Jane Fonda Saved? - By E. L. Bynum

Zip the Eyes and Lips - By E. L. Bynum

REVIVAL—Hear E. L. Bynum

A Nation In Trouble - By Bill Mosley

Church Elders - By Pastor Bruce Oyen

(In recent years some Baptist churches have adopted a false view of church elders. The Bible teaches that pastors, bishops, and elders occupy the same office. The different titles simply refer to the various aspects of this office. The following article makes this clear. E. L. Bynum)

As the title says, this article presents multi-denominational support for the Baptist view of church elders.

But I am referring to only one kind of Baptist: the Bible-believing kind, the ones that are theologically orthodox, thus holding to the fundamental doctrines of historic, Biblical Christianity. In short, the kind you find in the pages of the New Testament, starting with John the Baptist.
Such a point must be made simply because there are many who call themselves Baptists who are theological liberals, and who, therefore, do not represent Bible-believing Baptists.
Even though there is not absolute unanimity among such Baptists on the subject of church elders, many do hold the same view. And that view distinguishes them from most denominations because such Baptists practice in their churches what many denominations agree is taught in the New Testament on this subject.

John Gill is one of the most highly respected Baptist theologians of all time. He was such a prolific writer that C. H. Spurgeon wondered when he had time to sleep.

In Gill's commentary on Acts, we get his representative view of church elders. On Acts 20, where we read of Paul calling the Ephesian elders to himself for final words of instruction, Gill said this about the "elders of the church": "not the ancient members of the church, but the officers of it; the pastors, bishops, and overseers, as they are called, verse. 28, and are so styled from their office, not their age."

And Gill made this statement about Acts 20:28: "This is said to the elders of the church, ver. 17, which shews that the office of an elder and a bishop is one and the same office."

Gill consistently applies this interpretation throughout his exposition of the Scriptures that refer to this subject. For instance, his exposition of I Timothy 5:17, which says, "Let the elders that rule well;..." is very clear. He wrote, "By whom are meant not elders in age; ...nor are Civil magistrates intended; ...nor are deacons designed, for they are never called elders in Scripture;... nor are lay-elders meant, who rule, but teach not; since there are no such officers appointed in the churches of Christ; whose only officers are bishops or elders and deacons: wherefore the qualifications of such are only given in a preceding chapter. There are no other that rule in churches, but who also speak to them the word of God; wherefore by him that rules, and the labourer in word and doctrine, are not meant two distinct orders, but different persons of the same order; some of these ruling well, but do not take so much pains in the ministry of the word; whilst others of them both rule well and labour in the word, and who are to be reckoned deserving of the honour hereafter mentioned."

Albert Barnes is the well-known Presbyterian author of "Barnes' Notes," a commentary set expounding the Holy Scriptures from a conservative position.

Barnes did not hold the Baptist position on some matters concerning the subject now under consideration. But he did agree with Baptists about the terms found in Scripture being used interchangeably with one another. For instance, in his commentary on Acts 20:28 he made these comments on the word "overseers": "This passage proves that the name bishop was applicable to elders; that in the time of the apostles, the name bishop and presbyter or elder, was given to the same class of officers, and, of course, that there was no distinction between them. One term was originally used to denote office, the other age, and both were applied to the same persons in the church. The same thing occurs in Titus 1:5-7, where those who in verse 5 are called elders, are in verse 7 called bishops. See also 1 Timothy 3:1-10; Phi. 1:1."

I believe W. E. Vine, author of Vine's Expository Dictionary Of New Testament Words, was from the Brethren or Plymouth Brethren denomination. In his Dictionary, he explained the term "elder," and pointed out that it comes from the word "presbuteros," which refers to rank or responsibility "among Gentiles," "in the Jewish nation," and "in the Christian churches." And in such churches it refers to "those who, being raised up and qualified by the work of the Holy Spirit, were appointed to have the spiritual care of, and to exercise oversight over, the churches. To these the terms bishops, episkopoi, or overseers, is applied (see Acts 20, ver. 17 with ver. 28, and Titus 1:5&7), the latter term indicating the nature of their work, presbuteroi their maturity of spiritual experience."

Another Brethren Bible scholar who supports the Baptist view of church elders is F. F. Bruce, author of numerous books, including his biography, IN RETROSPECT, in which we learn of his denominational affiliation.

In his commentary on Acts, part of the New International Commentary On The New Testament, Bruce gives his view of our subject. Part of his comments on Acts 20:28 is this: "There was in apostolic times no distinction between elders (presbyters) and bishops such as we find from the second century onwards: the leaders of the Ephesian church are indiscriminately described as elders, bishops (i.e. superintendents) and shepherds (or pastors)."

William Barclay was a theological liberal in the Church of Scotland, and his books must be read with this in mind, But he was not always wrong. For instance, his commentary on First Timothy is correct about our subject. In his discussion of chapter three we read, "The great question is: What was the relationship in the early Church between the elder, the presbuteros, and the overseer, the episkopos? Modern scholarship is practically unanimous in holding that in the early Church the presbuteros and the episkopos were one and the same."

Barclay's comments on 1 Timothy 5:17 also support the Baptist view of the subject, for he wrote: "It is to be noted what kind of elders are to be specially honoured and rewarded. It is those who toil in preaching and teaching. The elder whose service consisted only in words and discussion and argument is not in question here. He whom the Church really honoured was the man who worked to edify and build it up by his preaching of the truth and his educating of the young and of the new converts in the Christian way.

Note that Barclay's point was about the industrious elder versus the lazy one, not the teaching elder versus the ruling elder, which distinction is not found in Scripture.

This man is famous for his Bible commentary set, used by so many lovers of the Word of God. I am not certain of Henry's denomination, but he was not a Baptist. However, his comments on I Timothy 5:17 concur with what is generally believed by Baptists on this subject. Read those comments carefully: "The presbytery ruled, and the same that ruled were those who labored in the Word and doctrine: they had not one to preach to them and another to rule them, but the work was done by one and the same person. Some have imagined that by the elders that rule well the apostle means lay-elders, who were employed in ruling but not in teaching, who were concerned in church government, but did not meddle with the administration of the Word and sacraments; and I confess that this is the plainest text of Scripture that can be found to countenance such an opinion. But it seems a little strange that mere ruling elders should be accounted worthy of double honour, when the apostle preferred preaching to baptizing, and much more would he prefer it to ruling the church; and it is more strange that the apostle should take no notice of them when he treats of church officers; but, as it is hinted before, they had not, in the primitive church, one to preach to another to rule them, but ruling and teaching were performed by the same persons, only some might labour more in the Word and doctrine than others."

As these quotes prove, there is multidenominational support for the Baptist view of church elders. Therefore, we encourage all readers to discard any unscriptural views they might have on this subject, and accept the Scriptural teaching. And we encourage Baptists to hold fast to their Scriptural training on this many other topics. You can be proud of your Baptist heritage!

—The Baptist Watchman

Bruce Oyen is pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church, 20 N. Stacy, Miles City MT 59301

There have been numerous reports that Jane Fonda has been saved. Some have asked me if it is true. Of course I do not know if she is saved or not, but time will tell if this is so or not. I sincerely hope that she has, but I am prone to be skeptical of reports of celebrities being converted. There have been so many reports in the past of others that have proven to be false. I remember years ago that President Jimmy Carter's sister reported that she had won the notorious pornographer Larry Flynt to Christ on an airplane. Of course there never was any change in his life, and I am sure that it was all a big joke to him. After reading her book, I could understand why she could not win anyone to Christ, because this poor woman preacher was obviously unsaved herself.

Brother M. L. Moser, Jr. sent me the following report that was printed in the Dallas Morning News.

"SPIRITUAL AWAKENING: With the many questions swirling around her separation this week from media mogul Ted Turner, it's clear that spirituality is playing an increasing role in Jane Fonda's life. `I think that as she approached her 60th birthday, she began to search for more meaning,' said the Rev. Gerald Durley, pastor of Atlanta's Providence Missionary Baptist Church. `I am extremely impressed with the genuineness and sincerity in her search for spirituality and wholeness.' It isn't known whether that's responsible for the 62-year-old actress' separation. But citing unnamed sources, the conservative online magazine WorldNetDaily.com reported this week that the split was partially prompted by Ms. Fonda's embrace of born-again evangelical Christianity.' She was unavailable for comment Friday." Dallas Morning News, Jan. 8, 2000, page 2A

Religion Today gives us a little more information in the following reprint.
"Radical political activist Jane Fonda has become a Christian, a report says. The former movie star, long-time activist for liberal causes, and wife of media mogul Ted Turner, became abeliever in Jesus Christ through conversations with her chauffeur, WorldNetDaily, an Internet- based news service, said. ...Fonda's chauffeur began approaching her about his personal faith in Christ two years ago, writer Joseph Farah said. At first Fonda was uncomfortable with the conversations, but grew more open, and eventually attended church with the chauffeur, Farahsaid. She regularly goes to Bible studies and church, and her faith is `very real, very deep,' a friend of Fonda told him. ...Her outlook is changing, friends say. Fonda is known for backing abortion on demand and is notorious for her support of Communist North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Although she has not publicly changed her political views, she reportedly refusedto participate in a meditation ceremony at a recent environmental conference and said it would be better to `pray to Jesus Christ,' Farah said. She alluded to her faith in Christ publicly at leastonce, in 1998. ...Her conversion is part of the reason for her separation from Turner, Farah said. The couple announced Jan. 4 that while they are committed to the long-term success of their marriage, they `mutually decided to spend some time apart,' news reports said. Turner has often derided Christians and once called Christianity a `religion for losers.'" Religion Today, January 8, 2000

It truly would be a great victory if she is really converted to the Lord. I believe that if she is really saved, she will get around to repudiating her radical views of the past. She went to North Vietnam during the time that many of our service men were rotting in the notorious prisons. She gave aid and comfort to the enemy, and in my view was a traitor to her own country. She supported many other radical causes down through the years. Her activism plus her lewd motion pictures certainly did a lot of harm to those growing up. Life Magazine printed a picture of her posing nude on the beach in Italy. When she married the radical Ted Turner, I thought what a match for evil they were.

Can such a woman be saved? She certainly can, if she will repent of sin and turn to Jesus Christ in faith, and receive Him as Saviour. God can cleanse the vilest sinner, because of the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. That blood has the power to cleanse from all sin. "...the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (I John 1:7) Some may say that such a person does not deserve to be saved. That is so, but no sinner ever deserved salvation, because we all were saved by grace. That means that none of us merited salvation.

As good as it may sound, we had better be cautious in making any judgment of Fonda. It will be a sad day if she becomes a celebrity Christian, and allows herself to be drug around from church to church to draw a crowd. Babies need to be taken to the nursery and not to the pulpit. Some celebrity Christians have been ruined by greedy churches trying to push them into places that they are not prepared to occupy. Babies should be fed and nourished, so they can grow up in the strength of the Lord. Time will tell if she is really saved. "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them" (Matt. 7:20). Pray for her!

The sad story below was printed in the Lubbock Avalanche Journal. After you read the story, I will give a few comments on this tragedy and some lessons to be learned.

CONCORD, N.H. - A prison inmate sewed his eyes and lips shut with dental floss because he feared the new year, officials said.

New Hampshire State Prison guards found the. inmate who was serving time for cocaine possession, covered in baby powder and clutching a Bible on Friday night, said Mark Wefers, chief of internal investigations at the prison.

The inmate told corrections officers he was in fear of the new year, Wefers said.

The prisoner, whose name wasn't released, used needles that guards found in his cell. It was not clear where he got the needles.

Compiled from wire reports. From LAJ, 1-3-2000

This poor soul evidently believed the prophets of doom. The Y2K fear mongers convinced a lot of people that awful things would take place on January 1, 2000. Although it did not happen, they did a lot of damage to many people. Many poor souls spent thousands of dollars to buy food and survival supplies that they did not need and most likely will never use. The Christians who engaged in this, have no doubt discredited Christianity and the Bible in the minds of some people.

Although we would not recommend the sewing up of eyes and lips, nevertheless it is certain that many people, even Christians, need to do something about their eyes and lips. People who lust to look at the wrong things need to get their eyes under the control of the Lord. Here are some Scriptures to consider.

Psa. 101:3, "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me." It is evident that we need to be careful what we look at, and this includes television. TV programs are overflowing with wicked scenes of near naked men and women in all kinds of lustful poses. Adultery, fornication, and even homosexuality is portrayed. The Internet is another source of wicked pictures. We are told that there are many thousands of pornographic sites on the Internet. I heard in a recent radio broadcast that 60% of the people accessing the world wide web are going to pornographic pages. It is really stupid for parents to give their children access to any unsupervised use of the Internet. I am thankful to God that nothing like that was available when I was growing up. Many men and some women get addicted to pornography, and it is almost impossible for them to get rid of the habit. It soils the mind with depraved pictures that will remain with them the rest of their lives.

The lust of the eyes is a dangerous thing and we must carefully avoid engaging in it. I John 2:16, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." The Lord Jesus Christ had some severe warnings against the sinful use of the eyes. Matt. 5:28, "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."

I do not believe that Jesus meant that we are to literally pluck out an eye, but He was trying to impress upon us the supreme importance of getting control of our eyes. Mark 9:47, "And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire."

The eye gate is the place where lust and sin often enters our mind. It was so with Eve in the garden of Eden. Satan deceived her into looking and lusting for the wrong things. Gen. 3:5-6, For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Lust is a terrible thing and leads to terrible consequences. James 1:15, Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Others, that need to get their eyes under control, are those that are always looking for the faults of others, and those looking mostly at material things. Of course there are others, but you get the picture.

The tongue, the mouth, and the lips simply reveal what is in the heart of the speaker. Matt. 12:34, "O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." James 3:9-11, "Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?"

Lips used for evil, should be zipped. I Pet. 3:10, "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile." Rom. 3:13, "Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips."

Hypocritical lips should be zipped. Matt. 15:8, "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me." Isa 29:13, "Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men."

Unclean lips should be zipped. Isa 6:5, "Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts." Eccl. 10:12, "The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself."

Self praising lips should be zipped. Prov. 27:2, "Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips."

Tale bearing lips should be zipped. Prov. 20:19, "He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips." Lev. 19:16, "Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD." Prov. 18:8, "The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly." Prov. 26:20, "Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth."

Almost every church is cursed by having from one to a dozen talebearers. They are a great hindrance to the church and grieve the Holy Spirit. They go about spreading tales, gossip, and slander. They seem not to care who they hurt are what harm they bring to the cause of Christ. They cause others to be talebearers, and they hinder weak and baby Christians. They even go to the lost family members and to lost people in the neighborhood. Then they wonder why no one is being saved in the Church services. They also wonder why they cannot reach their lost family members, and why their own children want nothing to do with the Church. Prov. 11:13, "A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter."

Lying lips should be zipped. Prov. 17:7, "Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince." Prov. 12:22, "Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight." Prov. 17:4, "A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue."

A suggested prayer for Christians. Psalms 141:3, "Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips."

Is America in trouble with God? Any person with a shred of spiritual reasoning must answer this question with an emphatic `yes.' America is spiritually depleted of its original attitude of dependence upon God for leadership. Yet on every hand there is a resounding claim by many notable spiritual(?) leaders that our nation is now or on the verge of spiritual revival. There is indeed a revival of "religious" activity but the preaching of and adherence to biblical doctrinal truth is shunned like the plague. America in fact is in trouble with God.

Nothing is as historically evident and so conspicuously ignored as the power of God to establish or terminate the existence of any nation or king. At His discretion and for His glorious name's sake and purpose, the Judge of all the earth providentially maneuvers in the affairs of men. "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will." (Prov. 21:1) There is never a warning from God concerning judgment upon a nation apart from a promised blessing if that nation repents. "At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them." (Jer. 18:7,8) This condition is not only illustrated in the Word of God but permeates world history. Please read Jeremiah chapter eighteen. The thoughts in this article are based on but not confined to this chapter.

The perpetual rise and fall of Israel is the most evident in the Bible record because they are the chosen people of God. Chosen only because of God's providential grace to be the nation through which comes the written Word and the Living Word. "The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers,..." (Deut. 7:7,8a; cf Gen. 49:10) They had the advantage over all other nations "...because that unto them were committed the oracles of God." (Rom. 3:2) What an advantage America has been given over so many other nations to preach, promote, and practice the teachings of the oracles of God. Our nation is in trouble today because they have essentially despised this advantage. God has been expelled from school, the unborn are nationally elected to live or die, and homosexuality is socially recognized as an acceptable lifestyle.

All nations and national leaders from the beginning of time have been appointed and/or allowed to rule only by the power of God. The Lord's reply to Pilate's braggadocios statement at the mock trial of the Saviour can be applied to every nation and ruler. "Know ye not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? ...Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above:..." (John 19:10,11) The beginning of the downfall of any nation or leader stems from Pilate's boastful attitude: "...I have power..." (v. 10) America is hardly in remembering distance of why "In God We Trust" was first printed on U.S. currency.

As the clay in the potters hand so also was Israel in the hands of God. "Cannot I do with you as this potter?" commands attention to the power of God in national affairs. Israel's repeated rise and fall depended largely upon leadership as well as the will of the people. "For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD." (Jer. 23:11) The emphasis is stressed where their wickedness was greatest...in His house. The great depression of the knowledge of God caused the collapse of their fellowship with God. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." (Hosea 4:6) This is what the people pined for, the priest produced, and the prophets prophesied. Although it seemed they fared well it was only a smearing of religious cosmetic ointment to cover the real spiritual boil. "They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace." (Jer. 6:14) The following verses indicate there was no shame for their disdain toward the truth of God and they could no longer blush. God through Isaiah disclosed their exact problem and their disregard of its seriousness. "From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment." (Isa. 1:6) The only cure for their spiritual dilemma was to "...ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls." (Jer. 6:16) The lamentable assessment from the Lord was, "But they said, We will not walk therein."

My sincere but sad conviction is that our nation is in serious trouble. America has said, "We will not walk in nor be guided by the precepts of God." How can we biblically determine when we, or any other nation, is in trouble with God? A nation is in trouble when:

Jerusalem had become as Tophet, or the valley of slaughter. (Jer. 7:32; 19:6) Tophet was "...ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it." (Isa. 30:33) The "breath of the Lord" kindles the fire of national judgment. Life had little meaning to them, even that of their sons and daughters and the Lord was not pleased. Against the direct command of God they had burned their sons and daughters in the high places of worship in Tophet. False religion is making greater strides in America today than ever before. Once true followers of Christ are now not only accepting false religion but see little or no need to warn their children of its dangers. The God of heaven, the creator of the universe, the one who became flesh and dwelt among men, is not the same as the god of Islam and other false religions. America is being sold a faulty religious attitude that makes NAFTA look like a child in kindergarten.

The cry of God through His faithful prophets sounds so familiar that it cannot be ignored. America has become so spiritually defiled that their sons and daughters are offered upon the altar of spiritual and moral corruption. From fashion designers to fleshly desires, the youth of our nation are targeted. It seems the more flesh exposed the better established is the desire for any product. From soap to sailing all ads must are garnished by much revealed flesh of an attractive model. The dismal truth is that the desire of the flesh is stirred to desire the performer as well as the product. What does this have to do with spiritual defilement? It brings out the corrupt nature of man and make him vulnerable to the works of the flesh. "Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like:.." (Gal. 5:19-21)

If this was confined only to the world at large, the consequence would still be serious. However, it is not restricted there but is introduced into the "churches." By this we imply the normal use of the word "church." Religious houses of worship as opposed to the Lord's established church. Yet many, far too many, once sound pastors and churches have also adopted alluring tactics to entice all and any to feel more "comfortable" at church. The come as you are syndrome is chanted as a sign of devout concern for misguided souls. Once sound Baptist churches have cast doctrinal principles aside trying to counterbalance the mega-church epidemic. There is nothing wrong with being large unless size is brought about by over indulgence in that which becomes detrimental to health. I am still talking about spiritual matters.

Ecumenicity, a universal religious conglomerate, is so prominent among churches in Lubbock that `religious' activity would be in unity if most churches in Lubbock had a United Spirit sized arena for a common meeting place. In fact, that is exactly what is anticipated April 28-30, 2000 in Lubbock's own $60 million plus United Spirit Arena. The Franklin Graham Festival is coming to town. Classes to prepare leaders for this festival are in progress at this writing and will continue until the festival date. They are learning how to lay doctrinal differences aside and work together in religious unity. Classes will be held Monday through Saturday and twice on Friday.

Over 10,000 ushers are to be coordinated to handle the expected crowd. The spiritually variegated pastors and churches promoting this festival are woven into a religiously attractive design. First Baptist, Trinity Church (charismatic), Vandalia Church of Christ, St. Christopher's Episcopal, St. John Baptist, Catholic Renewal Center, Indiana Ave. Baptist, United Methodist, and Westminister Presbyterian Church are only a few joining in this ecumenical unity. This smacks of the last effort of the compromisers to stop Nehemiah's progress in repairing Jerusalem's wall of separation and true worship of God. "Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief." (Neh. 6:2) The United Spirit Arena is comparable to the plain of Ono. There is doctrinal death in this pot of wild gourds gathered from the worlds vine of religion and stirred together in the same pot. Thank God for the faithful Elisha's who are warning, "There is death in the pot." Thank God for the faithful pastor who calls for the meal of doctrinal separation to cast into this polluted religious stew that is only the preface of the coming one world church.

Any sound Baptist pastor or church who stands firmly on local church doctrine of one Lord, one faith, and one baptism (Eph. 4:4-6) is ostracized, criticized, and characterized. If he refuses to participate he is ostracized. If he gives his biblical reasons for non-participation he is criticized. If he is resolutely determined never to harmonize with the ecumenical medley tuning up in modern religion he is characterized.

Concerning church doctrine of separation from the world and dedication to God, America is in trouble. A nation is also in trouble when it:

Among items taking prominence in news is that "our youth are bored" and that is the cause of much delinquency. Boredom is a product of modern thinking and is no excuse for improper use of energy. Shorter weeks and more time to "relax" is the goal of mainline America. Such accomplishments made Jerusalem much like her counterparts in the world. "Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy." (Ezek. 16:49) Although it is admirable to have high expectations, the end result of accomplishments must bring glory and service to God. Appreciation for His grace and admiration of His goodness must be the goal of any nation or people that hopes to survive.

When worship to God in the name of Jesus Christ is last on the list of preferred family activities the next generation becomes bored with the idea of serving God. Although I was not brought up in a home that attended church on a regular basis, the Lord's day (Sunday) was strongly impressed on my mind. There was no work on this day because, "It is Sunday." As a child I could tell it was Sunday when I first arose because and saw my father reading the family Bible. Although that was largely the limit of spiritual activity in our home the Lord's day was never called or treated as simply the week end. It was different than any other day of the week.

I cannot recall hearing the word `bored' until I became a grandfather. I do remember it was unwise in my early years to say, "I wish I had something to do." There were fence-rows to hoe, cockleburs on the creek to pull, trash to burn, kerosine jugs to fill for the cook stove, kindling wood to start the morning stove in the winter, chicken houses to be cleaned, and many unmentionables that had to be done.

The few times a year we as a family did attend services the first thing I learned was this is a place to be respected. The man in the pulpit was to be admired and honored. The Word of God was to be heard and prayer was gathering at the altar in the building or gathering in groups outside to pray for protracted revival services.

The main reason young people are bored is because they do not have enough family togetherness. TV has replaced time to play with young children and do various activities with them as they mature. Reading the Bible together and praying together as a family is practically a lost art. The Word of God is either gathering dust in a deserted place or getting replaced by a polluted version by popular opinion. The Lord's day has been turned into a week-end and Sunday's have become the "only day we have to do things together as a family." Joshua settled this matter without consulting anyone but the Lord. "...as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Josh. 24:15) The Word of God has lost its appeal in America chiefly because parents do not expose their children to it. Many pastors and churches have replaced preaching with playing. Evangelization is not nearly so important to the modern day congregation as entertainment. Christian fellowship has been reduced to carnal feasting. Parents are hunting a church that has the "best youth program." Most youth programs are planned activities apart from regular preaching services. Children's church is a cop-out for parents who will not take the responsibility of teaching their children proper behavior and parental authority. Later they join the youth group under the leadership of a less than doctrinally wise "youth minister" on week-end ski trips void of any proper spiritual training. The only successful cure for spiritual decline in America is to bring up our children under the influence of the Word of God in the local church. (Prov. 22:6; 2 Tim. 4:2)

Concerning respect for true worship and following the teaching of God's Word America is in trouble. A nation is also in trouble when it:

The strategy of Israel's defense against the evil framed against them was, "We will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart." (Jer. 18:12) This is a perfect example of the general attitude of a nation in spiritual trouble. When a people feel their economical success has been brought about by their own volition their spiritual decline is inevitable. Who needs God, prayer, and proper worship when prosperity looms on every horizon? Captivity in Egypt looked better to wandering Israel than fighting the warfare that would bring spiritual victory from God. America's compromise of godly separation extends farther that just religious ecumenicalism. However, when God's people become acclimated to religious compromise it will not be long until national security and identity will also fall prey to evil conspiracies.

This again was the demise of Israel and will be also to any other nation in like circumstance. "Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!" (Isa. 31:1) Making alliances with Godless nations is flaunted as a necessity for our national security. Not one politician desiring public office would dare quote Paul's directive in the matter of spiritual success. "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Rom. 8:31) God's name is flaunted so nonchalantly in high places, yet not glorified, that it is evident that it means no more than a thin religious veneer covering the rough- sawn wood of deception.

A nation that once completely depended on God for it inception and existence are in trouble when they turn from God to self sufficiency.

Much more could be said on this subject but space does not allow it at this time. God can certainly do as He please with America. The only hope we have to escape the evil destruction upon our sin cursed land is repentance toward God. My fear for the future of our nation is not so much from the powers without but from the deception within. The basis for our national success has not been individual accomplishments but by the power of God upon a people fully dependent upon Him. Pray for pastors who are steady and standing on the Word of God. Pray for leadership who can and will say with David, "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise." (Psa. 57:7) It is a sad day when incumbents and `want-a-be' politicians apologize to false religion only to seem politically correct. "Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt." (Psa. 123:3)