Join Us on April 9

We will next gather on Saturday, April 9, 2011, 10:00 a.m. to noon, at Glen Memorial Baptist Church in St. Ignace, Michigan.

The text for everyone to study beforehand will be Ephesians 2:11-22, continuing in the passage we began at our last meeting.

The presenters will be Bruce Buchanan (Chain-O-Lakes OPC in Central Lake), Mike Stark (former pastor of Curtis Baptist Church in Curtis, seeking God's direction for future pastoral ministry), Mike Lane (Glen Memorial Baptist Church in St. Ignace). The moderator will be Jeff Peterson (Indian River Baptist Church).

Join us for a morning of fellowship and Bible study, encouraging one another in the gospel and Biblical reformation.

Soli Deo Gloria

View Our February 26 Meeting on Ephesians 2:1-10

Part 1: Jeff Ryan on Ephesians 2:1-3.



Part 2: Jeff Ryan continues, then Tom Penner on vv. 4-7.



Part 3: Tom Penner continues, then Jeff Peterson on vv. 8-10.



Part 4: Jeff Peterson, vv. 8-10.



Part 5: Jeff Peterson concludes, then the three speakers field questions from the audience.



Part 6: Question and Answer Panel continues.



Part 7: Question and Answer Panel continues.



Part 8: Question and Answer Panel concludes.

Mark Your Calendar for Our Next Meeting

After a great, encouraging meeting with many brothers & sisters in Christ on February 26, around the glorious gospel of grace declared in Ephesians 2:1-10, we are looking forward to our next meeting on Saturday, April 9, 2011. This meeting will be hosted by Glen Memorial Baptist Church in St. Ignace.

More details regarding Bible text and speakers will be coming soon.

Soli Deo Gloria!

First Meeting for 2011

I am pleased to announce that we finally have the details in place for our next meeting. We hope that all our past attendees (as well as some new ones) will be able to come as we desire to get back to what our society and the Bible study portion of our meetings are supposed to be about, realizing that we have strayed in some areas in our last two meetings. While the fellowship at our meetings has continued to be wonderful and encouraging (it has been great getting to know more & more brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the area who share similar concerns for the purity of the gospel!) AND while there has been much in the Bible studies that has been edifying, our council has had some long meetings and discussions about the purpose and focus of our Bible studies and getting back to where we should be.

So please consider attending and inviting others to join you. These meetings are for ALL, not just for church leaders. The time of fellowship alone is worth the drive! We look forward to our time together and trust God to work in our hearts and lives for His glory, using it to build up HIS church through our renewed participation in the life of our local churches.

Northern Michigan Reformation Society Meeting
Saturday, February 26, 2011, 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Indian River Baptist Church, 6214 Hemlock St., Indian River, MI 49749
TEXT TO STUDY BEFOREHAND: Ephesians 2:1-10

Agenda:

1. Opening welcome
2. Opening prayer
3. Reminder of the purpose and goals of the Reformation Societies as laid out by the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals
4. Personal testimony of the importance and benefit of our society in encouraging us on the local church level
5. Overview of our Bible study format—purpose, focus, central desires
6. Presentation of Ephesians 2:1-10

Speaker 1: Jeff Ryan, pastor of Calvary Bible Church in Rogers City
Speaker 2: Tom Penner, pastor of Straits Evangelical Free Church in St. Ignace
Speaker 3: Jeff Peterson, teacher from Indian River Baptist Church
Moderator: Bruce Buchanan, pastor of Chain-O-Lakes Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Central Lake

7. Open Q&A/discussion and application of the passage
8. Closing encouragement and prayer

We hope you can make it!

Looking forward to 2011

We thank God for everyone involved this year in our Northern Michigan Reformation Society and look forward to how He might increase and use our group to encourage His people throughout our area in the new year ahead.

Our leadership council will be meeting soon to plan the next two meetings. If you have any further suggestions or input, please contact one of our council members. God bless your faithful ministry of His Word and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jeff Ryan

NMRS Council Members:
Bruce Buchanan (Chain-O-Lakes OPC, Central Lake)
Mike Lane (Glen Memorial Baptist Church, St. Ignace)
Jeff Peterson (Indian River Baptist Church, Indian River)
Jeff Ryan (Calvary Bible Church, Rogers City)
Mike Stark (Curtis Baptist Church, Curtis)

Looking forward to our next meeting on November 13

Saturday, November 13, 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Glen Memorial Baptist Church, St. Ignace, MI
Bible Study: Luke 24:44-49
Speakers: Allen Ballard (Pigeon River Baptist Church in Vanderbilt and The Connection Church in Gaylord), Larry Kirby (Liberty Baptist Church in Lachine), Paul Gardner (Director of Camp Barakel in Fairview)

We had a blessed time in Indian River on October 2. Praise God for how He is using this group as a means of encouraging fellowship and networking among like-minded brethren in our area--as well as a means of providing Biblical challenge to remain faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We will be having our first general meeting in the Upper Pennisula. The focus of our gatherings is fellowship and mutual encouragement around the Word of God. We encourage everyone to study the text (Luke 24:44-49) beforehand and come prepared to discuss its meaning and application. ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING.

Next Meeting in Indian River

Saturday, October 2, 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Indian River Baptist Church, Indian River, MI
Bible Study: Matthew 11:25-30
Speakers: Bruce Buchanan (Chain-O-Lakes OPC in Central Lake), Cliff Miller (Parkland Baptist Church in Sault Ste Marie), Mike Lane (Glen Memorial Baptist Church in St. Ignace)
Moderator: Jeff Ryan (Calvary Bible Church in Rogers City)

Please mark your calendar and pass on this invitation to other individuals and pastors you know who might be interested. We are meeting in Indian River as a central location with the desire that God will use us to encourage pastors and churches all over the northern part of Michigan along I-75—and into the eastern U.P. The main purpose of our meeting will be fellowship and mutual encouragement around the Word of God, and we encourage everyone to study the text (Matthew 11:25-30) beforehand and come prepared to discuss its meaning and application. ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING.

Mark Your Calendar for Our Next Meeting on October 2

We had a wonderful, God-blessed council meeting in St. Ignace last Saturday. Most of the meeting was filled with each one sharing testimony of God's saving grace and God's leading to our present ministries for Christ.

In planning out future meetings (and trying to align our schedules), we departed with a tentative date of Saturday, October 2, as our next Reformation Society meeting for all. We will be following the "Reformation Bible Study" format with three speakers dealing with the same text and a time of Q&A and discussion, where everyone attending will be encouraged to study the text ahead of time.

More details will come, but at this point we are planning to meet on October 2, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, at Indian River Baptist Church in Indian River.

Blessings!

Jeff Ryan
Calvary Bible Church
Rogers City, MI

Praise God for Bringing Together Our New Council

After weeks of correspondance and prayers and contemplation, God had led in the formation of a team of five men to lead our new branch of the Reformation Societies in northern Michigan. I will serve as the pastor chair for the time being (as required by the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, our parent organization), but I view this as a team of five equals working together to seek God's will for our society.

Our council is made up of:

Bruce Buchanan (Chain-O-Lakes Presbyterian Church, Central Lake)
Mike Lane (Glen Memorial Baptist Church, St. Ignace)
Jeff Peterson (Indian River Baptist Church, Indian River)
Jeff Ryan (Calvary Bible Church, Rogers City)
Mike Stark (Curtis Baptist Church, Curtis)

We will be meeting soon and will be planning the future meetings of our society. Your prayers are appreciated.

Jeff Ryan

Society Update

For anyone wondering the status of our group and information on future meetings, currently we are seeking the Lord's direction in the formation of a council of leadership.

As a new branch of the old NE Michigan Reformation Society, we are having to form a new group of leaders who will work together to oversee the direction and planning of our society and its meetings. While I am presently serving as the pastor chair, this is designed to be led by a team of leaders, not one individual.

So please pray for God's will in this matter. Once we have a team in place (and there are several men presently considering this--three of whom have already agreed to serve), we will meet to begin forming our vision and planning future meetings.

Be looking for a possible meeting this summer focusing on prayer for our local churches and for two meetings this fall focusing on Bible study, using the "Reformed Bible Study" format as at our last meeting.

For God's Glory in Northern Michigan,
Jeff Ryan

Calvary Bible Church
Rogers City, MI

Next Meeting in Indian River

Saturday, March 27, 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Indian River Baptist Church, Indian River, MI
Bible Study: Mark 10:17-27
Speakers: Mike Stark (Curtis Baptist Church), Jeff Peterson (Indian River Baptist Church), Jeff Ryan (Calvary Bible Church of Rogers City)
Moderator: Josh Gelatt (Indian River Baptist Church)

Please mark your calendar and pass on this invitation to other individuals and pastors you know who might be interested. We are meeting in Indian River as a central location with the desire that God will use us to encourage pastors and churches all over the northern part of Michigan along I-75—and into the eastern U.P. The main purpose of our meeting will be fellowship and mutual encouragement around the Word of God, but we will also be discussing what is entailed in forming our northern group as its own Reformation Society. ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING.

Worthy Is the Lamb That Was Slain

In Revelation 5, the One who sits on the throne holds a scroll in His right hand, a very important scroll, sealed with seven seals. This scroll contains His sovereign decrees for the destiny of the world, His plan for judgment and redemption. Who is worthy to open this scroll and to break its seals (and thus put it into effect)? The question goes out to all the universe, and NO ONE is found who is worthy and qualified.

John weeps greatly because no one is found. What would happen to God’s plan and all His promises? Would sin and death and Satan win? Is there any purpose to the suffering that Christians are going through? Is there any ordained end to human history? John had very good reason to weep!

Then John is told to stop weeping? Why? Because the triumphant, ascended Christ now enters onto the scene. He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, the rightful one to rule over God's people forever--and He has overcome the enemies of God and His people!

When John turns to see this victorious Lion, He sees Him instead as a Lamb standing as if slain (or slaughtered). But He is no helpless victim. He is all-powerful (7 horns) and all-knowing (7 eyes), sending out His Spirit into all the earth just as He had promised His disciples. Through His sacrifice, He has conquered and rules from heaven above.

And as the worthy One, He takes the scroll from the right hand of the Father--to break its seals and put into effect God's decress for judgment and redemption. And when He takes the scroll, the entire universe breaks out in praise...PRAISE OF THE LAMB.

This praise begins with the new song of the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders, "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth."

This Christmas...let us worship the Lamb that was slain!

Jeff Ryan
Calvary Bible Church
Rogers City, Michigan

Unholy Trinity

The following link is to John MacArthur's scathing indicment of the health, wealth, and prosperity preachers, who are broadcast on TBN almost 24/7. Unholy Trinity

Can Baptists be Reformed?

I recently had a discussion on facebook with a friend about whether or not Baptists can rightly claim the adjective reformed. I am sharing our discussion here to get further insight [1]. I do not want a debate about the merits or demerits of reformed theology. Please, stick to the subject at hand in your comments. No off topic comments will be posted.

Seth Miller:I do not understand the phrase "Reformed Baptist". Aside from believing predestination in the Augustinian sense, what is so "Reformed" about you? Most, if not all, Reformers practiced paedobaptism and persecuted those who did not. Most, if not all, Reformers did not believe in religious liberty but rather ruled through synods and councils rejecting the idea of the autonomy of the local church.

Jeremy Lee: I've been thinking about this lately although from a different angle. Some Reformed people think it is inappropriate for Baptists to use the adjective reformed because they reject paedobaptism. My opinion on this is that Baptists who believe as you say in Augustinian predestination are accurately called Reformed. The reason for this is that while there are disagreements between the Reformed and Reformed Baptists, Reformed Baptists are within the Reformed tradition.

The question you are asking is not a new one and seemed to be the question that motivated Baptists in London to write the 1689 London Confession. The 2nd London is based on the Westminster Confession in order to show that these Baptist were not Anabaptists as they were accused of being. They wanted to demonstrate they were in agreement for the most part with Reformed theology. This history suggests that reformed is appropriate to use in reference to Baptists who believe in Augustinian predestination.

Seth Miller: It is interesting to see you appeal to the events surrounding the construction of the LCOF to defend the usage of the phrase "reformed." Seeing that none of the Baptist involved used it. They called themselves Calvinistic or Particular Baptist. It was actually the "Reformed" part THEY WERE trying to distant themselves from. Hence, the removal of paedobaptism and church censures when they referred to the Westminster Confession as basis for LCOF. Both of these doctrines are distinguishing marks of Classical Reformed Theology and very anti-Baptist. How can one claim the name "Reformed" and yet deny two major tenets of it?

Jeremy Lee: I still think the point of the LCOF was to demonstrate agreement more than distance themselves. Although, your point that they did not call themselves reformed is telling.

The question is what is the definition of reformed? Is it defined soteriologically or both soteriologically and ecclesiologically? Since I believe the most important aspect is the gospel, I would define it soteriologically and call myself reformed. I have a friend who suggested that Baptists are truly reformed because they alone took Sola Scriptura to its logical conclusion and rejected paedobaptism.

Seth Miller: I was actually thinking the same thing when I was writing: What is the definition of Reformed? I would say that both soteriology and ecclesiology are crucial to the definition since these were the major issues that the Reformers faced. They challenged the Roman Catholic view of salvation and how church is to be. I would agree to what your friend said in that sense: Baptists finished what the Reformers started.

See also:

May Baptist Churches Use the Adjective “Reformed”?

Can Baptists use the adjective "Reformed"

Pastor Jeremy Lee

Twining Baptist Church

[1] This is a slightly edited version of our conversation.

Michigan Reformation Society Meeting

Bob Brady, the Executive director of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, will join us January 9, 2010, for a meeting of all Michigan Reformation Societies. Bob will be discussing current trends in the church and how local Reformation Societies are a key for reformation in the church. The meeting will be held at Heritage Baptist Church, 1841 Hartwick Pines Rd., Grayling, MI from 1:00 - 3:00pm.

In addition to Bob Brady's message, we will conduct a Reformation Bible study with local pastors. The text for this study is Isaiah 30:8-18. Please, carefully study this passage for the meeting because this type of Bible study involves everyone.

For further information please contact Pastor Jeremy Lee 989-867-4451, jlee@avci.net or Ken Clouse 989-735-2262, 5700ken@centurytel.net

Cultivating Holiness

Our friends at the Mid-Michigan Reformation Society recently hosted a meeting with Dr. Joel Beeke. Follow the link to hear "Cultivating Holiness." Dr. Beeke is the pastor of the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Church and president of Puritan Reformed Seminary Puritan Reformed Seminary both in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Accepting Those Who Differ: Lessons On Unity From Romans 14 And 15

One of the issues that I have longed struggled with is how to maintain unity among believers. Because Christians believe in absolute truth, we often struggle to get along when we disagree on what the truth is. Doctrinal disagreement has long separated believers from one another.

Unfortunately, one of two wrong responses to doctrinal disagreement is often chosen: accepting everyone regardless of their beliefs or separating with everyone who does not agree with you in entirety. My position has been that unity is achieved when believers agree on the essentials of the faith, that is, those truths which define Christianity (the authority of the Bible, Christ's atoning death, physical resurrection, salvation by grace and faith alone, etc.). Other doctrinal disagreements while important do not destroy unity; however, I have had a difficult time establishing this view from Scripture. This link was helpful in providing a biblical foundation for dealing with those whom we disagree. Footnote number 12 is especially helpful.

Pastor Jeremy Lee
Twining Baptist Church

The Jesus You Can't Ignore

Too often today Jesus is pictured as peace loving hippy who traveled around preaching love. While Jesus certainly loved peace and was the most loving person who ever lived, the contemporary portrayal of Jesus is myopic. In light of this, John MacArthur's book "The Jesus You Can't Ignore" provides a much needed biblical balance.

Jesus resembles in MacArthur's book an Old Testament prophet. He confronts the religious elite of his day with passion, zeal, and often with harsh words. MacArthur develops his portrayal from the many confrontations that Jesus faced in the Gospel accounts of his life. Twice Jesus forcefully cleansed the temple in Jerusalem. When accused of breaking the Sabbath, Jesus did not back down or alter his ministry in any way; rather, he boldly claimed to be Lord of the Sabbath. Even Jesus most beloved sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, was a severe polemic against Pharisaism.

MacArthur argues that "the practical lesson regarding how we should conduct ourselves in the presence of false religion is consistent throughout: corruptions of vital biblical truth are not to be trifled with, and the purveyors of different gospels are not to be treated benignly by God's people. On the contrary, we must take the same approach to false doctrine as Jesus did..."

I recommend this book highly. It is an easy read, a sober reminder of the need to stand for the truth, and a biblically accurate portrayal of Jesus and his ministry.

Pastor Jeremy Lee
Twining Baptist Church

"The Jesus You Can't Ignore" is available for purchase @ http://www.gty.org/Shop/Books/451166

In Defense of Pastoral Leadership

Recently, a friend, Arthur Sido at "A Voice Crying in the Wilderness", has posted on his blog his own views and the links to others supporting the view that there is to be no human authority within the local church. The NEMRS affirms the view of church leadership expressed in the Westminster and London Baptist Confessions concerning the leadership of the local church. While these confessions differ in the details concerning church leadership, they both agree that the elders of a church are its leaders appointed by Christ to govern the local church.

Two words of caution are in order. First, ecclesiology is not something that Christians ought to divide over. It does not rise to the same level of importance as other doctrines such as theology proper or soteriology. In these areas of theology, we are in full agreement with Arthur, and we consider him a fellow laborer. In addition, many of his critiques of modern church methodology are valid and very much worth listening to (Hence the reason we have a link to his blog). Second, we do not affirm the traditional view because it is traditional nor do we affirm it because it is in our confessions. We affirm this position because we believe that it is the biblical view.

We believe that elders have been given the responsibility to lead the congregation God has placed them over. Paul describes elders as those "who rule" (1 Tim. 5:17). The Greek word used here is defined by BAGD to mean "1. to be the head of, rule, direct 2. care for, be concerned about, give aid." One may be tempted to argue that the second meaning is the one Paul intended. However, this same word is used in 1 Tim. 3:4, 5 to describe the duty of a father in his home. I doubt our friend would be willing to argue that men are only to care for their homes rather than lead their homes because he believes in male leadership in the home. In addition, the term elder itself was used to describe the leaders of Israel. These passages make it obvious that elders are to lead the church similarily to the way fathers are to lead the home.

The writer of Hebrews also says: "Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God" (13:7). The word translated leaders is defined by BAGD as "a leader, guide...leaders of religioius bodies." In Acts 15:22, this same word is used of Paul and Barnabas, who were obviously leaders in their local church.

Other biblical evidence includes: the term bishop or overseer implies spiritual oversight, Timothy and Titus are both commanded by Paul to command their congregations (1 Tim. 4:11, Titus 2:15) implying authority, Paul told Timothy that he did not allow women to teach or exercise authority over men (This passage is used to rightly disqualify women from being elders), and Peter refers to elders as shepherds, which was a term used for a leader of Israel.

Bbilically, it is clear that elders are the persons Christ has apppointed to govern his church. Of course, no elder has the right to lead any congregation contrary to the rule of Christ, the Head of the Church. Therefore, elders are not the absolute authority in a church. Elders must submit to the absolute authority of the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

Pastor Jeremy Lee
Twining Baptist Church

The Idolatrous Religion of Conscience -- A Lutheran Lesson for Us All

The Idolatrous Religion of Conscience -- A Lutheran Lesson for Us All

The above link is to Al Mohler's blog where he discusses the recent action of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America's regarding ordaining homosexuality. If you do not have Dr. Mohler's blog bookmarked you need to.