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Home / Publications / Free Presbyterian Magazine / 1998 to 2003 / October 2001 / “God Gave the Increase”

“God Gave the Increase”

In our text we have the important principle that the work of men precedes the increase by God; or that the increase by God follows the work of men, that work having been appointed by God. The operation of this principle is seen in both the natural and spiritual spheres, and it is its operation in the spiritual sphere that the Apostle is speaking about when he says, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.”

Therefore, the Lord helping me, I wish to set before you two main matters: first, the work done by men: “I have planted, Apollos watered”; second, the increase given by God: “God gave the increase”; and third, we shall conclude by drawing a few lessons from these two matters.

1. The work done by men. The work done by Paul and Apollos was that of planting and watering the Word of God, the good seed of the Kingdom. This is simply the preaching and teaching of the Word. You will remember that Paul exhorted Timothy, “Preach the Word” (2 Tim 4:2). Paul himself, with Apollos, engaged in that work with all diligence.

The planting of the good seed is the laying down of the truths of the Word of God, setting the doctrines of the Bible before sinners. It includes not only expounding the Word but also applying it to the cases of those to whom it is being preached so that they may benefit spiritually.

The watering of the seed sown is, we believe, the nurturing of it so that there will be, in due time, first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear. The watering, therefore, is something other than laying down the seed; it is the further expounding and applying of the Word, especially with regard to the spiritual needs of the Lord’s people, so that they will grow in grace and advance in holiness.

Some commentators say that the particular instance of planting referred to in our text was Paul’s initial preaching of the fundamentals of the faith for the conversion of sinners in Corinth, and that the watering done by Apollos, when he remained in Corinth after Paul’s departure, was his preaching for the edification of the believers in the Church there. In any case, both the planting and watering are the preaching of the Word.

We are to note carefully that the planting and watering of the seed – the preaching of the Word – is God’s appointed means of bringing sinners into a state of salvation. “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,” said Paul, “for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom 1:16). It is “especially the preaching of the Word”, says the Shorter Catechism, which is “an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners”.

Also, it is mainly the preaching of the Word by which the Lord’s people are sanctified – by which they grow in grace and in the knowledge of their Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The prayer of Christ was: “Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth” (John 17:7). Again, as the Catechism says about the sanctifying of believers, it is “especially the preaching of the Word” that is “an effectual means of . . . building them up in holiness and comfort”.

It follows that by the preaching of the Word the Church of Christ is both established and built up. By the preaching of the Word, the Christian Church was established in Corinth, and by the preaching of the Word it was built up. Therefore, we must ever comply with that all-important command of the Saviour, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). No other method but this planting and watering may be used to accomplish God’s great purpose of bringing the elect into a state of salvation, to the advancement of His cause. It is not by the modern ecumenical movement that the Church will be built, as so many fondly imagine. Neither will innovative preaching or new kinds of so-called worship, such as drama and dance, accomplish this. Only by preaching “the word of the truth of the gospel” are sinners saved and sanctified. “It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Cor 1:21).

We see also that this great work is done by men – mere men. God does not send His angels to do this work. They are described as God’s ministers that do His pleasure (Ps 103:21) but they are not sent to preach the Word. Instead, God sends men, mere human beings, “earthen vessels” (as Paul described himself and his fellow labourers). Of course, it goes without saying that, while we mean “men” as human beings, women are debarred from this work of watering and planting. The authoritative word of Scripture is this: “But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence” (1 Tim 2:12).

Scripture also clearly teaches us that no man can engage in this great work of planting and watering unless he is appointed by God. Paul and Apollos were not self-appointed; the Lord called them to the work. “Christ sent me,” said Paul, ” . . . to preach the gospel.” The disciples too were sent forth by the Master. So true ministers of the gospel are ambassadors of Christ. “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Cor 5:20). God appointed them, gave them His commission, and sent them out with His message. “No man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God” (Heb 5:4). Yes, these words do apply to Aaron and the high-priesthood of the Old Testament era, but the principle behind them applies also to the ministry of the gospel. If Jesus Christ Himself is the great Shepherd by the appointment of God the Father, surely the under-shepherds are divinely called also.

We see from the context that those who planted and watered are described as ministers. Paul says, as we read in verse 5, “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers?” The term minister means a servant or attendant. Every true preacher of the Word is a servant. He is a servant of God, who has sent him, as Paul acknowledged when he said, “Whose I am, and whom I serve”. Ministers are also servants to the Church. Paul, for example, served the Church in Thessalonica. He worked among them as a nurse, concerned about their welfare and devoted to their care. “But we were gentle among you,” he said, “even as a nurse cheriseth her children” (1 Thess 2:7). Every true servant of the Lord, realising that he is a servant to the Church itself, knows that he is not to lord it over the flock. Yes, he must lead the flock, but not lord it over the flock. He must, in fact, minister to the flock. “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers?”

This word ministers also suggests the doing of work. Ministers of the gospel are to engage in labour, even hard labour. In verse 9, Paul says, “We are labourers . . . “. Of his time in Thessalonica, serving the Church like a nurse looking after her children, Paul said, “Ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God” (1 Thess 2:9). He was saying in effect: The work we are engaged in requires all our energy and effort. If a servant of men must be diligent in business, as the Bible requires, a servant of the Lord and of the Church must show exemplary diligence in the great business which has been put into his hands by the Head of the Church. Therefore this title minister is one which says to the ministers of the gospel, “Be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor 15:58).

Another instructive point to glean from the context is that while, on the whole, this planting and watering is the one work of preaching and teaching the Word of God, there are certain differences between planting and watering. In other words, among those whom God has sent as ministers of the gospel there are differences in abilities and gifts. Of course, all of them must be apt to teach, this being one of the basic qualifications for spiritual planting and watering. However, some ministers are more knowledgeable than others; some are more lucid than others in their preaching; some are more fluent than others; some are more earnest than others; some are more able to speak to the cases of the Lord’s people, while others are more able in dealing with the consciences of the unconverted. However, while there are these differences, every godly minister will acknowledge, “Whatever ability I have been given by God, be it only one talent, I must make the fullest use of it. May I not be found on the great day of reckoning having buried that talent!”

The Lord’s labourers also acknowledge that, while there are these differences among them, they are all engaged in one great work. “Therefore,” they say, as it were, “let us be in harmony with regard to it. Let us seek and cherish ‘the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace’ as we go out planting and watering the good seed.” They prize the fundamental unity between the servants of the Lord that verse 8 points to: “Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one”. Not only are they “one in Christ Jesus”, but they are also one in having the same office, the same work, the same relationship to God, and the same relationship to the Church. Also, they are of one mind with regard to the great objectives they must always have before them – that God will be glorified, and Christ have the preeminence in all things; that sinners will be saved, believers sanctified, and the cause of Christ advanced.

Therefore they go on in the work of planting and watering the seed. Can they hope for fruit? Will there be an increase? What we are especially to note from our text is that, while the labourers must sow the seed, it is only by the power of God that there will be an increase. Except the Lord will give the increase, their labour will be in vain.

2. The increase given by God. “God gave the increase”, said Paul. Calvin comments, “The labourers must labour with all diligence and faithfulness, but as for making their labours productive, that is the work of divine grace, not a work of human industry.” This work of grace is a work of divine power. Where the grace of God is exercised in saving sinners and sanctifying the godly, the power of God must be exercised. Therefore, if the sowing of the seed is to be productive, there must be the exercise of heavenly power. Those of you who work on the land know that, however hard-working you may be at sowing time, it is all in vain if God does not give the increase. “Thou preparest them corn,” said the Psalmist, “when thou hast so provided for it” (Ps 65:9). The increase is due to divine power.

Furthermore, it is especially the power of the third Person of the Godhead, the Holy Ghost, that is exercised in giving the increase. Under Paul’s preaching “many of the Corinthians hearing believed” (Acts 18:8), but that preaching was “in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Cor 2:4). Again, in Psalm 110 we read about the Lord sending the rod of His strength out of Zion; that is, sending His Word out from the Church by His ambassadors. Then sinners are made willing. How does that happen? Apart from that exercise of the power of the Spirit of God, not one sinner will come to the blessed One who says, “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28). When sinners are effectually called by God’s Spirit, then there is the fulfilment of the words: “A willing people, in Thy day of power, shall come to Thee” (Ps 110:3, metrical).

Consider also what happened in Thessalonica. When the gospel came to that pagan city, sinners turned from idols “to serve the living and true God and to wait for His Son from heaven”. What was the cause of that turning? O yes, the Apostle laboured night and day but there was also this altogether essential matter: the powerful work of the Spirit of God. “For our gospel came not unto you in word only,” wrote Paul, “but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance” (1 Thess 1:5).

We see then that it is only by the work of God Himself that the Word increases in the sense of being fruitful in transforming sinners into followers of the Saviour. The Word of God was thus fruitful in Jerusalem: “The number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7). How did that come about? By the extraordinary effusion of the Holy Spirit upon the Church, so that there was a great gathering unto Shiloh – a flocking of sinners to Jesus Christ.

What now of the saved sinner advancing in the life of holiness? This also takes place by the use of the Word. The Saviour, in interceding for His disciples, prayed, “Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth” (John 17:17). When the Word is blessed to the people of God, it is effectual to their growth in grace. They increase in knowledge. They increase in love, as they are required to do: to “increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men” (1 Thess 3:12). And the Word is effectual in increasing their estimate of the One whose name is above every name, and also in their decreasing their estimate of themselves. “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

However, you are sure of this, child of God: that there can be no such benefit from the Word of God for you apart from the secret, powerful working of the Holy Ghost causing you to will and to do of His good pleasure. It is by the indwelling and operation of the Holy Spirit that you make any progress in the narrow way that leads to eternal life, and press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. It is God alone who gives the increase.

Then there is the matter of the establishing and building up of the Church of God in the world. Again we have to say, God gives the increase. It is not by the might and power of men that this spiritual edifice is founded and raised up. The efforts of the most gifted and able ministers are all to no avail if there is no exercise of power by the Holy Spirit. “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it” (Ps 127:1). Truly, it is “not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord” (Zec 4:6).

You will remember that these words in Zechariah were spoken to Zerubbabel. He was discouraged because the work of rebuilding the temple was at a standstill for 16 years. The Lord then sent His prophets Zechariah and Haggai to preach to the people to encourage them. What a great encouragement was Zechariah’s message: “This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord.” The preaching of Haggai and Zechariah was indeed encouraging, and Zerubbabel and the people were up and doing; they rebuilt the temple, and thus built up the cause of God in Israel.

With regard to the cause of the Lord among ourselves as a denomination, and in this dear land of ours, there can be no betterment and no building up unless there is the exercise of divine power. Therefore we need so much that the Lord would make bare His mighty arm. “Thou hast an arm that’s full of power,” said the Psalmist to God, “Thy hand is great in might” (Ps 89:13). O friends, let us be looking to Him that He would work in this way in our day, that He would stir up His strength in order that there would be an increase: in this congregation, in our branch of the visible Church, in every part of the visible Church – in our land and to the ends of the earth. “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.”

3. Some lessons from our text. One lesson which we must lay to heart is this: the utter futility of labour alone. Be that labour ever so diligent, it is in vain if the presence and power of the Holy Ghost are not felt in our midst. There must be the divine blessing if our labour is not to be in vain. True, there must be diligent labour on our part. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might” (Ecc 9:10). But how much we need that the windows of heaven would be opened and a blessing poured down upon us, so that there would not be room enough to receive it. Then, and only then, will there be the fulfilment of the promise, “I will make them and the places round about My hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing” (Ezek 34:26).

This also is a very important lesson underlined by our text: that we are required to pray earnestly for the increase. Plead, O plead, at the throne of grace, that the Lord would come to our aid, that He would exercise His power in mercy for us as a Church and for His cause in our land and throughout the world, in order that the reviving would come which is so greatly needed. We read in the prophecy of Ezekiel about the wonderful things that the Lord promised to do for His people Israel so that they would have much spiritual prosperity. At the same time, God said, “I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them” (Ezek 36:37). It is clear that we have the obligation laid upon us to be crying to the Lord to do these things for His Church in this dark day. O friends, must we not smite ourselves because of our deficiencies in this duty of crying to the God of heaven that He would arise and have mercy upon His Zion?

Let us not leave our text, however, without laying to heart that, while we are to be crying to the Lord for His promised aid, we are to be heartily engaged in all the duties that the Lord lays upon us. We see in the Books of Zechariah, Haggai, Nehemiah and Ezra that, while God promised to help them and to exercise His power on their behalf, so that mountains of opposition would become a plain, and His cause flourish, yet He would have them to be up and doing, rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem and restoring the walls of the city. To Zerubbabel and the people, God said, “Be strong . . . and work” (Hag 2:4).

So God is calling us today to continue diligently in the great work He lays upon us, especially that of preaching the gospel and teaching the truth. Christ told His disciples to teach “them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you”. In these words of Christ we have the principle that nothing is to be used in the public worship of God but what He has prescribed. This duty of teaching all things that the great Head of the Church requires to be observed is something that a large part the visible Church has lost sight of in our day. May we be found diligent in the work, planting and watering while we have the opportunity, and waiting on the Lord for the increase.

One last lesson before we close: God alone is to be glorified in the resulting increase. Paul himself was very conscious of the fact that he was but a servant; therefore he says, “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers?” (1 Cor 3:5), and he adds later, “Therefore let no man glory in men” (1 Cor 3:21). There is a deplorable tendency on our part to glory in ourselves and to glory in others. Glorying in gifts and putting confidence in an arm of flesh have been the downfall of many. Let no man glory in his wisdom, let no man glory in his strength, let no man glory in anything which God has given him, “but he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Cor 1:31). No doubt some of you remember Rev Aaron Ndebele preaching at a meeting of Synod some years ago on these words. It was made very clear to us that there is to be no glorying in man. We are to ascribe all glory to the God of all grace and to the Son of His love, whom He sent in His great name to save, and whose name is above every name. May we be found doing so!

Endnotes:
1.This sermon was preached by the Moderator of the Northern Presbytery at the induction of the Rev G G Hutton to the pastorate of the Inverness congregation on Friday, 23 March 2001. It is published at the request of the Presbytery.

Return to Table of Contents for The Free Presbyterian Magazine – October 2001

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      • October 2003
        • A View from the Outer Hebrides
        • The Untiring Travellers – Part 2
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        • The Ten Virgins
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        • A Pastor’s Concern
        • Seeking Great Things
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        • A Kingdom Where Order Reigns
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        • The Untiring Travellers – Part 1
        • Sanctification – part 1
        • The Achreny Mission – 2. 1815 to 1843
        • Evidences of Saving Faith – part 4
        • Book Reviews
        • Protestant View
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      • November 2003
        • Church Information
        • A Prayer-Hearing God – Part 1
        • The Achreny Mission – Part 3 – After the Disruption
        • Meditation – Its Blessedness
        • Obituary – John Beaton, Raasay
        • African Missions Update
        • Growing Vatican Sovereignty
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Christ as Prophet
      • March 2003
        • What We Make It?
        • King Solomon’s Chariot
        • Samuel Rutherford – St Andrews and Westminster
        • Those Who Have Fled for Refuge – Part 4
        • The Parable of the Talents
        • The Kinsman
        • Scottish Church Initiative for Union
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • May 2003
        • A Powerful Voice
        • Notes and Comments
        • “Ye Shall Ask What Ye Will”- Part 2
        • Christianity – an Exclusive Religion – The Religion of the Bible
        • The Prodigal Son
        • The Study of Providence
        • Poor and Needy
        • John Piper and His Doctrine
        • African Missions
        • Protestant View
      • June 2003
        • No Sense of Need
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • The Call of Matthew
        • Christianity – an Exclusive Religion – The Christian Doctrine of God
        • The Sower
        • Evidences of Saving Faith – Part 1
        • Meditation Sanctifies
        • Mbuma Zending Meeting – 2003
        • Zimbabwe Ordinations and Inductions
        • Book Reviews
      • July 2003
        • Acceptable Worship
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Grace Glorified in Election
        • Christianity – an Exclusive Religion – Some Further Doctrines
        • The Pharisee and the Publican
        • Rabbi Duncan
        • Evidences of Saving Faith – Part 2
        • A Plea for Prayer
        • Continuing Repentance
        • Book Review: Christmas Evans, The Life and Times of the One-Eyed Preacher of Wales
      • January 2003
        • Thankfulness
        • The Lord God of Elijah
        • Samuel Rutherford – Fair Anwoth by the Solway – 1627 – 1636
        • Manna
        • All of Grace
        • Obituary – Mr Edward Arthur Christensen, Auckland
        • Obituary – Miss Isabel Murray, North Tolsta
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • February 2003
        • Christ’s Infinite Riches
        • Protestant View
        • Church Information
        • The Lord God of Elijah – Part 2
        • Samuel Rutherford – His King’s Palace in Aberdeen
        • The Privilege of Prayer
        • In Possession of the Promises
        • The Rich Man and Lazarus
        • Humiliation and Prayer
        • Book Reviews
        • Notes and Comments
        • Book Review – Sidelights on Bible Characters
        • Book Review – Authentic Christianity: Sermons on the Acts of the Apostles
      • December 2003
        • Nineteenth-Century Drift
        • A Prayer-Hearing God – Part 2
        • The Achreny Mission – 4. After the Disruption – Part 2
        • Meditation – Its Consequences
        • Visit to the Ukraine
        • Book Review – Letters from the South Seas, Margaret Paton
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • April 2003
        • The Promised Land
        • Church Information
        • “Ye Shall Ask What Ye Will”- Part 1
        • Samuel Rutherford – The Last Years
        • The Pearl of Great Price
        • Repentance
        • A Private Among the Padres
        • Damaging Doubts
        • The Prince – Defender of all Faiths
        • Protestant View
      • August 2003
        • What Kind of Faith?
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • The Head Stone of the Corner
        • The Vineyard
        • Mary and the Spiritual Mind
        • The Achreny Mission – 1. 1760 to 1815
        • Church of Scotland General Assembly
        • Evidences of Saving Faith – Part 3
        • Book Reviews
        • Protestant View
        • Book Review – God’s Hymnbook for the Christian Church
      • September 2002
        • The Shepherd’s Reward
        • Notes and Comments
        • The Jubilee
        • The Early Christian Church – The Era of Conflict
        • Those Who Have Fled for Refuge – Part 2
        • The Beliver’s Sanctification
        • Trinitarian Bible Society Update
        • The New Archbishop of Canterbury
        • Book Reviews
        • Protestant View
      • October 2002
        • “My Counsel Shall Stand”
        • Church Information
        • The Way to the City
        • The Early Christian Church – The Era of Consolidation
        • “Your Mercy”and the Jews’ Future
        • Springing Up After Many Days
        • Book Reviews
        • Eastern Europe News
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • November 2002
        • Christ’s Spiritual Conquests
        • Church Information
        • The Call to the Water of Life – Part 2 (1) A Sermon by William Nixon Revelation 22:17. And the spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
        • The Right Way (1) Rev J S Sinclair
        • Obituary Mr Murdo Macleod, Elder, Stornoway
        • Book Reviews
        • Foreign Mission News
        • Protestant View
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      • May 2002
        • Divine Compassion
        • Book Review – The Antichrist
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • Coming to Christ – Part 2
        • A Master in Israel
        • The Cleansing of the Leper
        • The Christian’s Life
        • The Puritans on Prayer
        • Advice on Preaching
        • The Great Draught of Fishes
        • Book Review – Church and State
      • March 2002
        • “Hear the Word of the Lord”
        • The Blessing of Asher
        • Thomas Cranmer – That God Might Be Truly Worshipped
        • Psalms or Hymns in Public Worship
        • Obituary – Reverend Donald Nicolson
        • Is Britain Being Protected?
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Protestant View
      • June 2002
        • “Another King, One Jesus”
        • Church Information
        • Pray Without Ceasing
        • The Puritans on Prayer – Part 2
        • Inventing Religion
        • Princeton and Pelagianism
        • Among the Children
        • Hopes of Future Usefulness – A Letter of John Love
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • January 2002
        • “Religion in its Purity”
        • Notes and Comments
        • Attaining a Knowledge of Our Sins
        • The Meat Offering
        • The Strength of Faith
        • Thomas Cranmer – Moving Towards a Reformation
        • The Extent of the Atonement
        • Rev John MacDonald (1925-2000) – Obituary
        • Book Review – God and Cosmos
        • Protestant View – Queen Invites Cardinal to Sandringham
      • July 2002
        • The Need for Opened Eyes
        • God’s Wrath Against Sin
        • The Puritans on Prayer – A Wondrous Mysterious Grace
        • Revival in Arran
        • Man’s Righteousness and God’s
        • Church of Scotland General Assembly
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Protestant View
      • February 2002
        • Offering up Our Desires to God
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • Look unto Me and Be Ye Saved
        • Thomas Cranmer – The Man of Extreme Caution
        • The Power of the Gospel
        • The Goodness of God in Redemption
        • Obituary – Mrs Isabella Turner
        • Book Review – Galatians
        • Book Notices
        • Protestant View
      • December 2002
        • “A Zealous, Godly Preacher”
        • The Call to the Water of Life – Part 2
        • Samuel Rutherford – From Birth to New Birth
        • Those Who Have Fled for Refuge – part 3
        • Obituary – Mrs Annie MacIver, North Tolsta
        • Book Reviews
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • April 2002
        • “I am the Resurrection and the Life”
        • Coming to Christ – Part 1
        • Thomas Cranmer – On to the Fire
        • The Plague of Leprosy
        • Divided Allegiance
        • Obituary – Miss Margaret Sutherland
        • Book Review – The Hidden Pathway
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • August 2002
        • Everything Devoted to God’s Service
        • Unity Among the Brethren
        • Those Who Have Feld for Refuge
        • The Early Christian Church – The Era of Conquest
        • Symptoms of Spiritual Death
        • Book Review – The King’s Daughters
        • African Mission News
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • September 2001
        • Knowing God
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • The Path of the Just
        • Obituary – The late Miss Jean Nicolson
        • Obituary – The late Mrs Lexie MacLeod
        • Raasay Congregation – a Brief History
        • The Knowledge of Sin
        • Induction at Sengera
        • Book Review: The Source of the IRA/Sinn Fein
        • Protestant View
      • October 2001
        • Tragedy
        • “God Gave the Increase”
        • The Westminster Confession of Faith – It’s Usefulness for the Church
        • Desires for Glory
        • Calling a Minister
        • The Vatican Archives
        • A Visit to Singapore
        • Notes and Comments
      • November 2001
        • Scotland’s Preachers
        • Recent Inductions
        • The Rose of Sharon
        • The Westminster Confession of Faith – It’s Usefulness on the Personal Level – Intellectually
        • “Be Strong and of a Good Courage”
        • God’s Wonderful Goodness
        • “Withhold not Correction”
        • Obituary – The late Mr Donald Beaton, Elder, Auckland
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Obituary – The late Mr Donald Beaton, Elder, Auckland
      • May 2001
        • Sinking in Capernaum’s Doom
        • Book Review – Irish Worthies
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • The Goodwill of God
        • Keeping the Heart in Temptation
        • The Establishment Principle – Part 2
        • The Garden of Nuts
        • The Son of Man Lifted up
        • Obituary – The late John Angus MacLeod
        • A Deputy’s Visit to Africa – Kenya
        • Book Review – Faith and Justification
      • March 2001
        • “Just with God”
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • Christ Set up from Everlasting
        • Stevenson on the Offices of Christ – Christ as Priest
        • W S Plumer- Part 2
        • Obituary – The late Rev Alexander McPherson, Perth
        • Pastoral Letter – Rev Alexander McPherson
        • Joseph MacKay
        • Book Review – Forerunner of the Great Awakening
      • June 2001
        • Blessedness
        • Church Information
        • Christ Coming for His people’s Help – Part 1
        • Who Belong to the Visible Church?
        • The Establishment Principle – Part 3
        • Religion in the Highlands After 1688 – Part 3
        • Raising Questions Against Darwinism
        • Eastern Europe News
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • July 2001
        • Cry Aloud Spare Not
        • Christ Coming for His people’s Help – Part 2
        • Stevenson on the Offices of Christ
        • Our African Missions – an Update
        • Church of Scotland General Assembly
        • Spring Visit to Ukraine
        • Trinitarian Bible Society Report
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • January 2001
        • Looking Forward
        • Book Review – The Government of the Church
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • Faith, Its Nature, Origin and Effects
        • Thomas Halyburton and How God May Be Known
        • The Divinity of Christ
        • Religion in the Highlands after 1688 – Part 1
        • Keep a good conscience
        • God’s True Family
        • What is the Object of Faith?
        • Communion in Singapore
      • February 2001
        • Calling the Sabbath a Delight
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • Christ Set up from Everlasting
        • Stevenson on the Offices of Christ – Christ as Prophet
        • Religion in the Highlands after 1688 – Part 2
        • Book Review – Daily Prayer and Praise by Henry Law
        • Psalm 122 – Henry Law
        • The enemies of the Christian
        • African Mission News
        • Protestant View
      • December 2001
        • Protestant View
        • African Mission News
        • Eastern Europe News
        • Book Review – Tell it to the Generation Following
        • The Westminster Confession of Faith – Usefulness on the Personal Level
        • The Impossibility of Neutrality
        • “Christian”Entertainment
        • Attaining a Knowledge of Our Sins
        • Church Information
        • Notes and Comments
        • A View From Zimbabwe
      • August 2001
        • “There They Preached the Gospel”
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • “He Will Bless Us”
        • Stevenson on the Offices of Christ
        • “He Delighteth in Mercy”
        • “The Voice of Christianity in Scotland”
        • Obituary – The late Mr Ian M MacLeod, Elder, Dingwall
        • Obituary – The late Mrs Catherine MacKenzie, Stornoway
        • Book Review – Southern Presbyterian Leaders 1683-1911
        • Book Review – The Westminster Confession of Faith, Milestone, Millstone or Manifesto?
      • April 2001
        • Sowing the Seed
        • The Duty of Nations to the Church
        • The Establishment Principle – Part 1
        • “The Finger of God”
        • Obituary – The late Miss Peggy Nicolson, Inverness
        • A Deputy’s Visit to Africa – Zimbabwe
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • September 2000
        • The Resurrection of Christ
        • Church Information
        • Reading the Scriptures Profitably
        • The believer is to put those sins… into the hands of Christ
        • The Puritans and the Ministry
        • Christ Glorifying God
        • Blessed Are They That Mourn
        • The Nature of Vital Piety (2)
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • October 2000
        • The Fear of God
        • Church Information
        • Reading the Scriptures Profitably (2)
        • He indeed is rich in grace whose graces are not hindered by his riches
        • The Puritans and the Ministry (2)
        • James Stewart
        • Christ Healing a Leper
        • Visits To Eastern Europe
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • November 2000
        • “What Are They Among so Many?”
        • Vain Religion
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • The Desired Haven
        • God may bear long with the wicked, but…
        • Thomas Halyburton
        • James Stewart (2)
        • The Temptation of Christ
        • Book Review
      • May 2000
        • The Church of God From Age to Age
        • Jesus of Nazareth passeth by
        • Rev Lachlan MacLeod (1918-1998) – Obituary
        • “So let him give”
        • The Solemn League and Covenant
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • African Mission News
        • Church Information
      • June 2000
        • The Example of the Church in Smyrna
        • Eastern Europe – Spring 2000 Report
        • Church Information
        • The Nature of the New Birth
        • This is Indeed the Christ
        • Obituary The late Mr Alasdair Gillies, M.A., Elder, Dingwall
        • Report of Mbuma Zending Meeting – 29th April 2000
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Ma Donsa One of the Pilgrims at Ingwenya
        • African Mission News
      • March 2000
        • Two Free Churches
        • Sermon The Gracious Invitation of Christ
        • The Rev John Sinclair of Bruan (1801-43)
        • Princeton Theology – the Scottish Connection
        • Regeneration Regulating the Affections
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • July 2000
        • The Church of Scotland General Assembly
        • Church Information
        • Lift up a Standard for the People
        • At the Westminster Assembly
        • The Earth Corrupt before God
        • The Trinitarian Bible Society Report
        • Obituary – The late Mr Kenneth Gillies, Elder, Raasay
        • The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland Synod
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • February 2000
        • The Rev. Christopher Munro (1817-85)
        • African Mission News
        • Church Information
        • “Come unto me”
        • Joy and Peace in Believing
        • Princeton Theology – the Scottish Connection
        • Negotiations in London
        • Obituary
        • Trinitarian Bible Society Scottish Day Conference
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • January 2000
        • Another Millennium
        • Notes of a Sermon The Earth Filled with His Glory
        • The Second Coming of Christ – Three Main Views
        • The Latter Day Glory
        • Building up the Church of God
        • Princeton Seminary – The Majestic Testimony by David Calhoun.
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • December 2000
        • The Divine Saviour
        • A Sermon by John Kennedy
        • Thomas Halyburton
        • The Late Roderick Macleod,
        • The Aberdeen Church
        • Book Reviews
        • Book Reviews
        • Notes and Comments
      • August 2000
        • Where Are We Now?
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • Christ Given in His Fulness
        • Alexander Henderson
        • I cannot always come to Christ
        • Obedience to Christ
        • The Nature of Vital Piety
        • The Puritans for Today
        • Protestant View
      • April 2000
        • The Family Under Attack
        • Sermon
        • Princeton Theology – the Scottish Connection
        • The King in Scotland
        • Comments on Psalm 51
        • Unsettling the Settlement
        • The pope’s visit to the Holy Land
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • October 1999
        • Declaring All the Counsel of God
        • Church Information
        • God so Loved the World
        • The Rev. James S. Sinclair
        • The Glasgow Assembly
        • Calvin’s View of the Millennium
        • Book Review
        • Trinitarian Bible Society Annual General Meeting
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • September 1999
        • Old Testament Types
        • Church Information
        • Christ Seeing of the Travail of His Soul
        • Alexander Stewart of Cromarty
        • The Intercession of Christ
        • Resolved to Abolish Episcopacy
        • “And the sun was darkened”
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • November 1999
        • Morality and Politics
        • Church Information
        • Sermon
        • Rev Alexander Morrison (1925-1999) – Obituary
        • The Charismatic Movement – The Gifts have Ceased
        • Casting down the Walls of Jericho
        • A Visit to Singapore
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • May 1999
        • “Upon this rock I will build my church”
        • The Blessed Poor
        • Rev Angus Mackay
        • Is Christ our High Priest?
        • Signs of Religious Declension
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • March 1999
        • Heaven-provoking Legislation
        • Church Information
        • The Drawing Power of the Cross
        • The Alpha Course Examined
        • Teaching Christianity in Scottish Schools
        • The late Mrs Margaret Tallach, Glasgow
        • Letter by John Love, D.D.
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • African Mission News
      • June 1999
        • Made a Faithful Shepherd
        • Notes and Comments
        • How May Sanctification Be Attained?
        • Protestant View
        • Mbuma Zending Meeting Report
        • Address to Mbuma Zending Meeting
        • Spiritual Pride in Man
        • Church Information
        • Preaching the Unsearchable Riches of Christ
        • The Free Church and the World
      • January 1999
        • When the Enemy Shall Come in Like a Flood
        • Church Information
        • Let me see thy countenance
        • The Religion of the Highlands
        • Personal Creed and Resolutions
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • African Mission News
        • Eastern Europe Mission
      • July 1999
        • The Church of Scotland General Assembly
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • The Pre-eminence of Christ
        • A Man Who Wished to Live Obscurely
        • The Nature of Saving Faith
        • The Light of the World
        • God is: therefore God is to be Worshipped
        • Book Review
        • The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland Synod
        • Protestant View
      • February 1999
        • The Purposes of the Lord’s Supper
        • The Trinitarian Bible Society – Appointments
        • The Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God
        • Holy Importunity in Prayer
        • A Heavenly Eternal Crown of Glory
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • African Mission News
        • Church Information
      • December 1999
        • The End of a Millennium
        • African Mission News
        • Church Information
        • Until the Day Break
        • The Charismatic Movement – The Gifts have Ceased
        • The Rev. Donald Macfarlane of Dingwall
        • The Pagan Origin of Christmas A Reminder
        • Ministers Prepared by Temptation
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • August 1999
        • The Advance of Rome under Hume
        • Notes and Comments
        • Eastern Europe Mission
        • Church Information
        • The Marks of a Time of Revival, and the Means of Bringing it About
        • The Free Church of Scotland General Assembly
        • Thy Kingdom Come
        • The National Covenant
        • Work of the Trinitarian Bible Society in 1998
        • Unsettled and Discouraged?
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
      • April 1999
        • The Observance of Easter
        • The Smitten Shepherd and His Flock
        • The Prince of Highland Preachers
        • The Inter-Faith Movement
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • September 1998
        • The Golden Key of Prayer
        • Church Information
        • Weighed in the Balances
        • Christ, the Way
        • Praying as Beggars
        • Book Reviews
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Our African Mission
        • Patrick Mzamo – A sketch of an African elder and lay-preacher
      • October 1998
        • The Westminster Assembly and Romanism
        • African Mission News
        • Church Information
        • Christ Liveth in me *
        • God’s Way of Bringing Sinners to Christ
        • The Effects of Television Violence
        • Sin and Sanctification
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Philemon Ndebele
      • November 1998
        • Faithfulness or Vilification
        • Church Information
        • The Best Security in Evil Times
        • Pentecostal Dialogue with Rome
        • The Prayers of the Aged
        • The Religion of the Highlands – The Persecution of a Highland Laird
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Eastern Europe Mission Work
      • May 1998
        • The Mode of Baptism – A Defence
        • Outlines of Lectures on the Bible
        • A Vessel Meet for the Master’s Use
        • African Mission News
        • Church Information
        • Serving the Lord with Humility
        • The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland on the Internet
        • Booklet Reviews
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • The Story of Mamlotshwa
      • March 1998
        • A Minister of God
        • “I will yet for this be inquired of”
        • African Mission News
        • Church Information
        • Godliness With Contentment
        • Protestant View
        • African Mission News
        • Outlines of Lectures on the Bible
        • Private Prayer and Public Profession
        • Truth and Life
        • The Free Church, Psalms and Hymns
      • June 1998
        • Family Worship
        • Notes and Comments
        • Ma Ngwenya – Mother of the late Rev. B. B. Dube
        • Church Information
        • The Lord is Risen Indeed
        • Outlines of Lectures on the Bible
        • The Pastoral Epistles
        • The Church of Scotland and the Bible
        • Mbuma-Zending Meeting – 1998
        • Three Characteristics of True Faith
        • Book Reviews
        • Protestant View
        • Three Characteristics of True Faith
      • July 1998
        • The General Assemblies
        • Church Information
        • The Scriptural Warrant for Creedal Subscription
        • The Pastoral Epistles
        • The Trinitarian Bible Society Report
        • A Cambuslang Case of Conversion
        • Booklet Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland Synod
      • January 1998
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • MaHlabangana
        • Winter Visit to Eastern Europe
        • THE NEW YEAR
        • The Church Built and Kept by the Lord
        • Outlines of Lectures on the Bible
        • The Fruits of the Declaratory Act In the Free Church of Scotland
        • Redeeming the Time
        • African Mission News
      • February 1998
        • Outlines of Lectures on the Bible
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • A Mission Day of Prayer
        • Church Information
        • Leaning Upon her Beloved
        • Brought Home to Heaven
        • Observing the Sabbath
        • Church Deputy’s Visit to North America
        • African Mission News
        • A Faithful Ambassador is Health
      • December 1998
        • When the Enemy Shall Come in Like a Flood
        • “My grace is sufficient for thee”
        • The People of the Great Faith
        • Sudden Conversions
        • A Good Soldier of Jesus Christ
        • “Give ye them to eat”
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • August 1998
        • The General Assemblies
        • Sermon – The House of Many Mansions
        • Lessons From the Doctrine of Divine Justice
        • Book Notice
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Paul Magaya – Lay Preacher in Shangani
        • Church Information
      • April 1998
        • Outlines of Lectures on the Bible
        • The Mode of Baptism – A Defence
        • Notes and Comments
        • Protestant View
        • The Manner of Coming to Christ
        • Book Notice
        • A Lily from the Ukraine
        • Eastern Europe Mission
        • Church Information
        • Called of God
        • Threats to our Religious Liberties
        • Mazwabo’s Amazing Transformation
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