By Bob Jackson
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14–18.
This passage is used to teach against many types of partnerships of believers with unbelievers (marriage, business, church entanglements, etc.). Surely this passage does teach this truth. However, we want to look beyond corporate entanglements, and we want to deal with the meaning of this passage in a personal sense.
The Command
God expects believers not to be yoked up with unbelievers, like a team of animals yoked up together to pull a wagon, etc. The fact is that this type of yoke can never be equal. Lost people have no concern about spiritual things; therefore spiritual things cannot be a consideration is this kind of partnership, 1 Corinthians 2:14. God’s people have Jesus Christ as their Master, and trying to function in this unequal yoke creates a second master, Matthew 6:24. If we submit to this unequal yoke, then we will be disobeying God in that process, Romans 6:16,17.
Beginning in the second part of verse 14, we see godly reasoning that should prevent believers from becoming part of an unequal yoke, verses 14b–16a. In this passage God asks a series of questions that all demand the same answer. Each of these questions gives a reason why a true believer in Jesus Christ cannot rightly be part of an unequal yoke. What fellowship can righteousness have with unrighteousness? Righteousness is defined as that which is just. We realize by the teaching of the Word of God and by honest evaluation that we cannot be saved by our own righteousness or goodness, Titus 3:5; Isaiah 64:6; Romans 10:1–3. We receive Christ’s righteousness at the time of our salvation, 1 Corinthians 1:30. Christ’s righteousness which we have received by grace through faith cannot participate with unrighteousness, 1 Corinthians 6:15; Matthew 7:6.
What communion (or partnership) can light have with darkness? People desire darkness because of sin, John 3:19,20. Darkness is also the description of the power of Satan, Colossians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 4:3,4. However, we are delivered from this spiritual darkness through the salvation we have received in Christ Jesus, 1 Peter 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:4,5. Darkness and light cannot have any spiritual partnership, no more than physical darkness and light can exist together, John 3:20,21. Those walking in darkness are going a different direction than those walking in the light.
What concord (accordance or agreement) can Christ or His people have with Belial? Belial literally means worthlessness, and it is a descriptive name for Satan. Jesus said that those who are in the spiritual family of Satan were certainly not His children, John 8:44. There can never be any accord between Christ and Satan, Matthew 13:24,25,28; 1 Peter 5:8. The conniving of Satan can make it appear that there is agreement between himself and the Lord Jesus Christ, but this is always deceit, 2 Corinthians 11:13–15.
What part (share or participation) can a believer have with an infidel (one without faith, an unbeliever, one who is untrustworthy)? People must agree on something in order to participate together, Amos 3:3. People of faith in Christ should not have any common faith with unbelievers, John 8:44.
What agreement can the temple of God have with idols? The church is the temple of God in which God dwells and receives glory, 1 Corinthians 3:16,17; Ephesians 3:21; 1 Timothy 3:15. In verse 16b, God says “ye” (which is always plural) are “the temple” (singular) of the living God. Believers who are covenanted together in one location within a church are “the temple of the living God.” The individual believer is also the temple of the Holy Ghost, 1 Corinthians 6:19,20. There is no way that a genuine temple of God can have any agreement with idols, 1 Samuel 15:23; Colossians 3:5. God is present in every true believer in Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ cannot be in agreement with idols, false gods, etc. Romans 8:9; Galatians 5:16,17.
The Conclusion
“Wherefore” — because of all these truths, separation is necessary in the lives of God’s people because we cannot fellowship with Satan and with this ungodly world. Friendship with the things and with the people of this world is in opposition to God, James 4:4. The places of this world such as bars, clubs, the movie theater, etc. the entertainment of this world such as dancing and drinking, etc. the fashion of this world such as revealing or skin-tight clothing, etc. the ideas of this world like thinking that it does not matter how you live, all of these worldly ideas and practices are to be avoided by God’s people. When we are friendly toward these things, it means that we have an evil influence in our lives toward Satan and his desires, Amos 3:3; Galatians 5:17.
God’s people must stay away from the unclean things in this world and from those who do not know God. This does not mean that we can have no contact with lost people, because we can have no impact where there is no contact. However, we are not to build our lives around lost people, etc. Our friends need to be the people of God. God warns us in 2 Corinthians 6:17 that we should not be close enough to “touch” these unclean things, 2 Timothy 2:22. We are not to try any of these things. We need to take God’s word for it and just stay away from these ungodly things.
We will sustain fellowship with God by staying away from these things, verses 17,18. Sin in our lives can break our fellowship with God, Isaiah 59:2. Our relationship as a child of God cannot be broken; it is dependent on God. However, our fellowship with God can be broken by our sin. Sin breaks this fellowship with God, but confessing and forsaking our sin restores our fellowship with Him, 1 John 1:9; Proverbs 28:13.
To enjoy the sweet fellowship with God and to be used for the Lord, we must be separate from the world and from worldliness in our lives!
By E. L. Bynum
“The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown is another book of blasphemy against Christ and the Bible. Our comments will be about the book rather than the movie. If the source is corrupt and untruthful, then the movie based upon it will be false also. Hollywood has never been known to correct the errors in books, but rather magnify them and add to them.
The Da Vinci Code is False
1. It depicts the Bible as a false witness.
2. It depicts Jesus Christ as an imposter.
3. It depicts Jesus as being married to Mary Magdalene.
4. It depicts a Jesus that did not die on the cross, and if He did die, He could not have paid the penalty for our sins, because He was a sinner himself.
5. It depicts Mary Magdalene as a saint when she was only a sinner saved by grace.
6. It depicts all of the apostles as liars suppressing the real story about Jesus Christ.
7. Instead of accepting the word of the apostles and the Bible, it takes the word of gnostic heretics who were rejected by true Christians.
If you doubt my word, consider the quote from a review that can be found on Dan Brown’s web page.
Written in standard thriller style, with exotic settings, breathless chases, amazing escapes, and sudden plot reversals, “The Da Vinci Code” is as much fun as a James Bond movie and about as believable.
It begins with the murder of the curator of the Louvre in Paris. The Harvard code specialist called into the case pursues the culprit, and in so doing discovers an array of clues hidden in the works of Leonardo da Vinci. Thick with puzzles, symbols, cliff-hanging chapter endings, and machinations by evil figures and secret societies, the novel “reveals” that Jesus was not divine, that he married the Mary Magdalene of the New Testament, had a child with her, that the bloodline survived in France, and that the church conspired for millennia to hide the truth. A key character announces, among other things, that the idea of the divinity of Jesus was hatched by the Roman emperor Constantine as a political power play.
Bible scholar Darrell L. Bock of Dallas Theological Seminary, author of “Breaking the Da Vinci Code,” contends that Brown has a deeper agenda than mere fiction, and he cites the author’s remark on “Good Morning America” that he might not change any of the historical material if the book were nonfiction. —David Mehegan, in The Boston Globe
The front page of Brown’s book says: “Fact: . . . All descriptions of . . . documents . . . in this novel are accurate.”
Of course this is not true, but ordinary readers and movie goers will not recognize the falsity of this statement. The whole book is a farce that is filled with so many errors that it will be impossible to point them all out.
Clever Subterfuge
When critics point out the errors in the book, the defenders of the book say that it is only fiction. It is fiction, but Dan Brown said in an interview, that if he were writing a nonfiction book, he would not change any of the historical assertions and claims of the novel. In other words he is saying that it is historically accurate.
The Da Vinci Code is a novel that characterizes the New Testament Gospels as “fabrications” and the deity of Christ as a fable. While hiding behind the genre of a novel, Brown has asserted that he has based this novel upon many facts. In an interview with Charles Gibson on Good Morning America, ABC, on November 3, 2003, he stated that as he researched the book, he became a believer in the theory that the book advances. Namely that Jesus married Mary Magdalene, had a daughter, and the divinity of Christ is a hoax that has been pushed on the world by the Catholic Church.
By hiding behind the genre of a novel, Brown is able to sidestep criticisms of his poor research and be less than honest about his conclusions. Yet at the same time he is able to advance his ideas to a hungry public that loves the idea that they do not have to answer to God. There is little doubt that Brown’s novel would not have been nearly as successful had he not made his assaults upon Chris. When asked if he is a Christian, Brown’s states unequivocally, “Yes.” However he then goes on to clarify that if you ask three people what a Christian is, you will get three different an. In other words, ‘Christian’ is left to his interpretation. —An Answer to The Da Vinci Code, Doug Hammett
Brown also said, “Almost everything our fathers taught us about Christ is false,” Page 255 of his book.
It is clear that this book has been devised by Satan as a deliberate attack upon the deity of Jesus Christ. If you believe this book, there is no reason to call yourself a Christian, nor is there any hope of heaven for you. You will wake up in hell and realize that you have believed a lie that has damned your soul.
Priory of Sion
The Priory of Sion according to Brown is a secret European society founded in Jerusalem in 1099 by a crusading French king. He states that its purpose was to preserve a great secret that had been handed down from generation to generation since the time of Christ. Hidden documents buried beneath the ruins of the Temple in Jerusalem supposedly verify this secret. The secret that has been hidden, according to Brown, is that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and had a daughter named Sarah. His bloodline supposedly continued hrough a dynasty of French kings and survives even to today. The claim goes on to state that Leonardo Da Vinci as well as Isaac Newton were privy to this fact. To undergird this assertion, documents at the National Library in Paris are pointed to for proof.
Answer: However, the truth is that the man who planted these documents in the National Library is Pierre Plantard. Plantard’s hoax in planting these documents was exposed in a series of French books and a BBC documentary in 1996. The Priory of Sion is a society that began in the 1950's.
His Conspiracy Theory
Brown claims that Constantine, the Roman emperor, masterminded the collating of the Bible and put the official seal on which Scriptures were allowed at the Council of Nicea. At the same time, according to Brown, he eliminated goddess worship in the Roman Empire, moved Christian worship from Saturday to Sunday, and elevated Jesus to the place of deity for his own advancement in the kingdom.
Answer: The fact is that the canon of Scripture was already well known and in place at least two centuries before Constantine came on the scene.
According to Brown, the elevating of Jesus from a mere mortal to deity was by a relatively close vote in 325 A.D. at the Council of Nicea. The fact is that the vote was 300 to two. However, it was not an elevating of Jesus, but a confirmation that this is what they believed and Christians had always believed. The Council of Nicea did not speak for the Baptist churches of the day, although they already believed in the deity of Christ.
The Claims of Christ
Dan Brown writes about the Council of Nicea. “Until that moment in history, Jesus was viewed by His followers as a mortal prophet, a great and powerful man, but a man nonetheless. A mortal.” (The Da Vinci Code, pg. 315)
The reason the Scriptures are being assaulted is to undermine the teaching of Jesus Christ that He is indeed God. Consider the following:
Did Jesus Really Believe That He Was God?
1. He taught that He could impart eternal life to people. John 5:21, 39–40
2. He taught that He would judge the world at the end of time. Matthew 7:21–23; John 5:22
3. He taught that He should have the same honor as the Fa. John 5:23
4. He taught that if you knew Him, you knew the Father. John 8:19
5. He claimed titles that belonged exclusively to God. John 8:56–58
6. He claimed He was one with the Father. John 10:22–33
7. He taught that if you saw Him you had seen the Father. John 14:9
8. He taught that He could hear and answer your prayers. John 14:14
9. He taught that if you hated Him, you hated the Father. John 15:23
10. He taught that He had been with the Father in Heaven becoming to earth and had shared His divine glory. John 17:5
11. He allowed people to worship Him and call Him God. John 20:28–29
12. He taught that He could forgive sin. Mark 2:5, 10
13. After the resurrection, He claimed that He was omnipotent. Matthew 28:18
14. After the resurrection, He taught that He was omnipresent. Matthew 28:20; John 14:23
—An Answer to The Da Vinci Code, Doug Hammett
People Are Being Deceived
A survey was taken in Canada among those that had read the book, and one third (one out of 3) believed what was written in the book. It is evident that many people are being deceived. We need to heed the warnings of the Bible. “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive ” (Eph. 4:14). “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience” (Eph. 5:6)
Preachers in many instances are failing to warn their Church members of such deceitful books as The Da Vinci Code. The following quote illustrates my point.
“Personally, it doesn’t matter to me if Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married. It certainly wouldn’t change my relationship with Jesus. It wouldn’t make me think any more or less of him, and has neither undermined nor strengthened my faith.” —Sharon Salt Joseph, pastor of the Church of the Manger United Church of Christ, Bethlehem, PA. (The Morning Call, 5–20–2006)
Apparently this pastor couldn’t care less as to whether the New Testament is accurate or not, or whether the Apostles were liars are not. It doesn’t matter to him if Jesus was a sinner and an imposter. I pity the people that listen to this man preach, for they are being pastored by a man that has no regard for the Bible and the truth of salvation.
A Serious Warning
Do not buy the book and do not go to see the movie. Dan Brown, a blasphemer, is already a multimillionaire, and if you buy the book you further add to his riches. If you go to the movie, you do the same thing and also patronize the wicked producers in Hollywood. No Christian should go to any theater to watch any movie. When you do, you weaken your testimony, displease the Lord, and support the ungodly in Hollywood. “ I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me” (Psa. 101:3).
I will close this article with what was published in an ad for the book entitled, “The Truth Behind The Da Vinci Code” by Richard Abanes.
The Code: Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene, whom he named leader of the church before his death.
The Truth: This fantasy has no support even from the “Gnostic gospels” mentioned in the book, let alone from the historical data.
The Code: Since the year 1099, a super secret society called “The Priory of Sion” has preserved knowledge of Jesus and Mary’s descendants.
The Truth: Today’s “Priory of Sion” was founded in the early 1960s by a French con man who falsified documents to support the story of Jesus’ “bloodline.”
The Code: As a “priory” leader and pagan goddess-worshipper, Leonardo da Vinci coded secret knowledge about Jesus and Mary into his paintings.
The Truth: Da Vinci had no known ties to any secret societies. Any obscure images in his paintings likely reflect his personal creativity rather than Brown’s imagination.
By Thomas Hastings, B.A., G.Th.
(Complete Article Available Here: Why Attend Church?)
Luke 24:36 “And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. (45) Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, (49) And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. (50) And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. (51) And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. (52) And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: (53) And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.”
1. We Should Attend Church So That We Can Have Fellowship With Jesus Christ.
Luke 24:36 “And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.”
Do you not need the peace of God? Who was there when He blessed them, gave them peace and revealed Himself in such a glorious way? Without doubt, it was His disciples, His Church. Perhaps you think, “But of course, who would otherwise be there?” That is exactly the point: Only those who desire to be where our Lord will reveal Himself and who go to the effort to be there, will be where the Lord can fully bless them. Our Lord gave an invitation to all: Matthew 11:28 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” All could have been there, but most people chose not to be there. That is difficult for me to understand. Why don’t they want to be there?
John 12:42 “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: (43) For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”
Those who, despite their believing on Christ, failed to openly confess Him due to the fear of what others would think or do (or out of negligence), will indeed regret their cowardice in eternity! What damage they did to their own souls, and what dishonor they did to the cause of Christ! How shameful it is when we let anything keep us from confessing and obeying our Lord! It was a great loss for literally thousands that missed out on seeing our resurrected Lord, His blessing upon them and His ascension up to heaven.
It was each individual’s choice, and today it is no different. Even among the Apostles the choice was no different. In the 20th chapter of John, they assembled themselves on the first Sunday after His resurrection as became the common practice of the New Testament churches, (1 Corinthians 16:2). As Jesus Christ revealed Himself to them and strengthened them, the only living Apostle not attending was Thomas. Evidently he had other things to do that were more important to him, and thus he remained a week longer in doubt than the other Apostles. I want to experience as much of Jesus Christ as possible. That is one reason that I regularly attend the services of biblical Baptist churches.
Is not Jesus Christ always with His children?
As our Savior, He is eternally with and in His children. Jesus said, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:28. Although this truth is unshakable, we dare not neglect the promise of His particular presence in our Church meetings: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20. It was to His Church that Jesus gave that promise in Matthew 28:20 “ . . . lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” There is no question that we experience more of God’s blessings when we assemble ourselves in His name. I love my Lord and plan to be there where He reveals Himself.
A Church is precious to God and us.
God has tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked, that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 1 Corinthians 12:26 “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. (27) Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”
We see that in a true Church, as described above, it is not only precious to God and to us, but that it is very useful. “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it;” Dear friend, we all have our problems and suffering on earth. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to overcome them alone! The burden of being alone and isolated is for many the biggest problem they have. There is a German saying, “A shared life divides the work and suffering, but multiplies the joy.” This saying is indeed true in Christ and in His Church.
Ecclesiastes 4:9 “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. (10) For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. (12) And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
God also described this in Galatians 6:2 “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” We have the opportunity to experience and reveal the love of God in and through the Church. When we love, serve and follow Jesus Christ, we not only need the Church when we suffer, but also when we rejoice: “or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.” When our Lord gives us victories as we follow Him, with whom are we to rejoice? When your child gets saved, you can go to your lost neighbor and report it, but don’t expect much understanding from him! A person outside of Christ cannot understand it.
We are created by God for fellowship with Him and also with others in a Church. Without a loving Church, our life in the Lord would be limited and lonely. Good examples are the street children growing up without the protection, training and love of a family. They have life and are important, but few would say that they experience the life that God intended for them. Just as a child needs a family, every child of God needs a true Baptist Church.
Our love to others is very important. 1 Corinthians 13:1 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (2) And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. (3) And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” Love is so important that Jesus Christ said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:35. He emphasized this love when He said, “. . . Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:40. Our Lord desires that we experience His love, and that we express it to each other and those around us in the fellowship of His Church. It is a sobering thought that how we have treated one of the least of these, my brethren, is how we have also treated our Savior! Our Lord also expressed it thus, 1 John 4:20 “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not see? (21) And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”
The love of God must sometimes be hard, as when Jesus drove those out of the Temple who had changed it from being a house of prayer into “ . . . a den of thieves.” Matthew 21:13. Our Lord also instructed preachers: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:2. Much the same as a mother who loves her child enough to warn it and do what is necessary to keep it out of the street, even so a Church must protect her members by warning them against sin that will harm the testimony and harmony of the Church, then the Church must remove such a member. This is, of course, always to be done in love with the view to restoration. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. (15) Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” (Review2 Thessalonians 3:6–15.)
How can we show the world that we are His disciples, if we do not come together in His Church? Everywhere in the New Testament that souls were saved, they were baptized and churches were formed! Some people think that they really love the Lord, but they have no use for His Church. If a man says that he loves his wife, but spends all of his free time away from her, is he not being a hypocrite? How can a person love the Lord, yet have no love for His Church? It is possible that a person has never known a true Church. How can you find a true Church ? You can write to me, and I will help as far as I can. In any case, you need to read your Bible, pray and seek. Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it shall be given you, seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:”
God promises much blessing and protection for His Church
Luke 12:32 “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (10) But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” Matthew 16:18 “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock (Jesus Christ) I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
There are many promises that God has given to His Church, and I want to meet God’s qualifications so that I may claim them for my family and myself.
(Continued Next Issue: Part 2)
By Bob Jackson
I have been reading an old booklet from April 1942, which we obtained with some of my father-in-law’s books. This booklet, which is in very poor condition because of its age, is entitled, “World Fundamental Baptist Missionary Fellowship Its Statement of Faith and Its Aims as read and adopted by the North Texas Fellowship.” This booklet tells about “The first important and essential part of this Fellowship, twenty years ago . . . .” So, it is clear that this organized fellowship of churches existed at least as early as 1922. As stated by the name of this Fellowship, the major goal of this organized group was to prepare, promote, and project missionaries to the mission field. There are missionaries pictured in this booklet, some missionaries to China, and some missionaries to France. There is a Spanish work in San Antonio, Texas mentioned. There is also the Fundamental Baptist Bible Institute located at Fort Worth, Texas, which this booklet states is “owned by the Missionary Fellowship.”
The Organized Fellowship Philosophy
It is clear that this Fellowship is the precursor to many of the “fundamental Baptist fellowships” in existence today. Many of the people that this little booklet names are those that were part of the Baptist Bible Fellowship when it came into existence in the early 1950's. It seems that people follow the same course as their predecessors over and over again. There is always a reason to break with an organized group of churches (a fellowship, a convention, or an association, etc.). Most of the time and most of the churches and preachers who break with an organized group of churches proceed to organize and/or join another group of churches that will be better and not make the same mistakes that the previous organized group made. As it has been stated many times in the Plains Baptist Challenger by many different writers, there is absolutely no scriptural reason to be found that supports the gathering together of a group of churches into an organized fellowship, etc. But, this is what these preachers and churches have known, so this must be the way to do God’s work. Thank God that sometimes preachers and churches realize that an organized group of churches is really NOT SCRIPTURAL, and they actually come out completely from that concept itself. Surely people have been saved through the ministry of churches and preachers who are part of organized groups, and other churches have been started through the ministries of these churches. However, this in no way justifies doing something that is extra-biblical. Obviously, churches can and should cooperate together to get the gospel out to the regions beyond, but this does NOT require organizing a group of churches into some man-made organization. There is a statement in the booklet that inspired this article. “Strictly speaking, a Baptist church cannot belong to any organization. But it is clearly taught in the New Testament that the churches had fellowship with each other in both doctrine and practice.” Consider the leap from what is clearly taught in the New Testament to an organized fellowship, with elected officers, an actual office of its own, employees, a payroll, a separate address, a bank account in the name of the fellowship, a Bible Institute which is “owned” by the Fellowship, and the list could go on and on. Churches that fellowship together in doctrine and practice require none of the above-mentioned things. Tabernacle Baptist Church in Lubbock, TX, currently supports 45 mission projects without using any of the above “necessities” of an organized fellowship to get all of the support money to the missionary through his sponsoring church. A true scriptural Baptist church CANNOT belong to any organization. The need to fellowship with other scriptural churches to accomplish the Great Commission will never justify the setting up of an organized group of churches.
Man’s way and idea, however, is that it will work better if we organize a group of churches to be able to get more done. That sounds logical. You have to wonder why this did not occur to the Apostle Paul or to the Pastor of the church in Antioch. Maybe it was because God had directed that His work should be done through His churches (Acts 13:1–4). Maybe it is because the work of God is to bring glory to God and not some man-made organization (Ephesians 3:21). The writing in this little booklet toes a very fine line between church authority and autonomy on the one hand and the Fellowship work and organization on the other hand. It almost appears as if these folks were trying to mix oil and water. “The grand mark of distinction which this movement bears, is to be found in what we believe with respect to the church, as summarized in the following four principles: (1) The Lord Jesus Christ as the only Head. (2) The Holy Spirit as the only Administrator. (3) The Word of God as the only Message. (4) The Salvation of souls as the only Mission.” This quote comes at the end of a section in this booklet entitled, How to Become a Member of this Fellowship. So, even though “Strictly speaking, a Baptist church cannot belong to any organization,” we want you to know how to join our Fellowship.
The Ongoing Fellowship Practice
From material we obtained recently from another preacher, it is clear that from the very outset of moving the Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College to Oklahoma City and changing its name to Heartland Baptist Bible College, a new organized fellowship to promote and support that school was in the works. Of course, it became a reality in the course of time and now exists as the Global Independent Baptist Fellowship. Apparently this new fellowship and the school around which it exists are having a negative effect on the missionary support of true independent, church-sent missionaries. A missionary recently said to me at a fellowship meeting that it was becoming more difficult to raise support because of the effect of this new organized group made up of so-called “independent, unaffiliated” Baptist churches. This is just another organized fellowship in the long line of descendants from the World Fundamental Baptist Missionary Fellowship. How sad it is that this new Fellowship seems to have drawn some once-thought-to-be independent preachers and churches into its ranks. This is another obstacle that makes it harder for those who are sent out exclusively through the Lord’s churches to accomplish God’s work and God’s will.
Our desire in this article is to help wake some preachers up to the truth of what it is in which they have become involved. Certainly, every church must make her own decisions as to the work they will do, the churches and/or groups with which they will fellowship, and the missionaries they will support. The teaching and principles of the Word of God need to guide us in our decisions, however. If something has not been scriptural before, it does not suddenly become acceptable to God despite the teaching of His Word. It does not matter what our preacher friends, the churches with whom we have had fellowship, or anyone else may do. What does matter is the clear teaching of the Word of God, and there is not any true biblical support for an organized fellowship of churches to be found anywhere in the Word of God. However, these organizations seem to have a great appeal to men. In a sense we can trace that type of thinking all the way back to the Tower of Babel in Genesis chapter 11, when men tried to organize themselves together to reach toward the sky. Organized fellowships are not, we hope, trying to bypass God or get to heaven some way other than through the shed blood of Christ, but they are trying to supersede God’s institution of service by gathering together a group of churches into a super organization which is beyond the scope and the authority of the Lord’s church. Thank God for those preachers and those churches that have learned the truth that there is absolutely no organization beyond a scriptural New Testament church that God desires to use to accomplish His work. “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Ephesians 3:21. While organized fellowships of churches are not new in this 21st century, neither are they to be found in the Word of God!
By Jerry Jackson
These past few months our local news has reported no less than two incidents of local pastors being caught in immoral situations. Within the past several months I have heard of one former pastor going to jail for molesting a relative and another pastor being charged with immoral conduct towards his daughter. I have heard many recent reports of good men falling into immorality through Internet pornography. As a missionary in Papua New Guinea I heard countless stories of national pastors falling into immorality. In fact, this conduct has become so prevalent that it almost seems to be commonplace. God help us, if we have become so insensitive to moral purity as to overlook such things.
The Sad Fact
The sad fact is that immorality is on the rise, not only in our world and nation, but also among God’s servants. Internet pornography and other avenues of filth have found their way into too many computers, homes, and hearts. The Apostle Paul tells us that we are not ignorant of Satan’s devices, but we seem to be so susceptible to those devices in these last days (2 Corinthians 2:11).
Many have begun to excuse the lapses of morality among pastors and missionaries. They tell us that these are immoral times, and it should be no surprise that such things would happen. In fact, with the immorality all around us, we should expect the things that are listed above. We shouldn’t really expect moral purity in these last days, nor should we “overreact” when it happens.
It is sad to see the popularization of immorality among God’s servants, but we must not mourn the “good old days” and continue to allow these ungodly men to fill our pulpits and teach God’s people. A stand must be made for what is right and godly.
The Sad Fruit
There is no such thing as a harmless sin, as some would lead us to believe. Immorality is no exception. There are great consequences for the lack of purity in the lives of God’s men.
Whether it is a physical relationship or a pornographic relationship, there is sad fruit to be borne by those with whom God’s man commits his immoral acts.
In the physical relationship, there is the possibility of pregnancy among the females, and the opening of a homosexual lifestyle among the males. There are also the very real emotional scars that always accompany this type of sin: the guilt, shame, and self-blame. There is also the ruining of the reputation of God’s men in their eyes. No longer will God’s man, whomever he may be, be held in high esteem among those that have been manipulated and molested by one of God’s men. There will need to be years of effort on the victim’s part to replace the trust in any servant of God.
I do not discount the very real effort that Satan makes to bring sexual predators into the lives and ministries of God’s men. There are those who literally “hunt” down the man of God to cause him to fall into immorality. Yet, even these will bear the fruit of their own sin.
When this immorality becomes common knowledge, it is the family of God’s man who bears the worst of the sad fruit, on an emotional level. The wife and children of this “servant of God” are devastated and demoralized. I believe this is one of the worst blows that could befall the family of God’s man. Yet, in the heat of the moment, the family is not considered. The only consideration is the fulfillment of fleshly desires. Of course, many such marriages have ended in divorce, and the homes destroyed as a result.
The saddest of these sad fruit is that the Lord’s testimony is tainted. King David was told that the reason his son by Bathsheba would die is because of the blasphemy his sin had caused among the heathen (2 Samuel 12:14). Christ has told us that our lives are to shine out with good works before all men, so that the Father may be glorified. When immorality creeps into the life of one of God’s men, it is the Father’s testimony that suffers the most. I remember trying to witness to my coworkers shortly after the debacles of Jim and Tammy Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart. No matter what I said, they would always come back to these two situations and let me know that they were not interested in Christianity, especially after what these had done. I have often wondered how many souls were condemned to the eternal lake of fire because of the immoral fall of these two men. We will never know until eternity, but we are certain that it will be a great number. While we, as individual servants of God, may not have the fame and recognition that these men had, we certainly are being watched by a lost world. Any moral slip will be all that is needed to stop the ears of the lost.
The Spirited Forbearance
We must be careful where we go. This is where things begin, if we truly seek to avoid or forbear immorality in our lives. We must avoid any place where we know the temptations abide. This can be a web site on the Internet, a store in town, or anything in between. Even counseling women alone is an unwise practice for even the strongest man of God. We must be wise in where we allow ourselves to go, so as to avoid any immorality in our hearts and lives. “ A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished (Proverbs 22:3).”
Proverbs 4:25 says, “Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.” There must be control over the eyes. This is not easy in the immodest, immoral society in which we live, but it is still what God expects of us. We must be very careful of where we look and at what we look, because that will lead us to other things. “ I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me (Psalm 101:3).”
Job 31:1 tells us where the roaming eye will lead. “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?” Once the eye has seen something, the mind begins to dwell on that and add desires and emotions to the mix. So, there must not only be control over the eyes, but also control over the mind. “ Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).”
Once thoughts have been entertained in the heart for a time, action begins to be contemplated. It is not long before the immorality in the heart gives way to immoral activity. “ But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man (Matthew 15:18-20).”
There have been too many good men fall into these immoral sins. This lost world has had enough examples of immoral preachers and religious leaders to deter them from the only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Satan knows that if he can cause God’s man to fall into immorality, he can destroy the effectiveness of that church, if he is unable to destroy the church completely. Let us determine in our own hearts to avoid the places where we may be tempted. Let us determine to take control of our eyes and minds, as God has commanded, that our actions may be pure and clean. Let us fulfill the commandment that the Apostle Paul gave to young Timothy when he said “ be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity (1 Timothy 4:12b).”
The Associated Students of the University of Oregon (ASUO) has refused to apologize for an obscene anti-Christian assault in the campus newspaper Insurgent.
The March edition of the Insurgent ran one of the strongest attacks on Christianity I have seen. The paper ran graphics depicting Jesus as a homosexual.
(Because we publish a Christian paper we cannot print the description of a naked Jesus and another man. They printed a vile graphic picture that is a lie and an insult to every Bible believer. ELB)
When asked for an apology by Students of Faith, ASUO refused to give one saying that “there are no grounds for demanding an apology from Insurgent.” The ASUO went on to defend the publication saying that the newspaper contributes “to the cultural and physical development of the university community.”
The Insurgent would never show a naked graphic of the Rev. Martin Luther King kissing another man, both sporting erections. But offending Christians was of no concern to the Insurgent or to University President Dave Frohmayer.
The ASUO Women’s Center tolerates no defamation against gays and lesbians. Three years ago, ASUO demanded that the university radio station, KUGN, drop Michael Savage (a conservative talk show host). The university promptly discontinued the program. But depicting Jesus as a homosexual is perfectly OK.
Here is what Insurgent Student Editor Jessica Brown had to say about the graphics. “I have to say it is really fun to offend people. It is fun to break the rules . . . .” (For decency’s sake we cannot quote the rest of the Student Editor’s statement. ELB)
Incidentally, the University forces all students, including Christians, to pay student dues of $191.00 per term, part of which goes to support the Insurgent.
— AFA ActionAlert
(ELB: This is where we are in American education. Universities feel free to insult Christians and make wicked attacks against God and the Bible. Yet the taxpayers are asked to support such institutions through taxes. They do not have the courage to attack Mohammed in the same way, because there are violent Muslims that would do horrible things to them. True Christians are not a violent people, therefore they feel safe in attacking us.)
Dear Bro. Bynum, Bro. Robert Tucker, my husband, and I have been long-time subscribers to the “Challenger” and have always had a lot of confidence in the articles printed in this wonderful paper. My, how we would miss it, were it not to continue. A man visiting in our church recently asked us our opinion about cremation verses burial since funeral costs have soared in this day and age. We had quite a discussion, and then we remembered reading an article in the Plains Baptist Challenger many years ago on this very subject. We’ve kept many of our old papers and looked high and low to find that particular one but were unable to do so. Our request is for a copy of that article if it is still available because we’re sure it would offer some clear-cut answers in a scriptural way, and we could let this man read it. Would it be possible to print another article concerning this subject in the Challenger? Cremation is definitely cheaper in our area than burial, but there are many other things to consider than money. Again, thank you for your informative and scripturally accurate articles and all your hard work in putting out the paper. We hope it will continue for a long time. In Christ, Bro. Robert and Jane Tucker
I sent them information on cremation. Perhaps we will print an article on this at a later date. ELB
Bro. Jackson, I personally want to thank you and the folks of Tabernacle Baptist for the great time of fellowship, food, and fun. The preaching was great, and I’m looking for next year Lord willing. Please convey my gratitude to your people for me and my thanks to you and Bro. Jerry for the music. Hope to see you soon. Bro. Shirey
Dear Brother Bynum. We are writing to let you know how much we appreciate your paper you put out. We look forward to it each time and read it completely. You have news that we don’t find elsewhere. May the Lord continue to guide you each day in your needed ministry for Him. Keep looking up, Donald & Betty Girton
Hello Bro Bynum, My name is Pastor Jeremy Nobles and I pastor Creekwood Baptist Church in Beaumont, TX. I love the Plains Baptist Challenger, and we buy enough to pass out to the whole congregation. I was appalled to learn about the homosexual actor playing in the movie about the martyred missionaries. I went and saw it before I knew, when I received the Challenger and found out, I was holy steamed! It made me sick to think that Hollywood would do that. They know exactly what they are doing. I am still upset about it. (It did not like totally surprise me, but what shocked me is that their families would allow it to happen!) Thanks for spreading the light about such things.
Edited by E. L. Bynum
(Editor’s Note: In our News & Views column we quote from many different sources. Please understand that this does not necessarily mean that we approve of all of the publications from which we quote.)
Stand For Truth — One of the most blatant court decisions against religious freedom in Canada has been reversed. The highest court in the province of Saskatchewan has reversed a 2002 decision by the Court of Queen’s Bench which ruled that a man who placed references to Bible verses on homosexuality into a newspaper ad was guilty of inciting hatred. (LifeSiteNews, 4/13/06) Someone had the fortitude to challenge this Canadian court. Be sure of this, if no one stands against the demonic forces with biblical directives, Satan’s band of disbelievers will triumph. “...having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth....” (Eph. 6:13b,14a) —WWM
CCM’s New Talent(?) — Bart Millard of MercyMe has this to say about new-comer Phil Wickham: “Phil’s music is the most refreshing music I have heard in years. I think the most amazing thing about his incredible talent is it still does not compare to his love for Christ.” (Christian Music Updates, 4/14/06) Phil Wickham’s music would not have to be much to exceed his appearance on this site. His hair is combing length but excessively unkempt. He is wearing a wet appearing jacket unzipped to mid-chest. He has a two-week old beard with all the appearance of the ‘Beatle Bunch.’ If his love for Christ is displayed by his appearance, it is less noticeable than the ‘LOVE’ tattoo on the back of his right hand. Don’t write me about God looking on the inside. When the heart is right, the outside will surely take on the appearance of godliness. (2 Cor. 5:17) —WWM
This is Public Education? — “A high school teacher (Michael Maxwell) has apologized for asking students to write about who they would kill and how they would do it....” (Altus Times, 5/15/06) In defense of this educator the principle stated, “He is an exemplary person....” A school District spokesman declined to discuss the matter. This official also said the incident “probably isn’t serious enough to cost the teacher his job.” It may become serious enough when one of his students takes him serious enough to carry out his challenge. This is hardly training up a child in the way he should go. (Prov. 22:6) Yet it may well be that some student will not let it depart when he is old. —WWM
Speaking Of Education — The Da Vinci Code film makers are not the only ones capitalizing on the gullible masses. Willow Creek Association now has leadership material for discussing the film. It is a curriculum kit for those who are willing to pay the price to be enlightened on how to discuss the film with others. There is a discount, of course, for those churches who are members of the WCA. Why would any church member, who has a good pastor who uses the KJV, need further education on how to discuss sin? Sin is still a reproach to any people. (Prov. 14:31) You do not even have to contact WCCC to find that out. Just read the Bible. There is also a DVD featuring Lee Strobel and interviews with noted experts. Who could possibly be more expert in the life of Jesus than the Holy Spirit of God? —WWM
FCC on Chopping Block — “Overwhelmingly, Americans loathe having their children exposed to profanity and sexual vulgarity every time they turn on the TV or radio. The networks don’t seem to care. In fact, they recently filed suit against the FCC over its decision to fine networks that ignored community standards of decency.” (PatriotPost, 5/15/06) Be sure the ACLU will be early on the spot if the networks need their help. It will more difficult to stop profanity on the airways than to stop true Gospel preaching. Satan’s wares are much more acceptable to air than the Bible. (Prov. 14:34) “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” —WWM
Gambling Chips & Tattoos — Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry has earned the name, “Gov. Black Jack Henry” in some circles. He won the governorship in OK by promising to get the lottery on OK soil. He did, and he has. Now he has signed legislation to license tattoo artists and parlors. (AT, 5/11/06) OK must stay in step because it is the last state in the union to license tattooing. Sometimes being last is an honor. The Gov., a Baptist(?), likely has never read, or he has disregarded, the Word of God giving the guideline to make no marks upon the body nor cut the flesh. (Lev. 19:22) —WWM
Who Are Christians? — If the news media is to be believed, they are the Catholic church and them only. When you hear that Christians are offended at The Da Vinci Code depiction of Jesus, close attention will reveal they are speaking of Catholics. The Lord’s church was called Christians almost 400 years before the Catholic church became a religious embryo. Christians were first identified as such in Antioch. “And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” (Acts 11:26c) This church resulted from those scattered from the church at Jerusalem. (Acts 8:1) The Jerusalem church was started by our Lord during His earthly ministry. Jesus called unto Him his disciples and chose 12, and named them apostles. (Luke 6:13) This is the very first church in the New Testament. (1 Cor. 12:28) These 12 were hardly a universal church. They grew quickly after being empowered by the Holy Spirit recorded in Acts 2. —WWM
ORU & Miss OK Pageant — The Miss Oklahoma Scholarship Pageant will start...6/3/06... in the Mabee Center at Oral Roberts University. (Altus Times, 5/31/06) One young Altus woman appears five various wardrobes she will be wearing as she exhibits her talents. More than her talents are revealed in the swimsuit photo. Oral Roberts, an Assembly of God preacher, started this university many years ago. He taught a Spirit-filled life would be evidenced by speaking in tongues. It is doubtful anyone condoning or attending such activity could possibly be Spirit-filled. The spirit of man will reign there, not the Holy Spirit. No Christian girl will seek this scholarship. (1 Tim. 2:9) “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety....” —WWM
University Elective: ‘The Da Vinci Code’ — Okla. Panhandle St. Univ. plans to offer an elective class this fall focusing on the biblical and historic relevance of ‘The Da Vinci Code.’ (AT, 5/30/06) A Church of Christ minister from Tulsa developed the material related to the new film by the same name. He is quoted as saying: “There is so much that a student can learn about the evidence of Christ and Christianity,” in studying this book and movie. The end result will be that some students will come through this class believing that Dan Brown’s book and film reveal the truth. The devil always has a way of whitewashing a lie. If there is any doubt that the film industry is shaping our culture, look around! —WWM
Sin Filled Airways — A decision by Canada’s broadcast regulator, the CRTC, yesterday approved a new all-homosexual radio station in Toronto. It is the first new English-language radio station approved by the CRTC since 2001. In 2003 the CRTC rejected the application for an all-Catholic radio station in Toronto. This, despite the fact that about 2 million of Toronto’s (GTA) population of 4.5 million identify themselves as Catholic and surveys have demonstrated that only 1% of Canadians identify as homosexual. (LSN, 4/6/06) The devil remains the prince of the power of the air. (Eph. 2:2) Wherever there is an inviting strip, Satan will land. He has stalked the earth for centuries seeking whom he may devour. (1 Pet. 5:8) —WWM
Jesus Makes No Mistakes — Roman Catholic writer, Vittorio Messori, “noted that Jesus’ choice of Judas as a disciple in the first place seemed to show a slip of judgment.” However Messori added that “if the gospels had been invented, the figure of Judas just wouldn't be there because he's so embarrassing.” (Aus. Ind. Bapt. Newsletter, 4/06; Editor’s Comment: It was no “slip of judgment” for “...Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.” John 6:64)
Another Blasphemous Book — Dateline, 4/2/06 aired another blasphemous attack on the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord. The Dateline correspondent questioned Michael Baigent, author of “The Jesus Papers,” concerning the death & resurrection of Jesus. Question: “You believe that much of what we think we know about Jesus is a lie?” Authors answer: “It’s a lie. It’s an obvious lie.” The entire interview is saturated with blasphemy. (2 Thes. 2:11,12) “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” This author, like others, is filling his coffers with corrupted riches while wearing moth eaten garments. (Ja. 5:1–3) —WWM
Phasing Out/Falling In — Many Protestant churches began to phase out hymnals and put song lyrics on overhead projection screens in the 1980s. Today, thousands of churches have moved away from singing hymns to “participatory music(?)” and that’s meant a change in music publishing, too. According to a story in The Christian Post “...[copyright licensing] makes it possible for churches to legally copy and distribute praise-and-worship music to their congregations.” (RT, 4/11/06) As churches moved away for singing hymns as described here, they also moved away from old-time settings. Pulpits became see-through or removed altogether. Suits and ties gave way to T-shirts in the pulpit. The KJV Bible gave way to new versions. And preaching the Gospel gave way to psycho heresy. (2 Tim. 4:2) “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” Read the verses following in the KJV. —WWM