GOD EXISTS – AN UNDENIABLE FACT!
Rom 1:16-32
“How do we know that God exists?” It was quite a question to be confronted with after the joyful Easter celebrations. But we Christians all need to be ready to answer when someone bounces such an enquiry at us!
People often scrabble around looking for an answer when at least part of it can be found in themselves! Whether they wish to admit it or not, all people have an inner sense of God. What do we mean by that?
All persons have a deep, inner sense that God exists, that they are His creatures and that He is their Creator. The Apostle Paul says that even Gentile unbelievers “knew God” but did not honour Him as God or give thanks to Him. (Rom.1:25). In other words, they actively and wilfully rejected some truth about God’s existence and character that they knew. Paul puts it much more succinctly than this: they “exchanged the truth about God for a lie”. Yet the Bible – God’s inerrant Word – also recognizes that some people deny this inner sense of God and even deny that God exists. But we know that it is “the fool” who says in his heart, “there is no God”(Pss. 14:1; 53:1) and that sin leads people to think irrationally and to deny God’s existence.
In the life of a Christian, this inner awareness of God becomes stronger and more distinct. We begin to know God as our loving Father in heaven (Rom 8:15); the Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirits that we are the children of God (Rom 8:16); and we come to know Jesus Christ living within our hearts (John 14:23).
The intensity of this awareness for a Christian is such that though we have not seen our Lord Jesus Christ, we indeed love Him. (1 Pet. 1:8).
Speakers for Sundays in May:
5th: a.m. David Palmer p.m. Pastor Peter Cho
12th: a.m. Pastor Peter Cho p.m. Chris Palmer
19th: a.m. Gail Dixon (Service at Beulah)
p.m. Gail Dixon (Service at Tabernacle)
26th: a.m. Pastor Peter Cho p.m. Rev. Tom Jeffries
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GWENT BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
NEW PRESIDENT
Geoffrey Champion has become the new president of the Gwent Baptist Association.
A former journalist and public relations executive, Geoff was inducted at the association’s annual general meeting held on Thursday, 23 May at Tabernacle where he is a deacon and trustee. Nearly 100 people attended the meeting.
Geoff will serve as president for two years taking over the role from the Reverend Sue Phillips of Elim Baptist Church, Pontllanfraith. At present, there are 45 churches in the association with more than 1,000 members between them.
“I am honoured and humbled to serve the Lord in this way “, said Geoff. “There is a new spirit of optimism among many of our churches as we seek to share the gospel and provide practical help and support to all age groups in our communities.”
Geoff gained BA (Hons) and M.Sc. degrees with the Open University and a certificate in theology after a period of part-time study at Spurgeon’s College, London. He has been a lay preacher for more than 35 years.
After leaving mainstream journalism in the mid 1970’s, he held a number of PR posts with the Welsh Development Agency, John Williams of Cardiff Ltd, British Gas Wales, the National Rivers Authority and Environment Agency Wales. He took early retirement in August 2007 but has continued as a freelance rugby writer.
He is married with two sons and four grandchildren. His wife, Lynne, is superintendent of the Tabernacle Sunday School and a volunteer youth worker at the Friday Night Youth Ministry. Apart from his church activities, Geoff’s other main interests are his family, learning Welsh, reading and caring for the environment.
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