Category: Featured Articles

by: Dr. Bruce Goddard

When I was a child in school, one was considered a sissy if he cried about some little thing happening to him. No one beat him up for it, he was just shunned and thought of as being wimpy, soft and without strength or perhaps immature. We probably quit playing with him.

Have you ever noticed how the “new generation” of Fundamental Baptists cry about everything? They criticize anyone who differs from them, but if one comment is made about them, they cry like sissies on the playground. They write entire articles criticizing the tie-wearing conservative, who pushes Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night church going. But if one word is said about their 7/11 music (seven words repeated eleven times), they cry like sissies. They have the little brother complex (I know, I was one). The little brother picks and provokes and attacks the big brother until he gets slapped then he yells really loud, “STOP IT!” I think that is it – the sissy, little brother complex.

If these “new generation” Baptists had listened at all to the older men who built THEIR foundations in the faith, they would remember John R. Rice writing about Bob Jones in the Sword of the Lord paper, and of Bob Jones’ criticizing John R. Rice. No one complained; it was every man’s right to say what he wanted. Then there was Billy Graham’s leaving the board of the Sword; by choice or force, I do not know. Billy Graham was no sissy, he just went about doing his thing and so did the others. Or how about Lester Roloff’s preaching on the radio about Southern Baptists renting a building out to a liquor store, or of the Southern Baptist Convention kicking him out of their building where their radio station was. Roloff went on his way rejoicing, not crying. But this generation of folks who never heard, ”Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” cannot handle a challenge. With even one threat to their tiny cult of worldliness, they panic as though they were part of a class action lawsuit to defend the right to be a compromiser.

Around thirty-five years ago, this “new generation” had already started making noise in my town, only they were called Calvary Chapel. They were also the followers of John MacArthur in the 80’s. They preached against invitations, night services and standards. This new generation has nothing new, except for their crying. Calvary Chapel and I coexisted. They did their thing and I did mine. I did not need to attack them, and they did not need to attack me; we were big boys, and we could take some difference without being sissy crybabies. If perhaps a few comments were made here and there it didn’t matter, we were Americans and we were independent churches.

The basic differences among believers has always been the same then as well as now:

1) Soul winning,  2) Standards,  and 3) Scriptures (truly believing the Book in our hands is the Word of God — word for word). You are what you are, and I’ve yet to see anyone run to worldliness who didn’t leave these three sooner or later. These three things were true over generations, be it the Southern Baptists, New Evangelicals, Neo-Orthodox, Charismatics, seeker sensitives  or contemporary believers of today.

But what is new? The crying, the whining, the poor me, why-is-everybody-picking-on-me mentality? Maybe this “new generation” of fundamental Baptists were brought up in homes without dads, in homes with dominant mothers, or in homes with working mothers, or (pardon me for stepping this sacred cow) in homes with homeschool mothers who ran the home in perfect justice and female leadership. I don’t know.

Perhaps it was that children were left to themselves to play video games instead of outside playing football with friends facing criticism or injustice, or maybe they never got a job where they had to do what they were told, like it or not. Maybe they have a reason to act like sissies. Maybe they are spiritual sissies – a little immature, a little behind things. Give them another decade and maybe they will find out that Christians can differ and still serve God without whining. Want to criticize me, come on with it, “Sticks and stones…” I’ve got too much to do to whine and cry because someone said mean things. As Nehemiah said, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down…” and cry with you.

Let’s all grow up and get busy winning souls and stop the crybaby act.

Dr. Bruce Goddard
Pastor
Faith Baptist Church
Wildomar, CA
http://thepreachersfriend.com

by: Doug Marco

With the advent of social media and public networking, we are getting a look into a window that never before afforded us this view. It used to be that you never knew what a pastor preached to his people on any given Sunday until the cassette tape arrived in the mail. These tapes rarely gave us a large glimpse into one’s ministry as a whole. Congregational and special singing was far too much of a time consumer on these forty-five minute ribbons.

Times have truly changed. Now whole services are streamed live on the web or within seconds of the closing note to the choir special. A video is uploaded to Facebook and open for the world to view. If you are like me, your Sunday news feeds are jammed packed with such posts.

More and more I am noticing a style that seems to be sweeping our Independent Fundamental Baptist Churches. It is this soft-core “Christian” rock music. It is being accepted by modernist pastors who are not concerned with true spiritual growth, but rather growth in attendance which in turn pads the bank roll. How dare you call yourself a Fundamentalist? You think just because this soft-core trash isn’t as bad as full-on Christian rock, who is it hurting? Let me tell you who it is hurting. It’s hurting your future! Maybe you can spit out the bones, but those who are still drinking milk cannot. Give your church just a few more years and that soft beat in the background will readily be in the forefront, becoming the substitute for Holy Spirit filled services. Your KJB will only be a reference book in the pastor’s study and your message of salvation will turn into a message of seed giving and prosperity. Your ministry will be a complete disgrace to the heritage of our foundation. Unspeakable sin will have overcome the leadership, and it will be excepted because that’s how the hardcore group allows its leaders to be.

Those who do this are wolves in sheep’s clothing as they travel the country preaching for all their cronies, putting on the face of fundamentalism, and it’s all a lie. They’re a cheat and a fake! Good pastors who are naïve to their ways are honestly pointing their youth and new converts to their style of preaching and leadership. They’re no better than the cheese on a mouse trap or the pop-up on a computer that is doing all it can to scam you. They’re popularity, or their perceived popularity, doesn’t give them precedence for compromise.

There are so many outside forces trying to kill our churches anyway, so why in the world are we lending them a hand? I like what the Jews in Jerusalem said to those outside forces trying to overtake them when Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem were ever rapidly trying to break this Jewish nation just as it was trying to rebuild. Nehemiah, a true man of God, wasn’t fearful to say, “…but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.” He said, “The God of heaven, he will prosper us.” What has happened to this attitude in our leaders today? THE GOD OF HEAVEN, HE WILL PROSPER US; not the music of a backslidden quartet who has never made a decision based upon God, but upon the market to which they play. It was only after the Man of God left that this newly formed Jewish community started to embrace the dangers waiting at the gates. When Nehemiah returned, he saw his stand for right wasn’t upheld by those leaders he left in his stead.

While preparing this column displaying my utter disgust with the music in our IFB churches, I was indulging myself with the music of one of the latest IFB online radio stations. Song after song, this soft-core style is present whether it is a beat in the background or the fluctuating vocals of the singers. The degeneration of our movement is quickly approaching and much of it is sponsored by the loudest voices in our circle. We know better! In our desire to reach this modern age, we’ve bitten off way more than we can chew, and our pride won’t allow us to admit wrong doing. Instead, we will risk the death of our churches and the future of our children’s children.

Isn’t it bad enough that our pastors can’t seem to keep themselves morally in line with the Bible? We would rather advance past “Go,” collect our $200 and see if we can squeak past going to jail on this time around too. We would rather play with the risk than to play by the rules. Cheaters never win! You might be able to boost your attendance with this soft-core beating music, but neither you nor your church wins. Satan has become victorious yet again; he knows that soft-core always leads to hardcore. If you don’t believe me, next time you see one of your favorite tour bus group albums on iTunes, check the related albums page or the endorsements from godless music associations. Better yet, just go and check your iPod. The Devil knows you’re a sucker for what moves you.

Although these things might not be visible in your ministry today, it will be in its future. That is what you’re putting at risk with a disgraceful substitute for godly Christian music. This trend is laying siege to ministries across the world, even creeping into our mission works on the foreign field. Let’s get our ministries back to what is right, not what is popular. Popular seems rarely right. If you want this soft-core, mumbo-jumbo in your church, well then fine… just be man enough to stop calling yourself a fundamentalist, because you just ain’t.

For the rest of us, let’s follow God’s Word as stated in Romans chapter 16. “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” We spend hours beating our heads against the wall trying to figure out why church members won’t follow the simplest of biblical truths. Have you ever considered that if we did, they might? The cliché is accurate, you WILL become like those who you hang around. Your church WILL take on the same traits as those churches, evangelists, colleges and pastors you allow to influence your ministry. No one strays alone; it is much easier with a friend. Why does it seem that Dr. Seuss had more sense than the average pastor when it was stated, “A tree falls the way it leans, so be careful how you lean.” Liberal leaners are in for a fall, and they’re going to fall with ministry to follow suit. Some might argue, why split hairs? It’s either split hair or split hell wide open. I don’t want to be held responsible for the enlargement of Hell. Acts 20:28 tells us to “Take heed,” because our flock was purchased by the very blood of God. Are we a church worthy of the price paid for it, or rather, are we defecating on that precious blood with the putrid rot from the bottom of Hell?

Doug Marco
Missionary to the Philippines

The Silencing of Christianity in Our Nation’s Public Schools

Millions of vulnerable kids filter through our public school systems every day, the majority of whom do not know Jesus. And, given the tremendous spiritual poverty in our schools, many, if not most, of these kids will grow up never knowing that there is a God who loves them and wants to give them eternal life. Many of them will never hear the name of Jesus except as a curse word.

This is due, in large part, to the decades-long concerted effort on the part of anti-religion, liberal, atheist, and other so-called “progressive” groups to completely eradicate the name of Jesus from the public square and from our public schools. These groups consistently seek out and target schools that still allow Christmas carols, teach about the history of Christianity, or permit Bible clubs, claiming that such actions violate the First Amendment Establishment clause, otherwise known as the “separation of church and state” doctrine. These anti-religion groups intimidate by threatening to sue the school or the individual teachers and staff members for actions that are, the vast majority of the time, perfectly legal. These intimidation tactics have led public school administrators, teachers, and staff, to unnecessarily suppress religious expression in the halls and classrooms FAR more than is required by law.

Despite what the ACLU and other atheist and “progressive” organizations would have you believe, public school students and school personnel are NOT required to leave their faith behind when they walk through the schoolhouse doors. Students in particular have a tremendous amount of freedom to exercise their religion at school, and parents should encourage them to do so. School teachers and administrators, while more limited in what they can do and say about religion in front of students, still have certain freedoms to exercise their faith.

There are kids and teens all across this country who are waiting for one person – just one – who will give them hope…the hope that only Jesus can provide. That hope may come in the form of a second grader’s book report about the Bible, a red and white-striped Christmas pencil with a note attached explaining the Christian history of the candy cane, or a 7th grader’s t-shirt which says, “With God, all things are possible.” We may never know on this side of eternity how God might use a child’s—possibly your child’s—Christian witness in the public schools of our country. Be educated. Be informed. Be a light. Because with God, all things ARE possible and His Word will not return void.

WHAT’S LEGAL IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL?

At the National Center for Life and Liberty, we receive calls and emails all throughout the year from parents, students, teachers, school board members, administrators, and state officials, wanting to know which expressions of religion are legally permissible and/or prohibited in the public schools. While this list is by no means exhaustive, here are a few of the most common ones we are asked about each year:

1. Are students and teachers permitted to pray during school? YES

Students may voluntarily pray individually or in groups before meals, tests and at any other time when the prayer will not disrupt classroom instruction. Teachers have a similar constitutional free speech right to voluntarily pray or discuss religion with co-workers in the same manner that they might gather to discuss politics or a recent movie (such as in a teachers’ lounge), so long as the prayer cannot be interpreted as school-sponsored and takes place outside the view of students. Only official teacher-led prayer and Bible reading or spiritual interactions between students and teachers have been held to be unconstitutional.

2. May students and/or teachers bring Bibles to school? YES

Students may bring Bibles to school and read them during free reading time, study halls, etc. Teachers may do the same; however, in an increasing number of jurisdictions, they are not permitted to keep their Bibles on their desks as this has been interpreted by some courts as an endorsement (or “establishment”) of religion, thus violating the First Amendment. However, teachers may keep their Bibles in a drawer or on their electronic devices to read during their free time or when students are not in the classroom.

3. May students use religious-themed school supplies (notebooks, pencils, etc)? YES

Students may use notebooks, pencils, and other material with religious logos or sayings, including Bible verses, to the same extent other students may use supplies with other designs and/or sayings.

4. May students wear religious-themed clothing or accessories? YES

To the extent that students are permitted to wear clothing and accessories that display secular graphics or words, students may wear t-shirts and other clothing and accessories that display religious messages.

5. May public school sports players add Bible verse references to their game face paint? MAYBE

Several years ago, homeschooler-turned-NFL star Tim Tebow added Bible verse references to the black paint under his eyes during his college football games. After complaints surfaced, the NCAA banned all inscriptions in players’ black eye paint . . . but a ban on just Bible verses would have been arguably unconstitutional. Public schools may ban players from using face paint, or they may limit the face paint to a picture of the mascot or some other design. However, when the school permits any level of discretionary add-on designs or words by students, the school may not then ban students from choosing to include Bible verses or religious references, so long as they meet any other neutral requirements for face painting (color/style/appropriateness, etc).

6. May students organize Bible Clubs in public school? YES

School administrators are required under the federal Equal Access Act to allow students to organize and run Bible clubs at school with the same rights to advertising, funding, etc., as other school clubs.

7. Are teachers permitted to discuss Christianity and the Bible in the classroom? YES

Religion, including Christianity, may be taught in public schools as part of the academic curriculum, as long as the religious instruction is done in a neutral, objective manner and the subject naturally arises in the course of the academic curriculum. Teachers may not, however, share their personal religious views, such as telling students while in school or at school functions, that Christianity is the only true “religion,” or that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. To do so would be considered an unconstitutional establishment of religion, in violation of the First Amendment. Teachers may, however, discuss these matters with students on their own time while off school property (such as at church or other non-school-related functions).

8. Are students allowed to discuss Christianity and the Bible in the classroom and in school assignments? YES

A teacher must permit students to share religious opinions or information in class discussions or in student assignments where students choose the topics, as long as such sharing is relevant to the assignment or to the topic at hand and as long as the exchange is civil and not disruptive. Teachers have a great deal of discretion to permit students to enjoy free speech rights with regard to religion while in the classroom. The teacher should merely ensure that other students in the class understand that the book or other speech is expressing the student’s religious belief and not the school’s or the teacher’s.

9. Are teachers permitted to pray with students or assist with school Bible Clubs? IT DEPENDS

Teachers may pray with students outside of class time and off school property (i.e., some teachers attend church with their students), but not during school-sponsored events or Bible clubs. While teachers may be advisors to these clubs and can meet with their leaders off-campus to assist them in running the club, they may not participate in the club’s religious activities, such as prayer, Bible reading, and witnessing on camp.

10. May public schools ban parents and/or local businesses from running paid religious ads in school-sponsored publications? NO

Schools may not ban paid religious advertisements in school publications merely because the content is religious. To do so would be content-based discrimination and a First Amendment Free Speech violation. Schools must permit religious ads in their yearbooks, printed sports programs, school newspapers, and other school publications to the same extent that secular advertisements are considered and permitted.

11. Are students permitted to choose religious material for a class show-and-tell or a school talent show? YES

The school may not prohibit a student from bringing in a Bible or a religious item and discussing it in a show-and-tell forum, merely because the item is religious in nature. If a teacher has specifically limited the subject matter of the show-and-tell to a particular type of item (stuffed animals, for example), a student could not showcase his or her Bible, because it does not meet the assignment requirements (although in this case she could bring in a teddy bear that says, “Jesus Loves Me”). In a talent show forum, students may choose religious themed songs, poems or other talent show pieces as long as they otherwise meet the criteria for the program.

12. Are “moments of silence” still allowed? YES

While schools are not required to offer a “moment of silence” or other quiet period during the school day, if they do so, students are free to pray silently, or not to pray, during these periods of time. Teachers and other school employees may neither encourage nor discourage students from praying during such time periods.

13. May teachers include religious references in correspondence with parents of students? IT DEPENDS

If a teacher is corresponding with the parent in her capacity as the student’s teacher, school officials may prohibit the use of religious references. Since the school is permitted to control communications between teachers and parents, the teacher should abide by such instructions and omit any religious references. On the other hand, if the teacher is certain that such references would be welcome by the parent and her school superiors have not prohibited it, the teacher should use her best judgment and her knowledge of the student and his family to determine whether to include religious references in parent communications. Of course, outside the school environment, such as at church or at non-school activities, teachers and parents may communicate freely.

14. May students opt out of activities or assignments that violate their or their parents’ sincerely-held religious beliefs? IN MOST CASES, YES

Schools are generally required to accommodate the religious beliefs of their students. Parents have a free exercise claim, in many cases, to prevent their children from being taught material that would negatively impact or burden their own sincerely-held religious beliefs. If the school does not have a compelling reason for requiring every child to participate in a particular activity, class or assignment, the school must allow the student to “opt out” of the activity, class or assignment at the request of the parent. The opt out process is often made considerably smoother when the parent provides an acceptable alternative assignment possibility along with the opt out request. For example, if parents object to their child reading Harry Potter, they could recommend that their child read a comparable fantasy series such as the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.

15. Are public schools permitted to celebrate Christmas (and actually call it “Christmas”)? YES

Schools are still permitted to call “Christmas Break” by that name (as opposed to a “Winter Break”). Teachers may host classroom Christmas parties, include Christmas carols in Christmas concerts (as long as they are interspersed with other “secular” holiday songs), and may say, “Merry Christmas” to their students and colleagues as part of a historical and cultural celebration of Christmas. Teachers and administrators may not use these occasions to proselytize their students; however, students may hand out Christmas cards and gifts with religious messages to the same extent and at the same time as other students are permitted to hand out secular cards and gifts. If a teacher or school chooses to celebrate Christmas, the school should also consider celebrating holidays of other religions represented in the school. Such celebrations are educational as well as being a permitted acknowledgment of community practices and traditions.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT EXPRESSIONS OF FAITH ARE LEGAL IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CONTACT THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR LIFE AND LIBERTY:

National Center for Life and Liberty
P.O. Box 270548
Flower Mound, TX 75027-0548
Phone: 888.233.NCLL (6255)
Email: info@ncll.org
Website: www.ncll.org

by: Dr. Bruce Goddard

Romans 12:17, “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”

We live in a world that stresses brand names (it is not that you have a phone, but that you have an Android or an iPhone). Whether it be a phone or shoes, names such as Nike or Apple imply the product is different, better or more superior. We all have preferences in car brands. Ford or Chevy are “brands” and “labels.” In fact, if you look at your clothing, every piece probably has a brand on it. Honestly, the brand does tell us something. I like some brands of ice cream better than others. A hamburger at McDonalds is different from a hamburger at In-N-Out. The brand name does matter. The brand identifies and helps us know what to expect.

A “knock-off” is something that looks similar to the “name brand,” but is less costly, easier to find, and of course, (we all know) simply not as good. I was given a Montblanc pen. Wow! Honestly, I did not know that it was special; it was a pen, and it wrote. Then someone told me the value and high quality of this pen. Wow again! After a while, the ink ran out (really soon in fact), so I tried to find a refill. Normally, if a pen runs out of ink, I simply toss it and grab another one that has some hotel name on it and continue. After considering the notable value of my Montblanc pen, I decided it would be best to buy a refill. After searching stores and the internet, I found a comment alluding to the fact that if my Montblanc pen had this little thing or that small marking, Montblanc refills would not fit my pen — it was a fake, a knockoff. The description fit that of my pen — I could not even get a refill…back to Holiday Inn pens for me! The same fact is true of Rolex or Coach. Someone uses the quality name on a cheaply produced product.

We are Baptists — independent, fundamental, Bible-believing Baptists. The brand matters. There are Baptists who do not believe the Bible at all. There are Baptists who say they believe the Bible, but only as it has been properly translated. There are American Baptists, GARB, BBF, Conservative Baptists, Southern Baptists, Freewill Baptists, Hardshell Baptists, and many others. Our brand of Baptist, “Independent Fundamental Bible-believing Baptists,” believes the Book in our hands to be true, word for word. Our “brand” of Baptists is set apart by distinctives — usually three things: our view on standards, soul winning, and the Scriptures. As people, we are not better than others, but our church is different.

Catholics used to be known by the dress of those in leadership. (Remember the “Flying Nun”?) Pentecostals were known by their dress and by the style of ladies’ hair — it was their brand. Nazarenes, Mormons, JW’s — all were distinct. Fifty years ago, you would never hear a Catholic or a Mormon call himself a “Christian”; today they all do it. So the “knock off” Christian has arrived. The same is true of churches. Now, everyone wants to be a community church or a fellowship or something “non-denominational.” Brands do matter, and we all know that. Brands help us know what to expect. Churches ought to call themselves something that identifies them so others know what to expect. A big church in the next town over from our town is a Dutch Reformed church, but that is not written on their sign. Their sign says Community Church, which is probably a more accurate description. They did not want the “stigma” of Dutch Reformed.

We live among a generation of Baptists who want to call themselves Independent Fundamental Baptists while criticizing the basic principles of Independent Fundamental Bible-believing Baptists. They say older churches (older INDEPENDENT BIBLE BELIEVING BAPTISTS) are this or that, and they criticize us for being one way or another, but these labels they criticize us for having are those by which we have always been identified — even to the point of strong differences among us. Remember Paul and Barnabas fussing over John Mark? Baptists have always been strong, anchored, and a little stubborn. If John the Baptist were to come to town today, do not think for a minute that John the Baptist would attend a “fellowship” rather than a Baptist church. He would expect some preaching — straight forward, blunt, and perhaps some “name-calling” preaching; for that is how he preached, and he was the first Baptist. This “new generation” of Independent Baptists wants to keep the name, but not the distinctives that identify us.

If this new generation wants to be a community church, they should call their churches by that name. If they want to be non-denominational, go for it; but do not be a knockoff of an Independent Fundamental Bible-believing Baptist. In the business world, the act of using a label that is not yours is fraudulent and illegal. This new generation of Baptists enjoys being “Baptist knockoffs”; they want to ride the sails of the real deal while providing something easier to attain and less costly. They want to bring exclusive outward appearances to a counterfeit inside. This same ordeal occurred thirty years ago, only back then these churches had the integrity to pull “Baptist” from their names. Now they try to be knockoffs.

2 Corinthians 8:21 says, “Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.”

A brand name does matter. The brand identifies and helps us know what to expect. I do not object to the Presbyterian church down the road being Presbyterian. That is their name, and that is what they are. The Catholics are Catholic; no problem. But if a Baptist name is placed on those churches, they become fakes. I do resent someone being a knockoff Independent Fundamental Bible-believing Baptist. It gives the real deal a sour name. If I am out of town, and I visit an Independent Fundamental Bible-believing Baptist church only to find their music contemporary, I have found a knockoff. Take the name off and call yourselves a vine or branch, but do not violate mental copyrights.

Independent Fundamental Bible-believing Baptists have always been separated from the world, separated in dress and in social life; we are those unusual folks who believe the Bible word for word, and we go soul winning — we go out, knock on doors, and confront people about their need for Christ. That is what we are; we are not trying to be a Community Church. Those folks are fine, and they, no doubt, minister to people; but we would be fraudulent to call ourselves a community church.

Romans 12:17, “…Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”

Dr. Bruce Goddard
Pastor
Faith Baptist Church
Wildomar, CA

by: Keith Phemister

I was given an invite to attend a preaching fellowship meeting amongst area pastors recently. I must admit that I had never been to this particular church nor did I personally know the pastor. However, what caught my attention from the flyer to which I was reading were the instructions for area preachers should they preach. Preachers would be called from the floor and were to be ready to preach. Great! However, what bothered me somewhat were the guidelines for those preachers should they desire to preach. The wording was along the lines of “no mean preaching tolerated.” Now I wondered if that would pertain to me. Am I one of those mean preachers to which he is trying to put in their place. What or who is a mean preacher?

Does that pertain to hard preaching as opposed to soft preaching? I had to go to the dictionary to perhaps clarify for my own purposes the term “mean.” The dictionary defined mean as unkind or cruel. I certainly do not think of myself as cruel or mean. However, when I am in the pulpit, there may indeed be some folks who would see me as mean, simply because I proclaim the truth. But, isn’t that what a preacher is supposed to do? We are to preach the truth in love as Paul stated. The truth can sometimes be harsh, and penetrating simply because it is the Word of God. Hebrews 4:12 says, “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.” I am not for being mean spirited in the pulpit, but when the truth is preached there will be some who won’t like it!

God told Jeremiah, “Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.” Jeremiah 1:17

You will recall the incident with Jonah. Jonah ran from the will of God to proclaim His message to the Ninevites. We see that running from a call invited God to run right on his tail. God came a second time after chastisement did its work and said, “Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.” It seems to me that what I preach is up to the Lord and as a proclaimer of truth for which I am called. I have a mandate to preach what God commands me, whether popular or not. Now, I do believe in seeking the wisdom of God and using tact in some touchy areas, but I should not shy away from it. Am I a mean preacher for preaching on subjects in which others would never dare to enter?

God told Isaiah to “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” The word “cry” there means to preach or proclaim.

Jonah preached or cried out God’s message. It was rather pointed as well, don’t you think? “Yet forty days and Ninevah shall be overthrown” Jonah cried. Now that was pointed preaching! Maybe we who preach the Word as God commands us and are pointed in our preaching are coined “hard preachers.” Maybe, indeed, hard preachers are thought of as “mean preachers.” A commentator said this about Jonah, “He bids him declare not only the sentence of God, but in the same words; not to consider his own estimation or the ears of his hearers, nor to mingle soothing with severe words, and convey the message ingeniously, but with all freedom and severity to declare openly what was commanded him.”

I was preaching one Sunday morning in a distant state while on vacation, and after the message a dear lady came up to me and said, “I sure appreciate your passion while you preached.” I don’t think I deserve to be behind a pulpit if I am not passionate about the Word of God.

My wife was one day in a local tire shop having a tire replaced and a worker in the store recognized her. He said, “I’ve been to your church. The pastor is a hell, fire and brimstone preacher. I still remember the sermon he preached.” Now, does being a hell, fire and brimstone preacher label me as a mean preacher? If I would be in the ranks of John the Baptist and Billy Sunday then so be it. Years ago people would flock to revival meetings where men of God would let er rip, preaching the marvelous riches of Christ and leave saying they enjoyed the message. The preacher was not thought of as mean. Bold, sure! Passionate, obviously. Intense, ok! We have traded the fire in the pulpit for the sake of the comfort in the pew. As a dear saint came and visited our church one Sunday past said to me, “I am looking for a church that is uplifting.” People are having a tough time in this messed up world. They are looking for answers. However, we don’t need uplifting every service, we need repenting as well. Hard preaching means a mean preacher these days. What has happened to us?

Jesus fully understood that his preaching would offend some, but I don’t see where He backed off from preaching. When John the Baptist “saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance” (Matthew 3:7-8). Let’s not forget about John commenting to Herod and telling him boldly, “It is not lawful for thee to have her?” (Matthew 14:4).

So, if hard preaching makes mean preachers, what is hard preaching? Well, the dictionary would define hard as “Opposed to soft; carried on energetically or persistently; earnest; displaying severity.” If that be the case, maybe I need to be soft in my words, lackadaisical in my delivery and non-caring for the people to whom I preach. Maybe I need to be more concerned about the paycheck than I do about who can be helped. When God’s man delivers God’s message according to the preaching that He bids them, there very well may be some well meaning but backslidden Christian who sees it as severe and harsh; thereby, propelling him to the pages of facebook, citing the preacher as a mean preacher.

Look, I have been in the independent Baptist circles for over 35 years. I have heard them all. Lester Roloff, Tom Malone, Carl Hatch, Lee Roberson, Jack Hyles – men who some would proclaim as mean preachers these days. Go ahead and link them with Stephen then. Stephen did not mince words. Here they are, “Ye stiff necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do you.” Those words, mind you, got him killed. I wonder if they thought he was a mean preacher? I don’t think they said, “What a nice man, I think we will kill him today.”

I leave you with this from the Word of God. “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and doctrine.” And Paul warns, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Timothy 4:2-4).

I don’t know if I am a mean preacher by some standards. What matters is that I please Him! I pray that God will help me to do just that.

Keith Phemister, Pastor
Lighthouse Baptist Church
Hudson, NH

by: Guy Beaumont

Hebrews 13:7

The Bible tells me that I’m to remember those who have spoken the Word to me. It also says to follow their faith while considering the end of their conversation.

There are those who are against the principle of following men and that we should ONLY follow Christ. Well, that’s silly……and unbiblical. 1 Corinthians 11:1, Philippians 4:9, and a plethora of other verses teach us to follow man as well as the fact that God has always put men in leadership for us to …wait for it…FOLLOW!

I’m grateful for the men I chose to follow. I’m extremely picky about who I allow to influence me even still today. I learned so much from so many of them. I’m honored that I was able to know some personally and others through listening to or traveling to hear. Jack Hyles, Tom Malone, Lee Roberson, Harold Sightler, John R. Rice, Lester Roloff and Curtis Hutson are a few of the men who’ve influenced me along with many others. Many seasoned men who are preaching today and have been for over a quarter of a century are also men I follow. Many of these men I know and have known personally, and some I studied, read their books and heard them on audio or video.

In sports, work and politics, we don’t put much “stock” in a novice. We’d rather see them trained by a veteran. Unfortunately, in our independent Baptist churches, there seems to be a desire for the complete opposite. I have preached along some veteran preachers and have had them preach for me. I never thought I needed to be heard. The best thing I could do is say, “Ditto” to what they said. There are simply no new preachers that need to be heard more than the old, seasoned ones.

I’m 43 and have been pastoring for almost 15 years. I started the church. I didn’t raise any support or have any families start with me. That’s not a knock on any who have, I just didn’t feel led to do it that way. I haven’t “arrived,” nor am I nationally known. I’m a nobody. I like that. Since I’m a nobody, I still try to surround myself with wise veteran men of God for influence. Early in my pastorate, I gathered about 25 videos of the men I mentioned earlier along with a few others. Each Wednesday night church service, I showed one of the videos of these men preaching. I wanted the folks I pastored to connect what I was preaching back a few generations with seasoned men.

I’m not a trail blazer. Trail blazing involves a new path. The path has already been worn down and walked on. I am simply staying on that old path; the good path.

I have learned so much from these old independent fundamental Baptist preachers. Allow me to share with you a few of the principles that I learned and also saw firsthand.

1. Their undeniable love of God.

It showed in their schedules. It showed in their ministry. It showed in their marriage. It showed in their time. It showed in their sacrifice. It showed in their devotion. It showed in their prayers. It showed in their faithfulness. It showed in their tear-filled preaching. It showed in their holiness. I’ve never met a preacher who loved God who didn’t live a separated, holy life. You knew that they knew God.

2. Their unquestionable separation from the world.

I’m not sure why separation bothers so many today. Is not separating a better option? With 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15; Jude 23b; Titus 2:12 and a litany of other verses, how is this even a discussion or a complaint? Many say that there have been things preached that aren’t biblical. Okay, then don’t practice them. Use your individual soul liberty. Fretting, blogging and getting all upset over some “silly” standards preached just seems very immature and not worth being upset about. In the almost 14,000 IFB preachers, I doubt any of us could mention more than 1% of them where we heard something unbiblical. In a school, chapel, conference or night bus, we heard some “ripping,” but in all the messages, it’s a small scope. We’re making mountains out of molehills.

These stalwart, old-school preachers weren’t worried about public opinion when it came to being and living holy. I’m glad they erred on the conservative side. I liked their “leanings.” I like that they traveled in suits, smashed tv’s, ripped on the movie theater, dancing, playing cards, petting and necking (always loved that one), long hair on men, pants on women, bubble gum, mixed bathing (another one that horrified me), biscuits or whatever. It told me they stood for something. It taught me they were concerned about the slightest compromise entering their life, family or ministry. I appreciated it. It never angered me even if I didn’t agree with every detail. Today’s young preacher just isn’t as separated from the world as these men were and some men are. It’s just something worth pondering. Read about the self denial practiced by the Wesley brothers, George Mueller, Whitfield, Edwards and others. We all ought to be ashamed at our lack of separation, self denial and cross bearing. I don’t mock high standards. I respect it.

3. Their insatiable love of truth.

They had a love for souls that hasn’t been matched! I’ve watched them witness to people everywhere. I watched Bro. Hyles go door knocking in Cabrini Green. I watched him love on people when he thought no one was watching. I could share personal stories from many of them. These men had God’s blessing and power to build great churches where thousands upon thousands entered weekly. No one had a greater obsession to reach the lost than those old, independent Baptists. That’s who the leaders of today learned it from. Thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, were called to full-time service under these pillars of faith.

They had a love for preaching the Word that spanned generations. Volumes of their Bible messages are available for us. We can instantly think of titles of messages that transformed us. (I know it’s the Holy Spirit Who transforms for you nit-picky people – context!) Today’s hip, relevant, pop culture, cool sermon-giver couldn’t hold their water. These men were learned scholars, but gave the Word faithfully and accurately to the simple folk. They fed all ages the Word, not just baby boomers, Generation X, millennials or some other weird evangelical jargon. They weren’t consumed with a style or type. They just followed the Bible’s instruction, “Preach the Word“. Today’s men fight over silly topics like expository or topical. Did Jesus preach expository? I digress… Just preach the Word! They did, no doubt about it.

By the way, separation is a Bible doctrine. Hard preaching is in the Bible. Negative, unpopular preaching is in the Bible. If you don’t preach that, you aren’t committed to preaching the Bible.

I have preached through books of the Bible. I’ve covered about 12 so far. Took us 2 years to go through 1 Corinthians. I also preach expository and topical. The style is a nonessential. I just focus on preaching the Word as these men have taught me.

These men were well read. Tom Malone could quote Shakespeare and had a huge library that his fingerprints were all over. Reading the “Twilight” series or books by compromisers or apostates hardly compares to actual reading. These men had great libraries and encouraged us preachers to build our own. I’m grateful for that.

They had a love for unity. They were united under truth. If truth was compromised, there was no longer unity. I see most of the cry for unity today comes from those who have or are compromising. Most of the division today comes from those complaining about division and blogging topics to cause it. I can love them while choosing not to fellowship with them. I can warn others of their compromise. It’s very biblical. I thank God for those veteran saints who weren’t afraid to warn the sheep of wolves in sheep clothing or sheep in wolves clothing. Paul, who we all agree was an incredible preacher, was often involved in the most confrontation with the brethren. Interesting!

I’m ok with us not all being “cookie cutter” clones. I’m not ok when our brethren look like a “cookie cutter” clone of the evangelical crowd. That’s not us, and never has been us and you didn’t get that from us. If there’s so much wrong with IFB, you are free to move on and be something else. Just please don’t claim that you’re still one of us. You’re not!

4. Their copiable example.

They shared their methods. They shared their philosophies. They shared their detail. They wrote books about preaching, soul winning, Bible study, church work. They didn’t and weren’t hiding. I remember the hours that Bro. Hyles would spend meeting with people and always making them feel important. I remember when Tom Malone called me on my cell phone or when I sat next to him and he picked on others. I remember Bro. Fisher saying to me after he preached an amazing message, “You can preach that and do a better job than I did.” They wanted us to see them and learn.

I’ve tried to follow that example. For instance, I have two treasurers. In fifteen years, I’ve never touched the offerings. I strive to be “blameless.” We have regular annual business meetings. Every dime is accounted for. Those who want to accuse or find fault with any ministry will do just that. It didn’t deter the old guard. They pressed on.

Were they perfect? No! I never expected them to be. Pointing out their flaws never helped my ministry or life one bit. They were sinners, just like us. I followed them, but focused on the Saviour. I saw flaws and I learned from them. I just never saw the need to blog about them. Today’s preachers who constantly point to the failures of the past generations do so to lift themselves up, begin their own legacy or hide their own glaring flaws.

Paul said, “I fought a good fight” at the end of his life. The new preachers today don’t want to fight about anything. They want a tolerant, united, accepted view of whatever direction they choose as long as we agree on just the Gospel.

In 1922, a sermon was preached, “Shall The Fundamentalist Win?” That liberal preacher who denied the virgin birth and other items wanted the narrow-minded, intolerant, non-scholarly, unmoving and unchanging fundamentalist to be quiet. He said, “I do not believe for one moment that the fundamentalist are going to succeed.” He further said, “The first element that is necessary is a spirit of tolerance and Christian liberty.” He went on to express his concern for the next generation. Many young preacher today is calling for all preachers to be tolerant of their positions, dropped standards, casual attire in the pulpit and watered down music and separation. If President Bush wouldn’t take off his suit coat in the Oval Office because the men who’ve sat there before him, pray tell me sir, why you cheapen the pulpit with your skinny, faded jeans and untucked blouse? Hey, as long as your comfortable and relevant and there isn’t a Bible verse about it, why the big deal?

It’s worth fighting for. Everything we do and say is sending a message. What you allow now will only be taken further by your followers.

I too am concerned about the next generation. Fundamentalism did succeed back then. I believe it will continue to succeed not because of anything new, but because of what’s old…actually timeless-seasoned men who walked with God for decades, built great works, set an example and challenged us to stay on the same path they were on.

Back at the top, I referenced Hebrews 13:7.

The latter part of that verse says, “…considering the end of their conversation.”

I know the end of these men’s conversations. I see the churches and fruit. I still see it today. I’ll follow their faith; the old faith.

Guy Beaumont
Pastor
Harvest Baptist Church
Allentown, PA

by: Dr. Bruce Goddard

I recently received a gracious email from a veteran preacher, the subject of the email is irrelevant, but the close of the email has a quote that says much. The quote is from a well known Southern Baptist pastor/writer who is now the president of the Southern Baptist mission board. The man does not pastor a Baptist church, but “The Church at Brook Hills” and his own web site touts him as, “A passionate voice among evangelicals.” Still we find independent Baptist pastors reading and quoting him.

Really? The Church at Brook Hills and an evangelical leader? Is that who we listen to? Have we gone so far down the hill of compromise?

Like it or not, most of us come from strong independent Baptist roots. While the Southern Baptist Convention long since (50 years ago) embraced evolution in their colleges and a total depravity regarding separation, still independent Baptist pastors treat them as if they are great leaders for the church; men to learn from.

Long ago a student at a southern Baptist college told his father the athletes at the SBC college were drinking. The pastor/father questioned the coach and was told, “I don’t care what they drink, I want them to play ball.” This is the root philosophy of the SBC. Still, our independent Baptist pastors think this crowd is worth following?

Somewhere we forgot why we ended up with independent Baptist churches. We left the SBC; or rather, were thrown out of the SBC. The SBC made it obvious they supported a total compromise on the authority of the KJV. They practiced a complete lack of separation as well as an almost total absence of soul winning, not to mention the slow decline of Baptist teaching on speaking in tongues, women pastors and homosexuality. Still, this veteran pastor closes his gracious email with a quote from one of these SBC men? Really? Is that who we want to indorse?

I recently saw a gospel album recorded by Elvis Presley. I did not bother to listen to any of it. One might think there could be some beautiful gospel songs recorded on it, but I’d sooner eat a sandwich from a garbage can than listen to gospel songs from Elvis or read Southern Baptist Theology. Just because there may be a truth in SBC writing, I am not about to risk the infection from contaminated instruction.

Romans 16:17 says, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”

Philippians 3:17-18 reminds us, “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:”

Paul says to “avoid them” not sort through their material looking for good quotes.

Dr. Bruce Goddard
Pastor
Faith Baptist Church
Wildomar, CA

by: John Teichert

1 Kings 19:9-10, “And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”

1 Kings 19:18, “Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.”

On April 23^rd, 1789, George Washington arrived in New York City in preparation for his inauguration as our nation’s first President a week later. On that same day, the New York Daily Advertiser announced the following:

“On the morning of the day on which our illustrious President will be invested with his office, the bells will ring at nine o’clock, when the people may go up to the house of God and in a solemn manner commit the new government, with its important train of consequences, to the holy protection and blessing of the Most high.”

In 1789, America stood on the brink of history. As the Bible-based government was forming the world was watching. After a long fought battle against the world’s superpower and a stumbling of government under the Articles of Confederation, could this new experiment work? Much was riding on the outcome, and the subsequent train of consequences demanded an inauguration day that was bathed in prayer. Collectively, citizens of this new nation committed their new government to the holy protection and blessings of the Most High.

The new government recognized its need for prayer as well. Indeed, Congress acted to insure that the government would be founded on prayer, strengthened in prayer, and buoyed by prayer. On April 27^th, 1789, the Senate approved the following resolution:

“Resolved, That after the oath shall have been administered to the President, he – attended by the Vice-President and members of the Senate and House of Representatives – proceed to St. Paul’s Chapel to hear Divine service.”

Two days later, the House approved the same. Following an inaugural address that was more of a sermon than a political speech, the first act of the new government was to worship together in a service led by the Congressional chaplain. With a quorum of U.S. Constitution signatories present, the new government attended a Christian church service that included prayers, Scripture readings, and a message from the books of Psalms, 1 Kings, Acts, and 3 John. Recognizing that our national success would rise or fall based on the Lord Himself, national leaders immediately embraced and demonstrated prayerful humility. They saw that their future hinged not upon themselves, but on the Lord.

We may be far removed from a government that prioritizes God and prays together. We may be far removed from a population that does the same. Like Elijah, we may feel alone in our walk with God. We may feel like we have been left without allies by the rebellion of God’s own people, the crumbling of God’s own institutions, and the weakening of God’s own prophets. We can feel alone in our workplaces. We can feel alone in our neighborhoods. We can feel alone in our social circles. Our kids can feel alone in their schools. Our churches can feel alone in our communities. We sometimes feel like we should retreat into our figurative caves and surrender to the forces around us.

Yet, we are not alone. We have thousands of faithful allies in America. I know this first-hand because my military positions have given me occasion to travel extensively, and I have always been encouraged by the faithful Christian citizens I have met in dedicated churches around this nation. There are faithful men and women in Knob Noster, Missouri and Las Vegas, Nevada. There are faithful Christians in Goldsboro, North Carolina and Santa Maria, California. There are faithful Christian citizens in Prattville, Alabama and Dayton, Ohio. We have faithful allies in Bowie, Maryland and Albuquerque, New Mexico. We have faithful comrades in Niceville, Florida and Lancaster, California. There are steadfast churches in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Bossier City, Louisiana. There are unwavering believers in Longview, Texas and Cambridge, Massachusetts. There are faithful Christians from coast to coast.

Imagine the power of such an army of believers. Imagine the temporal and eternal impact if Christians in just the locations mentioned above would faithfully do one thing – take time daily to fervently pray for our nation and its leaders. Imagine if we took seriously the admonition of the pre-inauguration New York Daily Advertiser from so many years ago. Imagine the signal it would send if we each stepped out of our workplaces at lunchtime to pray. Maybe it would be a bit disruptive. Potentially it would cause a bit of a stir. Unquestionably it would cause politicians to take notice. Probably it would make a point more powerfully than the largest protest. Possibly it would convict Christians who have been carried along by secular culture. Hopefully, it would call down the power of God to make a massive impact on this country.

This is the crux of the PLUS ministry (Prayer at Lunchtime for the United States). PLUS is a tool to convict American Christians to pray as we should. Use the PLUS website (prayatlunch.us), social media tools (@PLUSGroups), or email list if they are helpful; set your alarm to remind you if you must. Most importantly, put PLUS into practice by praying. Be burdened for America and her leaders, and spread that burden to others by challenging them to pray as well. If we are to have hope that this nation will return to its Bible-based foundation, then we must do so now at such a time as this! As in 1789, an important train of consequences follows our every step and our solemn prayers stand as the only thing that can truly make a difference.

John Teichert
http://prayatlunch.us

by: David Owens

“I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.” Psalm 119:99

Do Christians need “original languages” such as Greek to better understand the King James Bible? We are sometimes intimidated as believers with the idea that an education in another language is superior to the English language that we understand.

As I understand from Scripture, the doctrine and practice of separation is key to our relationship with Christ and our being eternally effective for Him. Biblical separation also applies to the “who” and “what” we use to influence us concerning the very Word of God. Eve should not have been influenced by, listening to or “reading” the serpent’s doctrine. Eve should never have allowed the serpent to give her an understanding of God’s commands. Separation also applies to Bible study.

I was raised going to neo-evangelical churches. I attended Moody Bible Institute where we used the NASV and where I was taught the Hebrew and the Greek. Praise God, He delivered me! I mention this because sometimes in our circles I see the very same mistakes made by the Bible correctors by whom I was influenced. As I see it, we (independent, fundamental Baptists) are making a grave mistake by using the same logic and tools that the Bible correctors use to justify changing, compromising and explaining away God’s Word. I believe that the KJB is God’s perfect Word in English. If so, the Bible itself is able to teach you about itself.

Jesus promised in John 14:16 that it was the Holy Ghost who would teach us all things. The absence of the mention of “original languages” to teach us is very telling. Child of God, you have just as much of the Holy Spirit as the preachers and the educators; now allow Him to teach you.

If you speak and understand English, why do you believe that we have to refer to or even mention the Greek language? Please allow me to list some reasons as to why I ask this important question.

1. There may appear to be legitimate reasons to consult an original language coming from those who do so; however, does God Himself condone doing so? This is not an “I think so” or even an “I believe so” issue, it is a “Thus saith the Lord” issue. What does God say I should use to learn and understand His Words?

2. Our KJB is God’s preservation and interpretation of the Greek. We cannot improve on God’s definitions.

3. God gave us the KJB so that we would not have to find definitions of words from a dead language that we really do not understand.

4. The Bible that God gave to us is alive. (Hebrews 4:12) Using the Greek is like digging up a dead body to explain what we are. This is what the evolutionist does to define us.

5. If the explanation we think we found in the Greek is really truth, it is just as true in the English, without referring to the Greek. You have an English mind, not a Greek mind, and God gave you His Words in English for your mind. Use an English dictionary if necessary, but most passages and words will be well understood by reading the passages in English. Using Greek, even if correct, never makes truth any more true.

6. If it is OK for me to run to the Greek to explain the English then it is OK for the Bible correctors to do the same.

7. By referencing the Greek language and lexicon, we are using the same methodology as the Bible perverting critical text crowd uses, but somehow we believe we will get better results.

8. By using the Greek, we really have no way to even know who we are allowing to teach us.

9. You cannot be absolutely be sure that your Greek meaning is correct. It is just as easy to pick a wrong definition from a Greek lexicon as the correct one. We Bible believers are already ridiculed by the Bible correctors and critical text thinkers, we do not need to give them more ammunition for their attacks.

10. The use of the Greek may well muddle the message because we have an English mind, not a Greek mind, and it is too easy to read into a definition which is not there.

11. Referencing the Greek puts the Greek language and lexicon above or as an authority over the KJB.

12. Nowhere does Scripture suggest that we go back to an older language. When Jesus quoted the Old Testament, He did not refer to the Hebrew language, even for a definition.

13. We need to settle whether the Bible is complete in and of itself or if we need outside sources to complete it. Should we compare spiritual with spiritual, or academics with spiritual, or religious with spiritual? Psalm 19:7; Romans 7:14; John 6:63; 1 Corinthians 2:13

14. We must be careful not to develop “religious traditions” in the manner in which we study and preach, which actually subtract from the power of God’s words. Matthew 15:6

15. If we don’t understand a Scripture, we are to wait on the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our teacher, not James Strong, etc.

16. We don’t necessarily believe that using some outside tools like a dictionary to understand the Bible is wrong, yet we find no Bible command to do so or Bible illustration where it was done. We do find that we are to study, rightly dividing the word of truth and to compare spiritual things with spiritual. 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Corinthians 2:13; Romans 7:14

I am not being critical of those who use Greek, I am only sharing with you some truths and applications that God has shown me. (Proverbs 27:17) It has taken Him a long time to get some of these truths through my thick skull and He is still working on me. But, it does frighten me when I see and hear Bible believers doing the same as those who feel free to correct God’s words. This got them in trouble and it will also get us in trouble.

So, how do you read and understand God’s Word?

1. Make sure you are saved. 1 Corinthians 2:14

2. Pray, asking the Holy Spirit to allow you to understand all that He wants you to understand.

3. Make up your mind that you will believe all that you read whether you understand it or not.

4. Read it. Read it. Read it. Read it. Desire to read it. 1 Peter 2:2

5. If there is something you don’t understand, don’t worry, look for what you do understand.

6. So, you want a human teacher? God gave you one, he is your pastor, and he has the God-given aptitude and job to teach you. 1 Timothy 3:2

7. Do not look to the internet to teach you unless your pastor recommends or approves of the site. There is much more false doctrine on the internet than truth. Don’t eat out of a garbage can. 2 Peter 2:1

8. Now, live what the Holy Spirit taught you!

Christian, you can understand God’s Word. You can understand as much as your Heavenly Father wants you to understand. Now read it, believe it, think about it and obey it. “I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.” Psalm 119:99

Pastor David Owens
Westside Baptist Church
Pacifica, CA

by: Bruce Goddard

God has a certain idea of what we should be both in person and action, inside and outside. No matter what the modern pulpits may say in hopes of gaining a crowd, God wants us to be a “peculiar people.”

Titus 2:14 says, “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

1 Peter 2:9 says, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”

Consider these Old Testament verses along the same lines:

Exodus 19:5, “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:”

“Above all people.” Does that sound as if God wants His people to fit in, to blend in, to be conformed to the world around them? People of God, you are special to God beyond your wildest dreams. He wants you more than anyone in the history of the world, and He wants you close to Him.

Deuteronomy 14:2, “For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.”

“Above all the nations of the earth”; did you catch that?

Deuteronomy 26:18, “And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;”

Psalm 135:4, “For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.”

We need not read further before acknowledging the fact that God wants us to be totally different, above, and peculiar. If all these Old Testament verses about Israel bother some compromisers, then let’s consider the New Testament. If we want to go into other Scripture, we will find many adjectives that describe what we are to be; words such as: pilgrims, sojourners, strangers, and many other similar words. So, while contemporary churches are telling everyone that there is no need to look different, sing different, or have different forms of entertainment, God seems to be saying just the opposite.

Most attentive believers know that Disney movies and music have been out of bounds for many years. They cannot produce a movie without talking about private body parts, using suggestive comments about intimacy or the body, or expressing the common attitudes of rebellion, selfishness, and anarchy. The music on Disney differs nothing from the world. The dress, dance and actions of young people in the Disney arena are nothing but worldly, and many Christians have come to accept this as a closed book. But the Baptist world has run so far from separation that involvement with movies is simply not a problem any more. The theme song, “Let it Go” from Disney’s Frozen, has somehow made its way to the lips of Christian young people everywhere. Again, I am shocked at the worldly ideas parents allow to take root in the hearts and minds of their children.

Is anyone paying attention to the movies, cartoons, and music that is filling the hearts and minds of young people? To add insult to compromising injury, I read of a well-known, formerly fundamental, old-fashioned Baptist college that allowed a song from Frozen and another from Titanic to be used during the music department recital. When I was in college, I heard Brother Hyles throw a fit about recital music when someone played a classical piece. He carried on saying things like,”Aren’t we Baptists? Isn’t there something Fanny Crosby wrote that is good enough for you?” And on and on he went. It was great! So we see that movies are not under wraps, nor a sideline some worldly college kids watched — movies have become acceptable to the inner circle of college life. Movies are simply not a problem anymore. Theme songs of movies are acceptable for public display and performance. I have heard from Bible college students in some colleges that watching movies in the dorm rooms is not unusual; and attending movie theaters is just not a big deal: compromise and contemporary ideologies are simply everywhere in our former fundamental ranks.

Some people may feel that I harp on this too much, but we are being bombarded by worldly influences in our churches, and I feel I can speak out at least as frequently for RIGHT as others who shove worldly living down our throats. What did James write?

James 4:4, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”

Yes, I would say we are in a “friend of the world” kind of Christianity today, even in formerly fundamental institutions. I am one of many who have simply said, “We want no part of it.”

1 John 2:15 says, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world…”

So what are we to be?

Peculiar people, zealous of good works, an holy people above all the nations that are upon the earth…and much more. We need not conform to the world and its compromises; we need not be friends of the world. May we stand with grace and decency, but may we stand for good and against wrong.

Dr. Bruce Goddard
Pastor
Faith Baptist Church
Wildomar, CA