It was a blessing to be at the first day of the Carey Conference on January 2nd, 2007. I travelled from London to Swanwick with Hicham and Elizabeth El Mosteyn. Elizabeth grew up in the church here. Her husband, a converted Muslim, is from Morocco and works with a church near Rochdale. Peter Law, another Arabic speaker who worked in Jordan for many years but is presently pastoring near me in NW London was with us. It was encouraging to see some 200 mostly familiar faces there - ministers, ministers’ wives and others.
We began, as is the tradition, with a biographical paper from my father-in-law, Geoff Thomas. He spoke with freshness on John Newton (1725-1808) outlining the story and focusing on various sometimes forgotten elements in Newton’s life - a powerful dream he had of a precious ring prior to his conversion (see Works Vol 1, p 7), how Proverbs 1 once convicted him, the influence of Whitefield, his unbroken correspondence with Wesley, his lack of eloquence, his humour. At 82, Newton said, 'My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Saviour.' Geoff closed by quoting his self-penned epitaph - 'John Newton, Clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long laboured to destroy.'
In the second session softly spoken Guildford pastor John Benton tackled the subject of where our (chiefly Reformed Baptist) churches are going - within society, the wider evangelical scene and before God. He said lots of interesting things about the current scene then called for greater faith, especially a Caleb spirit and more vision; for hope, which means holiness; and for love, which is seen in willing forgiveness and works of mercy.
After a fine meal an opportunity for further fellowship, the evening session was the first of two from new ETCW, Bryntirion, lecturer, Bob Letham, on the ascension of Christ. An interesting treatment, it was not overlong nor did it claim more for the subject than is warranted. Dr Letham speaks with quite a plummy English accent without a trace of American, despite many years there. He focused on Christ’s unique parting from us into the glory, where he was received by the Father. He emphasised the way Jesus blessed his disciples as he went - a High Priest going on to intercede for his own, to bless them and ensure union and communion for the future. His opening remarks on how often the ascension is referred to was interesting (eg 1 Pet 3:18ff, Eph 4, 1 Tim 3, many references in Hebrews).
We began, as is the tradition, with a biographical paper from my father-in-law, Geoff Thomas. He spoke with freshness on John Newton (1725-1808) outlining the story and focusing on various sometimes forgotten elements in Newton’s life - a powerful dream he had of a precious ring prior to his conversion (see Works Vol 1, p 7), how Proverbs 1 once convicted him, the influence of Whitefield, his unbroken correspondence with Wesley, his lack of eloquence, his humour. At 82, Newton said, 'My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Saviour.' Geoff closed by quoting his self-penned epitaph - 'John Newton, Clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long laboured to destroy.'In the second session softly spoken Guildford pastor John Benton tackled the subject of where our (chiefly Reformed Baptist) churches are going - within society, the wider evangelical scene and before God. He said lots of interesting things about the current scene then called for greater faith, especially a Caleb spirit and more vision; for hope, which means holiness; and for love, which is seen in willing forgiveness and works of mercy.
After a fine meal an opportunity for further fellowship, the evening session was the first of two from new ETCW, Bryntirion, lecturer, Bob Letham, on the ascension of Christ. An interesting treatment, it was not overlong nor did it claim more for the subject than is warranted. Dr Letham speaks with quite a plummy English accent without a trace of American, despite many years there. He focused on Christ’s unique parting from us into the glory, where he was received by the Father. He emphasised the way Jesus blessed his disciples as he went - a High Priest going on to intercede for his own, to bless them and ensure union and communion for the future. His opening remarks on how often the ascension is referred to was interesting (eg 1 Pet 3:18ff, Eph 4, 1 Tim 3, many references in Hebrews).
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