Little ones to him belong
Posted on March 4, 2019
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“Over 40 years ago, Jay E Adams opened his little book, The Meaning and Mode of Baptism, with an observation that still rings true today: ‘obviously, some immersionists speak overmuch on the subject; but just as truly, most of those who disagree with them say far too little’.
The above observation might be most true amongst evangelical Anglicans. …”
– At The Australian Church Record, Peter Blair argues for clear teaching about infant baptism.
On The Road in Dubai — Closing Reflections on GAFCON 2019
Posted on March 2, 2019
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“In a few hours I will fly home from this extraordinary gathering of Anglicans who live, witness and worship in restricted circumstances where they are often the religious minority.
Four primates, 31 bishops and “internal provincial” archbishops, 44 clergy and 59 lay leaders from twelve countries shared their humbling testimonies. Unlike the trials I have faced, these dear Anglican brothers and sisters in Christ face ongoing violence and unrest, severe restrictions on how they may share their faith, and even death over a single, false accusation. Yet they still witness in word and deed to the transforming love of Jesus Christ with whomever they can.
It was an honor to be in the presence of the suffering Church within the Anglican Communion. …”
– The American Anglican Council’s Phil Ashey writes from Dubai.
Also from The American Anglican Council: “I’m Gay, Can I Come To Your Church?”.
NEXUS19 on Monday March 25
Posted on March 1, 2019
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Don’t forget the coming NEXUS19 Conference coming up later this month.
Mark Dever is among the speakers.
Take Heart!
Posted on February 27, 2019
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Matt Chandler writes clearly and honestly about the society we live in – from the challenges it presents us to the hope the gospel holds for those who live in it. …”
– At Church Society’s blog, Philip Hobbs introduces Matt Chandler’s book ‘Take Heart!’.
Anglican Diocese of Sydney: Public Statement on the verdict in the case of Cardinal Pell
Posted on February 27, 2019
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“Like many Australians, I am shocked and appalled by this verdict. I am unable to comment on the specifics of the case as the legal process must continue to take its course.
Any abuse of a child is abhorrent and must always be condemned whenever and wherever it occurs. Churches should be at the forefront of protecting children and providing a safe and loving environment.
The Anglican Church in Sydney is committed to zero tolerance of child abuse and we are grateful for the work of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse which has helped churches expose and deal with this scourge in our midst.
Archbishop Glenn Davies
26 February 2019.”
– Source: SydneyAnglicans.net.
Making Bricks for Evangelical Pharaohs
Posted on February 25, 2019
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“I worry that an awful lot of modern day ministry is about making bricks for evangelical pharaohs. Whether those pharaohs are actual people, or whether they are systems and philosophies of ministry that have been put in place, doesn’t matter all that much; making bricks is the paradigm of much modern ministry. And it’s leaving a trail of exhausted people in its wake. …”
– Stephen McAlpine’s observations may resonate with many in ministry.
Practical tips for sharing the gospel with a stranger
Posted on February 25, 2019
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“How are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?… Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Rom 10:14, 17)
How often do we consider the urgency of Paul’s words here? In 2017 McCrindle Research did a nation-wide study of faith and belief in Australia. It found that at least 1.5 million people don’t know a Christian. In fact, 1 in 29 people have never heard of Jesus. But the survey also found that 10 percent of Australians – that’s 2.4 million people – are interested in having a conversation about Jesus.
I once had no Christian friends or family, and I first heard the gospel from a stranger…”
– ACL Council member Mike Taylor shares encouragement and a challenge. At the Australian Church Record.
More on Ephesians
Posted on February 25, 2019
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ACL Council member, Dr Lionel Windsor, is continuing to post insightful and encouraging reflections on Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians.
See them at Forget the Channel. (Scroll down to Recent blog posts.)
Chaplains to be banned in ACT public schools
Posted on February 24, 2019
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“Chaplains will be banned from Canberra’s public schools from the end of the year in a move that goes beyond federal Labor policy to allow a choice of religious or secular workers. …”
– Report from ABC News.
Reform resources now available through Church Society
Posted on February 22, 2019
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Following the recent merger of Reform with Church Society, many Reform resources are now available on Church Society’s website for free download – with much more to come.
A Tender Lion: The Life, Ministry, and Message of J.C. Ryle
Posted on February 21, 2019
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ACL website readers might be interested in this book about J. C. Ryle. Commended by Phillip Jensen, it’s currently on special at Reformers bookshop in Stanmore.
“J. C. Ryle is to Anglican evangelicals as C. H. Spurgeon is to Baptist evangelicals. The lives of great servants of God deserve our careful study to understand the trajectory from which we have come, to remove the cultural blinders of living in the present, and to find exemplars of gospel ministry, that we may imitate their faith. Bennett Rogers has done us all a great favour by writing this book on J. C. Ryle with detailed scholarship and eminently readable prose.” – Phillip Jensen.
Also other items on special of possible interest –
Letters of John Calvin (reduced to $24.99) and Geerhardus Vos: Reformed Biblical Theologian, Confessional Presbyterian (now $35).
(The ACL does not have any business relationship with Reformers Bookshop. We just thought you might be interested.)
One Among Our Cloud of Witness
Posted on February 21, 2019
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“We are fortunate in this diocese that, although a relative new comer in the history of Christianity, God has granted us so many examples of faithful obedience to his word. One servant who was called home on 7 September 2018, was the former Archbishop of Sydney, Donald Robinson. His impact on Anglicanism in Australia and wider evangelicalism was profound. …”
– Dr. Ed Loane shares the latest on the publication of Donald Robinson’s Selected Works.
The two new volumes will be launched at Moore College on Saturday 16th March 2019.
Lambeth 2020 Descends into Confusion
Posted on February 20, 2019
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“When the boundary markers of biblical and apostolic faith are set aside, confusion enters the Church. …
The Archbishop of Canterbury has changed the long-established convention that spouses are invited to Lambeth Conferences and contradicted the blanket statement he made in a recent video when he affirmed “of course, bishops’ spouses will be invited as well as bishops”.
The reason for this change in policy follows from another, which was to include for the first time at Lambeth 2020 same-sex partnered bishops in contrast to the policy of his predecessor, Archbishop Rowan Williams, who did not invite Bishop Gene Robinson and his same-sex partner to Lambeth 2008…”
– The latest from GAFCON on the latest Lambeth confusion.
Screenshot above from this video produced to promote the Lambeth Conference (cued to the statement about bishops’ spouses):
Gospel Flourishing in a Time of Confusion — new book from Church Society
Posted on February 19, 2019
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At Church Society’s website, there’s news of a new book to help evangelicals in the midst of a very confused Church of England.
Creating a culture of doctrinal literacy
Posted on February 18, 2019
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“My favourite book on Christian doctrine is Peter Jensen’s At the Heart of the Universe.
It’s short, sharp, soaked in Scripture, and came about as a result of research for presenting the material orally. Best of all, it begins with eschatology – something that sets it apart, in a good way, from most (if not all) other approaches to Christian doctrine.
But whenever I pick up a book on Christian doctrine, I expect to hear some sort of apologetic for its very existence, and Dr Jensen’s work is no exception. In the introduction he writes …”
– Ben Pakula shares some ideas at The Australian Church Record.



