Thomas Donald William Muir (1855-1931) was a pioneer evangelist, much used of God in North America. The powerful and fascinating book, Reminiscences of T. D. W. Muir, was published by Gospel Folio Press in 1939. It’s a 382 page long account of T.D.W. Muir’s gospel endeavours. Click here to download, read or share Reminiscences of T.D.W. Muir […]
A Biblical Perspective on Stem Cell Research by Dr David Vallance (Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA) Imagine finding a package of magic seeds that, depending on where you planted them, could grow into celery, carrots, cabbage, or corn. Stem cells resemble such seeds. Stem cells are master cells that can give rise to all of the 210 […]
“What is Man?”, and “Do Animals Have Souls?” by Dr. David Vallance (Ann Arbor, MI, USA) Anthropology is the study of human beings. As with any area of inquiry, a proper understanding of this subject should begin and end with what the Holy Spirit reveals to us in the Bible. God’s Word answers the big […]
Richard Dawkins, Lady Gaga and Amazon.com Audio sermon by Michael J. Penfold Queen Esther “came to the Kingdom for such a time as this“. After some introductory remarks about the story of Esther, this sermon poses the question: “How well we understand the uniquely difficult times in which we live?”. Ours is the age of […]
A Pomegranate and a Bell by J.M.S. Tait With holy awe and reverent pace, The Priest approached the Holy Place; Attired in garments that became The Place where God had set His Name. His ephod shone with gold and gems, While softly from the wreathen hems The mellow music rose and fell, From “a pomegranate […]
God Never Forsakes His Own Audio sermon by Michael J. Penfold “Fear not, for I am with you” is a favourite verse of many from Isaiah 43:5. There are 5 people in the Bible to whom this promise was given – people who experienced the presence of the Lord in a special way due to […]
Safe Home at Last by Isaac Ewan Fallen asleep, Lying at rest, Tranquil and deep, Safe on His breast! Life’s journey o’er, Heaven’s portal passed, Pilgrim no more, Safe home at last. No more to fear, No more to die, Shed every tear, Breathed every sigh, All sorrows borne, All trials past, No more to […]
God Always Keeps His Promises Audio sermon by Michael J. Penfold What is the greatest example in the Bible of God keeping a promise? Working from Ezekiel Ch 20, this sermon sets out to prove that God’s ancient promise to Abraham of a nation and a land “for an everlasting possession” has still to be […]
Ancient Errors, Modern Examples: Antinomianism by Daniel D. Shutt (Livonia, MI, USA) A few months after God saved me, Martin Luther King gave his historic I Have a Dream speech at a civil rights rally in downtown Detroit. This was repeated two months later in August 1963 to a massive gathering at the Lincoln Memorial in […]
Ancient Errors, Modern Examples: Modalism by Daniel D. Shutt (Livonia, MI, USA) Many deceivers have gone out into the world (2 John 1:7).1 It was an auspicious and awe-inspiring moment. It also happened, one might add, quite unexpectedly – taking place where it did, in the hinterlands of the Judean wilderness. For there, at the […]
George Cutting (1834-1934) was a prolific author of evangelist tracts and pamphlets. By far his best know work is Safety, Certainty and Enjoyment, which has been a blessing to thousands of people over many years. It deals with how a person can know for sure that they are saved and on their way to heaven. […]
BOOK REVIEW: 15 of the Best Books on Biblical Eschatology by Michael J. Penfold Here is a list and a brief review of each of 15 highly recommended titles on biblical eschatology – the study of “last things”: 1. Charts of Bible Prophecy As you study eschatology, a book of charts can be a great […]
Movies, Social Media and the Christian Audio sermon by Michael J. Penfold Should Christians watch movies? Should Christians be on social media? In this sermon the timeless principles of the Word of God are applied to these two issues: content, worldviews, actors, acting and fiction in relation to movies; privacy, addiction, depression and narcissism re. […]
I Cannot but God Can (Poem) by Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932) Annie Flint suffered from crippling arthritis most of her life. However, confined to a sickbed, she experienced the presence of the Lord in a way that brought forth sweet insights which she put down in poetry. One of her most uplifting poems is “I […]
John Ritchie (1853-1930) authored many books and tracts in his lifetime. His three volumes on typology were especially helpful, one of which, Egypt to Canaan, is available here: Click here to download, read, or share a copy of Egypt to Canaan by John Ritchie. Here is a brief biography of John Ritchie (1853-1930): For 37 […]
John Ritchie (1853-1930) authored many books and tracts in his lifetime. His three volumes on typology were especially helpful, one of which, The Seven Feasts of Jehovah is available here: Click here to download, read, or share a copy of The 7 Feasts of Jehovah by John Ritchie. Here is a brief biography of John […]
You Must be Born Again Audio sermon by Michael J. Penfold The ABC of the gospel is presented in John Ch 3 by Christ to a religious teacher called Nicodemus: “You must be born again”. In this audio sermon, learn why you need to be born again, what it means to be born again, and […]
Here’s a handy chart listing all the gifts of the Holy Spirit and categorising them into groups for clarity of understanding. Also included are tables relating to the baptism in and the filling with the Spirit. PDF version JPEG version
A Bad Man Saved; a Good Man Lost An audio gospel sermon by Michael J. Penfold Faced with an audience of people who considered themselves to be good-living upright people and who, at the same time, despised others who they considered lower than themselves, the Lord Jesus related the parable of the Pharisee and the […]
The Devil May Wall You Round (Poem) by Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932) Annie Flint suffered from crippling arthritis most of her life. However, confined to a sickbed, she experienced the presence of the Lord in a way that brought forth sweet insights which she put down in poetry. One of her best poems is “The […]
An Outline of Dispensational Truth by Harry Bell Harry Bell (1905-1976) was a mighty expositor of the Word of God. Between 1943 and 1973 – when blindness finally overtook him – Harry Bell preached the Word of God full-time throughout all parts of the United Kingdom. A tall man with a photographic memory and a […]
Afraid of What? (Poem) by E.H. Hamilton E.H. Hamilton, a Presbyterian missionary to China, wrote the poem below to reflect upon and commemorate the martyrdom of his fellow missionary J.W. Vinson (1880-1931). In October 1931, as Vinson visited some believers 18 miles from his mission station, the area was overwhelmed by a group of 600 […]
Premillennialism or Amillennialism – Which view is correct? by David McAllister David McAllister, a Bible teacher from Donegal, Ireland, examines the vital topic of the Millennium. He gives 8 major reasons why the premillennial view of prophecy is correct and scriptural, as opposed to the amillennial view. In Revelation 20:1-7, we read about a period […]
Five Minutes After I Die (Poem) Loved ones will weep o’er my silent face, Dear ones will clasp me in sad embrace, Shadows and darkness will fill the place, Five minutes after I die. Faces that sorrow I will not see, Voices that murmur will not reach me, But where, O where will my spirit […]
Depression, Anxiety and the Christian by Dr. David Vallance (Ann Arbor, MI, USA) When sin entered the world, a host of afflictions followed in its wake, including depression. Before Adam fell, he and Eve knew nothing of sin, shame, fear or grief. But when sin broke their perfect world, it doomed them to sickness, betrayal […]
Here’s a handy A4 chart outline of Paul’s pastoral epistle to Titus: PDF version JPEG version Michael J. Penfold (info@webtruth.org)
The Bible and Climate Change by Dr A.J. Higgins This article by Dr. A. J. Higgins M.D. (New Jersey, USA) sets out the Bible’s teaching on the environment: Tree huggers, climate-change alarmists, green earth policies, zealous recyclers – we are inundated by the social movements of our day. Stay more than one night in a […]
Here’s a handy outline of the epistle to the Hebrews in a printable A4 chart form: PDF Version JPEG Version Michael J. Penfold (info@webtruth.org)
What makes a meeting an “assembly gathering”? by Michael J. Penfold A survey of the Acts of the Apostles and the Pauline epistles reveals that churches in the first century assembled for a variety of regular meetings, among them; prayer meetings, Bible teaching meetings and, of course, the Lord’s Supper.1 On such occasions a whole […]
What is repentance? by Michael J. Penfold Referenced over 100 times in Scripture, repentance is undoubtedly a topic of vital biblical importance. God commands all men everywhere to repent,1 and the Lord Jesus declared there is no salvation without repentance.2 “Repent” was the first word uttered by both John the Baptist and the Lord as […]
Everyone Worships Something by Michael J. Penfold Everyone worships something, even atheists. Actually, especially atheists. Obliterating God from one’s life leaves a gargantuan hole that, consciously or unconsciously, God-rejectors cannot help but try to fill with meaningful God-substitutes. Nature abhors a vacuum. Now, here’s where it gets tricky. The substitute gods of secularism over-promise and […]
This Thing is from Me by Laura Barter Stow “This Thing is From Me” by Laura A. Barter Snow (died 1939), is a touching and comforting piece of writing that deserves, and will bless, a wide readership. The expression, “This thing is from Me” comes from 1 Kings 12.24. The disappointments of life are in […]
Child of My Love, Fear Not The Unknown Morrow Anonymous Child of My love, fear not the unknown morrow, Dread not the new demand life makes of thee; Thine ignorance doth hold no cause for sorrow, For what thou knowest not is known to Me. Thou canst not see today the hidden meaning Of My […]
The Uniqueness of Christianity Audio presentation by Michael J. Penfold Apologetics 101 – PART 5 of 5 Consciously or not, every human being has a worldview; it’s the way they view themselves, the world and all of reality. That worldview has consequences, for what a person believes determines how they live. So what is the […]
The Rock of Scripture Audio presentation by Michael J. Penfold Apologetics 101 – PART 4 of 5 In 1890, British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, wrote a book about the Bible entitled “The Impregnable Rock of Holy Scripture”. Battering this rock over recent centuries has been Higher Criticism, one of the off-shoots of the Enlightenment. In […]
Are All The Children In? Anonymous I think oft times as the night draws nigh Of an old house on the hill, Of a yard all wide and blossom-starred Where the children played at will. And when the night at last came down, Hushing the merry din, Mother would look around and ask, “Are all […]
The Lie of Evolution Audio presentation by Michael J. Penfold Apologetics 101 – PART 3 of 5 The foundation upon which the secular and naturalistic worldview of the mainstream media, the mainstream political parties and the academic establishment rests, is Darwinism. While the Enlightenment got rid of Scripture and turned theists into deists, it was […]
The Folly of Atheism Audio presentation by Michael J. Penfold Apologetics 101 – PART 2 of 5 The Bible doesn’t beat about the bush. Twice over it says “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’.” In this presentation, Michael Penfold expounds this biblical conclusion, as he examines the folly of a […]
The Existence of Truth Audio presentation by Michael J. Penfold Apologetics 101 – PART 1 of 5 Pilate’s question is still the most fundamental of all: “What is truth?”. In this audio presentation, follow the trail of truth from the pre-modern era, through the modern era to the post-modern era of today. Learn how truth […]
J.G. Bellett (1795-1864) authored numerous books, tracts and hymns in his lifetime. Perhaps his best known work is a meditation on the “Moral Glory of the Lord Jesus”, in which he examines the perfections of the person of Christ as seen in every detail of his life on earth. The style of the writing is […]
The Gate of the Year by Minnie Louise Haskins (1875-1957) Quoted by King George VI in his 1939 war time Christmas broadcast to the British Empire, the “Gate of the Year” poem by Minnie Louise Haskins speaks to readers in all of life’s difficult and dangerous situations: And I said to the man who stood […]
I’m a Christian. Why should I get a COVID-19 vaccine? by David K. Vallance, M.D. (Ann Arbor, MI, USA) I have written this paper to address questions many believers have asked me about the new COVID-19 vaccines. I recommend getting a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can (unless you have had a serious allergic […]
Born in South Wales, UK, John Matthias Davies (1895-1967) was saved as a lad of 15. To most people, he is best known for his missionary endeavours in India, where he laboured for over 20 years, commencing in 1920. J.M.D., as he was affectionately known, was also an author, and his collected writings span over […]
Is “One Man Ministry” Scriptural? by Michael J Penfold A young man feels ‘called to the ministry’. His pastor recommends him to go to Bible College for three years to become fully equipped for his vocation. At college he is rigorously trained, his trial sermons are assessed and his final examination papers are passed. At […]
Until I Learned to Trust by William Coltman Until I learned to trust, I never learned to pray. And I did not learn to fully trust till sorrows came my way. Until I felt my weakness, His strength I never knew; Nor dreamed till I was stricken, that He could see me through. Who deepest […]
This book preserves the unique and fascinating record of a group of Christians who were converted in the 1859 revival in Scotland. Through reading their Bibles they correctly concluded that both clerisy and denominationalism were unscriptural, and they were led of the Lord to meet together to break bread and depend on Him alone for […]
“Will the Church go through the Great Tribulation?” by E.W. Rogers (1893-1977) is a 48 page book that gives a scriptural defence of the pre-tribulation rapture. It is a handy volume answering those who wrongly assert that the church will go through the great tribulation. Click here to read, download or share a copy of […]
5 Poems about the Assurance of Salvation Samuel Whitelock Gandy (1780-1851) I hear the accuser roar, of ills that I have done; I know them well, and thousands more; Jehovah findeth none. Sin, Satan, death, press near, to harass and to appall; Let but my risen Lord appear, backward they go and fall. Before, behind, […]
In The Outlined Bible, Robert Lee devotes one page to each of the 66 books of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, and gives an outline of each book, noting key themes and words and giving the necessary background information about the author, the audience and the purpose in writing. Click here to read, share or download […]
No, Mr Dawkins, faith is not belief without evidence. by Michael J. Penfold Faith is anathema to outspoken atheist Richard Dawkins, who scornfully describes it as “blind trust, in the absence of evidence, even in the teeth of evidence”.1 Without evidence, faith is silly; with evidence, faith is superfluous. Game, set and match to atheism? […]
How Do You Know You Are Saved? by Michael J. Penfold Ask people who claim to be saved how they know they are saved, and you’ll receive a wide variety of answers. Some say “I just know”. If that’s your answer, may I kindly ask you exactly how you know? Without a valid basis for […]
Here’s a handy A4 chart containing a timeline of when Paul’s epistles were written, and how that fits with his 4 missionary journeys and his 3 trips to Jerusalem. PDF VERSION JPEG VERSION Michael J. Penfold (info@webtruth.org)
Hair: How Long is Long? How Short is Short? by Walter Boyd Who said: “There they were in America [in the early 1960’s] all getting house-trained for adulthood with their indisputable principle of life: short hair equals men, long hair equals women. Well, we got rid of that small convention for them”? The words are […]
Doing or Done – Which is it? How clear is the sound which the trumpeter gives, That when a poor sinner believeth, he lives; He has done with his nature, condition, and birth, No longer belongeth to Adam or earth; He is born of the Spirit, because he has heard The truth of salvation, as preached in […]
The Most Common Objection to God – Answered by Michael J. Penfold The most common objection to the God of the Bible is not “how did Noah get all the animals onto the ark?”, nor even “Where did Cain get his wife?”. Ask the average atheist why he doesn’t believe in God and he’ll […]
“Christ, of the Substance of Mary” – A History of the Defence of the Doctrine by Michael J. Penfold Elsewhere on this website I have written defending the truth that, in His incarnation, the Lord Jesus took of the substance of the virgin Mary (See Did the Lord Take Anything from Mary?). I briefly referenced […]
Here’s a handy A4 chart outlining what the New Testament teaches about the content and communication of the gospel. The key take-away from the chart is: God has not only given us a message, but also a method for communicating that message. PDF VERSION JPEG VERSION Michael J. Penfold (info@webtruth.org)
What is Hypostatic Union? by Michael J. Penfold C.H. Mackintosh once remarked that, “The truth respecting Christ’s humanity must be received with scriptural accuracy, held with spiritual energy, guarded with holy jealousy, and confessed with heavenly power. If we are wrong as to this, we cannot be right as to anything.”[1] That being the case, […]
Here’s a handy outline of Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians in printable A4 chart form: PDF version JPEG version Michael J. Penfold (info@webtruth.org)
Overcoming Victimhood Audio sermon by Michael J. Penfold A sermon on Joseph (Genesis chapters 37 & 39), a young man who stood for God in difficult circumstances. He overcame the bad influence of older siblings, the unwise favouritism of his father, the betrayal of his brothers and the vice and lies his master’s wife. But […]
Here’s a handy A4 chart outlining what the New Testament teaches about marriage, family and the home. PDF VERSION JPEG VERSION Michael J. Penfold (info@webtruth.org)
Here’s a handy A4 chart outlining what the New Testament teaches about separation from the world in 5 aspects: ecclesiastical, social, political, marital and financial. Click here for a PDF copy or click on the chart below to open up a large jpeg copy: Michael J. Penfold (info@webtruth.org)
A handy A4 chart outlining what the New Testament teaches about the nature, function and purpose of a local church under four headings: plan, purpose, principle and pattern. Click here for a PDF copy or click on the chart below to open up a large jpeg copy: Michael J. Penfold (info@webtruth.org)
Was There a Genuine Offer of the Kingdom to Israel? by Frederick A. Tatford Frederick A. Tatford (1901-1986) took a special interest in eschatology and wrote widely on prophetic subjects. On the issue of the “kingdom offer” to the nation of Israel Dr. Tatford helpfully wrote the following: “When our Lord was born into this […]
Yale Professor – “Darwin was Wrong” by Michael J. Penfold David Gelernter is what I would call a ‘rare bird’. An unconverted Western intellectual who rejects Darwin’s theory of evolution. Why highlight the story of a professor who gives up on Darwin but doesn’t become a “born again Christian”? Because that is not a good […]
9 Books Summarising the New Testament Review by Michael J. Penfold It’s helpful, when commencing the study of a New Testament book, to read a summary of the book by an author who has passed that way before you. This article reviews 9 such ‘New Testament surveys’, highlighting their take on one particular book: the […]
Is the Human Eye Wired Backwards? Highlighting the work of Michael J. Behe The extreme perfection, complexity and beauty of the human eye – not to mention its dazzling array of utterly astounding functions and capabilities – is both a puzzle and a nightmare for Darwinists. A detailed evolutionary history of the human eye – […]
Eugene Higgins (New Jersey, USA) preaches a series of sermons on future events according to the Bible, from the second coming of Christ to the inauguration of the new heavens and the new earth, and everything in between. Clear, contextual and challenging, these Biblical messages will repay careful viewing. PART 1 – It’s the Road, […]
Is it Right for a Christian to Smoke? by Michael J. Penfold Is it right for a Christian to smoke, or to play the lottery, to watch movies, to follow sports, to play computer games or to be on social media? You will search in vain for a Bible verse that directly addresses these items […]
Body Piercing and Bible Principles by Dr. A. J. Higgins A fascinating article, which appeared in the British medical journal The Lancet, is worthy of mention. It is written by a German secular physician, Aglaja Stirn, and is entitled, “Body Piercing: medical consequences and psychological motivation”. I am not concerned with the medical consequences, but […]
Few Sophisticated People Believe the Bible – Here’s Why. by Michael J. Penfold Psychologist, author and Harvard professor Steven Pinker is one of the world’s leading atheists. In his book, Enlightenment Now (Penguin, 2018), he says: “Few sophisticated people today profess a belief in heaven and hell, the literal truth of the Bible, or a […]
Why I am Complementarian Audio sermon by Michael J. Penfold Complementarianism is the biblical truth that God, having created two different genders in the beginning of creation, assigned different roles to each – headship to the male, and ‘helper-ship’ to the female. Opposed by feminism, this is nevertheless the plain teaching of Genesis Ch 2 […]
What Does it Mean to Believe in Jesus Christ? Audio sermon by Michael J. Penfold What does it mean to believe in Christ? Why do some people have trouble believing? How may I know if I have believed in the right way? These and other vital questions are explored in a message that will help […]
What Does It Mean to Repent? Audio sermon by Michael J. Penfold A look at the fundamentally important foundational doctrine of repentance under 5 headings: 1. Why study repentance? 2. What is the link between repentance and faith? 3. What is repentance? 4. How does repentance come about? 5. What are the fruits of repentance? […]
Why I am in a New Testament Assembly Audio sermon by Michael J. Penfold After defining the words “fellowship” (Gk: koinonia) and “assembly” (Gk: ekklesia), this sermon sets out 3 reasons “Why I am in fellowship in a local assembly”. First, because of the purpose of God; second, because of the presence of Christ; and […]
Did the Lord take anything from Mary? by Michael J. Penfold Some have suggested that the physical body of the Lord Jesus was directly created by God from nothing. No physical or genetic link existed between Christ and Mary because God created the Lord’s body without using a mother’s ovum, just as He had done […]
A handy outline of Paul’s epistle to the Romans in printable A4 chart form: Romans outline in JPG Romans outline in PDF Michael J. Penfold (info@webtruth.org)
The Bible Validates Itself by John F. Parkinson The Bible needs no external authority to validate it. Scripture is self-authenticating and bears the unmistakable stamp of divine authorship, as John Parkinson explains. In our pluralistic age we often hear the Bible described as merely another source of divine inspiration alongside the sacred texts of […]
Why I am Not an Atheist by Michael J. Penfold Atheism is flourishing in the country of my birth. Though 100 years ago most people in the UK attended church, the current figure sits at around 6%. Compare that with the 14% who identify as “convinced atheists”. The ‘atheist percentage’ is considerably higher among the […]
The Bible and Genetic Engineering by Dr David Vallance (Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA) In the beginning, God directed Adam to subdue and rule the earth, and everything in it (Gen 1:28). In this “dominion mandate” the Lord called the man to use his intellect, creativity and strength to enhance the beauty of creation, and to […]
Preaching 101 – Preaching the Sermon (Audio: 43 min) Audio sermon by Michael J. Penfold In the last of a 4-part series on gospel communication, this sermon sets out how to present a gospel message. Preachers should preach with authority, dignity, sensitivity, simplicity, clarity, cogency, authenticity, solemnity, intensity and fervency. Practical advice is given on […]
Preaching 101 – Preparing the Sermon (Audio: 43 min) Audio sermon by Michael J. Penfold In the third of a 4-part series on gospel communication, this sermon take up the subject of how to prepare a gospel message. First, the preacher needs to be prepared, then the sermon. Three main genres of sermon are outlined, […]
Preaching 101 – The Essential Content (Audio: 55 min) Audio sermon b y Michael J. Penfold In the second of a 4-part series on gospel communication, this sermon lays out the essential content of the gospel message. A three-fold proof is given from Scripture that “the gospel” consists of the three “R’s” – man’s ruin […]
Preaching 101 – The Biblical Method Audio sermon by Michael J. Penfold In the first of a 4-part series on gospel communication, this sermon takes up the subject of “the divine method of communication”. The New Testament is clear; God has not only given us a message, but a method: preaching. Hear about 4 ways […]
Stop Telling People to Ask the Lord to Save Them by Michael J. Penfold An American author wrote a book a while ago called “Stop Asking Jesus into Your Heart”. Allow me to make a slightly different plea: stop telling people to “ask the Lord to save them”. This 6-word-sentence is a favourite cliché of many a […]
Chart of The Kingdom of God in History and Prophecy The subject of “the Kingdom” is a grey area in the minds of many Christians: What is the Kingdom of God? Is there a difference between the Kingdom and the Church? Is there a difference between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of heaven? […]
Is the Sabbath for today? by Michael J. Penfold The question of the Sabbath, and whether or not Christians are expected to observe it, is a huge issue in the minds of many people. The world’s largest Sabbath-keeping group is the 20-million-member 7th Day Adventist Church. Their Saturday Sabbath message is making headway on all […]
Should Christians Keep the Sabbath? Audio sermon by Michael J. Penfold After listing 6 reasons why God gave the Sabbath, this sermon sets out to prove that the Saturday Sabbath was a ceremonial, not a moral law, and that it was not instituted until Sinai. It was a “shadow” that gave way to the “substance” […]
The Tragic Triumph of Experience Over Truth by Michael J. Penfold Across vast swathes of evangelicalism, doctrine and theology have become dirty words. What “feels good” has won the day. Exposition has been surrendered to entertainment, preaching to performance, doctrine to drama, and theology to theatrics. Anyone questioning the “big band feel” of the contemporary […]
The Christian and Social Media by Michael J. Penfold It only takes a couple of minutes to download Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. You gain some connectivity, some fame and maybe even make some money. But there’s a downside. You lose your privacy, liberty, tranquility and sanctity, and may never get them […]
Chart of Daniel’s 70 Weeks Two key chapters in the book of Daniel, Chs 2 and 9, outline the whole history of God’s dealings with His people Israel from hundreds of years BC, right through to the second coming of Christ and the inauguration of His millennial kingdom. Both of these pivotal prophecies were given […]
The Virgin Birth of Christ by Dr. A.J. Higgins (New Jersey, USA) Apart from the resurrection of Christ, no truth is so maligned by the scientifically conditioned and rational mind as the virgin birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. While it is sung about in carols, recited in creeds, depicted in crèches, and sentimentalised in […]
The 5 Best Books of Bible Charts by Michael J. Penfold Charts of Biblical topics are incredibly useful additions to any Bible student’s library. Being able to view complex topics or themes in chart or table form can make all the difference between bewilderment and clarity in the realm of Bible doctrine! Here are the […]
Is The Appendix Vestigial? In 1871, twelve years after his On the Origin of Species was published, Charles Darwin released another explosive book about evolution, The Descent of Man, in which he outlined his theory of human evolution, his main proposal being that mankind had evolved from “some lower form”. Humans are descendants of ape-like creatures, he claimed. Only prejudice […]
Dawkins Contradicts Himself by Michael J. Penfold It is some years since I read ‘The God Delusion’ by Richard Dawkins. An erudite man, a lucid communicator and an eloquent writer, the world’s most famous atheist has a reputation as an outstanding logician. In classical logic, the law of non-contradiction states that “contradictory statements cannot both […]
My Child Wants To Be Saved. What Should I Do? by Michael J. Penfold For parents who value the salvation of their children above and beyond everything else, there’s nothing more pleasing than to hear a child say, “Daddy/Mummy, I want to be saved”. Yet, precisely because the eternal welfare of their children is so […]
New Testament Church Basics Introduction It’s common nowadays to ‘choose a church’ based on personal preference. If the kids’ programme is cool, the Pastor is easy to listen to and the band is trendy, what more could one want? However, in light of the fact that the Bible contains several epistles that give detailed doctrinal […]
New Testament Church Basics Chapter 2 – The Local Assembly Manifests the Divine Presence Our thoughts now turn to a second fundamental purpose of a local assembly – it manifests the presence of God. Since the beginning of creation it has always been God’s purpose to dwell among His people. Adam and Eve heard God’s […]
BOOK REVIEW: Books examining Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) by Michael J. Penfold “Christian rock”, “Christian rap” and all other forms of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) have long since swept away all the early objections that were raised against it by conservative Christians in the 1960’s and 70’s. Hardly anyone talks about ‘worldly music’ anymore. The once radical […]
Should Christians Watch Movies? by Michael J. Penfold If you a Christian who loves movies, here’s a challenge for you. Are you willing to consider the following five issues that might upset your viewing habits? Before watching a movie, consider: 1. Content The vast majority of Hollywood, Bollywood and the rest of the film industry’s content is […]
New Testament Church Basics Chapter 3 – The Local Assembly Exhibits Divine Design We have seen that the Lord both owns the assembly and dwells in the assembly. Let us now consider the fact that He designed the assembly and that its order, structure and character showcase His wisdom. These three facts are placed side […]
Men and Women – Equal in Essence; Different in Role (Audio: 41 min) Audio sermon by Michael J. Penfold A sermon based around the first woman in the Bible, Eve, discussing her formation, function, failure and faith. The apostle Paul looks to Eve as he outlines the roles of the genders in the New Testament. […]
New Testament Church Basics Chapter 4 – The Local Assembly Administers Divine Authority In previous articles we have examined a number of basic truths about the local assembly. First, He owns it. Second, He dwells in it. Third, He designed it. Now we come to a fourth fundamental consideration – He rules it. The Bible […]
Mr John Grant (1942-2020) was a Bible teacher, author and editor of the Believer’s Magazine from 1999 to 2015. He put together charts outlining all of the books of the Bible, plus charts on many varied biblical themes. These charts originally appeared in the centre of the Believer’s Magazine over a number of years and, together, […]
New Testament Church Basics Chapter 5 – The Local Assembly Displays Divine Order We take our leave of the subject of “lordship” to look now at “headship”. These two topics – both of which significantly impact assembly life and testimony – need to be carefully distinguished. Lordship has to do with rule; headship with role. […]
New Testament Church Basics Chapter 6 – The Local Assembly Provides Divine Care What a place the assembly is! – where God’s glory is preeminent; His presence is known; His wisdom is displayed; His rule is acknowledged, and His order of headship is honoured and displayed. We come now to a sixth purpose: the assembly […]
New Testament Church Basics Chapter 7 – The Local Assembly Proclaims Divine Truth Before looking, in this chapter, at the local assembly’s role as a vehicle for the dissemination and defence of Bible doctrine, a particular aspect of ‘proclaiming divine truth’ must be mentioned. In the weekly Lord’s Supper, sometimes called “the breaking of bread” […]
Is the Bible the Word of God? Audio presentation by Michael J. Penfold Is the Bible the Word of God? it reliable? Is it true? Is the Bible we have today the same as the one originally written? Can the Bible be trusted? Are there any proofs that can be offered? Can Christians claim with […]
Tongues were Real Languages by Michael J. Penfold “Speaking in tongues” has been a leading feature of the Pentecostal-Charismatic movement ever since its inception. The first supposed occurrence of “tongues speaking” in the modern era took place at 11.00pm on Jan 1st 1901 in Topeka, Kansas, USA, when Agnes Osman claimed to possess and use this gift. […]
New Testament Church Basics Chapter 8 – The Local Assembly Fulfils the Divine Commission Our thoughts now turn to “the great commission” in which the Lord Jesus told his disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel, baptise the converts, and teach them to observe all things that He had commanded. Having […]
Gambling and Alcohol – A Biblical Perspective by Dr A.J. Higgins Dr. A. J. Higgins M.D. (New Jersey, USA) tackles two epidemics of 21st Century western culture – gambling and alcohol – and examines them from a Biblical perspective. Any student of American history quickly recognises the name of Eliot Ness and his “Untouchables”, who […]
BOOK REVIEW: 13 Books about Calvinism by Michael J. Penfold Theologically sound, well-written books on the subject of election and predestination, that avoid the extremes of “limited atonement” (Calvinism) on the one hand, and the “falling away” doctrine (Arminianism) on the other, can be hard to come by. Listed here are 13 volumes that engage […]
Is the King James Version Perfect? by Michael J. Penfold The King James Version of the Bible still excels as a translation. However, in recent years, thousands of Christians have come to hold an extreme and illogical view: that the KJV represents not just a very good, or even the best translation in the English […]
What is the Difference between Propitiation and Atonement? Samuel McBride This article was originally published as a book called Atonement – Old or New Testament Doctrine? It is taught by many that ‘atonement’ is an exclusively Old Testament idea that means to “cover sin up”, whereas ‘propitiation’ is a New Testament truth that enables the […]
Light for Anxious Souls by George Cutting George Cutting (1834-1934) was a faithful English evangelist and author, well known for writing the booklet Safety, Certainty and Enjoyment. His other lesser known work – but equally effective – is Light for Anxious Souls, which is reproduced below. This work will be a great help to anyone […]
Around the Wicket Gate by Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) If you are struggling to be saved, C.H. Spurgeon’s Around the Wicket Gate is for you. Awakening If we are sensible, we shall pray that our anxiety about our souls may never come to an end till we are really and truly saved. It would be an awful […]
If Christ Died for All, How Can Anyone Perish? by David McAllister David McAllister, a Bible teacher from Donegal, Ireland, takes up the topic of the vicarious death of Christ and asks “If Christ died for all, does that mean that everyone will be saved? And if not, why not?” The Scriptures teach that not […]
Did Christ Die for All? by David McAllister David McAllister, a Bible teacher from Donegal, Ireland, takes up the topic of the vicarious death of Christ and asks “For whom did Christ die? Was it for all or just for a select few?” According to one dictionary, the word “vicarious” means “acting or done for […]
God is Obvious by Michael J. Penfold From Augustine and Thomas Aquinas in the past, to John Lennox and William Lane Craig in the present, there has been a steady stream of formidable Christian apologists throughout history who have furnished the world with ample convincing arguments for the existence of God. Look out for the cosmological, […]
God’s Way of Salvation by Alexander Marshall This article by Alexander Marshall (1846-1928) has been a blessing to thousands of people over many years. In booklet form it has been published in more than 20 languages with over four million copies in print. It highlights around 30 questions, excuses and enquiries about the vital topic […]
In October 2015 a Christian apologetics conference on the subject of “Origins” was held at the Gospel Hall in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Over seven sessions, a wide range of fundamental issues were taken up by Michael Penfold, all relating to the question of origins. Session 1 dealt with The Origin of Truth. What is truth? […]
In October 2015 a conference on the subject of “dispensations and ages” was held at the Gospel Hall in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. Understanding the Bible’s dispensations greatly aids in appreciating its overall flow, structure and goal. These sessions will repay careful viewing. Dan Shutt opened the conference with “An Introduction to Dispensationalism”, outlining the concept of […]
Chart of Bible Covenants One of the most neglected and least understood themes of the Bible is its programme of Divine Covenants. Ask the average Christian what he or she knows about the Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic and New Covenants and one is most likely to be met with a blank stare! Despite the somewhat […]
When God deals with mankind creatorially He sees but one group. There is but one human race, despite differences of colour, culture and creed. God created humanity “of one blood” (Acts 17:26). However, when God deals with men redemptively He sees two groups, the saved and the lost (John 3:36, Rev 22:11). Yet, when God […]
The broad sweep of history is neither random nor chaotic. The Bible reveals that God is working all things after the counsel of His own will (Eph 1:11). He has superintended history in a series of ages or eras, and has allotted to each period a distinctive set of administrative principles. The Bible describes God as […]
A Christian Perspective on Euthanasia by Dr A.J. Higgins This article by Dr. A. J. Higgins M.D. (New Jersey, USA) sets out the Bible’s teaching on debility and euthanasia: Shakespeare said it back in 1600: “Last scene of all, that ends this strange eventful history, is second childishness and mere oblivion, sans teeth, sans eyes, […]
Stephen Hawking’s Sleight of Hand by Michael J. Penfold In his 2010 book, The Grand Design, Stephen W. Hawking includes a sentence of staggering, perhaps unparalleled, sleight-of-hand proportions. “Because there is a law such as gravity,” he writes, “the Universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather […]
5 Reasons Why Tongues Have Ceased by Michael J. Penfold Millions of people around the world claim to have the “gift of tongues” and to be able to “speak in tongues”. That the Bible speaks of such a gift is beyond dispute. The New Testament books of Acts and 1 Corinthians contain historical and doctrinal […]
It’s Time to Downgrade your Atheism by Michael J. Penfold So, you’re an atheist? Yes. Are you absolutely sure that God doesn’t exist? 100% positive? Totally beyond doubt? No, I didn’t say that. I can’t absolutely prove the non-existence of God, not in the sense of mathematical proof anyway. So you’re not really an atheist, […]
Do or Done – which? by Michael J. Penfold An examination of the world’s religions quickly reveals one stand-out fact. Whether Hinduism with its rituals, Islam with its pilgrimages, Roman Catholicism with its sacraments or evangelicalism with its “sinner’s prayer”, ultimately all religious want you to do something to get right with God. Your salvation, […]
Christian music festivals – a warning. by Michael J. Penfold Lifest is an annual 4-day Christian music festival that takes place in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA, each July. It attracts around 20,000 attendees per day and features around 100 artists performing on 6 different stages. It is a member of The Christian Festival Association, a group representing all […]
How to find peace with God by Michael J. Penfold How to obtain it? How to maintain it? Meditation, drugs, religion, yoga, romance? Endless options, mixed success. But there’s another kind of peace that you need. Objective rather than subjective; fixed rather than variable.; eternal rather than fleeting. Think about it this way. The opposite […]
You Can Know The Truth by Michael J. Penfold It’s impossible to deny the existence of truth without at the same time affirming it. How come? Well, think about it: to say “truth does not exist” is to make a truth claim. So, what is truth? Truth is what corresponds to reality. Simply put, truth […]
Two worlds – to which do you belong? by Michael J. Penfold At the beginning, God placed man in Eden’s paradise. The original creatorial order was marked by harmony between the Creator and His creation under the rule of Adam, heaven’s vice-regent on earth. Satan then engineered a rebellion which resulted in Adam rejecting God’s […]
The two ways – which one are you on? by Michael J. Penfold You are travelling in one of two ways. Your own way, or God’s way. The way of lawlessness or the way of righteousness. The Bible says, “All we, like sheep, have gone astray, we have turned, every one, to his own way” (Isa […]
Charles Darwin and the Origin of Species by Michael J. Penfold In the BBC series ‘Great Britons’ in 2002, Charles Darwin was listed as the 4th greatest Briton ever to have lived. In his contribution to the series, BBC correspondent and atheist Andrew Marr stated: “We have many local heroes; we have only one world […]
“If there’s a God, please lift that dustbin lid.” by Michael J Penfold The British TV series Dixon of Dock Green ran for an incredible 25 years. In 1990, the atheistic playwright behind it, Ted Willis, moved an amendment to the Broadcasting Bill in the British Houses of Parliament, hoping to pave the way for the presentation […]
Postmodernism – explained and exposed. by Michael J. Penfold “What’s true for you may not be true for me,” encapsulates the postmodern idiom fairly well. Despite its recent origin, postmodernism currently dominates Western 21st Century media, academia, politics and much of ‘the church’. Statistics reveal that a majority of young people in the West hold […]
Can Christians Lose Their Salvation? by Michael J. Penfold Arriving at a clear understanding of the true nature of salvation represents the first step in settling the question of eternal security. The Bible clearly teaches that at the very moment of genuine repentance and saving faith a sinner is: Converted – turned around (Acts 3:19) Reconciled – […]
Examining Contemporary Praise and Worship by Michael J. Penfold Assessing contemporary praise and worship (CPW) is a tricky task for two major reasons. Firstly, the phenomenon is less than 70 years old, and secondly, it is a varied and constantly changing field of study. Yet, for all its variety, CPW exhibits four enduring features, which […]
Contemporary Song Books Examined by Michael J. Penfold In 1874, as a result of Ira Sankey’s much loved choice of hymns at D.L. Moody’s evangelistic crusades in the UK, the Sacred Songs and Solos hymnbook was born. 110 years later, in preparation for the 1984 visit to England of Billy Graham, a new hymnbook called Mission […]
What about Transubstantiation and the Mass? by Michael J. Penfold Once a matter of life and death, transubstantiation is now generally a matter of indifference. Turn the clock back 450 years and transubstantiation is one of the hottest issues of the day. On the one hand the Roman Catholic Church taught: “If any one shall […]
The DaVinci Code – A Christian Response by Michael J. Penfold Dan Brown, author of best-selling novel “The DaVinci Code’, claims to know the truth about the greatest cover-up in human history. Though the information he discloses already existed in older non-fiction books such as ‘Holy Blood Holy Grail’ (Dell, 1983) and ‘The Templar Revelation’ […]
A chart giving an overview of Bible prophecy from the beginning of “the times of the Gentiles” until the beginning of the new heavens and the new earth in the eternal state. This chart take a dispensational view of eschatology and is therefore pre-tribulational and pre-millennial. JPEG version PDF version Comments: info@webtruth.org
Here are downloadable versions of the “Two Roads and Two Destinies chart”, a very useful tool in gospel work: PDF version JPEG Version Comments: info@webtruth.org
When God Wants to Drill a Man Anonymous When God wants to drill a man, And thrill a man, And skill a man, When God wants to mould a man To play the noblest part; When He yearns with all His heart To create so great and bold a man That all the world shall […]
Do You Have a Biblical Worldview? Audio sermon by Michael J. Penfold A worldview or metanarrative – humanism, pragmatism and postmodernism etc. – is a way of viewing the world and all of reality. Everyone has a worldview, whether they are conscious of it or not. But what is the biblical worldview, and what does […]
6 Arguments for the Existence of God Audio sermon by Michael J. Penfold In a refutation of atheism, this sermon outlines 6 arguments for the existence of God from classical apologetics – the cosmological, teleological, moral, christological, biblical and experiential arguments. Sermon date: 29.8.2010 Contact: info@webtruth.org
Understanding our Culture’s Secular Worldview Audio sermon by Michael J. Penfold Everyone has a worldview – their take on the world; the glasses through which they view reality. This sermon explains what a worldview is, and outlines how the various false Western worldviews such as humanism, pragmatism and postmodernism all come under the heading of […]
