Reformation and Revival Conference
The annual Reformation and Revival Conference took place in Swanwick from 19-21 November. About 80 men and women attended to hear two preachers from the Celtic fringes of the British Isles – Dafydd P. Morris from Carmarthenshire and Iain D. Campbell from Back, on the Isle of Lewis.
Dafydd gave three addresses on Acts 2:14, ‘I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh’, the words of Joel quoted by Peter at Pentecost. Christ has been exalted to pour out the Spirit and this work was inaugurated but not exhausted at Pentecost.Surely we have warrant from the exalted Christ’s person and work to expect such blessings again? We find grounds of hope for revival outside ourselves, entirely in Jesus Christ. God’s ultimate purpose for his world is now fulfilled through such comings of the Spirit.
Dr Campbell reminded us there was no greater vision than that of the bride in the book of Revelation. His right hand does not embrace angels but the church. Here is the heart of the gospel – Jesus bringing sinners into union with himself. The whole complexion of time and eternity has changed because of this marriage.
In three addresses he then showed us the bride from the Old Testament. The first was Rebecca in Genesis 24 – the loveliest story ever told. The second was Ruth in the book dedicated to her; and the third was in the Song of Songs, the bride for David’s son.
It is hard to describe the wonderful impact of these messages; the freshness of their themes, the union of redemption history insights with puritan confessional theology and the vigour with which they were declared.
(CDs on sale from Jim Lawson, 12 Rutherglen Walk, Eaglescliffe, TS16 9HE or jim.lawson@ntlworld.com).
