Packer on Spirit baptism
In Acts 1:5 we read that the Risen Jesus ordered his disciples ‘not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father which you heard from me; for John baptised with water, but you will be…
Category John
Shortest verse – John 11:35
My last three posts have had a ‘Sorrow’ theme: ‘Sorrow, and then the two from Anne Frank’. I did not plan it that way…just the way it went. This one closes the mini-series. Over many years, I have taught children…
Watkins on Time
My Spin cycle classes run for 45 minutes. But, as I sweat and struggle my way through a one minute sprint, I always find it helpful when the instructor informs us that there are just 15 seconds to go. A…
The Father’s Will
Inconceivable I came across an intriguing line of Calvin about the ‘love of God’ in Packer’s Concise Theology. Calvin said: ‘In an inconceivable way he loved us even when he hated us’ (p 132). Here’s what Packer wrote: “Every member…
Until now
“But you have kept the good wine until now.” (John 2:10). David Ford comments upon this statement of the steward or master of the feast at the wedding at Cana: These final words of the story are “a typical multilayered…
The Bible – one book, two covenants
“Salvation by grace through faith is not merely the province of New Testament theology but has always been the way in which God has called his people.” (WJ Dumbrell, Romans, p 99). Bill Dumbrell’s comment comes in the context of…
Knowledge
The opening chapter of the book of Proverbs establishes the foundation of knowledge: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7). James Montgomery Boice has this note about knowledge in his…
The inner garden
“Supposing him to be the gardener…” (John 20:15). Gordon MacDonald has a chapter entitled ‘Order in the Garden’ in his book ‘Ordering Your Private World’. I have often found his image of the garden very helpful and have found it…
The Divine Dance of Glory
Graham Cole has this to say about the glory of God in the Trinity: “In his famous high priestly prayer of John 17 Jesus prays to the Father, ‘I have brought you glory on earth’ (v 4), and, ‘Father, glorify…
The Gospel as Public Truth
On 14th February 1993 I was ordained as a Deacon in the Anglican church. I was reminded of that date when I opened up a book entitled ‘The Gospel as Public Truth’ by Lesslie Newbigin. There is a little book plaque…