Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That … Continue reading What is the New Birth?
Faith and life
The Turning Point
It was early spring of 1970, I was 28 years old, managing a grain elevator in Manitoba and it seemed that everything in my work and in my personal life was going wrong. There seemed to be a dark cloud over my head and I could see no good way to get out from under … Continue reading The Turning Point
The language of the Authorized Version of the Bible
Note: In this and future posts, I will refer to the 1611 English translation of the Bible as the Authorized Version, or AV, as this is the name by which it is known in most of the English-speaking world. In the USA, and to some extent in Canada, it is referred to as the King … Continue reading The language of the Authorized Version of the Bible
Be Perfect
Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect . . . (1 Corinthians 2:6). Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you (2 Corinthians 13:11). That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished … Continue reading Be Perfect
Succession of the apostolic faith
While many historians consider that there is no historical relationship or kinship of faith between the Cathars, Donatists, Waldensians, Mennonites, etc., we in the Anabaptist tradition believe they were all manifestations of one, holy, apostolic faith. The following paragraphs are excerpted from the author’s introduction to a massive book (1100 pages) compiled in 1660 by … Continue reading Succession of the apostolic faith
Things I learned from the Anglican Church of Canada
I was a member of the Anglican Church of Canada throughout the years of my youth . Fifty years ago, I concluded that it might well have an abundance of outward and visible form, but was sadly lacking in the true inward and spiritual grace. Since that time, the Anglican Church of Canada has abandoned … Continue reading Things I learned from the Anglican Church of Canada
Early Church History
The first recorded separation of the Christian Church occurred in A.D. 251. Novatian, bishop at Carthage (near the location of the present day city of Tunis) in North Africa, insisted that members who had renounced Christ during the persecution of Diocletian could no longer be recognized as members of the Church of Christ. He was … Continue reading Early Church History
Choose ye this day
Joshua was nearing the end of his life and he wanted to challenge the people to remain faithful to God, who had given them so many victories. The people pledged their determination to serve God only. Joshua challenged them again “You will not have the strength to serve the Eternal” (Joshua 24.19 Louis Segond translation … Continue reading Choose ye this day
Leadhead and the Golden Rule
I first took note of Norman when the camp leaders took us all on a hike to Lebret. He was a quiet boy, walking with us, yet alone. He seemed like the rest of us, except that he could not hold his head up straight. It tilted towards his right shoulder, almost resting on the … Continue reading Leadhead and the Golden Rule
Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of
It seems that the internet has enabled a decline in civility in society and even among Christians. In the days before the internet, the letters to the editor column in the newspaper was one way that people could make their voice heard. The letters were generally quite civil in tone, perhaps because the newspapers required … Continue reading Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of
Flatlander Faith 