Spit On Me, But Oh, Repent!

“To be laughed at is no great hardship to me. I can delight
in scoffs and jeers. Caricatures, lampoons, and slanders are
my glory. But that you should turn from your own mercy,
this is my sorrow. Spit on me, but, oh, repent! Laugh at
me, but, oh, believe in my Master! Make my body as the
dirt of the streets, but damn not your own souls!”
CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON

Get To!

[I firmly believe that we must change our mindset about sharing our faith. We must view it as the awesome opportunity that it is and not as some sort of drudgery. It should be a joyful activity that we can’t wait to do instead of the worst part of our week. So how can that be done? God impressed my heart a few years ago in a very simple but life-changing way. Often when we wake up late on Sunday morning and are tired, we think that we have “got” to go to church. That is completely the wrong perspective. It is not that we have “got” to go to church, but that we “GET” to go to church! It is a privilege to gather with fellow believers and worship our great God and Savior. By just changing a vowel, it goes from being a task to being an opportunity! There are believers in China who literally walk six hours to go to church, and they don’t have “McChurch” for thirty minutes! They thoroughly worship the Lord, and then they walk six hours back home. We consider it “suffering” when we have to drive to church in the rain! We must develop the mindset that we “GET” to go to church.

We may realize, at eleven o’clock at night, that we haven’t had a quiet time of prayer that day. It is not that we have “got” to pray, but we “GET” to pray to the Almighty God of this universe! Isn’t it amazing that the God who is in total control of this universe will take time out of His day to hear us pray to Him? He can’t wait to communicate with us and listen to our heart. It is not a chore to pray, but an incredible opportunity. We should so desire to communicate with our heavenly Father that we “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Sometimes we realize very late at night that we haven’t read our Bible yet that day. We have the mindset that we have “got” to read the Bible, but we must not view it as a chore. It’s not that we have “got” to read our Bible, but we “GET” to read the holy Word of God. We have the chance to nourish our spirit with eternal food at any point during the day that we choose. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). One time I was speaking in California and staying at Lake Arrowhead Resort. Each night I would return late from my speaking engagements. The second night there, I got into a conversation with the night security guard. Luis was a very interesting young man. He was twenty years old, and was struggling after a breakup with his girlfriend. He really thought she was the person he was going to marry. As we chatted, he told me that he had made a commitment to Christ when he was younger, but that he wasn’t into it as much as he should be. He couldn’t go to church on Sunday because of his work schedule. I asked him if he had a Bible, which he did. I then asked if he had time to read at work. He replied that just about all he did at work was read. Lying on his desk were Rolling Stone, People, and Spin magazines. So I told him that if he brought his Bible in to work and read just three-and-a-half chapters a day, he would be able to read the whole Bible in one year. Setting aside fifteen to thirty minutes a day is all it takes to read God’s Word once through each year. He said he would do that. The next two nights when I came in, Luis wasn’t there. My last night in town, Luis was on duty and we had another good chat. I asked him if he had brought his Bible in and read it. He told me that he did and had been reading it each night. He had read twenty chapters the first night alone! He said that, since he closed the Bible two nights earlier, he had not had one jealous thought about his girlfriend. Whatever situation you are facing, God’s Word has the answer. Second Timothy 3:16, 17 assures us, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” What a privilege it is to “GET” to read God’s Word.

When we die, it is not that we have “got” to go to heaven, but we “GET” to go to heaven! I am praying that the Holy Spirit will use this book to change your mindset from one in which you have “got” to share your faith, to realizing that you “GET” to share your faith with all the lost people you can find until you get to heaven. When you die, it isn’t that you’ve “got” to go to heaven by yourself. When you die and “GET” to go to heaven, you “GET” to bring as many people as you want to! We must have that mindset. There is something else we must realize as we share our faith: the value of other people in the eyes of Almighty God. What is a soul worth? God said that He made mankind in His own image and likeness (Genesis 1:26). Every soul is of infinite value to God. Once we understand that, it will keep us on the edge of our seat and on the tips of our toes to share the good news of Jesus with every lost soul on this planet. In Mark 16:15, Jesus tells us to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” One great place to go out witnessing is at events such as state fairs. While at a state fair in Georgia, I had a great conversation with three wild- looking teenagers. They were tattooed, pierced, and wearing crazy-looking clothes. Near the end of the talk, I told them that they were fearfully and wonderfully made by God—that they had been knit together piece by piece in their mother’s womb. I asked, “How special does that make you?” They responded, “Pretty special.” I then asked, “Do you know that you were made in the image of the God of this universe? Do you know how special that makes you?” They replied, “Very special.” I agreed, “You are very special! If anyone ever tells you any different, they are 100 percent wrong—and don’t you ever forget that!” You should have seen their eyes light up! I didn’t just view the outward appearance, I saw the value of the inward person. Because I knew how special they were in the eyes of God, I wanted them to hear the truth about His Son, Jesus Christ. How do you see your coworkers? How do you see the people who walk past you every day? We must view them as valuable, like the Lord does; then there won’t be anything we wouldn’t do in order for them to come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Going into the whole world to preach the gospel will be a joy. It may seem very intimidating to think about going out witnessing to strangers, but that’s a great way to meet the lost—and it works!

I was asked to do a retreat for the youth group of a large church. The youth pastor and I were planning to hold it at a local hotel and then take the teens out witnessing at a mall. But once the pastor caught wind of our plans, he was none too happy. He told the youth pastor that that type of witnessing doesn’t work. Christians must build relationships first and not do “cold-call” witnessing. The youth pastor then decided to take the teens to a retreat center far away from civilization (and any actual lost people) so they could learn how to share their faith. On Sunday afternoon after the retreat, one of the teens decided to go the mall to witness, and got into a conversation with an Iranian man. The man said, “It’s very interesting that you’re talking with me. One of the reasons I came to America was to find out more about Christianity. Matter of fact, I just bought a Bible yesterday.” During the conversation, the teenager asked, “Have you ever been to a Christian church before?” He said no, so the teen asked, “Would you like to come with me next week to my church?” The man said, “That would be great.” Isn’t it nice to know that that type of witnessing doesn’t work!]

Taken from chapter three of "One Thing You Can't Do In Heaven" by Mark Cahill

When Things Go Wrong

We’d like to think that every witness encounter we have goes swimmingly. Well…, not quite. Need an example? A few days ago I approached someone in much the same way as I often do. I keep the million dollar bills I carry in a blue wallet and on the front there is a small cross printed in the corner. I took one out and proceeded to give it to the man I had approached. What came next really shocked me. “You religious?!!” he barked. “How does he know that???” I thought. He knocked the tract out of my hand and pointed to the cross. “Oh dear,” I thought. Oh dear was right. This guy came at me. I mean, he really came at. He starting cussing and spitting and I could see that he was really, really mad. He came right up to me and stared me in the eyes with a face as mean as thunder. “What do you think you’re doing?” he asked, “Coming up to me and putting religion on me! I was here minding my own business and you’ve got to come up to me trying to put your religion on me.” I apologised and attempted to quickly back off. But he was not interested in that. He kept coming at me, demanding of me that I explain to him why I had suddenly ruined his evening for him. I tried explaining to him that I just wanted to talk with him but nothing I said seemed to help. By this time I had backed myself into a wall and he was still less than an inch from my face. “I’m going to knock you out,” he said. Well this was it. I was about to get a real walloping. Don’t ask me why, but in the heat of it all I heard myself saying, “If you want to hit me, hit me.”

Suddenly there was a change. “Nah, I’m not going to hit you,” he said. “Phew!” was my immediate though. Incredibly, he became a little more reasonable. I had stood up to him and he could see that there was a boldness to me. I took advantage of my escape from death and decided to defend the Christian position, since he seemed convinced that there was no God and that religion (especially Christianity) was responsible for all the problems in the world. I made known to him that only in Christianity do you hear the commands, “Love your neighbour,” and “Love your enemy.” “God teaches us to love,” I said. “There is no God,” he spat. “Can I prove to you that there is?” I asked. “Go on then,” he said. “Well, a building shows that there is a builder. A painting shows that there is a painter. And a creation shows that there is a Creator. Make sense?” Incredibly, he said yes. He still denied the existence of God and he still kept making known his hatred for religion. But it was a start. However, I could see that I wasn’t going to get any further so I shook his hand and walked off. Just five minutes earlier he had wanted to rearrange my face and here he was shaking my hand. Incredible.

It was quite an ordeal and I’d be lying to you if I said I wasn’t shook up over it all. But God has promised us that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He had come through for me and I could only but praise Him for that. Things don’t always go right. Persecution will come. But always remember the words of our Lord Jesus,

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you,” (Matthew 5:10-12).

Natural Selection - Tautology or Science?

There may come a time (indeed a time may already have come) when you are confronted by an evolutionist. The existence of God is quickly swept aside as they strongly assert that the world has evolved over billions of years, through a process known as natural selection. What do we say in response to this? In his three-volume Evolution Disproved series researcher Vance Ferrell provides valuable information that will assist us as we seek to counter what they are saying.

[A fundamental teaching of evolution is that every living thing in our world—whether it be a plant, animal, or bird,—evolved from other creatures, which ultimately originated from dust, rock, and water. According to Darwinian evolutionists, this ‘evolving’ was accomplished by “natural selection.” Charles Darwin said that natural selection was the primary way that everything changed itself from lower life-forms and new species were produced. In the years that have passed since Charles Darwin, this theory of “natural selection” has continued as a mainstay of evolutionary theory. It is a remarkable fact that some evolutionists still defend their natural selection theory. But we will discover why so many have abandoned it.

DARWINISM: THE BASIC TEACHING—When a plant or animal produces offspring, variations appear. Some of the offspring will be different than other offspring. Some evolutionists (Darwinian evolutionists, also called “Darwinists”) declare that it is these variations (which they call “natural selection”)—alone—which have caused all life-forms on our planet: pine trees, jackals, clams, zebras, frogs, grass, horses. “Natural selection allows the successes, but ‘rubs out’ the failures. Thus, selection creates complex order, without the need for a designing mind. All of the fancy arguments about a number of improbabilities, having to be swallowed at one gulp, are irrelevant. Selection makes the improbable, actual.”—Michael Ruse, Darwinism Defended (1982), p. 309. This statement is wishful thinking in the extreme, with no scientific support in its favor. On the face of it, the statement is false merely from the fact that evolutionary theory requires change by random action alone. If even half of the random changes were positive, the other half would have to be damaging. But Ruse views all changes as being selectively positive. In addition he ignores other scientific facts, such as the powerful one that the closest thing to natural selection (gene reshuffling) never goes across the species barrier to produce a new species. Not only is natural selection said to have produced everything, but the entire process is said to be entirely RANDOM! Therefore it is not “selection,” for nothing was selected! Just whatever happened next is what happened. Random variations and chance accidents are said to have produced all the wonders around us. The theory should be called “natural randomness,” not “natural selection.”] - The Evolution Cruncher, Pg. 283-285

Let me conclude by adding one last point. We have seen that the theory of natural selection is fundamentally flawed. The term itself holds no logical weight to it. However, even if we were to use this term, we discover that we are dealing with nothing more than that of a tautology, a logical vicious circle. A tautology is a statement that appears to provide information, but actually is nothing more than that of circular reasoning. A simple example of a tautology is "All hats are hats." This is a true sentence, but one which provides no information and explains nothing. The same can be said of natural selection. It simply tells us that survivors survive. No information is given. Nothing is explained. Click HERE to see more.

So we see that natural selection is anything but a scientific theory and is something than can very easily be thwarted by basic logical reasoning. Whenever you use apologetics bear in mind that the goal is not to win an intellectual argument. If you wish, you could stay in the realm of the intellect, but the goal should always be to go for the conscience - the centre of right and wrong. The Bible tells us that by the law is the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20). Therefore use the law as a schoolmaster to lead people to Christ (Galatians 3:24). Let the voice of their conscience speak to them so that they can see their sin for what it truly is: transgression of God's law (1 John 3:4). Once they understand that they stand condemned as a sinner before God the good news of the Gospel will make sense and they will understand their need for the Saviour. This is the ultimate aim in any witness encounter, that through God's law there would come the understanding of sin. For it is an understanding of sin that brings conviction. It is conviction that leads to godly sorrow. Godly sorrow brings repentance. And it is repentance that leads to salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10).

Thanks A Million!!

So... you have this stash of million dollar bills on you and you're wondering how they can be put to good use. You've left them on park benches. You've walked up to someone in the street and said, "Hey, did you get one of these?!!" But you're thinking, "What else could I do?" Well, might I suggest you start asking for directions like nobody's business!!

When I'm heading somewhere, be it on foot or on the train, I always ask for directions. Even if I know where I need to go I still ask for directions. I could be standing on the platform at Clapham Junction train station, and even though I know that I'm one stop away from Wandsworth Common, I quickly look around, find a face, and off I go. "Hey, I was wondering, does this next train go to Wandsworth Common? It does!! Hey, thanks a million!!" Out comes a million dollar bill. Down come defences. I show them the million dollar question on the back and hey, what do you know, the Gospel is preached!!!

What separates us from the rest of creation? Why are we different to the animals? Intelligence! Creativity! Initiative! Let love swallow your fears and find yourself a sinner today.

Cold Lasagne

A couple of weeks back myself and a good friend met up in Kingston to enjoy some fellowship and also do some witnessing. (Incidentally, both of these are expressions of worship. As Christians we exist solely to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. This is true worship). Times like these are simply priceless. What could be better than being with another brother in the Lord with the express purpose of glorifying God? I am aware of nothing that can compete.

We had not planned this particular evening, as it happened it came about only because my friend Peter contacted me to see what I was up to that evening. He lives in London and I live down in Surrey, but he was in the area, which is why he gave me a call. Although I finished work at 4:45pm, by the time I got home, got to the station, and then arrived at Kingston it was already gone 7pm. After a warm greeting we began to discuss how we should spend the rest of the evening. The great thing about Kingston is that there are people out and about till quite late, ideal for witnessing. As it happened neither of us had had supper and so we decided to grab a bite to eat first. We decided on Pizza Hut. As we made our way to our seats I noticed a couple of teenagers who were sitting together opposite to where we were about so sit. I had a strong sense that a witness encounter was on the cards. As we sat down Peter pulled out something from his bag that he wanted to show me – a particular gospel tract he is working on. We call it BIG MONEY. He had taken a normal fifty pound note and had blown it up to almost five times its original size. It looks great. The problem he has is getting a gospel message onto the back of it so that we can start handing them out. Can’t wait until it’s done, should be loads of fun.

At this point the BIG MONEY had started to get the attention of the two young men sitting to the right of us. [This reveals a vital aspect of the Christian life. BE A WITNESS WHEREVER AND WHENEVER YOU CAN. Talk loudly about the Lord so that everyone can hear. Sit down in a public place and open up your Bible for all to see. Be a witness. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven,” (Matthew 5:14-16).] I decided to satisfy their curiosity and take advantage of the opportunity that was being presented. After quickly ordering our meals we explained to our two young friends what the BIG MONEY was all about. I could see that they were still intrigued so I proceeded to give them both a million dollar bill. “Cool!” was their response. What followed was truly an awesome conversation between myself and these two young men. It was great having Peter there as I knew that he would be ready at some point to add to what I was saying, or include anything I perhaps left out. Two is always better than one. Surely this is why Jesus sent out His apostles two by two (Mark 6:7).

As my conversation with these two young men continued I was greatly saddened to hear that they were both homosexual and were partners. I did not learn this by asking them if they were homosexual, rather they revealed it to us. I did have a strong hunch that they were gay but I kept that hunch to myself. I had simply proceeded to witness to them in the very same way I witness to all people. I opened up God’s Law to them and showed them the Ten Commandments. This reveals to a sinner that he is a sinner and shows him that he himself has personally fallen short of God’s holy standard. It is only when a person can see that they are guilty and condemned before a holy and righteous God that they will understand their need for a Saviour.

I learnt a lot from this encounter. Homosexuality can be a very sensitive topic at the best of times and when witnessing to homosexuals you really need to be understanding. The majority of homosexuals have been fed a lie that tells them they were simply born this way and that they are only expressing their true selves. Many homosexuals feel isolated and misunderstood and are angry with the world for causing them to live a very often secret life through fear of rejection and ridicule. Although this may be the case, we must understand that homosexuality is a sin and that it is an abomination in the sight of God. Those who engage in homosexual activity do so in violation of their conscience. As Spurgeon once said, “We prick the thorn of conscience when we pluck the rose of sin.” God has given light to every man. All are without excuse.

There is no need to preach at a homosexual in a condemning and accusing way. They are condemned already (John 3:18) and are guilty of sin just like any other unsaved person. Deal tactfully with a homosexual, but be forthright and direct. Take them through God’s commandments. Let them see that if they have lied it makes them a liar, if they stolen it makes them a thief, it they have blasphemed God’s name they are a blasphemer. Let their sin become exceedingly sinful before their eyes. Let them see that they have fallen short of the glory of God. When I was witnessing with these two young men they understood this, and yet the one thing holding them back was their love for their homosexual sin. They told me that it would be too much for them to give up. I concluded by saying to them, “You have a choice to make. Either homosexuality is permissible in God’s eyes and acceptable before Him, or it is utterly sinful to Him and an abomination in His sight. Either you are right or God is right.” I continued by showing them that Creation proves that God exists. The human conscience affirms that even further. His Word makes known for us the justice of His requirements. Hell is reasonable justice. He is bound by His Law – and yet He died to rescue men from eternal torment. He gave up His life and took upon Himself the sin of the world. The wrath of God reserved for you and me was poured out on Him instead. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Repent and believe, and you will be saved!!!!

These two young men were willing to talk with me for a good 30-40 minutes about the things of eternity. I believe God ministered to them in a powerful way and His seed was definitely sown. Rather than attack their homosexuality I reasoned with them concerning sin, righteousness and judgment. They left having received an understanding of what sin is, that it is a transgression of God’s Law, that God demands holiness in the inward parts, and that such holiness can only be found in Christ Jesus. The love of God expressed in the good news of the Gospel is their ultimate hope for salvation. The seed has been planted. Perhaps another will water. But it is only God who can give the increase. May it be that these two young men come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ!!!

What an awesome opportunity. I had to settle for a cold lasagne after all that, but it was worth it. God has ransomed me and has given me what I do not deserve. It is the greatest love I have ever known as well as the greatest mystery I have ever known. How can I not repay Him? How can I not preach His saving message to those who are perishing? How can I not seek to lead sinners to Him? This is my worship to Him. May the Lamb that was slain receive the full reward of His suffering!!

So What Do You Do For A Living?

This is something I am really excited about! Often I will be out witnessing - be it on the train, on the street, at the supermarket, etc. After I have shared the gospel I do my best to leave them with sufficient information about Christianity, along with my personal details and so forth. However, for a while now I have wanted something a little more professional, something a little more unique and perhaps even humorous. Enter the Department Of Eternal Affairs business card!! It shows that I am an Ambassador for Christ, has all my personal details, and on the back has a Scripture verse (Luke 12:16-21), along with the website www.needgod.com. It's small and convenient and can fit nice and snugly in a wallet or purse. These are not difficult to have made, just visit www.vistaprint.co.uk to see how.

I just can't wait until someone asks me the question, "So what do you do for a living?" You know what my answer will be, don't you? "Well, I work for the Department of Eternal Affairs," and at that moment I'll put my hand in my shirt pocket and pull out my business card. How many times do we get asked this question by people. I am so excited so see how God will use this.When I just think about the potential that exists within the body of Christ my heart starts to pound with excitement. There is so much we can do. There is so much creativity hidden within us just waiting to burst forth. Let's pray that God will show us new ways and means in which to spread the truth of His word. We have been given a mandate to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. People are dying and going to hell. What are we waiting for??

Wise As A Serpent, Innocent As A Dove

The Bible tells us that those who win souls are wise. It is in this vein that our Lord Jesus admonished the apostles to be as wise as a serpent and as innocent as a dove. I have found that if we would just lend ourselves to the simplicity of this command the effectiveness of our witness will be considerably heightened. Do we, like Paul, seek to by all means save some? Being wise and cunning wrought out of a pure heart is certainly my motive as I seek to win as many as I can with the power of the gospel.

Standing at the train station this morning I yielded myself to the leading of the Spirit and scanned my surroundings. If we want to be used of God we need to be observant and spiritually awake. As I continued to look around I spotted two young men wearing Ice Hockey jackets whilst they held in their hands their Ice Hockey sticks. This was it. All I had to do was approach them and start talking about Ice Hockey. Of course, I know very little about the sport, but I know enough to start a conversation. This is the ultimate aim. Use whatever you can to befriend people in the shortest time possible. Show an interest. Be friendly. Ask a few questions. The idea is simply to begin a conversation and trust the Lord that He will give an in-road for the gospel.

I proceeded to ask them how big Ice Hockey is here in England, whether they were professional, do they earn big salaries like football players, etc. All I was doing was being friendly and showing an interest. I learned that only one of them was fully pro and that Ice Hockey in this country is a developing sport. To earn the big bucks you need to play in America, the country where the sport originated. At this point it was still a light hearted and friendly conversation and I could see that they appreciated my interest in their sport. Then came my in-road. As it turns out one of them is off to America later in the year to do some playing over there. Well, if he's off to America he sure could do with some American currency. One million dollars should do the trick. Out it came and once again initial bemusement was followed by a laugh and a smile. The transition had been made. The gospel was now the agenda. What began in the natural realm ended in the spiritual. All it took was an observant eye and a willing heart. Give it a try, you'll be amazed where it could lead.

Calvinism And Evangelism Go Hand In Hand

It is often the case that it is asked of Calvinists why they bother to evangelise at all. If God's elect are ordained before the foundation of the world to be saved, what's the point? Charles Haddon Spurgeon was a committed Calvinists, and yet he was also a man who had a passionate zeal for the lost. He made it known throughout his preaching and writing that winning souls was his ultimate aim. His passionate zeal continues to speak to us today. Consider these words: "I would sooner bring one sinner to Jesus than unravel all the mysteries of the Word, for salvation is the thing we are to live for." Clearly this was a man who lived to see a soul saved. Is it really possible that a man as zealous for the lost could at the same time be a committed Calvinist? The following quotes may surprise some...

"Calvinism IS the Gospel, and nothing else."
(C. H. Spurgeon, Autobiography, Vol. I: The Early Years)
"The longer I live, the clearer does it appear that John Calvin’s system is the nearest to perfection."
(The Forgotten Spurgeon,by Iain Murray)
"Among all those who have been born of women, there has not risen a greater than John Calvin."
(C. H. Spurgeon, Autobiography, Vol. II: The Full Harvest)

These three quotations should be sufficient by themself to establish incontrovertibly for us that Spurgeon was a Calvinist. Yet few today are aware that Spurgeon was indeed a staunch Calvinist. Let us therefore hear, from Spurgeon's own biography and from biographer and historian Iain Murray, what Spurgeon's convictions were.


Charles Haddon Spurgeon began his ministry at the age of nineteen. Right from the start, he was a staunch Calvinist. In a letter to his friend, Charles Spiller, a fellow Baptist minister, he described his chief task as a preacher as follows: "[M]y daily labour is to revive the old doctrines of Gill, Owen, Calvin, Augustine and Christ."2 He equated Calvinism with historical and Biblical theology: "The doctrine which I preach is that of the Puritans: it is the doctrine of Calvin, the doctrine of Augustine, the doctrine of Paul, the doctrine of the Holy Ghost."3

One critic of Spurgeon’s was Silas Henn. In his book, Spurgeon’s Calvinism Examined and Refuted (1858), Henn said: "[C]omparatively few in these times, amid such enlightened views of Christianity, dare to proclaim, openly and without disguise, the peculiar tenets of John Calvin. Even in many professedly Calvinistic pulpits, the doctrines are greatly modified, and genuine Calvinism is kept back. But there are some who hold it forth in all its length and breadth, and among these, the Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, the notorious preacher at the Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens, is the most prominent."4

Spurgeon’s convictions brought along plenty of enemies and critics, even from within the church. He lamented, "We are cried down as hypers; we are reckoned the scum of creation; scarcely a minister looks on us or speaks favourably of us, because we hold strong views upon the divine sovereignty of God, and his divine electings and special love towards his own people."5 John Anderson of Helensburgh, a friend of Spurgeon, said of him, "Mr. Spurgeon is a Calvinist, which few of the dissenting ministers in London now are. He preaches salvation, not of man’s free will, but of God’s good will, which few in London, it is to be feared, now do."6

Were these the convictions of an immature preacher of nineteen who would later renege? In 1877, during a picnic at the Pastor’s College at which Dr. A. A. Hodge was present, Spurgeon said, "The longer I live, the clearer does it appear that John Calvin’s system is the nearest to perfection."7 In his mature years, in fact, near the end of his life, he testified, "In theology, I stand where I did when I began preaching, and I stand almost alone."8 Of the articles of faith of the church he founded, the Metropolitan Tabernacle, he said, "As for our faith, as a church, you have heard about that already. We believe in the five great points commonly known as Calvinistic. . . . Against all comers, especially against all lovers of Arminianism, we defend and maintain pure gospel truth."9

During a vacation to Geneva, Switzerland, to recover from bad health, Spurgeon visited the various sites associated with the great Genevan Reformer. Afterward he wrote a moving eulogy to Calvin in his journal:

Among all those who have been born of women, there has not risen a greater than John Calvin; no age before him ever produced his equal, and no age afterwards has seen his rival. In theology, he stands alone, shining like a bright fixed star, while other leaders and teachers can only circle round him, at a great distance–as comets go streaming through space–with nothing like his glory or his permanence. Calvin’s fame is eternal because of the truth he proclaimed; and even in heaven, although we shall lose the name of the system of doctrine which he taught, it shall be that truth which shall make us strike our golden harps, and sing. . . . For the essence of Calvinism is that we are born again, "not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:13, emphasis added).10

Testimonies from Spurgeon himself, and from friends and foes alike all agreed: Spurgeon was indeed a true, full-blooded five-point Calvinist. It takes extreme ignorance to overlook, and extreme prejudice to cover up, this fact.

Hyper-Calvinism and Arminianism

As Spurgeon himself has lamented, hyper-Calvinism is a label gummed to Calvinists like the scarlet letter, regardless of whether they actually were or not. This misrepresentation is to a large extent due to an ignorance of what hyper-Calvinism actually means. What is hyper-Calvinism? Gordon Clark, quoting from Donald Dunkerley’s article, "Hyper-Calvinism Today," defines the term as follows:

"the view of Calvinism which holds that "there is no world-wide call to Christ sent out to all sinners, neither are all men bidden to take him as their Savior." Hyper-Calvinists . . . maintain that Christ should be held forth or offered as Savior to those only whom God effectually calls.11

The hyper-Calvinist makes the blunder in logic that since faith is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8) and not of man’s free will (true premises), therefore, there should be no evangelism, calling, and commanding men to believe (false conclusion). The fallacy of the Arminian is that since men are indeed commanded to believe (true premise), therefore, faith cannot be a gift of God but must be from man’s free will (false conclusions). Spurgeon refuted the hyper-Calvinist and said: "They have said, ‘God has a purpose which is certain to be fulfilled, therefore, we will not budge an inch. All power is in the hands of Christ, therefore, we will sit still’; but that is not Christ’s way of reading the passage. It is, ‘All power is given unto me, therefore go ye, and do something.’ "12

The Arminians misquote these statements of Spurgeon’s to attempt to oppose him to Calvinism. But it is hyper-Calvinism, not Calvinism, which Spurgeon opposed. It is a slander, or just plain stupidity, to call a Calvinist a "hyper-Calvinist" and vice versa. No Calvinists believe that the doctrine of eternal election in any way hinders evangelism. Hyper-Calvinism and Calvinism are two different theologies.

Two Extreme Sides of the Same Truth?

The modern theological cliche is that while Calvinism upholds the sovereignty of God, Arminianism upholds the responsibility of man; these are but two sides of the same Biblical truth. You hear this repeated so often that after a while, like a hypnotic suggestion, you begin to believe it. But nothing can be further from the truth. It is a blatant caricature to view Calvinism as upholding the truth of the sovereignty of God while neglecting the responsibility of man. Calvinism upholds both the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man. Arminianism upholds neither.

Spurgeon recognized that the difference between Calvinism and Arminianism is not one of "balance." Spurgeon himself preached the doctrine of the responsibility of man vigorously, as only a Calvinist can do. Murray puts it succinctly: "The error of Arminianism is not that it holds the Biblical doctrine of responsibility, but that it equates this doctrine with an un-Biblical doctrine of ‘free-will’ and preaches the two things as if they were synonymous." The doctrine of free will is a foundational tenet in Arminianism. Murray further contends: "That man must be able to believe and repent in order to be responsible for unbelief and impenitency is a philosophical conception nowhere found in Scripture; in fact, it is directly contrary to Scripture."13

Calvinism and Arminianism are not two sides of the same truth. The difference between them is not one of balance or emphasis. The difference between them is one of truth and heresy. William Tyndale condemned the free will doctrine of the Arminians: "[T]hey go and set up free will with the heathen philosophers, and say that man’s free will is the cause why God chooseth one and not the other, contrary unto all of Scripture."14 Because Arminianism is a heresy, condemned as such by the Synod of Dort, 1619, there can be no middle ground, no compromise, between them. Listen to what Spurgeon said: "The Word of God says they [sinners] cannot come, yet the Arminian says they can."15 "When some of us preach Calvinism, and some Arminianism, we cannot both be right; it is of no use trying to think we can be–‘Yes,’ and ‘No,’ cannot both be true. . . . [Spurgeon is applying the law of contradiction.] Truth does not vacillate like a pendulum which shakes backwards and forwards. . . . One must be right; the other wrong."16 In a sermon titled "Free Will–A Slave," Spurgeon preached that "Free will has carried many souls to hell, but never a soul to heaven yet." In the same sermon, Spurgeon quoted Martin Luther: "If any man doth ascribe aught of salvation, even the very least, to the free-will of man, he knoweth nothing of grace, and he hath not learnt Jesus Christ aright."

In a sermon titled "All of Grace," published a few years before his death, Spurgeon said: "The man believes, but that belief is only one result among many of the implantation of divine life within the man’s soul by God Himself. Even the very will thus to be saved by grace is not of ourselves, but it is the gift of God."17 In Arminianism, this Scriptural order is reversed, placing the man’s decision before the divine act. Preaching to the unconverted in another sermon, Spurgeon said: "Sinner, unconverted sinner, I warn thee: thou canst never cause thyself to be born again, and though the new birth is absolutely necessary, it is absolutely impossible to thee, unless God the Spirit shall do it."18 That is the point of John 3. Nicodemus saw clearly that it was impossible to be born again. Jesus does not answer and say, "Oh, I was talking about spiritual rebirth, which can be done, and not physical rebirth, which cannot be done." Jesus says the new birth is by the Spirit, and the Spirit gives it to whomever He wants, just like the wind blows to wherever it wants. Regeneration is in the hands of the Spirit, not under the control of the will of man.

For Evangelism or for Mature Audiences Only?

There is a prevalent opinion that says that Calvinism should be, if it is discussed at all, reserved for more mature Christians, not taught to new converts, and certainly never ever preached to the unbelievers in an evangelistic message. This is one result of the idea that Calvinism is somehow incompatible with evangelism. From the several sermons quoted, it is obvious that Spurgeon did not believe that Calvinism should be hidden from the unconverted nor the new believer. Why? Because Calvinism is the Gospel:

[T]here is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified, unless we preach what nowadays is called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else. I do not believe we can preach the gospel, if we do not preach justification by faith, without works; nor unless we preach the sovereignty of God in His dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal, immutable, conquering love of Jehovah; nor do I think we can preach the gospel, unless we base it upon the special and particular redemption of His elect and chosen people which Christ wrought out upon the cross; nor can I comprehend a gospel which lets saints fall away after they are called . . . , after having once believed in Jesus. Such a gospel I abhor.19

Those who preach a gospel devoid of the five points commonly called Calvinism are not preaching the Gospel at all, but a false gospel.

If Calvinism is appropriate for the unconverted, certainly it is fitting for all Christians. Condemning the preachers who want to censor Calvinism, Spurgeon said: "There has sprung up in the Church of Christ an idea that there are many things taught in the Bible which are not essential . . . that provided we are right in the fundamentals, the other things are of no concern. . . . It becomes an awful thing . . . for men to leave a single mandate unstudied, lest we shall lead others astray, while we ourselves are acting in disobedience to God. . . ."20 Spurgeon said: "It were better for me that I had never been born than that I preach to these people carelessly, or keep back any part of my Master’s truth. Better to have been a devil than a preacher playing fast and loose with God’s Word, and by such means working ruin of the souls of men. . . . It will be the height of my ambition to be clear of the blood of all men."21 He was, of course, referring to Acts 20:26-27, where Paul, in a farewell address to the Ephesian elders, says he was cleared of the blood of all men because he has not kept back any doctrines in his evangelism and preaching. Those who avoid the doctrines of predestination and the inability of man’s will, and who censor others from teaching them, have blood on their hands.

Separation, Not Schism

Did Paul not condemn following any human system? Is Calvinism not a divisive human system in the order of the Corinthian slogans, "I follow Paul" or "I follow Apollos"? Well, if Calvinism were indeed merely a human system, then there might be some merit to the charge of being divisive. But Calvinism, as we have seen already, is not a human system.

Truth is by nature controversial. Jesus says he came not to bring peace, but a sword. Jesus and his disciples were not persecuted because they were non-controversial. Spurgeon saw as much. He declared, "Controversy for the truth against the errors of the age is, we feel more than ever convinced, the peculiar duty of the preacher."22 Therefore he was not at all surprised by the enmity toward his proclamation of Calvinism, or the doctrines of grace, as he sometimes called it. The reason, he said, is this: "The fact that conversion and salvation are of God is an humbling truth. It is because of its humbling character that men do not like it."23 And because they do not like it, they controvert it.

As for unity, Spurgeon said, "I am quite sure that the best way to promote union is to promote truth. It will not do for us to be all united together by yielding to one another’s mistakes."24 Spurgeon said something that would not sit well with modern day churches: "I glory in that which at the present day is so much spoken against–sectarianism. . . . Success to sectarianism; let it live and flourish. . . . When we cease, each of us, to maintain our own views of truth, and maintain those views firmly and strenuously, then truth shall fly out of the land, and error alone shall reign."25 What Spurgeon meant was that once debates are censored and hushed up, error alone will reign. But if everyone would maintain their views of truth strenuously, there will be debates, and truth will always triumph in any conflict. Error thrives in the environment of "No controversy" and "Don’t talk about it."

Spurgeon eventually broke away from the Baptist Union at the height of the Down-Grade Controversy, October 28, 1887. Murray says, "The Union was preferring denominational peace to the duty of dealing with error and thus, by tolerating sin, they made the withdrawal of Christians unavoidable."26 False rumors and "What is said of us is nothing; but shall truth be sold to keep up a wider fellowship?" "Long ago I ceased to count heads; truth is usually in the minority." As for disunity, Spurgeon, in his magazine, The Sword and the Trowel, 1888, wrote, "As to a breach of unity, nothing has ever more largely promoted the union of the true than the break with the false." In another article titled "Separation, not Schism," Spurgeon wrote, "Separation from such as connive at fundamental error . . . is not schism, but only what truth, conscience, and God require of all who would be found faithful."

No Compromise

Spurgeon withdrew from the Baptist Union precisely because he would never compromise the truth. The Down-Grade Controversy was not about Calvinism in particular, but about the equivocation of terms. This naturally brought in Calvinism, since Calvinism insists on precise definition of terms. Spurgeon wrote of the Baptist Council, "Whatever the Council does, let it above all things avoid the use of language which could legitimately have two meanings contrary to each other. Let us be plain and outspoken. . . . Right is safe, and compromise by the use of double meanings can never in the long run be wise."27

One example of equivocation is on the doctrine of justification by faith. Spurgeon charged Arminianism of leading to legalism by their doctrine of free will. He said, "Do you not see that this is legality–that this is hanging our salvation upon our work–that this is making our eternal life to depend on something we do? Nay, the doctrine of justification itself, as preached by the Arminians, is nothing but the doctrine of salvation by works, after all; for he always thinks faith is a work of the creature, and a condition of acceptance. It is as false to say that man is saved by faith as a work, as that he is saved by the deeds of the Law. We are saved by faith as the gift of God. . . ."28 To Spurgeon, to equivocate is to compromise. To agree to ambiguous terms is to compromise. Therefore, he made a stand and broke away. Of the one who compromises, Spurgeon said, "[H]e has, in truth, gone over to the enemy."29 Like the weeping prophet Spurgeon prophesied, "We are going down hill at breakneck speed." And like a voice calling in the wilderness, Spurgeon cried and warned: "Let all who love the Lord, and hate evil, come out of this more and more apostatising church, lest they be partakers of the plague which will come upon her in the day of her visitation."30

Conclusion

The Calvinism of Spurgeon brought him nothing but success in his evangelism, seeing his congregation grew from less than twenty to over six thousand. At the same time, it brought him nothing but controversy. Slanders and false reports dogged him all his life long. Through it all Spurgeon never gave way. He stood his ground despite suffering the mental agony from theological antagonism, which was, no doubt, aggravated by physical pain from his chronic illness of gout. To those who are going through the same struggles, Spurgeon gives his consolation: "We need not be ashamed of our pedigree, although Calvinists are now considered to be heterodox." The situation is the same today, if not worse, as in Spurgeon’s day. Calvinism is labeled as "extreme," and worse, "heterodox," while the real heresy, Arminianism, is hailed as orthodoxy. In Spurgeon’s bedroom, Mrs. Spurgeon hung the text, "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in Heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you" (Matthew 5:11-12). It is an indication of how pressed Spurgeon was from all sides to have to be constantly reminded by that verse every night before he went to bed. He was faithful to the Gospel until death.

Let all who would be true to the Gospel declare with Charles Haddon Spurgeon:

If all men that live or ever shall live should throw up the old Calvinism, there remains one that will hold it, for the reason–that he could not hold any other. I must be crushed out of existence before my convictions of the truth of the doctrines of grace in the old-fashioned form can ever be taken from me.31

Notes

1. Iain Murray, The Forgotten Spurgeon, 52.
2. Murray, 58.
3. The Early Years, 364.
4. Murray, 54.
5. Murray, 59.
6. The Early Years, 339.
7. The Early Years, 79.
8. Spurgeon, Autobiography, Vol. II: The Full Harvest, 393.
9. The Full Harvest, 12.
10. The Full Harvest, 29.
11. Gordon Clark, The Atonement, 136.
12. Murray, 49, quoting from The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Vol. 42.
13. Murray, 61-62.
14. Murray, 9.
15. Murray, 90, quoting from The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Vol. 53.
16. Murray, 57.
17. Murray, 84.
18. Murray, 87, quoting from The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Vol. 3.
19. The Early Years, 168.
20. Murray, 56, quoting from The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Vol. 6.
21. Murray, 39, quoting from The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Vols. 19 & 27.
22. Murray, 13.
23. Murray, 60, quoting from The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Vol. 6.
24. Murray, 65, quoting from The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Vol. 6.
25. Murray, 66.
26. Murray, 144.
27. Murray, 147, quoting from The Sword and the Trowel, 1888.
28. Murray, 81, quoting from The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Vol. 9.
29. Murray, 161-162.
30. Murray, 133, quoting from The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Vol. 15.
31. Murray, 168, quoting from The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Vol. 30.

Gospel Witnessing Train Journeys

It has been said by many different people on countless occasions that we should always make the most of every opportunity. As Christians this could not be more true. We carry with us a message that has the power to reconcile man to God. That in and of itself is so extraordinary, so amazing, so astounding, it stands head and shoulders above all other human endeavours – that God has seen fit to use you and me in the restoration of men and women unto Him. Bear in mind that God does not need us to gather in His elect, and yet He uses us to accomplish what the angels in heaven view as the most unfathomable mystery in all of God’s creation – the restoration of a sinner unto Him. What an amazing privilege we have to be involved in God’s redemptive purpose.

This message we carry “is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes.” It is powerful. It is life changing. It is supernatural. And God has commissioned us to proclaim it. Where? When? How? Let me answer these questions very briefly and in the order they are asked. Firstly, everywhere. Secondly, as often as is humanly possible. Thirdly, through God’s enabling as a result of obedience to His word. There, isn’t that simple?

Let me give you an example of this in action. Yesterday I went to visit my pastor who lives a good hour or so train journey from my house. I left home with an array of gospel tracts on me and headed for the station. I was simply on my way to visit my pastor – and I had to use the city's transport service to do so. Between my house and my pastor’s house I would be passing a myriad of different people all doing something very similar to myself: commuting from A to B. People passing people. As Christians we tend to do the same. After all, we also need to get to certain destinations. But as we travel why not take the time to scatter some seed? Why not take the time to proclaim the gospel? Why not take the time to be a witness for the Lord your God?

I climbed aboard the train and had a look around. People just sitting there. People reading books, newspaper, magazines. People engaged in conversation. Just your average typical Friday afternoon. I had two options. I could just sit down and let the time pass by as I listened to my iPod. Or … I could witness. I chose the latter. I approached two young guys holding a million dollar bill in my hand. [This is just one of a whole host of gospel tracts produced by LivingWaters (see http://www.livingwaterseu.com/). This is an ingenious looking tract. It looks just like a real dollar bill and the currency it’s in always makes people laugh. On the back there is the million dollar question, “Will you go to heaven?” followed by a gospel presentation. I can’t tell you how many opportunities I have had to use this tract to begin a spiritual conversation with people.] As I got to them the train stopped and one of them got off. So I just went up to the other guy and said, “Hey, did you get one of these?” He looked at me in bemusement and wondered what on earth I was doing giving him free money. So I explained and proceeded to ask him what he thought will happen to him when he dies. He did not appear at all offended; rather he began to give his thoughts and opinions. Unfortunately the train arrived at the next destination. It was his stop. He excused himself and left. At this point I began to think it might just be one of those days. I was wrong (whoohoo!!) As I turned I heard, “I’ll take one of those.” I looked over to see a guy, probably in his late twenties, looking at me through some cool looking shades. “Is that a hundred dollar bill?” he asked. “Actually, it’s a million dollar bill, “I said. And that was it. For the next 10-15 minutes Mr. Cool Shades got the gospel. Oh, and so did everyone else standing near by. Praise God.

I had one more connection to make. As I stood on the platform at Clapham Junction I looked around and saw someone who looked like he was a local. As I got talking to him my impression was confirmed. It turned out he was a builder and he sounded as cockney as they come. I love these guys. We got passed the bemusement stage as he held in his hand what he thought was my gift of free money to him and boarded the train. I had something like 3 minutes to share the gospel before my next and final stop. As my train pulled up at Wandsworth Common I finished with this statement, “… God has done something for you so that you don’t have to go to hell. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on a cross in your place to take the punishment for you.” That was it, my time was up. I left him with the million dollar bill and another tract and got off the train.

All that in one journey. Between the train and my pastor’s house I parted with more million dollar bills, all the while singing praises to God and thanking Him that He had used me, a sinner, to be a witness for Him. May I encourage you to do the same.