John Knox

(~1514 - 1572 ) only lived to ~58 years of age.
Picture a skinny dirty man with whip marks across his back amongst hundreds of men rowing a ship with chains on in the galleys. On one of his breaks he could see the guards approaching from the front of the boat one with a whip and the other with a statue of the Virgin Mary. He could see his fellow and helpless prisoners kissing her feet for who else could they get strength from? Finally the guard looked at him and handed him the statue yet he hesitated. Then as if reluctantly he says "give her to me". He grasped the statue and with one quick movement cast her overboard into the sea and exclaimed for all to hear "let our lady now save herself; for she is light enough; let her learn to swim".

John Knox is one of the most noted puritans yet was at first a priest in the catholic church before the Lord called him by His grace and made His abode in the heart of John Knox. No stranger to the hard life His best friend in his youth George Wishart was tried for heresy and burnt at the stake. Later he was captured by the pro-catholic French forces where he rowed in the French galleys for 18 months.

John Knox played a key role as a Protestant reformer and was instrumental in the institution of the Presbyterian church. He also was a friend of John Calvin in Geneva.

John Knox Quote
"No one else holds or has held the place in the heart of the world which Jesus holds. Other gods have been as devoutly worshipped; no other man has been so devoutly loved."
John Knox's Final Words
"Lord, Jesus receive my Spirit!"

Spurgeon said of John Knox
"John Knox's gospel is my gospel. That which thundered through Scotland must thunder through England again."

Fridays Top Posts

Every Friday I would like to recommend some posts I enjoy. If you took the time to read any of them please comment below.

------- RANK - BLOG - POST - TIME TO READ - WHAT I ENJOYED -------
1. Spurgeon Collection - The Blood - 20 mins - Spurgeon goes all out making "the blood" sufficient from a Savior who saves to the Uttermost.

2. A Form of Sound Words - Friday Night Notes - 1 min - I love to see bold evangelism. See how Rand answered by the Spirit of Christ when asked "what God's name was".

3. Godward Thoughts - Let your Sins be Strong - 1 min - Quoting Martin Luther where he said "....Be a sinner and let your sins be strong". Hidden sin will be revealed so this is a great read.

4. Puritan Belief - His Joy - 50 secs - The Joy of Jesus was full of glory and I bet all the readers want what this post talks about. Some great comments left to.

5. Camp On This - Vatican Christmas Carols - 2 mins - Great for a laugh at just how ridiculous the Vatican is.

6. Drinking Deeply - Death Penalty - 2 mins - Big topic and one that shook Australia this year where we immortalised a drug smuggler because he was being hung in Singapore.

7. Camp On This - Year in Review - 10 mins - Sums up 2005 showing how the church of Rome was a big winner and how our evangelifish have joined Her for the ride.

From My Mothers Womb

"But when God, who had set me apart even from my mothers womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me.." Galations 1:15-16

Although this is the testimony of Paul it is the same for every christian. God has set the christian apart even from their mothers womb. When that wonderful day of salvation comes it is the Lord who calls through his grace as He knows His sheep. The final work is the work of the Holy Spirit when the Son is revealed inside the Christian and makes His abode in you.
Sanctification
As a christian we are sanctified from the world. This is a complete work for we are no longer of the world but are completely sanctified from it and adopted as Sons and Daughters of our Lord and God Jesus Christ.
Preaching Jesus
The Lord could take us to be with himself for eternity at that moment yet with the Son revealed inside the christian it is Jesus whom they will preach lifting Up the Son of man so that Jesus will draw all men unto himself.

His Joy

"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full"

Joy is a feeling in which we are often unwilling to clothe Jesus with. We leap for joy, we shout for joy, we sing for joy. Yet our Lord is rightly labeled "The man of sorrows" because the burden Jesus was carrying was great. The worlds sin was a horror that he would have known about daily.

Unchanging sadness is the impression from the Church of Rome. They foster not radiant Joy but statues of Jesus on a cross with the thorn's on His brow, the piercing nails and the agony in his face.

This is only one side of the truth. Yet there must have been times when Jesus was radiant and happy, otherwise how should He have attracted little children as He did? He was such a contrast to John the Baptist, who came neither eating nor drinking. He told his disciples that fasting was not appropriate for them and they were continually feasting.

"Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows"

The joy of Jesus was a far greater joy then any man before him. The self righteous continually criticised Him for His Joy.

"...These things I have spoken unto you that your joy might be full."

The love of anyone we esteem brings great joy how much more would Jesus have joy when he abode in the Fathers love.

"preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of prison to them that are bound"

How can anyone accomplish this without an unspeakable Joy. How could the broken-heart be healed without Joy? His voice resounds...

"All those who are heavy laden come to me and I will give you rest"

Jesus was often interrupted by his disciples and critics where quick to jump in when he spoke of strange things to them yet when he spoke of Joy there were no questions. No one ever asked what does he mean by "That my joy might remain in you?" What Joy? No for this Joy unspeakable they saw in Jesus as a rule rather then an exception.

"..Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame"

About Puritan Belief

In a world where the basic beliefs of the gospel namely Jesus Christ has been compromised Puritan Belief will be bringing to the surface the purity of the gospel message. The Puritans of old such as Calvin, Owen, Knox, Spurgeon, Huntington, Luther and Bunyan all fought for the gospel of Grace Alone and so will this blog.

Puritan Belief = Jesus Belief
The Old Puritans got many of their doctrines right especially about Grace and election which I love. This blog is about the Purity of the Gospel message which is Jesus Christ Himself. He alone is the Purity or Puritan belief which I hold and proclaim. Jesus is the God of my Salvation and belief and never the purity of mens doctrines.

How to Comment
This blog sometimes gets heated and emotional.
* I DO NOT respond to comments that personally attack me.
* I try to keep my comments very short and to the point and enjoy when other commenters do the same.
* One small well thought out comment is better then many long winded comments.

Together we have the mind of Christ
I do not profess to have all my doctrines "down pat" so your comments are thoroughly appreciated and encouraged.

The Currency of Freedom

Australia remembers ANZAC day each year to show respect for the men and women who paid in their blood fighting for the freedom which we are still enjoying today.

If you look far enough back in history of any country you will find that the freedom they enjoy used the Currency of Freedom which is Blood.

When a county departs from the truth of the gospel and opens the doors to sin the Lord brings calamity upon them and it is often purged in blood.

The Law Results in Death
Since the fall of Adam where death spread to all men Freedom could only ever be enjoyed through blood and it was always only for a short time. The Lord demanded the blood of animals for guilt offerings and Sin offerings.

Currency of freedom - Paid In Full
The currency of freedom is blood because it was always Gods desire to become a Savior and once and for all settle accounts for the sins of the many by the blood of the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world. But this time instead of bringing freedom for a moment the freedom would be for eternity.

"...There will be no end to the increase of His govournment or of Peace". Isaiah 9:7

Captures a city

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city. Proverbs 16:32

Imagine the vigor, strength and strategy required to capture a city. The mighty warriors or the high ranking officers who take such a city would be trained in the art of war and tactics to arouse men to fight for a cause, their cause to gain splendor power and spoils or revenge.

Yet wisdom speaks that it is better to rule your own spirit. For the mighty leader who captures a city may appear to be able to organise thousands of men yet can they rule their own spirit?

....He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross... Philippians 2:8

Jesus although he could have called legions of angels and captured cities bringing about wrath for the wicked deeds done to Him did not. From the moment he was born he was carrying out this proverb He ruled his spirit, He was slow to anger.

Although the mighty were rising up against him by force it was impossible for them to kill Him for they could never take His life for it was only His to give up. This He did and in the most public death ever.

So that when we die with him we will also live with him and when we endure we will also rule with Him. I love how the gospel turns the knowledge of the world upside down.

Salvation to all Men

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. Titus 1:11

How strong is the grace of our God and Savior that the moment His grace appears so does His salvation. Titus makes it clear that this grace brings salvation to all me. The Lords grace would not be so strong if when his grace appeared it would only transform into a golden vessel some men. The text says when the grace of God appears it brings salvation to all men.

Irresistible Grace is a grace such as this, one in that the moment it appears so does salvation. There has not been one instance in the scripture nor in any generation where this grace of God has not finished and completed the work of the newbirth.

....God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. Titus 1:13-14

This grace is from our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus who is purifying for Himself a people for His own possession by the appearing of grace to His children, the church of the firstborn, the New Jerusalem, the true Jews. Those to whom His grace appeared shall be saved for they are zealous for good works and they believe and call and on His name, Jesus Christ. What a great salvation this is.

Man Who Never Lost an Argument

There is one man who was challenged by the great minds of his time who was questioned by lawyers and public figures of all faiths yet not once did his words ever contradict or was he ever in a corner that he could not flee from.

This man was so good with words because he was from the beginning "The Word". Meet the man who never lost an argument Jesus Christ.

"I will also ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John was from what source, from heaven or from men?" Matthew 21:24

....We do not know

Jesus was never caught out in an argument or asked something he did not know the perfect answer to. Usually in an argument people are saying one thing with their mouth yet meaning another with their heart. Jesus always answered what they meant in their heart rather then what they meant with their mouth.

Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, "Why are you testing me you hypocrites? Matthew 22:17-18

Jesus was often threatened by mobs seeking to take his life because of the way he answered the questions they asked with their hearts.

Wouldn't that be great when people are questioning you that you could answer the question they asked with their heart. Jesus says the same Spirit that was upon Jesus can be upon us when we become entangled in an argument.

"for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say." Luke 12:12

Its Cool to be a Christian

Following on from yesterdays post on the Priesthood of All Believers. I thought it useful to show what is happening currently in Australia. For readers who are not politically minded in Australia there has been a recent uprising of political figures making a claim to be a Christian. These include Kevin Rudd, Peter Garrett, Julia Irwin and even Kim Beazley.

Kevin Rudd who is a catholic become Anglican and Peter Garrett who is an Anglican become Uniting Church man.

To those of us with a Puritan Belief we cringe when we hear their testimony to humanity and good works and being nice people rather then to Jesus.

In the Australian today an article claiming that "Its cool to be a Christian" and quotes politicians who are approaching Christianity from a Humanistic and vote yielding angle because they know that this speaks to the right wing silent majority in Australia.

You may ask why am I so critical. After all isn't this good that our politicians are at least recognising Christ?

The answer here is quite simple anyone who looks back at History knows that it was the Catholics and church of England that has spilt the blood of the saints. When these churches rise up, again it will be the true Christians being taken to the gallows. Remember these politicians and churches are as a gentle as Lambs when they start out as cunning as foxes on the uprising and as ferocious as Lions when they gain power. The Puritans are no strangers with many having been put to death and fleeing their homeland.

Please comment on your thoughts on this article from the Australian Newspaper - Its cool to be a Christian.

Preisthood of all Believers

The puritans believed that a hierarchy in the church was wrong such as popery in Catholicism and the strong connection between church and state in the church of England.

Instead they pointed to verses portraying Christ as the head and each Christian being equal. And we are all priests unto our God.

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession.." 1 Peter 2:9

When reading back and hearing the names of the puritans such as John Calvin, Martin Luther, Thomas Cartwright, Charles Spurgeon you will notice that they don't have anything in front of their names such as reverend or Father or Pastor or deacon. This can be attributed to their strong belief that Christians are all equal under Christ. This became known as the Priesthood of all Believers.

Matthew 23 makes it clear that as a disciple of Jesus we are not to give ourselves titles.

"Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader that is Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted."

Caused us to be Born Again

Before I start I would like to say that understanding the following verses bring about great freedom as we place all hope in Jesus to firstly save us and secondly to keep us. It is of great benefit to read and commit to memory some of the first chapter of 1 Peter.

Thought 1:
Does Jesus cause us to be born again?

...Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 2 Peter 1:3

Yes according to his great mercy Jesus caused us to be born again.

Thought 2:
This always begs the question. Can I be born again back into sin?

The answer to this question can be seen in the following verse.

to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God.....2Peter 1:4 (analogy: John Newtons Dream)

As you can see our inheritance as a child of God is kept in heaven and protected by God and he is capable of protecting us so that we can never be born again back into sin.

Thought 3:
Well then does God cause everyone to be born again but some just don't want to come out of the "eternal womb"?

The answer to this is seen in that same verse
....According to his great mercy... 2Peter 1:3

We know that his mercy is not given to everyone for two reasons if it was then everyone would be saved and we all know this not to be true. The next is that he says in his word that he has mercy on whom he wills to have mercy. Romans 9:15

These 3 simple thoughts are so encouraging because one I know that I am born again and this a work completely of Jesus and two I can trust in the power of God for my inheritance not to whither away. I wonder why I never hear this in church?

The Prince of Preachers - Spurgeon

1834-92 (only 58)
Perhaps the most commonly quoted preacher ever. Charles Hadden Spurgeon is known to be the Prince of Preachers.

He only lived 58 years yet managed to write the treasury of David preached and edited hundreds of sermons and wrote a handful of books such as All of Grace.

Preaching Style
Unlike many of the churches of today where the preachers commonly go overtime Spurgeons sermons always kept to around 40 minutes. All accounts expand on how well he delivered his sermons. A truly magnificent preacher who at his height in London people were coming from all around where this one man was able to preach to thousands.

peculiar Facts on Spurgeon
On one occasion he met with William Booth whom he liked yet wondered at their ridiculous uniforms. Also known to enjoy smoking a cigar.

Summary
Charles Spurgeon was not ashamed to be a Calvinist and as always people referred to him as hyper. Here are some quotes.

Some Great quotes

"A lie travels round the world, while Truth is putting on her boots"

Free will carried many a soul to hell, but never a soul to heaven.

"I do not know how some people, who believe that a Christian can fall from grace, manage to be happy."

"By perseverance the snail reached the ark."

I am the Good Shepherd - Jesus

....He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quite waters. Psalm 23:2
....My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;.......they will never perish John 10:27-28

The most popular Psalm is arguably the gentle poetic words of Psalm 23 The Lord is my Shepherd. Why is it so powerful one may ask? The answer is because it speaks of the good shepherd who was to come. The verse declares the unlimited magnitude of the power of Jesus the good shepherd to keep and hold His sheep. When the Lord used David to write this Psalm he was declaring the strength and power that He has over his Sheep as the Good Shepherd.

People often say they love their free will and ability to choose yet the power of this psalm comes not from the sheep doing what they choose but rather from the Shepherds control, His staff and His rod.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.... He restores my soul.... Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

To contrast this Psalm with Jesus in the new testament we again see the same Shepherd with the same power and authority to keep his sheep as Psalm 23.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. John 10:27-28

You see Jesus used the analogy of a Shepherd and sheep to show the extent of his love that the Good Shepherd would die for his sheep.

I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 10:11

The Heavenly Jerusalem is NOW

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem and to myriads of angels. Hebrews 12:22

Hebrews 18-24 contrasts Sinai and Zion or the old covenant and the new covenant in a way that brings pictures of the old covenant such as blazing fires, darkness and gloom, Fear and trembling to that of the new covenant at Mount Zion with myriads of angels, Spirits of the righteous made perfect, sprinkled blood speaks better than the blood of Abel.

The Earthly Jerusalem was established in the law of Moses and this law was instituted with fear and trembling carrying fatal consequences for disobedience forged in blood. Abels blood cried out from the ground and resulted in vengeance. Yet the heavenly Jerusalem was established in blood and instead of screaming out for vengeance the blood of Jesus cries out for freedom.

The Christian is now enrolled into the church of the firstborn and his spirit is righteous having been made perfect. The only covenant of any meaning to the Christian is the one that Jesus is the mediator of. The Heavenly Jerusalem is forever established and held for us because our enrollment in this Heavenly Jerusalem is not kept on earth where it can be stolen but kept in heaven by Jesus. Refer to John Newtons Dream.

If God were your Father

If God were your Father, you would love Me... John 8:42

The hope of the pharisees was that they were descendents of Abraham John 8:33 which because of genealogy means that they came directly from Adam the Son of God and it was in this knowledge that they thought God to be their true Father. Little did they realise that the second Adam stood in front of them.

Jesus put a stop to this nonsense and false hope because when you love Him, God is your Father. Today is no different and it is so easy to lose focus on Jesus our Everlasting Father for to love him is to make God your Father.

Why then could the Pharisees not see this. It is clear from the account in John 8 that Jesus was speaking to them plainly with such remarks as "Yet you seek to kill me", "You are of your father the devil", "because you are not of God". This time His message was not a parable and his point was not watered down. The Jews took such offence that they labeled him a Samaritan with a demon.

The Pharisees were in the trap that we have all fell in and would be lost in if it were not for Jesus for He is the light and when we are born of God we come into this light and the Father is revealed to us.

"and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him." Luke 10:22

True God and Eternal Life

And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20

True God

It is clear from this passage that our eternal life is knit within the true God Jesus Christ. The very boundaries of our life are within Jesus, so much so that the Christian is found wrought in God. (John 3:21)

Eternal Life and the Christians Testimony

Having the true God and Eternal life can be seen in our friends because of their testimony. This is not just any testimony it is very specific and focused. A testimony like this one can be spotted a mile away because this testimony is that God has given us eternal life and this life is in his son. Therefore the Christian will proclaim with all his might that it was Jesus who gave him eternal life and that his eternal life which he now lives, is in the True God Jesus Christ.

Sins Have Been Covered

Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account. (Romans 4)

There is no greater hope for the sinner then this: His Sin, the Lord will not take into account on the day of judgment. This is his only hope because other then this there is no hope for the sinner because the moment one of his sins, small or large be raised against him then his shoulders will lower, his countenance will fall and words will fail him.

Sins Have Been Covered

The hope of the sinner is that his sins have been covered. The only way they can be covered is by Christ paying in full for their sins which is the basis of Justification. Not that his sins are forgotten or dismissed or pardoned. For if they were forgotten what if they were remembered and if they were dismissed what if they were re-admitted or if they were pardoned what if the pardon did not last?

The sin must be covered this means every sin must be covered past and future. The only way to do this is in death. For we know that the brunt of the law must end in death for the penalty must be paid. This is where the new-birth comes in when Jesus died so does the Christian with him and when Jesus rose so does the Saint who is now Sanctified, (Saint is derived from Sanctified) Glorified and Justified. Our Sins have been covered because the death which the Law demands was covered by the penalty of the cruelest death on record that of Christ who took away the sins of the world.

When Jesus died there was a problem. A big problem one never to have been encountered since its institution. This problem is that the Law got a totally innocent and pure man. Instead of getting the sinner they got the Lord God Almighty and Death could not hold him down how could it? He was not guilty yet he was punished therefore he rose again and we as the Christian rise with him in glory and the Law has no mastery over us for we are slaves now to Christ.

Saved By Grace and Grace Alone

"Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found was blind but now I see". John Newton

The story of John Newton strikes a chord in the heart of every sinner become saint. When Jesus saves men apart from works and by grace alone the Joy is unspeakable because the saving of the wretch like me was done when the eyes were blinded and the soul was lost.

This darkness into light experience is something that only the true Christian can testify about. Many people have testified to their wonderful friends who helped them out of troubles or perhaps a lovely church group that made them feel wanted and needed yet it is the true Christian that testifies to the saving work of grace and grace alone.

John Newtons Dream

When one studies the life of John Newton perhaps the most memorable time in his life apart from the lyrics of Amazing Grace was John Newtons strange dream. Whilst on a voyaging ship a man handed him a ring which has extreme beauty and precious beyond comprehension. This ring symbolised his eternal salvation. Within moments the man leaves and the devil appears and says to him that he does not deserve the ring. Yet John replies "I was given it and will not give it up". With persistence the devil wins and John gives up the ring. In an instant the waters subside and are replaced with fire consuming the boat. Moments before the flames overtake him the man appears again and the fires die down. The man (Jesus) asks "John where is the ring I gave you". John replies "you told me to hang onto it but I have failed I gave it up". Jesus replies "John I knew you would give up the ring that is why (opening his hands and displaying the ring) I will keep your ring for you in heaven and no one can take it away from me."

Summary
You see Jesus makes it clear that no one can snatch his children from his hands. Not even the children. He guards them and they are precious to him for the price that he paid, he paid in full, he paid in his blood.