About

Why the name: The Armoury Ministries? (contact page)

The name The Armoury comes from John Bunyan’s classic work entitled The Pilgrim’s Progress.
This profound allegory of his was designed to encourage and equip
Christians regarding their journey through this fallen world. The
central character in the book is named Christian who discovers a palace that is called Beautiful, and there he is further prepared for his continued journey:
“The next day they took him, and had him into the armoury, where they showed him all manner of furniture which their Lord had provided for pilgrims, as sword, shield, helmet, breastplate, all-prayer, and shoes that would not wear out. And there was here enough of this to harness out as many men for the service of their Lord as there be stars in the heaven for multitude.” (John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress: From This World to That Which Is to Come, The Third Stage).
The palace called Beautiful is a picture of the church in view of its role to equip and strengthen the saints of God for the battles of daily life. In particular, The Armoury pictures that important text in Ephesians 6 which speaks of the Christian’s need to be prepared for daily battle:
Ephesians 6:10-18: 10 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints…”
It is this very picture of spiritual equipping which encapsulates the goal and agenda of The Armoury Ministries.

The 5 Solas: All materials published by The Armoury Ministries are in keeping with the five solas of the Reformation. These five solas are a simple affirmation of the ancient teachings of Scripture concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Scriptures, salvation, genuine faith, as well as the consummate goal of the believer’s life – to live for the glory of God alone (Hebrews 11). Below is a description of these affirmations which supply an important foundation for life and godliness for all genuine believers. All of the writings published by The Armoury Ministries are committed to these important foundation stones:

Sola Scriptura: The Armoury Ministries affirms the inerrancy, sufficiency and perspicuity of the 66 books of
the Bible alone, all of which are God breathed and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17). In view of the surpassing value of God’s Word, the believer must seek to be sanctified by it alone, for the Word of God incarnate, the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:14), prayed to the Father: “Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth.” John 17:17.

Solus Christus: The Apostle Paul declared that “… there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12. Not any of the works, the philosophies or religions of men can offer any measure of hope for salvation, for the Lord Jesus Christ declared: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father but through Me.” John
17:4.

Sola Gratia: By God’s grace alone sinners receive the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ; not because of any of their deeds, social affiliations or genealogy. Because salvation is the sovereign gift of
God, the redeemed have only one object of boasting: The Lord God – ” But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

Sola Fide: By grace alone, sinners are saved through faith alone in Christ alone, as the Apostle Paul taught: Ephesians 2:8-9: 8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Faith is the gracious gift of God which draws men from their sinful rebellion (Ephesians 1:3), and dead works (Isaiah 64:6), to genuine faith and trust in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). No one has the power to come to Christ in this manner apart from the Father’s gift (John 6:65).

Soli Deo Gloria: The Scriptures clearly teach that all things exist and subsist for the Lord’s ultimate glory: “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:36. This brief verse summarizes the repeated theme of Scripture: all things are from Him (John 1:2-3); all things are mediated through His sovereign Providence (Isaiah 45:5-7) and all things are ultimately for His glory and good pleasure (John 12:28). Therefore, the genuine child of God will look to do the things which are pleasing to the Lord (Ephesians 5:6-10) out of a genuine love for Him above all others (Mark 12:28-31).