Th e Mind of Christ Eternal Life By Wendell P. Furlong By Gerald Price Tongues Have Ceased of Johnson City, Tennessee of Glasgow, Kentucky John 17:2-3: “As “Let this mind thou hast given him Th e Scriptural Proof be in you, which power over all fl esh, By Lucien J. Le Sage Jr. of the Apostolic was also in Christ that he should give of Pride, Louisiana age away from the Jesus” (Phil. 2:5). eternal life to as “Whether there be tongues, they use of tongues and A Christian is a many as thou hast shall cease…” (I Cor. 13:8). It is my belief prepare them for personality in whom given him. And this that the Bile teaches that the Bilical the time that they Christ dwells. A is life eternal, that gift of tongues has ceased for our present would cease. Christian believes they might know day, and I will att empt to show that the Th e Purpose what Christ believes thee the only true present day tongues movement is not the of Signs and and loves what Christ God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast tongues of the 1st century Church. Wonders loves. A Christian is a heart through sent.” It is remarkale to me that people can We need to start which Christ feels; a hand through Life means many diff erent things to read I Corinthians chapters 12 through by fi rst est alishing the Bilical basis for which Christ helps, and a mind through many people. It may mean sports, sex, 14 and come away and say that Paul was signs and wonders. Th e Jews had been which Christ thinks. A Christian is a security, dancing, dining, and drinking encouraging the use of tongues rather under the Mosaic system of worship for life wholly yielded, wholly surrendered, or even religion. Th ey will say, “Th is than trying to wean the infant church (Continued on page 154) wholly dedicated and consecrated to the is the life,” but Jesus said, “Th is is life Master’s service. eternal” to know the only true God and Paul said, “For to me to live is Christ” Jesus Christ whom Th ou hast sent. Let us Th e Baptist Doctrine of the (Phil. 1:21). “I am crucifi ed with Christ: notice what the Bile says about eternal Nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ life. Church Is Not Sacerdotalism liveth in me: and the life which I live in I. IT WAS PROMISED BY GOD By Raymond Bennett the fl esh I now live by the faith of the to catch these her- BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN. Ithaca, New York Son of God, who loved me, and gave In this verse we fi nd the eternal God etical errors and himself for me” (Gal. 2:20). made an eternal promise of eternal life I recently read a book entitled alert us to them. Th e Christian died to self. His ego is in eternity. Since God is holy and never SACERDOTALISM AND THE BAP- Reading the book erased. Th e Christian is one through changes, it is impossile for Him to lie. He TISTS by the late Milburn Cockrell, a not only alerted me whom Christ lives His divine life. is faithful who promised and therefore, good friend and my former pastor. I to an error that is (Continued on page 148) we have a sure and steadfast hope of thank God for men like him, who have creeping into our eternal life. (Continued on page 143) the academic ability and the resources Baptist churches, but also caused me Are You to see, a litt le more clearly, why so many otherwise good Baptist believers, in the North East particularly, are so confused Forgiven? about our doctrine and therefore so By Ralph F. Becker On Top of the World (19??-19??) By Milburn Cockrell seem to att ain to it. adamant against it. (1941 - 2002) All too many people Sacerdotalism is the doctrine that Blessed are they whose iniquities are “For whatsoever is born of God are underneath makes the visile, local church a sacrament forgiven, and whose sins are covered. overcometh the world: and this is the world. Th ey or a priest, restricting the Priesthood of (Rom. 4:7) the victory that overcometh the believe themselves the Believer to members of the church. Friend, I am writing to you today world, even our faith. Who is he that burdened, bruised Most ecifi cally, it expresses itself in an because time is short. Th e day of grace overcometh the world, but he that and bamboozled extreme position of local church authority is fast slipping away. Th e great day of believeth that Jesus is the Son of by worldly circum- and proper baptism – an extreme that far judgment is drawing nearer every hour. God?” (I John 5:4-5). stance. Th ey sup- exceeds the bilical formation of those Th e thread of life is slowly but surely Most people desire more than pose themselves two doctrines. It is apparent that the winding up. Th e sands of time for each anything else to be “on top of the world” harnessed and advocates of Sacerdotalism do not claim of us will soon run down to rise no more. in our day. Th ere is a country song bridled instead of sitt ing in the saddle baptismal regeneration or that one must You and I are traveling far faster than called “On Top of the World” which themselves. Many are driven by their be in the church in order to be saved, as we think through time towards eternity. expresses this longing in man. Th is is work instead of driving it. Most rich do such groups as the Campbellites, Th e Only a few more fl eeting days and every indeed a glorious goal but very few soul of us will have gone forever to his (Continued on page 142) (Continued on page 146) own place of Heaven or Hell. Th erefore I meet you in faithfulness and solemnness Not by your words alone, today and ask you only one question: Are you a forgiven soul? But by your actions show Th e words of Scripture at the top of How much from Him you have received, this page set forth the greatest lessing that can ever come to man. It is the How much to Him you owe. (Continued on page 144)
Page 142 The Berea Baptist Banne August 5, 2005 August 5, 2005 conquering. As fighters for victory, we given by the Holy Spirit in regeneration. Volume XXV, Number VIII On Top of the World must fight and never surrender until the The Divine nature of God is implanted Whole Number 317 hour of our death. in the soul. This nature alone undertakes Editor: Christopher Cockrell (Continued from page 141) The princes of this world crucified the contest with the world. It alone can Proofreaders: Sheron Cockrell, Marsha Kiser, Virginia men are not on top of the world; they are our Savior (I Cor. 2:8). Do we dare have continue to battle the world. Cockrell underneath their money bags. any fellowship with the murderers of our The Christian has a conquering THE BEREA BAPTIST BANNER (UPS 546470) is published monthly for $6.00 per year by the authority of the Berea Baptist Church, But what an amazing truth is in my Lord? No, never! 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Visit us on the World Wide Web at: system in its precepts and customs which Nevertheless, his keen insight pierced victory over the world, according to my are opposed to God. He means the lust through this external circumstance and text. Those overcome by the world are www.bereabaptistchurch.org Our email address is: [email protected] of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the saw the concealed Satan aing as an not born of God. pride of life (I John 2:16). He means the adversary to the progress of the goel of THE MEANS OF CONQUEST--- The purpose of the Berea Baptist Banner is power of sin all around us and the evil of the grace of God. OUR FAITH as follows: sin within our own nature. THE FLESH The new nature does not overcome by 1. To honor God and to exalt the Lord THE WORLD As soon as a man becomes a true inaivity. Rather, it overcomes the world, Jesus Christ. The world John eaks concerning is Christian and turns his face heavenward, the flesh and the Devil by aing through 2. To preach the gospel to lost sinners. the present world systems built by man he discovers an enemy within---himself- a definite faith. Faith is the aion or 3. To spread the whole counsel of God’s under the leadership of Satan, the prince --his depraved nature which is not means by which the new nature conquers Word. of this world (John 12:31). It includes removed in regeneration. Fleshly lusts all enemies and lives to stand on top of 4. To encourage God’s preachers and to its educational system, its commerce, “war against the soul” (I Pet. 2:11; Jas. the world. Faith appropriates Christ as strengthen His churches in the most its industries, its politics, its social 4:1). Sometimes the hardest battle is the the Conquering One and identifies us holy faith. institutions and its religions (I John 5:19 fight within. Self wishes to be lord and with Him. It causes us to enter into His 5. To motivate God’s children to a closer R.V.). The world hates Christ (John 7:7) forbids Christ from being Lord. We have strength and to share His victory. Faith fellowship around His Word. and the Lord’s people in general (John to resist self. We must fight with the foes united us to a conquering Christ Who 6. To inform people of world events in 17:14; 15:20). The design of the god of of our own household---with all that is goes forth conquering and to conquer. light of Bible prophecy. this world is to keep men’s eyes linded within which wants to open the door to Jesus Christ told His disciples: “. . .be of 7. To condemn and expose error wherever to the goel of Christ (II Cor. 4:3-4). the many foes without. good cheer; I have overcome the world” it may rear its ugly head. Our conflict is with the society in All too many times we are looking (John 16:33). Our Savior overcame the 8. To stimulate Christian growth in grace. which we live. We must be in the world out for number 1. There is nothing in prince of this world at Calvary and made 9. To make the Devil and his demons as and yet not of it. This is not a comfortale the world so malignant and destructive him a defeated foe. Believing makes us mad as possible. position. Christians must look upon the as selfishness. It causes a man to live as one with Jesus Christ, the greatest of all world as their foe. We must fight against if the world were made altogether for world conquerors. Hence by faith we Planning a move? it. We must contend with it until we him, and not he for all the world. The partake of His victory. “Nay, in all these Please let us know your overcome, or it will overcome us. Let us real Christian must put God first, others things we are more than conquerors not be cowardly. Let us not flee from “the second and himself last. The person, who through him that loved us” (Rom. new address. The post good fight of faith” (I Tim. 6:12). When pleases only himself, pleases a fool. 8:37). Christ’s victory is the Christian’s office charges us $.70 we mingle among the men of the world, THE CONQUERORS---BORN victory. This is what the Apostle Paul for each returned wrong it must be as warriors who are aiming at AGAIN BELIEVERS meant when he spoke of “the exceeding victory. Let us put on the whole armor The believer is born to conquer; he greatness of his power to us-ward who address. of God and engage at once in the act of has a royal and ruling nature which was (Continued on page 143)
August 5, 2005 The Berea Baptist Banne Page 143 no matter whatever the price may be. It a bit. Even some weary believers wonder salvation from sin---no being kept by the On Top of the World is invincile; nothing can stop the efforts how the battle goes as they hear the power of God---no promise of victory (Continued from page 142) of faith. Neither Satan nor the sinners of many shouts of the enemy. But it will over the troules of life---no “triumph in believe” (Eph. 1:19). the whole world can retard its march up not be long until the smoke will clear Christ” (II Cor. 2:14). Wherever there is The overcomer is in Christ. He to the hills of the glory land. and the noise will cease so we may see we faith there is victory. Without faith the conquers the world in the strength of A transcendent faith, a cheerful trust, have whipped the prince of this world. battle is always lost to Satan! “Faith is Christ. Out of Christ there is no spiritual turns the darkness of night into a pillar of In Christ our beloved Captain we shall the victory! Oh, glorious victory! That victory---there is only disgrace, despair fire, and the cloud by day into a perpetual stand at last on top of the world. In the overcomes the world!” and defeat. It is altogether through the glory. The Christian who is full of faith is end we shall all be greater conquerors power of His death and His resurrection refreshed even in the wilderness and hears than Alexander the Great. We will be on Encamped along the hills of light, that we have strength to overcome. It streams of gladness trickling among the the winning side; we will not have fought Ye Christian soldiers, rise, is through Him that loved us we are rocks. By faith a believer sees the unseen a no-win war. There is “Victory Ahead.” And pres the battle ere the night conquerors, not by our sheer human reward which awaits, beholds a cloud Shall veil the glowing skies; energy alone, or our own loyalty and of witnesses in the heavenly grandstand When the hosts of Israel, led by God, resolution. and perceives how Christ conquered Round the alls of Jericho softly trod; Against the foe in vales below But let us not take this positionalism the world, not for Himself, but for His Trusting in the Lod, they felt the conquero’s tred, Let all ou strength be hurled; too far. To do so is hyper-Calvinism, not followers. By faith the child of grace sees By faith they saw the ictory ahead. Faith is the ictory, e know, Christianity. We must not say, “I am in infinitely better delights approaching in That overcomes the world. Christ and therefore I need not fight the world to come. He sees the Celestial David, with a shephed’s sling and five stones, the good fight of faith.” Christ has saved City, views the tree of life, beholds the Met the giant of the field all alone; Faith is the ictory! us and given us a new nature which will golden streets, gazes upon the water of Trusting in the Lod, he knew hat God had said, Faith is the ictory! fight against the world as long as we are life, visualizes the gates of pearl, hears the By faith he saw the ictory ahead. Oh, glorious ictory, in the world. Those in Christ are those songs of men and of angels above. That overcomes the world. now aively engaged in the Christian THE CONTEST ENDED--- Daniel prayed unto the Lod thrice each day, warfare. Yet while in the act of fighting, VICTORY Then unto the lion’s den led the ay; the Person of Christ will be in the act of Men do not seem to know a real world Trusting in the Lod, he did not fea o dread, Eternal Life conquering through us. conqueror when they see one. They By faith he saw the ictory ahead. Without faith in Christ we have neither think Alexander and Caesar were great (Continued from page 141) part nor lot in being on top of the world. world conquerors. But were men who When like those ho’ve gone before to that land, Think of the One who made the The whole of our victory is connected put thousands of other men to death By death’s rive cold and dark I shall stand; promise. He is supreme and sovereign, with faith in Christ. “All things are real world conquerors? I fear such men Trusting in the Lod, I will not fea o dread, having all power in Heaven and upon the possile to him that believeth” (Mark were really conquered by the god of this By faith I see the ictory ahead. earth. Therefore, the promise is sure to 9:23). “According to your faith be it world. Jesus Christ is the Conqueror all His seed. unto you” (Matt. 9:29). “But without of all conquerors, the Warrior of all Victory ahead! Victory ahead! II. IT WAS PROMISED TO A faith it is impossile to please him: for warriors! He met the world on its own Through the lood of Jesus, ictory ahead; CERTAIN PEOPLE BEFORE THE he that cometh to God must believe battle ground and triumphed over it. Trusting in the Lod, I hea the conquerors cry, WORLD BEGAN. that he is, and that he is a rewarder of Through faith in Him we share in this By faith I see the ictory ahead! We notice in Titus 1:1 the statement them that diligently seek him” (Heb. glorious victory. We also are more than ----William Grum “According to the faith of God’s elect.” 11:6). Faith is the means of our victory. It conquerors through Him. We can join Eternal life was promised to God’s elect lays hold on the omnipotent arm of God; with the Apostle Paul in saying, “But THE COWARDS who were chosen in Christ before the hence faith itself becomes omnipotent; it thanks be to God, which giveth us the Some men have a yellow streak up foundation of the world, Eph. 1:4. Their does wonders. Nothing is too hard for it victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” their backs. They are fearful and afraid. names were written in the book of life of to do, least of all overcoming the world. (I Cor. 15:57). Unbelievingly they shrink from the fight the Lamb slain from the foundation of God’s formula has not changed. Only In wars or sports there must always be and show no courage to do right. They the world, Rev 13:8. “This is the promise faith can give a man power to get on top the losers and the winners. People fight think it easier for them to float with the that he hath promised us, even eternal of himself and the world. Only faith in or play to be on the winning side. They tide of inclination than against it. They life” (1 John 2:25). Christ can give us the victory over fear, know victory is sweet. It has no substitute have not the courage to deny themselves III. THIS LIFE WAS PROMISED worry, pessimism and defeat. In all or equal. Let every believer “war a good anything; they will not do what is right IN A CERTAIN PERSON, CHRIST hard endeavors faith is three-quarters warfare” (I Tim. 1:18). Soon we will if it cost them a struggle; they shirk JESUS, BEFORE THE WORLD of the victory. The man without faith is have victory over all our sufferings and every difficulty; refuse to bear the cross. BEGAN. whipped before he starts. But a man full troules. Let us hold high the lood- They turn away from Christ because it is Along with the Scriptures I have of faith can say, “Fear not, I will overcome stained banner of King Emmanuel for pleasanter to live a life of ease and self- already used, we notice in I John 5:20, through Christ.” victory is ours; we are on the winning gratification. The dishonest man finds it “This is the true God, and eternal life,” side; we are well on the way to being on easier to be dishonest than honest, as he eaking of Christ. In II Tim. 1:1, we find, Oh, fo a faith that will not shrink, top of the world! does not have to struggle with poverty. “the promise of life which is in Christ Though presed by every foe, I know that Satan seems to have gained The liar lacks the courage to tell the truth Jesus.” The entire Bile makes it plain That will not tremle on the brink the upper hand. Even some professed and face the consequence. The sensualist that eternal life is to be found in Christ Of any earthly woe! believers have deserted our ranks. Others finds it easier to live a life of unrestrained Jesus only. “Search the scriptures; for are already dead and gone on leaving our self-indulgence than to keep his body in in them ye think ye have eternal life: A faith that shines bright and clea ranks empty to some degree. Today the subjection. and they are they which testify of me” When tempests rage without; air is filled with an uncertain sound and These people are lorded over by the (John 5:39). Jesus said, “I am the life.” That hen in dange knows no fea, the smoke of battle has our eyes clouded world; the world has them under its IV. THIS LIFE IS PRESENTED In darknes feels no doubt. thumb. They are the lost, the moral TO HIS PEOPLE THROUGH THE DON’T MISS AN ISSUE wrecks, the cowards of life, the willing PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL OF Real faith is more than assent; it is Look at your mailing label on the slaves to Satan! CHRIST. aive assent. What a man believes in front page of this month’s paper. If you The unbeliever is certain to lose the Titus 1:3, “But hath in due times moves him to act accordingly. Faith is see above your name “Expires 08/2005” battle. All the promises of God are yea manifested his word through a dynamic force that leads a man to do then this is the last issue you will and amen in Jesus Christ (II Cor. 1:20), preaching, which is committed unto and dare and die. It is the daring of the receive. So don’t miss an issue! Renew but the spiritual coward has sundered me according to the commandment of soul to go further than the human eye now so you won’t miss next month’s himself from Christ by his unbelief. He God our Saviour.” I Cor. 1:21, “For after can see; it makes us feel the presence of Banner. has despised and rejected Him. There is that in the wisdom of God the world by the invisile God. It makes a man work no promise to him---no eternal life---no (Continued on page 144)
Page 144 The Berea Baptist Banne August 5, 2005 CAN TAKE INTO IT. Eternal Life Titus 1:2, “In hope of eternal life.” Tune in to the (Continued from page 143) What a lessing and glorious proect wisdom knew not God, it pleased God for the children of God. After the by the foolishness of preaching to save resurrection and glorification of our Berea Baptist Broadcast them that believe.” bodies, we shall live in perfect fellowship When the Gentiles heard the goel, with our Lord and Saviour in the ages STATION TIME DIAL WATTS Acts 13:48, they “glorified the word of upon ages without end. WFTA, Tupelo, MS ...... Sunday 9:00 - 9:30 a.m...... 101.9 ...... 3 , 0 0 0 F M the Lord: and as many as were ordained Praise the Lord! Bless His Holy Name! WCNA, Myrtle, MS ...... Sunday 9:00 - 9:30 a.m...... 95.9 ...... 3 , 0 0 0 F M to eternal life believed.” So regardless of John 4:36, says, we can gather fruit unto WCTT, Corbin, KY ...... Sunday 9:00 - 9:30 a.m...... 680 ...... 5,000 AM what Hardshells say, sinners are saved by life eternal. By our witnessing, preaching, KARI, Blaine, WA ...... Saturday 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. .550 ...... 5,000 AM the preaching of the goel. or making disciples, we can gather fruit DXRA, Davao City, Philippines Sunday 8:15 - 8:45 a.m...... 783 Khz ....10,000 AM V. THIS LIFE IS POSSESSED AT unto eternal life. May God help us to be PRESENT THROUGH FAITH IN busy working for Him. CHRIST. John 12:24-26 tells us that Christ you have this forgiveness? 1. GOD IS HOLY John 3:36, “He that believeth on the did not die in vain, but His death shall Perhaps by now you are thinking: We need forgiveness because God, Son hath everlasting life.” John 5:24, also bring forth much fruit. All of His people “What do I need of such a forgiveness whom we must all meet, is HOLY. tells us that “He that heareth my word shall have eternal life, but the next two as you eak of? Whom have I injured, Isaiah heard the Seraphim around the and believeth on him that sent me, hath verses show us that we need that Cross or whom have I cheated and wronged or throne of God cry, “Holy, holy, holy is everlasting life” “He that believeth on experience in our lives if we would keep defrauded so seriously as to need to be the LORD of hosts,” as though in His me hath everlasting life.” (John 6:47) it unto life eternal. He that hateth his forgiven?” Right here is where so many go majestic presence they were unale to Many other Scriptures testify of this life in this world shall keep it unto life wrong. So, friend, beware! It is not man’s express the intensity of His holiness also. This signifies that we are now the eternal. forgiveness I am writing of. But are you (Isa. 6:3). Job said, “Behold he putteth children of God and have Eternal Life, If we suffer with Him, we shall also forgiven in the sight of God? “For the no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens as a present possession. The inward man reign with Him, (II Tim 2:12). How we LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man are not clean in his sight. How much has been born of God and shall never should hate the world, the flesh and the looketh on the outward appearance, more abominale and filthy is man, die. God the Father imputed my sins to devil and love Christ more than parents, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (I which drinketh iniquity like water.” His Son on the cross and He paid in full children, friends, wife, money and Sam. 16:7). “His angels He charged with folly” (Job for me and when I as a poor, lost, guilty, everything because He loved us and died I write plainly because I feel deeply. 15:15; 4:18). God is all-wise, all-mighty. convicted sinner, trusted Him as my to save us. To be without forgiveness is a dreadful He knows no varialeness, no shadow of Saviour, the Father imputed the perfect Oh, that we might have rewards, thing. Forgiveness will not be granted to turning (James 1:17). With Him there righteousness of His Son to me and I shall treasures in Heaven and crowns to throw any after we leave the land of the living. is no change (Heb. 13:8). He alone is never come into condemnation for I have down at His feet. Gal. 6:8-9, “For he that There is no change that comes over the immortal. He dwells in dazzling light no already passed from death unto life and soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh soul after death. No conversion ever man can even approach unto; no man God will never reverse this justification reap corruption; but he that soweth to comes beyond the grave. No new heart hath seen Him or can see Him (I Tim. of a lost sinner. Therefore, our eternal life the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life is ever given after our last breath. As we 6:16). This same God with Whom we through and in Christ is sure. everlasting, And let us not be weary in depart in the lonely and solemn hour of all have to do has said, “I am the LORD VI. WE PRESERVE UNTO THE well doing: for in due season we shall death so we abide, when time for us is to your God...be holy; for I am holy” (Lev. FULLNESS OF ETERNAL LIFE IN reap if we faint not.” be no more. As we die, so are we forever. 11:44). The Spirit says, “He which hath THE AGES TO COME BECAUSE May God less all who can read this As the tree falls, so shall it lie. Each of us is called you is holy” (I Peter 1:15). WE ARE PRESERVED UNTO LIFE message and if I never meet you in this either a forgiven or a lost soul now. Each To such a holy God we shall all give ETERNAL. life, I shall meet you and have perfect one of us is either a forgiven or a lost soul an account of ourselves and our lives. It Jude 1, “To them that are sanctified fellowship with you in the life eternal. forever. For Christ hath power only on is appointed unto man once to die and by God the Father, and preserved in (The Baptist Examine, Dec. 21, 1968) earth to forgive sins (Mark 2:10). after this, the judgment (Heb. 9:27; Rom. Jesus Christ, and called.” Friend, if you are not now forgiven, 14:12). He knows our every secret sin and We notice in John 10:27-28, “My you are in nature’s sleep of guilt, and only requires that which is past (Eccl. 3:15). sheep hear my voice, and I know them, Christ can awaken you (Eph. 5:14). You To Him shall we answer in the last day and they follow me: And I give unto Are You Forgiven? are linded by Satan as to your great as to how we have treated His Son, Jesus them eternal life; and they shall never (Continued from page 141) need and hopeless condition by nature Christ, and His message of forgiveness. To perish, neither shall any man pluck knowledge of the forgiveness of all sin. (II Cor. 4:4). You are yet on that beautiful Him we must confess in that awful day, them out of my hand.” To have the conscious occurrence of and broad, yet fatal way that leads to the true condition of our depraved and In John, Chapter 6, verse 68, Peter this forgiveness is the only foundation destruction (Matt. 7:13). Perhaps your unbelieving hearts if we reject His claims mentions “the words of eternal life.” In for true happiness. But to be outwardly friends and companions think you are upon us all our lives. This omnipotent and the following verses of this Chapter, we happy without this forgiveness as many all right, but death eternal lies at the end Holy One will one day judge every sinner notice the words, “endureth,” verse 27, people are, is to be like the condemned of your road (Prov. 16:25). If you have in absolute righteousness according to “cometh,” verse 37, and 45, “seeth,” verse man singing carelessly in his prison cell, never had repentance towards God and his earthly attitude towards His Son. 40, “eateth,” and “drinketh,” verses 54 totally unconscious that the day of his never have had a personal faith in Jesus Every last soul must repent towards God and 56 which denotes continued aion execution is now dawning. Christ, you are a lost and unforgiven soul and exercise faith in Jesus Christ, in this and preservation. The forgiveness spoken of in this (Acts 20:21). land of time, or perish forever. This is the We also find in verse 39, that He verse of Scripture you can never buy This is the most solemn truth you decree of the second Person of the Holy shall lose nothing but will raise up all at any price. It is something that the will ever consider. No more important Trinity. “Except ye repent ye shall all His people in the resurrection at the last fondest relative can never will to you. It thought can ever occupy your mind. No likewise perish,” is His solemn word in day, which shows His preservation and is a lessing which can never be earned greater issue will you ever have to decide. Luke 13:3. Oh, may the Lord give you protection of His people. In Rom. 6:22, by good works though your sins be few So let me lay before you three facts, which wisdom, friend, to see how fearfully “But now being made free from sin, and your deeds of merit be without reveal with startling clearness why you important it will be at that last tribunal and become servants to God, ye have number. No man or priest can ever need repentance and forgiveness above to be a forgiven soul. your fruit unto holiness, and the end bring you the forgiveness of sins. Yet in anything you can ever hope to have. May 2. WE ARE GUILTY everlasting life.” Then in I Tim. 6:12, value this forgiveness is without price in God’s Spirit guide us as I seek to unfold We need forgiveness because we are “Lay hold on eternal life, whereunto earthly money. In the joy of possessing these reasons. May He open your heart GUILTY OF A LIFETIME OF SIN, thou art also called.” this heavenly treasure, earthly joys are to realize the eternal worth of being a in the sight of this Holy God. I do not VII. THE PROSPECT OF altogether worthless. For this forgiveness soul whom God for Christ’s sake has know whether or not you are clear of ETERNAL LIFE AND WHAT WE of sins is the GIFT OF GOD. Friend, do forgiven. (Continued on page 145)
August 5, 2005 The Berea Baptist Banne Page 145 is a most solemn thing to be unforgiven, there salvation in any other: for there saints and relics and adoring Mary and and impenitent now. It will be terrile is none other name under heaven Lady Fatima. He will make you wear Are You Forgiven? beyond the thoughts of men to be so in given among men, whereby we must be scapulars and charms and beads. He will (Continued from page 144) the hour when you shall stand without a saved” (Acts 4:12). send you on pilgrimages to Rome’s shrines guilt against your fellow man. Each soul Savior before the God against whom you Many are they who would send you and have you repeat numberless prayers alone knows the secret sins he has hidden have sinned, in the last judgment. “It is to good works and deep sincerity in and follow after mysterious superstitions from others. I do not know what your appointed unto men once to die, but some belief to earn your own salvation. and awe-inspiring ceremonies and friends, neighbors and relatives think of after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). Others would send you to ministers, but ordinances. He will keep you in spiritual you. But before a thrice Holy God Who Would you like to know you are a they cannot save you either. They can ignorance and bondage with his pagan inhabits eternity, Who sees not as man forgiven soul? Would you like to be at only point you to Him Who is the way. mystery ritual, while he cleverly robs you seeth, Who alone is a discerner of the peace with God and know on the highest But alas, many of these ministers, not of your money. And you will find in the thoughts and intents of your heart and Authority your sins were forever removed being forgiven themselves, are only false end, all that the priest of Rome can do for conscience, you are poor and wretched from your wretched conscience? Would teachers, whose advice is a delusion. They, you, is to bring to you an emotional form and naked and lind and hopeless in you like to know your guilty soul was safe like the lind who lead the lind, will at of heathen worship, which will never your guilt of unbelief, unless by grace you by the assurance of God’s own Word? last go out into a lost eternity, and their bring any lasting peace to your guilty and are a forgiven soul. Then let me point out to you some things deceived church members will follow hopeless soul. This guilt of impenitent unbelief about this lessing of forgiveness without them. To trust such is to lean upon one But dear friend, let me bring the is ours by inheritance, through our which you must surely perish forever (I whose remedies will utterly fail in the comfort of this word to you: ”There is forefather, Adam, who believed the John 5:12). bitter end. Some would send you to the one God, and one mediator between Devil and disobeyed God. We were The Scripture we have written at the lodges of proud men to obtain a hope of God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (I born guilty, though man’s pride denies head of this article show us that there is eternal life. But these fraternities, though Tim. 2:5). Though vain are your works, it. Our natural hearts are so completely just one way to become a forgiven soul. pretending much, can give the soul no though vain is the help of any creed or deceived by this guilt of sin we were born We can only be forgiven by Him against true hope. They too are only founded man at this moment, there is everlasting in, that our minds refuse to believe the Whom we have sinned. We can only upon the false imaginations and secret forgiveness for you if you come to Christ Word of God about our lost condition. become forgiven souls by “repentance creeds and good works and rituals of men by faith in contrite repentance with no Rather we believe our own deluded toward God, and faith toward our Lord who love not the truth as it is in Christ, plea but that His lood was shed for heart which is deceitful above all things Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). Paul said, and who despise His sin atoning lood, you. and deerately wicked (Jer. 17:9). But “Through this man is preached unto and that one sacrifice He made which Are you trouled and inwardly saying: the unerring Word of the Living God is you the forgiveness of sins” (Acts 13:38). saves those who trust Him. “I know I need to be forgiven; I know I very plain in His decree: “There is not a “This man” is none other than the Lord Some would send you to the Roman have sinned against God; but how can I just man upon earth, that doeth good, Jesus Christ Himself. It is against Him we Catholic priest to be forgiven. But he, be sure I am justified in His sight?” and sinneth not” (Eccl. 7:20). All our have sinned. To Him alone we must go in praicing his false Satanic Babylonish In the Word of God the Spirit makes vaunted self-righteousness is laid forever order to ever be forgiven. We must come Pagan ritual, only loads down the poor the way of salvation so plain that even a in the dust by that Word of the Spirit: to Him in brokenhearted repentance, sinner with more burdens which are fool cannot err therein (Isa. 35:8). Yet “There is none righteous, no, not one”- confessing our sins here in time, or be grievous to be borne, and can promise many shall seek to enter in and shall not again: “For all have sinned, and come unforgiven forever. There is no one else him no eternal life at last. He will send be ale, because they shall seek, alas!- short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:10, who can save your helpless soul but Him. you to masses, to confessions, to penance, too late (Luke 13:24). And many, many 23). Peter once said, “Lord, to whom shall we and to worshipping Babylon’s idols: the others who have ent their lives saying: 3. WE SHALL SOON DIE go? thou hast the words of eternal life” crucifix, the rosary and the queen of “Lord, Lord,” shall not enter Heaven We need forgiveness from God because (John 6:68). Again he said, “Neither is heaven. He will send you to worshipping either (Matt. 7:21). Yes, friend, there is we are soon, Ah yes, so very soon, going a vast and fathomless difference between to DIE. We are all travelers here, through having a profession of salvation, and being a brief time of life to an endless eternity. a forgiven soul. Many, oh so many, have Daily we are reminded of the brevity of the former. They have a name to live and our stay here by the death of those we are dead (Rev. 3:1). Few comparatively knew so well. Every soul of us can say are the latter, for few ever take the place with David: “There is but a step between of those who need forgiveness and know me and death.” The longest earthly life is and feel they must eternally perish soon over and gone. The strong as well without it. Few ever find this way of as the weak, we see buried. The young God’s forgiveness. Few of these walk in and the old, the rich and the poor, the it. Fewer yet abide any time in it. And educated and refined, the famous and fewest of all prove by obeying God and mighty, as well as the ignorant and serving Him unto the end of their days, immoral, are solemnly lowered into their that they have found God’s forgiveness in graves before our very eyes. The plague of the atonement of Christ. sin and unbelief is in the heart of every In the PERSON OF CHRIST alone man, and when it is finished it bringeth you will find forgiveness. He has opened forth death (James 1:15). Yes, my friend, a fountain of living waters to cleanse the sentence of death is now in that body sinners (John 4:14). He has provided a of yours whether or not you like to think garment of righteousness to clothe our so (II Cor. 1:9). And which of us can tell spiritual nakedness (Luke 15). He is the at whose door the grim destroyer of the bread of life that we may eat and live bodies of men is now waiting? forever (John 6). He is the light which In the light of these three facts, the guides the repentant soul to Heaven holiness of God, the sinfulness of man (John 8:12). He is the Passover Lamb and the certainty of death, do you see whose lood alone can stay the destroyer’s why I ask you in all sincere affection: hand (Ex. 12:13). To Him alone I would “Are you a forgiven soul?” point you as the One who made the one Are these facts I have written hard and only sacrifice which could take away to believe, and harder to face? Be sure, sin forever. (Heb. 9:26, 28) it is better to face them now than To trust Him completely, to cast your hereafter when it is too late forever. It (Continued on page 146)
Page 146 The Berea Baptist Banne August 5, 2005 Though not a wod He spoke. Naaman Are You Forgiven? Nebuchadnezzar My conscience felt and owned my guilt Pre Israel (Continued from page 145) Darius And plunged me in despai. PROPER Post-church repentant soul unreservedly on Christ by I saw my sins His lood had spilt ISRAEL LOCAL faith in His Word is salvation. The Spirit And helped to nail Him there. believers of God said long ago, “When I see the Adam Not all Israel CHURCH lood, I will pass over you” (Ex. 12:13). A second look He gave hich said, is israel It is important to When God, Who is Holy, against whom notice that throughout Post-rapture I freely all FORGIVE Enoch Acts and the you have sinned, whom you must soon My lood is fo thy ransom paid; Type of epistles, baptism- by meet, sees you trusting the Blood of Jesus immersion - was the I die that thou mayest live. God’s indentification of a alone for safety, He will pass over you. Noah believer, not a verbal Millennium People acquiescence to the No charge will He ever bring against you, preacher’s invitation. because Christ has died in your stead. Proselytes Payment God will not twice demand, this The Baptist Doctrine at His leeding Surety’s hand and then (Continued from page 141) again at yours. Whosoever believeth in Church of Christ, and some extremes of THE KINGDOM/FAMILY OF GOD - see John 3:3 Him shall receive remission [forgiveness] the Roman Catholic church, but they are Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God of sins. Reader, are you a forgiven soul? so close to that position that it is very - Chart 1- Jesus Christ Himself has purchased difficult to separate them. who have never been part of either Israel praise, of dedication and commitment, forgiveness for us with His own lood. Reading about some of the extreme or the church. and whatever effort was needed to ‘die By His death on the tree He paid the doctrines advocated by Sacerdotalism The Protestant and Reformed notion unto Christ’. Furthermore, each believer debt to God we never could pay. By His adherents reveals why those who hold that all believers within a certain had – and has – the right and oligation resurrection He has proved that God to the Doctrine of the Church as per ‘diensation’ are automatically in ‘the to offer those sacrifices himself. He is now satisfied once for all with the Jackson, Evens, and many others, find it church universal’ is merely a human need not go through any form of human payment He once made on the tree, and so difficult to accept the teaching of the attempt to correct the Catholic error of a priesthood, man or organization. We every repenting soul who trusts Him is Landmark position, which is the position ‘visile’ universal church. Their doctrine have one High Priest, Jesus Christ. We free. that has been presented in previous would make Naaman, Darius, Noah, pray in His name! That is the requirement To make God’s forgiveness yours you issues of The Chosen Few. It is easy to Enoch, and many others part of Israel; for answered prayer. “For there is one must receive Christ by faith in His Word understand why those holding to the it would deny salvation to the Jewish God, and one mediator between God (John 1:12). You cannot see Christ now Reformed position of the church would proselytes that were denied full access and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. for He is in Heaven. You can never go to argue against the Landmark position, but to the Temple worship; and in the New 2:5). Him as you are. But He has left His own that has been covered in many previous Testament it would destroy the unity and Neither I, your pastor, nor your promise in His Word. Look unto me, issues of The Chosen Few and does not purity of the church that was so fiercely fellow church member, can pray or offer and be ye saved” (Isa. 45:22). You can need to be rehashed here again now. protected in Acts and the epistles; and sacrifice in your stead! We can, and will, trust Him for having done what He says So we feel we must again put things allow the same schismatic divisions that pray with you and fo you, but you must He has done. “The Son of Man is come in their proper order. We therefore Paul denounced in 1 Corinthians. With pray for yourself! to seek and to save that which was lost” submit these 8 reasons showing that a view to Eschatology, it would have the Even under the rigid priesthood laws (Luke 19:10). You can thankfully and Sacerdotalism is not Baptist. We present ‘church’, “ruling with Christ” but with no of Israel, believers had access to God humly trust God’s Word that His Son two charts, in this article, which the reader one to rule. without going through the human priest. Jesus was slain on Calvary’s tree in your will want to refer to as we proceed. Yes, dear reader, a person can be saved Hannah’s fervent; pathos filled prayer (1 stead and that His lood has forever 1. Regeneration differs from cate- without ever joining a Baptist church. Sam. 1:10-11) gives us ample evidence. atoned for your sins. gorical placement – Many who are so Indeed, one must be saved before even 3. A believer receives the Holy Spirit To thus trust your soul unreservedly to adamant against the doctrine of the local thinking of joining a Baptist church. upon regeneration not upon church Christ is salvation. This is being saved by church, as opposed to a universal church 2. The veil that was rent when Jesus membership. It is the Holy Spirit that grace. This is being made a new creature see this doctrine in the extreme of the died gave ALL believers access to the regenerates, convicts, gives faith, and in Christ. This is being justified by faith. way Sacerdotalism teaches. They seem to ‘Mercy Seat’, hence the ‘Priesthood of instructs the new believer. John 16 To thus trust your soul to Christ for all feel that we are teaching that one must be the Believer’. Most Protestants, and outlines a 4-fold ministry of the Holy that is past, for all that is now, for all that baptized and join the church to be fully Baptists in particular, have always made Spirit and only one of those ministries is before, is to be a forgiven soul. To do saved. This, we understand, is what the a big thing about the ‘Priesthood of the (teaching) can even slightly be construed this shows you have been born again. Campbellites teach, but it is not Baptist believer’. Both Peter and Paul make it to be through the church. Even that one Reader, will you not gladly now leave doctrine! It is a complete, 180° reversal of clear that all saints are priests. Writing is in no way confined to the church. your case in His loving hands? Will you Baptist doctrine! to believers scattered over the Roman John 16:7-13, “Nevertheless I tell not just now gladly believe that He died Salvation is a prerequisite of baptism Empire, Peter writes, “But ye are a you the truth; It is expedient for you under God’s curse in your stead to set you and church membership, at least in a chosen generation, a royal priesthood… that I go away: for if I go not away, the free forever? Will you even now come prope Baptist church that functions an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual Comforter will not come unto you; but by faith to Him, rest in Him, confide along bilical lines. It is sad that many sacrifices, acceptale to God by Jesus if I depart, I will send him unto you. in Him, cling to Him, and forsake all ‘religious societies,’ claiming the name Christ” (1 Pet. 2:5 & 9) Paul begs us, as And when he is come, he will reprove other hopes? Then you can joyfully say of ‘Baptist churches’ accept members believer priests, to “present your bodies the world of sin, and of righteousness, with David of old: “Blessed is he whose without credile evidence of conversion a living sacrifice, holy, acceptale unto and of judgment: Of sin, because they transgression is forgiven, whose sin is and without proper baptism; serving God, which is your reasonale service” believe not on me; Of righteousness, covered?” (Ps. 32:1), and go on your way them communion with the wrong (Rom. 12:1) because I go to my Father, and ye see rejoicing, singing Newton’s wonderful elements, even open communion, and Paul was writing to the believers who me no more; Of judgment, because the song: requiring little more, if any, than verbal were members of the ‘church which was prince of this world is judged. I have I saw one hanging on a tree acquiescence to a liturgical ritual. at Rome’ but this cannot be construed yet many things to say unto you, but ye In agony and in lood Salvation brings one into the family, to mean that their priesthood aivities cannot bear them now. Howbeit when Who fixed His languid eyes on me or kingdom, of God. “Except a man be were confined to the assemled church. he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will As nea His Cros I stood. born again, he cannot see the kingdom Gathering together for worship was guide you into all truth: for he shall of God.” (John 3:3, italics mine.) As you only one part of their ‘spiritual sacrifice’. not eak of himself; but whatsoever Sure neve till my latest breath will notice in chart 1, through out the As priests, part of that ‘royal and holy he shall hear, that shall he eak: and Can I forget that look. ages there have been many believers, priesthood’, they could – and should he will shew you things to come.” It seemed to charge me with His death obviously saved by grace through faith, – offer up their sacrifices of prayer and (Continued on page 147)
August 5, 2005 The Berea Baptist Banne Page 147 God. 1 Cor. 10:32, “Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, Non citizens - under Roman authority by virtue of Roman Empire The Baptist Doctrine nor to the church of God:” Here he sets No citizenship rights - at the mercy of Roman rule. (Continued from page 146) the ‘church of God’ in contradistinction Citizens of Rome - afforded rights & privileges not available to noncitizens Notice, the Holy Spirit will “reprove” to all others, but by including the “Jew”, (elegcw - elegcho - to convict, refute, he does not seem to be merely separating THE ECCLESSIA - THE CHURCH confute) the world, first of sin, then of the church from unbelievers but rather First had to be citizens First must be saved the righteousness of God, then of the as a separate entity. Lest anyone see this Called out of the citizenry Called out of the saved judgment to come. He will use the Word verse as supporting the universal church Required structure Required structure of God (Heb. 4:12), the of the theory we would remind the reader that testimony Had to be duly authorized Must be duly authorized church, and He will use the auspices of there was no recognition at that time by Rome meeting Roman by Christ, meeting NT a preacher (Rom. 10:14) whether that of Christians apart from their having standards & requirements standards and requirements preacher is preaching from the pulpit joined the local church in their town. of a church building or is the individual Denominational schisms and ‘free lance’ Christian, witnessing over the backyard believers hadn’t come to be. Believers who by choice or discipline are not members of a local church fence. The church at Corinth is being Too many churches today, particularly cautioned to avoid offending the in Sovereign Grace circles, have con- Jews, the Gentiles in town (probaly The unsaved - to the kingdom of God as non citizens were to Roman Empire strued the Sunday morning worship unbelievers) or other church members service as the place to evangelize. This or sister churches. The local church does THE CHURCH - as per the Roman ‘Ecclesia’ is not to say that evangelism should not not lose its importance here, nor does it Chart 2 be done there, but it is to say that the get elevated to the position of a corporate expressing his/her love for Christ (and but out of the ‘family of his father’. church – by definition – is a gathering priest or priesthood. other believers (John 13:34; 15:12, 17) Consider the ‘3:9 ratio’ in the 12. of saved, baptized believers. They gather 6. Acts 2:38 and the regenerate thief. by his/her reect, belief, and trusting When we read, “having loved his own for worship and teaching. (Cf. Eph. 4:11- Untold arguments have been presented obedience to the Word of God. which were in the world, he loved 14) Evangelism takes place elsewhere. from various points of view concerning A good wife honors and obeys her them unto the end” (John 13:1), do we I suect that it is this feature, coupled the place of baptism in the process of husband, often refusing to ‘do her own think He had less love for Nathanial and with the Augustinian doctrine of regeneration. The counter argument is thing’ or even do things as she might Philip than He had for Peter and John? ‘compelle intrare’, that has been a major usually the repentant thief whom our rather do differently. The believe ho Do we feel He had less love for Thomas factor in developing a Sacerdotalism Lord told, “This day thou wilt be with adamantly rejects the bilical position of the than for James? Yet He had an obvious, attitude in our churches even if not in me in paradise.” Without getting into local church, baptism, faithful attendance, uncontested, and unmerited, ecial actual taught doctrine. Too many rank diensational arguments, we suggest etc. is showing a lack of sufficient love, relationship with Peter, James, and John. and file church members are not taught that the thief was fully saved and that we reect, and obedience to Christ to be His These three were allowed ecial times and ale to lead someone to Christ. They will no doubt converse with him in glory. Bride. The wise man wrote, “It is better with the Lord that the 9 were not privy ‘bring their friends to church’ so the He obviously didn’t join the church to dwell in the wilderness, than with to. Only those three were allowed at the preache can lead them to Christ. Thus, or submit to baptism. All of this was a contentious and an angry woman” raising of Jairus’ daughter. Only those in praice even if not in doctrine, we according to God’s sovereign plan! The (Prov. 21:19). I’m sure our Lord does not three were privy to the transfiguration. have almost made our churches to be the thief is of no less glory than Paul or any want a contentious and angry bride. And in the time of our Lord’s greatest ‘sacrament’ by which one is brought to of the Apostles. He fit into God’s grace 7. Sovereignty applies to all, not just passion, it was these three that our Lord salvation. and plan exactly where God wanted him initial salvation. This writer has never took with Him into the garden to pray 4. The Priesthood of the Believer is to be. He has just as much of the Holy ceased to be amazed at the way so many with Him, leaving the 9 on the outskirts related to but is different than Individual Spirit as the greatest preacher in the ‘Sovereign Grace’ people are so quick to (Mark 14:32-3). Soul Liberty. We have already said enough greatest Baptist church. forget the sovereignty of God when we Dare we claim the Lord was being on this point so all that is necessary here We repeat that baptism and church get away from initial salvation. We hold unfair? God forbid! Dare we affirm that is to point out that the ‘Priesthood of membership are not prerequisites of fast to the concept that depraved man the 9 were less loved, less saved, or had the Believer, is the believer’s freedom to salvation, of receiving the Holy Spirit, or cannot and will not believe the goel less of the Holy Spirit? God forbid! Dare come to God on his own, through Jesus of being believer priests! Christ’s atoning unless the Holy Spirit reveals it to him. we impinge upon our Lord’s sovereign Christ. Individual Soul Liberty might work on the cross secured the salvation We hold fast to our Lord’s perfect right right to have a ecial intimacy with a just as well be expressed ‘Individual for every saved person from Adam to to choose some out of the race of fallen chosen few? God forbid! And you will Soul Responsibility’. It is the individual’s eternity! But we suggest that the church, man – by grace alone, completely apart notice that though every disciple had personal freedom and responsibility to which is the Bride of Christ, is that from merit - to love and save. “And not an important and vital part in both believe or not to believe; or to obey or ecial relationship, apart from the rest only this; but when Rebecca also had the earthly ministry of Christ and the not to obey. Conviction is the work of of the family of God, as and for Christ’s conceived by one, even by our father ministry of the early church, these three the Holy Spirit – in the believer. The own glory and pleasure – much like as, in Isaac; (For the children being not yet were set apart for ecial responsibility believer is taught in and through the a good marriage, a man has that ecial born, neither having done any good or and privilege. James was honored as the church, but he or she must believe or act intimate relationship with his wife that evil, that the purpose of God according first Christian martyr. John was allowed according to his or her own convictions. he has with no other family member or to election might stand, not of works, to see and write about the consummation The church cannot dictate the private friend. but of him that calleth;) It was said of the age. Peter was the ‘Apostle to the lives of her members. There are some But that relationship does not lessen unto her, The elder shall serve the Jews’. religious groups that try to do so, even his love for the other family members or younger. As it is written, Jacob have The 9 were used of God and loved of checking member’s checking accounts friends! The wife has a ecial place in the I loved, but Esau have I hated” (Rom. God, but spared the ecial cup given to to see how they end their money, but heart of her husband, has privileges that 9:10-13). these three to drink. Remember, when those groups are neither churches nor no other has, and also has responsibilities We have no prolem with a sovereign James and John asked for ecial seats Christian. that no other has. Thus it is with the God giving commandments and in the kingdom to come, our Lord asked 5. The Jew, Gentile, and the Church church, the Bride of Christ. She submits standards which that chosen and loved them, “Can ye drink of the cup that I of God. Many have made the statement to His authority in love, not in duty or people must obey as a part of being His drink of? and be baptized with the that, in God’s eyes at least, there are under force as would a concubine or hired ‘particular, chosen people’. baptism that I am baptized with?” And only two kinds of people, the saved and lover. Her obedience is an expression of But yet so many refuse to grant our He told them, “Ye shall indeed drink of the unsaved; or only two ‘races’, Jew and love, reect, belief, and trust. Lord the right to sovereignly choose a the cup that I drink of; and with the Gentile. But in writing to the church The believer who submits to baptism, bride for Himself, out of the family of God. baptism that I am baptized withal shall at Corinth Paul defines three groups, proper church membership, church Abraham sought a bride for Isaac, not ye be baptized:” (Mark 10:38-39). the Jew, the Gentile, and the church of authority, and proper communion is out of the people among whom he dwelt (Continued on page 148)
Page 148 The Berea Baptist Banne August 5, 2005 thundering diction of the King James us, they would no doubt have continued understanding more truth! The Baptist Doctrine is so clear (and accurate to the Greek with us: but they went out, that they I must warn you, however, that if your (Continued from page 147) grammar), “and his wife hath made might be made manifest that they were faith depends on you decision, a note on Remember that our Lord said of Paul, herself ready.” We ask the reader, have not all of us” gives us further evidence the flyleaf of your Bile, or a prayer you “For I will shew him how great things you made yourself ready? of unsaved people that had joined the repeated after the evangelist, you are he must suffer for my name’s sake” This message has been primarily church of God but left, evidently of their on ‘thin ice’. If there is no evidence of (Acts 9:16). Like those three ecial directed to believers, but this question own free will, because their nature didn’t obedience, no change in heart or attitude, disciples, Paul’s ecial ministry, ecial brings the unsaved into the forefront as fit in the holy society of saved people. you are on slippery ground. glory, and ecial suffering were by the well. Again, see chart 2. The ‘ecclesia’ the Church discipline, as taught and As our Lord so frequently said, “He sovereign choice of God. See chart 2. ‘church,’ the ‘Bride’ is chosen out of the praiced in those early churches, both that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” The ‘ecclesia’ is chosen at the choice of citizenry of Rome, out of the kingdom or weeded out the pseudo-believers and The doctrine of a universal church the authority; the Roman ecclesia by the family of God. Before you can consider those that just needed discipline because linds people to their need of salvation rulers of Rome; the Lord’s ecclesia by the the Bride you must first be saved. Have they weren’t willing to be obedient to the because: Lord. To each ecclesia there was granted you; will you now, put your trust and Word and principles of God. It tested the 1. It implies a universal salvation, often and assigned, its own purpose, authority, faith for salvation in Jesus Christ alone? reality of the faith and conversion of the for any who will merely articulate an and glory – along with the responsibility Has the Holy Spirit revealed to you one disciplined. If a true believer, they academic confession that Jesus Christ is and suffering that came with it. that Christ died for you; that He did all would repent. If not, they would remain Savior, rarely recognizing Him as Lord; The Roman citizen had to meet certain that was needed, and that you can add out of the fellowship of God. But those 2. It offers all the rewards of heaven to qualifications to be part of the ecclesia, nothing – and must not try? that were truly saved were moved to anyone who goes to any ‘church’, making but in so doing they were no more or CONCLUSIONS: repentance and restored to membership no difference in correct doctrine and less full citizens of Rome. To be a part The doctrine of the ‘local’ church (1 Cor. 5:1-6; 2 Cor 2:6-7). While they praice; of ‘The Lord’s Ecclesia’ one must also carries with it some prolems because of were outside the aive membership of 3. It makes proper doctrine and meet certain qualifications, and accept the term ‘local’. We suggest that the term the church they were still saved. Had praice a ‘divisive’ factor, not a unifying assigned purpose and responsibility ‘local’ has been attached only to clarify they died in that position, they would factor; before receiving the authority and glory. the difference from the error of the still have gone to heaven, but without the 4. And it removes the need or unity Sometimes those qualifications demand ‘universal’ church. Neithe term appears lessings and ecial role of the Bride of of local church worship and ‘gathering humle submission and obedience and a in scriptural usage. As we have pointed Christ. together’ (cf. Heb. 10:25). certain amount of suffering at the hands out so many times, there as no such Divisions sprang up among professing of the world – and even other Christians debate in the early church. believers (cf. 1 Cor 1 & 3) that eventually who have not been chosen, not been For believers in apostolic times it was led to church splits and doctrinal qualified, and are not willing to submit almost an automatic thing that when differences. Churches that would not The Mind of Christ to the commands of God. they identified with Christ they were follow Apostolic leading and teaching (Continued from page 141) Jesus said, “If any man will come baptized (immersed, not sprinkled) and became apostate (cf. Rev. 2 & 3) until This is eecially true in the realm of after me, let him deny himself, and joined the church in the area where they Christ was virtually expelled from that intellectual existence. “Fo to me to think take up his cross, and follow me” (Matt. were. There were then, and are now, which was called a church (cf. Rev. is Christ.” Mentally, as well as morally, I 16:24), and the discerning reader will occasions when members of a church in 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and am dead to self. “Nevertheles I think; yet notice that this is right in the heels of His a certain city did not live in that city. As knock”), even though some of the people not I, but Christ thinketh through me; and announcement of His church and the soon as possile they started a church in in those apostate churches were evidently the thoughts hich I now think in the flesh authority/responsibility assigned to it. the place where they were. They weren’t true believers. I think by the faith of the Son of God, ho We ask the reader, “Can ye drink of the all ecially authorized missionaries, But those apostate churches, like so loved me and gave himself fo me.” To the cup that I drink of? and be baptized but like Cornelius (Acts 10) they bore many so-called churches today, were Christian, there is no line of demarcation with the baptism that I am baptized testimony to God and gathered people not the true church; were not proper between the realms of mentality and with?” together to hear the Word of God. This churches; and were (are) not the Bride of morality, the domains of thought and 8. Bride’s position in relationship to missionary lives 1100 miles from the Christ. To those within their ranks that life. Christ is sovereign and master of the rest of the family. This point also has church where his membership lies. are saved, the Lord’s call is the same today all. Christ reigns and rules in the mental been touched throughout this message, In this case, he is an authorized as it was then, and will be in the future, as well as in the moral sphere. Christ is so little more needs to be said here. We missionary of that church and still under “Come out of her, my people, that ye be our wisdom as well as our righteousness. have discussed the difference between the authority of that church. In some not partakers of her sins, and that ye “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who the bride and other family members, and cases people are miles from their ’home’ receive not of her plagues” (Rev. 18:4). of God is made unto us wisdom, and pointed out that the ecial intimacy and church because there is no church in Dear reader, if God has granted you righteousness and sanctification, and position of the Bride does not detract their area of like doctrine and praice. spiritual life and faith to believe that redemption” (I Cor. 1:30). from the Groom’s love for the rest of the In these situations the term ‘local’ seems Christ’s vicarious sacrifice on the cross Bro. Milburn R. Cockrell, a devout family; that she is chosen at the will of a little out of place, but we retain the was for you, and that His death didn’t just Christian said, “I think my thoughts the Groom; and that she had to meet term because, even though we may all make your salvation possile but actually after God. That is the way---the only requirements and standards that no be in the ‘family or kingdom of God’, we secured it; If your trust is purely based on way---to true intellectual eminence. The other woman had to meet. Likewise the are not members of a ‘universal’ church the work of Christ alone – not depending freethinker is fooling himself when he Bride of Christ. which has no doctrinal statement, no on some small part that you have done; presumes that the Christian loses liberty It is a position to be desired, and to covenant, no known membership, and no Then you are just as saved as I - you are of thought by obediently believing the a degree earned, yet she attains that functioning service, but we are members just as much indwelt by the Holy Spirit as revelation of God. The fact is that true position by the mercy and grace of God, of a ecific local church that meets all I am – you are just as much of a believer liberty is achieved only by trusting not by her own merit. Ezekiel 16 gives the requirements we have taught in this priest as I am – and you have full and free and believing and obeying the God of a beautiful picture of how the Lord message and many others. access to the throne of grace in prayer. all wisdom. By faith, we are permitted provides all that is needed to meet the Unfortunately, then as now, the No matter how much emphasis we to soar to heavenly heights of divine bride’s requirements – He has made finitude of mortal men prevented them put on proper baptism, proper church wisdom. By faith, we are permitted to her what she is and now brings her to really knowing the hearts of those membership, and proper worship, the enter into knowledge of eternal truth.” Himself in that loving relationship. who professed to be saved, so some lack of these things do not mar your “But the natural man receiveth not With another view to eschatology, unsaved people were taken into church position as a born again child of God. the things of the spirit of God: for we see her as co-regent with Christ as membership, even as they are today. The These are issues of obedience to the Word they are foolishness unto him: neither the Queen is co-regent with the King. incident of Simon, in Acts 8 gives us an of God as God grants you understanding can he know them, because they are We see her in Revelation 19:7-8 & 21:2, illustration and John’s words (1 John and light. spiritually discerned” (I Cor. 2:14). arrayed in glory, but please note, as we 2:19), “They went out from us, but they Howeve, e must emphasize again that The person who has rejected the gift have so frequently pointed out and the were not of us; for if they had been of obedience to known truth is a prerequisite to (Continued on page 149)
August 5, 2005 The Berea Baptist Banne Page 149 32:6; I Chronicles 17:21; Nehemiah 1:10; ways and my thoughts higher than Psalm 107.2; Isaiah 43:1; 43:3; 44:22- your thoughts” (Isa.55:8-9). qwwwwwwwwwe 24; 48:20; 62:12; 63:4; 63:9; Jeremiah God’s thoughts are not our thoughts U u 31:11; Hosea 7:13; Micah 4:10; 6:4; and and are indeed as much higher than ours BRealizingits theof need W for moreisdom good writers in for our Baptist the churches, Y theoung editor has established and this sectionOld of the Zechariah 10:8. as the heavens are higher than the earth, paper for those who are just beginning to engage in religious writing. I would urge both young or older writers to This is a substantial, but by no means yet we may think them after him. What use this space in the BBB. Such articles must be at least one page (approximatly 500 words) and should not exceeed an exhaustive, list of verses showing that a sulime and lessed privilege! What an U three pages. Please submit your articles to the Berea Baptist Banner, PO Box 39, Mantachie, MS 38855. u God the Father definitely “bought” the opportunity to attain a comprehension nation of Israel, His chosen people, by of Heavenly Truth! Only the most QWWWWWWWWWE redeeming them from Egypt, Babylon, irrational of the rationalists will argue The first verse using #1203 to denote and Assyria. that one loses his intellectual liberty Searching for Truth deity is Luke 2:29. The context of verse Now, getting back to our text, there is when he ascends on the wings of faith to 25-26 and 30-31 make it clear Simeon is no doubt the Apostle Peter is talking to supernatural heights in his thinking. One in II Peter 2:1 eaking to God the Father. a group of Jews, and as members of the might as well contend that the bird loses By David G. Hoffman The next verse is Acts 4:24. The nation of Israel were “bought” by God his freedom by making use of his wings of Gatesville, Texas context of this verse, too, makes it clear the Father as noted above. See eecially, to attain altitude in his flight! Man does There are those who assume the word God the Father is being spoken to, for He Deuteronomy 32:6 and Isaiah 43:3. not lose, he gains, intellectual freedom “Lord” in our text is referring to the Lord is the creator of all things. In conclusion, by a preponderance and altitude when he humly leans Jesus Christ. And in so assuming teach The next verse is Jude 4. This verse is of the evidence stated above --which upon the resources of heavenly truth. that our text proves Christ bought all significant because it clearly distinguishes can be obtained independently by It is still true that one man and God mankind; and that those bought have the a difference between #1203 and #2962. diligent study of the Scripture aided by make a majority. The dullest individual power to deny Him. The first clause,“Lord God,” is #1203, but a good concordance and Hebrew/Greek who believes God and unites himself I heartily disagree. I do not care to the second clause, “Lord Jesus Christ,” language references-- we find: intellectually with supreme wisdom is argue, however, I do care to prayerfully, is #2962. There can be no doubt #1203 II Peter 2:1 does not imply these infinitely wiser than all mankind who and diligently search the Scriptures --in in this verse is denoting God the Father “false teachers” were ever “bought” rely upon their own wisdom. Proverbs the Spirit of the Bereans-- whether the too. by Jesus Christ as some falsely teach. It 3:5-6. The most ignorant person who things I write are so. But I am just a man, The next verse is Revelation 6:10. If does, however, show us --rightly divided- “thinks God’s thoughts after Him” and as such, am prone to make mistakes. we read from 6:1 down to 6:11, it may - they were bought by God the Father as becomes the intellectual superior of the So, please do no take this study at face seem this word “Lord” is referring to the members of the nation of Israel when He most highly educated person who relies value, but in the God inspired words of Lamb of verse one. But please note, the redeemed Israel from their enemies as upon their own understanding. The the Apostle Paul, “Prove all things; hold English word “Lord” is found 22 times outlined above. weakest-minded individual who believes fast that which is good” (I Thess. 5:21). in the book of Revelation. Only one of Arminians wrest this text to their the Bile knows more than the greatest Let’s begin with a preliminary study which is #1203, and here to denotes God own destruction to try and prove “free- brain which always denies the revelation of the English word “Lord” as found in the Father. Why else would the Apostle will” when it simply doesn’t exist. of God. The person considered stupid, the New Testament. Using the Strongest use #1262 twenty-one times, then switch I pray my Lord and Saviour, Jesus who by faith possesses the gift of spiritual Strong’s Exhaustive Concodance of the to #1203 out of the lue if not to make a Christ uses this study as He sees fit. Any discernment is ale to comprehend more Bile, I found there are four Greek words distinction from the Lamb of verse one? errors herein are wholly my own. than the greatest scientist who is confined translated as “Lord”: #1203 despotes; The next verse is II Timothy 2:21, Autho’s note: All Greek numbers, wods, & in the range and realm of naturalism. The #2961 kyrieno; #2962 kyrios; and #4462 which translates #1203 as “maste’s.” Here definitions from the Strongest Strong’s Exhaustive Christian finds innate mental inequalities rhaboni. in chapter two #2962 is translated 3 times Concodance of the Bile, 21st Century Edition, entirely unimportant and irrelevant. #1203 despotes---master; Sovereign as “Lord,” then a distinction is made in 2001. *The numbers given in the Strong’s God is no reecter of persons. He Lord:-Lord/lord [5], masters [4], v. 21 by using #1203 being translated as definition are G/K numbers, I converted them to giveth wisdom abundantly to all men master’s all [1]. “maste’s.” #2962 is translated in other Strong’s numbers fo simplification. who ask of Him through faith in Jesus #2961 kyrieno---to lord over, be verses as “maste,” “masters,” and “masters’” Christ. Through Christ, all men can master of, have authority over, one who ---so again the Apostle is making a become intellectual equals. By believing rules or exercises authority; note in some distinction between the two. I believe the The Mind of Christ and trusting and obeying God, all men contexts there is an implication that the context shows #1203 is referring to God have access to eternal truth. All souls authority exercised is harsh:-Lord/lord the Father here, too. (Continued from page 148) are equal before God: that is the basis [1], dominion over [1], exercise lordship The final verse #1203 denotes deity of spiritual discernment, which is ours of a system of justice which makes all over [1], hath dominion over [1], exercise in our text, II Peter 2:1. The question is through faith in Jesus Christ; the man men equal in their individual rights. All lordship over [1], hath dominion over whether #1203 here refers to God the who refuses to walk in the light of eternal minds are equal before God: Christianity [1], have dominion over [1], lords [1], Father, or the Son. Those opposed to the truth; the man who refuses to believe the refuses to permit the fixing of intellectual over [1]. Sovereignty of God say it refers to Jesus revelation of God---he is the one who strata among men. Through prayer, #2962 kyrious---lord, master. This can Christ. I beg to differ. lacks real intellectual liberty, he is the one the individual is ale to transcend his be a title of address to a person of higher Comparing Scripture with Scripture who is imprisoned in ignorance; he is the own limitations. Through Christ, the status, “lord, sir”; a master of property or and allowing the Bile to define itself -- one who stumles in darkness. There is individual is made a partner with God. slaves; or a NT translation of Hebrew I can only conclude that #1203 denotes no liberty in denying; there is no liberty He becomes “joint-heirs with Christ” #136* “Lod,” or #3068* “LORD,” that is God the Father. In each verse using this in doubting; there is true liberty only in (Rom. 8:17), (II Pet. 1:4-10). “Yahweh,” the proper name of God in the Greek word we find no indication that believing---in knowing. OT:-Lord/lord[703], Lord’s/lord’s[15], it ever refers to Jesus Christ. Thus the The wisdom of the world is foolishness sir[11], masters[8], master[4], lords[3], clause, “denying the Lord that bought and folly compared to the wisdom of God. Repentance is a flower God[1], masters’[1], owners[1], sirs[1]. them,” cannot be referring the the Lord The knowledge of the natural world is that grows not in nature’s #4462 rhaboni---Raboni, a title of a and Saviour, Jesus Christ. intellectual bankruptcy when put beside teacher:-Lord [1], Raboni [1]. It does, however, refer to a purchase the knowledge of the supernatural. The garden. The word in our text is#1203 , so there made by God the Father. And if you’ll truth which is achieved through the is where we shall focus our attention. bear with me, I’ll endeavor to show you science laboratory is insignificant and However, I think it’s necessary to what it was He bought. The following Old worthless when considered with the 2 acknowledge the other three to show Testament verses should be sufficient truth which comes from God. “For my Christians, the highway to the significance of #1203 in the six evidence for us to see just what God thoughts are not your thoughts, neither verses where it clearly denotes deity. The the Father “bought,” and what is being are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. comfort is to mind comfort remaining four verses using this word do referred to in II Peter 2:1: Exodus 6:6; For as the heavens are higher than the less and duty more. not denote deity. 15:13; Deuteronomy 7:8; 13:5; 15:15; earth, so are my ways higher than your
Page 150 The Berea Baptist Banne August 5, 2005 doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” Satan is alive and well. He is also a formidile foe along with the principalities and powers that do his bidding. Satan The Berea BaptistSubmit you questions Banne on any Bile topic. Forum is not alone in his war against God and Satan is not omnipresent, so ho tempts the individual Christians? - Texas His people. He has enlisted others in angels fell with him. Apparently, there is his quest to usurp the authority of God. Raymond F. Bennett spirits, are one of the main sources of some type of angelic hierarchy among the Ephesians 6:10-12 advises the saints how Beracah Baptist Mission temptation, oppression, and opposition 271 Gray Road non-elect angels as there is with the elect to wage spiritual warfare against Satan Ithaca, NY 14850-8761 to the believer. But there is often a angels. It seems that Satan is the head of and his minions: “Finally, my brethren, greater source of temptation to the this hierarchy. He uses these angels (also be strong in the Lord, and in the power Missionary of believer, namely his or her own lusts called devils and demons) to tempt both of his might. Put on the whole armour Berea and desires. “But every man is tempted, Baptist Church the saved and the lost. of God, that ye may be ale to stand PO Box 39 when he is drawn away of his own lust, TODD BRYANT against the wiles of the devil. For we Mantachie, MS 38855 and enticed. Then when lust hath wrestle not against flesh and lood, but conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and Tom Ross against principalities, against powers, This is a good question and though sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth 6339 County Rd. 15 against the rulers of the darkness of quite easily answered it is a frequent death” (James 1:14-15). South Point, OH 45680 this world, against spiritual wickedness We tend to give the devil too much prolem for many Christians. We are Pastor in high places.” too steeped in traditional teaching and credit! Satan himself has been affected Mt. Pleasant Temptation comes from within (the understanding, so often expressed by the by his fall and his power limited. I Cor. Baptist Church flesh), from without (the world), and old Flip Wilson quip, “The Devil made 10:13 clearly addresses this question (cf. 6939 County Rd. 15 from spiritual adversaries (Satan and Chesapeake, OH 45619 me do it.” Job 1 & 2). We are not allowed to be his emissaries). The greatest source of The first thing we need to remember tempted, even by our own lusts, beyond temptation comes from the flesh and the is that ‘Satan’ is a title, not his name. our ability to resist and we are always The believer’s greatest enemies are the world combined. Let us learn to take His name is Lucifer (Isa 14:12). He is given a “way to escape.” “There hath no flesh, the world, and the Devil. Fleshly heed to the warnings of Scripture so that the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10; temptation taken you but such as is lusts daily war against our souls which we can resist temptations as they are cf. Job 1 & 2), the instigator of the common to man: but God is faithful, is why we are instructed to crucify and presented on a daily basis. first and primary sin, the leader of the who will not suffer you to be tempted mortify the desires of the old Adamic TOM ROSS demonic forces, and the enemy of God. above that ye are ale; but will with the nature. James 1:14-16 states: “But every But the questioner is right! He is not temptation also make a way to escape, man is tempted, when he is drawn away Matt James omnipresent. that ye may be ale to bear it.” of his own lust, and enticed. Then 3756 Pendent Ln. There are a few instances recorded This compounds the nature of our when lust hath conceived, it bringeth Columbus, OH 43207 sin because a) we hide behind satanic, or forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, in the Bile when Satan was the direct Pastor tempter of someone. He was the direct demonic, temptation as an excuse for our bringeth forth death. Do not err, my Sovereign Grace tempter of Eve in the garden, of Job, own lack of self-discipline, b) Scripture beloved brethren.” Satan does not need Baptist Church and of our Lord as He began His earthly asserts that we, as believers, actually were to be present for temptation to occur. 6041 Africa Road ministry. It is said that he entered into ale to withstand the temptation, and c) Any of the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19- Galena, OH 43021 Judas (John 13:27). He is also sometimes we failed to utilize the divinely provided 21) can stir unholy passions within the the direct tempter of saints, but I suggest “way to escape.” depraved nature of the old man. In order “But every man is tempted, when only in ecial cases as illustrated in RAY BENNETT to fight the temptations of the flesh we he is drawn away of his own lust, and Peter (Matt. 16:23 Mark 8:33; Luke 4:8; must daily obey the admonition recorded enticed” (James 1:14). Perhaps we give 22:31). Todd Bryant in Ephesians 4:22-24: “That ye put off Satan too much credit. James says in this 3000 Hillswood Circle concerning the former conversation passage that we are tempted when we are We frequently eak of ‘satanic’ Northport, AL 35473 opposition but we would be more the old man, which is corrupt according drawn away in our own lust and enticed. bilically correct using the term Pastor to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed This doesn’t mean that Satan may not ‘demonic’ opposition. Satan has legions Sovereign Grace in the spirit of your mind; And that ye tempt individuals, he does. But he does Baptist Church put on the new man, which after God not personally have to be present for of fallen angels in his service (Luke 8:30), 12859 Martin Road more properly called ‘demons.’ Herein is Spur is created in righteousness and true anyone to be tempted. We are tempted the answer to this question. In instances Northport, AL 35473 holiness.” with our own lusts even if Satan is not such as Matt. 4 (the temptation of The world system that is diametrically present. Jesus), inspired Scripture uses the term “…the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh opposed to God and His ways is constantly The Word of God does call Satan the “Diabolos” (the chief of demons) but about, seeking whom he may devour” finding a variety of means to bombard tempter, and he has certainly tempted in all but one other instance the term (I Pet. 5:8). people with temptations that appeal to and deceived many. He does not have “daimon” or “diamonion” is used, which This question brings to head a subject their base nature. We must ever beware to be omnipresent in order to do this. would be better translated “demon.” where there is much misunderstanding. of the subtle ways in which the world He can deceive multitudes in the same These ‘demons’ are evil spirits, Phraseology like “the devil made me seeks to steal our affection from God. way false prophets or politicians do. If thought to be the fallen angels that do it” has caused people to have the I John 2:14-17 states: “I have written they are not omnipresent yet are ale to followed Lucifer in the original fall but misconception that Satan is omnipresent unto you, fathers, because ye have deceive many, how much more do you differentiated from the spirits referred to and that all tempting comes from him. known him that is from the beginning. think Satan is capale of? in II Pet. 2:4 and Jude 4. The latter are Obviously, I Pet. 5:8 informs us that I have written unto you, young men, We do not know exactly how strong seen as bound and restricted while the Satan is looking for any people he can because ye are strong, and the word or powerful Satan is, but we do know former are free to go about and are ale cause to stumle and sin. Despite the of God abideth in you, and ye have that compared to God he is trivial. I to indwell both man and beast. Despite fact that he is presently “the god of this overcome the wicked one. Love not the personally think one of Satan’s taics is the ridicule of modern academia, their world” (II Cor. 4:4), he is not the True world, neither the things that are in the to make us think he is stronger than he existence is abundantly verified in Holy and Living Almighty God of the Bile. world. If any man love the world, the really is. Many Christians are worried Writ. He does not possess God’s attributes. He love of the Father is not in him. For about the power of the Devil, but God It needs to be emphasized here that is not “in every place, beholding the evil all that is in the world, the lust of the tells us to “resist the devil, and he will these demons cannot indwell a born and the good” (Pro. 15:3). If he is going flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the flee from you” (James 4:7). It’s not again saint because a truly born again to tempt more than one person at a time, pride of life, is not of the Father, but is that we should be careless or apathetic saint is indwelt by the Holy Spirit! (1 he is going to need help. His help comes of the world. And the world passeth about the devil, for we read in I Peter John 4:4) But these demons, or evil from “his angels” (Matt. 25:41). These away, and the lust thereof: but he that (Continued on page 154)
August 5, 2005 The Berea Baptist Banne Page 151 through Him Who is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Hebrews 4:14, 16 reads “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into The Berea BaptistSubmit you questions Banne on any Bile topic. Forum the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let To fulfill Old Testament typology of lood being sprinkled on the mercy seat wouldn’t Christ’s lood have to be sprinkled on the mercy us hold fast our profession…” “…Let us seat? If so, as this done at the crucifixion o at anothe time? - Mississippi therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, Raymond F. Bennett of that which was in Heaven (Ex. 25:40). in the tomb were not just idle time, but and find grace to help in time of need.” Beracah Baptist Mission 271 Gray Road The rituals of the Old Testament worship Christ’s offering, i.e.: sprinkling of His All believers have access to the true Ithaca, NY 14850-8761 were but praices designed by God to lood, on the heavenly altar. Mercy Seat in Christ. There is no longer show forth the total commitment and Had the offering brought by the High a need for the old, or it would still be here Missionary of innocent sacrifice of Christ. The ‘Holy Priest been unsatisfactory, he would have today. Berea Baptist Church of Holies’ was but a representation of the been struck dead there. The High Priest’s In addition, we must always be careful PO Box 39 holiness of God and the inability of sinful coming out from the Holy of Holies typifies how we judge the things of God. On what Mantachie, MS 38855 man to reach Him apart from the pure, our Lord’s resurrection – proof positive basis do we decide how Old Testament vicarious, lood sacrifice of an innocent that the offering had been accepted. Our typology must be fulfilled? By what This is a lengthy and difficult question. substitute. Lord’s resurrection was the proof positive standard do we apply judgment? We I fear it will be difficult to answer this The ‘pattern’ after which Moses was that His offering on our behalf had been cannot simply use human reasoning here, question satisfactorily in the allotted to build the Tabernacle, coupled with accepted and therefore our sins forgiven. but must submit ourselves to the Word space in such a forum as this. the ‘Temple’ that John saw in his vision The parallel that the writer of of God. The book of Hebrews explains in We need to see four points in order of glory (Rev. 15:8) make it evident that Hebrews draws fits here. As the High great detail how the Old Covenant types to answer this question but they are there is a Temple in Heaven, whether Priest entered a tabernacle, ‘made with are fulfilled in Christ, and I recommend so intertwined that they all must be spiritual or material we cannot say with hands’ to offer a temporary sacrifice (the studying this book in great detail to better discussed together. We need to see the assurance. But there is a temple in glory! sprinkling of the bullock’s lood on the understand this subject. ‘heavenly tabernacle’ after which the Old The temple of Ezekiel’s vision (40- altar), Christ, ou High Priest, entered into MATT JAMES Testament tabernacle was patterned; the 44) seems to also picture that heavenly a tabernacle not made with hands, that is Day of atonement and how it pictures temple. Some have taught that Ezekiel’s to say heaven itself, and sprinkled His own Tom Ross the death, burial and resurrection of our temple vision is the temple of the lood on the altar seen so frequently in 6339 County Rd. 15 South Point, OH 45680 Lord; the ‘temple in heaven’ that John millennium. This writer will not venture Revelation, as a permanent sacrifice, in saw in the Revelation, and the parallel to debate that point either way, but some that heavenly tabernacle after which the Pastor (not analogy) that the writer of Hebrews (even Baptists) have taught that the Jews earthly tabernacle was patterned. Mt. Pleasant draws. That’s a big order! May our Lord will again be offering animal sacrifices “It was therefore necessary that Baptist Church be pleased to grant us understanding! in the millennial temple, supposedly the patterns of things in the heavens 6939 County Rd. 15 Chesapeake, OH 45619 The reader is referred to some lengthy looking back to the sacrifice of Christ. should be purified with these; but the passages of Scripture (Ex. 25:40; Lev. We categorically reject that concept, heavenly things themselves with better 16:2-26; Ezek, 40-44; Heb. 8:1-6; 9:1-28; considering such sacrifices nothing more sacrifices than these” (Heb. 9:23). The efficacy of Christ’s redeeming Rev. 5:8) of which we will only quote 5 than the ‘re-crucifying’ of Christ as in RAY BENNETT work satisfied all of the law’s demands verses here. the Catholic mass. Christ’s lood as shed when He died, was buried, and rose “And look that thou make them once fo all and neve needs to be done again! Matt James again. The offering of His shed lood after their pattern, which was shewed It may be, however, that we will celebrate 3756 Pendent Ln. was accepted by the Father as the only thee in the mount” (Ex. 25:40). the Lord’s Supper in Heaven because our Columbus, OH 43207 means of reconciling the elect to God. “But Christ being come an high Lord implies that He will drink of the The language of Scripture is clear. Pastor priest of good things to come, by a cup (the fruit of the vine) again when Sovereign Grace Christ offering Himself as our righteous greater and more perfect tabernacle, the Kingdom of God is fully come (Luke Baptist Church substitute is what in effect puts away our not made with hands, that is to say, 22:18). 6041 Africa Road sin and gives us a right standing with not of this building;…It was therefore The Hebrews passage seems to answer Galena, OH 43021 God. Our salvation is not bound up in a necessary that the patterns of things this question best. ceremony or the precise fulfillment of Old in the heavens should be purified When Christ died, the temple veil Christ’s lood was never sprinkled Testament types and shadows. Rather it with these; but the heavenly things was rent from top to bottom (Matt. on the mercy seat that God commanded is the finished work of the Saviour alone themselves with better sacrifices than 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45). The Moses to build (Exodus 25:17-22). that saves us. Hebrews 9:24-26 declares: these. For Christ is not entered into the Old Testament temple worship was Christ Himself is the true Mercy Seat, “For Christ is not entered into the holy holy places made with hands, which are then abolished, the typology having anticipated and portrayed in type or places made with hands, which are the the figures of the true; but into heaven been fulfilled in Christ and the way into figure by the Old Testament mercy seat. figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of the Holy of Holies was now open to any In Hebrews 8:5; 9:9; 10:1 we see that the itself, now to appear in the presence God for us” (Heb. 9:11; 23-24). and all who would come in proper heart tabernacle, priesthood, and sacrifices of God for us: Nor yet that he should “And the temple was filled with worship. The only remaining part of were all figures and shadows of realities offer himself often, as the high priest smoke from the glory of God, and from the typology at that point in time was in Christ. entereth into the holy place every year his power; and no man was ale to enter the actual sprinkling of the lood on the Concerning the mercy seat, Exodus with lood of others; For then must he into the temple, till the seven plagues mercy seat. 25:22 says, “and there I will meet often have suffered since the foundation of the seven angels were fulfilled” (Rev. For this we need to look at the ‘Day of with thee, and I will commune with of the world: but now once in the end of 15:8). Atonement’ and the parallelism that the thee from above the mercy seat, from the world hath he appeared to put away We need to remember that the writer of Hebrews draws for us. between the two cherubims which are sin by the sacrifice of himself.” worship, as outlined in the Law of Moses, The High Priest’s entering of the Holy upon the ark of the testimony…” The When Jesus appeared to Mary after that portion of the law we refer to as ‘the of Holies typified Christ’s burial. Burial, mercy seat, therefore, was the place His resurrection He said unto her “... ceremonial law’, is all typology, a figure of of course, represents death, in this case, where God would meet and commune Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended the true, bringing the spiritual realities of Christ’s death and shed lood. “For it with His people. to my Father: but go to my brethren, heaven and the, then future, ministry of is the life of all flesh; the lood of it is We find then that Christ is our true and say unto them, I ascend unto my Christ into a format that finite, mortal for the life thereof” (Lev. 17:14). It was Mercy Seat, because He has entered into Father, and your Father; and to my man could see and grasp. this that the lood sprinkled on the altar the heavens and lives forever to make God, and your God” (John 20:17). We From the very beginning of Jewish typified, that is the death of our Lord intercession for His people (Hebrews know that later on in the same chapter worship, the temple was given as a picture Jesus Christ. So the three days and nights 7:25). We have access to God only (Continued on page 154)
Page 152 The Berea Baptist Banne August 5, 2005 me by Doctor Elton McCann, my which we anticipated. know that they which minister about professor who taught a seminary course VII. NEW TESTAMENT holy things live of the things of the The Tithe I took titled Christian Ministry and SCRIPTURES WHICH temple? and they which wait at the Part 2 Finance. Doctor McCann pointed out INDIRECTLY SUPPORT altar are partakers with the altar?” (v. (Continued from last issue) that when we drive on paved highways, TITHING/GIVING 13). The same was true for the churches’ and are secure both at home and abroad It is previously pointed out that pastors, for since they preach the goel, By Philip C. Parks because of our police and military, and ecific New Testament passages cannot they “should live of the goel.” John of Flint, Texas when we have fire protection, a sound be found which command the saint Gill’s comment regarding this phrase is: VI. TITHING government and a myriad of other federal during our current church diensation “the sense is, that in consideration and DURING NEW benefits, we have in effect “bought” these to tithe. because of their preaching the Goel, T E S TA M E N T things for our advantage. Therefore the Although Christ and all the other they should be supplied with the proper TIMES tax we pay is money that belongs to us writers of the New Testament never necessaries of life.”3 (1) OLD and money we end indirectly. commanded us to tithe, they strongly (4) I CORINTHIANS 16:2 TESTAMENT If an argument is raised that a tithe endorsed and encouraged the praice of One more Scripture proof should EXAMPLES should not be given from our tax giving to the church. In fact, they actually suffice regarding tithing. Paul pleaded FOR NEW deductions because one does not agree clearly stated that we, according to the with many churches including the TESTAMENT with the manner our government ends knowledge that Christ gave His all for Corinthian Church to give of their TITHING money, this argument can be quickly us, are indebted much more than a mere resources to help the persecuted saints Many will argue that tithing is not a refuted as well. Our Lord countered this tenth. in Jerusalem: “Upon the first day of the command for New Testament saints. argument by stating: “Render therefore Call it the tithe, offering, or simply week let every one of you lay by him in One of their arguments is that tithing unto Caesar the things which are giving, New Testament saints continue store, as God hath proered him.”1 was estalished by Old Testament law Caesar’s” (Matt. 22:21). to have the responsibility of giving to the Paul did not use the word “tithe.” and we, today, are under no oligation to Apostle Paul also commended paying Lord. Instead he uses a much stronger word: tithe for we “are not under the law, but taxes for the government’s rightful use One such scripture proof of Christ “liberality.” This word is translated from under grace” (Rom. 6:14). This argument in Romans 13:5-6: “Wherefore ye must giving His all is I Peter 3:18: “For Christ the Greek word “charis” meaning, in this sounds correct until a thorough research needs be subject, not only for wrath, also hath once suffered for sins, the context, “loving-kindness; bounty.”4 This of Scriptures is done. but also for conscience sake. For for just for the unjust, that he might bring type of giving expresses “the effect of the Remember, tithing was praiced this cause pay ye tribute also.” us to God, being put to death in the gracious disposition of the benefactor.”5 long before the law was given. Abram If anyone had a right to complain flesh.” Many more Scriptures support This verse includes an added and Jacob tithed of all they possessed. about paying taxes it would be Apostle this premise as well. exhortation of regular tithing/giving: Scripture proofs are already supplied. If Paul. It was taxes that paid for the Roman The following references imply the “Upon the first day of the week.” these great Godly men tithed, we should soldiers which confined him. It was taxes praice of tithing. Certainly the need to contribute to the consider this more than an implication which paid for his imprisonment. It was (1) LUKE 21:4 welfare of the saints will always present that we must do so as well. Their giving of taxes which paid for his manner of death Christ highly commended the itself. (See also Matthew 25:34-40; the tenth part should be our standard. of martyrdom. widow for “she of her penury (poverty; Acts 6:1-3, 20:35; Romans 12:8, 13; II Davis W. Huckabee’s comment2 is The tithe should be given from destitution) hath cast in all the living Corinthians 8:14, 15; and others.) worthy of quoting for our present point as these deductions as well. It would be that she had.” It sounds like this poor This collection was a church-wide he expounds on Genesis 14:18-20: “This interesting to calculate the spiritual and widow not only gave her required ten effort, not to be confused with an text gives the first record of tithing, and it worldly wealth benefits we all would percent to God but her other ninety individual, private venture of giving over was some four hundred years before the receive if we tithed to the Lord the same percent as well. She may be a far greater and above that which is given/tithed in giving of the law to Moses, for Abraham percentage as that which is taken from example of tithing/giving than Abraham the church. lived four hundred years before Moses our gross income in the form of taxes. or Jacob. VIII. BIBLICAL WARNINGS FOR (Gal. 3:16-17). However, nothing is said Certainly our God would be much more (2) ACTS 4:34-35 REFRAINING FROM GIVING/ in the Genesis text to show that this was benevolent and gracious to His saints Luke, when writing the Acts of the TITHING a new thing even in Abraham’s day. than our government is to its citizens. Apostles recorded how the Jerusalem Certainly the reader knew this point “What is suggested, is that inasmuch as (3) SCRIPTURES WHICH SUPPORT church gave sacrificially: “Neither was would eventually be made. The following Abraham is the ‘father of all them that TITHING FROM THE GROSS there any among them that lacked: for are just a few Scriptural references. believe,’ (Rom. 4:11) and Melchizedek Abel is most likely the very first to as many as were possessors of lands (1) AMOS 4:4 was an outstanding type of Christ (Heb. appreciate tithing of his gross increase or houses sold them, and brought the “Come to Bethel, and transgress; 7:1), therefore Abraham’s paying of tithes for it is recorded that he gave unto prices of the things that were sold, And at Gilgal multiply transgression; and is an example to believers today, who are God before he himself benefited from laid them down at the apostles’ feet: bring your sacrifices every morning, to tithe to the representative of Christ, that which was left: “And Abel, he also and distribution was made unto every and your tithes after three years.” the local assemly. brought of the firstlings of his flock man according as he had need.” Through Amos’s writing, God was “We must remember that Bile and of the fat thereof. And the LORD (3) I CORINTHIANS 9:14 expressing His anger toward His chosen examples are equally as authoritative as had reect unto Abel and to his Another proof of our necessity to people, not for their lack of tithing, but commands where there are no commands offering” (Gen. 4:4). Because of Abel’s tithe is found here. Paul writes: “Even so for their idolatrous tithing. Instead of to the contrary.” unselfishness, God had reect for Abel. hath the Lord ordained that they which tithing to God, they tithed to their idols. (2) TITHE FROM THE GROSS Proverbs 3:9 eaks of tithing from preach the goel should live of the Giving tithes for idolatrous worship is We should tithe from the gross the gross by stating: “Honour the goel.” The context in which this verse is the same as withholding tithes from income. Our gross income is that amount LORD with thy substance, and with placed states that churches are oligated the Lord. It is the same as robing God. we’ve earned before any deductions are the firstfruits of all thine increase.” An to financially support their pastors. This Adding insult to injury, they tithed to withheld including federal and state obvious promise of recouping far more gives pastors the luxury to devote their their idols in “Bethel.” The name Bethel taxes, social security and other such than that which is given by tithing is lives “continually to prayer, and to means “house of God.” deductions subtraed by governmental recorded in the following verse: “So shall the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4b) This sin was pointed out in Malachi authority. thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy without the distraion, interruption, 3:8. Someone may say that the taxes presses shall burst out with new wine.” and inconvenience of the necessity to (2) MALACHI 3:8 withheld from our income are not within Be careful not to interpret this verse providing for their own support through “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have our power and actually never belonged to too literally for our definition of a “full secular means. robed me. But ye say, Wherein have we us at all. Therefore we are not required to barn” may differ from that which is Paul verified this by pointing out that robed thee? In tithes and offerings.” tithe from this deduction. God’s. But we can be certain that tithing the Old Testament Levites’ income and It is of equal evil and abomination to I’ve wrestled with this question over with the proper attitude will somehow subsistence was garnered by the tithes God when men withhold the required the years until the answer was provided return its lessings over and above that and offerings of the people. “Do ye not (Continued on page 153)
August 5, 2005 The Berea Baptist Banne Page 153 in mine house, and prove me now will be generous to us. He will also be Experimental, and Praical; Grand Rapids, The Tithe herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, stingy toward us to reward us for our Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Pulishing Company; Reprinted, September 1976 (Continued from page 152) if I will not open you the windows of stinginess: “For with the same measure 2 portion which God demands and hoards heaven, and pour you out a lessing, that ye mete (measure) withal it shall be Huckabee, Davis W.; Tithing Estalished by the Law; Tract H-44; Bethel Baptist Church, it unto themselves or offers it to a false that there shall not be room enough to measured to you again.” Watchman Press; 1902 NW Columbia, Lawton, god. This is true in our New Testament receive it.” (4) II CORINTHIANS 9:7 OK 73507 3 diensation as our Lord says: “Render The LORD is begging us to “prove” “Every man according as he Gill, John; An Exposition of the Old and the therefore. . .unto God the things that Him in the matter of tithing. By returning purposeth (brings forward by choice) New Testaments; London England: W. Clowes, are God’s” (Matt. 22:21). God demands unto God through monetarily supporting in his heart, so let him give; not Northumberland-Court; 1809; Edited, Revised, the tithe even today. the Lord’s work through proper tithing, grudgingly, or of necessity: for God updated: 1995 (Copied from Online Bile CD- our God, Who created and manipulates loveth a cheerful giver.” ROM) (3) MATTHEW 6:1-2 4 “Take heed that ye do not your the universe at His pleasure, has promised The context of this verse is not in Strong, James; A Concise Dictionary of the Wods alms before men, to be seen of them: that we will not be ale to store all that doubt for Apostle Paul is ecifically in the Greek Testament; with Thei Renderings in the authorized English Version; Nashville: Abingdon; otherwise ye have no reward of your which the Lord will return to us for our eaking of giving to the church. The Copyright, 1890; thirty-seventh printing, 1978 Father which is in heaven. Therefore obedience and generosity. particular purpose at hand is to support 5 Vine, W. E.; Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New when thou doest thine alms, do not This “lessing” will not always be the persecuted saints. Giving for such Testament Wods; Peabody, MA: Hendrickson sound a trumpet before thee, as the in money nor in tangile objects. If His causes should be automatic and without Pulishers. hypocrites do in the synagogues and in lessing is simply supplying us with the need for persuasion. This was in the the streets, that they may have glory of inward joy, we will be far more content minds of the Corinthian saints and Paul men. Verily I say unto you, They have than the richest of all men. complimented them for their ease and their reward.” (2) MATTHEW 6:3-4 swiftness in giving. It must immediately be made clear “But when thou doest alms, let not Meditation upon the passage should AVAILABLE that the context of these verses deal thy left hand know what thy right hand give one the understanding that this with “alms” and not tithing. An alms is a doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: ecial giving was above and beyond the charitale donation to the unfortunate and thy Father which seeth in secret tithe. While the tithe is given to support AT LAST! and is accomplished voluntarily. A tithe himself shall reward thee openly.” the church and its pastor, this offering is the required tenth which belongs to Again, this passage’s context is about was given in addition to the tithe for it the Lord and is given to the church. alms, not tithing [see explanation of VII. was going to a cause beyond the church’s The individual with a charitale mind (3)]. It is within our fallen human nature normal expenses. decides when, where, how, and to whom for us to glorify ourselves by broadcasting CONCLUSION his alms are distributed. Thetithe is given what we do with our money. It is a method In our modern, New Testament strictly to the treasury of the church; of demonstrating our fleshly pride. diensation, tithing is usually the church, collectively, distributes its Therefore, it is just as necessary for accomplished by giving money for that treasury to propagate to goel. The alms us to give our tithes in obedience to is what our economy is based upon. All is diersed by the individual while the God in the same manner as we give our of our increase is translated into this tithe is diersed by the church. alms; secretly. By doing so, God receives medium. So, how are these verses related to the glory, not the giver. The irony is that Giving/tithing money does not tithing? The answer is that many give God openly rewards the giver in His own relinquish us of all other responsibilities both the alms and the tithe for one magnificent way. or methods of supporting our church, purpose: To selfishly exalt themselves. The following reference is further its pastor, and church ministries. The Lord warned that those who do so proof of this. Tithing provides a resource for ministry receive a vain and temporary reward: the (3) LUKE 6:38 but is by no means the sole resource. praise and “glory (celebration; honor) of “Give, and it shall be given unto More personale resources should be men.” you; good measure, pressed down, and considered as well. The point must be made that alms are shaken together, and running over, Our time should be tithed. Ten percent not given as a substitute or a place of the shall men give into your bosom. For of our daily aivities should be dedicated tithe. Tithe first, then give alms as the with the same measure that ye mete and given to the Lord for He gives us our We are glad to announce that Lord leads. One should not have to “feel (measure) withal it shall be measured whole being. That equates to 2.4 hours the book on the Second Coming by led” to tithe. to you again.” daily that we should be fellowshipping Milburn Cockrell is now available. (4) II CORINTHIANS 9:6 It could be argued whether this with God in Bile reading, studying, The book contains 234 pages and is “But this I say, He which soweth Scriptural passage’s context regards alms meditation, prayer and other Christian comprised of twenty four different sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and or tithing or both. Verse forty-six is in the aivities. articles on the Second Coming of he which soweth bountifully shall reap same discourse, and these are our Lord’s Our abilities should be tithed. That Christ. It has taken longer than also bountifully.” words: “And why call ye me, Lord, which we do secularly can be translated anticipated to get this book to This verse’s context ecifically points Lord, and do not the things which I into the holy plumbers, carpenters, completion. We feel that this is a to the necessity of the church giving back say?” That they were calling Him“Lord, gardeners, homemakers, etc. can use their well needed book. The retail price to God a portion that He gave to them to Lord” suggests they were addressing talents for the upkeep of the church’s of this book is $8.95. Due to the support persecuted saints. a religious matter regarding money, property rather than hiring this work length of time this book has been The point is taken that if we withhold namely the tithe. (Giving alms is more of out. Tapping into the church’s finances in preparation we are having a the “bounty” (see verse five) which the a material nature.) Certainly we call Him for property upkeep means less money post-publication special through Lord has given us, God will see fit to see “Lord” and He demands we support His ent for propagating the holy ministries the month of August. On two or that we, in turn, “reap also sparingly.” If ministry. The Lord’s ministry is carried of the church, eecially preaching the more copies the price is $4.50 each. we give a little, God will see that we will out by His church in part through the goel. For postage and handling see our have little to live on. resource of the tithe. It should be confirmed that tithing is standard shipping chart on page IX. BIBLICAL EXHORTATIONS Christ instructs us that He will use a necessary, yet minimal act of worship 139 of this issue. FOR GIVING/TITHING the same standard of giving back to us accomplished by God’s people to This point begs to be made as well as that we use when determining what demonstrate their love and appreciation Order from the the former. The following are just a few to give to others, including the church. to God for His gracious and bountiful Berea Baptist Church Bookstore Scriptural references. Christ promises that our generosity to supply. PO Box 39 (1) MALACHI 3:10 the church in tithes and offerings will BIBLIOGRAPHY Mantachie, MS 38855 “Bring ye all the tithes into the begat His generosity to us in return. 1 Jamieson, Robert (Jamieson, Fausset, Brown commentaries); storehouse, that there may be meat If we’re generous to the church He A Commentary-Critical,
Page 154 The Berea Baptist Banne August 5, 2005 He ascended into Heaven following the Forum #1 resurrection. (Continued from page 150) TODD BRYANT Outlines fo Country Preachers 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring by a Country Preache lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” We should indeed be Tongues Have Sermon Outlines by Milburn Cockrell cautious but never worried. The God we (Continued from page 141) serve is greater than our enemies, and some time and had long waited for the RECIPE FOR REVIVAL “for this purpose the Son of God was promised Messiah. So, when Christ came II Chronicles 7:14-15 manifested, that he might destroy the on the scene and the Apostles preached works of the devil” (I John 3:8). Jesus to be the Son of God, some proof The nation of Israel was favored with ecial revelation from God. They often went MATT JAMES was necessary so that men, eecially the through a cycle of proerity, ingratitude, correction, repentance, and then revival. Then the Jews, would have no excuse to reject the whole cycle would start over again. Goel message. The Jews were zealous Churches are a lot like Israel. They need revival to get them back to the norm---to correct of signs for proof of anything. You may ingratitude and forgetfulness of God---to renew mercy and lessing from God. Today most Forum #2 remember that the scribes and Pharisees churches are backslidden like Ephesus---they have left their first love---Christ. (Continued from page 151) wanted a sign from Jesus (Matt. 12:38). (eight days later, v. 26) Jesus bid Thomas Jesus’ answer to them was “An evil and I. THE OLD-TIME REVIVALS THAT I REMEMBER. to touch His side to prove that He indeed adulterous generation seeketh after 1. They were in the hot summer time---July and August. Everything in the had risen and was alive (v. 27). Sometime a sign” (Matt. 12:39). It is one thing community stopped: farming, stores closed, and you could leave school to go if you in the interim, Christ ascended to the for God to grant signs, but another to wanted to do so. Father and perhaps that is when He seek after signs in order to believe. The 2. Large crowds came of saved and lost---people stood outside the windows. Many sprinkled the lood upon the mercy seat. fact that the Jews were zealous of signs were converted and baptized. I was saved in such a meeting! TOM ROSS is made evident by Paul’s words in I 3. Preachers preached on sin, holiness, Hell, and eecially the goel. Church Corinthians 1:22 where he states, “For members became concerned for the unsaved, confessed their sins, repented and got Todd Bryant the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks right with God. 3000 Hillswood Circle seek after wisdom.” 4. Prayer meetings before the revival, or before service each night. Preachers asked to Northport, AL 35473 The Bile tells us that the apostles visit the lost and talk to sinners. Pastor authenticated what they were preaching 5. Singing would raise the roof and it had some spirit to it. Saints told how God saved Sovereign Grace with signs and wonders. “How shall we them from sin! People wept and rejoiced. Baptist Church escape, if we neglect so great salvation; 12859 Martin Road II. WHAT GOD REQUIRES OF HIS PEOPLE IN ORDER FOR THEM TO Spur which at the first began to be spoken Northport, AL 35473 by the Lord, and was confirmed unto EXPERIENCE REVIVAL. us by them that heard him; God also 1. Revival is conditioned upon the aions of God’s people---“If my people, which There is some disagreement bearing them witness, both with signs are called by my name.” We can’t lame the sovereignty of God for failure. concerning this question among various and wonders, and with divers miracles, (1) We say we believe in God---His lood and church---profess to know Him as reputale commentators. As long as I and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according Lord and Savior. can remember, I have held to the fact to his own will?” (Heb. 2:3-4). Notice (2) We say we are called, justified, redeemed by His lood, saved by His grace, etc. that Jesus’ lood was sprinkled on the the writer says “them” and not “us.” In (3) The unsaved, the infidels and Communists, and the demons and the Devil mercy seat. However, this was not the days that Christ’s apostles preached cannot stop a revival, for it is conditioned on God’s people. done on the mercy seat in the Temple they only had the Old Testament and (4) If there is no revival it is because God’s people are not right with God. It is the in Jerusalem. Hebrews 9:24 says, “For were preaching that the Old Testament fault of saints, not sinners. Christ is not entered into the holy ceremonial system had been replaced. 2. Humility is required---“humle themselves.” places made with hands, which are They were preaching that Messiah (1) God hates pride and has reect to humility (Matt. 5:3; Jas. 4:5, 10). the figures of the true; but into heaven had come and fulfilled all that the (2) Be humle like Jacob (Gen. 32:10) and Paul (I Cor. 15:9---A.D. 59; Eph. 3:8--- itself, now to appear in the presence of Old Economy’s system of worship had A.D. 64; I Tim. 1:15---A.D. 65). God for us.” The mercy seat on Earth pointed to. That was a thing that needed 3. Prayer is demanded---“and pray.” was merely a type of the true mercy to be backed up by signs and wonders. (1) A humle person is a prayerful person. He realizes his dependence upon God. seat in the “temple which is in heaven” Now, how do we back up what we are No revival without prayer ever. (Rev. 14:17). This seems plain in light preaching to be true? By the Bile, and (2) Revivals must be prayed down (Ps. 85:6; Hab. 3:2). of these Scriptures. However, when this nothing else! As Paul said, “Let God be (3) When did you last pray for revival? During the spring meeting! Last fall! occurred is not quite so clear. We know true but every man a liar.” (Rom. 3:4) Never! We have not because we ask not. that when Christ died “he…descended Jesus tells us that His “word is truth” 4. Seeking of God’s face is insisted upon---“and seek my face.” first into the lower parts of the earth” (John 17:17). (1) We must seek God’s favor and lessing (S. of S. 3:2; II Chron. 11:16; 15:2). (Eph. 4:9) to empty Abraham’s bosom Concerning the purpose of signs during (2) This must be done with all the heart (II Chron. 19:3; Jer. 29:13). and take the souls of the dead in Christ the time immediately following Christ’s 5. A forsaking of sin is commanded---“turn from their wicked ways.” to Heaven. Some believe it was just after resurrection and ascension we read in (1) Backsliding is evil and wicked. God’s people need to repent and reform. Not this that He ascended into Heaven and Mark’s goel, “And they went forth, small wrongs, insignificant errors, little white lies, but“wicked ways.” sprinkled His lood on the mercy seat. and preached every where, the Lord (2) Give God first place---the place He deserves and demands. However, in John 20:17, Jesus instructed working with them, and confirming (3) Return to God from Whom you have revolted and rebelled. Make the flesh Mary Magdalene “Touch me not; for the word with signs following” (Mark groan and the world and the Devil mad! I am not yet ascended to my Father: 16:20). It should be pointed out at this (4) No wonder sinners won’t repent, even saints won’t! but go to my brethren, and say unto point that tongues were for a sign, not them, I ascend unto my Father, and to them that believe but to them that III. WHAT GOD PROMISES TO DO WHEN WE MEET THE CONDITIONS. your Father; and to my God, and your believe not (I Cor. 14:22). 1. He will hear our prayers---“then will I hear from heaven.” See Isaiah 65:24 God.” Considering this verse, it seems Bilical Tongues were a Language and II Chron. 7:14. Jesus ascended into Heaven following The second thing that needs to be 2. He will forgive our sins (I John 1:9). God forgives sins only when we confess and the resurrection. Though one cannot be pointed out is that the tongues of the forsake them. dogmatic on this point, it appears that New Testament church were a language 3. He will less our land. Here is how to heal a spiritually sick community and His lood was sprinkled on the Heavenly and not as one writer put it, “Shung da country. A land is healed when God’s people get right with Him. mercy seat in the Heavenly Temple when (Continued on page 155)
August 5, 2005 The Berea Baptist Banne Page 155 away childish things. For now we see clock striking forty-seven times without a through a glass, darkly; but then face break. He jumped out of bed and yelled, to face: now I know in part; but then “Wake up Maw!” As he continued toward shall I know even as also I am known. the bedroom door he yelled, “Wake up And now abideth faith, hope, charity, Funnbone boys!” these three; but the greatest of these is As he stood there trying to get the sleep "... A time to laugh..." (Eccl. 3:4). charity” (I Cor. 13:8-13). out of his eyes he explained, “It’s later Before we go any further let us point Pastor Brown’s Church Etiquette than we think, later than I ever heard it out that there will be a time when only 1. Come early. Rushing into the building before!” the three gifts of faith, hope and charity at the last minute disrupts the service. “And that, knowing the time, that will abide. In I Cor. 13:13 we read, “And 2. Take a seat toward the front of the now it is high time to awake out of sleep: now abideth faith, hope, charity, these auditorium. Leave the rear seats for those for now is our salvation nearer than three; but the greatest of these is who must be late and for visitors. This is a when we believed” (Rom. 13:11). charity.” Concerning “charity” Paul had common courtesy. ****** already said, “Charity never faileth” (I 3. Be devout – the church building It is told of a preacher who was Cor. 13:8). The word “abideth” means to is not a place of amusement. You come visiting Possum Trot Baptist Church “remain” or “continue.” When Paul said to worship God, not to whier, lounge, years ago that, on a hot summer’s that prophecies would “fail” and ecial or sleep. God’s house deserves utmost afternoon the congregation, like many knowledge by revelation would “vanish reect. thought that I would talk this morning and other congregations during that time, got away,” he used a Greek word that meant 4. Always remember that strangers are try and settle it.” drowsy, and not a few of them went off to be “abolished” or “cease.” He did not guests of the church members. Treat them Pastor Brown said, “What is it?” into a regular doze. mean that the prophecies would fail to with the same courtesy you would if they Tot Less replied, “Why, you said in your The preacher went on, apparently come to pass or be true, but that the gift should visit your home. sermon yesterday that the woe of the finally undisturbed by the dozing congregation, of prophecy would cease in the church. 5. Never rush for the door after the impenitent will be eternal, and I do not think and finished his sermon and paused for a The fact that charity (love of God) is benediction as though the house were on it will be so.” moment. the only gift that will never fail, tells us fire. Remain to eak and be spoken to. Pastor Brown spoke as he quickly took his The silence, as is often the case after the that there will be a time in which all of 6. Remember at all times that you are Bile and opened it, “Oh, if that is all, there is humdrum of a not very animated preacher, the gifts are in existence. There will be in the house of God, and act accordingly. no dispute between you and me. If you look roused up the congregation. Some rubing another time when the three; faith, hope ****** here at the Scripture in Matthew 25:46, you their eyes stared at the minister. He waited and charity are in existence. Then, finally Pastor Brown with great compassion will find that the dispute is between you and till he saw that most were fairly well awake when charity by itself will be in existence. and earnestness delivered a sermon upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and I advise you go and then very calmly said, “My good The Charismatics that I have spoken eternal punishment. quickly and settle it with Him.” friends, this sermon cost me a good deal with tell me that all the gifts are still in On the next day the pastor was walking ****** of labor, rather more than usual. You do existence until Jesus returns, but there is down the streets of Possum Trot when a Deacon Jones was watching his two young not seem to have paid to it quite as much a prolem with that position, for when man by the name of Tot Less thought to nephews one winter’s day. While the two boys attention as it deserved. I think I will go is the time of faith, hope and charity? discuss the topic of the pastor’s sermon. were house bound they decided to take the over it again.” When Jesus returns for me I will not Tot Less began his conversation, clock apart and put it back together again. And with that said he was good to his need faith and hope. This is proven by the “Pastor Brown, I believe that there is a Early the following morning Deacon Jones word, from text to exhortation. definitions that the Bile gives concerning small dispute between you and me, and I was awakened from his sleep to hear the ****** both of these gifts. Concerning faith, we read in the book of Hebrews, “Now faith then it would have been no sign at all. The languages used by or known to ethnic is the substance of things hoped for, Tongues Have fact that Bilical tongues was a human groups in the world. They are not some the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. (Continued from page 154) language that could be learned is evident unknown language or giberish. 11:1). When Jesus comes, I will see Him la mee ah” over and over. In the Acts in I Corinthians 14:16, 23-24 where the When did Bilical Tongues Cease? for myself and will no longer need to see of the Apostles we see that on the day word “unlearned” is used for those who I can remember in my early years of Him through the eyes of faith. I realize of Pentecost that the disciples spoke in had not learned the tongue. It has also being a Christian that a young man, who that it may be argued that the disciples the native languages of men from other been pointed out by other writers on was a song leader in the Baptist church had faith when they were with Christ regions who had come to Jerusalem to this subject, that expert linguists have I attended, made the statement that at His first coming; but at that time He worship as Jews. These devout Jewish examined recordings of modern tongues tongues had ceased when the Bile was came as a humle servant and many, men from various nations heard the and say they are not languages of any completed, and I responded in a rebuking eecially the religious leaders of Israel, disciples eak the wonderful works of kind. These same language scholars say sort of way, “Where did you get that?” rejected Him as the Messiah. When He God in their native tongue. “And they that no more than two vowel sounds and He couldn’t give me a good answer, other comes in glory there will be no question were all amazed and marvelled, saying very few syllale clusters are present, and than it was what he was taught. He had as to who He is. When God’s people are one to another, Behold, are not all these that the sounds they make are related to only heard that, and he couldn’t give me glorified with Him the need for faith will which eak Galilaeans? And how their native language and not to another a Bilical reason. I had hoped he could have come to an end. Concerning hope hear we every man in our own tongue, language and bear none of the marks of have, for I would have believed him. It was we read, “For we are saved by hope: but wherein we were born?” (Acts 2:7-8). any possile language. a few years later, under sound teaching in hope that is seen is not hope: for what (See Acts 2:8-11 for the languages that What about Unknown Tongues? a sovereign grace Baptist church, that I a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? they spoke.) The disciples spoke these In the King James Version the term learned that the young man was indeed But if we hope for that we see not, then languages without ever having learned “unknown tongue” is used several right. do we with patience wait for it” (Rom. them. I have heard it said that after a times in the translation of Paul’s epistle “Charity never faileth: but whether 8:24-25). The second coming of Jesus is very young age, if a man learns another to the Corinthians. However if you there be prophecies, they shall fail; that lessed hope. When Christ comes for language, he eaks that language will notice, the word “unknown” is in whether there be tongues, they shall me my hope will be realized and brought with an accent. Yet these men were italics which means the word is supplied cease; whether there be knowledge, it to fruition. At that time, when I see Him amazed that the disciples, who were all by the translators and was not in the shall vanish away. For we know in part, and I am with Him, I will only need the Galileans, spoke their native languages original Greek. The word is put there for and we prophesy in part. But when love of God for all eternity. These verses as though they were the disciple’s own clarification, yet it has led to confusion. that which is perfect is come, then that tell us that the time of faith, hope and language. “Are not all these which eak The tongue was indeed “unknown” to which is in part shall be done away. charity in the church age must be before Galilaeans?” they asked. This was truly a the person eaking it, but was a known When I was a child, I spake as a child, the Lord returns for His people. This sign and a wonder from God. Now, if no language to someone in the world. As we I understood as a child, I thought as a means that tongues, prophecy and ecial one could have understood the language, have already shown Bilical tongues were child: but when I became a man, I put (Continued on page 156)
Page 156 The Berea Baptist Banne August 5, 2005 law of liberty” is something that a If any man shall add unto these things, prophets was whether the thing came to Tongues Have man looks into as he would a “looking God shall add unto him the plagues pass. The foretelling of the future along glas” or mirror. The word for “glass” in that are written in this book” (Rev. with edification is the sense of Paul’s (Continued from page 155) the book of James has the meaning of 22:18). Some will say that what is meant discourse on prophecy in his epistle to knowledge will be done away with before “mirro” according to the lexicon and is here is adding to the Book of Revelation the Corinthian church. I have read that the return of Christ. Now, when is that the same Greek word translated “glass” and not to the Bile. Despite that Benny Hinn had made a prophecy that time? Paul is telling us in his epistle to in I Cor. 13:12. When a man looks into argument, no one dares to add modern Castro would die in the 1990’s, yet Castro the Corinthians when that point in time a mirror, he sees himself. He comes “face day “revelations” to the Bile. I guess false is still alive. He also prophesied that the will be. It is when “that which is perfect to face” with himself. James says, “For he teachers will only take their “revelations” homo-sexual community in America is come” (I Cor. 13:10). No wonder Paul beholdeth himself.” Who else do you so far and dare not add their “words of would be destroyed by fire in the 1990’s, said, “Now abideth, faith, hope, charity, see when you look into a mirror? The prophecy” to the Bile. If God really has yet that did not happen either. Do not these three; but the greatest of these is Word of God is what reveals to us that given men a word or a prophecy, then be afraid of Benny, he’s just another charity.” we are depraved sinners and in deerate why don’t we add it to the book? They false prophet with millions of followers. I know many interpret “that which need of a savior. We would never come to won’t dare do that, will they? Paul in The lexicon says concerning the word is perfect” to be the coming of Jesus that realization without looking into the his second letter to Timothy writes, “All translated prophecy in I Corinthians Christ and His millennial kingdom; but mirro of God’s Word and we would go scripture is given by inspiration of 13, “a discourse emanating from divine as we have just pointed out, the three on thinking that old lie, “we’re not such a God, and is profitale for doctrine, for inspiration and declaring the purposes gifts of faith, hope and charity must exist bad person.” The Bile tells us that“there reproof, for correction, for instruction of God, whether by reproving and by themselves before His coming. And is none that doeth good, no, not one” in righteousness: That the man of God admonishing the wicked, or comforting not only that, but also the word “that” (Rom. 3:12). So, we see from James, that may be perfect, throughly furnished the afflicted, or revealing things hidden; suggests a thing and not a person. Why the Word of God is called “the perfect unto all good works” (II Tim. 3:16-17). eecially by foretelling future events.” don’t we let the Bile itself tell us what is law of liberty” and is compared to a Paul says that all of the Scripture was How do we declare God’s purposes the meaning of “that which is perfect.” mirror or glass that someone would look enough to make the man of God perfect, today? Do we receive direct revelation According to the lexicon, the word perfect into and behold his own self. Now if we or fully mature and thoroughly furnished. from God, as some claim; or do we simply in the King James Version comes from a take this understanding given in James Sounds like the Scripture is enough for go to God’s Word, the Bile, to eak the Greek word meaning: “brought to its and apply it to 1 Corinthians 13, then the man of God. It may not be enough for mind of God? Is it “Sola Scriptura” or end, finished; wanting nothing necessary we will have a better understanding of the carnal man and the sign seekers, but something more? Concerning the gift of to completeness; full grown, adult, of full what Paul is eaking of in his epistle to it is enough for the man of God. I know prophecy, some will probaly make the age, mature.” Now ask yourself, what was the Corinthians. Notice in I Cor. 13:9-12 the Bile may not be enough for people argument that the two witnesses that are completed in this age before the Lord’s that they only had revelation knowledge that have to see something, or someone mentioned in the Book of Revelation will return? Well, again, why don’t we let and prophecy in part or portion. They who needs to feel the carnal sensation of “prophesy a thousand two hundred and the Bile tell us. In I Corinthians 13:11 had only pieces of it and not the whole “warm honey flowing down [his] body threescore days” (Rev. 11:3). . I believe we read, “When I was a child, I spake completed revelation. Paul said that they from the tip of [his] head to the bottom the two witnesses that will prophesy in as a child, I understood as a child, I looked through a glass darkly at that of [his] feet,” as one young man told me of the book of Revelation are Old Testament thought as a child: but when I became time. Again, glass has the meaning of a his experience when he spoke in tongues, prophets of Israel brought back to earth. a man, I put away childish things.” This mirror and the word “through” has not but the Bile is enough for the man of The church will be gone at that time and verse is immediately after the verse that the idea of looking through it as it being God. When that which is perfect or God will be dealing with Israel again. The mentions, “that which is perfect” which transparent, but looking by means of it, complete is come, then that which is in church age will be ended and it will be shows us that Paul means exactly what or a channel. If you take a lexicon, you part shall be done away. the time of Daniel’s 70th week. The Jews the lexicon says concerning the word will see that is exactly what the meaning Some may argue that the gift of reject the New Testament, and these “perfect.” And what were the childish of “through” is here. Also, the word tongues was not “that which is in part.” two witnesses shall fulfill and complete things that Paul had in mind that would “darkly” in the King James Version This is true since the Bile said, “we the last book of the New Testament. be put away when that which is perfect means “obscured.” Now, if they at that know in part and prophecy in part,” They will not be adding to, but fulfilling or complete had come? Well, it should be time only had parts of God’s revelation, but the gift of tongues was to cease along what has been written in the Book of obvious to any reader that he was eaking then would not their vision be obscured? with prophecy and ecial knowledge. Revelation given by Jesus Christ to John. of the early gifts of tongues, prophecy How can you look into a mirror that is How does a person eak a tongue in They will not be part of the church age. and ecial revelation knowledge given only in pieces or parts and get a clear part anyway? Yet prophecy could be a The church has the New Testament. to the members of the infant church picture? When the mirror is complete, piece of the whole as also knowledge, and (Continued in the next isue) during the apostolic age. But, let’s go on. which James says is the Word of God, notice, tongues is sandwiched between If we look closely in the book of James we get an un-obscured view of ourselves. knowledge and prophecy and is said to we will see a sort of parallel to what Paul Then I can perceive myself even as I am cease with them. If tongues are still in is writing about in chapter 13 so that we perceived through the mirror of God’s existence then so is the gift of prophecy “QUARAN” By G. Russell Evans may clearly see what Paul meant by the completed Word. Notice that Paul says and ecial revelation knowledge. Some Norfolk, VA words, “that which is perfect.” “face to face” in I Corinthians 13:12, but will argue that prophecy is simply Newsweek magazine has recently been The Mirror of God’s Word then says we shall “know,” and the word eaking God’s Word, so that when we under fire for its pulication of the article In James chapter one, we read, “For if “know” means to perceive, even as I am eak the Bile we are prophets in that about the desecration of the “Quaran.” This any be a hearer of the word, and not a known. In other words, I will perceive sense. While this may be true, it does act has caused protests in Afghanistan and doer, he is like unto a man beholding his myself even as I am perceived. When not appear that would apply here in other countries in the world. Newsweek natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth you look into a mirror you see yourself Paul’s epistle to the Corinthians. Are magazine then retraed the article as being himself, and goeth his way, and as others see you. You are “face to face” we to assume that when faith, hope and an untrue statement. straightway forgetteth what manner of with yourself. So, when we look into the charity exist by themselves that we are The photograph in the newspaper was one man he was. But whoso looketh into the mirror of God’s completed Word (if we not to eak God’s Word? So then the of a Muslim cleric furious over the article. I perfect law of liberty, and continueth have been given eyes to see through the word “prophecy” can not mean simply have never seen such anger. Christianity is based on “love” and not therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, quickening of the Holy Spirit) we see eaking God’s written Word as it is used what I see as “hatred”---in the Islamic world. but a doer of the work, this man shall ourselves as God sees us. Then we lose all in I Corinthians 13. “When a prophet The Christian, in my opinion would not be lessed in his deed” (James 1:23- self-righteousness and are compelled to eaketh in the name of the LORD, cause a riot or kill because the Bile was 25). Here we see that the word of God flee to Christ. if the thing follow not, nor come to desecrated. The Christian religion does not is called the “perfect law of liberty.” Is the Word of God Complete and is it pass, that is the thing which the LORD teach violence or killing, as opposed to the The Greek word used for “perfect” in Enough? hath not spoken, but the prophet hath Islamic teaching of “kill the infidel.” James is the exact same word that Paul In the Book of Revelation we read, “For spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt The Arab world should face the truth and used for “perfect” in I Corinthians 13. I testify unto every man that heareth not be afraid of him” (Deut. 18:22). the Western world could learn the truth. We also see from James that the “perfect the words of the prophecy of this book, It appears that one of the tests of false
August 5, 2005 The Berea Baptist Banne Page 157 Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the SOUTER’S PROPERTY American Center for Law and Justice, told A businessman has asked the town of the Associated Press: “It is very encouraging Weare, N.H., to seize the home of U. S. that the Supreme Court understands the Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter in historical and legal significance of displaying order to build a hotel and museum on the the Ten Commandments. Unfortunately, the property. high court’s decision in the Kentucky case is Logan Darrow Clements on June 27 Readers of the BBB are urged to submit religious news items which they may read in their local likely to create more questions.” faxed a request to Chip Meany, Weare’s paper or some other publication. In sending these please give the name of the publication as well Roy Moore, former chief justice of the code-enforcement officer, seeking to start as the date it was printed. We will not be able to print all which are submitted, but we welcome any Alabama Supreme Court and the man often the application process to build a hotel at item you may feel we should read. called the “Ten Commandments Judge,” was 34 Cilley Hill Road, the site of Mr. Souther’s Send them to The Berea Baptist Banner, PO Box 39, Mantachie, MS 38855-0039. disappointed in the rulings. “Clearly, history, home. logic, and law dictate that we can [display the Justice Souter’s vote in the Kelo v. City Ten Commandments]. This court is simply of New London, Conn., decision allows THOU SHALL STEAL sit free and independent, beyond the reach of ignoring the words of the First Amendment city governments to take land from one Five liberal Supreme Court justices joined a constitutionally limited government. and ruling by their own feelings,” Moore said private owner and give it to another if the last week to rule that the government can Or so it used to be. (Human Events, July 4, in a prepared statement. “When you deny government will generate greater tax revenue force families out of thei homes to make way 2005). God, as this Court is doing, you slowly lose or other economic benefits when the land is for real estate projects by private developers. “How long will ye judge unjustly, and your rights to life, liberty and property.” developed by the new owner. The ruling sanctions theft by big government accept the persons of the wicked?” (Ps. The rulings were the court’s first on the Mr. Clements, CEO of Freestar Media to benefit big busines. 82:2). Ten Commandments since 1980, when the LLC, said the town would gain greater tax At issue was 5th Amendment language: ****** justices barred its display in pulic schools. revenue and economic benefits with a hotel “nor shall private property be taken fo pulic SUPREME COURT SENDS “Give ear, O my people, to my law: on 34 Cilley Hill Road than allowing Justice use, without just compensation.” In this case, MIXED MESSAGES ABOUT TEN incline your ears to the words of my mouth” Souter to own the land. New London, Conn., was seeking to condemn COMMANDMENTS (Ps. 78:1). The proposed development, called the private homes so private developers could (EP)-In two decisions on June 27, the U.S. ****** Lost Liberty Hotel, would feature the Just build a hotel, health club and offices. The Supreme Court offered conflicting guidance ORIGINAL MEANING OF Desserts Café and include a museum, open to question was whether New London was to government officials about displaying ‘PUBLIC USE’ the pulic, featuring a permanent exhibit on taking the property for “pulic use”--- the Ten Commandments on government If such “economic development” takings the loss of freedom in America, Mr. Clements formerly interpreted to mean government property. are for a “pulic use,” any taking is, and the said. Instead of a Gideon’s Bile, each guest projects such as building a road---not taking In the first ruling, a closely divided Court has erased the Pulic Use Clause would receive a copy of Ayn Rand’s novel property from one owner to give to another. court said a 6-foot granite monument that from our Constitution, as Justice O’Connor “Atlas Shrugged.” Archliberal Jerry Ford appointed J.P. Stevens proclaims “I AM the LORD thy God” outside powerfully argues in dissent. I do not believe Mr. Clements said the hotel must be built wrote the opinion. Clintonites Ruth Ginsburg the Texas Capitol can stand because it sits in that this Court can eliminate liberties on this particular piece of land because it is and Stephen Breye joined him, as did Bush a park that “suggests little or nothing of the expressly enumerated in the Constitution a unique site, being the home of someone senior’s David Soute and Reagan appointee sacred.” and therefore join her dissenting opinion. largely responsile for destroying property Anthony Kennedy. Sandra Day O’Conno, But a second decision struck down framed Regrettaly, however, the Court’s error runs rights for all Americans. Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Chief copies of the Ten Commandments in two deeper than this. Today’s decision is simply “This is not a prank,” Mr. Clements said. Justice William Rehnquist dissented. Kentucky courthouses, even though it was the latest in a string of our cases construing “The town of Weare has five people on the This is theft by government. But it is also surrounded by other nonreligious documents, the Pulic Use Clause to be a virtual nullity, Board of Selectmen. If three of them vote to something worse: It is a frontal assault on the because officials had previously stated their without the slightest nod to its original use the power of eminent domain to take this primacy in our culture of the privately owned purpose was to promote religion. meaning. In my view, the Pulic Use Clause, land from Mr. Souter; we can begin our hotel family home, the universally sought after The vote in both cases was 5-4. originally understood, is a meaningful limit development.” (The Washington Times, July 4- symbol and stronghold of American liberty. Religious conservatives were almost on the government’s eminent domain power. 10, 2005). In authorizing this larceny, the five justices in uniformly disappointed in the rulings, saying Our cases have strayed from that Clause’s “…for the LORD God of recompences the court’s majority---J. P. Stevens, Anthony that the real message is that older displays original meaning, and I would reconsider shall surely requite” (Jer. 51:56). Kennedy, Stephen Breyer, Ruth Ginsburg will probaly be allowed to stay, but that it them. . . . ****** and David Souter---have revealed where will be almost impossile to get new displays The most natural meaning of the Clause FAREWELL $40 BILLION true liberty ranks in the liberal judiciary’s of the Ten Commandments erected. is that it allows the government to take Lobied by British Prime Minister hierarchy of values. Justice Stephen G. Breyer wrote that it property only if the government owns, or the Tony Blai, President Bush agreed last week If the Fort Trumbull families had been is not that simple. “The court has found no pulic has a legal right to use, the property, as to write off $40 billion in debt owed by the members of an endangered animal ecies, single mechanical formula that can accurately opposed to taking it for any pulic purpose regimes of 18 Thid World nations. The $40 their homes might have been spared. Had draw the constitutional line in every case,” or necessity whatsoever. At the time of the billion was leant to these regimes by the New London tried to bulldoze bog-turtle wrote Justice Breyer, who was the only justice founding, dictionaries primarily defined the World Bank, the African Development Bank habitat, liberal judges likely would have to vote with the majority in both cases. noun “use” as “the act of employing any thing and the International Monetary Fund. The locked it. Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, often to any purpose” (S. Johnson, A Dictionary of the governments let off the hook are: Benin, If the buildings had not been family a swing vote, joined the liberals in both English Language). The term “use,” moreover, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guyana, homes, but “family planning clinics,” where decisions. “is from the Latin uto, which means ‘to use, Honduras, Madagasca, Mall, Mauritania, abortions were performed in the name of a The rulings mean thousands of Ten make use of, avail one’s self of, employ, apply, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Nige, Rwanda, “right to privacy,” liberal judges would at least Commandments displays around the nation enjoy, etc.” (J. Lewis, Law of Eminent Donain). Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. have been conflicted. will come under scrutiny. In the days following When the government takes property and Taxpayers in the U.S. and other G-8 But because New London believes it can the ruling, hundreds of media reports in local gives it to a private individual, and the pulic member nations will make up the losses. extract more tax money from a hotel-and- markets asked questions about local displays. has no right to use the property, it strains the The multinational loan agencies will then be office development than it can from certain The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) language to say that the pulic is “employing” free to loan more money to the defaulting homes, the Supreme Court will let the city is preparing challenges to the displays in at the property, regardless of the incidental countries. An additional 20 nations are take the homes and destroy them. What a least two dozen markets. benefits that might accrue to the pulic from reportedly in line to receive similar relief over lighted view of pulic welfare New London Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family the private use. The term “pulic use,” then, the next two years, increasing the bailout to and the court have adopted: An office said the rulings “tore a hole through the means that either the government or its $55 billion. Treasury Secretary John Snow building that can be built somewhere else-- First Amendment,” and that the nation is citizens as a whole must actually “employ” calls it “an achievement of historic proportions.” -if there is a market for it---can never be as “very close to the point where sandlasters the taken property. . . . (Human Events, June 20, 2005). rich a community asset as the roots set down would have to be taken to just about every I would revisit our Pulic Use Clause ****** by Fort Trumbull’s families. government building in Washington, D.C. - cases and consider returning to the original HOSPITAL REMOVES BIBLE TO Those families were loyal to New London, including the Supreme Court itself.” meaning of the Pulic Use Clause: that the FIGHT GERMS but New London was not loyal to them. The Supreme Court’s frieze depicts government may take property only if it A Canadian hospital is being criticized for The value of a private home, in Fort Moses as well as 17 other figures, including actually gives the pulic a legal right to use its decision to take Biles out of its patients’ Trumbull---or any American town---cannot Hammurabi, Confucius, Napoleon, and the property. ---Justice Clarence Thomas, rooms to stem the spread of germs. The be counted in dollars and cents. It is the Chief Justice John Marshall. Moses’ talets dissenting in Kelo . New London. Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital sovereign territory, where law-abiding people do not have any writing. ****** (Continued on page 158)
Page 158 The Berea Baptist Banne August 5, 2005 on a state law requiring parental notification priests and lay people that meet every three Perkins said. when an underage girl seeks an abortion. years. “…Do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of Bile & The Newspaper The high court announced it would review Rather, they were instructed to send men?” (Ps. 58:1). (Continued from page 157) a lower court decision striking down New representatives to explain the theological ****** in Fredericton, New Brunswick, said the Hampshire’s parental notification law. A reasoning behind the consecration of Gene CANADIAN LAWMAKERS APPROVE Biles---along with phone books and hospital three-judge panel of the First Circuit Court Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire, BILL TO LEGALIZE SAME-SEX directories---were removed to stop the of Appeals, in Boston, ruled in November and the decision by the western Canadian MARRIAGE spread of germs, according to the National that the law is unconstitutional because it diocese of New Westminster to authorize the (EP)—Canadian lawmakers ignored the Post of Canada. Mayor Brad Woodside of does not contain an exception to protect the lessing of same-sex unions. protests of conservative and religious leaders Fredericton said the hospital was trying to health of the mother and its exception for Official church policy declares homosexual and approved a bill that would make Canada do away with Christian symbols. Hospital a threat to her life is too narrow. (Western sex “incompatile with scripture.” the third country in the world to legalize chaplain Karl Csasz said a Bile is no greater Recode, June 7, 2005). “…Repent, and turn yourselves from homosexual marriage. threat to a hospital patient than other objects ****** your idols; and turn away your faces from The bill would grant same-sex couples in the room. (Western Recode, June 21, FIFTH STATE SENDING MARRIAGE all your abominations” (Ez. 14:6). legal rights equal to those in traditional 2005). AMENDMENT TO VOTERS “Repent, and turn yourselves from all marriages. The legislation was drafted by ****** The Texas Senate passed a constitutional your transgressions; so iniquity shall not Prime Minister Paul Martin’s Liberal Party POLL FINDS MORE PEOPLE CLAIM marriage amendment May 21, making be your ruin” (Ez. 18:30). government. It is expected to pass the Senate EVANGELICAL LABEL THAN HOLD it the fifth state this year to send such an “…Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise and become federal law by the end of July. BELIEFS amendment to voters. The amendment, perish” (Luke 13:3). The Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain are PRINCETON, N.J. (RNS)---Four in 10 which would ban both “gay marriage” and ****** the only other nations that have legalized gay Americans identify themselves as evangelical civil unions, will go to voters Nov. 8. Four PBA RULING UNDERSCORES marriage. Spain’s Parliament legalized same- or born-again Christians, but a significantly other states---Alabama, South Carolina, IMPORTANCE OF SUPREME COURT sex marriage on June 29, despite the protests smaller percentage of Americans actually South Dakota and Tennessee---will vote on BALANCE of religious leaders who opposed making the subscribe to “core evangelical doctrine,” the marriage amendments next year. Eighteen (EP) — A federal appeals court has majority Roman Catholic country a haven Gallup Organization has found. states have passed marriage amendments, upheld a ruling that the federal Partial- for gay marriage. In an April poll, 42 percent of respondents although Nebraska’s was struck down in Birth Abortion Ban Act is unconstitutional. Some of Canada’s liberal lawmakers said they consider themselves to be born- federal court. (Western Recode, June 7, The July 8 decision by the 8th U.S. Circuit voted against the bill, and a Cabinet minister again or evangelical. 2005). Court of Appeals in St. Louis underscores resigned over the legislation. But enough But in a similar poll taken in early May, ****** the important role that will be played by allies rallied to support the measure that has only 22 percent agreed with all three beliefs JUDGE UPHOLDS STATE whomever is chosen to replace retiring been debated for months, voting 158 to 133 that Gallup said “most evangelical leaders AMENDMENT DEFINING Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day to approve it on June 27. would say are core evangelical doctrine.” MARRIAGE O’Connor. ****** The questions were about evangelism, FRANKFORT---Kentucky’s 2004 consti- “Five years ago, five justices of the Supreme UNITED CHURCHES OF CHRIST the authority of the Bile and a turning tutional amendment upholding traditional Court, including Justice O’Connor, ruled that GIVES STAMP OF APPROVAL TO point in one’s life that related to Christian marriage withstood its first legal challenge Roe v. Wade allows an abortionist to perform SAME-SEX MARRIAGE commitment. May 26. a partial-birth abortion any time he sees a (EP)--With a July 4 vote, United Church The poll found: The amendment, approved by Kentucky ‘health’ benefit, even if the woman and her of Christ leaders made theirs the largest * 52 percent said they had encouraged voters last November by a 3-to-1 margin, unborn baby are entirely healthy. (Stenberg Christian denomination to endorse same-sex someone to believe in Jesus Christ. defines marriage as “between one man and v. Carhart, 2000) Today’s appeals court ruling marriage — a decision that may lead some * 32 percent said they believe the “Bile is one woman.” It also ecifies that “a legal (in Carhart v. Gonzales) was based entirely congregations to leave the fold. the actual Word of God.” status identical to or similar to marriage for on the prior 5-4 Supreme Court decision, and According to the Associated Press, an * 48 percent said they “have been born unmarried individuals shall not be valid or it underscores the fact that the successor to estimated 80 percent of the UCC’s 884- again or had a born-again experience.” recognized.” Justice O’Connor will cast the deciding vote member General Synod voted for the The percentage of Americans who say “The Kentucky electorate overwhelmingly on whether the brutal partial-birth abortion resolution pressing churches to adopt they have had a born-again experience wanted to protect marriage from any kind of method remains legal,” National Right to Life wedding policies “that do not discriminate increased the most over the last few decades. redefinition,” Ostrander noted, “and so they Committee Legislative Director Douglas against couples based on gender.” In 1976, just 35 percent said they had had amended the Kentucky Constitution.” (With Johnson said in a press release. The denomination includes some 1.3 such an experience. additional reporting by Baptist Pres) (Western Tony Perkins of the Family Research million members in more than 5,700 The new polls, each of about 1,000 U.S. Recode, June 7, 2005). Council said the appeals court, in upholding the congregations, many of whom do believe in adults had a margin of error of plus or minus ****** Nebraska district court decision, gives its stamp the sanctity of marriage and are saddened, 3 percentage points. (Western Recode, June U.S., CANADIAN ANGLICAN of approval to “late-term abortion procedures if not mortified, by the resolution. 21, 2005). BISHOPS UNREPENTANT where an intact child is brutally killed before “If we had put it to a vote of the people in ****** REGARDING HOMOSEXUALITY fully exiting the womb on the basis of an the pews, it would have failed overwhelmingly,” SUPREME COURT SUPPORTS (EP)—Anglican bishops from the ambiguous definition of the word ‘health.’” the Rev. Brett Becker told reporters. Pastor of PRISONERS’ RELIGIOUS RIGHTS United States and Canada gathered in “This decision ignores countless medical St. Paul United Church of Christ in Cibolo, A five-year-old federal statute focusing England on June 21 to explain their stance studies showing that partial-birth abortion Texas, he said his congregation may decide to on the religious freedom of prisoners is on homosexuality, but their explanation (PBA) is never medically necessary under an leave the denomination over the issue. constitutional, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled amounted to a defense of their decision to accurate definition of ‘health,’” he added. “This is truly Independence Day for the last week. The court unanimously held that elevate an openly homosexual priest to the President Bush signed the Partial-Birth UCC,” Becker lamented. “We have declared the section of the Religious Land Use and rank of bishop. Abortion Ban Act in 2003, but a ruling ourselves independent from the teachings of Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) Rather than apologize or show any sign issued in New York just nine months later Jesus and the clear teachings of Scripture.’’ dealing with prisoners does not violate the of contrition for the divisions the elevation said the ban conflicted with the Supreme Beyond being “open and affirming” of First Amendment’s Estalishment Clause. of Gene Robinson has caused, the North Court’s 2000 ruling on Roe v. Wade. Even gays and lesbians, a step the UCC took some The statute bars government from limiting American bishops said, “We believe that God so, Judge Richard C. Casey admitted that the 20 years ago, the resolution ecifies that the religious liberty of prisoners in federally has been opening our eyes to acts of God procedure is “gruesome, brutal, barbaric and bisexual and transgender persons merit the funded institutions without a compelling that we had not known how to see before.” uncivilized.” same support and protections as gays and reason. “RLUIPA. . .protects institutionalized In a prepared statement to the Anglican His ruling is under review by the U.S. lesbians. It also asks congregations to support persons who are unale freely to attend Consultative Council, the American and Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit legislation granting equal rights to same-sex to their religious needs and are therefore Canadian bishops affirmed “the eligibility for while another challenge to the law is on the marriage and to work against laws banning dependent on the government’s permission ordination of those in covenanted same-sex agenda for the Ninth Circuit Appeals Court. gay marriage. and accommodation for exercise of their unions.” Rulings in these courts would set the stage “The mainline Protestant denominations religion,” wrote Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg This meeting came as a result of events for a possile review by the Supreme Court in the United States continue to demonstrate for the court. (Western Recode, June 7, that began in February, when leaders of the during its 2005-2006 term. how far some in their leadership have 2005). 38 national Anglican churches chastised “With the Nebraska PBA case now sure departed from the true ‘main line’ of ****** the U.S. Episcopal Church and the Anglican to reach the Supreme Court, it is more orthodox Christian teaching and the views of SUPREME COURT TO RULE ON Church of Canada, asking them not to attend important than ever that President Bush stick the people in their own pews,” said the Family PARENTAL NOTICE FOR ABORTION this week’s meeting of the Consultative to his campaign promise of appointing judges Research Council’s Tony Perkins. The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to rule Council, an international body of bishops, who will strictly interpret the constitution,” (Continued on page 159)
August 5, 2005 The Berea Baptist Banne Page 159 religious freedom.” Instead, the law provides NATIONAL BRIEFS they don’t consider sacred. “Eliminating the government a smoother avenue for (EP)—A new group that claims to be the opportunity to swear an oath on one’s Bile & The Newspaper dictating how religion should be praiced, both Christian and liberal has formed to own holy text may also have the effect of (Continued from page 158) human-rights and legal experts say. counter the influence of such groups as the diminishing the credibility of that person’s NEW ‘RELIGIOUS LIBERTY’ LAW IN Some provisions appear to offer a Christian Coalition. The Christian Alliance testimony,” he said. CHINA DOES LITTLE TO PROTECT glimmer of openness: The government for Progress announced its plans on June 22 ****** UNREGISTERED HOUSE CHURCHES now recognizes religious groups as social in both Washington and Jacksonville, Fla. (EP)—The American Civil Liberties (EP)—Along the road to new freedom, organizations, capale of providing needed Founders of the group said it will promote Union (ACLU) has filed suit to shut off Chinese house-church Christians in social services once legalized. Before, officials equality for gays and lesbians, abortion rights, federal funding for the Silver Ring Thing northeastern Jilin Province have collided viewed such groups as threats to society. health care for all Americans, and peace over (SRT), a group that encourages students to with a communist regime that may still be Within a framework of legality, too, religious war. pledge abstinence until marriage. The ACLU talking in douleeak. Government officials groups may pulish their literature and hold ****** claims it’s unconstitutional to fund any proclaimed new freedom for China’s religious cross-provincial meetings—another new (EP)—The Tulsa Zoo in Oklahoma will program with a faith-based component. believers in March, with an unprecedented “freedom.” And, as long as religious groups, add a display featuring the bilical account ****** law that granted rights to religious including previously secret house churches, of creation. The Tulsa Park and Recreation (EP)—The national convention of the adherents—even underground house- register with the government, they will not be Board voted 3-1 in early June to create a Parent Teacher Association (PTA) ended church worshippers—if they conformed to forced to join one of the five state-sanctioned display explaining how the world began on June 27 in Columbus, Ohio, but not certain registration requirements. But 600 patriotic religious associations. according to Genesis. A heated two-hour Christians saw little of that new liberty when But in the definition of legal lies the rub. debate included some who said religion (Continued on page 160) police rounded them up and ferried them to In effect, the law augments the power of the should not be part of the taxpayer-funded BEREA BAPTIST BANNER Financial Report detention centers in May. State Administration for Religious Affairs, organization. Supporters of the exhibit said 5-1-2005 to 5-31-2005 formerly known as the Religious Affairs the zoo already had displays with religious Beginning Balance ...... $482.95 According to the Texas-based China Aid RECEIPTS: Association, the sweep against approximately Bureau. “They are the ones who arbitrarily themes, including the statue of the Hindu Arthur D. Richardson, Cedarville, WV ...... 100.00 B. C. of Brimfield, Brimfield, IL ...... 57.36 100 house churches began May 22, on a define who is legal and illegal,” Fu said. god, Ganesh, outside the elephant exhibit Berea B. C., Mantachie, MS ...... 1,100.00 Sunday morning when authorities knew Many underground groups fear to register and a marle globe inscribed with the words, Berea B. C. , Stonington, IL ...... 60.00 Berea M. B.C., Mansfield, OH ...... 50.00 Christians would congregate for worship. in that climate and now are beginning to “The earth is our mother. The sky is our Berea M. B. C., Westpoint, TN ...... 150.00 The raids continued over the next week, feel the heat for not registering. Among the father.” Bethel M. B. C., Pasadena, TX ...... 100.00 Bible Believer’s B. C., Naples, ID ...... 150.00 targeting homes in Jilin’s provincial capital, 600 Jilin Christians taken into custody was ****** Big Creek B. C., Wayne WV ...... 300.00 58-year-old Zhao Dianru, a leader of some (EP)—Two Christian pastors in Briar Creek B. C., Williamsburg, KY ...... 250.00 Changchun. Officials released most of those Cedar Grove B. C., Millport, AL ...... 50.00 arrested within two days after detaining and 18 Changchun house churches. Authorities Australia who said Islam was an inherently Citrus M. B. C., Inverness, FL ...... 25.00 Community B.C., San Marcos, TX ...... 40.00 questioning them, but about 100 remain recently asked Mr. Zhao three times to join violent religion may face jail time for refusing Eve Knowles, Scarborough, ME ...... 200.00 in custody—among them local university the state-sanctioned church, but he refused. to apologize for their comments. A Victoria Faith M. B. C., Clarksville, TN ...... 100.00 Faith M. B. C., Lynn, AR ...... 25.00 professors. About a dozen police and security officers state tribunal ordered Danny Nalliah and Gail Knowles, Scarborough, ME ...... 20.00 Christian influences are strong in Jilin, a raided his home. They confiscated 20 boxes Daniel Scot to apologize for comments they Grace B. C., Corbin, KY ...... 100.00 Grace B. C., Winston-Salem, NC ...... 50.00 province that borders North Korea, where a of Christian books, according to China Aid, made in a eech, on a Web site and in a Grace M. B. C., Marion, IL ...... 50.00 but released him on June 6. church newsletter in March 2002. Their Grace M. B. C., Tulsa, OK ...... 70.00 large group of Korean émigrés have churches. Hillcrest B. C., Winston-Salem,NC ...... 50.00 The professors were known to conduct secret Another house church in Shanxi Province convictions were the first under the state’s Indore B. C., Indore, WV ...... 100.00 J. L. Sadler, Alford, FL ...... 72.00 Bile study groups, and several university faced a similar raid on May 13 during a anti-vilification laws, passed in 2002. “Right Joseph Jurzec, Richmond, IL ...... 50.00 students were also in the group taken into theological training session for 30 of its from the inception, we have said that this Landmark M. B. C., Moncks Corner, SC ...... 25.00 Leroy Bullard, Albuquerque, NM ...... 200.00 custody. What grabed the authorities’ leaders. Officials arrested the host pastor, law is a foul law, this law is not a law which Leston Farrell, Des Allemands, LA ...... 125.00 attention, explained China Aid President Zhang Guangmin, and released him after 15 brings unity,” Nalliah told reporters. The Morris St. B. C., Hobbs, NM ...... 300.00 Mt. Pleasant B. C., Chesapeake, OH ...... 100.00 Bob Fu, was their bold advertisement of days but kept another elder until mid-June. two pastors have appealed their convictions New Testament B. C., Bristol, TN ...... 10.00 Both leaders refused to join the government’s to Victoria’s Supreme Court. New Testamant B. C., Goshen, IN ...... 50.00 faith. “These university students were New Testament B. C., Leivasy, WV ...... 100.00 aively engaging in evangelism, outreaching Three-Self Patriotic Movement, the official ****** Ocoonita M. B. C., Keokee, VA ...... 40.00 Philadelphia B. C., Decatur, AL ...... 100.00 to the campus,” he said. “They were found Protestant church. (EP)—A recent study by the Heritage South Park M. B. C., Seattle, WA ...... 50.00 distributing goel tracts.” “Already the Department of National Foundation on the effectiveness of abstinence Southside B.C., Fulton, MS ...... 50.00 Sovereign Grace B. C., Columbus, MS ...... 100.00 The latest raid, Fu said, boils down to Security and these agencies have started pledges in curbing sexual aivity among Sovereign Grace B. C., Galena, OH ...... 150.00 China’s implementing the March 1 law, called meetings negotiating with house-church students seems to confirm that the pledges Sovereign Grace B. C. , Northport, AL ...... 100.00 Sovereign Grace B. C., Silsbee, TX ...... 30.00 the Provisions on Religious Affairs. “There’s a groups, encouraging them to register,” Fu said. work. The study shows that students who Sovereign Grace B. C., Wake Forest, NC ...... 100.00 The officials invite Christians for quiet chats take such pledges decrease their likelihood Timothy Hille, Ashland, IL ...... 9.00 national campaign to carry out this law,” he Victory B. C., Courtland, VA ...... 25.00 said. The central government is coordinating over coffee and offer assurances, such as, “We of contraing a sexually transmitted disease Subscriptions ...... 409.00 Anon...... 360.00 with the Pulic Security Bureau and other want to make sure there’s no illegal aivity— and are less prone to engage in any form Dividing checks ...... 155.00 agencies “to investigate and identify so-called we want to protect you. Be careful of what of sexual aivity. Focus on the Family’s Sub Total ...... $5,807.36 TOTAL ...... $6,290.31 unregistered and illegal religious groups. This you write and what you say.” But now, groups Linda Klepacki said, “This study is a great EXPENDITURES: is the first phase . . . we anticipate there will be who refuse the “protection” of the March law confirmation of something that supporters of Printing ...... 610.68 Postage ...... 1,042.15 more massive arrests in the months ahead.” stand to be prosecuted under it. abstinence education have known for some Supplies ...... 232.95 What remains unknown is how China time. Abstinence pledges, which we know Wages ...... 3,920.00 Last year a May directive from the FICA ...... 281.47 Communist Party instructed officials to will apply the law across different locales. are almost always promoted by churches and Total Expenditures ...... 6,087.25 ...... 203.06 aively spread Marxism and stamp out Prohibitions against unregistered churches other faith-based groups, can and do make a Bank Charges ...... -19.05 foreign “evil teachings”—a venomous term have always been enforced region by region, real difference.” The study findings, Klepacki ENDING BALANCE ...... $184.01 for religion. The order led to a wave of arrests with some provinces enjoying greater says, should encourage the Christian BEREA BAPTIST BROADCAST between June and August 2004. One victim freedom than others. In all, an estimated 30 community to “continue and even increase” Financial Report 6-1-2005 to 6-30-2005 was Beijing pastor Cai Zhuohua, whom million Protestants and 5 million Catholics their efforts at promoting abstinence. Beginning Balance ...... $2,881.76 authorities arrested last September and still are believed members of unofficial house ****** RECEIPTS: Berea B. C., Mantachie, MS ...... 225.00 have not released. churches. (EP)—North Carolina judges will Berea B. C., Westpoint, TN ...... 50.00 “The regulations seem to imply much consider if courtroom witnesses can be Briar Creek B. C., Williamsburg, KY ...... 125.00 Fu said officials postponed his trial twice, Calvary I. B. C., Everson, WA ...... 300.00 most recently slating it to begin at the end less space for house churches,” said Mickey sworn in on the Quran instead of the Bile. Grace B. C., Corbin, KY ...... 100.00 Dividing check ...... 125.00 of June. In custody since Sept. 11, Cai has Spiegel, a senior researcher on Asia at Judges in Guilford County, N.C., recently ...... 925.00 endured torture with an electric shock Human Rights Watch. Still, they are “very, rejected the Greensboro Islamic Center’s TOTAL ...... 3,806.76 EXPENDITURES: baton and deteriorating health. For 45 days, very loose. They’re almost impossile to offer to donate copies of the Quran for Radio Time ...... 200.00 as the weather turned frigid inside his cell, interpret.” courtroom use. In a preliminary opinion, one Postage ...... 25.95 Dividing check ...... 125.00 authorities did not give him warm clothes. But has a fresh crackdown begun this year? state attorney said swearing on the Quran is TOTAL EXPENDITURES ...... 350.95 Spiegel said it is hard to identify a trend among permissile. But the Guilford County judges ...... $3,455.81 China announced a new 48-article law Interest ...... +.50 last November, promising its enactment scattered reports of raids and arrests. About maintain that “an oath on the Quran is not a ...... 3,456.31 Less Corbin, KY fund balance ...... -891.52 in March. The state’s Xinhua news agency the only certainty is that state repression lawful oath under our law.” Arsalan Iftikhar, ENDING BALANCE ...... $2,564.79 reported the law was six years in the making has not eased—“not by any stretch of the legal director for the Washington, D.C.-based CORBIN, KENTUCKY REPORT Beginning Balance ...... $891.52 and said it would be “a significant step imagination.” For underground Christians, Council on American-Islamic Relations, said EXPENDITURES: forward in the protection of Chinese citizens’ these early portents are trouling. Muslims shouldn’t have to swear on a text ...... 0.00 ****** ENDING BALANCE ...... $891.52
Page 160 The Berea Baptist Banne August 5, 2005 indiensale requirement that judicial ‘the wisdom or policy of a statute’ should play up to $2,800. opinions be grounded in consistently applied no part in determining its constitutionality. ****** Bile & The Newspaper principle” (Western Recode, June 28, 2005). A constitution is not simply an empty (EP)—The United States has reached an (Continued from page 159) ****** receptacle into which judges may pour their AIDS milestone, but not one to be celebrated. without controversy. The organization (EP)—Continued controversy over own conceptions of evolving social mores. Federal health officials announced June barred from its convention an ex-gay group whether the Ten Commandments can be Consequently, our personal views of the 13 that there are 1-million people living while allowing a pro-homosexual group displayed on government property hasn’t legislative decision to limit the institution of with HIV/AIDS in the United States. The to conduct a workshop. The group barred kept many Christians from putting their marriage to members of the opposite sex are only good news in the study is the finding Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays beliefs on display, everywhere from roadside irrelevant.” that rates of new infection have remained (PFOX) from addressing the convention, marquees to T-shirts and bumper stickers. ****** constant, and the increase in the number holding a workshop, or displaying material. In fact, some say the displays are becoming (EP)—Most women in Eugene, Ore.–or of cases is due to the fact that persons with But the PTA hosted a workshop by Parents, more common since the Ten Commandment any city, for that matter–have no interest in AIDS are living longer. African-Americans Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays cases emerged. A retired judge-executive sharing pulic restrooms with men. But if the account for about 47 percent of AIDS cases. (PFLAG), which urged the estalishment of in southeastern Kentucky put a placard city council approves a new ordinance backed Homosexual and bisexual men make up 45 homosexual-affirming diversity training in of the Ten Commandments on his lawn, by the local Human Rights Commission percent of those living with HIV. pulic schools. Dr. Warren Throckmorton, as did most of his neighbors, after a judge (HRC), the women of Eugene will be asked ****** a professor at Grove City College and an first ruled that the display in the McCreary to do just that. WORLD BRIEFS outspoken critic of PFLAG and other pro- County courthouse had to come down. “You The city’s current Human Rights (EP)—Between a half-million and a homosexual groups, said he’s not surprised by should have seen it,” Jimmie Greene told the Ordinance bars discrimination in housing, million-and-a-half people gathered in the decisions. He said the PTA has become Associated Press. “The landscape was covered employment, and pulic accommodations Madrid on June 18 to protest the legalization increasingly pro-homosexual over many with Ten Commandments.” “People want on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, of homosexual marriage. The protesters years. to do something to reflect their principles, national origin, ethnicity, marital status, were led by 20 Roman Catholic bishops who ****** and that’s one way they can legally do it,” said familial status, age, sexual orientation, or oppose a gay marriage bill that has already (EP)--The National Education Association Don Swarthout, head of the Kentucky-based source of income. The new ordinance would passed the lower house of Spain’s Parliament. (NEA) has adopted a new strategy to Christians Reviving America’s Values. add “gender identity” to that list of personal Adoption by homosexuals will also become counter opposition to the formation of Gay- ****** traits–a provision that would allow bathroom legal if the bill passes the Senate. Opinion Straight Alliance clubs in pulic schools, and (EP)--In November 2004, 57 percent choice based on psychological self-appraisal: polls indicate a majority of Spaniards support has condemned opponents of those clubs. of Oregon voters decided that traditional Do I feel like a man or a woman? the bill, but this demonstration was among At its recent convention in Los Angeles, marriage was important enough to protect ****** the largest displays of church aivism in representatives of the 2.7-million-member it in their constitution. Now some state (EP)—The AFL-CIO, the nation’s more than 20 years. NEA voted overwhelmingly to develop a lawmakers want to undermine the will of largest federation of workers’ unions, is ****** comprehensive strategy to deal with “the the people and force same-sex marriage onto lobying against the Marriage Protection (EP)--The United States gives more new and more sophisticated attacks” against Oregonians. SB 1000 has already passed in Amendment (MPA), legislation that would aid to developing countries than any other policies that create a safe environment for “gay, the Senate, and if it is approved by the House, constitutionally define marriage as between nation. In a recent study by the Hudson lesbian, bisexual, and transgender” (GLBT) it would give homosexual couples the same one man and one woman. Institute, the U.S. gave 15 times more than students in schools. The Washington Times legal status and benefits of married couples. The organization represents 58 national its European neighbors. Church collections, quotes the chairman of the Gay, Lesbian, The bill also adds sexual orientation to the and international labor unions and more philanthropists and company giving Bisexual and Transgender Caucus of the state’s discrimination laws, placing sexual than 13 million workers, but some say its amounted to $22 billion. That is compared NEA, who asserted that “extremist groups orientation alongside race and religion. policies are liberal compared to the people it to a European Union average of $1.6 billion are using increasingly sophisticated and ****** represents. in private-sector giving. The study also noted aggressive taics to attack school districts (EP)—A New Jersey appeals court on (EP)—A Laurel County, Ken., judge that 12 percent of the immigrant population with affirming GLBT policies, curriculum, June 14 said the New Jersey constitution does offers some drug and alcohol offenders the sends more than $40 billion in aid to their and praices.” not give homosexuals the right to marry. option of going to church instead of jail or home countries. President Bush has pledged ****** The traditional definition of marriage rehab. District Judge Michael Caperton, to take African aid from $1.2 billion to $8.7 (EP)--Elementary-age children who was challenged in a lawsuit filed against the said he thinks church attendance could billion by 2010. watch TV in their bedrooms score state by seven homosexual couples. The 14 help some young offenders. The American ****** significantly lower in several disciplines, plaintiffs had claimed the state of New Jersey Civil Liberties Union has objected to the (EP)—Leaders of the Church of England according to a new study. had violated their fundamental right to marry praice, but Caperton, a district judge since voted July 11 in York to start the legislative The survey, pulished in the July edition when they were refused marriage licenses 1994, has offered the option about 50 times process that would open the office of bishop of the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent and had denied them equal protection under to repeat drug and alcohol offenders in to female priests. Forty-one bishops in the Medicine, looked at third-graders in the law. The opinion said that the right to Laurel and Knox counties since earlier this church’s governing General Synod voted California and found that those with marry “has always been understood in law spring. He has limited it to defendants with to begin the process of removing the legal television sets in their bedrooms scored on and tradition to apply only to couples of misdemeanor pulic intoxication or drug- obstacles barring female bishops and six average 7 points lower on math, reading and different genders.” possession charges. The results are not yet voted against it; 167 clergymen and women language arts tests. It also found that children The ruling was not only a victory for in, since the first offenders to get the option voted yes, and 46 voted against. The issue who watch more than three hours of TV a traditional marriage, but also seemed to won’t be back in court for a follow-up until must now be debated and later brought back day are less likely to finish high school or support a “constructionist” view of the July. But if the program works, it could save to the synod for further voting. Bishop of graduate from college. constitution, a view that most conservatives a lot of money, which could be a significant Southwark Tom Butler authored the motion, By contrast, researchers found that affirm. The ruling said in part: “The personal incentive for minor offenders. A 30-day telling the 500 delegates that women already children who don’t have a TV in their views of the members of the court concerning treatment program can cost offending clients played key roles in the Anglican church. bedrooms but do have access to a computer at Currently, only men can hold the post. The home score about 6 points higher on reading 77-million strong worldwide Anglican tests. Communion has its roots in the Church of ****** ARTICLE INDEX England. Anglican churches in New Zealand, WASHINGTON- A sharply divided U. S. Are You Forgiven? by Ralph F. Becker ...... p. 141 Canada and the United States have women Supreme Court barred Ten Commandments Bible and the Newspaper ...... p. 157 bishops. In addition, 11 other national displays in courthouses June 27. Bits of Wisdom from the Young and Old ...... p. 149 churches have authorized women bishops. The 5-4 decision found that Eternal Life by Gerald Price ...... p. 141 Commandments displays in two Kentucky Forum ...... pp. 150 - 151 courthouses violate the separation of church Funnybone ...... p. 155 and state by promoting religion. On Top of the World by Milburn Cockrell ...... p. 141 The Commandments displays in two “Quaran” by G. Russell Evans ...... p. 156 Kentucky courthouses went too far in Recipe for Revival (Sermon Outline)by Milburn Cockrell ...... p. 154 endorsing religion, the court ruled. The Baptist Doctrine of the Church Is Not Sacerdotalism by Raymond Bennett ...... p. 141 Dissenting from the majority Justice The Mind of Christ by Wendell P. Furlong ...... p. 141 Antonin Scalia wrote: “The Commandments The Tithe (Part 2) by Philip C. Parks ...... p. 152 have a proper place in our civil history,” Tongues Have Ceased The Scriptural Proof by Lucien J. Le Sage Jr...... p. 141 adding the rule of law includes “absolutely