Conferences

 

 

Summer 2024

Please visit Mountain View Bible Camp (www.mvbcamp.org) for the various camp sessions offered this summer.

June 30th -July 6th Family Week, all ages

July 7-13 Senior Week- Ages 14-19

July 14-20 Intermediate Week Ages 11-13

July 21-27 Junior Week Ages 8-10

New England Conferences

These conferences are the collective exercise of brethren from four assemblies within the New England area; Cambridge Massachusetts, Shelton Connecticut, Springfield Vermont and Springfield Massachusetts. We host two one-day conferences each year, one in the Fall and the other in the Spring.

Spring 2019 Conference

New England Bible Conference

Faithfulness of Christ and His Servants

Introduction

We often read and talk about the faith of various individuals in Hebrews 11. In the same measure, there are faithful individuals in the New Testament whose path of faithfulness is not to be overlooked even though the Spirit of God has highlighted specific individuals for their faithfulness in Hebrew 11. The desire in bringing out this subject is to read and discuss about the faithfulness connected with certain individuals in the New Testament, their personal faith, coupled with their labor and service to the Lord.

9:30 to 10:00 AM Prayer

10:00-10:15 AM Break

10:15 to 12:00  Session 1: The faithfulness of Christ

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 – Establishes and keeps
  • 2 Timothy 2:11-13 – He remains faithful
  • Hebrew 2:17 – Merciful and faithful high priest, in things pertaining to God
  • Hebrews 3:2 – Faithful to God – over the house
  • Hebrews 10:23 – Promise maker and keeper
  • Revelation 1:5 – The faithful witness – communicating special revelation

2:30-3:45 PM Reading 2: Faithful Men and Women – Part 1

  • Paul – Faithful steward of the mysteries of God 1 Corinthians 4:1,2, 1 Timothy 1:12-14
  • Barnabas – Acts 4:36 – gave of his resources; Acts 9:27 Willingness to reach out to newly convert Paul; Acts 11:22-26 Encouraged the saints and with Paul taught much people in Antioch; Acts 13:1,2 Called by the Lord; Acts 13:42-26 – Gospel to the Gentiles
  • Timothy – 1 Corinthians 4:17 – Faithful in the Lord – to remind what Paul had taught; 2 Timothy enjoined to teach other faithful men able to teach others


3:45-4:00 PM Break

4:00-5:15 PM – Reading 3 Faithful Men and Women – Part 2 & Remarks on the path of faithfulness

  • Lydia – Acts 16:14,15 – Demonstrated in hospitality
  • Aquila and Pricilla – Acts 18:24-28 Mentored Apollos; Romans 16:3 Paul’s helpers
  • Tychius – Ephesians 6:21,22, Colossian 4:7, 8 – Communicated Paul’s affairs and comforted the saints
  • Epaphras – Colossians 1:7

2 Timothy 2: 1-13

  • Being Strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus.
  • Enduring Hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
  • Striving lawfully for the crown
  • Laboring as a husbandman to be the partaker of the fruits…

Spring 2008

The Present Ministry of the Lord Jesus

John 17:19 “And for their sakes I sanctify myself that they also may be sanctified through the truth”

Reading I

Comforter/Patron/Advocate – John 14:16-18; 1 John 2:1-2

  1. Summoned, called to one’s side, esp. called to one’s aid
  2. One who pleads another’s cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate
  3. One who pleads another’s cause with one, an intercessor; of Christ in his exaltation at God’s right hand, pleading with God the Father for the pardon of our sins
  4. In the widest sense, a helper, succorer, aider, assistant
    • Jesus Christ when He walked on the earth, he had a special relationship with his disciples, and those who followed him.
      • Called them – Matthew 10:1-4, Mark3:14
      • Taught them – Luke 11:1-13
      • Provided for them – Matthew 10:5-42
    • Jesus Christ is leaving the world and send another Comforter – The Holy Spirit to continue his ministry here
    • Jesus Christ ascended continues the ministry on high…

Reading II

High Priest – The one who stands between us and God

  • Succoring – Heb 2:17 – Became like we are to raise us up
    • Merciful
    • Faithful
  • Sympathetic – Heb 4:14-15 – Knows what we experience and the test we face and was victorious in all
  • Saving – Heb 7:24-25 – Salvation not simply what is future, but daily deliverance
    • Brings to God
    • Intercedes
    • Holy, harmless, undefiled separate form sinners…

Reading III

Gift Giver/Nourishes – Eph 4:8-13; Eph 5:25b-27

  • The Lord Jesus Christ has ministry to the collective – his body
    • Identifies with the assembly –
    • Provider of gifts to the assembly – for the edification….
    • Sanctifies through the word
    • Nourishes and cherishes

Gospel or Ministry

Speaker #1 : Colossians 3: 1-4
Speaker #2: Luke 24: 13-17
 

Fall 2007: The Church of the Living God

October 20th, 2007

…if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 1 Tim 3:14-15

Introduction

What is the church? Is it the building in which we gather each week? How does an individual become a member of “the church”? Why do we meet the way we do? Do we have scriptural support for this?

9:30 to 10:00 AM Prayer

10:00-10:15 AM Break

10:15-12:00 Study I

Fundamentals about the church

  1. When was the church formed? (Acts 2: 41-47)
  2. Who composed the church initially and who composes it today? (Acts 2:1- 40; Ephesians 2: 13-18).
  3. What is the relationship between the Church and the local assembly? d. What is the role of the church today?

12:00-1:30 PM Lunch

1:30-2:45 PM Reading II

Implications for us today

    1. What is the function of the Holy Spirit today? (John 14:16,26 John 16:12-14)
    2. What do we mean by being “outside the camp”? (Heb 13:13)
    3. What does it mean, “to be gathered together unto His Name.” (Matt 18:20)

2:45-3:00 PM Break
3:00-4:00 PM Reading III
Implications for us today (con’t)

  1. What are the meetings of the assembly? (Acts 2:42, 1 Cor 14))
    1. What is the purpose of each of these meetings?
  2. Who should break bread? At what age should an individual consider coming into practical fellowship? How does one know when they are ready?
  3. When an individual comes into practical fellowship what are their responsibilities? (Eph 4:1-16)

4:00-4:15 PM Break

4:15- 5:00 PM Gospel or Ministry

Spring 2007: Headship, May 5th , 2007

10:15-12:00  Ministry

  1. The Definition and Display of Headship (Leonard Layne)
    1. Â Headship Defined
    2. Headship in the Old Testament
      1. Headship in Departure Jude 1.6
      2. Headship in Dominion Genesis 1.26
      3. Headship in Display Genesis I; Genesis 24.62-67
      4. Headship in Displayed II; Ruth 3.1-13
  2. The Doctrine of Headship (Alfred Bouter)
    1. Headship in the New Testament
      1. Head of Creation Hebrews 2.8-9 (see Psalm 8) [comp. I.2.b]
      2. Head of the Body (Church) Ephesians 1.22; 4.15 and 5.23
        Head of the Body (Church) Colossians 1.18; 2.10 and 2.19
      3. Headship Displayed 1 Corinthians 11.1-16

12:00-1:30 PM Lunch

1:30-2:45 PM Reading I
A Discussion of Headship in Doctrine and Deportment
1. Headship Doctrine Discussion
Scripture Hebrews 2.8-9
Scripture Ephesians 1.22; 4.15 and 5.23
Scripture Colossians 1.18; 2.10 and 2.19

2:45-3:00 PM Break
3:00-4:00 PM Reading II
Headship Deportment Discussion (Implications for today)
Scripture 1 Corinthians 11.3-16
Other references 1 Timothy 2.8-14 also  1 Corinthians 14.34-35
4:00-4:15 PM Break

4:15- 5:00 PM Gospel or Ministry

Spring 2004: The Presence of God in the Assembly

Saturday May 1st  2004

Man departed from the Presence of God. God reestablished his Presence in Israel in the Temple. Today the Presence is in the gathered company in a unique manner in Assembly testimony and bringing in ideas and practices which are foreign to true worship as revealed simply in the New Testament. Example: Solomon loved the Lord but burnt incense in high places.  By faith, do we believe in and know the presence of God among us. How does it affect us? Understanding His presence should make a difference.

Morning
9:30 to 10:00 AM Prayer

10:00-10:15 AM Break

First Session (10:15-12:00)

1. Presence of God – Indwelling and Dependence (10:15 – 10:45)
“And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up
hence.” Exodus 33.14 & 15 See 1 Corinthians 14.25 and Ephesians 2.22

2. Presence of God – Holiness (Personal and Corporate) (10:45 -11:15)
“Say unto them, Whosoever he be of all your seed among your generations, that goeth unto the holy things, which the children of Israel hallow unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from my presence: I am the LORD.”  (See also 1 Corinthians 11.29  “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”) (See also Exodus 3.5 “Holy ground”)
“Be ye holy for I am Holy” Leviticus 20.7 and 1 Peter 1.15 & 16 How does his presence affect my lifestyle, my dress in the assembly, my speech, my worship, my preparation??
3. A Presence of God  – Uniqueness: (11:15 – 12:) “Let us come before his
presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.” Psalm 95.2 and he  shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it  within the veil: priesthood of ALL believers (not just a clergy!) All need to participate all need to be equipped and exercised. The Assembly is wholly about Christ. He not man is the focus. This is diametrically opposed to religion today, which is about man, his needs, his feelings, his goals.  Like the incense which speaks loudly of Christ to the Father, all is for the enjoyment of God. It all speaks well of His beloved Son. Humanism has crept into the churches!!

12:00-1:30 PM Lunch

Afternoon

Second Session  (1:30-3:00 PM)

4. The Presence of God and  Departure: And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places: [Saved persons- loving the Lord- yet sacrificing in places foreign to the Unique liberty we enjoy]. Holding to correct doctrine without correct practice ! See Uzzah’s breach 2 Samuel 6.1-8 The right thing in the wrong way ! Let’s “do all things decently and in order”

“Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which
the LORD thy God giveth thee: But at the place which the LORD thy God
shall choose to place his name Deuteronomy 16.5-6 Compare Matthew 18.20

[See also Genesis 3.8 Adam and Eve & Genesis 4.16 Cain & Psalm 139.7 David
Jonah 1.3 and 1.10 Jonah
Break (3:00-3:15 PM)

Third Session (3:15-4:00 PM)

Open Ministry or Gospel (4:00-5:00 PM)

Fall 2003: Our GOSPEL Witness in the 21st Century

Saturday October 11th, 2003

Introduction
We are living in a period when the Gospel testimony of assemblies as we know them is at a perilously low ebb. In fact, there is a near dearth among us. When the New Testament is consulted for a pattern of church life, one is shocked at the dichotomy between what was really NORMAL assembly life and assembly life today. Assemblies as we know them once were at the forefront of evangelistic work. Gospel meetings were common. Gospel series were regular occurrences. Evangelists and missionaries went out and sacrificially gave their lives to see the work of the Gospel prosper. It is a rare thing to see young people catching the vision of soul winning much less the vision of going to the mission field. The Greater danger is that the lack of gospel effort spreads its pallor over our local assemblies locally to the point where even our young people are not coming under the sound of the Gospel fervently preached on a regular basis. The net  result? No conversions, no baptisms, few if any new assembly members. This is tragic. Assemblies have been known to die out without a passion for souls.
Give me a passion for souls, dear Lord,
A passion to save the lost;
O that Thy love were by all adored,
And welcomed at any cost.

The GOSPEL Mandate (10:15-12:00)

1. Commanded (Matthew 28:19 and 2 Corinthians 10:16)
2. Compassionate (Psalms 142:4)
3. Commendable (Proverbs 11:30)

The GOSPEL Message
1. Not Kingdom Gospel (Matthew 4.23 et al)
2. Not “Another” i.e. False Gospel (2 Corinthians 11.4 and Galatians 1:6)
3. True Gospel Defined (1 Corinthians 15.3-4)
4. Powerful (Romans 1.16)

12:00-1:30 PM Lunch

Afternoon

The GOSPEL Method (1:30-2:45 PM)

1. The Gospel Meeting (Acts 15.35)
2. Personal Evangelism (John 1.41)
3. Lifestyle Evangelism (1 Peter 3.1)

2:45-3:00 PM Break

The GOSPEL Man  (3:00-4:00 PM)

1. His Consistency (2 Timothy 4.4)
2. His Watchfulness (2 Timothy 4.5)
3. His Character “full proof” (Timothy 4.5)

4:00-4:15 PM Break

4:15- 5:00 PM Ministry or Gospel

Spring 2003: Jesus Christ – “The Living Stone”

May 3rd 2003

1 Peter 2:3-8; Daniel 2:31-45

10:15-12:00 Reading I: The Revered Stone
“The Elect of God” 1 Peter 2:6
“Chosen by God” 1 Peter 2:4
“Precious to God” 1 Peter 2:4

“Blessed Lord our hearts would treasure all the Father’s thoughts of thee..” Hymn 419 SS

12:00-1:30 PM Lunch

1:30-2:45 PM Reading II: The Rejected Stone
“Disallowed of men” 1 Peter 2:4
“Stone of Stumbling” 1 Peter 2:8
“Rock of Offence” 1 Peter 2:8

The Received Stone

Not Confounded 1 Peter 2:6
Precious 1 Peter 2:7
The head of the corner 1 Peter 2:7
Eph 2:20

2:45-3:00 PM Break

3:00-4:00 PM Reading III: The Reigning Stone Daniel 2: 31-44
God’s purpose is to fill the earth with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord.

Everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ 2 Peter 1:11

4:00-4:15 PM Break

4:15- 5:00 PM Ministry or Gospel

Fall 2002: Eye on the Prize – Running the Race

October 12 2002

Introduction: The Apostal Paul likens the Christian life, the life of faith, as a race…
not a sprint or a dash, but a marathon, an endurance race.

The Race: Who is in the race? All who have come to faith

The Prize:

10:00 to 12:00  Study 1

1) Looking unto Jesus – Heb. 12: 2
a. The author and finisher of faith
b. Victor- enthroned on high

2) For consider Him – Heb. 12:3

a. Expression of Gods love. Jn. 15:9,13

b. Our joy.  Jn. 15:11 / Acts 20:24 / 1Peter 1:8

c. He is our peace. Jn. 14:27 / Phil 4:7 / 2 Thes 3:16

d. The faith of Jesus. Rev. 14:12 / 1Cor. 13:13 / Heb. 13:7b

e. Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col. 1:27 / Rom. 5:5 / Phil. 1:20

12:00 to 1:30 lunch

1:30 to 2:45 pm Study 2

3) The High Calling of God – Phil. 3:14

4) Crown Incorruptible – 1 Cor. 9:25

2:45 to 3:00 pm Break

3:00 to 4:00 pm  Study 3

How to run well:

a. In accordance to truth – Gal. 5:7

b. Holding forth the word of life – Phil: 16

c. Purposefully – 1Cor. 9:26

d. Patiently – Heb. 12:1

e. Unencumbered – Heb. 12:1
4:00 to 4:30 pm  Open Ministry or Gospel

Fall 2001:Principles of gathering unto Him, our Lord
Saturday, October 6th, 2001

10:15 to 12:00 Bible Study I: Jesus in the midst

God desires to be in the midst (i.e., middle) of His people. This truth can be traced from Genesis to Revelation, Before the fall, God communed with man in the garden “in the cool of the day” (Gen 3: 8-10).
During the wilderness journey of the people of God, the tabernacle occupied the central place among the people (Exodus 40, Numbers 1-3).The Lord occupied the central place on the cross between the two thieves. This was recorded in each of the gospels ( Matt 27: 38; Mark 15:27; Luke 23: 33; John 19:17-18)
In the book of Revelation the Lord is the worthy One who is in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures (Rev 5:6). In a day to come He will dwell among His people (Rev 21: 3-5).Today in the church, God desires Him to have the central place (Col 1:18).
Therefore it is God’s desire that we gather around Him alone (Matt.18:20):
1. WHERE – divine place
2. TWO or THREE – divine testimony
3. ARE GATHERED – divine power
4. TOGETHER – divine oneness
5. UNTO MY NAME – divine authority
6. THERE AM I – divine presence
7. IN THE MIDST OF THEM – divine center.
Anonymous
12 – 1:30 PM Lunch
1:30 – 2:45 PMÂ Bible study II : Luke 22:7-13

With whom shall we gather to worship? What seems good and proper to us? Or shall we seek direction like Peter and John? Are we obedient, submissive and dependent on our Lord? Shall He not guide us, like Peter and John? They found exactly what the Lord told them to look for.
“He knows, He cares, He loves, nothing this truth can dim, He gives the very best to those, who
leave the choice with HIM.” Anonymous

He wants to lead His own into the “upper room” (John 13-14)
1. He talks to them about feet washing (John 13: 1-17)
2. He tells them about His new commandment (John 13: 34-35)
3. He tells them about His Father’s house (John 14: 1-6)
4. He tells them about the Father (John 14: 7-11)
5. He tells them about the Holy Spirit ( John 14: 15-18)

2:45 – 3:00 PMÂ Break
3:00- 4:00 PM Bible study III 1 Cor 12: 12-27

Is every member of our body exactly like the others? Does not each have a particular function? Each is diverse, so it can function  in the way for which it was designed. So is the body of Christ. We always ought to function under His direction. He is the Head, as our body gets
its direction from our head (Eph 1: 22-23).

4:00 – 4:30 PM Open Ministry

Fall 2000: Christ and the Seven Churches

Saturday October 7th, 2000

Christ and the Seven Churches

In the first chapter of the book of Revelation, the apostle John was instructed by the Lord to write to seven churches which existed in Asia Minor (Rev 1: 11). These seven churches are thought to represent the entire church period here on earth from the time of the church’s formation until the Rapture. John was given a vision of the Lord Jesus which caused him (i.e., John) to fall at His feet in fear. But the Lord comforted the apostle by stating “do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last” (Rev 1:17). Our exercise in this conference is to look at the way in which the Spirit of God presents the Lord Jesus to each of the seven churches in Revelation chapters 2 & 3.

Part I ( 10:10 am to 12 noon)

Introduction :Rev 1:9-20
Ephesus
These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands (Rev 2: 1).
Smyrna
These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life (Rev 2: 8).
Pergamos
These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword (Rev 2:12).

Part II (1:45 to 2:30)

Thyatira
These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire and His feet like fine brass (Rev 2:18).
Sardis
These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars (Rev 3:1).

Part III (2:35- 3:35)

Philadelphia
These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts and shuts and no one opens (Rev 3: 7)
Laodiceans
These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God (Rev 3:14).

Open Ministry (3:45 – 4:30)

Fall 2011 The Imminent Return of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Saturday October 29th 2011

The Imminent Return of Our Lord Jesus Chris

Introduction: In our previous study of Daniel 9 we noted that the
focus of that prophesy related to Daniel’s people(the Jews), and his holy city (Jerusalem).
Today, we are living in the period of time between the 69th and 70th
week of Daniel’s prophesy. During this period of time, our Lord Jesus is
forming His church, composed of both Jews and Gentiles united together through Him (Eph 2:14-18). The Lord Jesus promised his disciples that He would “come again and receive you to Myself that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14.3. We believe that sometime soon after He returns, the prophetic clock will start “ticking” to complete the 70th week as described in Daniel 9. Today, our exercise is to focus on the hope of the Church, which is the imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ to take us to be with Himself.

9:30-10:00 am Prayer

10:00-10:15 Break

10:15-12:00 Study 1:  The imminent coming of Christ

  1. The promise of His coming
  1. John 14:3, Acts 1: 10-11
  2. The apostles preached about His coming in the
    first century and expected Him then!, 1 Thess 1:9:10
  • The coming of Christ for His Church, from His
    perspective (What is in it for Him!!)

Gen 2:18, John 12:24

  1. What will happen to believers on earth when He
    comes?

1 Thess 4:13-17, 1 Cor 15: 51-53, 1 John 3:2

12:00-2:00 pm  Lunch

2:00-3:00 pm  Study 2: What will happen to the Church when the Lord
Returns

  1. Rev 19: 7-9, 11-14
  2. Matt 25:14-23,Heb 9:28, 2 Tim 4:8

3:00-3:15 pm Break

3:15- 4:15 pm Study 3: What impact should this truth have on us today?

  1. While we wait, we should work and not be busybodies; 2 Thess 3: 6-15
  2. We are to be patiently waiting for Him, establishing our hearts

1 Thess 1:10, 1 Thess 5: 1-11, James 5:7-9

  1. We are to be watching for Him; Titus 2:11-13
  2. His coming should have a purifying effect in our
    lives; 1 John 3:2-3
  3. His coming should give us comfort;1 Thess 4:18

4:15-5:00 pm Ministry or Gospel

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Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together unto my name, there am I in the midst of them.