Articles (Page 15)
Besides these free online resources, Fairview Baptist Church produces several print resources. For more information on our printed resources such as The Baptist Confession, The Children’s Catechism, Into the Word: A Guide to Biblical Meditation, and The Gospel according to Mark with Gospel Primer, contact us at info@fairviewbaptistchurch.ca.
Our print resources are printed locally here in Calgary by our friends at Little Rock Printing.
Deacons
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 in the New Testament (1 Timothy 3 and Philippians 1:1, and arguably Romans 16:1). First Timothy 3 mentions the qualifications for deacons but nothing about…
Elders and the Congregation
One aspect to consider with regard to elders and the life of the church is to understand how elders should be selected. The second is to understand where authority rests: the eldership or the congregation. In other words, who rules who? It’s these two matters that this article addresses. Selection of Elders In Acts 14:23 it says, “And when [Paul and Barnabas] had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord…
Elders: New or Old?
Elders? Aren’t elders a Presbyterian thing? Don’t the Mormons have elders too? What do elders have to do with a Baptist church? These questions are understandable. Especially since elders are a new thing for our church. What may surprise you is that elders aren’t just a modern church fad, but rather are an historical form of church governance, even for Baptists! Historic Baptist Position Arguably the most famous and influential confession of faith among Baptists is the London Baptist Confession…
November 2016 – O Sing My Soul
Words & Music: Matt Boswell & Matt Papa © 2012 Dayspring Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) Centricity Music Publishing/Love Your Enemies Publishing VERSE 1 O sing my soul the ancient song And lend your highest praise To Him who is the King of old And dwells in endless days How resplendent His glory How majestic His name Now to the uncreated One O let the anthem raise VERSE 2 O worship Him, our Father God The…
October 2016 – Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery
Words and Music: Matt Papa, Matt Boswell, Michael Bleecker © 2013 Love Your Enemies Publishing VERSE 1 Come behold the wondrous mystery in the dawning of the King. He the theme of heaven’s praises robed in frail humanity. In our longing, in our darkness now the light of life has come. Look to Christ, who condescended took on flesh to ransom us VERSE 2 Come behold the wondrous mystery He the perfect Son of Man. In His living, in His…
The Lord’s Supper: Who Can Participate?
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 those who are members in good standing of that church to participate. Some practice “close” communion which is similar to closed but also allows others…
Weekly Lord’s Supper
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 church’s tradition? Would you use only the Bible? You would think that this should be a trivial task since the church has been meeting on…
September 2016 – All I Have Is Christ
Music and Words: Jordan Kauflin © 2008 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI) VERSE 1 I once was lost in darkest night Yet thought I knew the way The sin that promised joy and life Had led me to the grave I had no hope that You would own A rebel to Your will And if You had not loved me first I would refuse You still VERSE 2 But as I ran my hell-bound race Indifferent to the cost You looked…
August 2016 – See the Destined Day Arise
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 throe, finishing your life of woe? Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Lamb of God for sinners slain! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Jesus Christ, we praise your name! Who but Christ…
Conference Songs
Songs for the Stampede Outreach Conference are listed below, you can also listen to the playlist here. Friday – July 8 Come Thou Fount (Hymnal #2) Speak, O Lord (Binder #12) For the Sake of His Name (Binder #13) Saturday – July 9 Great is Thy Faithfulness (Hymnal #43) A Mighty Fortress is Our God (Hymnal #26) Facing a Task Unfinished (Binder #22) Sunday AM – July 10 All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name (Hymnal #97) Facing a Task…
Must Have Books
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, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them.” Certainly the gospel is clearly propounded…
The Marks of a Healthy Church
The Marks of a Healthy Church These marks are based on Mark Dever’s book Nine Marks of a Healthy Church and the website 9marks.org 1. Expositional Preaching An expositional sermon takes the main point of a passage of Scripture, makes it the main point of the sermon, and applies it to life today. [churchpack_box color=”blue”]Expositional preaching is important because God’s Word is what convicts, converts, builds up, and sanctifies God’s people (Heb 4:12; 1 Pet 1:23; 1 Thess 2:13; John…