Sword & Trowel 2016: Issue 2
THE VALUE OF THE COVENANTS
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ERE are some of the personal spiritual benefi ts of understanding
God’s covenants:
First, they provide a clear view of how God deals with mankind, so as to preserve his own holiness, and to explain the basis of either judgement or salvation.
Secondly, they show that any re- lationship with God is entirely his initiative and doing.
Thirdly, they show God’s attributes of sovereignty and
benevolence; his un- changing justice, mercy, power and faithfulness.
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Fourthly, they show that God will cer- tainly fulfi l all his promises, and that our spiritual security is based on his solemn and unbreakable covenant undertakings.
BELIEVER’S BAPTISM
At the evening evangelistic service of Sunday 11th December, thirteen passed through the waters of baptism, six men and seven women between 17 and 72 years of age, including one young member of the Deaf Fellowship. The ordinance was witnessed by some 700 and included in the live webcast.
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Fifthly, they reveal and demonstrate the failure and Fall and incapability of man, and also the wonders of a Re- deemer and grace.
Sixthly, they provide an insight into the cost of salvation, for the demands of the law show the scale of the right- eousness Christ must offer, as well as the extent of his atonement for offences against that law.
Seventhly, they provide a key to the understanding of the whole Bible,
delivering us from mistaken human elaborations such as dispensationalism.
Eighthly, they stir up our sense of obligation and indebtedness as be-
lievers, showing that we are embraced by God in a costly, unbreakable, everlasting covenant of grace.
Benjamin Keach – ‘This covenant [grace] is the only city of refuge for a distressed soul to fl y to for sanctu- ary, when all the billows and waves of temptation run over him, or Satan doth furiously assault him. If we fl y to this armoury, we can never want weapons to resist the devil, nor doubt of success against him.’
FARSI GATHERING
Another language group has commenced for further understanding of Sunday morning ministry. Dr Massoud Behnam gives explanation to Farsi speakers at 2pm in the Pastor’s vestry waiting room.
DOWNING STREET CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY
A contingent of Tabernacle Sunday School children was invited to the Prime Minister’s children’s Christmas party on the evening of 12th December. A short video records the occasion on the Downing Street Facebook page.
page 10 The Value of the Covenants
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