gateway, is we're not after your money to replace the broken stained-glass window! But we do emphasise, at the right moments, generous giving in proportion to ones income.

So whilst there are many examples of biblical mandates that all Christians/local churches are to put into action including: evangelism, prayer, sacraments (Baptism and Lord’s Supper), holy living, unity amongst church members, there is still some blank space on the paper which moves us on to think more contextually and culturally about starting a new church. The Apostle Paul was very strategic when planting new churches. He headed straight for the big cities, which makes sense - to launch Christianity where the most people are gathered!

So we are to be faithful to the biblical mandate in the essentials, the non-negotiable, and we are to learn from church history (don’t make the same mistakes). But we are to be relevant to our generation. The Apostle Paul said, ‘I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some’ (1 Corinthians 9.22).

Some more examples will follow in the next post, and the biggie: what do you decide about the policy on baptism, when there are strong views either way about the inclusion of infant baptism amongst the core team of a new church! Is this a recipe to a church spilt or is there an alternative?

Finally, returning to 2 Timothy, chapter 4.1-5, ‘Preach the Word, be prepared in season and out of season’ (v2). We proclaim Jesus not only from the ‘pulpit’ but also over the garden fence when chatting to the neighbour. We are to speak what God has spoken, sometimes when it’s inconvenient! Now that really is essential!