The Semper Reformata Podcast

In April 2022, I was invited to give at talk at Templepatrick Reformed Church, entitled, "The Gender Agenda: Gender Confusion, Transgenderism and the Christian Response." In this special episode of “The Prism” I’ve published the original live recording of the talk, with the permission of the church.   Have a listen, and if you’d like to make a comment, or a criticism, follow the link bel...

Monday PrayerCast 18th April 2022 In this week's look at some of the news from a Christian perspective we consider: The on-going sexualisation of small children. The threat and danger of further COVID Lockdowns The authoritarian treatment of citizens in Shanghai, PRC Praying for Boris The Universal Basic Income - and our Local Election Click the link to follow-up and research any of the stories in...

Acts-In-Replay: A New Era. Acts 20:1-6 This section of text encompasses a period of well over a year, an eventful and fruitful year. It’s here to remind us that the Holy Spirit, who inspired Luke to write this history, has not chosen to reveal every event in the early church’s history. That does not mean that major events are not taking place. This is a whole new chapter in Paul’s ministry, for no...

Monday PrayerCast 11th April 2022 The regular news and prayer update from NI, - with a Christian worldview. This week we look at  * Abortion - and how Belfast Trust 'Misled' the Stormont Assembly on 'protests.' * Belfast Bible College - announcing a new Principal - but is it a positive move for evangelicalism ? * Transgenderism and the proposed Conversion TherapyBan - and we discover some pos...

Acts-In-Replay:   A Case for SERIOUS Christianity Acts 19:23-41 This is a case study – a example of the need for serious Christianity.  In this pagan age, mere nominal faith, or emotionally driven Christian experiences, simply won’t do.  Real, serious Christianity is all that will prevail. I’ve been predicting this.  There’s going to be a riot at Ephesus.  Here in Ephesus,...

Catechism Class: LD18C Q49, Benefits of the Ascension Now we come to the application of the ascension of Christ, - the benefits that accrue to us, because of the ascension, and in Q49, we find that there are three of them. Q49. How does Christ's ascension into heaven benefit us? A. First, he is our Advocate in heaven before his Father. Second, we have our flesh in heaven as a sure pledge that he,...

Monday PrayerCast 4th April 2022 This week we talk about: The Oscars! And a bit o' hamely gumption frae Willie Drennan. Ukraine, where persecution of the evangelical churches has begun with the arrest of a pastor in Mariupol by the Russian Army. Abortion, and the move by the Precious Life organisation to seek judicial review of the 'Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill' under human rights pr...

Acts-In-Replay: A Tale of Two Visits. Acts 19:21-22 Rome, Jerusalem, and Congregational Churches! Text: Acts 19:21-22, 2 Corinthians 9.   Here’s a little passage of text that I almost missed! It seem that while Paul was ministering to the local church in the city of Ephesus, his mind and heart were brimming with pastoral concern for the Body of Christ throughout the world. Read the NOTES HERE...

Catechism Class: LD18, Q47-48, Where is Jesus Now? The fact that Jesus ascended into heaven may prompt some to ask, “Where is Jesus, right now? Our catechist deals with this important question in Q47 . Is Christ, then, not with us until the end of the world, as he has promised us? A. Christ is true man and true God. With respect to his human nature he is no longer on earth, but with respect to his...

Monday PrayerCast 28th March 2022 Take 10 minutes to pray for Northern Ireland and more.  This week we look at:- The passing of the 'Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill in the NI Assembly. See how YOUR MLA VOTED HERE. Sec of State, Brandon Lewis wants to extend abortion provision in NI. Remembering 'Baby Carrie' - murdered 20 years ago.  Punishment Beatings in Ukraine. Find inspir...

Acts-In-Replay: Darkness Defeated. Acts 19:13-20.Paul is at Ephesus, and his ministry has been greatly blessed. Acts 19:11   But in Ephesus, FALSE RELIGION was big business!  To illustrate that, Luke now tells us about the strange incident of the Seven Sons of Sceva. Read the NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s Beneath the Surface? Malthusianism, Population Alarmism and Cultural/Moral Changes Welcome to this special episode of the podcast. It was recorded live at Templepatrick Reformed Church on Friday 18th March 2022, so there may be a few ‘umms’ and ‘ahhhhs’ throughout it!  For a while I’ve been intrigued and alarmed by the pace of change in our world.  I’m sure others too, are finding...

Catechism Class: LD18A Q46 The Ascension "What do you confess when you say, he ascended into heaven? That Christ, before the eyes of his disciples, was taken up from the earth into heaven, and that he is there for our benefit until he comes again to judge the living and the dead." Our objective in this episode is to introduce the doctrine of the ascension of Christ. Then, in our next two lessons,...

The short Monday News and Prayer Update from Northern Ireland , This week we're talking about: Ukraine, The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill in the NI Assembly The House of Lords, Assisted Suicide Amendment The USA, where Joe Biden insulted the Irish for St Patrick's Day, and where a man has won a national women's swimming competition. ------------ Check out the NOTES HERE And find more...

Acts-In-Replay: Separation and Dedication Text:  Acts 19:8-12 When Luke records Paul’s ministry in Ephesus, he does so in four vignettes of conflict.  Those 12 disciples comprised the first of those cameos, – Paul’s conflict with error, and now we have the second of those, his conflict with the synagogue.  The third is a conflict with pagan necromancers, and the fourth with those wh...

St Patrick's Day Reprise It's Wednesday 16th March, and tomorrow is St Patrick's Day, when the world turns green for 'Oirland'. Meanwhile, those of us who actually live on this island look on with bemusement!   Last year, I published two podcast episodes around Sat Patrick's Day, one looking at Patrick himself, and one looking at another famous Irishman, Arthur Guinness.  This year, I've...

LD17E Q45 The Benefits of Christ's Resurrection In this podcast, we want to complete out studies on the Resurrection of Christ, in LD17, Q45.  Lord's Day 17  How does Christ's resurrection benefit us? A. First, by his resurrection he has overcome death, so that he could make us share in the righteousness which he had obtained for us by his death.  Second, by his power we too are rai...

Monday News/Prayer Update 14th March 2022 This week please pray for: 1. The NI Assembly, as they debate the Abortion Services (Safe Spaces) Bill which will criminalise Christians offering help and prayer to pregnant mothers outside abortion clinics. 2. Parliament in Westminister, debating the 'Online Safety Bill' which will have the effect of censoring biblical beliefs and worldview. 3. Ukraine, f...

Oneness Pentecostalism. Text:  Acts 19:1-7. Preaching at TRC, Bob goes off on a whole tirade about 'Oneness Pentecostalism' and, uncharacteristically, even actually ends up making some reasonably relevant points!  He includes a section on why he would NOT rebaptise Catholics who had come to Christ, but yet he WOULD rebaptise people who have been baptised, "In the Beautiful Name of Jesus....

Catechism Class. Lord’s Day 17D, Q.45. The Reasons for the Resurrection We are still examining the important doctrine, that is the historic resurrection of Jesus Christ, and we have considered the extent of that importance, why we cannot neglect this important belief, we have rehearsed the classic proofs of the resurrection; we have seen how Christ rose, and why he rose on the third day. Now Ursin...

PLEASE HELP LOCAL CHRISTIANS TO AID UKRAINIAN REFUGEESIn Eastern Europe, right now, hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing from the conflict in Ukraine.  Tell Romania, the ministry of Dr and Mrs Hamilton Moore have been co-ordinating funds to directly help those who are waiting at the border crossings to Romania, with the help of local Christians, providing food, medicine, clothes and bedding...

Acts-In-Replay: Leaving – Corinth, Ephesus and Antioch Acts 18:18–23 and Numbers 6:1-21 Paul has been in Corinth now for around 18 months.  And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while. But the time has come for him to leave. and then took his leave of the brethren .  He leaves behind him a thriving church! With his departure from Corinth, and his journey back to Antioch, Paul’s s...

TableTalk: Lies, Lying and Liars Lying is a common vice, and sadly most people think little of it. Yet the Ninth Commandment strictly forbids lying. Exodus 20:16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour . People may think a lie is of no consequence, but God takes lies seriously, for lying is an indication of our human sinfulness. How seriously? God must punish unrepentant sinners....

Catechism Class: LD17C Q45 The Manner of Christ's Resurrection We are learning about the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead, a vitally important Christian doctrine.  In this class we shall briefly consider the MANNER of his resurrection, under four headings:- 1. That when he rose, his body and soul were reunited. 2. That he rose as the same person, as he had been before his death. 3. That he...

God Keeps His Promises Text:  Acts 18:9–23  Paul is in Corinth and what happens next teaches us a very simple but important lesson.  That God always keeps his promises, sometimes does so through the most unexpected agencies, and always to bring about His glory, and His will. Sermon, preached live at Templepatrick Reformed Church. To read the notes CLICK HER E . https://saltyscrivene...