Chapter 20.  Of the Gospel, and of the Extent of the Grace Thereof...

This promise of Christ, and salvation by him, is revealed only by the Word of God; neither do the works of creation or providence, with the light of nature, make discovery of Christ, or of grace by him, so much as in a general or obscure way; much less that men destitute of the revelation of Him by the promise or gospel, should be enabled thereby to attain saving faith or repentance.
( Romans 1:17; Romans 10:14,15,17; Proverbs 29:18; Isaiah 25:7; Isaiah 60:2, 3 )

For the next few months we have plenty of great edifying books highlighting various missionaries and preachers from the past. Many are from the Reformation Trust.

The reading of the Scriptures, preaching, and hearing the Word of God, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord; as also the administration of baptism, and the Lord's supper, are all parts of religious worship of God, to be performed in obedience to him, with understanding, faith, reverence, and godly fear; moreover, solemn humiliation, with fastings, and thanksgivings, upon special occasions, ought to be used in an holy and religious manner. ( 1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 4:2; Luke 8:18; Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19; Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:26; Esther 4:16; Joel 2:12; Exodus 15:1-19, Psalms 107 ) ​​Chapter 22, Paragraph 5. 

Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one part of natural worship, is by God required of all men. But that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son, by the help of the Spirit, according to his will; with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance; and when with others, in a known tongue. ( Psalms 95:1-7; Psalms 65:2; John 14:13, 14; Romans 8:26; 1 John 5:14; 1 Corinthians 14:16, 17 ) ​​Chapter 22, Paragraph  3. 

​Religious worship is to be given to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and to him alone; not to angels, saints, or any other creatures; and since the fall, not without a mediator, nor in the mediation of any other but Christ alone. ( Matthew 4:9, 10; John 6:23; Matthew 28:19; Romans 1:25; Colossians 2:18; Revelation 19:10; John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5 ) Chapter 2, Para 2

The light of nature shews that there is a God, who hath lordship and sovereignty over all; is just, good and doth good unto all; and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the heart and all the soul, and with all the might. But the acceptable way of worshipping the true God, is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshipped according to the imagination and devices of men, nor the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representations, or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scriptures.
​( Jeremiah 10:7; Mark 12:33; Deuteronomy 12:32; Exodus 20:4-6 ) Chapter 22, Paragraph 1.

The Knowles ask for prayer regarding the recent flooding affecting many areas of South Africa. 
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Gwen and Roger Kirk have put together an amazing set of books and study Bibles (in the sanctuary) for our edification and christian growth. Gwen writes here to tell us more about the biographies we have available:

October 31st is celebrated by most Americans as Halloween, but many Christians around the world know it as the date Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Wittenburg church door, exposing blatant corruptions of the Roman Catholic Church, thus sparking the German Reformation. Luther’s plan was to reform the church; instead he became its #1 enemy, threatened with death. Kidnapped and hidden away by his friends, Luther translated the Bible into German so the people could read the truth for themselves. Next year Christianity will celebrate the 500th anniversary of Luther’s bold and courageous stand for truth.

An esteemed papal notary [lawyer], John Knox of Scotland came under gospel influence in the mid-1500’s. Jesus’ prayer in John 17 was the solid rock to which he anchored himself by faith alone. As he grew in grace and studied the Scriptures, Knox confessed, “It pleased God to call me from the puddle of Papistry.” His association as bodyguard to another staunch reformer drew dangerous attention to himself when that friend was burned at the stake. Knox eventually became a renowned teacher and preacher of extraordinary ability. From St. Andrews castle, he was once captured and spent 19 months as a galley slave rowing a French battleship, but God restored this servant to fearlessly thunder forth His truth in Scotland and England. Steven Lawson wrote “If Martin Luther was the hammer of the Reformation and John Calvin the pen, John Knox was the trumpet.” It was reportedly said by Queen Mary, “I fear the prayers of John Knox more than the combined armies of Europe.”

Browse the book table to read more of these great men, along with John Calvin, the French reformer, who considered their temporal afflictions as light and momentary and looked forward to the things which are not seen, eternal in the heavens.

--Gwen

1689 London Baptist Confession
Chapter 1: Of the Holy Scriptures

1. The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience, although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and his will which is necessary unto salvation.3  Therefore it pleased the Lord at sundry times and in divers manners to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto his church; and afterward for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan, and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which maketh the Holy Scriptures to be most necessary, those former ways of God's revealing his will unto his people being now ceased.
12 Timothy 3:15-17; Isaiah 8:20; Luke 16:29, 31; Ephesians 2:20; 2Romans 1:19-21; Romans 2:14,15; Psalms 19:1-3; 3Hebrews 1:1; 4Proverbs 22:19-21; Romans 15:4; 2 Peter 1:19,20