No apologies for the Gospel

Published on: 19 February 2024

During a recent visit to the website of Englesea Brook Chapel and Museum, I came across a thought provoking article entitled, ‘The role of outdoor worship in Primitive Methodism’ by Dr Nick Mayhew-Smith. Englesea Brook chapel receives visitors, arranges crafts, tours and talks on the history of Primitive Methodism. There is also a cafe and gift shop among other facilities and events. Among those are, a series of Saturday morning Heritage Talks available to view on YouTube or, directly on Zoom.

 

I clicked onto one in particular because it concerned open air meetings which first began at Mow Cop. At which, a number of Independent Methodists and others attended. Various slides were presented showing other locations where these folks were led to meet. These included, Oak Cottage at Risley, a woodland site in Delamere forest where the Magic Methodists met (otherwise known as ‘Ranters’) and a place called the Preaching Post at High Legh. Among the prominent Primitive Methodists were, Hugh Bourne and William Clowes. Among the Independent Methodists were Peter Philips and an American evangelist called Lorenzo Dow.

 

As we know, the relationship formed several expressions of Methodism which took their denominational names some time later. For the Primitives, the first Camp Meeting was held at Mow Cop in 1807. The movement spread quickly through North Staffordshire and throughout the country. In this way the Primitives also spread to Australia, New Zealand, America and Africa. Their history is discoverable online or by a visit to Englesea Brook. What really interested me was to learn that Bourne and Clowes had been excluded by the Wesleyans. Why?

 

Wesleyan Methodism had become organised and their fellowships had settled into their chapels. The role of outdoor ministry was no longer seen as, ‘the done thing’. The new Primitive movement reflected a choice to follow the earlier and purer form of Methodism which, included open air worship and women preachers. The relationship of open air work and revival is as unmistakable as it is unmissable in any study of either one or, a study of the spread of the Gospel as told in the Book of Acts (Acts.16:13; Acts17;16-18).

 

The history of outreach and revival does also reveal the dangers of stagnation and a loss of the fluid character of the Spirit filled Church. Motivation to get the Gospel out to a fallen world is not a hereditary quality. In my considered opinion, I believe that the reverse ideology and woke culture of the current age have crept so far into the churches that, many are beleaguered by a fear of being too vocal with the Gospel. To follow the history of the Primitives, will show that they too, fizzled out and returned to main line Methodism by an act of union in 1932. The missionary fervour was, by then, buried with its progenitors.

 

Return to the Bible and we will find that the early Christians never apologised for the Gospel. There was no context in which they did not see an opportunity to testify to the grace of God in Christ Jesus. In season or, out (Acts.26:24-29; 2 Timothy.4:2). Just a few years ago there was a case of an evangelist who was arrested on the street of a suburb of Manchester. All he had done was to set up a small table with tracts and books and preach the Gospel to those passing by. This had been his custom and practice for some time. Two men objected and brought the police! The outcome was, that the police had to let him go as there was no law against his activity. The only restraint being, that he would only be allowed to respond to enquirers but, not allowed to speak otherwise.

 

Is it time for the churches to rise up and rediscover their truly protestant character? Is it time to call out to almighty God to rain down mercy on a society which, could soon be described as Godless? Is it time for the churches to insist that there is only one way to salvation (John.14:6)? Or, is it time for the churches to shrink back into their buildings and implement every whim and will which is foisted upon them? Readers will find the answer to these questions in the word of God.

 

Prayer:- almighty God, please deliver us from the weak and miserable principles of this world and light the flame of the Gospel while there is still time for the lost to receive Your grace. In the precious name of Jesus we ask these things, Amen.

Tags: Bible, Study

Our latest articles

25 February 2024

Book Study:- Jude

This short but, to the point New Testament letter is written for those who are the ‘called, loved and…

19 February 2024

No apologies for the Gospel

During a recent visit to the website of Englesea Brook Chapel and Museum, I came across a thought provoking…

13 February 2024

The Nature of the Conflict

If we form, first of all a perspective of the spiritual climate, we may make a comparison of our contemporary…

15 November 2023

Notes on a Harvest

Our Scripture declares the Lord to be the provider and supplier of all blessings.

9 November 2023

A Discovery of God’s purpose in Your Life

We should not be surprised to find the prophet Elijah was, for a while, fed by ravens. What is interesting…

31 October 2023

A Direction of Mission

Folks have many different perceptions of what mission involves, how it’s done and even what it is. Many…

18 October 2023

A Few Points From A Well-known Passage

The Lord had just come from a very public baptism in which, He identified with the need

18 October 2023

A Bucketful of Blessing

I was 21 years old and reclining, rather uncomfortably, whilst a needle-yielding sadist took charge of…

18 October 2023

A Covenant of Salt

A covenant of salt is characterised by Permanence, Purity and Potency. As none of these three things…

14 March 2023

Not by Might, nor by Power but by My Spirit

The exile of the children of Israel may be likened to a period of decline in the Church.

7 March 2023

Practice What You Preach

The phrase ‘practice what you preach’ is used by many people in just as many different circumstances.…

9 January 2023

History, Quotes and Correlations

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was fond of the phrase, “You cannot ignore history”.…

We'd love to hear from you

Whether you want support or would like to share something with us we'd love to hear from you.

Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

John.14:23 E.S.V.