Bible Study Conference - Billicary, October 18th 2008
2:30 - 6:30

An Overview of the New Testament
Speakers Mike Penny and Cliff Richmond

1. The Gospels
2. The Acts of the Apostles
3. The Letters

This was the first conference the Open Bible Trust has held Essex and it was a great joy and pleasure to see many old friends and to meet many new faces. And we would like to thank Julie Todman for inviting us and St John’s Church in Billericay for hosting the conference.

Cliff Richmond kicked off the first session by giving a summary of the Old Testament which gave the salient background for the Gospels. Cliff then concentrated on Matthew’s Gospel, giving an excellent overview, with incursions into Mark and Luke. Mike Penny then took over dealing first with John, before giving an overview of all four gospels.

After a short break for tea or coffee,  Cliff continued, first showing the link between Luke’s Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. He then gave a detailed outline of the first half of Acts, up to the time when the Gentiles started to be evangelised and Paul’s first missionary journey. Mike took over and dealt with the Jerusalem council and the rest of Acts, explaining what was going on at that time; and asking the important question “Why were Gentiles being saved at that time?” We are told the surprising answer in Roman’s 11, it was to make Israel envious, in the hope that they would repent and turn to Christ. Sadly they didn’t and by the time we reach the end of Acts Israel had rendered themselves blind and deaf. As a results God’s salvation was sent to the Gentiles, independently of the Jews (Acts 29:25-28).

A longer break with some excellent refreshments allowed a good time of fellowship. Cliff again opened the third session, splitting the letters into three sections:

1. Those written by Paul during the Acts Period
2.  Those written by others during the Acts Period
3. Those written by Paul after the Acts Period

(Click here for the chart Progressive Revelation which gives and explains a similar division of the letters).

Cliff gave a good overview of the letters before handing over the Mike who dealt with some of the changes that we see as we progress from the letters written during the Acts Period to those written afterwards.
Each session was followed by a lively discussion session, in which those who attended plied the speakers with their questions.

All in all it was an excellent afternoon and we look forward to another conference in Essex on May 9th 2009, where we shall look at ‘The Will of God in the 21st Century’.

Note: These six talks were recorded on 3 CDs available from the Open Bible Trust at a cost of £4.50. Click here for more details.