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I have just read this morning Luke chapter 11. I noticed particularly the section between verses 37 to 54 and it struck me that the Saviour was in no way ‘mealy-mouthed’ when responding to the foolish actions and words of men.

I noticed the blunt language He used in the these verses when speaking to the religious leaders of Israel came after He had been in prayer!

“And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples,” Luke 11:1. His prayer was most impressive for it was followed by a request from a disciple that He teach them to so pray.

This He did and we have in verses 2-4 the ‘disciples’ prayer’.

I also noticed that His bluntness of speech in no way contravened good manners. That would be impossible for the One of Whom it is said: “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth,” 1 Peter 2:22.

He directed these plain words of condemnation at a man and his friends, who were doubtless there alongside Him, as He partook of refreshments in the home of a Pharisee. The Pharisee was ready to find fault with the actions and behaviour of the Lord Jesus, not because He contravened the Law of God, but because He did observe the ‘man-made’ laws of the Pharisees. “And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat. And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner,” Luke 11:37-38.

This was an elaborate ‘washing’, invented of men and had nothing to do with common hygiene! Dr John Gill comments on this verse so: “The Pharisees not only washed their hands, by immersing them up to the elbow before eating; but when they had been at market, or among any large number of people, or had reason to think they had, or feared they had touched any unclean person or thing, they immersed themselves all over in water: and which is the sense of the word βαπτιζομαι, (washed or baptised) here used.”

It was this insulting observation that brought forth the frank denunciations of the Saviour for He knew exactly their ways. How unwise to enter a controversy with the One Who is called ‘The Word of God’! Likewise, it is utterly foolish to challenge assertions that are thoroughly based upon the Holy Scriptures. (more…)

I have been greatly encouraged by the emails sent to me in support of my stand on the issue of ‘dancing’.

I could have mounted many more than I have, all of whom were happy to identify themselves, in contrast to the anonymous abuse others sent.

I am mounting this because it is from a younger person and that in itself is an encouraging thing. I have removed some details which may have identified the writer before posting the email, though I am sure that would not have been required. I do so for I do not want the writer to be targeted by those cowardly ‘trolls’ who seem to delight in hurting and vexing others.

I am sure other Free Presbyterians of the ‘old school’ will likewise find encouragement in the words of this email.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

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Dear Mr Foster

I’m disappointed to see you have received emails criticising your stand, especially when at least one of those emails came from inside Presbytery. It unfortunately is a sign of the times we are living in and shows the “falling away” spoken of in Scriptures is happening all around us.

I’m not a Free Presbyterian by birth or upbringing, I was a member of  . . . . . . . . church, who  . . . . .  married a FP and have attended a FP church since. Contrary to what some of the emails you have shown online seem to suggest, we did not need dancing to have a good wedding day. Our reception finished with a hymn and prayer and guests were on their way home by 8pm. (more…)

On 20th November I received the following via email.

“Dear Rev. Foster,

I’ve read with great interest your recent emails and commend you for your stance. The reason for my correspondence is not to add anything to the current conversation as I am in agreement with you but to ask if you would consider outlining in a series of email teachings, what it means to live a separated and holy life and what that looks like for the Christian in this day and age?

One thing that jumps out from the responses you have received, and indeed from your own email about dancing is that most Christians, and I include myself in this, are quite ignorant of what the Bible teaches. We are not being taught these things from the pulpits. So if you have the time Sir and are led of the Lord to do so, I believe I would not be alone in appreciating good teaching on such matters.

May God bless you Rev. Foster as you continue to stand for His truth.

I look forward to your teachings and thank you again that you are there standing in the gap.”

I am more than happy to try and answer this request as the Lord helps me.

Today, I read 1st Peter chapter 1, as part of my Bible reading devotions. I have often stated that I use Robert Murray M‘Cheyne’s Bible Reading Calendar, and I commend it to all once more. It can be freely downloaded from the internet.

Well today, I sat as it were, at the feet of Peter.

In this first chapter he deals with the subject of ‘SANCTIFICATION’ at some length. Sanctification is a term used of holy living. The Shorter Catechism teaches us what sanctification is.

Answer to question 35. “Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.”

I recall Dr Paisley stating of the Shorter Catechism, soon after I was saved, that it was a ‘wonderful compendium of Christian doctrine’! I must confess that I did not understand at the first that delightful description of this wonderful catechism, written for children I must add, but which has been the ‘educator’ of many, many adults in the sacred knowledge of Bible doctrine.

That answer 35, with wonderful simplicity and clarity tells us, in a nutshell, just what holy living is and how it is to be accomplished.

Let me start with that simple truth: (more…)