My Position on the King James Bible (Authorised Version) PERMANENT NOTICE Posted by: Lehigh Valley Free Presbyterian Church | more.. BLOG ON: SERMON Authorized Version - Part 4 Lehigh Valley Free Presbyterian Church Rev. Stephen Hamilton In the Free Presbyterian Church a stedfast adherence to the veracity and authority of Holy Scripture has always been central to the stand of the denomination, since its foundation. The following is an extract from our "Separated unto the Gospel" booklet which articulates the church's stand on various issues: "In carrying on this preaching ministry the Free Presbyterian Church has, throughout its history, used the Authorized (often called the "King James") Version of the Scriptures. We wish to avoid the confusion that arises from the use of many different translations and paraphrases in church services. We believe the Authorized Version is unrivaled as a translation of the Scriptures and that it reflects the authentic, historic Hebrew and Greek texts that God "immediately inspired, and by His singular care and providence kept pure in all ages" (Westminster Confession of Faith, I. 8)" In our day there is a clamour for all things new and novel in religion. Standing for the "old paths" has become unfashionable. Those who insist upon the old ways and the tried and tested methods are considered as spiritual dinosaurs, and out of touch with reality. The cry of so many today is for the church to be "relevant" to the age in which we live. Symptoms of such restlessness, even in formerly good churches, is the desire for a change in the "worship" of the church. And so we have the spectacle of religious entertainment - CCM - and the abandonment of "archaic" hymns in favor of contemporary jingles, and meaningless ditties sung to "catchy" tunes. Another manifestation of this restless spirit is the endless (it seems) search for a Bible everyone can feel "comfortable" with. Long since, many churches have thrown out the old Authorised (King James) Version of the Bible and moved from the RSV, to the NASB, to the NIV, to the ESV. No doubt the endless search will continue and the ESV will give way to something else. While accepting that the KJV is a translation - the original manuscripts are the basis of this faithful translation - it is my contention (and our church has agreed with this since its inception) that the KJV is a "tried and tested" translation which is the best available in the English language. Since the KJV was a standard reading book for young children, in a by-gone generation, and our desire should be to elevate the standards rather than "dumbing down" things, I contend that our position on the Authorised (King James) Version is correct. My own personal position is clear: I use no other version in my pulpit ministry or in my private reading, but the KJV. Furthermore, I will not recommend to others the use of any inferior versions of Scripture, including the so-called "New King James Bible". There is much evidence that, despite the claims made for the NKJV, it is not merely an up-dated version of the KJV but a brand new translation. However, one of the most serious problems with the NKJV is that while it purports to follow the "Majority" Text, it is replete with footnotes from the corrupt "Minority" Text and thus it actually serves to undermine the translation itself. It is inconsistent, therefore, for any supposed proponent of the faithful text underlying the KJV to support or recommend the use of the New King James Bible since it employs footnotes which are corrupt. It is hypocritical to promote a faithful text on one hand while giving tacit approval to a corrupt text on the other. When it comes to the issue of the KJV versus the NKJV, it would be proper to state: "The old is better." Further recommended reading on the NKJV: http://www.trinitarianbiblesociety.org/site/articles/A123.pdf http://www.trinitarianbiblesociety.org/site/articles/A110.pdf • permalink | email blog | post new | printer-friendly | clone this | rss feed

Keeping it Simple - Definite Atonement PERMANENT NOTICE Posted by: Lehigh Valley Free Presbyterian Church | more.. BLOG ON: SERMON Atonement: Potential or Actual Malvern Free Presbyterian Church Rev. Stephen Hamilton Did Christ die to make salvation POSSIBLE for all men who ever lived OR will live, or did He die to make salvation SURE and CERTAIN for many? The Bible teaches an atonement for sin that really atones, and a salvation which is infallibly certain for all for whom it was intended: MATTHEW 1 v.21; JOHN 6 v.39; 10 v.11. If Christ intended by His death on Calvary to save every single human being in history then He has failed in His intention. If He shed His blood to infallibly secure heaven for all men without exception then He shed His blood in vain for those who end up in Hell. If he paid the price, the ransom, the sin-debt for everyone who ever lived then how can God demand the payment again from those who are everlastingly punished? Would a just God punish His Son for their sins and then punish them in Hell for the same sins? Did Jesus do nothing more for the believers who go to Heaven than He did for those unbelievers who go to Hell? And for how many of their sins did Jesus die? Our opponents will argue that such are lost because of their unbelief and NOT because Jesus did not pay for their sins. I reply: Then He did NOT die for all their sins at all, because they are in hell for the sin of unbelief!! The atonement of Christ is limited by the Arminian-types, because it does not save all for whom it was made. I believe in an Atonement which is unlimited in its power, but only limited in its extent. After all, Christ did NOT die for the Devil. He did NOT die for the angels that sinned and who were cast down to hell. So, the Atonement is limited already in its extent - it is limited to sinful men. The question comes down to this: If God had intended to save every one of His creatures would Christ's atonement have secured that end? Absolutely, yes! But is THAT what God intended? No! He COULD have damned ALL men without exception - for they were ALL wilful rebels, and obstinate sinners against Him. Yet, out of that mass of doomed humanity He chose to "save some":i.e.His people whom He foreknew; His sheep; His elect; His own. He chose them, Christ died for them, The Holy Spirit regenerates them, and every one of them will be in glory forever - and all to the praise of His glory! This is the "simple" truth. Rev. Stephen Hamilton Rev. Stephen Hamilton is the minister of Lehigh Valley Free Presbyterian Church, Allentown, Pennsylvania. • permalink | email blog | post new | printer-friendly | clone this | rss feed

A Letter to Dr Al Mohler regarding the Manhattan Declaration PERMANENT NOTICE Posted by: Lehigh Valley Free Presbyterian Church | more.. Dear Sir: I am dismayed by your attempts to justify your signing of the Manhattan Declaration. Your signature on that document links you inextricably with the entire statement. Your assertion that signing your name to the statement does not involve you in compromise does not,frankly, bear with the facts. It may be that you still claim to differ with the Roman Church theologically, but the preamble to the Declaration clearly uses the collective pronoun "we", and speaks of Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Evangelical Christians. No "washing of your hands" sir can absolve you of the charge of compromise with false gospellers. You may continue to state your dis-agreement with "Evangelicals and Catholics together", but that is exactly what the Manhattan Declaration is - evangelicals and Roman Catholics standing for certain "Truths". You would have done a greater service to the cause of Christ had you stedfastly refused to sign that document. I pray that God would give you courage to repent of your action in this regard. Sincerely, Rev.Stephen Hamilton Rev. Stephen Hamilton Rev. Stephen Hamilton is the minister of Lehigh Valley Free Presbyterian Church, Allentown, Pennsylvania. • permalink | email blog | post new | printer-friendly | clone this | rss feed

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Superbowl and the Church SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2009 Posted by: Lehigh Valley Free Presbyterian Church | more.. The annual NFL spectacle known as "Superbowl" attracts billions of TV viewers around the world. Being held, not surprisingly, on a Sunday Evening each year there are many professing Christians - including Pastors - who are so obsessed with this... [ abbreviated | read entire ] Rev. Stephen Hamilton Rev. Stephen Hamilton is the minister of Lehigh Valley Free Presbyterian Church, Allentown, Pennsylvania. • permalink | email blog | post new | printer-friendly | clone this | rss feed

Harold Camping Teaching STILL More Heresy FRIDAY, JANUARY 09, 2009 Posted by: Lehigh Valley Free Presbyterian Church | more.. 2 user comments Since this sermon was preached the teachings of Harold Camping on Family Radio (Oakland,Ca.) have become even more extreme. Not only has he pronounced that God is finished with the "corporate church" in this age, along with Scriptural offices and... [ abbreviated | read entire ] Rev. Stephen Hamilton Rev. Stephen Hamilton is the minister of Lehigh Valley Free Presbyterian Church, Allentown, Pennsylvania. • permalink | email blog | post new | printer-friendly | clone this | rss feed

Do you feel that everything is against you? THURSDAY, JANUARY 01, 2009 Posted by: Lehigh Valley Free Presbyterian Church | more.. The Christian believer is often found in the midst of trials and troubles. Sickness, bereavement, affliction, and disappointment is our lot betimes. As the hymn reminds us, there are many occasions in the Christian's experience "when afflictions... [ abbreviated | read entire ] Rev. Stephen Hamilton Rev. Stephen Hamilton is the minister of Lehigh Valley Free Presbyterian Church, Allentown, Pennsylvania. • permalink | email blog | post new | printer-friendly | clone this | rss feed

CCM: The Devil's Device FRIDAY, MAY 02, 2008 Posted by: Lehigh Valley Free Presbyterian Church | more.. There can be little doubt that music is a powerful medium. Ths is recognised in the world at large - airports, restaurants, department stores, and even doctors' offices employ music to great effect. Advertisers have long understood how powerful... [ abbreviated | read entire ] • permalink | email blog | post new | printer-friendly | clone this | rss feed

Papal Antichrist Visiting America THURSDAY, MAY 01, 2008 Posted by: Lehigh Valley Free Presbyterian Church | more.. The Roman Antichrist, the former Cardinal Ratzinger now "Pope" Benedict, is visiting the United States to further pollute the nation with his pernicious doctrines, and no doubt to meddle once again in the internal affairs of the country.... [ abbreviated | read entire ] Lehigh Valley Free Presbyterian Church Rev. Stephen Hamilton | Allentown, Pennsylvania | www.sermonaudio.com/lvfpc • permalink | email blog | post new | printer-friendly | clone this | rss feed

Ratzinger Re-affirms Rome's Anti-Christian Claims TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2008 Posted by: Lehigh Valley Free Presbyterian Church | more.. In July 2007 "Pope" Benedict confirmed what all true, Bible-believing Protestants already believed: Rome still claims to be the ONLY true Church. Contrary to popular belief, Vatican II changed nothing substantially in Roman Dogma. Confirming this... [ abbreviated | read entire ] Rev. Stephen Hamilton Rev. Stephen Hamilton is the minister of Lehigh Valley Free Presbyterian Church, Allentown, Pennsylvania. • permalink | email blog | post new | printer-friendly | clone this | rss feed

The Pope: The Antichrist? TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2008 Posted by: Lehigh Valley Free Presbyterian Church | more.. 1 user comments Much has been made of the recent comments of a political figure in N. Ireland. Mr Wallace Thompson, an elder in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and an adviser to D.U.P. Stormont Minister, Nigel Dodds got into "hot water" for his comments on a... [ abbreviated | read entire ] • permalink | email blog | post new | printer-friendly | clone this | rss feed