Posts by Tim Stephens (Page 10)
Regathering (Update)
May 28, 2020 I know that we are all eager to begin gathering as soon as possible. There was a members meeting on May 24th to discuss regathering. I heard from the members concerning my proposal to not strictly adhere to the government guidelines if they impede our worship of God (e.g., continuing to sing even though it is forbidden). I took time after that meeting to follow up and speak with those who did not speak at the meeting or were unable…
Regathering
May 21, 2020 You can click here to download the proposal to regather as a church in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The members of Fairview met together on May 24, 2020 to discuss this proposal. To watch the same presentation on video, see below.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
March 20, 2020 To Meet or Not to Meet. That is the question. I wanted to share with you the wrestling that has gone on in our minds as we deliberated over what the current COVID-19 pandemic means for our gathered time of worship. The Situation Our country and province has recently put a limit on gatherings. No more than 50 people are to meet together. This is not an attack against religious gatherings. All gatherings, sports, schools, conferences, and…
Cannabis Legal in Canada
Marijuana becomes legal across Canada this Wednesday, October 17th. As marijuana use becomes normalized—including a host of products containing THC (the active ingredient in marijuana)—how are Christians to react? Is it permissible for Christians to smoke marijuana or use any cannabis products? For these questions, like any other, we must turn to Scripture, God’s word and our authority as followers of Christ. Now, if you tried looking up smoking, marijuana, or cannabis in the Bible, your search would come up…
Why We Don’t Baptize Infants
The following four reasons give sufficient warrant to tell us that baptism should only be given to those who repent and believe and not infants. For a fuller treatment than the summary here, see the essay on the proper recipients of baptism here. 1. The “newness” of the new covenant Baptism is the sign of entrance into the new covenant. This is agreed to by both those who baptize infants and those who just baptize believers. Those who baptize infants…
The Proper Recipients of Baptism
Introduction From the time of the Reformation, the dispute has risen, sometimes to fever pitch, regarding the proper recipients of Christian baptism. The magisterial reformer, John Calvin, gave theological expression to the protestant practice of infant baptism, and on the other hand, the radical reformers argued that believer’s baptism is the proper expression of baptism in the Christian era. Today the debate still continues, and while it is regarded as a more intramural debate than it has in previous generations,…
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…
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…
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…