Bible Study

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.