e r e a a n n e r

“Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it m ay be displayed because o f the truth " (Ps. 60:4).

Volume VI, Number 11 SOUTH POINT, OHIO, NOVEMBER 15, 1985 Whole Number 83 The End Before

By J. B. Moody B e g in n in g (1838-1931)

By Harry King Christ built the Model Church as Ona, West Virginia the pattern of all others. Let us study its characteristics. • The world and everything in it 1. The first Church was composed originated in the creative powers of of saved persons. .After He went to God before the foundation of the Heaven He added the saved to the world itself, and a plan and purpose church day by day. No six month's of every created object and their probation. destiny, including mankind, was 2. They were not only saved, but determined before He laid the foun­ discipled to Christ as their leader, dations of the earth. This article, and Lord, as well as Savior (John 8: however, primarily surrounds God's 31-32). dealings with man whom He created 3. They repented before they and gave dominion over all living were baptized. creatures; therefore, man is the 4. They were convicted before prime object of His creation. they repented. First, we need to know the con­ 5. They repented before they be­ J. B. Moody secutive steps He takes in directing lieved—a vital order. man from his origin o f life until he Harry L. King 6. They were baptized when they before baptism (Acts 10:47). reaches the final state of his eternal spiritual guidance. believed, and not at eight days old, 8. They were baptized in water, destiny. The following verses give Romans, Chapter 8, Verses 28-30: or at death. and not with water. They went down this information, particularly his (Continued on page five) 7. They experienced conversion (Continued on page four)

Jesus As A Preacher 3 tt &parrl| (if An

By T. P. Simmons out of Nicodemus by the "corkscrew (1898-1969) method." Why didn't Christ do this? (®lk San&mark We ask again, why didn't He do it? (Continued from October issue) And we wait for some user of this By Milburn Cockrell early Arminian Baptists of England. 5. He did not tamper with the soul method to answer. Many a present- In this article I desire to look at and try to help the Holy Spirit out. day preacher would have used the In my first article I traced the ad­ length at the position of the Partic­ Neither did any other New Testa­ same method with the woman at the ministrator of church baptism from ment preacher. They all preached the well of Jacob. And in preaching to the apostolic age to the time of the the multitudes many a present-day Reformation. I gave special attention (Continued on page three) at the last to the Anabaptists and the

Growing Old Gracefully By Milburn Cockrell

(Preached on the Berea Baptist Broadcast July 7, 1985)

"Thou shalt come to thy grave in a then the ear, then the full corn in the ular Baptists as to this old landmark. full age, like as a shock of corn ear, till ripened and ready for reap­ Like those before them, they spoke cometh in in his season" (Job 5:26). ing. Just at the proper harvest time, in clarion tones on this topic. A field of grain fully ripe, waving the farmer will gather the rich, I have taken the liberty to put all the quotes from old books and T. P. Simmons in the breeze arid glittering in the golden sheaves and take them to his bright sunlight, ready to be gathered barn. manuscripts into modern English to Word and left men and women face into the barn, is a most beautiful This is the comparison used in my make them more readable. I am to face with it. Had many a present- sight to behold. Prior to this time the text to set forth the beginning, doing this as some of our readers day preacher been in Christ's place farmer has plowed his field, scattered growth and end of a well-spent life have complained to me about when Nicodemus came to him, he his seeds, and cultivated his crop. for the Lord. It was applied by quoting them as they are in Old would have said: "Let's get down The seed sown in the well-prepared Eliphaz to Job and was designed to English. They say they have a hard here and settle this matter on our soil, sprang and grew under the in­ assure him that a godly man's life time reading them. Hence I am help­ knees." And then he would have fluences of the sun, the rain and the would extend into advanced age as a ing them by changing thetn into artfully wrested a profession of faith dew. There appeared first the blade, (Continued on page two) (Continued on page seven) Page 2 ' ' ' 1 THE BEREA BAPTIST BANNER November 15, 1985

THE BEREA BAPTIST BANNER through the different stages of life's Jesus Christ and a holy walk before nest heed to these solemn com­ Mllbum Cockrell, Editor brief journey and pass to the unseen Him, a person is in no sense qualified mands. world. to pursue the journey of life right THE BEREA BAPTIST BANNER (UPS 546470) is published Nothing is more heart-rendering monthly for $3.00 per year by the authority of the Berea Baptist WE MUST GROW OLD and in a graceful manner. He is like a than to see a person who has for Church, P. O. Box 552, South Point, Ohio 45680-0552. Second- All the beauty aids and the ex­ man going on a journey sick, lame many years served God faithfully class postage paid at South Point, Ohio. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE BEREA BAPTIST cellent health rules in the world can­ and blind. Such a person is without while bringing up a family, suddenly BANNER. P. O. Box 552, South Point, Ohio 45600-0952. not prevent us from growing old. hope and without God in the world, forsake the path of duty and turn PUBLICATION POLICIES: All matter for publication should be This is the law of our being, fixed going to the grave and eternity with sent to the editor. All manuscripts are to be typed and double aside after Satan. How it grieves me spaced. All such material becomes the property of BBB and will and made certain by the Infinite no preparation for the scenes before to see such a person loose interest not be returned unless requested by the writer. We reserve the Being. Not all live to a ripe old age. him. "If a man beget an hundred in prayer, the Bible and the church. right to edit and condense all materials sent to us for publication. The publication of an article does not necessarily mean the Some die in the midst of their days children, and live many years, so that How pitiful to see him become editor is in complete agreement with the writer, nor does it mean as did our Savior (Ps. 102:24). Such the days of his years be many, and worldly when he is soon to leave this he endorses all this person may have written on other subjects. persons will never know what it is to his soul be not filled with good, and old world and stand before God. COPYING PRIVILEGES: Unless otherwise stated any article published in this paper may be copied by other publications, pro­ be old. But if Providence prolongs also that he have no burial; I say, Such persons are not growing old vided they give proper credit line stating that such was copied life, the swift passing years will soon that an untimely birth is better than gracefully but disgracefully. They from this publication, and the date of publication; provided that he" (Eccl. 6:3). such materials are not published for profit. If we are not on an ex­ take us through the successive shall not be gathered as a shock of change list with the publication copying, it is requested that a periods to the meridian line and the When a man grows old how sad corn fully ripe, but as an ear blighted copy of the issue containing the article be sent to our address. All sun of life will begin to decline. and gloomy his prospects of the and blasted unfit for the Master's copyrighted materials may not be copied without written consent. PUBLISHED MONTHLY with paid circulation in most states in Decay will commence its certain, in­ future, if he has no saving knowledge use. the U. S. A. and some foreign countries. evitable work, taking away beauty, of Christ. He is leaving the world and TAKE AN INTEREST SUBSCRIPTION RATES health, vigor, strength, and activity, it is leaving him. His early friends IN THE YOUNG One y e a r...... i ...... $3.00 are gone. He is a stranger alone in a Two years ...... $5.00 till we become the subjects of the in­ If we would grow old gracefully we Five years...... $12.00 firmities, weaknesses and sufferings world where he has lived so long. He must take an interest in the young. It PLANNjNG TO MOVE? Notify, us three weeks in advance. The of old age (Eccl. 12:1-7). is now bending under the many years is good to see an old person keep his post office does not forward second class mail unless the ad­ of sin with all of his former sources dressee guarantees the forwarding postage. They charge us $.25 This is our portion in this life. We blood warm and in lively circulation for each "change of address." Please save us this expense and must ever be mindful of it and begin of enjoyment cut off and eternity by bringing himself into contact with the post office time. early for the final crisis. If we would just before him. I can conceive of BUNDLES TO ONE ADDRESS: These are sent for $2 per paper the young and taking interest in nothing in the world more desolate for a year. An example: 10 papers for one year $20,20 papers for grow old gracefully we must begin training them for future life. Age a year $40.00. early before the character is formed and sad than an old man unblessed needs the rejuvenating influence of LOCATION OF PUBLISHING CHURCH: Our church is located and the habits fixed. He who spends by salvation, uncheered by hope, on county road 1 about two miles down river from South Point, youth, and youth needs the counsel Ohio, in a community called Sheridan. We are about two miles the morning of life in sin will feel the estranged from God, and shut out and guidance of age. "With the from Ashland. Kentucky, on the opposite side of the river. effects of his course all his days, even from His kingdom of light! "He shall ancient is wisdom; and in length of Readers are always welcome to visit our services. be driven from light into darkness, EDITOR’S PHONE: 1-614-377-9429. though he should become a Chris­ days understanding" (Job 12:12). A PAPER WITHOUT SUBSCRIPTION: Some time people write tian. Many a man in old age is sorely and chased out of the world"(Job "Days should speak, and multitude to us and say that they did not subscribe for the BBB. They are visited with the sins of his youth. He 18:18). receiving our paper because someone else has paid for their of years should teach wisdom" (Job subscription. We trust the BBB will be received as an outstretch­ often goes under the burden Every person needs Christ as his 32:7). An old person is never more ed hand to you. Take what you find helpful and discard what you to the end of his days. Pity the man portion in the whole course of his usefully employed than when he cannot use. whose "bones are full of the sins of life. He needs Him as his Lord to If you do not want to receive such a gift subscription, please takes a kind and tender interest in write to us. We are happy to cancel such a subscription. We do his youth, which lie down with him guard him against the temptations the young. It will repay him a hun­ not want to go where we are not wanted. in the dust" (Job 20:11). and sins of the world. He needs Him dredfold and make the evening of Here is a strong argument for early to keep him from habits and courses life brighter and happier. CROWING OLD piety which shoulq) have great weight of living as will bring sorrow and If we wish to see the true gospel with the young. If you would pass gloom in the decline of life. He needs preached in our community after our (Continued from page one) gracefully into mature life, and be him to sustain him under the afflic­ general rule. Indeed the Lord has departure, we must see to it that it is prepared for a bright and happy old tions and trials he will encounter preached now. Then let us work and promised the righteous: "With long age, then begin in the morning of life along the journey of life. He needs life will I satisfy him, and show him pray that God will raise some up to to know Christ and to serve Him. Him to form such a character and to preach it in the generation to come. my salvation" (Ps. 91:16). Every stage o f life gives character cultivate such virtues and graces as A well-spent life is usually a long If we would see truth prevail and be and coloring to that which is before will minister to a usefulness in life preserved in the world, then we must and happy life. The righteous are im­ and bring comfort in death. it, and all of it will have a bearing on teach it to the younger generation mortal until their work is done. We that which is last. To grow old grace­ shall not die till harvest time; we NEVER FORSAKE CHRIST that they in their day may teach it to fully you must begin right. You must A righteous man should continue the next generation. The psalmist shall die seasonably. The corn is not look steadfastly to the end of your harvested until it is fully ripe, but it in the way of righteousness. He wrote: "Let my mouth be filled with course and make every step on to­ should hold on his way (Job 17:9) thy praise and with thy honour all is not permitted to stand a day ward the attainment of a peaceful longer than it should. The fruit of and be "faithful unto death" (Rev. the day. Cast me not off in the time and happy decline of life. Then you 2:10). It behooves those who know of old age; forsake me not when my righteousness shall ripen in our life. will never have to cry: "Remember When we are ripe for Heaven the Big the grace of God in truth to serve strength faileth. . . .Now also when I not the sins of my youth" (Ps. 25: God "in holiness and righteousness am old and greyheaded, O God, for­ Farmer w ill gather us and put us in 7). the garner of Heaven. We shall come . . .all the days of our life" (Luke 1: sake me not; until I have shewed thy to our grave in a full age, like a shock YOU MUST KNOW CHRIST 74-75). The psalmist said: "One strength unto this generation, and of corn comes in, in his season. If we would die gracefully we must thing have I desired of the LORD, thy power to every one that is to It is important to grow old grace­ come to know Christ as our Re­ that will I seek after; that I may come" (Ps. 71:8,9,18). Then it may fully. Advanced age can be an honor deemer and hope in God as our ever­ dwell in the house of the LORD all be said of us as it was of the psalm­ ist: "For David, after he had served and a comfort; it can terminate in lasting portion. It would be better to the days of my life, to behold the his own generation by the will of peace and happiness. This thought is never live than to live and die with­ beauty of the LORD, and to inquire God, fell on sleep.. ." (Acts 13:36). not merely instructive to those in the out becoming acquainted with the in his temple" (Ps. 27:4). In the New evening of life, but it is useful to all Savior. Job 22:21 says: "Acquaint Testament we read of Anna who was Every mother and father long to of every age. We all are advancing now thyself with him, and be at eighty years of age. It is said of her see their offspring walking in the along a common path, conducting us peace: thereby good shall come unto that she "departed not from the same paths of truth and virtue that through the several stages of life, to thee." Jesus Christ said in John 17: temple, but served God with fastings they have walked in so long. How old age and death-. We occupy dif­ 3: "And this is life eternal, that they and prayers night and day" (Luke 2: this thrills their souls in their latter ferent positions on that path. Some might know thee the only true God, 37). Acts 21:16 mentions "Mnason years. Their cup runs over when they are just setting out, others are half and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast of Cyrus, an old disciple." hear their children speak of God and way, and still others are near the sent." The psalmist wrote: "Whom "Paul the aged" (Phile. 9) wrote to His Word. 0 to hear them lift up end. All points of the way are filled have I in heaven but thee? and there young Titus: "That the aged men be their voice in prayer and praise to with travellers, marching on as a long is none upon earth that I desire be­ sober, grave, temperate, sound in the God above—to see them become funeral procession, to advanced years side thee. My flesh and my heart faith, in charity, in patience. The witnesses for Christ—to occupy a and eternity. There is no stopping on faileth: but God is the strength of aged women likewise, that they be in seat in the house of God and to wor­ the way. Those in the front will soon my heart, and my portion for ever" behaviour as becometh holiness, not ship the Lord in the beauty of reach the goal and be gone. Those (Ps. 73:25-26). "The hoary head is a false accusers, not given to much holiness—to give their tithes and of­ following after will as quickly move crown of glory, if it be found in the wine, teachers of good things" ferings into the Lord's treasury—to forward to fHI their places. Even the way of righteousness'/ (Prov. 16:31). (Titus 2:2-3);“ Old men and old see them grow up to be godly men young will swiftly be hurried Without a saving knowledge of women would do well to take ear­ (Continued on page three) November 15,1985 THE BEREA BAPTIST BANNER Page 3 Third, another fault of old age is liberality in the material things have you grown old gracefully? Are GROWING OLD jealousy of whatever is new and a which God has given to counteract you waiting in patience, in hope and (Continued from page two) proneness to think things are grow­ covetousness that so often mars the in faith in Christ for the time of your and women! Such is a foretaste of ing worse because they are different character of old men. We need a departure? The summons will soon Heaven on earth. Stich sights lessen from what they were in former days. willingness to let the world move on come, and you shall pass away. O the burden of old age and cheers us The world does not stand still, al­ to counteract the jealousy of what is that you may come to your grace as we approach the dark and doleful though old people are apt to stand new. We need cheerfulness to coun­ like a shock of corn fully ripe in its valley. How wonderful to know that still. The world moves on. It is easy teract the gloom and sadness of the season! the family circle shall not be broken to imagine that the changes in habits decline of life. We need readiness to by death, and that death only leads and customs are for the worse, and yield the field of labor to those that to an eternal family reunion on the in some cases this may be true. are younger to counteract a dispo­ JESUS Af other side. But it is not always true that the sition to hold on to duties to which FAULTS OF OLD AGE former times were better than the declining age is no longer competent. (Continued from page one) The old are prone to certain faults present. We must not make ourselves More than this we need a readiness preacher would have concluded with and sins which may prevent them unhappy even if there is a growing to go and to be with Christ. There is something like this: "Now all you from growing old gracefully. The degeneracy of the present age. Let us nothing so graceful and beautiful as people who want to be saved come germs of these sins reach far back serve God in happiness, regardless of that of an aged disciple who, having forward for prayer." But Christ and into early life. Time develops them, the conditions in the world around served God and his generation ac­ the apostles never used that method. and by degrees they grow into habits us. cording to the will of God, can say: Again we ask why. Were Christ and and stand out as sad deformities of The young have the opposite fault. "I'm ready to go. I've been washed the apostles model preachers? Or did character as age comes on. The "evil They undervalue and discard what is in Calvary's flow. Farewell vain they leave out some very essential days come" and the "years draw old and tried. They have eagerness to world. I'm going home. My Savior things? nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no run after novelties. They have an in­ bids me come and I must go." Happy The mourners' bench is not only pleasure in them" (Eccl. 12:1). Peter clination to have very little respect is the man or woman who has served unscriptural, it is anti-scriptural. It is told us: "For he that will love life, for antiquity, or for manners and Christ in their youth and continued as anti-scriptural as the Roman and see good days, let him refrain his customs that have long been tried to do so through the various stages Catholic confessional. A Baptist tongue from evil, and his lips that and found to work well. They are of life. They can approach the end, preacher, in inviting sinners to come they speak no guile: Let him eschew apt to think that their fathers were calm, cool and collected. They shall to him and others to be prayed for, evil, and do good; let him seek peace, a dull, unknowing, fossilized class of know the triumph of a well-lived life Is as blameworthy as the priest that and ensue it" (I Peter 3:10-11). people. To the young I would offer and shall go as one ripe for Heaven. sits at the confessional. First, I would mention peevishness, this counsel: Whatever doctrine and The God that we serve in this life The mourners' bench is the best or a disposition to find fault, to mur­ practice that has long been tried and will not forsake us in death. "We die place in the world for working up mur and complain. Some old people found to work well should not be unto the Lord" (Rom. 14:8). How fleshly emotion and deceiving sinners fancy they are neglected and de­ changed without serious con­ sweet the promise of God is to His into making a profession of faith spised, and every slight offense is sideration and clear Scripture. people in Isaiah 46:4: "And even to without being saved. It is wholly of irritating to them. Nothing is more Fourth, one other fault of age to your old age I am he: and even to the devil. unlovely than peevishness sitting on be guarded against is unwillingness to hoary hairs will I carry you: I have Moreover the custom of inviting the brow. This is the evidence of an let go of duties and to retire from made, and I will bear; even I will sinners forward for prayer misplaces ill-disciplined temper and of a selfish, the stage of action. This is not an carry, and will deliver you." Anne prayer. Acceptable prayer must be unsubdued will. Such persons are easy lesson to learn, but necessary if Steele in her famous hymn. How accompanied by faith, for "how shall fretful and passionate and unmanage­ we would grow old gracefully and Firm A Foundation, sets forth God's they call on him in whom they have able. They are a burden and a blight not believed" (Rom. 10:14). If the honorably. Our days of toil are ap­ promise in these words: "E'en down sinner can reach God other than to all around them. pointed of God. While the sun of life to old age. . .All my people shall True Christians should never be­ through Christ, then the mediator- is up we should apply ourselves with prove. . .My sovereign, eternal, un­ come such persons, whether young ship of Christ is not a necessary all diligence to doing our allotted changeable love. . .And when hoary or old. It is true that many things thing, but only arbitrary. Christ said: work. But when the sun is going hair shall their temples adorn.. .Like about old age try our emotions—the "I am the way, the truth and the life; down we should prepare to lay down lambs they shall Still in My bosom be passing of health and strength, the no man cometh unto the Father but our task and go to our rest. Having borne." Let the aged disciple say: coming of lonely hours, the termi­ by me" (John 14:6). This being true, served God and our generation ac­ "When I'm growing, old and feeble nation of the ususal places of occu­ we know that every man who has cording to His will, we should be . . .Stand by me. . .When my life be­ pation and influence. But old people ever reached God has done so willing to retire when the time comes comes a burden. . .And I'm nearing must submit to such things with through Christ. And to reach God and give place to others coming after chilly Jordan. . .0 Thou Lily of the cheerfulness as the appointments of through Christ means to reach Him us. The world will move on without Valley.. .Stand by me." providence. We must not be fretting us when we are gone. Let us retire through faith in Christ. A sinner may about things we cannot change or gracefully and cheerfully. CONCLUSION go through the form of calling on help. We must spend our last years A good example of this is seen in Young people, I have told you God, but his prayer will never reach with the love of God in our hearts the case of King David inviting today how you can make your life God until he puts his faith in Christ. and the smile of Heaven upon our Barzillai to come to Jerusalem and to useful and happy. You can do so by Therefore the prime need of the sin­ faces. Then it can be said of us: share the blessings of his kingship. adorning it with the beauty of ner is not to be told to pray. He will "And thine age shall be clearer than "And Barzillai said unto the king. holiness. Remember your Creator in do that without being told when his the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, How long have I to live, that I should the days of your youth (Eccl. 12:1). conviction has reached the proper thou shalt be as the morning" (Job go up with the king to Jerusalem? I Commit yourself to Him in the fresh­ point. What he needs is to be told 11:17). am this day fourscore years old: and ness of your age. By doing this you how he can find acceptance with Second, covetousness is another can I discern between good and evil? can grow old gracefully; you can be God. fault of old age. Often a person, who can thy servant taste what I eat or gathered as a shock of corn fully ripe Simon Magus was exhorted to was generous in his early days, may what I drink? can I hear any more in its season. The God of Heaven will pray, but not to come to a mourner's become more and more avaricious in the voice of singing men and singing clothe you with immortal youth and bench; nor was he exhorted to pray his habits. He seems to think that women? wherefore then should thy vigor in the upper world. as a sinner. It is plain that while since he is not able to accumulate servant be yet a burden unto my lord What about you, middle-agers? Peter believed Simon to be lost, yet more as he once did, he can at least the king?" (II Sam. 19:34-35). He How have you spent that portion of he recognized a bare possibility that hold on to what he has gotten. This recommended that his son, Chim- life which has already passed over he might be saved and addressed is strange in a sense. Why would one ham, go with the king. This man you? Have you spent it rightly in these words to him on the basis of want to become more covetous as knew how to give place to the love and service to God? Or, have that possibility. Otherwise the the time draws near when he must young. you fooled away your better years in expression, "if perhaps the thought give an account of his stewardship? selfishness and sin? Are you putting of thine heart may be forgiven thee," How foolish for a man to seek a VIRTUES TO BE CULTIVATED on the traits of character which you is meaningless. Certainly God will greater supply of provisions when so Besides guarding against the faults would be willing to wear in old age forgive the sinner when he repents little of the journey of life remains! of old age, we must cultivate certain and eternity? You are now putting and believes Christ as a result of the Why be greedy of gain, seeing you virtues if we would grow old grace­ on what in all probability will be­ regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, have less time to use jt? This sin fully. Many of these are the op­ come the dying dress of your soul. but if a sinner seeks to repent in the must be guarded against by forming posites of the faults I have just men­ Are you satisfied to remain for ever manner that a saved person repents, early habits of liberality and tioned. We need patience and kind­ as you now are? If not, please con­ which is apart from the immediate resolutely carrying them forward ness to counteract the peevishness sider your ways and turn to Christ. experience of regeneration, he will into advancing age. > < • < i!> «'* and. petulance of old age..We need Sdme of you are already old. But W \ ’ v > (Continued on page four) •*;*.{ rs btuafanod) .*.*

in the God-man, Jesus of Nazareth, meeting places would not have held He was sharp. This is God's method JESUS AS as the Messiah was necessary to their the people who would have thronged (Psa. 18:25,26). The preacher, in general spirit, (Continued from page three) salvation in the temporal and u lti­ to hear. But Jesus said that none not find the ability to do so nor will mate sense of that term. For the would have.repented at his preaching needs to be gentle (II Tim. 2:24,25). he find forgiveness with God, no temporal sense of salvation see Phil. that would reject the calm message But, on the other hand, there is a matter how much he prays. So Peter 2:12; I Tim. 4:16. For the ultimate of Moses and the prophets! What a place for sharp public rebuke (Titus proposed to Simon a test, by which sense see Rom. 13:11; I Pet. 1:5. death-blow to sensationalism! 1:13; I Tim. 5:20). If gentleness will he could detect his true standing be­ This explains Acts 11:14. III. HE DID NOT TRY TO bring people to the truth, then use fore God. Cornelius needed to be saved from PREACH SO AS TO PLEASE gentleness. If it requires severity to A correct interpretation of this errors that existed in his mind be­ THE PEOPLE turn men from all sin and error, then passage leaves not a single case where cause of a faith which, from a New And He didn't please all of them. use that. Follow the Spirit, and He a New Testament preacher told a Testament standpoint, was im­ He didn't even please a majority of w ill show what is needed. sinner to pray as such. mature. He needed to be made per­ them. Neither will any other V. HE SPOKE WITH The publican prayed (Luke 18:13, fect "as pertaining to the preacher that is faithful in his calling. POSITIVENESS 14), but it was not at a mourners' conscience" (Heb. 9:9). This could Christ reproved and rebuked. So will He didn't deal with "blurred un­ bench. His prayer was answered, but not be accomplished by Old Testa­ every other preacher that fulfills the certainties, foggy ambiguities and not without faith; else he was saved ment faith, which looked through charge that has been given him. See clumsy evasions." He spoke with without faith. types and shadows. For this there II Tim. 4:2. Not only did Christ re­ authority. The preacher today may Cornelius prayed and was heard was required a faith that fully beheld buke, but sometimes He rebuked speak with authority because he has (Acts 10:31); but not without faith. the incarnate Son of God as the sharply. The preacher of today is an authoritative book to speak from. Cornelius had the same faith that all promised Messiah. In this sense and commanded to do the same when Positive preaching is not popular to­ Old Testament saints had. This is through this mature New Testament need arises. See Titus 1:13. Christ day, but it is scriptural. The preacher evidenced by at least two facts: (1) faith the heart of Cornelius was had the hatred of the world—even who has no convictions that are His giving o f aims received divine ap­ cleansed after he heard the gospel the religious world. He said all His strong enough to cause him to speak proval (Acts 10:4,31). In com­ from Peter. This explains Acts 15:9. disciples would have it too. See John with positiveness needs to acquaint menting on v. 31, H. B. Hackettwell With this faith there was also repent­ 15:18-20. Jesus said He came to send himself with the book. To be certain, says: "He is assured now of the ap­ ance from much that immature faith strife and division. See Matt. 10:34- no man can rightfully speak with the proval of his acts; the acts were ap­ had not revealed. This explains Acts 36 and Luke 12:50-53. These will finality and positiveness of Christ, proved when he performed them" 11:18. accompany the ministry today of but a man of the Book will be able those preachers who withhold none (An American Commentary on the After Cornelius exercised this to speak with a large degree of of the counsel of God. The popular New Testament). But "the sacrifice mature New Testament faith, he positiveness. of the wicked is an abomination to cry is for the preacher who can unite Editor's Note: This chapter is received the Holy Spirit as others churches. But God has not called the Lord" (Prov. 15:8). And "they who were already saved had received found in the 1936 edition of A preachers to hold the saved and lost that are in the flesh cannot please him on the day of Pentecost. This Systematic Study Of Bible Doctrine, together in churches. Only a com­ God" (Rom. 8:8). (2) Peter's words marked the pouring out of the Spirit pages 370-383. It is not found in promising ministry will unite the vast (Acts 10:34,35) distinctly imply that on the Gentiles, but in no wise in-, later editions. I know not the reason majority of churches today in the Cornelius was a worker o f righteous­ dicates that Cornelius was just a lost for this, unless unholy Arminian breaking point between the saved ness and was, as such, accepted o f sinner until Peter went down and hands saw fit to remove it. and lost in them. They need the old God. The alm's-giving and other acts preached to him. No saint during the leaven purged out of them. I Cor. ninininininin* of Cornelius were either dead works Old Testament dispensation received 5:7. from which he needed to repent, or the baptism of the Spirit nor even The vast majority of Baptist THE FIRST they were works of faith. They were the continuous abiding presence of churches today do not want a faith­ (Continued from page one) certainly not the former, for God the Holy Spirit. See chapter on the ful ministry. They want a soft-ped- into the water, and were buried by does not accept dead works. Holy Spirit. Full New Testament dlar, a pussy-footer, a compromiser, baptism, and then came up out ol But it has been said that Cornelius faith was a prerequisite to both of a diplomat, a smooth-tongued the water. Baptist-like. had not heard the gospel until Peter these, and they are not the same. spouter who knows how to eschew went down to him. Such a statement 9. They were baptized by a Bap­ If it be said that Cornelius was an the most objectionable things and is due to an oversight. In Acts 10:36 tist preacher--"John the Baptist," idolator, because he fell down to season and sugar coat the rest so that Peter states that Cornelius knew "the under the direction of his Lord, as worship Peter; then it may be said they will be palatable to the per­ word which God sent unto the chil­ Baptist preachers do now under the also that the Apostle John was still verted and worldly taste. The cry dren of Israel, preaching peace by an idolater while he was receiving direction of the church. If Eld. Luce from the modern pew is the same Jesus Christ." revelations on the Isle of Patmos had consulted a Baptist church, A. as of old—"Prophesy not unto us And even though he had not heard (Rev. 19:10; 22:8,9). Campbell would have been rejected. right things, speak unto us smooth What a blunder! of Jesus of Nazareth, he still would 6. He was not a sensationalist. things, prophesy deceits" (Isa. 30: have had the gospel of the Old Testa­ He never sought to make a sen­ 10. They were baptized by one 10). But God's command is: "Cry ment, the same gospel that all other sation of His work of healing nor of having authority from Heaven— aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice "Sent of God to baptize." So Bap­ Old Testament saints had. The faith His other miraculous acts. He like a trumpet, and shew my people that he had was that which looked charged the ones that were healed tists now have authority from their transgression" (Isa. 58:1). that they tell no man of it. He never Heaven, and no others have. forward to the promised Messiah. Some time ago The British Weekly advertised Himself, nor did He en­ 11. The first church and Baptist Peter needed to go down to brought an indictment against the courage others to advertise Him. churches only have baptism rightly Caesarea to assure Cornelius that clergy of the Church of England, in And we have a death-blow to sen­ related to repentance and remission Jesus of Nazareth was the promised which it said that their sermons sationalism in His story of the rich of sins. Messiah. For, having come into the never "sting and stab" and that they new dispensation, he needed to man and Lazarus. The rich man 12. Only the professedly saved deal with "blurred uncertainties, reasoned that his brothers would re­ and the rightly baptized were added know this and to believe it, (for, foggy ambiguities and clumsy eva­ pent if Lazarus would go back and to the church. Baptists stand alone while he had heard of Jesus, he yet sions." This is more or less true of preach to them. But Jesus solemnly here. was not assured that He was the much -preaching in Baptist pulpits. reminded him that his brothers had 13. No infants were sprinkled or Messiah, and as yet did not believe in This is the kind of preaching, and the Moses and the prophets, and that, if immersed. Him as .such,) in order to be saved in only kind, that will keep things in they would not hear them, they 14. The first church was complete the full sense of the term. Cornelius harmony and the machinery well would not repent even though one in itself. It elected an apostle (Acts was already saved in the sense that oiled in the vast majority of Baptist all Old Testament saints that came should rise from the dead. Think of 1:26), also the deacons (Acts 6:5), churches today. Christ's preaching into the new dispensation were what crowds Lazarus could have had ordained Paul and Barnabas (Acts was not of that kind. It evoked much already saved. But Cornelius, like an to hear him! His renoun would have 13:1-3; 14:27), also decided dis­ and bitter opposition and drove the other Old Testament saints that spread like wild-fire. People would puted doctrines (Acts 15:22 and sword of the spirit into the hearts of came into the new dispensation, have run over each other in an effort Romans 16:17), excludes the un­ sinful men. It caused a stir of to hear him. Everywhere it would worthy (I Cor. 5:13 and II Thess. needed to know Jesus of Nazareth as division. the Messiah and to believe on Him as have been shouted: "There is a 3:6), exposes false apostles (Rev. 2: such. Their Old Testament faith was preacher holding a meeting in town IV. HIS SPIRIT ADJUSTED 2, and keeps the ordinances as riot sufficient after they had come that died and rose again. He is telling ITSELF TO THE ATTITUDE AND delivered (I Cor. 11:2,23). into the new dispensation, especially wha+ he experienced while dead and NEEDS OF HIS HEARERS 15. There was no one man in after they had heard of Jesus, as was in Abraham's bosom. He has seen With the adulterous womqn He was authority (Mark 10:42),. _ .. , the case .with, Cornelius. Tbis belief hell .end those, jn it." The largest very gentle,, but with, the Pharisees > - (Continued on page five) November 15, 1985 THE BEREA BAPTIST BANNER Page 5

have the world for their field. They makes it so popular that many Bap­ Could His Bride be more slandered? I THE FIRST can fu lfill their mission to the world tists delight to so use them. had rather burn at the stake than to only by the members fulfilling theirs (Continued from paqe four) Take Catholicism, Greek and call this devil-devised despotism and to the church. Preachers and mis­ 16. There were no ruling or presid­ Roman, and especially the latter, and devastation by either term. He is not sionaries at home or abroad should ing elders. examine it in the light of Scripture, only a false witness who does it, but be directed by the church. 17. Church officers have con­ history and its pretentions. "Drunk­ he is as false as false can be. 'Twould Now bear with me while I impeach tinued the same. en with the blood of saints," and be no worse to call good evil, or this invisible, universal church, with 18. It had discipline of its own "with the blood of the martyrs of Christ Belial. If you want to see men its three hundred or more visible members (Matt. 18:17). Jesus." What is there in morals or writhe and froth at the mouth, just branches, as an— 19. There was no appeal from its doctrine that it has not corrupted? insist on the true idea of a church, Immense, immaterial, imaginary authority (Matt. 18:18). Take the ordinances of Jesus; also and its doctrines and ordinances. Imp; 20. They multiplied like Baptist social, civil and ecclesiastical govern­ There would be no more toleration An idiotic, ignominious, illusive churches now do (Acts 9:30). ments. Does the devil want them any of this now than there was for Christ Ilk; 21. Like the first church they worse? What good did Rome ever do by the religious people of His day. An immodest, impeachable, im­ stood for civil and religious liberty, or evil it failed to do when in its If this is the Church of God, please practicable Imbecile; and for moral, doctrinal and ec­ power? What would it do now to real scratch my name off. If this is An impetuous, implacable, im­ clesiastical liberty. The Bible must Christianity and to the true church, Christianity, I here denounce and re­ govern in these. perious Impertinence; if it could? This Christianity and this nounce it. The worst parts of the 22. The first church kept the or­ An impossible, impecunious, im­ church are as far from the original as world are where this Christianity (rt) dinances as delivered. Baptist periling Imposter; the devil wants them. How much has held sway. The present war is churches claim this as a solemn ob­ An incredulous, inconsistent, better is Protestantism than Catholi­ only an item. insensible Incertitude; ligation. cism? Is one the great "Whore" be­ nM n*nM nM 0*n*n* 23. The first church was perse­ An impalpable, improbable, im­ cause she cohabits with the king­ cuted. So with Baptist churches practical Impossibility; doms of the world? Then Protestants An inane, inappropriate, incon­ THE END BEFORE since. They have furnished the are the "Harlots" for the same ceivable Incubus; (Continued from page one) martyrs. reason. Has one perverted the 24. The first church did not perse­ An indefinite, injudicious, inscrut­ ordinances? So have the others. Does "And we know that all things work able Insanity; cute. Baptist churches never have one sprinkle babies for salvation and together for good to them that love An injurious, intolerant, indictable and never would. regeneration? So do the others? Has God, to them who are the called ac­ Infliction; 25. Christ and the apostles had the one persecuted the saints? So have cording to his purpose. For whom he An indistinct indescribable, in­ baptism of John, which all others the others. Does one say you need did foreknow, he also did predes­ trusive Incantation; have repudiated. Hence no others not follow original authority and tinate to be conformed to the image An invidious, invalid, invisible In­ could receive them into membership direction? So say the others. Then of his Son, that he might be the first­ vention; if they should apply. coming on down to the later and born among many brethren. More­ An intrusive, intrepid, entrenched smaller sects, such as Campbellism, over whom he did predestinate, them 26. Such churches were to con­ Intrigue. tinue to the end of the age. No Mormonism, Russellism, Eddyism, he also called: and whom he called, Spreading out into Shallowness, others have. As sure as the race has Universalism, Unitarianism, plus them he also justified: and whom he Enlarging into Littleness, and continued from Adam; and as sure hundreds more, too nauseating, as justified, them he also glorified." Increasing into Nothingness. as the Jews have continued from Billy Sunday says, to even think Notice that God had a distinct pur­ Such a church is as far from the Abraham; and the beasts and birds about, and put all of these together, pose for those He called. The pur­ church of Christ as the Devil, and the and harvests have all continued from and you have but a faint conception pose is that they will be conformed Catholics and the Protestants, can the beginnings; and as bees have con­ of the abomination of "Christian­ to the image of His Son. This tells us get it. Think of a Greek or Roman tinued to m ultiply and swarm as at ity " (?). Think of such a mess as this that all He ever saves will eventually Catholic church! Calling white black the first, and as all things have con­ being also the Church of Christ! be like Jesus. The process He uses to or black white is no greater contra­ (Continued on page six) tinued from the first, so if you Could He be more cruelly crucified? diction. accept all these continuities and de­ mand proof of the continuity of There is to be a general assembly Christ's churches, I give His al­ or church of the first-born ones, mighty fiat, that the gates of Hades, after they are gathered together, that should prevail against all other with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, things, should not prevail against His with all the elect, at the Coming of church; and if more proof is de­ Christ (Heb. 12:22-23). What a manded see my book. My Church, gathering that will be! That is the and forty others, giving testimony Antitype. But now, as a Sunday From Catholics and Protestants. School is the Sunday School, and a 27. The first church was called jury is the jury, and a human body ’'The Church of God." So every Bap­ is the human body, and a saloon is tist church is "The church of God," the saloon; so sure is a church the as much so as every human body is church. The Antisaloon League is the human body, and every Sunday not fighting a universal, invisible School is the Sunday School, and saloon, but those doing business for svery jury is the jury. The Baptist the Devil on the corners of your church at Corinth was the church of streets. The church or churches of Sod, not a part of it, but all of it, Christ may be on back streets, where and none of it elsewhere. So with property is cheap and where we can P F Iut o f th e nigh t th at covers m e, avery Baptist church. retire for worship. Yet it is the only kaiB lack a? the pit from pole to pole, | thank w hatever god? m ay be 1 1 name me i Know tone 28. The first church was not a kind of a church Christ has. The lion Sectional or Denominational church. is a ferocious beast, but all lions are fo r m y unconquerable sou l. for'C h rijt tne conqueror of nuj?oul| For there were none such for cen­ not one great, ferocious beast. The |n th e fell clutch of circum stance ince fti? th e?w ay of circum stance turies after. danger is in the real beast, and not in 1 have not w inced,nor cried ab u d . w ould not w ince nor cru aloud, J 29. Baptist churches, like the first, the unreal buster. My only mother 0nd er the bludgeoning of ch in ce [finder that rule w hich m en am chance lived at home and not at Rome. are composed of voluntary members, M jj head i? bloody,but unbow ed. h ead w ith joy i? hum bly bow ed| lo t conscripts as baby members are. What is your universal, invisible bride They are all brethren, equal in compared to the one that stood at B eyond thi? place of w rath and tear? londthi? p lace of sin an d tear?- authority, and owing all allegiance my side? What is your universal in­ loom ? but the horror ofthejhade; it life w ith flim ! an d H i? the a id , and loyalty to the body of which visible wife, compared to the one ^ n d yet the m enace of the year? tf,Spite th e m enace of th e yeat?, they are members, like the members that blessed my life. Religious sense find?,and^hallfind,m e unafraid. [eep?,and?hall keep,m e unafraid. >f a human body. See I Cor. 12:13. should not be all nonsense. It m atter? not how strait th e date, ave no fear th ough?trait the gate: The field of all members is the Indulge me once more. Perhaps flo w charged w ith punishm ent tnejcroll, cleared from punishmi i ? h ment e n t the^croll. ' i * :hurch, and all service must be ren- ninety-nine out of one hundred use I am th e m aster of n.y fate; C h rist i?. th e ife te r of m u kite;

Jered to the church of which they Christianity and the Church as sy­ J am the captain of m u?oul. C hri?t is the C aptain ofm y sou l. are members. nonymous and identical. The devil ’ In vktu i by Wm.flcnley "M y C aptain" by D orothea D ay 30. Baptist churohes, like the first, must be author of this, and that -.^jr.'Kccgga'xsccca 8eacr.

in the book, nor would ever have any that the book would not be possible born. Quote beginning verse 11: THE END BEFORE part in it, nor have they any without the lamb slain, and the lamb "For the children being not yet association with the Lamb, then nor slain would not be necessary without born, neither having done any good (Continued from page five) accomplish this is through fore­ ever. (There is a general misunder­ the book. or evil, that the purpose of God ac­ knowledge, predestination, calling, standing among some preachers, PREDESTINATION cording to election might stand, not justification and glorification. teachers, and church members that Romans, Chapter 8, previously of works, but of him that calleth; It Upon these five distinct attributes God writes the names in the book of quoted, stated that "For whom he was said unto her. The elder shall of Himself, this article is based. life when one is born of the Spirit) did foreknow, he also did predes­ serve the younger. As it is written, Scriptures within the context of each This type of thinking is inconsistent tinate to be conformed to the image Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I subject involved will be strictly ob­ with foreknowledge and has not one of his Son, that he might be the first­ hated. What shall we say then? Is served. May it be remembered that word of biblical backing. These born among many brethren." Predes­ there unrighteousness with God? II Corinthians, Chapter 4, Verse 18 verses are talking about what God tination, therefore, is second in God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I states: "While we look not at the knew before He created the world divine order of God's decree to con­ will have mercy on whom I will have things which are seen, but at the and not anything dependent upon form His chosen people to the image mercy, and I will have compassion things which are not seen: for the some future act. Such thinking is, in of Jesus Christ. Predestination on whom I will have compassion. So things which are seen are temporal; effect, denying foreknowledge of declares that God, in consequence of then it is not of him that willeth, nor but the things which are not seen are God and implying He did not at that His foreknowledge of all events, in­ of him that runneth, but of God that eternal." Consistent with this verse, time know all He was going to save. fallibly directs the means by which sheweth mercy." all of these attributes are both Absurd indeed! all who are written in the book of These verses readily mold into this eternal and invisible substance of Notice the short sentence in Chap­ life are guided to that decree. This article under the heading of "Predes­ divine conception, before and after ter 13, Verse 9: " I f any man have an decree is embraced by the linkage of tination" as certainly this account, as being activated in the lives of ear, let him hear." The fact that all the slain lamb at the same time the said in it, is purposed of God accord­ individuals. normal people have ears certainly names were written in the book of ing to election. Elective purposes of At this point it is worthy of notice points but that God is speaking life. God are predestined to occur. Most that the five powers of Divine con­ of a special ear for hearing spiritual Incorporated in God's fore­ significant in these verses is the state­ ception are recorded in the past truths. God is telling of divine knowledge and predestination was ment that God had a love for one tense. Notice: "He did foreknow;" decrees of His sovereignty which the creation of Adam and Eve. By child before it was born, and hatred "He did predestinate;" "He also are secret and unintelligible to the Scriptures we are cognizant of for the other, even though they were justified;" "He also glorified." A ll human ears. In fact He said here " if Adam's disobedience to God's com­ twins. Neither had done anything are specified as already having been any man have an ear" - one ear -not mand and Adam's sin. When he wrong nor anything good. The love and hatred for them was while they done. Even before any man had ever two. Of certainty, this is an ear given sinned he lost his state of created were in the mother's womb. This is been created or born, God decreed by Him only to His foreordained perfection and became a victim of indeed an insoluble problem for that each one of these acts of divine people. death, both physical and eternal, as those who wrest in the Scriptures powers were already accomplished. Standing out boldly in verse 8, God had warned him previously. apart from the spiritual ear to hear. In the minds of natural thinging, this Rev. 17, quoted previously, is the Adam fathered no children before he There are those who deny that God is an utter impossibility. But Ro­ word "wonder." Those whose names sinned but afterward he became the is sovereign, and who claim that mans, Chapter 11, Verse 33 states: are not written in the book of life father of the entire human race. So God's will is subject to man's "O the depth of the riches both of will wonder at the super-human per­ all have sinned as affirmed by the decision. Such shallow people try to the wisdom and knowledge of God! formances of the Antichrist. They Scriptures. All inherited sin from explain these verses by saying that how unsearchable are his judgments, will be easily led to worship him be­ Adam, and their death penalty must God loved both of the children, but and his ways past finding out!" We cause they are unaware of the Scrip­ be paid. tures which tell of him, and do not When God wrote the names in the that He loved Esau less. This is an do not have to know how to solve erroneous effort to explain away this mystery in our finite minds, but know his true identity. They will be book of life, He foreknew all of this God's Word and perhaps try to twist just need to believe it because God convinced that he is the true Christ. and predestinated forgiveness of the it to comply with their own said it. God's decrees, although not Since they are not in God's fore­ sins for these people when, in the theology. God said He hated Esau experienced by man until they come ordained book of life, they will have future, they would be born and in­ and He surely did. A much better to pass, are so infinite and absolute no restraint in worshipping him. He herit sin from Adam. At the same mystery is why was there any hate or that they are declared by Him to is their true leader (Satan incarnate) time He wrote their names in this have been accomplished at the very and they will perish with him in the book. He killed a lamb, whether love either before they were born.' time He spoke the decrees. lake of fire. figurative or literal, from whom the Genesis 25:22 records this account This is to be thoroughly accepted These Scriptures given here from blood had fulfillment in Jesus Christ when it actually happened, and said: and remembered throughout this the book of Revelation in the Bible when He shed His blood at Calvary "And the children struggled article as it is taken from statements introduce the work of God before for the sins of these same people vyithin her; and she said. If it be so, of unquestionable surety of a saving He laid the foundations of the earth. whose names He wrote in the book why am I thus? And she went to and eternal God. When we examine the word "fore­ of life. Jesus shed no blood for any­ enquire of the LORD." These Here are the five eternal powers as knowledge" we become aware that one whose names were not inscribed children were wrestling within the they are recorded in perfect nothing, not one single thing per­ in this book. The lamb slain at that womb. There must be a good reason sequence: taining to the earth, whether animate time was only for those in the book why unborn twins were trying to 1. Foreknowledge or inanimate, seen or unseen, of life. overcome each other. They were 2. Predestination thoughts or thoughts not yet, en­ This should put to silence those actually fighting to be the firstborn, 3. Calling tered the mind, or whatever might be who claim that Christ died and shed and to be heirs of the greater right 4. Justification humanly possible or impossible, and His blood for every person. If He had given to the firstborn during that 5. Glorification much more are thoroughly known shed His blood for all, then all would period of time. Surely the children FOREKNOWLEDGE by Him before any are brought into be saved. But the abode of the within the womb did not know this. "And all that dwell upon the earth being. unsaved is now resounding with And was it ever known before or shall worship him, whose names are The verses apply both to the earth screams who realized, after death, since that children fought within the not written in the book of life of the now and before He created the earth. that Christ's blood was not shed in womb of the mother? Certainly not. Lamb slain from the foundation of The book referred to in these verses vain for them. So what was the reason? It was, as the world. If any man have an ear, is a book of life containing the Some will say if this is true then God said in the above quotation, let him hear" (Rev. 13:8-9). names of every individual to whom God is not a just God. Others will "That the purpose of God according "The beast that thou sawest was, He will grant eternal life after He find fault with God by saying this is to election might stand." The reason and is not; and shall ascend out of creates the earth upon which these the most unfair thing I ever heard of. is simple when viewed within the the bottomless pit, and go into per­ will dwell. Of extreme importance is Romans, Chapter 9, gives a reply to context of the subject. The context dition: and they that dwell on the to notice and absorb fully that the such statements as these much better is "God's purpose in election." This earth shall wonder, whose names book is called "the book of life of than I. This chapter is devoted to points directly to the book of life, were not written in the book of life the Lamb slain before the foun­ God's sovereignty and His creative when He elected those whose names from the foundation of the world, dation of the world." There is a slain will and purposes. Several verses will He wrote in it. Jacob was inscribed when they behold the beast that was, lamb so closely related to the book be used because they silence those there but Esau was not, surely must and is not, and yet is"(Rev. 17:8). that it is incorporated in its title. who reject the truths revealed in this be the answer. Because of Jacob's Those names who were not written There is an inseparable and all article. Verses 10 through 16 record name being there, he was due the in this book of life did not have, ac­ important link between the book the account of Rebecca, Isaac's wife, birthright, so the struggle for the cording to God's infinite knowledge and the slain lamb. There is such a when she gave birth to twins, Esau firstborn went on in the womb. This before He wrote the names, any part close relationship between the two and Jacob, and before they were (Continued on page seven) November 15, 1985 THE BEREA BAPTIST BANNER Page 7

the seed, for within Adam was the fore, raised a perfect Man up Who was necessary to consult another THE END BEFORE seed of all people, both those to be was born of man but Who did not true church and pastor. They did not (Continued from page six) saved and those not to be saved: ves­ have man's blood from Adam in believe that an unbaptized person se ls of honor and vessels of dishonor. could baptize. Hence proper church accounts for God loving Jacob Him. God did this by implanting the God made both as He said in these before he was born, even as far back seed of life in the womb of a virgin. authority being exercised through its verses. He made one mold, vessels of as before the foundation of the This seed of life was from God Him-, pastor was vital to them. Others of dishonor, those He did not write in world, when he loved him, and fore­ self and did not come from man; that day rejected this idea, and they ordained him, and placed his name in the book of life, and another mold, therefore, not related by blood to contended that a proper admin­ the book of life right with all the vessels of honor, whose names He Adam. The book of Leviticus, Chap­ istrator was not necessary to a scrip­ wrote in the book of life. He clearly tural church. others of God's elect. It is just as ter 17, Verse 14 states: . .the life God said in these verses, I repeat: states here that these vessels of dis­ of the flesh is the blood thereof. . This movement started when a "That the purpose of God according honor were vessels (human beings) The blood generated in a fetus number of people came to see im­ to election might stand." This is the fitted or made for destruction, that originates from the male sperm. So mersion as the scriptural mode of baptism. They decided to practice complete and exclusive answer. In He might show His wrath in them in Christ there was both, perfect immersion according to their light. verification or sanction of this he (God's wrath reaches His peak of blood without sin and a perfect man, The great objection was the want of continues on and said: "I will have fury in the lake of fire). This is the both of which are required by God an administrator. This problem was compassion on whom I will have destruction, the lake of fire, for to pay the eternal death penalty for removed by sending certain mes­ compassion. So then it is not of him which these vessels (people) were God's foreordained people. sengers to Holland to receive proper that willeth, (human will). . .but of made to show God's wrath in them. As prepared by God, and as was baptism from the Dutch Anabaptists, God that sheweth mercy." These This was His purpose for making foreordained before the foundation who descended from the ancient verses should clarify at least two them. Now, He said not to question of the world when He wrote those Waldenses in France and Germany. points of confusion today: One, God this, as He had the power to make names in the book of life and slew They felt this was necessary that overrules the will of man and man's what He wanted, and for whatever the lamb, this perfect man, God in they might become proper adminis­ efforts; and two, God does not love purpose He wanted to make. the flesh, the lamb of God, gave His trators of baptism to others. everybody. He loves only His elect. This record which God made for us life upon the cross and shed His Most of what we know about this Even while some are yet sinners, is a source of controversy among blood for, and in payment of the sins still loves them but He does not love many people. In fact, a great of each individual written in this is related by Thomas Crosby, of the non-elect as Esau was. Who they majority emphatically deny that God book. Not one person whose name Southwark, London. He was married all are, we do not know, but what we created anyone to go to Hell. That is was not in this book did Christ die to the daughter of the celebrated do know is it is not true to say that precisely what these verses said He and shed His blood for their sins. No Benjamin Keach, and he was a dea­ God loves everybody, or that man did. He said He did it through the not one, contrary to the belief of the con in the church pastored by Elder does according to his own will when forming of .them through clay. He great majority of people today. They John Gill. Mr. Stintion, the brother- it is opposed to God's will. Man's molded them for destruction. He are vessels of dishonor, made for in-law of Crosby, and the prede­ will is contingent upon God's will. chose to show His wrath in them. He destruction. cessor of Elder Gill, had collected formed them to make His power m aterial for a work on Baptist his­ These verses continue on in As it is in the natural, by birth man known in them. It says here that this tory, which was never published. Romans, Chapter 9, Verses 17-23: came into the natural world, so also was God's will. God well knew that Crosby, using this material, wrote a "For the scripture saith unto Pha­ by a new birth he becomes a spiritual man would rebel against this fact, so four volume history of the Baptists raoh, Even for this same purpose member of the spiritual world. I Cor­ He said: "Who art thou that repliest in 1738, 1739, and 1740. have I raised thee up, that I might inthians, Chapter 15, Verse 49 against God?" We have no right to shew my power in thee, and that my states: "And as we have borne the Crosby tells us the story in the fol­ even question this. God said He had name might be declared throughout image of the earthy, we shall also lowing words: "This relates, that the power (right) over the clay to all the earth. Therefore hath he bear the image of the heavenly." In several sober and pious persons be­ make whatever He wanted to make, mercy on whom he will have mercy, the earthy body, all committed sin. longing to the congregations of the and so He did make some and Now to become a recipient of the dissenters about London, were con­ and whom he will he hardeneth. fashioned them for demonstration of Thou wilt say then unto me. Why spiritual body and be freed from the vinced that believers were the only His power, and then will cast them penalty of those sins, all who are pre­ proper subjects of baptism, and that doth he yet find fault? For who hath into the lake of fire to show His resisted his will? Nay but, O man, destined to eternal life must be born it ought to be administered by im­ wrath. God chose to show both His who art thou that repliest against again, born of the Spirit of God. mersion, or dipping the whole body wrath and the riches of His glory in God? Shall the thing formed say to Only by the new spiritual birth can into water, in resemblance of a burial human beings, so He made both out him that formed it. Why hast thou one receive the benefits provided by and resurrection, according to Col. of clay. These He made to show the made me thus? Hath not the potter Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of 2:12 and Rom. 6:4. That they often riches of His glory are called vessels power over the clay; of the same sin, and be reestablished to that state met together to pray and confer of honor and vessels of mercy. They lump to make one vessel unto He had before he lost that state about this matter, and consult what are those upon whom He would have honour, and another unto dis­ when he inherited the sin from methods they should take to enjoy mercy. These, He said, He afore pre­ honour? What if God, willing to Adam. this ordinance in its primitive purity: pared unto glory. In our past study shew his wrath, and to make his (Continued in December issue) That they could not be satisfied and throughout it, it is repeatedly power known, endured with much about any administrator in England mentioned the time He afore pre­ longsuffering the vessels of wrath fit­ n*n*n*n*n*n*n* to begin this practice; because pared these to glory was when He ted to destruction: And that he though some in this nation rejected wrote their names in the book of might make known the riches of his IN SEARCH the baptism of infants, yet they had life. They will eventually have their glory on the vessels of mercy, which not, as they knew of, revived the eternal abode in glory. So God ac­ (Continued from page one) he had afore prepared unto glory." ancient custom of immersion: But complished His purpose in showing modern English. However, I am (God predestined Pharaoh and hearing of some in the Netherlands His wrath and His glory in two taking the quotes in the main from brought him in the world for a dis­ who practiced it, they agreed to send groups of individuals He made for original sources. over one Richard Blount, who under­ tinct purpose. Also, God extends each of His purposes. mercy and/or withholds mercy and THE CONTROVERSY stood the Dutch language: That he hardens the hearts of whomsoever Later, when all of God's human AMONG THEM went accordinly, carrying letters of He will.) creation fell in Adam and became In the 1600s the Particular Baptists recommendation with him, and was These verses more nearly clarify sinners, and subject to death, both were divided upon the subject of the kindly received both by the church God's explanation of His purpose in physical and spiritual, it was administrator of baptism, somewhat there, and Mr. John Batte their election and predestination than any expedient for God to bring those He like modern Baptists are. As to some teacher: That upon his return, he other Scriptures in the Bible. First, it promised eternal life out of that of the old Particular Baptist churches baptized Mr. Samuel Blacklock, a is pointed out that no man has a state of eternal death and reestablish such as the one in the Hop Garden minister, and these two baptized the right to question why God did what eternal life to them according to His and others we know but little as to rest of their company, whose names He did. He uses the potter and the promise. He did this through His their views on the administrator of are in the manuscript, to the number clay to show what He did. He is the Son, Jesus Christ. church baptism. The same is true of of fifty-three. potter, we (human beings) are the In order for Jesus to be a complete the Welsh Baptists. Most of what we "So that those who followed this clay (and truly that is what we are and perfect Savior, He had to be know of these early times comes scheme did not derive their baptism made from). We are all made from both God in the flesh and a man, a from the Particular Baptist churches from the aforesaid Mr. Smith, or his the same lump, the lump from which perfect man. The natural man with in and around London. congregation at Amsterdam, it being Adam was made. Every person who Adam's sinful blood could not pay There were some who believed that an ancient congregation of foreign would ever live upon the earth was the sin debt as demanded of God, as in order to begin a church according Baptists in the Low Countries to created m Adam. From Adam came sin ctfnnot pay for sin. God, there­ to the New Testament pattern that it « - / . . (Continued on page eight) j *t;'» *_-V #♦»*/• t • I * •*. *- 4* t * Page 8 THE BEREA BAPTIST BANNER November 15, 1985

and cast out members, elect and or­ 1644 was put forth by seven Partic­ are to be aministered by those only, IN SEARCH dain officers, and administer the ular Baptist churches. Article XLI who are qualified and thereunto says concerning baptism: "The per­ called according to the commission (Continued from page seven) supper; and ail anew, without any whom they sent. looking after succession, and further sons designed by Christ, to dispense of Christ." 9 The Baptist Orthodox "But the greatest number of the ■ than the Scriptures: But as for bap­ this ordinance, the Scriptures hold Creed of 1678 says almost the same English Baptists, and the more tism, they must have that succes­ forth to be a preaching disciple, it as this in Article XVII. These judicious, looked upon all this as sively from the apostles, though it being no where tied to a particular brethren all kept to the old landmark needless trouble, and what pro­ come through the hands of Pope church, officer, or person extra­ as did their fathers. ceeded from the old Popish doctrine Joan. What is the cause of this, that ordinarily sent, the commission en­ MINISTERS AND WRITERS of right to administer sacraments by men do all from the Word only bap­ joining the administration, being Benjamin Keach (1640-1704) held an uninterrupted succession, which tism." 3 given to them under no other con­ to the old landmark of the church neither the Church of Rome, nor the As we might expect, Henry Jessey sideration, but as considered using its minister to baptize for it. In Church of England, much less the of London, pastor of the Indepen­ disciples. "6 1695 he answered a Pedobaptist, modern dissenters, could prove to be dent Church in Southwark, founded While the statement generally William Burkit, Rector of Mildin in with them. They affirmed therefore, in 1616, also opposed what Blount seems to teach that a preaching Suffolk, in a book. Burkit had set and practiced accordingly, that after and his friends did. He wrote of disciple be the administrator, other forth five essentials to baptism, con­ a general corruption of baptism, an Blount: "Say not in thine heart, Who statements seem to weaken this idea. cerning which Bro. Keach had no unbaptized person might war- shall go into Heaven, or to sea, or be­ So later editions have "being men argument. Burkit's essentials were: rantably baptize, and so begin a yond the sea for it? but the Word if able to preach the gospel." "1. The person ought to be a law­ reformation." 7 nigh thee (Rom. 10). So we need not The enemies of the Baptists ridi­ ful minister, authorized and com­ Bro. Crosby almost literally quotes go for administrators to other culed them for not making clear missioned by Christ, and the gov­ the Kiffin Manuscript here of 1640. countries, nor stay (wait) for them; their views on the administrator of ernors of His church. This story of Richard Blount going but look to the Word." 4 baptism in the 1644 confession. "2. The party baptized, you say, to Holland is conceded to be true by I do not know if Richard Blount Henserd Knollys (1558-1691) must be a subject qualified for bap­ Ivimey, Evans, Newman, Jarrel, Or­ was a minister of the gospel or not. I answered them thusly: "We do not tism. chard, Gould, Ray, Graves, and only know that he and some others affirm, that every common disciple "3. That the element made use of others. It is questioned by Christian, felt that there was a need for a may baptize, there was some mistake must be water. Armitage, Cathcart, Burrage, and proper administrator in baptism, a in laying down our opinion, page 14. "4. It ought to be done before others. But this account is confirmed sentiment that I share with them. We Where it is conceived, that we hold, credible witness. by Robert Barclay, a Quaker, in his do know that Blount was baptized whatsoever disciple can teach the "5. Lastly, baptism ought to be Inner Life O f The Religious Societies by the minister of the Dutch Ana­ Word, make out Christ may bap­ administered in the name of the O f The Commonwealth (p. 75) and baptist church, and that when he re­ tize, and* administer other ordi­ Father, and of the Son, and of the also by Neal's History O f The turned to England he baptized nances. We do not so, for though Holy Ghost." Concerning these facts Puritans (Vol. Ill, p. 133). Per­ Samuel Blacklock, a minister. Then believing women being baptized are Bro. Keach says: "I grant all you say sonally, I feel the Kiffin Manuscript the two of them baptized fifty-three disciples, Acts 9:36, and can make here. . . " 1 0 is authentic, based upon my investi­ others. It would seem that Blount out Christ; yea and some of them Elias Keach, son of Benjamin gation of the matter. and his party held to the regular bap­ (by their experimental knowledge Keach, said so very well on this sub­ According to the Jessey's Church tism and administrator belief. I can and spiritual understanding of the ject: "A church thus constituted Records, Richard Blount was among identify with these people, but I way, Word, and faith of the gospel) ought forthwith to choose them a those who were dismissed from the have a hard time identifying with may be able to instruct their pastor, elder, or elders, and deacons, Independent Church at Southwark Spilsbury or Jessey on church truth. teachers. Acts 18:26, Rom. 16:3, yet (we reading of no other officers, One dear brother has cited a quote we do not hold, that a woman may to form a new church in 1633. 2 His offices abiding in the church) and name is spelled differently in some from W. A. Jarrel about Spilsbury to preach, baptize, nor administer other what kind of men they ought to be, sources (Blunt, etc.). This new prove that he believed that any male ordinances. Nor do we judge it meet and how qualified, is laid down by church became the Baptist Church at member could baptize. But in fact it for any brother to baptize, or to Paul and Timothy, and to Titus. Old Gravel Lane, Wapping (a suburb proves the reverse. Jarrel, abridging administer other ordinances; unless Moreover, they are to take special of London). John Spilsbury shortly information from Orchard, wrote: he have received such gifts of the care, that both bishops, overseers, after its formation became its pastor. ". . .that Spilsbury was pastor during Spirit, as fits, or enables him to or elders, as well as deacons, have In 1638 William Kiffin joined this only the infancy of the church, is un­ preach the gospel. And those gifts some competent manner all those church. necessary since Blacklock having being first tried by and known to the qualifications; and after in a day of Spilsbury did not concur with been baptized by Blount and then church, such a brother is chosen, and solemn prayer and laying on of baptizing the others do not what Blount and the others had appointed thereunto by the suffage hands of the eldership: being proved, done. He did not believe that he was necessarily imply Spilsbury was not of the church." 7 Knollys was one of and found meet and fit persons for under obligation to send anywhere pastor at that time. As now, owing the signers of this confession. He so sacred an office: Therefore such for baptism. He felt he had the right to sickness or other causes, pastors stood by the old landmark that a are very disorderly churches who to baptize like John the Baptist did. have others baptize for them, so church should baptize through its have no pastor or pastors ordained, He wrote: "Yet a word by the way, Blacklock may have baptized for ordained elders as did the other they acting not according to the rule because of such an error that some Spilsbury, after baptizing him." 5 signers of this confession. of the gospel, having something Our brother in his brief quote from The Second London Confession of make, and how far off from any rule wanting. " 1 1 or example, for a man to baptize Jarrel neglected to tell his readers 1677 of the Particular Baptists says He goes on to lay down the things others and himself unbaptized, and who Samuel Blacklock was. Ac­ in Chapter XXVI, Article 8: "A par­ vital for a gospel church: "3.. That so thinking hereby to shut up the cording to Crosby, he was "a min­ ticular church gathered, and com­ they have an orderly ministry and ordinance of God in such a strait, ister." So what we have here is not pletely organized, according to the one ordained elder, at least, to ad­ the case of a male member baptizing mind of Christ, consists of officers, that none can come by it, but minister all public ordinances."i 2 If through the authority of the pope­ for the church as the brother implies, and members; And the officers ap­ some had lived in Bro. Keach'sday I dom of Rome. But for the opening but of another elder baptizing for a pointed by Christ to be chosen and am sure that they would have of this cloud that seems so to darken sick elder. These men were practicing set apart by the church (so called charged him with "preacher the sky, let the reader consider who what I contend for. and gathered) for the peculiar admin­ authority in baptism." baptized John the Baptist, before he I cannot spend any more time on istration of ordinances, and exe­ In this same book there is a query: baptized others, and if no man did, how the church at Wapping stood on cution of power, or duty, which he "May a church call out a teacher that then whether he did not baptize this question. There were many Par­ entrusts them with, or calls them to, is not an ordained elder to admin­ others, he himself being unbaptized, ticular Baptists before the time of to be continued to the end of the ister all ordinances to them? Answer: and if he was baptized, whether it this church and many more after her. world, are bishops or elders and dea- You may as well ask, May a church were not by an unbaptized person: How did the greater body of Par­ cons."8 Chapter XXVI, Article 8, act disorderly? Why were ministers and all scriptures being written for ticular Baptists stand on the admin­ of the Philadelphia Confession of ordained, if others unordained might our learning, and this being one, we istrator of church baptism? Did they 1742 has this same information. warrantably do all their work? if are taught by this what to do upon lim it its administration to male mem­ Chapter XV II, Articles 1-2 declare: therefore they have no person fitly the like occasion. . . . bers of the church, or to ministers "Baptism and the Lord's Supper are qualified for that office, they must "And to conclude, I fear men put in the church? I shall allow them to ordinances of positive, and sovereign look out from abroad for one that more than is of right due it, and so speak for themselves. institution; appointed by the Lord is. . . " 1 3 I stand with this brother for prefer it above the church, and other BAPTIST CONFESSIONS Jesus the only Law-giver, to be con­ he stood by the old landmark. Where ordinances besides; for they can OF FAITH tinued in His church to the end of were the Baptists in that day that ja$su,roe and erect a'church, take- in, • TheLondon BaptisVCprvfession of the world. These ho|y appolnttnerits ' \J / ,\\(Cqntinjupd ot p^ge nine) ' -4* *1 ■ i ■/ 4» v ' » » i w \ ' . ■ 4 4 « November 15, 1985 THE BEREA BAPTIST BANNER Page 9

"Answer: We judge that it is not IN SEARCH warrantable. But in case of necessity either by the absence of the gifted (Continued from page eight) brother or brethren or such sickness held to “ male authority" in baptism of body as does disable (him to) per­ and denied that a church should bap­ form that service the fchurch may call tize through its ordained elder? Will for help from the next adjacent you point out one to me please? church that may be furnished to Thomas Grantham, writing of supply them. Also we judge it the ministers in the churches, said: "For duty of that gifted brother or this office is as firm ly settled in the brethren to perform the part of the church, as any other, and therefore ministry as in Matt. 28:19. And that the abrogation of this is in effect to their gifts being not for themselves abolish them all. See I Cor. 12. but for Christ in His church, Eph. 4: Ephes. 4, The promise of Christ, I lf . , their own unfreeness may not Matt. 28:2p pertains to them to the obstruct their performance of this ends of the world, as well as to any duty but the church may and ought part of the church: And that com­ to put them to it."i 7 mission, to teach all nations, must Please consider this statement of have a ministry authorized by it, their faith. It is what many Baptists while the nations are to be taught, or have believed across the centuries. the gospel to be preached to every They deeded an ordained minister creature; at least the commission is vital to Bible baptism. If a church of virtue to empower such a ministry was without one, then they should to teach all nations, as well as to bap­ secure one from a sister church. The tize converts. . . " 1 4 Particular Baptists of that day saw Thomas Collier wrote these words: no abuse of church authority in this. "And officers when thus chosen, and Rather, they looked upon it as very set apart to the office and work, are consistent with church authority in to administer all ordinances in the baptism. If some modern brethren authority of Christ, yet so as to have had lived in that day they would the church with them in the work; have upbraided these churches for and the church is to encourage them, "dual authority in baptism" and and be subject to their adminis­ would have said that they "denied tration in the name of the Lord, church authority in baptism." while they abuse not their authority; Fortunately for the churches of that and yet they are to be accountable day, such individuals had not yet ap­ to the church. . . " 1 5 This brother peared on the scene to divide and was walking in the old landmark. I hurt the Baptist cause. can only say a hearty "Amen" to Elder William Britten of North­ THE SHAPE W E’RE IN what he has said. Brethren, walk in amptonshire sets forth his views on new found paths if you please, but I the old landmark by constrasting a intend to keep to the old paths "false minister" with a "true min­ "There's nothing the matter with me. wherein is the good way that our ister" in their respective churches. I'm just as healthy as I can be. fathers walked in the centuries past. Of the true minister he declared: *e€ I have arthritis in both my knees, In the association records of the "Their baptism and breaking of And when I talk, I talk with a wheeze; Particular Baptists of the West bread show a full warrant for the My pulse is weak and my blood is thin, Country in 1655 I find this query: same by Scripture, & c. those they But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in. "Whether a church of Christ, having love and cherish which follow the no officers elected among them, same rule, Gal. 6:10, Phil. 3:20, I think my liver is out of whack. may, notwithstanding, appoint mem­ Acts 4:20."1 8 From these words it And a terrible pain is in my back; bers for the administration of any or appears that Britten regarded bap­ My hearin's poor, my sight is dim, all of the ordinances of Christ? And, tism as a ministerial act to be per­ Most everything seems to be out of trim, if so, what qualifications are required formed for the church. But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in. of such a member? Governor Henry D'Anvers wrote "Answer:. A church of Christ hav­ a book on baptism in 1674. He My doctor says my days are few, ing no officers settled among them wrote: "Secondly, as to the admin­ For every week there's something new, may, with the assistance of those istrators of baptism; they say, they The way I stagger is sure a crime, that have been instrumental in the find that other ministers of the I'm like to drop at any time; hand of God in their gathering, set church, besides the apostles, did bap­ I jump like mad at the drop of a pin. apart such brethren to the work of tize: which in after-ages came more But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in. the ministry as are in some good especially to be fixed upon bishops; measure, qualified and gifted though, in case of necessity, not only My teeth will eventually have to come out according to the scripture upon trial laymen, but women also, were ad­ And my diet I hate to think about. in order to further establishment, mitted to administer that ordi­ I'm overweight, but I can't get thin. I Tim. 3:10; 5:22. The qualifications nance. "1 9 Governor D'Anvers re­ My appetite's such that its bound to win— we judge to be according to Acts 6: garded baptism as both a ministerial But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in. 3, I Tim. 3, Tit. 1:6f. But, to appoint and church act, although in cases of a person for the administration of necessity he believed that both men Arch supports I have for my feet, ordinances in the church, not being and women could baptize. This case Or I wouldn't be able to go on the street; in order to office, we find not clear of necessity would have been when Sleep is denied me night after night. in scripture, yet we conclude it not no minister could be obtained in And every morning I am a sight; unlawful in all cases."i 6 these persecuting times. This was the My memory's failing, my head's in a spin. In the records of the Abingdon exception, not the general rule. But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in. Particular Baptist Association there In the 1600s Edward Drapes and a came this query: "Whether a church number of other gentlemen of learn­ My moral is, as this tale I unfold, of Christ may call forth a brother to ing left the Church of England to be­ That for me and you, who are growing old, administer the ordinance of baptism come Baptists. Bro. Drapes wrote a It's better to say: 'I'm fine' — with a grin— that is not in some measure gifted to most excellent book on baptism and Than to let others know the shape we're in!' preach the gospel, they having a other subjects. In this book he says: brother or brethren gifted to preach " I f you call to mind what I have al­ but unfree or by reason of some dis­ ready declared^ concerning the min- temper of body disable to baptize? (Continued on page twelve) ------■ Page 10 THE BEREA BAPTIST BANNER November 15, 1985

Paul uses the espousal and pros­ pective marriage as a motivating factor in the Corinthian Church's ®(je J tittm baptist gamier ^[orurn self-judgment and confession of their many failures and short Submit questions on any Bible topic comings. Could we not conclude from this The Berea Baptist Banner P. O. Box 552 South Point, Ohio 45680 verse and its context that the bride of Christ will be that of the Lord's Assuming one has been born again by the grace o f God, doeS the same individual get into the bride o f Christ by local churches exemplified in the grace? by works? Or some sort o f mixture? Does not faithful church membership make it by works (Rom. 11:6)? church at Corinth? If Christ is the pression, "and his wife hath made —Illinois head of each of his churches now, herself ready" (19:7b), may cause but there was also a remnant ac­ why not the groom of His bride yet JIMMIE B. DAVIS future? The churches of our Lord are 503 Benford Dr. some to hold the idea that we have a cording to the election of grace. All Fulton, MS 38843 part in making ourselves a member of the elect are saved or shall be at not perfect yet, being composed of of the bride. However, I believe that God's set time, but not all the saved mankind, yet perfection is in pros­ Pastor this speaks of the bride being are in one of the Lord's churches. pect. There will be a glorious (glori­ Sovereign Grace properly attired in the clean and The Lord adds the saved to His fied) church (assembly) "not having Baptist Church white fine linen as she enters into the church as it pleases Him. When Paul spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, Fulton, MS 38843 marriage with God's Son. The fine wrote to the Corinthian church, he but that it should be holy and with­ linen is said to be "the righteousness said, "But now hath God set the out blemish" (Eph. 5:27). It is no accident that this verse is in the "And if by grace, then it is no of saints." It is my firm conviction members every one of them in the that any righteous acts of the saints body, as it hath pleased him; and midst of a context of Scripture re­ more of works: otherwise grace is no lating to the marriage relationship. more grace. But if it be of works, comes about as a result of the God hath set some in the church, imputed righteousness of Jesus first apostles, secondarily prophets, We are not the bride by merit or then is it no more grace: otherwise our choice originally. The bride­ work is no more work." Christ. Because one is a member of thirdly teachers, after that miracles, the bride of Christ gives no more then gifts of healings, helps, govern­ groom sets His affection upon the In this verse Paul emphasizes the bride. The bride responds in love and fact that election is wholly of grace. place for boasting than being a mem­ ments, diversities of tongues (I Cor. happiness. We love Him because He And since election is by grace no hu­ ber of the family of God would. 12:18,28). The Lord saves and com­ first loved us. His is the first cause. man work can enter into it. There While I strongly believe and teach pletes the salvation of His people by E. D. STRICKLAND cannot be a mixture of grace and that God's children should live grace. By His grace He deals with us human works in our election unto godly, righteously, and soberly in as sons, by the means of chastise­ □inininininini salvation. Works would make void this present age (Titus 2:12), I am ment. By His grace. He adds us to any thought of election being the content to leave the choosing of the His kind of church. He has provided BOOKS BY J. HALL GRIME work of God; while on the other bride to Christ; being assured that these churches with corrective discip­ (No Discount) hand election by grace would render His choice of those whom God has line for unfaithful members. If the human works an intrusion upon added to and set in the church, as it Lord has added a person to a church, HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE pleases Himr has been made in Divine they will remain faithful by the TENNESSEE B A P T IS T S ...... $ 7.00 God's choice of a people unto sal­ CATECHISM OF vation. Works were not only wisdom. Truly, those who are means that God has provided. All members of His bride will be so by ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY . . .$ .85 unnecessary in the matter of elec­ that the Lord has provided for His HISTORY OF ALIEN tion, but would make salvation a free and sovereign grace. people is by grace. I am persuaded IM M E R S IO N ...... $ .75 joint-undertaking requiring two JIMMIE B. DAVIS that the Lord completes every work CLOSE COMMUNION AND things that will not mix; and are that He begins. BAPTISTS...... $ .60 poles apart-grace and works. HAROLD J. HARVEY WHY AM I, A BAPTIST?...... $ .50 HAROLD HARVEY BLOOD BEFORE WATER & There is much confusion as to how Rt. 1, Box 162 one becomes a member of the bride CHRIST BEFORE THE CHURCH . $ .50 Olmstead, KY 42265 RECOLLECTIONS OF A E. D. STRICKLAND of Christ. Some would have us LONG L IF E ...... $ 1.00 644 26 Ave. N. W. believe that salvation and church Pastor (This is a new book) membership are synonymous. Others Olmstead Birmingham, AL 35215 believe that every person who joins Baptist Church Olmstead, KY 42265 Member Berea Baptist Church Bookstore a church is in fact a true member in Sovereign Grace the sight of Christ. Too often we for­ P. O. Box 552 Baptist Church South Point, Ohio 45680 get that the Lord adds to His church. "Being confident of this very Birmingham, AL 35206 "Then they that gladly received his thing, that he which hath begun a word were baptized: and the same good work in you will perform it un­ THE TALKING BIBLE day there were added unto them til the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1: In seeking to analyze the questions on Cassette Tapes about three thousand souls" (Acts 6 ). and answer directly or indirectly, I 2:41). "Praising God, and having The eternal and sovereign God think of II Corinthians 11:2: "For I King James New Testament narrated favour with all the people. And the chose a people in the Lord Jesus am jealous over you with godly jeal­ by Alexander Scourby, word for word Lord added to the church daily such Christ. He provided Himself a sacri­ ousy; for I have espoused you to one narration. Packaged in beautiful buff fice by sending His only begotten husband, that I may present you as a colored, dust proof vinyl binder with as should be saved" (Acts 2:47). 12 tapes...... $ 21.00 "But now hath God set the members Son to die at Calvary. The death of chaste virgin to Christ." every one of them in the body, as it the Lord Jesus Christ served a two­ Note here "espoused rendered met­ King James Old Testament narrated by hath pleased him" (I Cor. 12:18). fold purpose. First, He died for the aphorically (pictorially) of the re­ Alexander Scourby, word for word lationship established between Christ narration. Packaged in 3 beautiful buff These verses, along with many sins of His people, Matthew said, colored, dust proof vinyl binders with others, should convince the most "And she shall bring forth a son and and the local church, through the 36 tapes...... $ 75.00 doubtful mind that God is sovereign thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he Apostle's instrumentality. The in the matter of adding members to shall save his people from their sins" thought may be that of fitting or Dramatized King James New Testa­ ment enhanced with music and sound the church and placing them in their (Matt. 1:21). Second, he died for His joining to one husband. . .expressing the Apostle's interest or desire in do­ effects. Each person reads a different respective places of service. The church, Paul said, "Husbands love part with good expression. Makes you Bible seems quite clear to me that your wives even as Christ also loved ing so" (Vine, Expository Dic­ feel like you are there watching it take being a member of the Lord's church the church, and gave himself for it" tionary, p. 41). place. Examples of sound effects are —the bride of Christ, is as much a (Eph. 5:25). He also said to the The espoused or engagement here storms, children, animals, etc. matter of His choice and grace as is elders of the church of Ephesus, "To is the then present experience of the Packaged in beautiful buff colored, our salvation. We do not have the feed the church of God, which he Corinthian Church. They were then dust proof vinyl binder. . . .$ 35.00 duty of selecting the bride of Christ. hath purchased with his own blood" espoused, but not actually married. Dramatized King James Old Testament I have always believed that it is the (Acts 20:28). The marriage of the bride (Corin­ (same as Dramatized New Testament prerogative of the Lord Jesus Christ It is evident in the Scriptures that thian Church) with the bridegroom above)...... $ 100.00 to choose His bride, and that the the Lord Jesus Christ died for His (Christ) would be climaxed in the people (elect) and for His church. future. Paul would hope that the —Order From Our— choice is made out of His pure, un­ BEREA BAPTIST CHURCH BOOKSTORE adulterated grace. In Revelation 19: There is an elect within the elect. It church would be chaste, i.e. modest P.O. Box 552 7-9 where the marriage of the Lamb was true of Israel in the Old Testa­ and pure from carnality. (See Vine— South Point, Ohio 45680-0552 is brought to our attention, the ex- ment for Israel was an elect nation, ibed., p. 183). November 15, 1985 THE BEREA BAPTIST BANNER Page 11

pastor or church refuses to practice such shenanigans or warns against them, they are accused of being ^aptist farmer ^orurn hyper-calvinist, against bringing poor little children to church or against Submit questions on any Bible topic busses. The preaching of God's Word is for The Berea Baptist Banner P. O. Box 552 South Point, Ohio 45680 the young and the old. The gospel is the power of God to every one that Should a church have a junior church? Should the young people be given something on their level while the older believes. It is interesting that some people listen to preaching in another part o f the building? —Ohio believe the Lord must have help. present when He taught. In Matthew God ordained the means for the sal­ E. D. STRICKLAND 14:19-21 where we have a record of vation of His people both young or 644 26 Ave. N .W . Jesus feeding the great multitude HAROLD HARVEY old. Paul said, "For the preaching of Birmingham, AL 35215 with five loaves and two fish, it is Rt. 1, Box 162 the cross is to them that perish said that those "that had eaten were Olmstead, KY 42265 foolishness; but unto us which are Member about five thousand men, beside saved it is the power of God" (I Cor. Sovereign Grace Pastor 1:18). women and children" (14:21). Olmstead Baptist Church HAROLD J. HARVEY Birmingham, AL 35206 Again, in Matthew 15:29-39, a Baptist Church record is given of our Lord feeding Olmstead, KY 42265 nininininM nini four thousand men, beside women MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY and children. These were said to have "Train up a child in the way he I believe this is the first instance I continued with Him three days (v. have heard the term "junior church". should go: and when he is old, he MARRIAGE, DIVORCE & 32). Jesus did not send the children Certainly, I have never heard of it in will not depart from it " (Proverbs REMARRIAGE - Jay E. Adams. . .$ 3.50 apart when the time for eating came, the Scriptures. Having not read of it 22:6). CHRISTIAN LIVING IN THE nor did He send them apart by them­ in the Bible, I have to be suspicious No! We begin to train our children HOME...... $ 2.95 selves when He preached or taught and hesitant to place approval on it. at birth. The first six years are some YOUR MARRIAGE HAS REAL the message of God. We, in exam­ POSSIBILITIES-Cyril J. & I have heard of "children's church" of the most important years of their ining the ministry of the apostles, Aldyth Barber...... $ 6.95 which is very common in language life. It is especially important to find absolutely no evidence that they YOU CAN HAVE A HAPPY and practice among Baptist churches. train them in the way of the Lord. ever separated children from adults They should learn to respect those MARRIAGE - Cyril J. & Aldyth The approval of its use is likely to be Barber...... $ 6.95 —sending the children off to another that are in authority. It is the desire justified on the same principle as place to be taught by one of their MALE AND FEMALE CREATED divided classes in Sunday School. I of every young child to follow their HE THEM - Ernest L. G re e n ...... $ 2.95 helpers. parents or grand-parents. Have you CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE & am not sure that one justifies the If a preacher cannot preach on a other. ever noticed a young child trying to DIVORCE - Leslie S. B. H y d e ____ $ 1.50 level so that both young and old can walk in the footprints of his father DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE If I were a pastor of a Baptist understand, the fault is with the church with a divided Sunday School or older brother? The family should (A Perspective for Counseling) - preacher and not the Word of God. work together as a unit, at home and J. R. M a rtin ...... _. $ 5.95 into age grade levels, I would not Sometimes preachers who want to DIVORCE, A CHRISTIAN grade the preaching services of the at church. The family should sit to ­ be looked upon as being learned and gether in the preaching service. We DILEMMA - Norma Martin & Zola church. While a nursery might be scholarly use high sounding theo­ have heard the saying "the family L e v itt...... $ 1.95 justified, I think both young people logical terms that cannot be under­ that prays together stays together." THE TOTAL WOMAN and adults should be in the one Marabel M o rg an ...... $ 3.50 stood by young or old. Those who Why shouldn't the family that prays preaching service. DIVORCE - John M urray...... $ 3.50 are older and advanced in study may together, worship together? I mention a cardinal reason for this WITHHOLD NOT CORRECTION grasp theological terms and defini­ Why does a church need a junior practice. The ordinances of baptism (Child Discipline) - Bruce A. Ray . .$ 3.45 tions more easily, but it has been my church? It would be interesting to and the observance of the Lord's INTENDED FOR PLEASURE - observation that the simple preach­ hear honest reasons for having a E. W heat...... $ 10.95 Supper were given to the local as­ ing of the Scriptures is most always junior church. I have heard some LOOKING FOR LOVE IN ALL sembly, singular. A divided church understood by young and old alike. THE WRONG PLACES-Joe White. $ 2.95 in services would not be in position pastors say that it was necessary to There are times when the very young have a junior church, because of the FOR EVERY CAUSE? (A Biblical to observe either ordinance. The chil­ might be taken apart for various Study of Divorce) - John Williams. .$ 3.25 dren or young people should not be bus children, the children disrupt the reasons, but I speak of those children preaching service, or the church AMISH COOKING (Over 800 absent or in another service when who have been trained to the point old-time recipes and hints from either ordinance is observed. auditorium is tod small. Is the Lord Amish country kitchens)...... $ 12.95 that they know what a worship Jesus Christ pleased with these E. D. STRICKLAND service means. It has also been my religious shenanigans? (Please add postage and handling) observation that many young people I have before me a church bulletin have a better understanding of the from a church in Ohio. It is hard to OHIO residents please add state taxes JIM M IE B. DAVIS Word of God than others who are tell whether they are going to have POSTAGE CHART 503 Benford Dr. much older. We cannot, nor should Sunday School or a rodeo. It was Fulton, MS 38843 we try to lim it the power of God's Up to $15 . . Add $1.50 f called "Round up Sunday", and they Word, by saying that children cannot were trying to round-up all the little $15 to $25. . . Add 10% Pastor understand and should be removed $25.01 to $50 . . Add 8% Sovereign Grace "Doggies" and get them to the to another part of the building. Over $50 . . . . . Add 6% Baptist Church Sunday School Coral. In the Sunday Canada .... If we have been saved for a long . Add 15% Fulton, MS 38843 School report, they announced the Foreign .... . Add 16% period of time, and have been winners of the baseball contest. The I assume that the person asking blessed with knowledge of the Word, prizes were a bicycle, radio cassette Berea Baptist Church Bookstore this question refers only to the wor­ let us not assume that this knowl­ player and an over night outing. Con­ P. O. Box 552 ship service of the congregation, and edge came about because of being gratulations were given to the South Point, Ohio 45680 not to Bible study classes. superior to our children but because winners, I quote the writer, "You all I find nothing in the Scripture God has been pleased to reveal truth deserved the prizes." which would lead me to believe that to us. The God who used His Word The judgment seat of Christ will re­ there are different levels of wor­ in our case can also use it for the veal the intentions of pastor and ship-one for young people, and good of our children when we use church. The apostle Paul said, "For BAPTIST another for older people. Although the same language (or type of lan­ we must all appear before the judg­ CHURCH MANUAL many arguments may be advanced to guage) that He caused His Word to ment seat of Christ: that every one justify this modern-day innovation in be written in. I believe His Word is may receive the things done in his By J. M. Pendleton worship services, none of them are plain, even in its translation into body, according to that he hath other languages from the Hebrew founded upon the Word of God. done, whether it be good or bad" (11 $7.50 Jesus and the apostles most certainly and Greek. Cor. 5:10). This church has a Junior did not teach anything remotely akin JIMMIE B. DAVIS church. Some churches have turned Order from our bookstore. to the so-called junior church. Dur­ to these humanistic practices. The ing the personal ministry of Christ religious world sees them as being men, women, and children were very successful. If any God-fearing Page 12 THE BEREA BAPTIST BANNER November 15, 1985

in our ranks would agree with Elder upon the gracious meditation and have valid baptism. Some denied the IN SEARCH Gill. He totally denied church earnest prayer of the person baptized need of church succession while (Continued from page nine) authority in baptism and that bap­ . . .For Baptists to attach the smal­ others believed it was necessary. tism was the initiatory into the istry to the world, you will see who lest importance to the ordinance of Some believed that the baptizer must church. Those who hold that the are true administrators; but to speak baptism being administered either by be baptized himself; others denied church should baptize through its or­ a little more fully of this, they are a minister or a private member this, believing that an unbaptized dained officers do not believe like twofold. would be to the last degree inconsis­ person could begin baptism anew in Gill. To charge them with believing "First, such who are immediately tent, and yet we are not sure that the a time of almost universal apostasy. in "preacher authority in baptism" is stirred up by God, to preach the gos­ inconsistency is not to be found in In the main the early English Bap­ a misnomer end is surely being done pel of Christ: those having a .power many quarters."2 4 tist confessions of faith, as well as solely for personal and political rea­ to baptize into or in the name of Pastor Spurgeon's position was un­ the writings of the Baptists, are very sons. Even those who make these Christ: of this sort were the eleven like the Baptists in the 1600s. It was favorable to baptism being a church charges know that they are not so. disciples, Mark ult: Philip, who unlike both Keach and Gill who had act through its ordained minister or preached and baptized: Ananias, THE VIEW OF C. H. SPURGEON preceded him as pastor of this same ministers. In cases of necessity when who preached to Paul and baptized C. H. Spurgeon (1834-1892) bit­ church in London. It shows how that no such a person could be secured in him: Peter, who preached to the terly opposed the importance of an some Baptists in the 1800s had de­ these persecuting times an exception Gentiles, and baptized them: Paul ordained minister in baptism. In his parted from the views hdld in the was made. The natural, normal way himself, who preached and baptized paper on the topic of "Fragments of 1600s and early 1700s. Keach of administering baptism was by a divers, Acts 16. Popery Among Nonconformists" he viewed baptism as a church act and a church using its ordained officers, or "Second, such as are sent forth by wrote: "Whence comes the whole ministerial act. Gill as only a minis­ these officers acting generally with the church of Christ: they may paraphernalia of ordination as ob­ terial act, and then Spurgeon denied the consent of their church in these preach the gospel, and administer served among some Dissenters? Since that it was either. Little known to persecuting times. With this view and this ordinance: thus was Barnabas there is no special gift to bestow, many modern Baptists is the fact practice I am in agreement. I take sent from Jerusalem to Antioch, why in any case the laying on of that Spurgeon was never formerly or­ my stand with those who stood by being a good man, and full of the empty hands? Since we cannot pre­ dained to the ministry (See Syste­ the old landmark in those days. Spirit: Thus was Paul and Barnabas tend to that mystic succession so matic Theology by Strong, p. 920). Where do you stand? separated by the church for the work much vaunted by Ritualists, why are Being only a lay-preacher himself, it In the next article I shall take a of the Lord.... men styled 'regularly ordained min- is no wonder that he would ridicule look at the views of the German, the isters'"?2 3 the idea of the essentiality of an or­ Canadian, the Welsh, and the . .from which I shall conclude Spurgeon goes on in the article to that the preacher of the gospel: He dained Baptist preacher baptizing a American Baptists as to the adminis­ condemn an ordained minister pre­ that believeth and is baptized, shall convert. His views on this, church trator of church baptism. siding at the Lord's table. Then he be saved, is the true administrator of communion, and other things caused FOOTNOTES adds: "It is very natural that our this ordinance.'^ o the Strict and Particular Baptists of friends should desire their minister THE VIEW OF JOHN GILL his day to brand him "a liberal." It 1. Crosby, Thomas, History Of The to baptize them, and yet there is no Elder John Gill (1697-1771) of is also most evident from his state­ English Baptists (Lafayette, Tenn.: Church reason why he should do so on ac­ London was extremely strong on ment that there were many Baptists History Research and Archives, 1978), Vol. count of his office. It does not ap­ I,pp. 101-103. baptism being a ministerial act even who did not agree with him on this pear from the Scriptures to have 2. Kevan, Ernest F., London's Oldest to the point of denying any church subject. Mark his language carefully: been an act peculiar to preachers; in Baptist Churches (London, England: The authority whatever being necessary . .yet we are not sure that the in­ fact, at least one of them, and he by Kingsgate Press, 1933), pp. 20-21. to the act. In his book of theology consistency is not to be found in no means the least, was not sent to many quarters." 3. Spilsbury, John, A Treatise Concern­ he says under "The Duties of the ing The Lawful Subjects Of Baptism (Lon­ baptize, but to preach the gospel. A Pastors of Churches" these words: CONCLUSION don, England: Henry Hill, 1652), pp. 65, vigorous Christian member of the "Pastors of churches feed souls by In this article we have seen how 66-67. the administration of ordi­ church is far more in his place in the that the Baptists in the early 1600s 4. Cited by George A. Lofton in English baptismal waters than his ailing, con­ Baptist Reformation (Louisville, Ky.: nances. .. . " 2 1 were divided on the administrator of In another place he makes his sumptive, or rheumatic pastor. Any baptism. This controversy seemed Charles T. Dearing, 1899), p. 102. position plain, especially in the chap­ objection urged against this assertion not so much to be over whether a 5. Jarrel, W. A., Church Perpetuity is another unconscious leaning to tra­ minister should baptize or not. (Dallas, Texas: W. A. Jarrel, 1894), p. ter on "Baptism." There he writes: 356. "Among which, baptism must be dition, if not a relic of superstition. Rather, it was whether or not church The usefulness of the ordinance does authority was needed from another 6. Lumpkins, William, Baptist Con­ reckoned one, and is proper to be fessions o f Faith (Philadelphia, Penn.: treated of in the first place; for not depend upon the baptizer, but already existing church in order to The Judson Press, 1959), p. 167. though it is not a church-ordinance, 7. Knollys, Hanserd, The Shining O f A it is an ordinance of God, and a part Flaming Fire in Zion (London, England: and branch of public worship. When T u n e I n T o Jane Coe, 1646), p. 9. I say it is not a church-ordinance, I 8. Lumpkins, op. cit., 287. 9. Lumpkins, op. cit., 290. mean it is not an ordinance admin­ The B erea B aptist B roadcast istered in the church, but out of it; 10. Keach, Benjamin, The Rector Rectified And Corrected (London, Eng­ it is preparatory to it, and a qualifi­ land: John Harris, 1692), p. 158. cation for it, it does not make a per­ STATION TIME DIAL WATTS 11. Keach, Elias, The Glory And Orna­ son a member of a church, or admit ment Of A True Gospel-Constituted him into a visible church; persons WFTO, Fulton, M S ...... Sunday 1.00-1:30 p.m.. .1330...... 5,000 AM Church (London, England, 1697), pp. 7-8. must first be baptized, and then WFTA, Fulton, M S ...... Sunday 9:30-10:00 a.m. .1 0 1 .7 _____ .3 ,000 FM 12. Keach, Elias, op. cit., p. 65. added to the church, as the three WNDA, Huntsville, A L ...... Sunday 9:30-10:00 a.m. .95 ...... 50,000 FM 13. Keach, Elias, op. cit., p. 16. thousand converts were; a church has WANO, Pinqville, K Y ...... Sunday 7:30-8:00 a.m.. .1230...... 1,000 AM 14. Grantham, Thomas, The Ancient nothing to do with the baptism of WYWY, Barboursville, K Y ...... Sunday 7:30-8:00 a.m.. .950...... 1,000 AM Christian Religion (London, England: any, but to be satisfied they are bap­ WGNT, Huntington, W V ...... Sunday 8:30-9:00 a.m.. .930...... 5,000 AM Francis Smith, 1678), Book II, Chap. 9, sec. Ill, p. 119. tized before they are admitted into WKAL, Rome, N Y ...... Sunday 7:30-8:00 a.m.. .1450...... 1,000 AM JKBMQ, Eugene, O R ...... Sunday 1:00-1:30 p.m.. .9 4 .5 ____ 100,000 FM 15. Collier, Thomas, The Body of communion with it. Admission to WDZ, Decatur, I L ...... Sunday 9:00-9:30 a.m.. .1050...... 1,000AM D ivinity (London, England: Nath. baptism lies solely in the breast of WRNO, New Orleans, L A ...... Sunday 7:00-7:30 a.m.. .49m . ' . ____ 3,000,000 Crouch, 1674), p. 486. the administrator, who is the only (shortwave) (London time) (6110 KHZ) 16. Association Records of the Par­ judge of qualifications for it, and has ticular Baptists o f England, Wales and the sole power of receiving to it, and Time Conversion on WRNO to the British Isles and Europe: Ireland to 1660 (London, England: The of rejecting from it. . . " 2 2 GMT London, England time (also Ireland and Portugal) Baptist Historical Society, 1973), Part II, In the light of this quote I must (During Summer: GMT + 1 hour) p. 58. justly say that Elder Gill did believe GMT + 1 Western Europe and Poland, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, E. Germany, 17. op. cit.. Part III, p. 158. "in preacher authority in baptism" Albania (During Summer: GMT + 2 hours) 18. Britten, William, The Moderate GMT + 2 hours Hungary, Rumania, Bulgaria, Finland, France, Greece. Baptist (London, England: John Collins, as any one can see. He believed that 1645), Book II, p. 90. a person upon being saved should (During Summer: GMT + 3 hours). GMT + 3 Soviet Union (During Summer: GMT + 4 hours) 19. D'Anvers, Henry, A Treatise o f Bap­ seek out a gospel minister and ask GMT + 5 Eastern USA and Canada (During Summer GMT + 6 hours) tism (London, England: Francis Smith, for baptism, and then after baptism GMT + 6 Central USA and Canada (During Summer GMT + 7 hours) 1674), p. 46. by the minister the person should 20. Drapes, Edward, Gospel Glory Pro­ present himself to the church for claimed Before the Sons of Men (London, membership. So far as I know, none (Continued on page thirteen) November 15, 1985 1htBfcHLA BAt* I 15I BANNbK Page 13

fish must have gotten a sigh of relief and go. Evidently, some time has IN SEARCH when he vomited up that old filthy elapsed, and Jonah may have spent backslidden preacher from Israel. considerable time telling about his (Continued from page twelve) Jonah was vomited out upon "dry miraculous deliverance from the England: Francis Tyton, 1649), pp. 112- land." He was not cast upon the fish's belly to his friends and family. 113. waters in a condition of peril until Yahweh again insisted that he go to 21. Gill, John, A Body of Doctrinal and Nineveh, not some other place. The Practical Divinity (London, England: picked up by a passing ship. Upon Button and Son, 1815), p. 635. what shore he was cast we are not same duty is enjoined as before. 22. Gill, John, op. cit., 653. told, but it was probably near the God's purpose is not altered by 23. Spurgeon, C. H., The Sword and the place he boarded the ship to Tar- man's disobedience. God has a parti­ Trowel (Pasadena, Texas: Pilgrim Pub­ shish. cular servant for a particular task and lications, 1978), Vol. IV - Year 1874, Did anyone see this miraculous for a particular place of service. It is pp. 265. event? The Scripture gives no wisdom on man's part to faithfully 24. Spurgeon, C. H„ op. cit., 267-268. answer, but I believe it may have attend to God's work. nMnMnMn*n*nMnM inM ninM 'ninin*n been witnessed by a number of The prophet had passed through persons. If I am correct in this as­ some severe trials to prepare him for sumption, the sight of this event this work. It is always so of God's Ejection From The Fish must have made a profound impres­ preachers. Men cannot be trained for sion upon those who witnessed it. the pulpit by constant happiness and there was not one thing he could do Many of the dwellers on the eastern prolonged prosperity. Tears and By the Editor about his condition. He knew God shore of the Mediterranean Sea were trials impart to the preacher great could deliver him from the whale's worshippers of the fish. The Philis­ strength of character. These things The prophet Jonah had learned a belly and get glory unto Himself. He tines worshipped Dagon, the fish- make him understanding and sympa­ very important lesson by attending likewise knew the Lord could keep god. I venture to say the traditions thetic toward others. Divine discip­ Fish College. In this training school him in the fish's belly and get glory. respecting Hercules, Arion, and line in its severest form makes a man of strict discipline he had learned Salvation is wholly of the Lord. Onannes are corruptions of Jonah strong in the Lord and in the power that it is lawful for God to do what None deserve it, nor can they de­ and the fish. of His might. It causes him to con­ He wills with His own. When the mand it.-God saves those He sees fit A SECOND CHANCE quer self, to labor unwearingly, and Lord's servant refuses to obey his to save and no more (Ps. We may wonder what happened to contend courageously for the Master, the Lord may put him in a 19-20). to Jonah after he was returned to faith. Seminary training may be ad­ fish's belly, where he can do nothing, THE SICK FISH dry land. Did he go swiftly to the vantageous, but real pulpit power is but praise the Master and offer "And the LORD spake unto the temple in Jerusalem to offer his only gained by the bitter experiences prayer unto Him. No man is indis­ fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon sacrifice? Or, did he make haste to of life and by contact with the stern pensable to God. He can use some­ dry land" (Jon. 2:10). Here we see go to his home at Gath-hepher to see realities of duty. body else. It must have been a most Jonah's ejection from his prison; His his family and friends? Did he im­ In Jonah 3:1-2 we not only see the humbling experience for Jonah to return to the land of the living. mediately resume the work of a pro­ Divine call to the ministry, but we discover that God did not need him. Jonah had to pay the fare to get phet of God? Did he start to pack his also see that a divinely called man is JEHOVAH THE ONLY SAVIOR away from the presence of God, but bags for Nineveh? The Bible does not given a divine message: "And preach Jonah is still inside the fish's belly. he got free passage back. The Lord say. It merely says: "And the word unto it the preaching that I bid He continues to thank God for de­ paid all the expenses of his return of the LORD came unto Jonah the thee." The preacher is not at liberty liverance from drowning which was trip. This is always the case. If you second time, saying. . ." (Jon. 3:1). to preach what he wants to preach, effected by being swallowed by the run from God you must pay your Whether he was at Joppa, or in Gath- nor to declare what would tickle the fish. There in the dark and doleful fare; if you come to God there is hepher, or in Jerusalem praying, we ears of his hearers. The pulpit is not dungeon he uttered the words in nothing to pay. are not told. a private platform for a minister to verse 9: "But l will sacrifice unto "And the LORD spake unto the The old slogan is true: "Better late propagate his peculiar ideas. He must thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I fish." The precise manner God com­ than never." It is desirable that when preach, not what men bid him to will pay that that I have vowed. Sal­ municated with the fish I cannot say, God calls that a person immediately preach, but what God bids him to vation is o f the LORD." but there was intercourse of some obey that Divine call. Promptitude is preach. He speaks for God. The The prophet was truly thankful kind, for we are told that speech was better than procrastination. God's Apostle Paul said: "For I delivered that God spared his life. There was employed. Surely if we can speak to servants do not always immediately unto you first of all that which I also no pretence in his words, for there our dog and have him obey us, there respond to His call. Sometimes the received. . ." (I Cor. 15:3). A t times was no person present to impress. is no difficulty in believing God Lord must say: "I have called, and the message may be harsh, the He is seen here making a solemn could speak to a fish and cause him ye refused" (Prov. 1:24). Our God is tidings unwelcome, but if the Lord covenant with God. If the Lord God to obey. Certainly the Creator has gracious, and He gave Jonah a second has opened his mouth the Devil can­ would deliver him from this awful the right to command His creatures. chance at serving Him. This mag­ not shut it! place, he would go up to Jerusalem God commanded the fish to eject nifies the forebearance and mercy of Oh, that Christians could be made and offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, Jonah and the fish obeyed. The God. The Lord calls and calls again. to realize that God saves people according to the law of Moses. In obedience of the fish was not volun­ He persists in His purpose until we through the foolishness of preaching Jonah's day gratitude to God was to tary, for the monster would rather surrender to His calling. Let us praise (I Cor. 1:21). Some foolishly God for His patience and perse­ be expressed by a Divine offering have retained the man it swallowed imagine that God has outgrown His (Lev. 7:12-15). Not only would he than to vomit him up. The fish had verance in dealing with His servants. Word. Modern Christians are more present a beast to Jehovah, but he to do what God willed in this matter. Has it ever been necessary for God concerned with man's body than his to speak to you a second time? Yes, would also offer spiritual praise, From this I glean that God has soul. We are preoccupied with food, you say, it has. I venture to say in which was more acceptable to God entire control over the animal shelter and clothing and with world the case of' many of us there has (Hos. 14:2; Heb. 13:15). creation. The whole of the animal hunger. The social gospellers scoff at been a seventh and a seventieth time! More than this, Jonah would pay world is subject to His will. Ravens the simple preaching of the gospel of his vow to God. He would gladly go brought Elijah food. The frogs came God will not allow us to be crushed God's grace. Such people can laugh to Nineveh, if the Lord saw fit to upon Egypt. The lions could not by our first sin and failure. He for­ their way into Hell, but they cannot send him again. He would never hurt Daniel. Let us take comfort gives and forgets. Those who are for­ laugh their way out. more forsake his God. He would use from the fact that the brute world is given are restored to their former God never has had, and never will his remaining days to preach what at His command: "For all are thy state and given a second chance. The have, but one way of saving sinners. Jehovah would bid him to preach—in servants" (Ps. 119:91). God has all best evidence that we are reconciled The Bible says He saves them by the Nineveh or any place else. His creatures at His command. He to. God is the fact that.He calls and foolishness of preaching. Faith The last part of verse 9 is a mini­ uses them when He pleases for the commissions us to serve Him a comes by hearing the Word and that ature Bible. This was the highest good of His people. second time (Ps. 68:18). Word must be preached by a divinely note of praise the prophet could I do not marvel that the presence AN OBEDIENT PROPHET called man (Rom. 10:9-17). Lost reach: "Salvation is of the LORD." of a backslidden prophet made the Jonah's second commission is seen men need to hear God's Word, not Jonah meant by this that all kinds of fish sick at his stomach. Revelation in verse 2: "Arise, go unto Nineveh, ours. He has promised to bless His salvation are from Jehovah—tempor­ 3:16 tells us that a backslidden that great city, and preach unto it Word, not ours. It is His Word, not al, spiritual, and eternal. The Lord church makes God vomit. I suppose the preaching that I bid thee" (Jon. ours, that will not return void. What had saved the prophet from the de­ three days and three nights with 3:2). It would seem Jonah is not on the world needs is to hear the un­ vouring waves of the sea and from a Jonah inside made the whale as his way to Nineveh yet, for one who adulterated truth of the holy Scrip- grave in the fish's belly. Jonah saw, miserable as it did the prophet. The is on his way is not bidden to arise (Continued on page -fourteen) i C Page 14 THE BEREA BAPTIST BANNER November 15, 1985

chapter 1. He did not wait to regain by such a sermon from a strange He­ BEREA BAPTIST BANNER EJECTION FROM his exhausted energy. He did not brew prophet. Nineveh had fortres­ Financial Report make a tour of the city by visiting ses, brave warriors by the thousands, September -1985 (Continued from page thirteen) the scenes of interest. Nor did he and much people. They might have tures. We have no choice in what we Beginning Balance 242.38 take time to seek out the most reasoned: "Overthrown! By what? RECEIPTS: preach as ministers, for God has advantageous place from which to By whom? No army on earth can Calvary B. C., McLeansboro, IL 20.00 called us to preach His Word. Leroy Bullard, Albuquerque, NU 200.00 begin his crusade. His steps are firm, conquer this city." These Gentiles JONAH GOES TO NINEVEH Mem. East Corbin 8. C., Corbin. KY 119.16 and he will not be diverted either by Elmo Woodson, Sheridan, AR 35.00 Verse 3 brings joy to our hearts be­ looked upon Nisroch as the god of pleasure or fear. No sooner than their nation and considered Jehovah Eld. Gerald Price, Johnson City, TN 15.00 cause we see an obedient prophet: Sov. Grace B. C., Orange, TX 50.00 "So Jonah arose, and went unto Nin­ these words die upon the air, he re­ to be the God of the Hebrews. But Eld. Ray Waugh, Midland, TX 5.00 Calvary B. C., Paris, TN 50.00 eveh, according to the word of the peated them again: "Yet forty days, Jonah says his God will destroy and Nineveh shall be overthrown." Nineveh. Ordinarily, he would have Landmark B. C„ Ellda, OH 100.00 LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceed­ Johnstown B. C., Rock Camp, OH 10.00 ing great city of three days' journey" As the day wears on greater crowds been mobbed and molested in the Southslde B. C., Fulton, MS 43.33 streets, but God ordained otherwise. The Lord's Ch„ Goose Creek, SC 100.00 (Jon. 3:3). Jonah is now as ready to gather to hear this unknown pro­ Hillcrest B. C., Winston-Salem, NC 30.00 obey as he was before to disobey. He phet. He walks passed places of resi­ The prophet delivered his message Faith B. C„ Lawtey, FL 25.00 is no longer disobedient to the dence, of business, of amusement, without being injured or insulted. Big Creek B. C.. Wayne, WV 100.00 The city had only forty days to re­ Sov. Grace B. C., Fulton, MS 50.00 heavenly vision. Having been taught and of heathen worship, continuing Mildred Logan, Avon Park, FL 287.00 by the rod, he acts according to to cry: "Yet forty days, and Nineveh pent or be destroyed. The punish­ Nellie Creech, New Port Richey, FL 10.00 shall be overthrown." Chariots stop ment was soon to take place. For Sov. Grace B. C., Birmingham, AL 50.00 God's Word. He has been made Philadelphia B. C., Decatur, AL 50.00 willing to do the good pleasure of and people on the street pause to lis­ that long a reprieve was granted. Marie Sutherland, Longwood, FL 50.00 God under the influence of discipline ten to this courageous preacher of Jehovah would wait that long to see Philadelphia B. C., Birmingham, AL 100.00 if they would humble themselves Briar Creek B. C., Williamsburg, KY 175.00 and grace. God. The inhabitants sense that Howard Nielsen, St. Paul, MN 1.00 Some are troubled by the words: something unusual is taking place. before Him. God is longsuffering and H. W. Bailess, Edmond, WV 5.00 "Now Nineveh was an exceeding Much of the business of the city is slow to wrath. Forty days was a long Rollynsburg B. C., Talcott, WV 50.00 time for a righteous God to defer His Berea B. C., South Point, OH 166.98 great city, of three days journey..." suspended. The streets are cleared Mrs. O. C. Whitaker, Cushing, TX 15.00 To escape the problem some have before him. Children are told to hush judgment, yet it was a short time for John B. Wild, Sebring, FL 20.00 their playing and workmen cease an unrighteous people to repent and Central Ave. B. C., Tampa, FL 25.00 tried to make this mean it took W. E. Bruton, Austin. TX 67.15 Jonah three days to make the their work so as to hear this mes­ reform. The forty days of grace will Clearview M. B. C., Macao, KY 20.00 journey from Palestine to the city on senger of gloom and doom. There is be followed with judgment, if they George Crawford, Summerlee, WV 10.00 are neglected. Those who despise Hobart Van Hoose, Mansfield, OH 25.00 the Tigris. But this cannot be true as no new message, no additional com­ Sov. Grace B. C., Raleigh, NC 20.00 Nineveh was hundreds of miles from ment, no enlargement. His lips con­ God's mercy "shall have judgment South Park B. C., Seattle, WA 50.00 Jonah's home. Others say it is im­ tinue to repeat: "Yet forty days, and without mercy" (Jas. 2:13). Sov. Grace B. C., Mansfield, OH 25.00 PRACTICAL POINTS Eld. Dempsey Henderson, Brazil 25.00 possible to take the description Nineveh shall be overthrown." Jim Snider, Forsyth, MT 100.00 Jonah gives literally in view of the Jonah's subject was not a popular 1. In this lesson I see the worth of Mt. Pleasant B. C., Chesapeake, OH 300.00 ready obedience to God. Jonah Burton Pedigo, Sweetwater, TN 100.00 monuments of Nineveh's remains dis­ theme. Men do not like to hear Stanley Berders, Madison, VA 10.00 could have saved himself a lot of covered by archaeologists. It is about their sins and the coming Eld. Edmond Dempsey, Johnson City, TN 10.00 probably best to understand Jonah wrath of God. They had rather hear trouble had he obeyed his first call Subscriptions 228.00 and commission. After God's Anonymous 35.00 as alluding to greater Nineveh, which about the glories of Heaven than the Deposited to divide checks 160.00 would include the city and nearby horrors of Hell. They prefer to lis­ chastening hand was laid upon him, Total Receipts 3,142.62 cities and suburban towns. This ten to the love of God than His he "arose, and went to Nineveh, ac­ TOTAL 3,385.00 cording to the word of the LORD." would allow twenty miles a day, an hatred for sin and sinners. Jonah was EXPENDITURES: average day's journey on foot, and a Hell-fire preacher who believed in His journey to Nineveh, which in­ P rin tin g 6 2 4 . 9 2 volved hundreds of miles, was much Postage 3 8 0 . 0 0 sixty miles for "three days journey." preaching the terror of the law and S u p p lie s easier than his run to Joppa because 2 5 0 . 6 0 According to modern archaeology, the vengeance of a holy God. "Yet Dividing Checks 1 3 5 .0 0 greater Nineveh was about thirty forty days, and Nineveh shall be his heart was right with God. It is Wages 1 ,2 9 9 .8 0 easier doing great things for God IBM Composer payment 2 1 6 .5 8 miles long and ten miles wide. It was overthrown." The prophet gives the P. O. Box Rent 7 .0 0 protected by five walls and three people nothing to excite their fancy, than little things for the Devil. It was Service Agreement on Composer canals. The inner city of Nineveh was nothing to kindle their hopes, easier for Daniel to go to the lion's 10-1-85 to 12-31-85 2 9 2 . 5 0 den than deny his God. It was easier TOTAL EXPENDITURES 3 ,2 0 6 . 4 0 about three miles long and a mile nothing to win their sympathy. He BALANCE 9-30-85 1 7 8 .6 0 and a half wide. The city was built at could see no wisdom in refraining for the faithful Anabaptist martyrs the junction of the Tigris and Khoser from a warning cry when he knew to go to the stake than to deny the Rivers and protected by walls a hun­ the city would be in ruin, if it did faith. dred feet high. The wall was so broad not repent. 2. If God has been pleased to BEREA BAPTIST BROADCAST at the top that four chariots could go His sermon was short: "Yet forty send you a preacher to uncover your Financial Report abreast. It must have had a popula­ days, and Nineveh shall be over­ sins, and to warn you to flee the September - 1985 wrath to come, He is dealing with tion in excess of half a million thrown." No person could complain you in mercy. Do not despise the Beginning Balance 5 9 3 .0 2 people, seeing God said it had that his sermon was too long, nor R ec e ip ts - means of grace. Do not ignore your Berea B. C., South Point, OH 120,000 young children in Jonah's could they say it was too deep to be 4 2 3 .2 5 space of repentance. Maybe you have Mem. East Corbin B. C., Corbin, KY 1 1 9 .1 6 day. understood. Jonah did not hide the Sov. Grace B. C., Orange, TX only forty days left to repent and re­ 5 0 .0 0 A MESSAGE OF JUDGMENT magnitude of Nineveh's sins in long Philadelphia B. C., Decatur, AL 5 0 .0 0 form. It is more probable that you Rollynsburg B. C., Talcott, WV 5 0 .0 0 "And Jonah began to enter into sentences. He laid them open in a shall die within forty days than that A n o n y m o u s 2 5 .0 0 the city a day's journey, and he few simple words so that all could Deposited to divide checks 1 1 9 .1 6 you should live forty more years. cried, and said, yet forty days, and understand. He threatened the city Total Receipts 8 3 6 .5 7 You should be alarmed if you were TOTAL 1 ,4 2 9 .5 9 Nineveh shall be overthrown" (Jon. with universal destruction. Even a sure not to live forty days, yet you 3:4). In a mental picture I see a tired child could have understood his ser­ EXPENDITURES: are careless, though you are not sure W K A L - N Y and weary prophet enter the gates of mon. I fear sometimes today our ser­ 1 7 5 .0 0 to live forty minutes more! W A N O - KY 9 5 . 0 0 Nineveh. He looks upon the mighty mons are much too long and too W Y W Y - KY "Repent, and turn yourselves from 1 2 5 .0 0 walls and the majestic towers which theological. I also fear such sermons WFTO-WFTA - MS 1 2 5 .0 0 all your transgressions; so iniquity Pierce Communication seem to frown upon him in defiance. are often the results of vanity. shall not be your ruin" (Ezek. 18: WRNO - Foreign 5 2 8 . 0 0 Never has he seen such a city with so Jonah's preaching was not done in S u p p lie s 3 .4 5 30). many people. We do not know what the Temple in Jerusalem, nor in one Dividing checks 1 1 9 .1 6 Total Expenditures 1 ,1 7 0 .6 1 attention he attracted during his first of the holy places in Nineveh. Like □ imninMninini 2 5 8 .9 8 day's journey. Perhaps some looked the Lord Jesus Christ, Jonah was an Bank Service Charge 6 .0 0 with amazement upon this stranger open-air preacher. The modern Balance 9-30-85 2 5 2 .9 8 clad with a mantle of camel's hair church could learn a lesson here. It is Corbin Kentucky Report with a leathern girdle. As he journeys a historical fact that most great Beginning Balance 1 ,1 5 5 .7 2 through the city he attracts a great revivals of religion came by open-air R ec e ip ts : deal of attention. As the crowd preaching. The revival of the Mem. East Corbin B. C., Corbin, KY 5 9 .5 8 gathers around him he raises his eighteenth century came with the T o ta l 1 ,2 1 5 .3 0

voice like thunder and says: "Yet open-air preaching of Whitfield and EXPENDITURES: forty days, and Nineveh shall be Wesley. W A N O - S e p t. 9 5 .0 0 overthrown." We might have expected the Nine- W YW Y - Sept. 1 2 5 .0 0 Total Expenditures 2 2 0 .0 0 Jonah is'riot the C9 ward he was In vites to have-beert^amused■ Vf ^ or amazed Balance 9-30-85 9 9 5 .3 0 • » » • » > fc «• I % u 't I <» ( . $ S *4 1 • . I ! C J I / * * t« » November 15, 1985 THE BEREA BAPTIST BANNER Page 15 an opportunity to speak a word of testimony to her." And keep a Marxist constant watch out for this op­ portunity. Pray and watch (Eph. 6: Liberation For "P eaA /S ljb’^Paci^ 18). It may be a long time in coming but in the meantime you have op­ portunity to establish a testimony South Africa before her and gain her confidence By Beverly Pack, Chesapeake, Ohio so that what you say will carry By Russell Evans weight when the opportunity does Norfolk, Virginia come. "But", you may say, "I don't have The World and National Councils Send questions in care of this column to Berea Baptist Banner, P. O. Box 552, South Point, Ohio 45680. time to pray in detail like that." of Churches, and a number of their Men's hearts are in the hand of the constituent denominations, have Lord (Prov. 21:1); He can change been in the forefront in providing QUESTION: How should a young was both accurate and appropriate: them but only He can and He tells us financial aid to the terrorist organi­ person react when a "d irty joke" or "I have not troubled Israel, but thou we have not because we ask not zations which reject evolutionary such is said? How can they not par­ and thy father's house." The prac­ (James 4:2). We cannot expect the change in South Africa and call in­ ticipate without being "rude"? tical application to the question at power of God upon our lives such as stead for the violent overthrow of hand is simply this: unrighteousness the existing government. They sup­ ANSWER: This is a good ques­ our forefathers enjoyed unless we has (gradually) become the rule of port the campaign for sanctions: tion and expresses a situation with spend time in prayer as did they. our society and not the exception. withdraw American business, pro­ which surely every one who has been What are we doing with our time Satan would endeavor to make us hibit future U. S. investments and a Christian any length of time has that is more important than prayer? feel that we are being rude when we isolate South Africa economically. been faced. Having received this A precious Christian acquaintance, refuse to participate in it when, in Thus, the WCC and NCC are in the question some time ago, I have taken years ago gone to be with the Lord, fact, it is they who are rude in sub­ company of the radical Trans-Africa advantage of the time to discuss it used to narrow her aging eyes and jecting us and others to it. organization which openly promotes with other Christians, young and say to me in all earnestness, "It's violent revolution and aid to such older, and will be drawing from their Now, the manner in which we hard to pray." And sometimes it is. Soviet-oriented groups as the South response as well as personal ex­ refuse to participate is an important Satan does his best to hinder us in it. West Africa Peoples Organization perience and a study of the Word of issue and I trust these remarks will Seek Christian companionship (SWAPO) and the African National God. be a help to you and others in deal­ whenever possible and thus avoid Congress (ANC). This is an age-old problem. When ing with the problem. First, let me embarrassing situations. When you The United Presbyterian Church Christ made us a new creature, He say that we Christians cannot expect are confronted with a situation such took away from us a love for this to have the favor of the world as you mention in your question, my officially wants U. S. disinvestment, sort of thing and made it repulsive to (James 4:4). We may have their advice would be to walk away from termination of Export-Import Bank us so that, as you express, we have respect, but God's Word teaches us it whenever possible. If the circum­ credits for South Africa, denial of no desire to participate in it. And to plan and depend upon their hating stances are such that you cannot export licenses to U. S. firms operat­ yet, even though we are no longer us (John 15:18-21; 17:14). Dear leave, show no interest, give no en­ ing in South Africa, and no more "Of the world" (John 17:14), we reader, young or old, let us search couragement. Our reputation is Krugerrand sales in the U. S. The find ourselves daily "rubbing our hearts to be sure our motive is to precious (Prov. 22:1) and easily lost United Methodist Church promotes shoulders" with those who have no avert rudeness and not to maintain (Eccl. 10:1). People will soon get the similar sanctions and aid for terrorist love for our Saviour and take no care our personal popularity with these idea that you don't appreciate this groups. for what comes forth from their lips. people. If we have been well-bred, type of conversation. Some will This is separation of church and We can identify with Lot in what is we have been educated to seek the respect you enough to refrain from state in the United States? Or is it written o f him in II Peter 2:7-8: "He goodwill of everyone and this is a it in your presence, others will go meddling from afar with the advan­ was. . .vexed with the filthy con­ good policy to carry over into our ahead with it and offer you a half­ tage of being far away if the solution versation of the wicked." (When we Christian experience, unless it in­ hearted apology (pointing you out as doesn't work? Even if such political bias were church business, what does hear or read the word, conversation, volves compromising Bible prin­ different) and still others may even the membership know of the truth we think of words exchanged be­ ciples. God's Holy Spirit informs us make as big a thing as they can of it about South Africa? Would members tween two or more people, but in through James (3:17) that the wis­ on purpose to get you to com­ willingly pay for these programs Scripture the word means more than dom that is from above is first pure, promise. Either of the latter two re­ then peaceable. We cannot, we must actions are a mild form of per­ foisted upon them by their denomi­ that; it means the entire manner of national heirarchy? Church sup­ life. . .dress, actions, etc. But it does not sacrifice purity for peace. secution for us, which are not porters deserve a chance to consider include our speech and it is this with We need to keep in mind that these worthy to be compared either with both sides of this perplexing issue: which we are here primarily con­ people from whose mouths this what our Lord suffered for us (Matt. apartheid in the supposedly Christian cerned.) wicked conversation comes, are im­ 27:29,30,35,46), or the blessings nation, the Republic of South Those who stoop to making jokes mortal souls and, although you that are and shall be ours as children Africa. of things God made sacred and cannot participate in their ungodly of God (Rom. 8:18). precious, look with disdain on those deeds, you should manifest your In our reaction to any given One predictable result of the long- who refuse to join them in their Christian love and concern for them situation as a Christian, it is im­ awaited speech on apartheid by folly. Partly, I believe, because it at every opportunity. If they realized portant to remember that we have South Africa's President Pieter Botha stirs their seared conscience and the folly of a perverse tongue (Prov. not only ourselves to consider, but was the resurgence o f Big Media and causes a feeling of guilt, which they 15:4), that it holds the powers of our influence upon others. Someone international humanists in bitter con­ don't like. You are concerned about death and life (Prov. 18:21) and that who appears to be only a casual on­ demnation of one of their favorite appearing rude, and rightly so, but they will one day give an account be­ looker may be thinking, "She is a hates: the legalized separation of actually it is they who act rudely by fore God of every idle, word they Christian; how will she handle this?" races by this complex and little subjecting others to this manner of speak (Matt. 12:36-37), would they A practical and precious book, understood ally of the United States. conversation. In this age when men not take care to keep their mouth Golden Gems o f Life, published in Another foreseeable development call evil good and good evil (Isa. 5: with a bridle (Ps. 39:1)? Your feeling the 1800s has, in God's providence, was their callous disregard of the 20) we Christians must be constantly for them should be one of pity and fallen into our hands and it says it so perils of a too rapid transition while on guard against succumbing to per­ your attitude one of thankfulness to much better than I could. "Oh, it is the vultures of communism waited in missiveness. The distorted views God that it is not your mouth that is terrible power that we have—the the tree tops to create another Nic­ which prevail today, that advocate speaking these things. These at­ power of influence—and it clings to aragua, or Cuba, or Zimbabwe, i.e., abortion and cry, "Away with titudes will come easily and naturally us. It is powerful in every look of another victim of Marxist-style "lib­ our eye, in every word of our mouth, capital punishment", remind me of as you pray for these people. Not eration." in every act of our lives." wicked King Ahab (I Kings 18:17) just, "Lord, undertake for those of A main premise of Botha's state­ who blamed God's prophet, Elijah, my (acquaintances who tell dirty 0*0*0*13*0*0*0* ment was his refusal to be intim i­ because rain had been withheld from jokes, etc." but, "Lord, You heard dated by outsiders and his resolve Israel. It was Israel's sin that caused the dirty joke that Mary told today. that South Africa's problems would God to withhold the rain. Elijah was She is in the darkness of sin and be handled by South Africans who, merely God's instrument through doesn't realize what she is doing. he added, would indeed "negotiate which the message was delivered and May my contact with her be an in­ with recognized black leaders." his answer to Ahab in I Kings 18:18 fluence toward Thee. Please give me (Continued on page sixteen) Page 16 THE BEREA BAPTIST BANNER November 15,1985

Africa. South Africa, one of America's not enough money to buy books and MARXIST Apartheid is certainly an unac­ staunchist and most valuable allies. literatures. ceptable system and very probably Ironically, if the white tribe should Thanks in advance and may the (Continued from page fifteen) abhorred by the vast majority of swing to Marxism, the agitation and Lord bless your ministry and lives. Otherwise, Botha warned, violence Americans. Mr. Botha has instituted media hype would soon end. This Yours in Christ, would erupt into tyranny, totali­ more improvements than any Presi­ has become an historical truism. Philippines tarianism and national suicide for dent in history and is moving toward niniuinininini South Africa whose citizens, black drastic changes. President Reagan Dear Brother Cockrell, and white, even now enjoyed the wants "constructive engagement," Greetings. highest standard of living on the but the solution is South Africa's I have just finished reading your continent. He reminded critics that alone. Article on "Search Of An Old Land­ "one-man, one-vote" also meant It is astonishing that indignation mark" and wanted to state my ap­ "one-time," followed by chaos, in America over apartheid is greater proval of it. Both to your position poverty and communist domination. than concern over treason in the on the Administrator and on the in Big Media provided wide exposure U. S. Navy by the John Walker depth manner that you dealt with for Botha's censors: There were Jesse family, or the rape of Afghanistan, the history• on the****** Subject. Jackson rushing from talk show to or the outright and presumptuous While I might have used other talk show; and New York Mayor Ed abolition of basic human rights in From The Mail Box terms to deal with it, I must say that Koch, actor Paul Newman and the Soviet Union, Poland, Cuba you did establish what you sat out to activist Coretta Scott King carrying and other communist-dominated establish and as far as I am con­ black cardboard coffins in Washing­ governments throughout the world. Dear Pastor, cerned you have left your opposers ton. Among the clergymen de­ Big Media is the difference. They I often enjoy the preaching in my destitute. Amen! nouncing the "state-sponsored evil" provide platforms for kindred souls own church, and regret the lack of By His Free Grace, were: Rabbi Andrew Baker of the who protest apartheid with rallies in Christian programmes on English Florida American Jewish Committee; John Manhattan, get arrested with im­ radio. In this country, no Christian ****** . Walker, Episcopal Bishop of Wash­ punity before the South African programmes are allowed on the Dear Sir, ington; and Robert Drinan, the ex- Embassy in Washington, and bounce radio. We do get shortwave, and I en­ I appreciated your tribute to Bro. Congressman from Massachusetts along in tribal rythm to outlawed joy WRNO shortwave worldwide Brong. I knew him for several years. long affiliated with radical and pro­ funeral processions in Soweto. from the U. S. A. Your radio pro­ I also appreciated your article "Jesus communist causes. So, what about Afghanistan? There gramme is one of my favorites, and As King." The preeminent churchman, how­ the Soviets allow no TV cameras or I listen regularly. Needless to say, my I appreciate your paper and your ever, was the media-hyped Anglican reporters as they commit genocide neighbors sometimes join me by the reply at your convenience. Bishop of Johannesburg, Desmond on a whole nation while the rest of radio. Virginia Tutu, the Nobel Prize winner for the world does nothing. They use If you could send me a New Testa­ ****** peace in 1984 but with a new role in poison gas, burn homes and families ment, I would like to use this for our Dear Brethren, 1985. He reminds one and all at at will, destroy crops so the people Bible study. Thank you again for I see my subscription has now ex­ every opportunity that "violence will starve, and drop toys that your WRNO Shortwave ministry! pired. Inclosed you will find a check may be the better of two evils" when explode when the children pick them Prayerfully in the amount of five dollars (5.00) England apartheid is involved, that "desperate up. They have murdered over a mil­ ****** to renew my subscription for two people do desperate things," and lion Afghans and forced another years. that "only a miracle can prevent a three million to flee. Unspeakable The Berea Baptist Banner, We truly appreciate the high bloodbath now." Bishop Tutu, we atrocities are glossed over by the My subscription expired some biblical tone of your journal. The recall, while enroute to the Oslo media, churchmen and politicians time ago, but I would like to re­ Banner is like a fountain of Baptist Nobel festivities, declared that the hellbent in bullying a faithful ally new it now. Here is $5.00 in cash truth in the present day departure blacks in South Africa "would prefer such as South Africa. Where are the for a one year subscription. If I owe from New Testament Christianity in a Soviet type of communism to volunteers to march in protest to the you more please let me know if that so many Baptist churches. God bless apartheid." brutal Soviet invasion of Afghan­ is more than enough just keep it and your arduous labor as a pastor and Nobel laureate Tutu also asserted istan? use it somewhere. editor of a great paper. Thank you, that "civil rights fare better in the Perhaps the critics of apartheid In His Name, Yours, USSR than in the Republic of South Missouri overlook a few points in their zeal ****** Oregon Africa." In response to this ludricous ****** for instant reform: (1) the Dear Brother Cockrell, claim, Professor Otto Ulc of the heterogeneity of the South Africans Dear Sir: State University of New York at Here is your book "In Search of I appreciate the great work you are where the First World and Third the Universal Invisible Church" in Binghamton asked, "When will World live side by side—generally in doing. Please keep preaching and laureate Andrei Sakharov (now Portuguese. It is going to be a working for the Lord. tribes—and where over half the blessing to God's people and to those silenced in Gorky) pop up in the blacks live in tribes with almost no I am very sorry I let your paper West, vilifying the Soviet government who do not as of yet know the truth stop. I have missed it and all the contact with whites; (2) the failure on this important subject. Thank and returning home with impunity?" of the democratic form of govern­ great sermons. (Human Events, May 25, 1985). you so much for this book. May the I am sending money for you to ment in Africa where a unitary parli­ Lord use it for His glory and the ament, Western style, could easily renew my subscription. The U. S. Congress proposes sanc­ glory of His churches. May God's blessings be upon you tions against South Africa cause a bloodbath; and (3) the al­ Until then, God bless you there most guaranteed complications in now and forever. (HR 1460) despite evidence they and pray for us. Your Friend, would be counterproductive, cost granting full political rights to people By His Grace, Georgia perhaps one million American jobs, imbued solely with tribal loyalties. Brazil and divert trade from South Africa Perhaps former UN Ambassador ****** | vm W W W; W W; W] to Europe and Asia. The fact that Donald McHenry has a point: Work Dear Bro. Milburn Cockrell, up a tenative compromise consti­ each black employed by an First of all I want to introduce to ANNOUNCEMENTS American corporation feeds five tution if South Africa is to remain you myself. I am pastoring First Bap­ ?gvi rfcvi r r ?>vi rr+vi r?+vi p fcvi r?i>v; r rfrvi r r ?avi r1 1 ] governable. people is evidently inconsequential tist Church a local Bible believing Elder Ruel Conner has resigned the to Stephen Solarz (N.Y.), William Meanwhile, the fact is, the white independent church. I am married pastorate of the Grace Baptist Gray (Pa.), Edward Kennedy (Mass.), tribe in South Africa is the majority with four children. Church, New Port Richey, Fla., to Howard Metzenbaum (Ohio), tribe. It has carefully observed the I know you are the right man of accept the pastorate of the Richard Lugar (Ind.) and the transition in Rhodesia-Zimbabwe God for me to ask help and en­ Maranatha Bible Baptist Church, majority in the U. S. Congress as where Robert Mugabe seduced the couragement and you have the right Louisville, Ohio. they seek justice for a country 6,000 West with his "one-man, one-vote" message from the Word of God. Our ****** miles away. election, later adding "one-time" as place is infiltrated by communist and The Grace Baptist Church, Port Possibly these protestors are not he consolidated his one-party we are to combat them by literature Richey, Fla., is without a pastor. thinking too straight: South Africa's Marxist dictatorship and reserved his and lectures. I read your news letter They have a lovely new building. mineral resourses, particularly country's invaluable strategic The Berea Baptist Banner teaching Any interested elder should contact chrome, vanadium and manganese, minerals for his benefactors, the about communism, and I want to re­ Claude H. Creech, 935 Third Way, are far more important to American Soviets. quest from you if you can a subscrip­ New Port Richey, Fla. 33552, or economy and defense than is the The internationalists are working tion for me free regularly. My phone 1-813-848-3557- United States investment in South for a similar Marxist liberation for ministry is self supporting and I have . . ... #***.*.* November 15, 1985 THE BEREA BAPTIST BANNER Page 17

RELIGION IS BIG BUSINESS U. S., but the entire federal drug Religion is big business in the abuse budget totals only $1.5 bil­ United States. In Rajneeshpuram, lion. Oregon, the Indian Guru Bhagwan "But the fearful, and unbelieving, Shree Rajneesh is very wealthy. His and the abominable, and murderers, organization owns a fleet of at least and whoremongers, and sorcerers 76 Rolls-Royces. Anand Sheela, per­ (drug abusers), and idolaters, and all sonal secretary to the guru, recently liars, shall have their part in the lake left the camp and apparently fled to Readers of the BBB are urged to submit religious news items which they may read in their local which burneth with fire and brim­ paper or some other publication. In sending these please give the name of the publication as well as West Germany. She says she was stone: which is the second death" the date it was printed. We will not be able to print all which are submitted, but we welcome any item under constant pressure to get more (fcev. 21:8). you may feel we should read. Send to Berea Baptist Banner, P. O. Box 552, South Point, Ohio 45680. Rolls-Royces, diamond watches, and ******

r /s v ir r i \ ' r/sviiTSY)rivs\iryjv)iVsyjiysvir,tsyiiyjviivsviiysyiryivitvsxii y s v i » jewelry for the Bhagwam. She said A CHURCH THIEF her disenchantment with the guru The former pastor of one of the BOY SCOUTS KICK GOD OUT is rarely observed and was never began when he told her he should largest Southern Baptist churches in CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -Paul applied to Pastor Minyakov. have a $2.5 million diamond watch Macon, Ga., vvas indicted by a Bibb Trout, who was forced out of the Dmitri Minyakov's term will end "or I'll die." County grand jury Sept. 5th on Boy Scouts of America in April January 1986, but it is doubtful that Jim Bakker's PTL television charges he stole almost $60,000 when he said he did not believe in he will be released even then. A re­ ministry is struggling to pay its debts from his congregation. God, has been readmitted to the cent report from his family reveals to television stations, while PTL host C. Michael Blizzard was indicted organization and promoted. that a new case is already being pre­ Bakker and his wife Tammy live on 44 counts of "theft by taking" Trout, 15, of Shepherdstown, W. pared against him. His case is one of "high on the hog," according to an and two counts of "theft by con­ Va., was reinstated Thursday after many that reflect a new Soviet tactic article by journalist Charles E. version." He was pastor of Taber­ meeting at his boarding school near in their battle to eliminate faith in Shepard for Knight-Ridder News­ nacle Baptist Church for four years here with an official from the Boy God: in 1983 an appendix to RSFSR paper. According to Shepherd, PTL's until last January, when he resigned Scouts national headquarters in Criminal Code Statute 188-3 gave TV debts are approaching $6 million. "fo r personal reasons" (Western Irving, Texas. labor camp directors authority to According to news reports in the Recorder, Sept. 17, 1985, p. 6). A t a separate meeting Thursday in add as much as five years to the sen­ Charlotte Observer, Bakker and his I do not know as to the guilt or Texas, the organization decided to tence of a prisoner who has broken wife have acquired a $449,000 vaca­ innocence of this man. But I do remove language from its literature a camp rule or has not "reformed" tion home near Palm Springs, and a know that hundreds of Baptist that defines God as a Supreme Being by the end of his term. Mercedes-Benz and Rolls-Royce cost­ church members are church thieves! and to instruct local troops not to ing $100,000. The home and cars Every year millions of Baptists rob question boys on their specific The following "offenses" consti­ tute sufficient cause for resentencing have been shown on Bakker's show. God and His church of their tithes religious beliefs. a Christian prisoner: praying, talking "For the love of money is the root and offerings (Mai. 3:8). This is Trout was granted a promotion to of all evil: which while some coveted highway robbery from the scriptural Life Scout. The rank, scouting's with other prisoners about God, pos­ after, they have erred from the faith, point of view, yet we put no one out second highest, had been denied him sessing a Scripture portion, writing and pierced themselves through with of the church or in jail for such. The at the instruction of national Boy Bible verses or poems in a notebook, many sorrows" (I Tim. 6:10). God of Heaven takes notice of what Scout officials after he told his local and referring to God in personal cor­ ****** each person contributes (Mark 12: review board that, although he respondence. By atheistic standards, a Christian has only adequately "re­ 41). He knows who is honest with respected the religious beliefs of LONDON A CENTER OF ISLAMIC formed" if he rejects God and denies Him and who is a thief and a robber. others, he did not believe in God or "EVANGELISM" He has warned that thieves and a Supreme Being (The Herald-Dis­ his religious convictions. "England, the land of John Wesley, covetous persons shall not inherit the Nine Baptist ministers have been now boasts more Muslins than patch, Huntington, W. Va., Oct. 13, kingdom of God (I Cor. 6:10). 1985). thus resentenced to consecutive Methodists," writes John Barcus in The Jews once stole seventy Well so much for the so-called Boy terms: Nikolai Baturin, 58, now in The Gospel Message. "Islam is rolling sabbatic years from the Lord (II Scout Oath which required duty to his twenty-third year of imprison­ over England like a gigantic wave. Chron. 36:21). For this God sent the God and country. Let every God­ ment, was resentenced in 1984 to Thirty years ago there were only Jews into Babylonian Captivity for fearing boy in the organization w ith­ two more years; Yakov Skornyakov, three mosques in Britain. Today seventy years, the exact number of draw immediately in protest of the 57, now in his twelfth year of im­ there are over 500. ..." years they robbed God of. God has removal of the definition of God as prisonment, was resentenced in 1983 How well is Islam succeeding? Be­ the best collecting agency in all the a Supreme Being from Scouting to three more years; Rudolph sides the proliferation of mosques in world, and He often collects with literature. Klassen, 54, now in his ninth year of Britain, hundreds of Koranic schools interest. God help America! In our country imprisonment, was resentenced in are springing up. A Muslin * Mis­ "And all the tithe. . .is the one atheist woman got prayer and 1983 to three more years; Aleksei sionary training college has been LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD" Bible reading removed from our Kozorezov, 52, was imprisoned for established in Yorkshire and a site has been purchased in Lancashire for (Lev. 27:30). schools in 1963. In 1985 one 15- 1 2 1/2 years, resentenced in 1983 to ****** year-old atheist has gotten God re­ 11/2 years, (released June 1985); a Muslin university (Battle Cry, moved from Scouting literature. One Aleksei Kalyashin, 30, now in his Sept. - Oct., 1985). TIP O'NEILL AND THE would wonder if one scout com­ fifth year of imprisonment, was re­ "Beware of false prophets, which CATHOLICS plains about duty to country if it sentenced in 1984 to 2Vi years; come to you in sheep's clothing, but "T ip " O'Neill, Speaker of the may be removed next. Our people Nikolai Boiko, 63, now in his inwardly they are ravening wolves" House of Representatives and proba­ (Matt. 7:15). bly the most powerful man in Con­ deny the positive rights of the sixteenth year of imprisonment, was ****** majority to protect the negative resentenced in 1985 to 2Vi years; gress, admitted to the New York rights of a few! Ivan Shidych, 49, now in his seventh THE DRUG DILEMMA Times that he gets much of his infor­ ****** year, resentenced in 1985 to 2Vi The General Accounting Office re­ mation about Latin America from BAPTIST PASTORS FACE years; Mikhail Khorev, 54, now in his cently reported that federal agencies the heavily Marxist Maryknoll Order, REPEATED SENTENCING eleventh year of imprisonment, was seize only 16 percent of the mari­ official overseas missions organi­ ELKHART, Indiana -The intensity resentenced in 1985 to 2 more years; juana and less than 10 percent of the zation of the U. S. Catholic bishops. of Soviet persecution of religion Pyotr Rumachik, 54, now in his heroin and cocaine that comes into While some pretend that U. S. fluctuates. Today about 170 Baptists sixteenth year of imprisonment, was the U. S. each year. governmental policy is not remotely are incarcerated for actively practi­ not released August 1985, but trans­ The Customs Service says it inter­ influenced by the Catholic Church, cing their faith. One o f them, Pastor ferred to prison for resentencing. cepts only one out of every 100 O'Neill says, "I have a connection Dmitri Minyakov, 64, is serving his Other prisoners approaching planes flying cocain and heroin into with the Maryknoll order. tenth year of imprisonment in a release dates have been notified of the country. There were 18,000 "I have great trust in that order. Siberian concentration camp. new cases pending against them: Ivan such flights in 1983. When the nuns and priests come Critically ill with tuberculosis, Antonov, 66, serving his twentieth The head of the Drug Enforcement through, I ask them questions about asthma, and various stomach and year; Fyodor Makhovitsky, 55, Administration said recently that to their feelings, what they see, who the heart ailments, he now weighs only serving his eighth year; and Dmitri curtail the flow of drugs effectively, enemy is, and I'm sure I get the 116 pounds at 5'10". Although Minyakov, 64, serving his tenth year. he would need 40,000 agents. truth." Soviet law provides for the im­ (News Release of International Presently, he has only 1,900 world­ In fact, O'Neill's aunt was a Mary­ mediate release and return home of Representation for the Council of wide. knoll nun. And in the years since his critically ill prisoners (Article 100 of Evangelical Baptist Churches o f the The illegal narcotics trade is a graduation from the Catholic Boston the RSFSR Criminal Code), this law Soviet Union, Iric.). $110 billion annual business in the (Continued on page eighteen) Page 18 THE BEREA BAPTIST BANNER November 15, 1985 remains will be interred at the Odd­ a color guard of the U. S. Marine Secret Service. Dumitru Duduman, fellows Cemetery in East Los Corps would also participate. 54, who was expelled from Romania N e w s Angeles. The bodies were found in "Its going to be a religious in 1984 along with his wife Maria, plastic bags covered with formalde­ service," Rhomberg asserted. and now lives in the United States, (Continued from page seventeen) hyde outside the home of a former "These six things doth the LORD said he was subjected to electric College in 1936 (to which he director of a medical laboratory. hate: yea, seven are an abomination shocks, cold water torture, and even recently gave $1.3 million), O'Neill After seven different court rulings, unto him. . .hands that shed inno­ had nine of his ribs broken during has wielded increasing power to the Los Angeles Superior Court Judge cent blood.. . " (Prov. 6:16-17). beatings. benefit of the Catholic Church. Robert H. O'Brien released the ****** "A fter my arrest in August of The extent of the influence of this fetuses for burial, and ruled that the COUPLE SUES WORLDWIDE 1980, I was put on the electric chair Catholic Congressman who trusts his county can neither encourage or CHURCH OF GOD WHEN by the secret police to answer where priests and nuns to tell him "who the discourage citizens from conduct­ WORLD DOESN'T END AS I was getting those Bibles," said enemy is" does not fully show in ing a religious service for the bodies. PROMISED Duduman in an interview with the public. The decision followed more than LOWRY, Minn. (E P )-A couple Open Doors News Service. "A fter O'Neill explains: "I am an insider three years of arguments between from Lowry, Minn., is suing the they had put me on this electric kind of fellow. I'm the last of the old pro-abortion and anti-abortion Worldwide Church of God for $5 chair and then plugged it in they bloc. I do more behind the scenes groups over the disposal of the re­ million, alleging that church officials began asking me questions. But I did without it ever getting into the news mains. told them the world was going to not betray anyone. I never thought than the average fellow does in a life­ A move in late September by the end and defrauded them of 160 acres of betraying either my ministry or tim e." s Feminist Women's Health Center of of farmland. my brothers. I was willing to die Who is running America? And Los Angeles to block burial of the Gilman K. Anderson and his wife first. "On one occasion, I was where are they taking it? (Battle Cry, fetuses was refused by the Califor­ Gladys say they gave away much of strapped on to the electric chair and Sept. - Oct., 1985, p. 3). nia Supreme Court. The center their farm in 1969 when representa­ then they showed me the covered-up "Then said he unto me. Son of argued that burial would violate the tives of the California church told body of a friend who they said* had man, these are the men that devise privacy of women who had under­ them the world was coming to an just died on the chair." mischief, and give wicked counsel in gone the abortions. end. Duduman also claimed he was sub­ this city" (Ezek. 11:2). ****** Although some national news re­ The Andersons said they were told jected by Securitate to "the water ports indicated that no religious in 1969 that .they would have to torture." He recalls "They used to HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR WINS service would be permitted, that is move to Petra, Jordan, for safety have a very tiny room where you COURT BATTLE not actually what the judge ordered, when the call from the church came. could not move, only stand, and TEL AVIV, Israel (EP)-A Califor­ according to Al Rhomberg, who is In 1971 they were told that there they would put me in there barefoot nia court has affirmed that Jews part of a group that will hold a would be a famine so severe that and make me stand on some bars and were gassed to death at Auschwitz, religious service at the cemetary. people would eat their own children then let cold water run over my and ordered the "Institute for His­ "The judge said the county had to to survive. They also say they were feet," said Duduman, a Pentecostal torical Review" to apologize and pay remain neutral—they could neither told that Germany was going to pastor from Hintesti, just eighteen damages to a Holocaust survivor who promote nor prevent religious ob­ attack and destroy the U. S. in 1975. miles o ff the Russian frontier. "A fter waged a five-year court battle against servation," explained Rhomberg. Attorneys for the church argued a while my legs became numb and I an attempt to deny the extermi­ "But the judge ruled that they had that the court has no business deter­ couldn't feel them anymore." nation o f Jews by the Nazis. to give adequate notice to the public, mining the truthfulness of religious During 1981 and 1982, arrest and In a press conference held recently so that if anybody wanted to have a beliefs, and also argued that the fed­ interrogation became a continuous in Tel Aviv, Mel Mermelstein, a 58- religious service at the cemetery, eral statute of limitations for fraud way of life for him. In 1983, during year-old businessman, discussed his cording to Rhomberg, the bodies will claims is six years. another period of torture for his battle with the "Institute for His­ be placed at graveside and left for a "The bands of the wicked have activities, he was hung by his waist torical Review." In 1978 ihe insti­ "reasonable period of tim e" during robbed me..." (Ps. 119:61). and beaten three times. "When I was tute offered $50,000 to anyone who which his group will hold a religious ****** their prisoner, the secret police did could prove, according to American service. NUMBER OF UNMARRIED whatever they felt like," he said. criminal court rules of evidence that The group sponsoring the religious COUPLES LIVING TOGETHER "Often they would throw me on the Jews were killed in gas chambers at service is called the "American Com­ HAS TRIPLED floor and step on me with their Auschwitz. A t the time Mermelstein mittee for Loving the Unwanted" WASHINGTON, D. C. (EP)-The boots. On one occasion, they published an open letter in The Jeru­ (ACLU). Those initials are no coinci­ number of unmarried couples living cracked-nine ribs. I have all the signs salem Post, calling the institute's dence, but a direct response to the together has more than tripled since on my body to show what hap­ scholars professional Jew-baiters. As intervention of the American Civil 1970, according to the Census pened." a result, the institute challenged him Liberties Union, which had deter­ Bureau. There were 1,988,000 un­ Yet, despite everything, he and his personally to prove that Jews were mined that the fetuses be incinerated married-couple households as of wife continued to deliver Bibles, killed at Auschwitz. as unwanted biological tissue, and March 1984, up from 523,000 in New Testaments and other Christian "Unfortunately, none of the had argued that a religious burial 1970 and 1.6 million in 1980. literature to the USSR. "There is as Jewish organizations supported me, service would violate separation of The study also found that young great a need for Bibles there as in and many criticized me for taking up church and state. Now, ironically, people are postponing marriage. The Romania," he said. "Because of so the challenge," he said. "But I had to the religious burial service will be median age for marrying is now many problems and trials, hunger do it to prove that you can't push a provided by the "ACLU." higher than at any time since the and lack of clothes in Romania and Holocaust survivor around, and be­ Rhomberg said the eulogy will be turn of the century. Russia, a lot of people are turning to cause I know that we eye-witnesses provided by President Ronald The Census Bureau does not God and therefore need the Word of won't be around much longer." Reagan, who is expected to send the question people about the nature of God." Mermelstein said the Liberty text of a eulogy with a government their living arrangements, so un­ Duduman has some suggestions for Lobby, to which the institute be­ official. Reagan sent a letter to the married couples include invalids with Western Christians that want to help longs, is funded by Libya, neo-Nazis group recently which said, "Your live-in nurses, and widows renting believers behind the Iron Curtain. in Germany, and anti-Semites in the decision to hold a memorial service rooms to young men, as well as "We all should pray for them that U. S. for these children is most fitting and young people cohabitating. God w ill send food, money, clothes, Mermelstein received $90,000 in proper. On such an occasion we must "Marriage is honourable in all, and and Bibles, and that God will damages from the institute and other strengthen our resolve to end this the bed undefiled: but whoremon­ strengthen them because the govern­ co-defendants. He said the trial cost national tragedy. I am hopeful that gers and adulterers God will judge" ments are strongly working against him $50,000. evidence like that found in Califor­ (Heb. 13:4). them to break them apart," he said. "And I will bless them that bless nia, w ill move those who have thus ****** "Remember them that are in thee, and curse him that curseth far preferred silence or inaction, and bonds, as bound with them. . ." thee.. . " (Gen. 12:3). encourage them to agree that some­ ROMANIAN BIBLE COURIER (Heb. 13:3). ****** thing must be done." DESCRIBES TORTURE AT ****** 16,500 ABORTED FETUSES TO Various religious leaders will par­ HANDS OF THE SECRET POLICE RECEIVE CHRISTIAN BURIAL ticipate in the observance, includ­ HINTESTI, Romania (E P )-A Ro­ AFTER THREE YEAR DELAY ing Charles Mims of Tabernacle of manian bible courier, who claims he LOS ANGELES, Calif. (EP)-The Faith Baptist Church in Watts, Jess has smuggled some three hundred • remains of 16,500 aborted fetuses Moody, pastor at First Baptist thousand Bibles into the Soviet found in a storage bin more than Church of Van Nuys, and John J. Union from his native Romania, has three years ago, will be buried in Ward, auxiliary archbishop of the described his brutal treatment at the three unmarked graves1 Oct. 6., The Catholic archdiocese. ‘Rhombe^ said' hands, of Securitate, the Romanian, . v'(*.u s.vt* i c . t n n \V ,'Wc *wV / .**'..* M -J gl&O f $ * v r j '. ’i *1 W *»«v» T3 f» November 15,1985 THE BEREA BAPTIST BANNER — - Page 19 time this time. This time has been First B. C., Alexandria, KY 25.00 Ashland Ave. B. C., Lexington, KY 55.00 the worst. As for me, I am doing Olmstead B. C,, Olmstead, KY 30.00 fine, except that I am worried and East Corbin B. C., Corbin, KY 59.58 Southside B. C., Fulton, MS 21.62 anxious about Dorothy; it hurts me Sovereign Grace B. C., Mansfield, OH 25.00 so much to see her sick and suf­ Grace Mis. B. C., Wyandotte, Ml 30.00 fering. Please continue to pray for James H. Sims, Hattisburg, MS 30.00 Edmond E. Jones, Noblesville, IN 40.00 Beverly Manor B. C., Washington, IL 50.00 us. Ruth Shores, Cannelton, IN 10.00 Independence B. C., Foristell, MO 25.00 The work in Maranhao is being Total Offerings 4,453.20 blessed of the Lord. Padua, the Bai. Brought Forward 4,752.01 SUPPORT FOR SEPTEMBER - 1985 Expenses 2,780.00 young man who is pastoring the New Balance 6,525.21 • Edmond Jones, Noblesville, IN 100.00 church in my place, told me on the Beverly Manor B. C., Washington, IL 75.00 phone the other day that they had EXPENSES: Independence B. C., Foristell, MO 25.00 Salary 1,200.00 Berea B. C., South Point, OH 20.00 been having people saved in most Insurance 78.00 Berea B. C., Bloomfield, NM 100.00 every service, thank the Lord! There Medical 450.00 Central Ave. B. C., Tampa, FL 50.00 Transportation* 550.00 has also been professions in the hos­ Construction 400.00 nMnjinMnMnMnMn* pital work. They have had two more Mission Work 300.00 baptisms. The new church in Turn is Utilities 126.00 Supplies 76.00 growing also, thank the Lord! The *$500.00 payment on truck man who takes care of the mission in Total Expenses 2,780.00 Tuntum, Benedito Solereira, called the other day to tell me that the mis­ Sponsoring Church: Julien Baptist Church sion is doing well and they are Route 1 getting material together to build the Gracey, Kentucky 42232 building. They have had several special prayer meetings until mid­ Home Address: ■ ; \ ; . night for Dorothy. We thank God for Dempsey Henderson them. The leader of the mission in Caixa Postal 500, Sao Luis, MA. Victor Brooks Vila Fialho, Francisco Chagas, and Brazil, S. A. 65,000 his sister Alznir are coming to Sao nM ninininM nin* I count it a privilege to greet you Paulo to make a record. They are in the name of the Lord and Savior both good musicians. He is a good Jesus Christ. preacher and has a really dedicated As the leaves begin to turn marking wife and three fine children. He also yet another fall, I am made to has two brothers who are good remember that the month of Sep­ preachers. We thank God for them tember marks our fourth year of all. While staying here in Sao Paulo I existence as a Church. MISSIONARY have preached somewhere most The Lord has richly blessed us in DEMPSEY HENDERSON every Sunday. I am also helping Bro. this year. We pray that He will be September -1985 Kittle to get a large building ready to pleased to continue to use us for His have services in. honor and glory. Dear friends and fellow-helpers in I will close for now. May God bless We have begun to hold Sunday Christ, you all for your love, prayers, and School for our own children and for As Job reminds us, "Our days pass care for us, and for your wonderful the children in the neighborhood. swifter than a weaver's shuttle" (Job offerings for the work here. For almost two months six of the 7:6). Life is like a train going down a In Him, children have been with us each steep grade with no brakes; the very Dempsey and Dorothy Henderson Lord's day. They have even brought weight of it causes it to gather some adult family members with momentum as it speeds on its way to Financial Report them. We are hoping and praying certain fatal crash. Life is on a crash September -1985 that this will lead to a real harvest in course with death, with no brakes, the community. but my God and Saviour, Jesus Mem. East Corbin B. C., Corbin, KY'- 100.00 Independence B. C., Foristell, MO 177.00 As yet we have not gotten the roof Christ, will rescue me from the train Bible B. C., Clarksville, TN 30.00 MISSIONARY resurfaced so we are going to just at the last moment and whisk me North Ballard B. C„ Wickliffe, KY 150.06 ROBERT FISHER patch it for now and wait for spring. Stephens Branch B. C., Manton, KY 50.00 away from all danger. The train will Richland B. C., Livermore, KY 61.49 October -1985 We have begun to stud out the certainly be destroyed (my body) Grace B. C., New Port Richey, FL 50.00 walls on the first floor in preparation but I will hot be in it, praise God! Hopewell B. C., Mayfield, KY 50.00 Dear Brethren, to insulate it before real cold Zoar B. C., Cunningham, KY 50.54 Dorothy has been through a lot Immanuel B. C., Monticello, KY 50.00 Greetings from Eugene, Oregon in weather gets here. The side where these last two months. She has had Shady Grove B. C., Wickliffe, KY 57.42 the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Church meets has already been a lot of tests and two blood trans­ Bryan Station B. C., Lexington, KY 200.00 Southside B. C., Fulton, MS 21.66 The Mighty God and Prince of Peace studded out and"\vill hopefully be fusions. Then she was admitted to Beech Grove B. C-, Bard well, KY 33.45 of Isaiah 9:6. We trust that this insulated this weekend. Then we the hospital and was operated on Richmond Road B. C., Lexington, KY 50.00 report finds you walking in the truth start the other side and the ceiling. Calvary B. C., Arlington, KY 18.00 September the fourth. They removed Faith B. C., Sacramento, KY 35.00 in a day when so many are departing This year we chose not to have our a large malignant mass from the Edgelawn B. C„ Lexington, KY 10.00 from it. fellowship in September for the bottom of her pelvic cavity and a Grinter Heights B. C., Kansas City, KS 31.00 Our Lord was pleased to give us Church's anniversary deciding to Calvary B. C., Logansport, LA 25.00 large cyst from her colon. They had Faith Mis. B. C., Paudcah, KY 1,365.00 another month of services here in wait until spring when if all goes well to remove a piece of her colon to get Big Creek B. C., Wayne, WV 100.00 •Eugene. He opened doors for us to we can have the first floor for the it all. She was dismissed from the Calvary B. C., Cannel City, KY 12.00 Fellowship B. C., Mt. Sterling, KY 20.00 witness and declare the truth of the most part finished. hospital the following Tuesday. Berea B. C., Clarksville, TN 10.00 Gospel. Most of our visits and op­ We are yet in need of your We are staying with the Kittles. Maranatha Mis. B. C„ Louisville, OH 30.75 portunities to witness come as I go continued prayers. Faith Mis. B. C., Streamwood, IL 35.00 They are so kind and good to us. We John A. Whitaker, Richmond, KY 10.00 from house to house and pass out For His glory, shall never forget what they have Muddy Ford B. C., Georgetown, KY 10.00 tracts. This month however the Lord Victor L. Brooks, pastor done for us time and time again over Citrus Mis. B. C., Inverness, FL 10.00 brought us into contact with people Landmark Baptist Church Bible B. C., Harrisburg, IL 36.17 the last eight years, and neither shall Morris Street B. C., Hobbs, NM 150.00 in a variety of ways—from the i?!)se 2622 Hebert God forget their labor of love on Fellowship B. C., Lexington, KY 34.00 "Jehovah's Witnesses" at our door­ St. Louis, MO 63107 Bryantsville Mis. B. C., Lancaster, KY 25.00 our behalf. We shall never be able to Central B. C., Marion, KY 50.00 step to witnessing for two hours to a repay them. We really enjoy staying Meadowthorpe B. C., Lexington, KY 104.00 lost lady at a yard sale. Continue to SUPPORT FOR AUGUST -1985 here and we certainly enjoy the fel­ Tucson Bapt. Temple, Tucson,AZ. 400.00 pray for us and the people the Lord Covenant B. C., Troy, Ml 52.80 Mount Zion B. C., Canon City, CO 25.00 lowship of the Kittles and the other Calvary B. C., Ashland, KY 30.00 allows us to witness to. Sov. Grace B. C., Davenport, IA 248.00 brethren here, but I am anxious to Berea B. C., South Point, OH 10.00 We are still holding services in our Corner Stone B. C., Milford, OH 75.00 get back to Sao Luis and the work Northside B. C., Elkton, KY 10.00 home while we are searching for a Berea B. C., Bloomfield, NM 100.00 Faith Baptist S. S., Glrdler, KY 110.26 Sov. Grace B. C., East Moline, IL 16.44 there. More than anything now, I am Central Ave. B. C., Tampa, FL 10.00 public meeting place. There has been Berea B. C., South Point, OH 20.00 anxious to see Dorothy recover from Beech Grove B. C., Lancaster, KY 60.00 more interest in our work this month Central Ave. B. C.; Tampa, FL 50.00 the surgery and go back with me to Sunnyview B. C., Clarksville, TN • 15.00 Faith Mis. B. C., St. Joseph, IL 53.00 Liberty Mis. B. C., Burton, Ml 126.66 than in months past. Several people Thomas McElroy, Kumamoto, Japan 10.00 Sao Luis. She has really had a rough Grace Mis. B. C., Kirksville, MO 50.00 (Continued on page twenty) Page 20 THE BEREA BAPTIST BANNER November 15, 1985

Mark Fenison and family and get my [y L v»A!t W ^ ^ W 1 Missionary pick-up truck which I had loaned ANNOUNCEMENTS him, when a lady pulled out in front 1 (Continued on page nineteen) of us in her car. It was a close call rTgNi r?sv*i r /sni r r rrrri i t have called in response to our news­ and after skidding about 40 feet with Our tape duplicator is broken paper ad and requested more infor­ my brakes locked, we received a well down and under repair in Texas. Be mation about our church and our dented left front fender and hood patient if you have ordered tapes. doctrinal statement. This also and crunched in her back quarter Also our supply company of hats provides us a good opportunity to panel on the driver's side. I narrowly has not been able to supply our make new contacts and share the avoided hitting her car in the door needs due to some shortages. Please truth as the Lord enables. We are right where she sat, which could have be patient. thankful to our Lord and to His really injured her. We thank the Lord ****** people for the financial and spiritual for His watchcare! The local Pastors' Meeting in the support which makes this work pos­ While we were back east we were tri-state area will be with the sible. privileged to visit with the following Midland Baptist Church, Franklin I mentioned last month that I had churches: Our own church, Grace Furnace, Ohio, and Pastor Harry been sick for about a week. I can Baptist Church, Cairo, III., Parvin Balmer Nov. 8th at 7:00 p.m. The gladly report that I am feeling as Hall, Missionary/Pastor; Clearview local Fellowship Meeting will be with good as new but ask that you pray Baptist Church, Maceo, Ky., George the same church on Nov. 30th at for my family as both our children MISSIONARY Kelley, Pastor; Harmony Baptist 7:00 p.m. are sick with what appear to be ROBERT P. MYERS Church, Alton, III., E. Howard This church will also conduct colds. Thank you for the letters that “October - 1985 Carter, Pastor; Independence Baptist special services Nov. 27-Dec. 1. we received last month, they were a Church, Foristell, Mo., Jerry As- Speakers are as follows: on 27, Steve great blessing. Dear Brethren, berry, Pastor. We would have liked Cornett; on 28, George Sherman; on By His Grace, Greetings in the name of our to have visited you all, but of course, 29, Bob Allard; on 30, Milburn Robert Fisher precious Lord and Savior, Jesus could not. Cockrell, and on 1, Woodrow Walls Christ. Brethren, please continue to pray and Tom Hysell. Services are at 7:00 FINANCIAL REPORT We are a little late getting our p.m. nightly and at the usual time on 9-16-85 to 10-15-85 for the work here and for us that we letter out this month because we may serve the Lord acceptably. the Lord's Day. ****** Beginning Balance 3,562.89 have'just returned from a business May our Great God and Father RECEIPTS: trip to Tennessee. Our karate bless each one of you in every way Calvary Baptist Church, 175 "C " Grace Mis. B. C„ Holly, Ml 30.00 St., Springfield, Oregon, and Pastor Calvary Mia. B. C., Springfield, OR 50.00 association financed a trip to Jack- and cause you to abound in His love Dean Road B. C.. Union Park, FL 25.00 son, Tenn. for one of our Instructor to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Hubert Tyler will host a Bible Con­ South Park B. C.. Seattle, WA 25.00 Clinics in which the instructors get Yours in Christ, ference during Nov. 26-28. Services Covenant B. C„ Troy, Ml 20.00 will begin Thursday evening, Nov. Independence B. C„ Forlatell, MO 20.00 together to review arts and take care Bob Myers and Family Oakvale B. C.. Danese, WV 50.00 of business. This was a big event for 26th, at 7:00 p.m. Food and lodging Ella Grove B. C., Glennville, GA 100.00 FINANCIAL REPORT will be provided. Please bring sleep­ Mem. Eaat Corbin B. C., Corbin, KY 59.58 our association and we drove back to Sov. Grace B. C., Mansfield, OH 25.00 be in it. A cross country drive is SEPTEMBER -1985 ing bags for the children. Please let Beverly Manor B. C., Washington, IL 30.00 quite an experience! However, I them know that you are coming so Midland Mis. B. C., Franklin Furnace, OH 15.00 Faith B. C., Streamwood, IL (Special) . 145.00 that adequate arrangements may be The Bible B. C., Plant City, FL 50.00 passed out a double handful of tracts Faith B. C., Paducah, KY 100.00 Mt. Pleasant B. C., Chesapeake, OH 50.00 to folk we met in passing. Who can Faith B. C., Sacramento, KY 35.00 made. Various speakers are on the Olmstead B. C., Olmstead, KY 30.00 Bible B. C., Portland, OR 60.00 program. For more information Zoar B. C., Bardwell, KY 48.60 tell if the Lord may take those words Beverly Manor B. C., Washington, IL 25.00 Temple B. C„ Ocala, FL 50.00 and bless them eternally? Hopewell B. C., Mayfield, KY 25.00 write Calvary Baptist Church, P. O. Beraa B. C., South Point, OH 100.00 We are happy to report that two Bryan Station B. C., Lexington, KY 50.00 Box 950, Springfield, Oregon 97477. Central Ave. B. C., Tampa, FL 10.00 Northslde B. C., Elkton, KY 10.00 ****** Memorial Heights B. C., Perry, GA 100.00 churches have been led of the Lord Salem B. C., Willow Hill, IL 35.00 Faith Mis. B. C.. Madison Heights, Ml 100.00 to support the work here this past Harmony B. C., Alton, IL (3 months) 30.00 Edward G. Graff has resigned as Bryan Station B. C., Lexington, KY 70.00 Harmony B. C., Alton, IL (love offering) 50.00 pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church, The Lord's Church, Goose Creek, SC 25.00 month; we praise the Lord for this. Sov. Grace B. C., West Milton B. C., West Milton, OH 30.00 We cannot express how much all of (Formerly Cralgsvllle B. C., WV) 50.00 Logansport, La., and is available for Big Creek B. C., Wayne, WV 100.00 your churches mean to us here. We Northslde B. C„ Elkton, KY 10.00 work whereever the Lord may lead. Grlnter Heights B. C„ Kansas City, KS 31.00 Independence B. C., Foristell, MO 20.00 Mem. East Corbin B. C.. Corbin, KY 75.00 certainly trust we can be as great a Independence B. C., Foristell, MO 75.00 The church is also in need of a First B. C. of Ojus, N. Miami Beach, FL 25.00 blessing to you. Clearview B. C., Maceo, KY 20.00 pastor. To contact Elder Graff or the Faith B. C., Seffner, FL 25.00 We haven't done as much visiting Southpark B. C., Seattle, WA 50.00 church call (318)697-5058. Covenant B. C., Troy, Ml 20.00 Philadelphia B. C., Decatur, AL (2mo.) 200.00 1-20 B. C., Darlington, SC 25.00 this past month as we would have Olmstead B. C„ Olmstead, KY 30.00 Concord B. C., Leesville, SC 25.00 liked, but we did get to see some. We Bro. & Sis. Anderson, New Concord, KY 25.00 Grace B. C., Denham Spring, LA 100.00 have been working on the church Bro. & Sis. Martinez, Granite City, IL 25.00 Morris Street B. C., Hobbs, NM 200.00 Sis. D. Daniel, Yelm, WA 20.00 A NEW TAPE Claude Creech, New Port Richey, FL 10.00 building some. Bro. John Tweet Sis. B. Atkinson, Renfrew, PA 75.00 Nellie Creech, New Port Richey, FL 10.00 (Mashell Baptist Mission, Bro. Mark B ro . & Sis. A. Eldrldge, Murray, KY 50.00 Philadelphia B. C„ Decatur, AL 100.00 AVAILABLE Grace Memorial B. C„ Memphis, TN 200.00 Fenison, Missionary) loaned us a Sponsoring Church: Mrs. O. C. Whitaker, Cushing, TX 10.00 wood stove to use in the building Grace Baptist Church We are pleased to announce a new Faith B. C., Sacramento, KY 35.00 and we are setting it up and checking 1902 Poplar Street cassette tape of singing by the Living Stone B. C., Barboursville, WV 122.32 Cairo, Illinois 62914 Bethany B. C., Rushtown, OH 160.10 out the flue, etc. at this time. The Opolkas. The songs are as follows:. Sub Total 2,386.60 consumption of gas by our furnace is Side 1—"M y Eyes Are On Jesus," TOTAL 5,949.49 so great that I don't believe it would Home Address: "Christ In Me," "My Family," and Robert Myers EXPENDITURES: "Is It Thy Will Or Mine?" Side 2 - be the best stewardship to try to 13350 Solberg Road S. E. Salary 1,000.00 heat solely with it this winter. "God's Foundation," "I Shall Sing," Housing allowance: Yelm. WA 98597 House payment 387.97 This past week we were on our "Standing Sure," "His Name Is Utilities 202.24 way to Eatonville to visit with Bro. ninininininuni Jesus," and "Christ Is The Only Supplies/Misc. 143.01 Way." Bro. George Opolka says, Automobile expense 144.15 INDEX Insurance 119.40 "These tapes have cost $5 to make Postage/office supply 57.84 for the first three hundred that we Advertising 37.20 Dear Sister P ack...... ,p. 15 have ordered, but if anyone would Radio program 150.00 Ejection From The Fish by Milburn Cockrell...... ,p. 13 Educational materials 66.74 like to have one that cannot afford TOTAL 2,308.55 Forum...... pp. 10-11 this, we would like for them to have Ending Balance 10-15-85 3,640.94 From The Mailbox...... p. 16 it as a gift or for any price you feel Growing Old Gracefully by Milburn Cockrell...... P- 1 they can afford." Sponsoring Church: In Search Of An Old Landmark by Milburn Cockrell ...... P- 1 Please order these tapes from Berea Baptist Church Jesus As A Preacher by T. P. Simmons...... , . .p. 1 George L. Opolka, 722 E. Hwy. 40, P. O . B o x 5 5 2 Marxist Liberation For South Africa by Russell Evans ___ p. 15 South Point, Ohio 45680 Troy, III. 62294. I would suggest Missionary News...... pp. 19-20 that you add some to help with Field Address: The Bible And The Newspaper...... p. 17 postage. I have listened with pleasure Robert Fisher The End Before Beginning by Harry King...... 3225 Wood Ave. .p. 1 and profit to these songs, and I Eugene, OR 97402 The First Church by J. B. M oody...... p. 1 believe you will enjoy hearing them The Shape We're In ...... •P.9 in your home. □*n*n*n*n*n*n« ******