A passion for God, and a passion for life
Revd Dr Kevin Bidwell has a desire to serve the three-in-one God, and protect those who cannot protect themselves. Last week he came to Wilberforce House to tell us more.
He began by using Psalm 139 to show the clear biblical truth that life begins at conception.
And he explained how he and his wife have started a crisis pregnancy centre in his home city of Sheffield. A centre giving hope to women in seemingly hopeless situations.
Although only in its early stages, Revd Bidwell hopes that the Sheffield Pregnancy Advice Centre will grow to help more and more women.
The centre offers “advice for those who have recently discovered they are pregnant and are unsure what to do”. And it puts women in touch with trained advisers who give people “plenty of time and space to think through” their situation.
According to the most recent figures, nearly 200,000 unborn babies were aborted in England and Wales in 2017.
Revd Bidwell asked for prayer for the centre, using Proverbs 31:8 as a rallying cry.
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
The Trinity
In his second talk, Dr Bidwell moved on to the subject of his doctorate: the Trinity.
The foundational doctrine of the Christian faith that God is both one and three still comes under attack today.
One of the points he made was that the name of God is revealed in the New Testament as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Dr Bidwell highlighted Matthew 28:18-20 as a key part of Scripture that is normally considered for evangelism and mission.
In Church history this passage was used as a key text to defend the Trinity.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Truth
He acknowledged that the issue stretches our mind – but said that was a good thing. And he concluded with a quote from Augustine that should make us pause and deeply reflect on the importance of the Trinity while also striving to find out more.
In no other subject is error more dangerous or inquiry more laborious, or the discovery of truth more profitable.