6. Quotes from Leonard Ravenhill’s personal letters
Quotes from Leonard Ravenhill’s personal letters, number 6
Have you all read The Seduction of Christianity by Dave Hunt? It should be read. I think it was written in the 1980's and it caused a huge stir. Hunt was able to spot some errors and tendencies in the church at that time and exposed them.
Leonard Ravenhill brought it to my attention. He had been observing deficiencies and deceptions for a much longer time. His heart was grieved and he spoke cuttingly and fearlessly against them. He also brought these things before the Lord in broken-hearted prayer. He had no new message to bring to the church, just the ancient truth, about which Jeremiah wrote: Jer 6:16 "Thus saith Jehovah, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk therein." And again in Jer 18:15 "But my people have forgotten me; they make offerings to false gods; they made them stumble in their ways, in the ancient roads, and to walk into side roads, not the highway."
I think these two verses are some of the most important for us to mull over these days. Christians don´t want to take the well-traveled, historic way, but are going off on new trails, and eventually wind up serving new gods. Idolatry is as common today in the church, as it was in Israel. People form their own gods, rather than the God of the Bible and historic theology.
Sunday, December 16, 2012 | 0 Comments
The Order of Melchizedek
The Order of Melchizedek
The Lord has sworn…You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 7:17, 21
W
|
ho is the most important human being in the Old Testament? Certainly, every Bible student would rank Abraham among the greatest. However, the unnamed author of Hebrews shows us that greatness is found in the ability to mirror Christ in a life… “made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually” (Heb.7:3) He points us to one, who is much greater than Abraham.
It is this writer who, above all others in the New Testament, emphasizes the Holy Spirit as the Author of Scripture, eclipsing the human channel, prophet or Psalmist, used to pen His words: “As the Holy Spirit says…the Holy Spirit is signifying…the Holy Spirit also testifies…” (3:7; 9:8; 10:15). He sees beyond the mass of material written about any other character and notices that Melchizedek is great, though little is recorded about him. In contrast, the story of Abraham begins in Genesis 11 and continues to chapter 25. He is mentioned again and again throughout the Old and New Testament.
Friday, December 14, 2012 | 0 Comments
5. Quotes from Leonard Ravenhill’s personal letters
Quotes from Leonard Ravenhill’s personal letters, number 5
We present a couple seasonal letters from Leonard Ravenhill. The first was apparently written after we had crossed over to Germany, so I added the year 1986. Through Ravenhill we got to know Elmer Klassen, who has quite recently joined Len in heaven. Elmer saw to the publishing of Revival God’s Way in German. He led the publishing of the Herald of His Coming in German and in at least ten other languages. One of my articles was published in that paper and Elmer also translated and printed another in tract form.
I still remember some of Ravenhill’s message at Wilkerson’s meeting, of which he speaks in the second letter. He said, “I am more hungry for God than I have been all my life.” Somewhere in that message, he mentioned that neither DW or he had ever been offered an honorary doctorate. He then turned to Wilkerson: “If I ever get one you and I will get together to celebrate. Oh no, we can’t,” he quipped, “you don’t drink tea!”
Wednesday, December 12, 2012 | 0 Comments
4. Quotes from Leonard Ravenhill's personal letters
Quotes from Leonard Ravenhill's personal letters, number 4
Rare are the opportunities in this generation to hear from a man who steps out of the presence of God into the pulpit. Ravenhill spent many hours every day in prayer and spoke fearlessly the words that he heard from God. Many loved him and just as many hated him... perhaps more! It is one of the signs of a true prophet.
Margaret heard Ravenhill speak many times during the chapel hour at Bethany Fellowship, as well as in the regular church services. We went to hear him, when he preached anywhere near our home in Minnesota.
Sunday, December 09, 2012 | 0 Comments
3. Quotes from Leonard Ravenhill's Personal Letters
Quotes from Leonard Ravenhill's Personal Letters, number 3
Margaret thought that the book Ravenhill mentioned in the last item we posted was probably a book on prayer by MacIntyre. If so, I can see why he said it was the best he had read in 10 years. Ravenhill often sent us books or recommended them. They were treasures, including the one he mentions below by Dr. Machen. As you see, in the same letter, he also sent catalogues and Bible study outlines.
I will be on a trip for almost two weeks, so I wanted to post another item featuring Leonard Ravenhill’s personal letters to us, before I go. I may not have another chance until I return. Since we are entering the Christmas season, these two should fit well. They don’t need much explanation… they’re just good thoughts. What Len writes about the Scripture being of no private interpretation is immensely important. It should be everyone’s plumb line. John Wesley said, “New doctrine is false doctrine!” :
Nov. 14: I do not usually recommend a book I have not read – here is an exception (God Transcendent). A friend of mine studied theology under Dr. Machen and he still glows when he talks of him. Let me know your reaction to the book, please. Maybe some books in this catalogue will do for Christmas gifts. These outlines on Hebrews, I did for my class. They might make good winter studies for your fellowship. I have three classes to teach most weeks and so keep hopping. Have a blessed Thanksgiving. We thank Him for your love, faith and friendship…
Dec. 10: A very blessed Christmas to you. Thanks for sharing about your future ministry. (meaning our move to Europe, which we were to make in 1986) We will pray with you about it. How blessed to be able to say with the Psalmist, “My times are in Thy hands”. “The steps”, and therefore, ‘the stops’, “of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” We are not kicked around by circumstances. We are precious in His sight, though fools to the world. I have not read ‘God Transcendent’ but hope to get to it soon. My plumb line is - the Scripture is of NO private interpretation. As an old saint put it, the Bible is like a stream, where a Lamb can splash in its cool waters. It is also as vast as an ocean, where an elephant can bathe. Peace and joy be yours in the Holy Ghost…
Wednesday, November 28, 2012 | 0 Comments
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
Recommended Books
