Bible Presbyterian

We praise the Lord for His goodness which was poured out on the Bible Presbyterian Church’s 73rd General Synod, August 6-11, in Bristol, Virginia. Rev. Garry Cole and the Ryder Memorial Presbyterian Church were our hosts, and produced an atmosphere of welcome and Southern hospitality that none of the delegates or guests will soon forget. From the first day until the last, the easy grace of Ryder Church family made all feel at home.
Synod’s theme this year, chosen by outgoing Moderator Rev. G. W. Fisher, was “The Sweetness of Prayer.” The theology and practice of prayer was developed throughout the week along the lines that are revealed in the writings of John Calvin (principally the Institutes of the Christian Religion), whose 500th birthday anniversary the Synod observed this year. Particularly in view of the Calvin anniversary, the Synod was pleased to welcome Dr. Joel Beeke to the pulpit on the opening night of Synod to speak on “Calvin and Piety.” Dr. Beeke is arguably the world’s foremost living authority on Calvin and is also a pastor, an educator, and an author of international renown. His message was a blessing to us — and so was his well-stocked book table, which delegates scoured clean.
In light of the theme, a new feature was added to the docket this year. Throughout the day, prayer was conducted for our business and the church at large by friends, visitors, and delegates who were not otherwise engaged in the business of the day. These regular gatherings for prayer were a reflection of the quiet and prayerful attitude that prevailed at this year’s Synod.
Other highlights of the Synod included the presence and participation of Rev. John Janbaz, elder statesman of the BPC, who had attended the very first General Synod of the BPC in 1938, and made the trip out from California to attend this year; the delightful ambience of our meeting hall, the Bristol Train Station, which sits next to an active freight line with all its attendant (and delightful, for train buffs!) distractions; a most enjoyable women’s day including a play, lunch, and Highland Festival shopping; Sunday services under tents in the State Park across the street from the church; an Appalachian-style concert on Sunday afternoon by Dr. and Mrs. Pine, Miss Emily Blizzard, and the Synod choir; and an outdoor, riverside banquet that featured the best of southern cooking, homemade ice cream, and a wonderful closing message by Rev. Stephen Johnson.
The newly-elected Moderator, Dr. Len Pine, now serves with his fellow officers, Rev. Stephen Johnson (Vice Moderator), Rev. John Dyck (Clerk), Rev. Steven Brinegar (Assistant Clerk), Elder Frank Williams (Treasurer), and Elder Eric Lasch (Assistant Treasurer). The next Synod is slated to be held at Grace Bible Presbyterian Church in Sharonville, Ohio, August 5-10, 2010. Please pray for these men as they fulfill their duties, and pray for the Lord’s blessings on the BPC in the years ahead.

Meeting in Bristol, Tennessee, August 6-11, 2009, the 73rd General Synod of the Bible Presbyterian Church rejoices to conduct its business and guide its fellowship under the rubric of “The Sweetness of Prayer,” especially unfolding the doctrine and practice of prayer as exposited by the pen of John Calvin.

BP Synods are structured around business sessions, worship services, and thematic exegetical preaching. This year’s docket includes such prayer-oriented topics as:

· “Prayer and Faith”

· “Devout Attachment to Christ in Prayer”

· “Recognized Dependence upon God in Prayer”

· “How God Answers Prayer-Delays, Denials, and Unexpected Answers”

· “The Plea for Forgiveness and Prayer”

· “God’s Command and Promise a Motive to Prayer”

· “The Risen Christ Our Intercessor”

In addition, special subjects relating to Calvin’s anniversary are also slated. We are grateful to welcome our honored guest, Dr. Joel Beeke, renowned authority on Calvin, to our opening evening worship service to address the body on “Calvin and Piety.” Our services are open to visitors, and we invite you to attend. For information on registering for the Synod, or just to see the docketed schedule, please visit the BPC’s web site at www.bpc.org. Many thanks to Rev. Cole and the church family at Ryder for their work!

Rev. Bill Kane served as a faithful servant of our Lord for over 47 years. On September 3, 2008, Rev. Kane passed from this life into the presence of His Lord. Memorial services were held at Highlands Presbyterian Church in Grayson, Georgia. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Ada, and their three children and three grandchildren.

Ordained in 1961, Rev. Kane was involved in many diverse ministries He taught Biblical studies, philosophy, math, and physics at many colleges and universities including, Highland, Clearwater, Cohen, Pepperdine, and LA State. In California, he pastored churches in Brea, Fulbert, San Bernardino, and Long Beach. Revealing his heart for missions, Rev. Kane served as a Council member for the PMU Missions Council until the time of his death and supported missionaries from the Independent Board. He was an active officer in the SW Presbytery and treasurer of the BP Synod.

Since 1963, Rev. Kane also worked in the area of engineering on the Apollo program, Sprint Missile System, Stealth Bomber, and on other automated systems as well.

When his wife, Ada, was asked what Rev. Kane’s burden in ministry was, she said that teaching the Word was his highest concern. His last words not only comforted his family, but can also encourage every Christian. He said, “Find Jesus. That’s where I’ll be.” II Timothy 4:7 captures Rev. Kane’s passion in life. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

Rev. Kane will be greatly missed by his BP brethren. His contributions here on earth have been used of the Lord, and he is fondly remembered by many. Following are a few recollections:

“Dr. Bill Kane was one of the most humble and knowledgeable men I ever met. The loss of his understanding and insight will be keenly felt…. But praise God that Bill had such a firm grip on the Gospel. His hopes have all been fulfilled now, and our prayers go out to Ada and the children: May they find such rich consolations at the hand of the Lord, as shall sustain them in their loss and encourage them in Bill’s gain.” Rev. G. W. Fisher

“Bill was one of the truly profound thinkers I have known. I had so many questions to ask him. I needed to hear his perspective on so many issues. I am not ready for the loss of this good friend. But it is enough that God was ready.” Rev. Howard Carlson

“I knew Bill Kane from the time I was a high school student. At that time I asked him, “How do we know that the Bible is the Word of God?” His response was to loan to me his well-marked copy of Warfield’s Inspiration and Authority of the Bible. That memory inspired me to ask him to later write reviews of two different books by Warfield for the WRS Journal, which he did. As a tribute to him, you might like to read his two reviews, Warfield, B. B., The Inspiration and Authority of the Bible, Warfield, B. B., Miracles Yesterday and Today,”at the WRS website (http://www.wrs.edu). Dr. John Battle

General Facts

Bible Presbyterians are a small but vigorous group of people who seek to maintain a strong connection to our separated, Reformed roots. We also desire to faithfully minister to the Body of Christ and win souls both at home and abroad. Love of missions, evangelism, and sound Bible instruction stir the hearts of our people. The denomination approves two mission boards, two schools, and a publishing arm as independent agencies of the Church.

We believe Reformed doctrine is historic Christianity in its emphasis upon the sovereignty of God and trustworthiness of the Bible. It was the compromise of the truths of Scripture in the early decades of the twentieth century that led to the formation of Bible Presbyterian Church. As theological liberalism moved into Presbyterian seminaries and out into the church, it became fashionable to question or reject fundamental tenets of Christianity such as the inspiration of the Bible, the virgin birth of and deity of Christ, His supernatural works, the atonement on the cross, and even His resurrection from the dead.

We believe that God has raised up this denomination to take a faithful stand for the historic Christian faith and to be a light in the darkening days of compromise and apostasy. The Bible Presbyterian Church adopted the Westminster Standards in its organizing synod held September 6-8, 1938. Year after year the BPC has reaffirmed its belief in the biblical doctrines of historic Christianity that are outlined in the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms.

We are Bible Presbyterians because we believe the Bible is without error in its original text and the only divinely given and trustworthy rule of faith and practice. There are, of course, other denominations that believe the Bible, but we hold faithfulness to Christ and His Word as our primary emphasis.

The Bible Presbyterian Church is unique among American and European Reformed churches, maintaining eschatological liberty while being predominantly an historic premillennial church. We are free to walk under the Presbyterian principle that “God is the Lord of the conscience,” so our local congregations all have a flavor of their own in worship and ministry activities. The Scriptures provide our only regulations when it comes to worship. BP worship is marked by a vibrancy that comes from each communicant bringing his or her own offerings before the Lord with a full heart, within the bounds of the Word of God.