Letters    

ON PREACHING THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE

Dear B. M.                                                                                                     February 8, 1986

       ...I am disturbed over reports I hear of the possible church move, so I am baring my soul to you. ... ...One reason I hear that is prompting the consideration is the encroachment of the black population, and the resulting depreciation of the church property. It is this that most disturbs me.

     The wholesome teaching and Biblical standards there have to be disseminated to all, and if you and the fine people there do not teach black people all that the Lord commands, who will? Your understanding and application of Scripture is not much understood by the white community; but equally critical is the teaching in the black community.

      Evangelization entails more than teaching Bible stories to children. I believe God will judge America with racial war unless gospel preaching churches begin to shine as lights in the world, and to come out of the saltshaker rubbing shoulders with men—loving them as the Samaritan loved the Samaritan-hating Jew.

     By definition, a local church is just that: it is a church in a given locality; and its duty is to minister to the people in that locality. God does not call out a "white" church, but simply a "church". We have no example in the Bible of a church for black folks, or for the Chinese, etc. But we do have the church at Corinth, the church at Ephesus, etc.

     I believe God is highly offended by our attitudes in this country toward nationalities (so-called "races"), and even toward economic classes of men. I am aware that it is out of fear of amalgamating the "races" that American Christians have allowed generations to grow up in their midst who know not the Lord.

    Believing that God is sovereign in the affairs of men, I am forced to believe that God effected integration in this country. I believe also that it was an act of judgment upon the church in America. However, may it not be that God designed federally enforced integration in order that black people would be exposed to His gospel, being made to rub shoulders with people who prior to this time considered black people to be only a step above a beast? I do not believe there is a better example of the proper attitude to be shown toward outcasts than in the parable of the Good Samaritan. It would have been interesting to see the attitude, and to hear the conversation of the Samaritan-hating Jew toward his rescuer. From his earliest days he had been taught to despise the half-breed Samaritans, yet his own countrymen were disgusted by the poor Jew's predicament, and would not be bothered to help.

     These thoughts are not written with a "holier-than-thou" attitude, nor are they designed to be judgmental. They are only written in hope that you may give consideration to them, because I do not believe God would be honored or pleased if the church were to move in order to escape the encroachment of black people.

Dear B. M.                                                                                                           July 24, 1987

     ...If I minister only to "white faces," as Bro. M. declared, am I not saying, "Let all others go to Hell"? And, is this not damnable doctrine? How does one pour out the Gospel to another whom he cannot invite to his church to hear the word of the Son of God? Does this not make for an embarrassing situation, and one that usually is avoided by withholding the gospel witness?

      On the day of Pentecost, the apostles preached to Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Mesopotamians, Judeans, Cappadocians, Asians, Phrygians, Pamphyllians, Egyptians, Libyans, Cyrenians, Romans, Jews, Cretians, Arabians, dwellers in Pontus, etc.

     Can we love men in truth, if we do not love them in deed? And, can we love people we are not willing to have any dealings with? And, do we want the Lord to treat us in such a manner? "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth" (I John 3:18).

     Believing God has not called us to be great, but rather to be good, may He be pleased to work in us a tapestry for His honor and glory.

ON CO0PERATION

Dear D. S.                                                                                                September 16, 1992

     ...You make some good and valid points about cooperation. Certainly, churches must maintain fiscal responsibility. It is a grievous thing that any Christian work should be careless with monies belonging to the Lord.

      Cooperation certainly allows believers to pray more intelligently for others in the work of the Lord; and certainly it is useful for the laying on of hands upon those believing they are being led into an active ministry. Cooperation may also be necessary in order to examine doctrinal issues such as has been done throughout history by the church councils.

      But, cooperation may also be a hindrance. For instance, you state, "Churches must look at each prospective missionary in terms of educational, physical and spiritual qualifications".

     I grant you the latter is a must, but suppose a man feels the Lord would have him serve abroad, yet he is uneducated and in poor health. What business does any church, or mission board have to refuse him? Would such a board have accepted Peter, or James, or John? I have never seen a cooperation that did not vie for control; that did not esteem the size of a church as a sign of blessing; that did not treat an elite leadership as lords over God's heritage. This is neither spiritual nor Biblical, and this is the reason I have never joined the Continental Baptists, or the Reformed Baptists, etc.

    In his book, Thank God I Have Cancer, Pastor Clifford Oden wrote, "The Bible teaches that the world works against God. The truth is unpleasant but inescapable. When men of the world form organizations, they do not promote the work of God. Whether it be a labor union, a political party, a corporation, a religious denomination, or a medical association, the result is the same. The members are pressured more and more to conform. They are no longer free men, but part of a powerful machine."

     On account of the fact that we are an independent congregation professing Baptist tenets, we have been told by some that we have no right to exist. Yet, all the while, there is no denomination to be found in the New Testament.

     God did not call His prophets from among the priesthood. Perhaps it was because the priests were a part of the religious system. This is why I am not much for joining things. "May God Smile On You."

Contents

Previous Next