By Bob Jackson
“And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them. The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. The Lord made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day. The Lord talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire, (I stood between the Lord and you at that time, to shew you the word of the Lord: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying,...These words the Lord spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me. And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, (for the mountain did burn with fire,) that ye came near unto me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders; And ye said, Behold, the Lord our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth. Now therefore why should we die? For this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the Lord our God any more, then we shall die. For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? Go thou near, and hear all that the Lord our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the Lord our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it. And the Lord heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the Lord said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken. O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!” Deuteronomy 5:1–5,22–29
This passage tells us about the time that God gave His commandments to Israel. Today we are to follow the principles of these commandments, but not necessarily the letter of this law. Our eternal salvation rests in Christ and His fulfillment of this law, not in our keeping of these commandments. The statement that God makes about Israel, however, is certainly true and needful today. We must receive what God knew that Israel lacked.
The Meeting
There was a meeting that took place, which is recorded in this passage of Scripture, verse 4. God met with and spoke to His people. We all need to draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to us, James 4:8. We can meet with God in a number of ways. One of those ways to meet with God is to attend His house, a scriptural church, where He meets with His people, Hebrews 10:25; 1 Timothy 3:15. The glory and greatness of God were revealed when God met with His people. If we truly meet with God, we, too, should encounter this glory and greatness, verse 24; Philippians 3:10; Isaiah 6:1–3. When these people came face to face with God’s glory and greatness, godly fear was produced in them, verses 23–25; Hebrews 12:28–29. Perhaps the reason there is so little godly fear among professing Christians and even in many churches is because we have really not come face to face with God.
The Message
The message that these people received was the message of God for them. In this case, God gave His commandments specifically to Israel, verses 1,22 . Our Lord Jesus Christ has fulfilled these commandments as our substitute, Matthew 5:17–18. Not only did He live a perfectly sinless life, 1 Peter 2:22, but He also completely fulfilled every aspect of becoming our sacrifice for sins. Today God’s message of this saving gospel of Jesus Christ is designed for all people, 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Mark 16:15.
The Mediator
Moses was the mediator of this first covenant between God and Israel, verses 27,31. Today the Mediator between God and man is only the Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 9:14–15; 12:24. Every believer can act as a priest in the sense of giving the message of God’s forgiveness for sins to other sinners. However, there is only one true mediator through which we can pray and receive God’s forgiveness, and that is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. No so-called saint, not Mary, the mother of Jesus, not a human priest, nor a church itself can act to forgive sins on behalf of any other. “Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power, are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?”
Their Manifesto
The declaration of the people of Israel to Moses at this time was threefold. They told Moses that they wanted him to (1) herald God’s message to them, verse 27 . This meant that Moses must go near to God to receive God’s genuine, complete message. It is so important for every true messenger of God to follow this pattern, James 4:7–8. The Scripture tells us how the Apostle Paul drew close to God and received the message that he spent the rest of his life declaring, Galatians 1:15–18. God’s messenger must hear God’s message first before he can deliver it to others, 1 John 1:3; Jeremiah 23:21–22. God’s messenger must receive the entire message, just part of the truth is not enough, Acts 20:27. Here are some examples of only declaring part of God’s message. To tell people that they can be saved, and that there is no more responsibility after that, is only telling part of the truth. We are to serve God and live for God after we are saved, 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Ephesians 2:10. To declare a message of being saved by faith without any mention of repentance is not being faithful to declare all the message, Acts 20:21. To teach people to serve God without mentioning scriptural authority is not declaring all the message, Ephesians 3:21.
These people then told Moses that they would (2) hear God’s message through His messenger, verse 27. They said that their open ears would be directed to God’s message, Matthew 11:15; Acts 7:57; 2 Timothy 4:2–4. The need was that their ears be open to all of God’s message. They told Moses to hear all of God’s message, and tell it to them. Too often we have selective hearing. We only want to hear what pleases us, John 6:53–66. Of course, God’s true message is not pleasing to the flesh, the old Adamic nature of man, and it never will be.
These people of Israel then said that (3) they would heed God’s message, verse 27. This promise is made many times by God’s people regarding God’s Word and His will, Jeremiah 42:1–7; 43:1–3. This is obviously a promise which is easier to make than it is to keep. The truth of the matter is that we, as the people of God, should obey and follow whatever God directs through His Word, John 17:17; Ezekiel 33:31–32.
Their Miscalculation
The Lord God of heaven hears and knows everything we say, we think, and we do, verse 28; Hebrews 4:13; Psalms 139:7–12 . God said that the words that Israel had spoken to Moses in this case were well said, verse 28. Obviously saying the right thing is good to do, Proverbs 25:11; Colossians 4:6. However, saying the right thing without doing what we say is hypocrisy, Matthew 23:2–3. These people of Israel had a great need in order to fulfill their promise. They required a changed (or new) heart, verse 29. Our heart is the key to our spiritual life, Proverbs 4:23. God said that the heart of these people did not have the capacity to follow God’s Word, Matthew 15:7–9; Acts 8:18–21; Matthew 6:19–21 . Our heart must be changed by the power of God in order to be able to follow the Word of God, Romans 10:9–10; Ezekiel 11:19–20; 36:26–27. Without a changed heart, we are all incapable of following God’s Word, no matter how much we want to do so. How we heed God’s Word reveals the condition of our heart in relation to God, verses 28–29.
The last thing we want to notice is the blessing that comes to the person, or people, who has a heart right with God. The Lord told Israel that it would be well with them and with their children forever if they would fear Him and keep all of His commandments always. Having a heart that is right with God through the change that God makes in our hearts is not a drudgery, but it is a blessing that will produce many blessings in our lives and in the lives of those whom we influence for Christ.
The final question to summarize this message is, “Is our heart right with God?” If our heart is right with God, it will be demonstrated in our obedience to His Word.
By Jerry Jackson
In any serious discussion of missions, the conversation must inevitably beg the question, “What is true missions?” Without a clear understanding of what biblical mission work is, further discussion would be fruitless and unprofitable.
God’s people are called upon to battle compromise in whatever form it takes. God’s command is to “be sober” and “watch.” I am afraid, however, that while we have been vigilantly watching the front door to keep compromise from entering our lives and churches, we have been guilty of leaving the back door wide open. I believe that this can be seen in the area of missions more than any other area of church life.
Today’s Concept of Mission Work
Many today have a warped concept of what biblical mission work is all about. There are many things that are supported as “mission work,” but they do not all fall into a biblical category of mission work.
Today, many church ministries are supported as “mission work.” Anything, from youth activities, to bus ministries, to campus ministries, to paving the parking lot and other projects are supported as “mission projects” through the mission offerings of the membership. Each summer some churches delve into the mission account to pay for children to attend youth camp. There are innumerable ways in which many churches use mission offerings to benefit themselves and those that they are trying to reach in their own location.
There are also many sideline ministries, or so-called help ministries that receive a good amount of support. There is no way that we could account for all the ways in which mission offerings are used and abused in this area. There are singing ministries, writing ministries, printing ministries, prison ministries, translation-only ministries, aviation ministries, pass-out-tracts-at-the-fair ministries, and preach-in-nursing-homes-across-the-country ministries, to name a few.
There are many churches, which seek to support national pastors on the mission field. This has been detrimental to many national pastors and the churches they pastor.
Whether or not each of these things is wrong and evil is not the question. The question is whether or not these things fall into the category of biblical missions, and if they should or should not be supported by using God’s mission money.
God’s Examples of Mission Work
The greatest example of mission work is found in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we desire to see what is biblical mission work, we need look no further than Christ’s own example.
Our Lord’s earthly ministry began with a campus ministry aimed specifically toward the faculty (Luke 2:46). He also involved himself in children’s ministries (Matthew 19:13–15), the prison ministry (Matthew 11:2–6), a teaching ministry (Mark 6:34), open air meetings (Matthew 5:1–2), sea side ministries (Matthew 13:2), an outcast ministry (Matthew 9:9–12), a blue collar ministry (Matthew 4:18–20), a white collar ministry (Luke 8:41–42), and a ministry among the ill (Luke 8:43–44). The list goes on beyond what we could ever list in this short space. While our Savior involved Himself in all of these things, none of these things was the focal point of His ministry. The focal point of His ministry was to establish a New Testament church upon the earth, which would go out and reproduce itself all across the globe (Matthew 16:18; 28:19–20).
Another great example of mission work is the Apostle Paul. He had a tremendous Bible institute ministry (Acts 16:1–3), writing ministry (Galatians 6:11), debating ministry (Acts 9:29; 17:17), a ministry among the Jews (Acts 17:2), and so on. He even had to make tents, literally, to make ends meet (Acts 18:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:9). Yet, none of these things was the focal point of Paul’s ministry either. Everywhere he went, he established a true New Testament church, which carried on the work of God after his departure (Acts 14:23).
These are the examples that God has given to us in His Word. We would do well to examine and follow these examples, which have been so clearly laid out and so divinely preserved for us in the Bible.
God’s Examples Applied
Search and study of the Scripture is of no real value to the believer, unless the truth discovered becomes a part of the very fabric of the believer’s life. The same can be said of a church. A church can know what the Bible teaches, but it does them no good unless they apply that teaching to their own activities and ministries. In fact, James tells us, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin (James 4:17).” That means that when we understand what the Bible teaches, but we do not put that teaching into practice in our lives and churches, we are sinning against God Almighty.
It is easy to see that there is a great disparity between the examples we find in Scripture and much of the so-called mission work today. The difference is that many of these “ministries” are not seeking to directly establish churches. They want to be involved in all the fringe ministries that Jesus and Paul were involved in, yet they want to receive the support and credit that should be reserved for the ones who are actually doing the real mission work: establishing New Testament churches.
It is a terrible shame that true God-called church planting missionaries struggle for years to raise necessary support. Part of the reason for this struggle is because many who are not involved in true mission work are draining the necessary funds from the churches, which would be better used in establishing other churches of like faith.
There are also those missionaries who raise support, establish a church on the field, and then stay to pastor that church, while still drawing missionary support. This is dishonest and does not conform to the examples of either our Lord Jesus Christ or the Apostle Paul. Consider this example: would you or your church send a portion of your mission offerings each month to support another pastor in another part of the United States? Of course not! Another justification of this type of “mission work” that has been put forward is this: the missionary is pastoring the church he started, but he is training and sending out other men to start churches, so he is still doing the work of a missionary. The only trouble with that justification is that it does not wash inside the US borders. There are many men of God who have trained and sent out young men to start churches all across our nation and the world, yet we would never call these pastors missionaries, nor would we suggest giving them monthly support. Our nation’s borders do some very strange things to our theology and philosophy of missions.
In seeking for good mission projects to support, there are two main rules of thumb. 1) If this project will directly benefit the sending church, it is not scriptural missions. 2) If this project does not seek to directly establish New Testament Baptist churches, it is not scriptural missions.
Another consideration is the duration of these ministries. If a church supports a “missionary” involved in one of these sideline ministries, what is there to show for all the years of support when that “missionary” retires or leaves that ministry? Usually there is nothing to show, but we would hope that, at least, there would be some folks who have come to know Christ as a result of their efforts. However, what are these few believers going to do on their own? Nothing scriptural, unless they find a good church to become a part of and work through. On the other hand, if a church supports a church-planting missionary, when he leaves the field or retires, God willing, there will be a church there to continue to preach the Gospel, win the lost, and work to establish other churches through their own mission efforts. When looking at the eternal prospects of these two options, it is clear that the church-planting missionary is the best one for each church to support in prayers and finances.
Real mission work is nothing short of working to establish New Testament churches. Anything less is not real mission work, nor is it worthy of our mission support.
“We’re not only trying to think outside the box; we are not starting within one,” says the team behind a new Scripture translation for the postmodern culture.
“The Voice” project will release its third book — The Voice of Matthew — this month ... [A] Jewish believer, Lauren Winner has incorporated her own conversational writing style to tell the story of Matthew in a fashion that reads like a novel.
...Christian leaders in the postmodern culture are not fans of the current translated Word...
...[Chris] Seay [whose vision spearheaded the milestone Voice project] told the Christian Post as he described his vision birthed fifteen years ago: “What would it be like if we have scholars that worked with poets and storytellers and fiction writers in the translation process so that we not only get the translation of the words right but we really nail the beauty and the poetry of the story?”
...The Voice project comes at the point of impact where the modern church, with its tradition and stability, collides with the developing church of the future, according to the project’s Web site...
...Seay is now recapturing what was “lost”— the passion, grit, humor and beauty of biblical stories-in the first-of-its-kind retelling of the Bible for the emerging church.
“The Voice” project was launched just after Easter of 2006 with The Last Eyewitness and The Dust Off Their Feet, which are translations of the second half of the Gospel of John. The text includes illustrations and commentary.
Best-selling author and intellectual leader on the emerging church Brian McLaren translated the Book of Acts and is now working on Luke...
...Seay predicts some critique may come since the translations, paraphrases and cultural context can be easily misunderstood by some church leaders.
The emerging church, [he says,] in general, however, is often misunderstood.
The most common misunderstanding, according to Seay, is that the emerging church is on the far extreme left or right. But one cannot think of the emerging church in the typical liberal/conservative world, he said. Another common misconception is that the emerging church is only about “hip and cool.”...
Seay, a third-generation Baptist who pastors Ecclesia Church in Houston, Texas, believes church communities will pop up all over the country that have a keen focus on the needs of the local community, AIDS, Sudan, famine and other such issues.
“They’re going to think outside the box and be ready to act”
—Christian Post, Via The Sword of the Lord
Editors’ Comments
by E. L. Bynum
This is another attempt to rob God’s people by giving them a Bible that has been mutilated, butchered, amputated, crippled, defaced, dismembered, and mangled. I think this will give you an idea of what they are going to do with our Bible. When they get through with it, it will be a Bible that Satan will endorse.
The first attack on the Word of God began in Eden, when Satan said, “Yea, hath God said” (Gen. 3:1), and he has been trying to discredit and change God’s Word ever since.
The leader of this movement is Chris Seay. He said, “What would it be like if we have scholars that worked with poets and storytellers and fiction writers in the translation process so that we not only get the translation of the words right but we really nail the beauty and the poetry of the story?”
They are going to seek the aid of “poets and storytellers and fiction writers in the translation process.” It is a shame that Paul never thought of that when he was writing his epistles. He certainly had access to their poets, storytellers and fiction writers. Instead of depending on these kinds of helpers, he just depended upon the Holy Spirit. “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:21) Thus it could be said, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16) David spake by the Holy Ghost. (Acts 1:16) Samuel testified that “The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.” (2 Samuel 23:2) Many other testimonies from the Bible can be found, and nothing is mentioned about them ever consulting the “poets, storytellers and fiction writers” of their day.
The Result of Their Evil Work
They are going to end up with a false Bible that will be very weak and useless except to be a useful tool of the devil.
The Lord said, “Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29) Their new Bible will not be like a fire, but an illusion that to some will look like a fire. Instead of being like a hammer it will be more like a marshmallow on a stick. It may look good to the unregenerate eye, but without any power. It may suffice for the “Emerging Church” for they don’t need God, but they find that their methods work very well without God.
God’s Word is a sharper than any two-edged sword. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) Their new Bible will be more like one of those plastic or rubber swords that are filled with air. Fine for little children to play with, but absolutely useless as a weapon of offence or defense.
This so-called Bible will join the parade of counterfeit Bibles produced in increasing numbers in the 20th and 21st centuries. They include the Revised Version, Amplified Version, Berkley Version, Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Version, the Good News Bible and a host of other deficient translations that pass themselves off as the Word of God.
No, I have not seen their Bible, and I don’t need to do so. It will be everything that I have said, and indeed much worse. It is unfortunate that our education system is turning out students who apparently cannot read and understand the King James Bible, which our uneducated forefathers could read and understand. I don’t really think it is the public schools, but the Bible Colleges and Seminaries that are turning out preachers and teachers who are programmed to believe they cannot understand.
May God help us to stand up and cry aloud for the Old Book (KJV) which is the Word of God. We have had too much compromise, vacillation, and waffling compromise. Enough is enough, and we need to say so.
By E. L. Bynum
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
It will soon be two years since I stepped down from my 44–year pastorate of Tabernacle Baptist Church. A number of my pastor friends have asked me how I am adjusting to no longer being a pastor. I have been able to tell every one of them that it has been an easy thing for me. There have been no regrets on my part, and I mean what I say. In my lifetime I have met a number of pastors who retired from pastoring, then found themselves unhappy, and thinking that they may have made a mistake. That has never happened to me, and I do not believe that it ever will.
Resigning from a pastorate is something that a preacher must not do until he is certain that it is the will of God. Prayer and Bible study should precede any such decision. Personally, I believe that if we seek the leadership of the Lord, He will not fail to give it. A good place to start is to follow what God says. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) We can be sure if we meet God’s conditions that He will do what He promised to do.
Remaining in the Church You Have Pastored
Remaining a member of the Church you have pastored is not a wise thing to do in most cases. In some instances I have known broken hearted preachers who tried to do this and failed. When I offered my resignation, I did not know how the Lord would lead me.
Bro. Bob Jackson, before accepting the pastorate, asked me to stay on in the Church if the Lord led him to be the pastor. He generously asked me to stay on as the Editor of the Plains Baptist Challenger . Bro. Jackson and I have been friends for many years, and I knew what he believed and his strong stand for the truth. His stand for the truth of God’s Word has always been appreciated by me. On my part, I determined that I would not interfere in his leadership of the Church. He is the pastor — period, and I have no desire to be anything more than a member who stands behind his pastor.
One thing is certain, if one is to remain in the Church where he pastored, he must not listen to the complaints and problems of the people. They must be sent to the present Pastor without fail.
I Have Not Resigned from Preaching
Since God called me to preach, I have never had a desire to get out of the ministry. I have faced my share of heartaches, but nothing has ever caused me to go back on God’s calling. “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” (Romans 11:29)
Bro. Jackson has graciously given me a number of opportunities to preach at the Church, including the last two Mission Bible Conferences at Tabernacle. In addition to this, the Lord has opened the door for me to have an hour radio broadcast each Sunday afternoon. I play one of my recorded sermons which does not run one hour long. This station reaches a large portion of West Texas and Eastern New Mexico.
Places I Have Ministered
The Lord has allowed me to preach in some strong Independent Baptist Churches, where I have always been graciously received and taken care of. My wife always travels with me, and she enjoys fellowshipping with the pastors’ wives. I may well forget some of the churches where I have preached, if so I apologize.
It was a blessing to be able to preach a series of sermons at the Van Born Baptist Church, Greg Albright, Pastor, Dearborn Heights, Michigan . The pastor and people graciously received us, and seemed to be seriously interested in the work of the Lord.
Bro. Albright graciously loaned us his car so that we could be with the Maumee Valley Baptist Church, Jon Modene, Pastor, Perrysburg, Ohio . I preached twice on Sunday.
Then the Lord blessed us with the opportunity of going to the Vandament Ave. Baptist Church, John Nelson, Pastor. This Church is located in Yukon, Okla .
The Lord gave me the opportunity of preaching in Bible Baptist Church, T. A. Chick, Pastor, Enid, OK, during a Sunday Service on two different occasions. This is the Church where my life was marvelously changed, and where I surrendered to preach long, long ago.
God blessed us with the opportunity of spending five weeks in Pennsylvania and New Jersey last year. Pastor Doug Hammett, pastor of Lehigh Valley Baptist Church, Emmaus, Pennsylvania, invited me to come for five Monday Nights, to teach Pastoral Theology to the ministerial students in the Bible Institute. This was four class periods each Monday Night. It was a joy to be able to teach this fine group of students. At the same time my wife along with Mrs. Hammett was teaching the preachers’ wives. In addition to these duties, I preached a Sunday Night Revival in the Church. While there, I reached my 80th birthday. Without me knowing it, they gave me a wonderful birthday gathering, and I must say it was the largest celebration I ever had.
While at Lehigh Valley Baptist Church I was also asked to preach at a mens’ meeting, which was well attended by men from a number of Independent Baptist Churches from at least three states.
While in Pennsylvania I was invited to preach at the Midweek service at the Haven Baptist Church, Schuykillhaven, PA, Rod Gable, Pastor.
It was my joy to preach a revival meeting at the New Testament Baptist Church, Chuck Shorter, Pastor, Columbus, NJ.
While in New York to visit relatives, we were able to be with Long Island Baptist Church, John Graf, Pastor, Holtsville, NY. It was a joy to preach for them on a Sunday. Bro. and Mrs. Graf took us on a trip to New York City, where we were able to go to ground Zero, where the twin towers once stood, before the terrorists brought them down. We remembered so well going to the top on a beautiful clear day in the 90s. On that day we could see surrounding States.
I also had the opportunity to preach a series of revival services at the Bible Baptist Church, John Reaves, Sr., Pastor, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada . This was eventful in a number of ways. When we drove into Canada, we collided with a deer, which did considerable damage to Bro. Reaves’ car, and the deer was totaled. The weather was nice, until the day we left Canada — in a snow storm,
Lately we were back at Lehigh Valley Baptist Church, Emmaus, Pennsylvania for a couples’ retreat where I spoke three times, and my wife spoke to the ladies twice. In addition, I preached Wednesday Night and Sunday Morning and Sunday Night at the Church.
I also preached one time at the annual Preachers’ Meeting at Lincoln Baptist Church, V. L. Lindbloom, Pastor, Wichita, Kansas . We enjoyed the fellowship and heard a lot of good preaching from other pastors.
I am happy to say that we were well received in all these churches, and we were entertained with comfortable places to stay, and we received a lot of old-fashioned hospitality. We saw a moving of the Spirit in all these places. Only God knows the total results in all these meetings. To Him belongs all the glory for any success.
Space forbids me to give further details of these meetings and services. It was a great blessing to be in these great churches, sound in doctrine, and with good, godly pastors. There truly are 7,000 that have not bowed the knee to Baal.
By Tim Reynolds
Returning Missions to the Biblical Pattern
In the last days of the judges Samuel, Israel was slipping from his godly leadership. In his old age he turned over much responsibility to his sons Joel and Abiah, but the sons were not the quality of their father. According to I Samuel 8:3, “And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.”
With the excuse of getting things back on the right track, the elders led Israel away from God’s perfect government, demanding a king. God warned them that this king would take authority over them, and they would have to surrender to him. Nevertheless, they said in verses 19 and 20, “Nay; but we will have a king over us; that we may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.”
How does this relate to missions? God has a plan, found in Acts 13:1–4. The church is to send out missionaries called forth by the Holy Spirit. This plan is our Samuel: It is the Word directly from God for us to follow. But many Baptists have taken a king, “Like all the nations.” Many Baptists have left the biblical pattern for missions in order to be “Like all the nations,” in authority, agents, and aim.
Authority
The only authority Jesus established for His work on the earth is His church. Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church.” He gave all authority on earth to his church. In Matthew 16:19 he said, “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Keys are symbolic of authority. Binding and loosing relates to the authority Jesus gave to His church.
The highest authority on earth is the local church. In Matthew 18:17, Jesus said, “And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church, but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” Expanding on this thought, Paul wrote in I Corinthians 6:3–4, “Know ye not that we shall judge angels? How much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgment of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.” The highest court on earth is the local church.
How did the church get this authority? It was delegated by Jesus in Matthew 28:18–20. “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore...” Jesus is the original authority, and only the original authority has the power to delegate that authority. The church cannot delegate her authority to do mission work, because Jesus gave that responsibility to His church.
How have many turned from God’s direct leadership to become “Like all the nations?” For fifteen centuries after Jesus instituted His church, mission work was under the sole proprietorship of the local church. Modern missionary practices have subordinated that primacy with fellowships, boards, and clearing houses.
The first mission board in history was originated in British Parliament on July 27, 1649, with an act titled “A corporation for the promoting and propagating of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in New England.” The government appointed a president, treasurer, and fourteen assistants. King Charles III increased this board to 45 members in 1662.
The second mission board was also proposed by British parliament and granted royal charter by William III on June 27, 1701. It was called “The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts.” It consisted of incorporated members who gained that privilege by virtue of donations. It was governed by a standing committee consisting of twenty–four incorporated members; a representative from each diocese of the Church of England; the Archbishop of Canterbury, who served as president; the Archbishops of York, England, and Wales, who served as vice-presidents; the Lord Almoner and Deans of Westminster and St. Paul’s; the Archdeacon of London, four professors of Divinity of Oxford and Cambridge, two calling birds, three French hens, and a partridge in a pear tree!
In 1721, a mission board was formed in Denmark. In 1732, one was created by the Moravians. On October 2, 1792, British Baptists in Kettering perpetuated the Episcopalian standard and brought Protestant practices into Baptist ranks by forming the Baptist Missionary Society. This society was composed of pastors of churches making annual contributions, ministers who collected annually, Christians who contributed 10 Pounds annually, and subscribing members who contributed 10 Shillings annually. A ruling committee of 48 conducted all its affairs. They began work by sending William Carey to India in 1793. Though a laudable undertaking, they failed to follow the biblical pattern.
This pattern has been modified and modernized, but remains: Denominational boards send missionaries; independent boards send missionaries; fellowships of churches and pastors send missionaries; clearing houses do the work that churches are supposed to do. All these practices ignore the biblical pattern: The Church at Antioch sent missionaries!
The whole existence and organization of fellowships, clearing houses, and boards are Episcopal in nature. The presidents and secretaries are archbishops and bishops: an episcopacy. The entire existence of such organizations is outside of Scriptural authority. If the authority to baptize resides in the local church, the authority for missions is in the local church.
Agents
We have the biblical pattern for missionaries in Acts 13:
1. They were men.
2. They were spiritual men.
3. They were proven men.
4. They were mature men.
5. They were a team of men.
Many have, “Like all the nations,” developed a different pattern. The missionary family, consisting of a young man, his young wife, and various multiples of young children, some here, some on the way, are sent to foreign and domestic fields. Many lack experience, maturity, and established marriages and family relationships that will stand the rigors of a life without the support and fellowship of family, friends, and peers.
This perversion of the biblical pattern must be reputed and its practice ceased. We must stop sending young families to the mission field alone. The biblical pattern models missionary teams.
John Mark turned back because of immaturity. Certainly, he was part of a missionary team, but let us not set up young preachers for failure. A bible college diploma is not certification for the mission field.
Missionaries must first serve internship in their home church. Paul and Barnabas did! We must stop ordaining and sending out novices. The Scripture forbids it. Older men need to open their hearts to the possibility of God’s calling to the mission field.
Aim
The book of Acts once more offers a pattern. Where did Paul and Barnabas go? To population centers, including Barnabas’ home on Cyprus, the city of Salamis; to Paphos, the chief city on the island of Cyprus; to Perga, the chief city of Pamphylia; to Pisidian Antioch, a principle city large enough to have a synagogue; to Lystra, Derbe, and Iconium, all major cities of Galatia; to Ephesus, Colosse, Philippi, Corinth, Cenchrea, Berea, and Athens: all great cities of the ancient world.
We need not ignore small towns, but John Dillinger was asked why he robbed banks. His reply: “That’s where they keep the money.” We must go to the expensive, heathen, metropolitan centers of the world. That is where the people are.
We must re-evaluate how we look at the world. Many parts of the world have never heard the gospel, but other places need re-evangelizing. The Bible Belt needs another belt with the Bible. Countries that once sent missionaries are now in need of evangelizing.
We must throw away the stratified missionary hierarchy we have created. Boards, presidents, and secretaries must be abandoned. Dominant glamour fields that attract attention and money must not take pre-imminence over less-colorful fields. The decidedly un-Biblical designations of “Home missions” and “Foreign missions” must be disposed of. “Home missions” is you reaching your neighborhood — the field is the world.
We must stop treating missionary sponsorship as a status symbol or a formality, and start fulfilling the real responsibility of sending out missionaries and keeping them on the field.
We must not be “Like all the nations.” The world’s ways will not get God’s work done. He always blesses his methods. Let’s just follow the Book.
By Bill Mosley
A syndicated article entitled, “My Answer — Billy Graham,” is published in the Altus Times and likely many other publications throughout the U.S. With the popularity of Billy Graham, the articles may well appear throughout the world. Various questions are put forward, mostly religious queries, which are answered by Mr. Graham, and some with sound advice. However, in the Altus Times, 3/14/07 this question was offered, “Why did Jesus allow people to put Him to death? ...it almost seems He deliberately chose to die.” The simple answer would be a quote from John 10:14–18. ‘People’ crucified the Saviour but they did not kill Him, He lay down His life and took it up again as He said in these verses.
Mr. Graham began his answer in this manner. “Today Christians all over the world will be celebrating what we call ‘Good Friday’ — the day when Jesus Christ was condemned to death by the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, and put to death on a cross almost 2,000 years ago.” There is more to the answer, yet those familiar with the Bible, and especially the Gospels, remember other statements of Jesus. Such as: “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matt. 12:40) This was the answer to the scribes and Pharisees desiring a sign from our Lord about His identity.
Since it is impossible to fit “three days and three nights” between late Friday afternoon and early Sunday morning (first day of the week, Matt. 28:1), either Mr. Graham or Jesus are more than misleading in what they have said. Because Jesus is God in the flesh (Col. 2:9), Paul spoke clearly concerning His reliability. “Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began...” (Titus 1:1–2)
‘Good Friday’ is an adulterated mixture of religious notions conceived in the mind of Catholicism to fit into the biblically uneducated mind of universalism. It is little wonder why mega-churchism can readily join Baptists with Catholics, Episcopalians, Pentecostalists, and a myriad of other religionists in an ecumenical pot-porridge.
“‘Palm Sunday’: Webster’s II New College Dictionary: The Sunday before Easter, commemorating Christ’s entry into Jerusalem when palm branches were scattered before Him. (John 12:12–13) ‘Good Friday’: WNCD: The Friday before Easter, observed by Christians to commemorate the Crucifixion.” Neither can be biblically correct. The Bible nowhere implies that Jesus was crucified on Friday.
There were Sabbath days recognized by the Jews other than the 7th day Sabbath of the creation week. The Sabbath of Atonement, a cleansing from sin, was to be observed on the 10th day of the 7th month. (Lev. 16: 29–34) It was also a Sabbath of rest, a holy convocation, as were all Jewish Sabbaths. It was also to be an everlasting statute unto them. The Sabbath of the blowing of the trumpets was always on the 1st day of the 7th month. (Lev. 23:23–25) They were to do no servile work on this day, it was a holy convocation. This alone should suffice that a fixed day of the month for a Jewish Sabbath could well fall on any day of the week.
Jesus being the believer’s “Passover” (1 Cor. 5:7), the first Passover week must be considered. Exodus chapter 12 records God’s instruction to Moses concerning Israel’s observance of the first Passover. This observance was to be seven days in length. They were to observe the eating of unleavened bread from the 14th day of the month until the 21st day of the same month. In Lev. 23:5 the 14th day of the month was the Lord’s Passover. The next day (15th), unleavened bread was to be eaten for seven days, or to the 21st day of the first month. The first day of that week was a holy convocation (Sabbath). So also was the seventh day of the eating unleavened bread, or the 21st day of the first month. It was the day of the month that was to be considered, not the day of the week.
A perfect lamb was chosen on the 10th of Nisan and kept up until the 14th. The Passover lamb was to be killed on the 14th day of the first month. (Exo. 12:3–6) Typifying the Lamb of God without blemish or spot. (1 Pet. 1:18,19) The Lord stated He would be in the earth for the same length of time Jonah was in the belly of the whale, three days and three nights. (Matt. 12:40) Jesus arose from the grave very early on the first day of the week, before the rising of the sun, our Sunday. (Mark 16:2) Every creation day in Genesis was referred to as the “evening and the morning.” (Gen. 1:5,8,13,19,23,31) On the fourth day ruling lights were created to rule over the evening and the morning. Mary Magdalene came to Jesus grave very early on the first day of the week, at the rising of the sun. (Mark 16:1,2) Jesus was not in the tomb. He had arisen from the grave sometime between sundown Saturday and sunrise Sunday. The evening and the morning of the first day of the week. That day is referred to as ‘The Lord’s Day’ to this very day. He had spent a full three days and three nights in the earth. That would make late Wednesday the time when He gave up the ghost. (Mark 15:39)
Remember the Passover lamb, typifying the Lamb of God, was to be killed on the 14th of Abib (Nisan). (Exo. 12:6) They were to eat the Passover supper in the coming evening. The feast of unleavened bread began on the fifteenth day of the same month after the Lord’s Passover supper. (Lev. 23:6) The lamb must be killed on the fourteenth day of the first month. According to the Jews, Jesus must not be allowed to hang on the cross after sundown on Wednesday (John 19:31–37) because the next day was a Jewish Sabbath. “...(for that Sabbath day was an high day,)” (v. 31), the Passover day, the beginning of the seven days of unleavened bread. Since the Passover lamb was to be recognized as perfect and without blemish on the 10th day, to fulfill the type, Jesus must have ridden into Jerusalem four days before He died on the cross. (Matt. 21:1–11) Four days before Wednesday is Saturday.
Mr. Graham is to be commended for years of spiritual service to our world. But he is joining with the Catholic community in saying Jesus was crucified on Friday. The Lord Jesus Christ has much greater authority. Jesus laid down His life late Wednesday and arose from the grave after sundown Saturday. Very early, before sunup, Sunday Jesus was no longer in the grave. Jesus is the One “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Rom. 4:25) How grateful every believer should be that He remained in the grave three days and three nights and arose again for every repentant believer.
By Thomas Smith
“And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.” (Exodus 32:1)
When the children of Israel became unhappy with their leader, they went to Aaron and said, “Up, make us gods.” How could this be possible? This tendency to create new gods is definitely worth our consideration. On the surface, their actions are shocking. How could they turn away from God and Moses so quickly? How could they be tempted to forsake the living God, after all He had done for them? The closer we look at their reaction, however, the more we realize it is not all that uncommon. What caused the Israelites to turn to idolatry? They “saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount.” They were displeased with their spiritual leader. They did not approve of Moses’ spending so much time with God. Therefore, the simple solution was to get a new commander and new gods. Herein lies the problem. People want gods and spiritual leaders who please them. However, this is not what we really need. We do not need gods who please us. Rather, we ought to make it our life’s ambition to please God. We are not to search for men who seek to meet our conditions and desires, but for leaders who take us where God wants us to go. It is man’s selfishness and pride that cause him to seek gods of his own creation. What could be more arrogant than thinking we know better than God? There is a sense in which we can all be affected by this evil thinking. The God of the Bible, the true God, is holy, perfect, all-wise, and does all things well. Our loyalty to Him should not be based on how His actions meet our approval. His decisions may not always be according to our preference, but we can know that they are always perfect. It is not our place to sit in judgment of God Almighty. Many people have made the same mistake the Israelites made in our text. When God or His leader disappoints them, they are ready to jump ship. When God does not do as they wish, or as soon as they wish, they are quick to blame God and go another direction. We do not need new gods, but we need faith to follow and love our great God and Savior.
—From “Straight Paths” by Thomas Smith, pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1352 Parkway Dr., St. Clair, MO 63077 (636) 629–2501 www.mzbc.com (365 daily devotions written by an Independent Baptist Pastor)
I just read in USA Today that Pat Robertson has made some predictions for 2007. Among other things, he has predicted that the United States will suffer a horrific terrorist attack sometime after September. We know it is true because Pat says that God Himself gave him the inside information. (This from the same man who told us that God told him to run for President, but didn’t tell him he would actually get any votes! He also predicted that terrible hurricanes would hit the U.S. in 2006.) Pat also tells us that he has “a relatively good track record” with his predictions, but misses sometimes.
I have never met Pat Robertson, but the man is a false prophet. Deuteronomy 18:22 tells us that a prophet of God will not have “a relatively good track record.” A prophet of God was always correct because God is always correct. If Pat were receiving his information from God, as he claims, he would never miss.
Real Christians need to reject Pat Robertson and read their Bible, and Pat should do the honest thing and denounce himself as a fraud. Hopefully the first will happen, but don’t hold your breath waiting for the second. It is about as likely to happen as some of Pat’s failed predictions, a few of which are listed in the article.
In His service,
Bro. Mike Meredith
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.)
PTL, Jim Bakker and Son. Sinners or Saints? Many of you may remember former PTL leader Jim Bakker. Now his son is hitting the news. Pastor of the Revolution Church in Brooklyn, NY, Jay Bakker does not meet in your typical church setting. Instead of a church building, he and his congregation choose to meet at a local bar. He also looks like a punk rocker sporting tattoos and lip rings. In a series aired on the Sundance Channel called “One Punk Under God,” Bakker says, “I’m trying to be a pastor who loves people. I feel like I’ve been successful in helping people understand that God loves them the way they are. It seems like the media wants to say, ‘You’re a punk-rock preacher.’ [But] if I pull anything from punk, it’s loyalty and friendship. I might seem like a punk because I may cuss every now and then, but I wouldn’t seem like a punk to most punks.” USA Weekend 1/12/07 The Voice in the Wilderness (ELB: The fruit does not fall far from the tree. Like father like son.)
Ignorance of the Bible. USA Today reported last week on the outcome of a quiz given by Stephen Prothero, chairman of the religion department at Boston University and author of “Religious Literacy, What Every American Needs to Know,” which shows 60% of Americans can’t name 5 of the 10 Commandments in the Bible, and over half of high school seniors think Sodom and Gomorrah were...married.
“As For Me &My House...” — “With heads bowed reverently, Democrats were led in prayer yesterday by a Muslim imam who essentially asked Allah to assist in converting the party members to Islam according to a scholar and author.” (WorldNetDaily, 2/3/07) There is no doubt the Muslim purpose is to convert the world to the Islam religion. A scandal to which politicians offer little resistance, and likely are helping to bring about. The god of Islam is not the God of the Bible. (Josh. 24:15) What would be the reaction of the liberal media if a Baptist pastor had prayed a similar prayer in behalf of Christianity in Jesus’ name? —WWM
Last Day Scoffers — “The Bible is full of a lot of violence. I mean, God in the Old Testament is a psychopath. He just kills, kills, kills, for no reason, good reason, bad reason. He’s jealous. He just wants to kill.” This is a quote by Bill Maher on Real Time online. Little do those of this sentiment realize that they, along with countless others, will bow before God and His Son, Jesus Christ, acknowledging His righteous holiness. Thankfully this is not the opinion of the majority in America. Yet even this majority is diminishing. The basic reason being the lack of sincerity among Baptists toward separation from the world and being wholly dedicated to our Lord. (Rom. 12:1,2) —WWM
Tax $s At Work — Daylight saving time comes three weeks early this year, courtesy of a law passed by Congress, and information technology workers are clocking extra hours to make sure our computers know it. But making changes now to accommodate the daylight saving time (DST) shift could cost between $500 million and $1 billion, according to Gartner Research estimates. (Christian Science Monitor, 3/7/07) Forget about Y2K. Some great political body has determined how to make a rope longer. Cut one end off and tie it to the other end. Be sure wisdom will not die with this group of lawmakers. (Job 12:2) —WWM
Beware!! — At least three aspirants for the 2008 presidency are favoring gay rights in all areas. One said: “...it would be safer for the nation if openly gay soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen could wear the uniform.” They all are in favor of repealing the policy of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell.’ They desire to end “leadership that has politicized the most personal and intimate issues.” God dealt very harshly with such ‘intimacy’ in Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot even referred to homosexual activity as being wicked. (Gen. 9:5–7) Such political desecration toward the oracles of God will not go unnoticed by the Creator. Nor by the legal voters in America, I pray. (Psa. 12:8) —WWM
Gay Pride or Unhappy Practice? — San Diego Cooperative Charter School joins the gay pride parade in that town. One ‘former homosexual’ had this to say: “These gay pride parades are full of triple-X pornography, male strippers, male escorts. It’s just a very filthy, immoral event; and the idea that any school would march little children in the middle of that parade for any reason is really just more than the average person, whether they be Christian or not, can contemplate.” (One News Now, 3/7/07) “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” (Ps 9:17; Rev. 21:8) —WWM
On The Other Hand... — Several weeks ago, administrators at Heritage High School in Vancouver, Washington, denied a request from Christian students to start a prayer club. The students, who were not allowed to meet for prayer in a private room, instead gathered before school in the cafeteria to pray; however, they were reported by a student who claims to be a Satanist. (ONN, 3/7/07) Satan may seem to have won this battle, although it is not over. However, the entire war is another matter. “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Re 20:10) —WWM
Fund Raising Tactics — “The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence received a Halloween surprise when they learned they could no longer hold their Revival Bingo fundraisers at the Catholic Church in the Castro.” (Bay Area Reporter, 11/2/06) This was to be put off until 2007. The shock and awe of this move must have stymied these ‘Sisters.’ They just might find a meeting place to play bingo among their ‘protestant’ counterparts in religion. The Mother of Harlots does have offspring as a result of her fornication. (Rev. 17) —WWM
Wayward Wickedness Walking — “Over the last three decades, gays and lesbians have won city races for supervisor, treasurer, school board and community college board. Caucasian, Asian, and Latino gay candidates have all celebrated successful campaigns.” (BAR, 3/1/07) The LGBT organization has as their goal to spread their filth throughout our nation. Among the politicians helping in this endeavor are those who oppose prayer in public schools, champion gay marriage, and the removing of Christian emblems from public display. Pay attention for whom you vote! “The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.” (Psa. 12:8) —WWM)
When In Rome... — “ The Rhode Island Attorney General advised a state agency last week to ‘accord marital status’ to its state employees who have obtained marriage licenses in Massachusetts with same-sex partners. He further stated that, unless the state adopts a strong public policy against same-sex marriage, state officials should give legal recognition to marriage licenses obtained by same-sex couples in Massachusetts.” (BAR, 3/1/07) Someone has written, “As Science Goes, So Goes The Nation.” It is more accurate to say as sin goes so goes the nation. No nation has turned from its Christian foundation and long existed. America has entertained itself into self-indulged complacency. Some Baptist churches are practicing the same tactics that are dooming our nation. Togetherness of all people and practices is certain destruction for both church and state. —WWM
Tender Grapes Are Plucked — “The Portuguese Parliament approved legislation yesterday that would introduce early-term abortion on demand up to the 10th week of pregnancy, despite low voter support for the measure in the predominantly Catholic country.” (LifeSiteNews, 3/9/07) This country has slightly over 10 mil. population, and has up to this point allowed abortion only in the case of rape or health of the mother. This is the starting point for all nations who now mobilize for “abortion on demand.” The little foxes continue to spoil the vines. (S.O.S. 2:15) —WWM
Euthanasia — Under Oregon’s “...Death with Dignity Act (DWDA), patients can obtain a prescription for lethal doses of self-administered medications. 65 such prescriptions were given in the last year, written by 40 different doctors. 35 patients took the drugs meant to end their lives and 11 patients used prescriptions made out in previous years, giving the total number of suicides under the DWDA as 46 during 2006, eight more than in 2005.” (LSN, 3/9/07) With abortion blocking the beginning of life and assisted suicide hastening the end of life, longevity may soon become a non-issue. A society that ignores “A time to be born, and a time to die...” (Eccl. 3:2), has first ignored there is a God in heaven in Whose hand is the beginning and ending of all things. To such wickedness God has said, “These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.” (Psa. 50:21) —WWM
Watching Over The Unborn — On Friday, the President of Nicaragua, Enrique Bolanos signed into law a bill eliminating the “therapeutic abortion” exception in the Criminal Code. (LSN,11/20/06) Obviously the ACLU does not have an office in Central America. Nicaraguan doctors were misusing a part of the law that allowed three doctors to agree abortion was necessary for the health of the mother. The law became little more than abortion on demand. Good for these Nicaraguan officials! (Matt. 18:10) —WWM