At this time of year some Christians write articles saying the use of holiday and Xmas, instead of Christmas is just fine. After all, “holiday” comes from “holy day,” and the “X” is an abbreviation of the Greek name of Christ. Some say early Christians, under persecution, used the “X” as a secretive way of referring to Christ and Christianity. I disagree.
I understand “Happy Holidays” is sometimes used to include Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. However, it is also often used to be politically correct and so no one will be offended by the “Christ” in “Christmas.” It is regularly used to secularize Christmas. As a comedian said, “I’m dreaming of a secularized generic holiday.”
I also agree that some Christians can get obnoxious in arguing with store clerks about Christmas. Please use a winsome attitude in wishing someone a Merry Christmas!
I still like “Christmas” as being more understandable, meaningful, and descriptive than “Holiday” and “Xmas.”
A holiday can be as much Presidents Day or Columbus Day as Christmas. Very few would ever stop and consider, or know, that the word began as “Holy Day.” To most it just means a day off work. Holiday has become a generic term.
We may derive comfort that to a very few the X stands for Christ.
But the X seems to be just as secretive today as it may have been in the first or second centuries.
I doubt one in a hundred knows or considers, “Oh, the X in Xmas stands for Jesus Christ who was born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem.”
I also doubt many know much about the ancient Greek language.
Abbreviations are often not understood, so why not take the time and effort to write it out?
Many more Americans understand the name Christ, rather than understand the name “X.”
To many, “X” stands for the unknown. Others may view Xmas as X-ing out the name of Christ.
I would not recommend an evangelistic preacher to go around preaching about X. They might think you’re talking about Malcolm.
So while I may not angrily protest, I do prefer stores have the courage to actually use the word Christmas. Recently I heard the Houston mayor speak of the city “Holiday Tree.” And yes, I suspect she was trying to not offend atheists, non-Christians (who usually have no problem with using the word Christmas), and to be politically correct.
So to all I wish you a Merry Christmas!
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, December 18, AD (In the Year of Our Lord) 2014.
Articles:
"Merry Christmas" is Preferred by Customers
10 Commandments for Christmas
Young Preachers - Finding a Place to Preach; Part 1
More articles / Labels in lower right margin.
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Quotes On The Free Will Of Man
Some time ago a Calvinist angrily said that there is no such thing as free will in the Bible. He was seriously wrong.
Free will is found throughout the Bible. Every time God gives a command, that command speaks to our free will. Every time Scripture says receive, repent, turn, believe, trust, have faith, call on the name of the Lord, it is speaking of man’s free will.
If man does not have free will:
1. Then men are robots and puppets, doing only what they are instructed, or hard wired, to do.
2. Then God is the author of sin. Some actually openly agree with this statement.
3. Then God does not love everyone; some people God wants to go to Hell.
4. Then God is mocking man, who has no ability to choose, when He commands him to choose, repent, believe, accept.
Without free will, this world becomes a fatalistic puppet show.
I recently told a fellow pastor of how two strong Calvinists had now become atheists. The pastor replied, “There’s not much difference between the two.” I would not go that far, but some have noticed the similarity between hard determinism (man has no free will) and atheistic fatalism. As Kenneth Keathley, author of “Salvation and Sovereignty,” said, “Most determinists are not Calvinists, but atheists and Muslims.”
A few quotes on free will:
“I just happen to believe that God is sovereign enough that He can make a man totally free if He wishes to do so.” -Paige Patterson, president, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, TX, SBC president.
“Now, if you say that only certain people are elect and only certain people, therefore, can be saved, you take all the ‘whosever’s’ in the Bible and make them a lot of mumbo jumbo. The Bible is full of ‘whosoever will.’”
On Matthew 23:37, “Now, friend, if they could not rather than they would not, this is the biggest charade in history. Jesus is weeping salty tears, and He said, ‘I would, but you would not.’ That’s not unconditional election.”
-Adrian Rogers, SBC president and pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, TN.
“Indeed, it is manifest that every call, every threat, every expostulation, every exhortation in the Bible supposes that man is a free agent. If he be not free, if he be the passive victim of inexorable, irresistible destiny, the Sacred Volume is a compilation of glaring inconsistencies--of sheer downright falsehood and mockery...
If we attempt to explain and reconcile the doctrines of predestination and free agency, we find impassable barriers hemming us in, and sharp adamant striking us back. Their harmony we must leave with God.”
-Richard Fuller, Predestination; 1885. Quoted by Peter Lumpkins at SBCTommorrow. Fuller was president of the SBC. He was a strong Calvinist who also believed in the free will of man.
“And yet, and yet, with us down here in this world, there's no violation of our moral integrity, or our free choice, or the sovereignty of our own lives. The two go together. The great decree of Almighty God leaves me absolutely and perfectly free. I am not bound; I am at liberty. The decree of God has in it my own free choice, and the two are not antagonistic. They go together in the will of God.”
-W. A. Criswell, SBC president, pastor of First Baptist Church, Dallas, TX.
“Reasons that make free will important:
* Without free will, how can we be truly responsible for our actions?
* Without free will, what truth is there in words of praise for another’s efforts, courage or creativity? If the person is simply reacting chemically and has no choice in his or her actions, then such praise is meaningless.
* Without free will, we cannot have any measure of dignity over any other aspect of nature. There is nothing special about being just another cog in a machine.
* Without free will, what value is there to the love we have for another? Similarly, what value is there in friendship? Love is simply one set of chemical reactions to another’s chemical reactions.”
“Scripture has revealed that people are bearers of God’s image. God did not make us mere machines. We have the ability to choose that makes us morally responsible.”
-W. Mark Lanier, Christianity on Trial, IVP; 2014.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, December 16, AD 2014.
You may be interested in these brief books:
“Predestined for Hell? Absolutely Not!” by Adrian Rogers
“An Examination of TULIP” by R. L. Sumner
“What is Calvinism?” by Peter Lumpkins
Other articles:
Books on Calvinism, Predestination
Unlimited Atonement, Jesus Died For All
Adrian Rogers on Predestination, Calvinism
Paige Patterson on Calvinism
Roy Fish on Calvinism; part 1 of 2
10 Commandments for Christmas
More articles in lower right margin.
Free will is found throughout the Bible. Every time God gives a command, that command speaks to our free will. Every time Scripture says receive, repent, turn, believe, trust, have faith, call on the name of the Lord, it is speaking of man’s free will.
If man does not have free will:
1. Then men are robots and puppets, doing only what they are instructed, or hard wired, to do.
2. Then God is the author of sin. Some actually openly agree with this statement.
3. Then God does not love everyone; some people God wants to go to Hell.
4. Then God is mocking man, who has no ability to choose, when He commands him to choose, repent, believe, accept.
Without free will, this world becomes a fatalistic puppet show.
I recently told a fellow pastor of how two strong Calvinists had now become atheists. The pastor replied, “There’s not much difference between the two.” I would not go that far, but some have noticed the similarity between hard determinism (man has no free will) and atheistic fatalism. As Kenneth Keathley, author of “Salvation and Sovereignty,” said, “Most determinists are not Calvinists, but atheists and Muslims.”
A few quotes on free will:
“I just happen to believe that God is sovereign enough that He can make a man totally free if He wishes to do so.” -Paige Patterson, president, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, TX, SBC president.
“Now, if you say that only certain people are elect and only certain people, therefore, can be saved, you take all the ‘whosever’s’ in the Bible and make them a lot of mumbo jumbo. The Bible is full of ‘whosoever will.’”
On Matthew 23:37, “Now, friend, if they could not rather than they would not, this is the biggest charade in history. Jesus is weeping salty tears, and He said, ‘I would, but you would not.’ That’s not unconditional election.”
-Adrian Rogers, SBC president and pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, TN.
“Indeed, it is manifest that every call, every threat, every expostulation, every exhortation in the Bible supposes that man is a free agent. If he be not free, if he be the passive victim of inexorable, irresistible destiny, the Sacred Volume is a compilation of glaring inconsistencies--of sheer downright falsehood and mockery...
If we attempt to explain and reconcile the doctrines of predestination and free agency, we find impassable barriers hemming us in, and sharp adamant striking us back. Their harmony we must leave with God.”
-Richard Fuller, Predestination; 1885. Quoted by Peter Lumpkins at SBCTommorrow. Fuller was president of the SBC. He was a strong Calvinist who also believed in the free will of man.
“And yet, and yet, with us down here in this world, there's no violation of our moral integrity, or our free choice, or the sovereignty of our own lives. The two go together. The great decree of Almighty God leaves me absolutely and perfectly free. I am not bound; I am at liberty. The decree of God has in it my own free choice, and the two are not antagonistic. They go together in the will of God.”
-W. A. Criswell, SBC president, pastor of First Baptist Church, Dallas, TX.
“Reasons that make free will important:
* Without free will, how can we be truly responsible for our actions?
* Without free will, what truth is there in words of praise for another’s efforts, courage or creativity? If the person is simply reacting chemically and has no choice in his or her actions, then such praise is meaningless.
* Without free will, we cannot have any measure of dignity over any other aspect of nature. There is nothing special about being just another cog in a machine.
* Without free will, what value is there to the love we have for another? Similarly, what value is there in friendship? Love is simply one set of chemical reactions to another’s chemical reactions.”
“Scripture has revealed that people are bearers of God’s image. God did not make us mere machines. We have the ability to choose that makes us morally responsible.”
-W. Mark Lanier, Christianity on Trial, IVP; 2014.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, December 16, AD 2014.
You may be interested in these brief books:
“Predestined for Hell? Absolutely Not!” by Adrian Rogers
“An Examination of TULIP” by R. L. Sumner
“What is Calvinism?” by Peter Lumpkins
Other articles:
Books on Calvinism, Predestination
Unlimited Atonement, Jesus Died For All
Adrian Rogers on Predestination, Calvinism
Paige Patterson on Calvinism
Roy Fish on Calvinism; part 1 of 2
10 Commandments for Christmas
More articles in lower right margin.
Thursday, November 20, 2014
10 Reasons To Be Thankful
1. The American Pilgrims in AD 1621 had a grateful heart and little else. We seem to have all else, except a grateful heart. Think of all the conveniences you have that the Pilgrims didn’t. Have you thanked God lately?
2. The Pilgrims, while not perfect, came to America seeking God and found Him. We can find Him too, when we seek Him (Isaiah 55:6; Jeremiah 29:13).
3. Just as the Pilgrims had in their day, we have the Bible, God’s inspired, inerrant Word, to show us the way. The Bible is as true and relevant today as it was in 1621.
4. We live in a country where our Presidents have issued Thanksgiving Proclamations through the years. It began with President George Washington, continued with Abraham Lincoln, and continues today.
5. We should be thankful that we live in a country where everyone is free to worship according to the dictates of their conscience. America is a beacon to the world for religious liberty.
6. America is the breadbasket to the world. Not only do we provide enough food for our own people, but also send it throughout the world. No one reading this should go hungry tonight. If you are hungry, there are government and church groups that would be happy to help.
7. America, though not perfect, is the most giving and generous nation in the world.
8. We serve a merciful God who knows all about us yet still loves us and offers us forgiveness. While we were still sinners, Jesus Christ died for us. For that we should be eternally grateful.
9. We should be thankful, because gratitude makes us better people. It is an antidote to selfishness. Adults should practice thanksgiving, and teach it to their children.
10. The Bible tells us to be thankful.
“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” -Psalm 107:1
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, November 20, AD 2014.
Other Articles (Labels) in lower right margin.
2. The Pilgrims, while not perfect, came to America seeking God and found Him. We can find Him too, when we seek Him (Isaiah 55:6; Jeremiah 29:13).
3. Just as the Pilgrims had in their day, we have the Bible, God’s inspired, inerrant Word, to show us the way. The Bible is as true and relevant today as it was in 1621.
4. We live in a country where our Presidents have issued Thanksgiving Proclamations through the years. It began with President George Washington, continued with Abraham Lincoln, and continues today.
5. We should be thankful that we live in a country where everyone is free to worship according to the dictates of their conscience. America is a beacon to the world for religious liberty.
6. America is the breadbasket to the world. Not only do we provide enough food for our own people, but also send it throughout the world. No one reading this should go hungry tonight. If you are hungry, there are government and church groups that would be happy to help.
7. America, though not perfect, is the most giving and generous nation in the world.
8. We serve a merciful God who knows all about us yet still loves us and offers us forgiveness. While we were still sinners, Jesus Christ died for us. For that we should be eternally grateful.
9. We should be thankful, because gratitude makes us better people. It is an antidote to selfishness. Adults should practice thanksgiving, and teach it to their children.
10. The Bible tells us to be thankful.
“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” -Psalm 107:1
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, November 20, AD 2014.
Other Articles (Labels) in lower right margin.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
A Brief Word On Atheism And Unbelief
From time to time I receive comments in favor of atheism. Sometimes a long involved argument in favor of atheism. There are some very evangelistic, militant atheists out there.
On this site I do not intend to go into great detail and debate the intricate arguments for atheism. Some will believe in Christ and the Bible, and some will not. But for the honest doubter with sincere questions about the evidence for Christianity, the Bible, and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, I have good news. The evidence is great. I challenge you to consider this evidence.
I would refer anyone with such questions to the books:
“I Don’t Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist” by Norman Geisler & Frank Turek
“Evidence that Demands a Verdict” by Josh McDowell.
“The Case for Christ” by Lee Strobel.
An interesting children’s book is “Yellow and Pink” by William Steig.
As one atheist admitted, “What concerns me is that so many intellectual, brilliant people do believe in God, Christianity, and the truthfulness of the Bible.”
It has been said if you believe the first four words of the Bible (“In the beginning God”), then everything falls into place and makes sense. Reject the first four words of the Bible, and life is meaningless and nothing really makes sense.
While concrete evidence for the literal, bodily Resurrection of Jesus Christ abounds (as well as much evidence for the trustworthy nature of the Bible), it is also true that salvation comes down to faith, trust, in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Jesus died for all, and I wish and pray that all may know Him and the power of His Resurrection.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, November 11, AD 2014.
On this site I do not intend to go into great detail and debate the intricate arguments for atheism. Some will believe in Christ and the Bible, and some will not. But for the honest doubter with sincere questions about the evidence for Christianity, the Bible, and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, I have good news. The evidence is great. I challenge you to consider this evidence.
I would refer anyone with such questions to the books:
“I Don’t Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist” by Norman Geisler & Frank Turek
“Evidence that Demands a Verdict” by Josh McDowell.
“The Case for Christ” by Lee Strobel.
An interesting children’s book is “Yellow and Pink” by William Steig.
As one atheist admitted, “What concerns me is that so many intellectual, brilliant people do believe in God, Christianity, and the truthfulness of the Bible.”
It has been said if you believe the first four words of the Bible (“In the beginning God”), then everything falls into place and makes sense. Reject the first four words of the Bible, and life is meaningless and nothing really makes sense.
While concrete evidence for the literal, bodily Resurrection of Jesus Christ abounds (as well as much evidence for the trustworthy nature of the Bible), it is also true that salvation comes down to faith, trust, in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Jesus died for all, and I wish and pray that all may know Him and the power of His Resurrection.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, November 11, AD 2014.
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Lester Roloff Letter to Joe Brumbelow / Separation
Christ is the Answer
Roloff Evangelistic Enterprises
Evangelist Lester Roloff
Box 1177
Corpus Christi, Texas 78403
Telephone 882-4211, Area Code 512
September 8, 1982
Brother Joe E. Brumbelow, Pastor
West Heights Baptist Church
633 Scott
Corpus Christi, Texas 78408
My dear Brother,
I appreciate you so much. You’ve been a faithful friend through many years and I’m glad that denominational lines do not stop us from fellowshipping one with another. Thank your people also for the privilege of being there.
May the Lord richly bless you and your family.
Lovingly, In Jesus’ Name,
[Signed] Brother Roloff
LR:ic
P.S. Enclosed is a love gift for you and your family.
***
My dad, Joe Brumbelow, had previously pastored First Baptist Church, Dawson, TX in the area Lester Roloff had grown up. Early in his ministry, Roloff pastored Shiloh Baptist Church in the country outside Dawson. In later years Shiloh disbanded and most joined FBC, Dawson. Brother Roloff preached for Brother Joe at his church in Dawson. Of course, Joe was later pastor at West Heights Baptist Church. Both FBC, Dawson and West Heights were Southern Baptist churches.
I grew up Southern Baptist, but often heard independent Baptists preach. I remember them regularly sharing pulpits and preaching at the same meetings on the same platforms. The Sword of the Lord under John R. Rice and R. L. Sumner printed sermons of Southern Baptists (both living and past) like R. G. Lee, W. A. Criswell, Vance Havner, Hyman Appelman, L. R. Scarborough, B. H. Carroll and a number of others. Yet some independent Baptists today believe they should separate from and not fellowship with Southern Baptists.
Joe Brumbelow was openly a Southern Baptist. In 1982 he was active in the SBC Conservative Resurgence that made sure Southern Baptists would stand for the inerrancy of the Word of God. Lester Roloff was independent Baptist and obviously knew that Joe Brumbelow had been a Southern Baptist during all of his ministry. Yet Brother Roloff had no trouble preaching at a Southern Baptist church and fellowshipping with Southern Baptists. The above letter plainly demonstrates that fact.
It is also of interest that less than two months after this letter was written Brother Roloff died in a plane crash. Joe Brumbelow, and my brother Mark Brumbelow attended the funeral, or as they called it, “Graduation Service,” at the Convention Center in Corpus Christi. Mark was living in Dawson at the time and also took Aldon Nesmith to the funeral. Aldon Nesmith was a deacon at First Baptist Church, Dawson and was Lester Roloff’s first convert.
Also, Mark Brumbelow tells me the “ic” on the above letter referred to Miss Ida Cavett, Brother Roloff’s secretary.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, November 8, AD 2014.
Note: On the subject of separation, see Fundamentalist Foibles! by Dr. R. L. Sumner.
Evangelist Lester Roloff
Box 1177
Corpus Christi, Texas 78403
Telephone 882-4211, Area Code 512
September 8, 1982
Brother Joe E. Brumbelow, Pastor
West Heights Baptist Church
633 Scott
Corpus Christi, Texas 78408
My dear Brother,
I appreciate you so much. You’ve been a faithful friend through many years and I’m glad that denominational lines do not stop us from fellowshipping one with another. Thank your people also for the privilege of being there.
May the Lord richly bless you and your family.
Lovingly, In Jesus’ Name,
[Signed] Brother Roloff
LR:ic
P.S. Enclosed is a love gift for you and your family.
***
My dad, Joe Brumbelow, had previously pastored First Baptist Church, Dawson, TX in the area Lester Roloff had grown up. Early in his ministry, Roloff pastored Shiloh Baptist Church in the country outside Dawson. In later years Shiloh disbanded and most joined FBC, Dawson. Brother Roloff preached for Brother Joe at his church in Dawson. Of course, Joe was later pastor at West Heights Baptist Church. Both FBC, Dawson and West Heights were Southern Baptist churches.
I grew up Southern Baptist, but often heard independent Baptists preach. I remember them regularly sharing pulpits and preaching at the same meetings on the same platforms. The Sword of the Lord under John R. Rice and R. L. Sumner printed sermons of Southern Baptists (both living and past) like R. G. Lee, W. A. Criswell, Vance Havner, Hyman Appelman, L. R. Scarborough, B. H. Carroll and a number of others. Yet some independent Baptists today believe they should separate from and not fellowship with Southern Baptists.
Joe Brumbelow was openly a Southern Baptist. In 1982 he was active in the SBC Conservative Resurgence that made sure Southern Baptists would stand for the inerrancy of the Word of God. Lester Roloff was independent Baptist and obviously knew that Joe Brumbelow had been a Southern Baptist during all of his ministry. Yet Brother Roloff had no trouble preaching at a Southern Baptist church and fellowshipping with Southern Baptists. The above letter plainly demonstrates that fact.
It is also of interest that less than two months after this letter was written Brother Roloff died in a plane crash. Joe Brumbelow, and my brother Mark Brumbelow attended the funeral, or as they called it, “Graduation Service,” at the Convention Center in Corpus Christi. Mark was living in Dawson at the time and also took Aldon Nesmith to the funeral. Aldon Nesmith was a deacon at First Baptist Church, Dawson and was Lester Roloff’s first convert.
Also, Mark Brumbelow tells me the “ic” on the above letter referred to Miss Ida Cavett, Brother Roloff’s secretary.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, November 8, AD 2014.
Note: On the subject of separation, see Fundamentalist Foibles! by Dr. R. L. Sumner.
More Articles in lower right margin.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
SCRIPTURE INDEX for Ancient Wine and the Bible
Scripture Index
Ancient Wine and the Bible: The Case for Abstinence by David R. Brumbelow, Free Church Press; 2011
Introductory Notes:
Last week Pastor Steve White of Grace Baptist Church, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, encouraged me to make a Scripture Index of Ancient Wine and the Bible and post it online. It should have been done three years ago. Brother Steve, you convinced me, but you sure cost me a lot of work! Thanks for your nudge for me to do this, also for your encouraging words about the book.
This Scripture Index is made available for you to look up resources on particular Bible passages more quickly and conveniently. I pray they will provide an additional resource to help in taking a Scriptural stand against beverage alcohol. If we revise Ancient Wine and the Bible, this Scripture Index will probably be included.
A handful of pages referred to, may not list the verse, but they reference the verse. So you may not see the chapter and verse on that particular page.
Some pages may just refer to the verse in passing, while others will more directly deal with the passage.
If more than one consecutive page is listed as dealing with a verse, it probably is dealing with the verse in more detail. But not always.
If you notice errors, please let me know and they will be corrected.
Please be aware that important backup and background information about Scriptures about wine may not be listed with each verse. So read and mark up the entire book and resources the book includes.
The Footnotes (p. 281-304) in the back of the book can also serve as an index of sorts.
This Index is not in as neat a format as I would prefer. Limiting factors include my computer abilities, blogger, and internet hookup.
A subject and name index, God willing, will be posted later.
Thanks to all who have purchased and are using Ancient Wine and the Bible as a resource. Thanks for all the encouraging comments whether by mail, internet, or in person. They have meant much.
Note: R. L. Sumner pointed out you can copy the Scripture Index, put it in 3 columns, reduce the print size, and it will fit on one page front and back. You can then print it, fold it, and put it in the back of the book. I’ve done this; if anyone wants a free copy, send me your email or mailing address. Or, you're welcome to do it yourself.
-David R. Brumbelow, P.O. Box 300, Lake Jackson, TX 77566 USA.
nsbc77562@LWOL.com
October 7, AD 2014
Genesis 9:20-21 p. 36, 135, 239, 246
Genesis 14:18 p. 121
Genesis 19:30-38 p. 135
Genesis 21:14 p. 34
Genesis 21:19 p. 34
Genesis 24:14-19 p. 34
Genesis 26:18 p. 34
Genesis 27:28 p. 108
Genesis 40:11 p. 18, 24,50, 88, 96, 111, 117, 175, 277, 284
Genesis 43:34 p. 116, 148, 161
Exodus 7:21-24 p. 34
Exodus 12:11 (Passover) p. 41, 59, 173
Exodus 29:40 p. 159
Leviticus 10:8-10 p. 134, 137, 154, 171, 236
Leviticus 23:13 p. 109
Numbers 6:3 p. 156
Numbers 15:10 p. 109
Numbers 18:12 p. 105, 110
Numbers 18:27 p. 108
Numbers 28:7 p. 159
Deuteronomy 2:6 p. 34
Deuteronomy 4:9 p. 241
Deuteronomy 7:13 p. 105
Deuteronomy 14:7 p. 155
Deuteronomy 14:26 p. 99, 112, 153-164, 200, 278
Deuteronomy 18:4 p. 110
Deuteronomy 29:6 p. 155, 159
Deuteronomy 32:14 p. 96, 115
Deuteronomy 32:33 p. 120
Judges 7:6 p. 34
Judges 9:13 p. 78, 105, 120, 195-198
1 Samuel 14:27 p. 198
1 Samuel 30:11 p. 34
2 Samuel 16:2 p. 117
2 Samuel 23:15 p. 34
1 Kings 17:4, 10 p. 34
2 Kings 3:17 p. 34
2 Kings 6:22 p. 34
2 Kings 18:31 p. 34
1 Chronicles 12:40 p. 108, 198
Ezra 6:9 p. 116
Nehemiah 5:18 p. 28, 111, 123
Nehemiah 8:10 p. 107, 111, 120
Nehemiah 9:25 p. 164
Nehemiah 10:36 p. 164
Nehemiah 13:12 p. 110, 111
Nehemiah 13:15 p. 104
Job 22:7 p. 34
Job 32:19 p. 177
Psalm 60:3 p. 120
Psalm 104:15 p. 120, 195-198
Psalm 110:7 p. 34
Psalm 119:83 p. 114
Proverbs 1:31 p. 214
Proverbs 3:10 p. 18, 20, 94, 97, 102, 105, 126, 184, 201, 203, 262
Proverbs 4:17 p. 120
Proverbs 5:15 p. 34
Proverbs 9:2, 5 p. 95
Proverbs 9:4-5 p. 115
Proverbs 20:1 p. 22, 28, 100. 110, 115, 120, 128, 129, 133, 137, 143, 145, 151, 156, 162, 181, 184, 197,262, 297
Proverbs 21:17 p. 115
Proverbs 22:22 p. 169
Proverbs 23:22 p. 168
Proverbs 23:29-35 p. 22, 28, 95, 103, 110, 115, 120, 127, 128, 129, 137, 143, 145, 156, 162, 181, 182, 184, 197, 258, 260, 262
Proverbs 25:16 p. 33
Proverbs 25:21 p. 34
Proverbs 25:27 p. 33
Proverbs 27:9 p. 198
Proverbs 31:4 p. 120, 152
Proverbs 31:4-5 p. 134, 143
Proverbs 31:4-6 p. 162, 241
Proverbs 31:4-7 p. 179-180
Ecclesiastes 7:17 p. 168
Ecclesiastes 9:7 p. 197
Song of Solomon 5:1 p. 48, 117, 120, 159, 161
Isaiah 1:22 p. 34
Isaiah 5:22 p. 95
Isaiah 16:10 p. 18, 20, 94, 96, 104, 126, 184, 201, 203, 262
Isaiah 24:9 p. 112, 155, 161-162
Isaiah 25:6 p. 95, 178-179
Isaiah 27:2-3 p. 112
Isaiah 28:7 p. 137, 238
Isaiah 43:20 p. 34
Isaiah 49:26 p. 107
Isaiah 51:17 p. 207
Isaiah 55:1 p. 121
Isaiah 56:12 p. 162
Isaiah 58:11 p. 148
Isaiah 65:8 p. 18, 20, 78, 112, 120, 126, 184, 203, 215, 262
Jeremiah 2:18 p. 34
Jeremiah 17:9 p. 214
Jeremiah 31:12 p. 109
Jeremiah 35 p. 135, 137
Jeremiah 40:10, 12 p. 78, 113
Jeremiah 48:33 p. 108
Lamentations 2:11-12 p. 113
Lamentations 5:4 p. 34
Ezekiel 44:21 p. 135, 171
Daniel 1:8 p. 114, 137, 241
Daniel 1:12 p. 34
Daniel 10:3 p. 114
Hosea 2:8, 9 p. 105
Hosea 4:11 p. 105
Hosea 9:2 p. 109
Joel 1:5 p. 106
Joel 1:10 p. 96
Joel 2:19 p. 109
Joel 2:24 p. 105, 109, 126, 201
Joel 3:18 p. 116
Amos 4:8 p. 34
Amos 9:13 p. 107
Jonah 3:7 p. 34
Micah 6:15 p. 96
Habakkuk 2:15 p. 137, 143
Haggai 1:6 p. 148
Zechariah 9:17 p. 118, 120
Matthew 5:21-28 p. 169
Matthew 6:6 p. 135
Matthew 9:17 p. 118, 177-178
Matthew 10:42 p. 34
Matthew 11:18-19 p. 151-153
Matthew 16:12 p. 110
Matthew 16:24 p. 15, 137
Matthew 22:37 p. 134
Matthew 26:2 (Passover) p. 41, 59, 173
Matthew 26:26-30 p. 170-175, 204-205
Matthew 26:29 p. 119, 120, 143, 153, 172-175, 174, 179
Mark 2:22 p. 118, 177-178
Mark 9:41 p. 34
Mark 14:22-26 p. 170-175, 204-205
Mark 14:25 p. 119, 143, 153, 172-175. 174, 179
Mark 15:23, 36 p. 26, 96, 119
Luke 1:15 p. 157, 161
Luke 1:47 p. 141
Luke 5:37-38 p. 118, 177-178
Luke 5:39 p. 178
Luke 7:34 p. 151-153
Luke 12:1 p. 110
Luke 22:18 p. 119, 143, 153, 172-175, 179
Luke 22:19-20 p. 170-175, 204-205
John 1:1 p. 143, 234
John 1:12 p. 275
John 2:1-11 p. 139-151, 172, 215, 224
John 3:16 p. 154
John 4:13 p. 34
John 8:32, 36 p. 214
John 8:34 p. 137
John 10:20-21 p. 151
John 15 p. 121
Acts 2:13 p. 90, 93, 98, 106, 175-177
Acts 4:30 p. 143
Romans 3:20 p. 190
Romans 3:21-28 p. 190, 275
Romans 3:23 p. 141
Romans 5:8 p. 275
Romans 6:23 p. 275
Romans 10:9-10,13 p. 275
Romans 11 p. 235
Romans 12:3 p. 131
Romans 14:19,21 p. 134, 137, 217-218
1 Corinthians 3:16 p. 134, 137, 241
1 Corinthians 5:6-8 p. 110
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 p. 134, 137, 241
1 Corinthians 8:9 p. 134, 135, 137, 241
1 Corinthians 10:33 p. 135, 241
1 Corinthians 11 p. 150, 170-175
2 Corinthians 5:13 p. 131, 241
2 Corinthians 5:20 p. 240, 241
2 Corinthians 6:17 p. 181, 241
Galatians 2:16 p. 190
Galatians 3:3 p. 190
Ephesians 4:15 p. 13
Ephesians 5:15 p. 133, 137
Ephesians 5:18 p. 22, 120, 234, 239-240
Colossians 2:16 p. 180-181
Colossians 2:16-17 p. 181
Colossians 2:20-22 p. 180-181
1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 p. 130, 131, 156, 169
1 Timothy 3:2 p. 131, 169, 170
1 Timothy 3:3 p. 137, 168-170, 241
1 Timothy 3:8 p. 168-170
1 Timothy 3:11 p. 131
1 Timothy 4 p. 180-182
1 Timothy 4:5 p. 182
1 Timothy 5:23 p. 18, 164-168
2 Timothy 4:5 p. 130, 131
Titus 1:7 p. 137, 168-170
Titus 1:8 p. 131, 169
Titus 2:2-6 p. 131
Titus 2:13 p. 143
Hebrews 4:15 p. 143
Hebrews 9:15 p. 142
Hebrews 9:28 p. 143
1 Peter 1:13 p. 130, 131, 137
1 Peter 1:18-19 p. 171
1 Peter 2:5-9 p. 134, 135, 180
1 Peter 4:7 p. 131
1 Peter 5:8 p. 130, 131, 137, 143
1 John 1:7,9 p. 215
1 John 2:1 p. 137
Revelation 1:6 p. 134, 180
Revelation 1:8 p. 143
Revelation 5:10 p. 134
Revelation 14:10 p. 119
Revelation 19:16 p. 152
Ancient Wine and the Bible: The Case for Abstinence can be purchased at Free Church Press, LifeWay, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, your local bookstore, and many other places on the internet.
Or a signed copy from: David R. Brumbelow, P.O. Box 300, Lake Jackson, Texas 77566 USA, postpaid for $21.
The Wit and Wisdom of Pastor Joe Brumbelow by David R. Brumbelow ($13) and
Masterpieces From Our Kitchen (Cookbook) by Mrs. Joe E. (Bonnie) Brumbelow ($12) are also available at this address.
The Wit and Wisdom of Pastor Joe Brumbelow is also available on the internet.
Scripture Index for Ancient Wine and the Bible
© David R. Brumbelow, October 7, AD 2014
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, October 7, AD 2014.
For more information:
Ancient Wine and the Bible - the book
Wit and Wisdom of Pastor Joe Brumbelow, and Cookbook
Dr. R. L. Sumner on "Ancient Wine and the Bible"
Alabama Baptist Review of "Ancient Wine and the Bible"
Dr. Brad Reynolds' Book Recommendations on Alcohol
Ancient Wine and the Bible: The Case for Abstinence by David R. Brumbelow, Free Church Press; 2011
Introductory Notes:
Last week Pastor Steve White of Grace Baptist Church, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, encouraged me to make a Scripture Index of Ancient Wine and the Bible and post it online. It should have been done three years ago. Brother Steve, you convinced me, but you sure cost me a lot of work! Thanks for your nudge for me to do this, also for your encouraging words about the book.
This Scripture Index is made available for you to look up resources on particular Bible passages more quickly and conveniently. I pray they will provide an additional resource to help in taking a Scriptural stand against beverage alcohol. If we revise Ancient Wine and the Bible, this Scripture Index will probably be included.
A handful of pages referred to, may not list the verse, but they reference the verse. So you may not see the chapter and verse on that particular page.
Some pages may just refer to the verse in passing, while others will more directly deal with the passage.
If more than one consecutive page is listed as dealing with a verse, it probably is dealing with the verse in more detail. But not always.
If you notice errors, please let me know and they will be corrected.
Please be aware that important backup and background information about Scriptures about wine may not be listed with each verse. So read and mark up the entire book and resources the book includes.
The Footnotes (p. 281-304) in the back of the book can also serve as an index of sorts.
This Index is not in as neat a format as I would prefer. Limiting factors include my computer abilities, blogger, and internet hookup.
A subject and name index, God willing, will be posted later.
Thanks to all who have purchased and are using Ancient Wine and the Bible as a resource. Thanks for all the encouraging comments whether by mail, internet, or in person. They have meant much.
Note: R. L. Sumner pointed out you can copy the Scripture Index, put it in 3 columns, reduce the print size, and it will fit on one page front and back. You can then print it, fold it, and put it in the back of the book. I’ve done this; if anyone wants a free copy, send me your email or mailing address. Or, you're welcome to do it yourself.
-David R. Brumbelow, P.O. Box 300, Lake Jackson, TX 77566 USA.
nsbc77562@LWOL.com
October 7, AD 2014
Genesis 9:20-21 p. 36, 135, 239, 246
Genesis 14:18 p. 121
Genesis 19:30-38 p. 135
Genesis 21:14 p. 34
Genesis 21:19 p. 34
Genesis 24:14-19 p. 34
Genesis 26:18 p. 34
Genesis 27:28 p. 108
Genesis 40:11 p. 18, 24,50, 88, 96, 111, 117, 175, 277, 284
Genesis 43:34 p. 116, 148, 161
Exodus 7:21-24 p. 34
Exodus 12:11 (Passover) p. 41, 59, 173
Exodus 29:40 p. 159
Leviticus 10:8-10 p. 134, 137, 154, 171, 236
Leviticus 23:13 p. 109
Numbers 6:3 p. 156
Numbers 15:10 p. 109
Numbers 18:12 p. 105, 110
Numbers 18:27 p. 108
Numbers 28:7 p. 159
Deuteronomy 2:6 p. 34
Deuteronomy 4:9 p. 241
Deuteronomy 7:13 p. 105
Deuteronomy 14:7 p. 155
Deuteronomy 14:26 p. 99, 112, 153-164, 200, 278
Deuteronomy 18:4 p. 110
Deuteronomy 29:6 p. 155, 159
Deuteronomy 32:14 p. 96, 115
Deuteronomy 32:33 p. 120
Judges 7:6 p. 34
Judges 9:13 p. 78, 105, 120, 195-198
1 Samuel 14:27 p. 198
1 Samuel 30:11 p. 34
2 Samuel 16:2 p. 117
2 Samuel 23:15 p. 34
1 Kings 17:4, 10 p. 34
2 Kings 3:17 p. 34
2 Kings 6:22 p. 34
2 Kings 18:31 p. 34
1 Chronicles 12:40 p. 108, 198
Ezra 6:9 p. 116
Nehemiah 5:18 p. 28, 111, 123
Nehemiah 8:10 p. 107, 111, 120
Nehemiah 9:25 p. 164
Nehemiah 10:36 p. 164
Nehemiah 13:12 p. 110, 111
Nehemiah 13:15 p. 104
Job 22:7 p. 34
Job 32:19 p. 177
Psalm 60:3 p. 120
Psalm 104:15 p. 120, 195-198
Psalm 110:7 p. 34
Psalm 119:83 p. 114
Proverbs 1:31 p. 214
Proverbs 3:10 p. 18, 20, 94, 97, 102, 105, 126, 184, 201, 203, 262
Proverbs 4:17 p. 120
Proverbs 5:15 p. 34
Proverbs 9:2, 5 p. 95
Proverbs 9:4-5 p. 115
Proverbs 20:1 p. 22, 28, 100. 110, 115, 120, 128, 129, 133, 137, 143, 145, 151, 156, 162, 181, 184, 197,262, 297
Proverbs 21:17 p. 115
Proverbs 22:22 p. 169
Proverbs 23:22 p. 168
Proverbs 23:29-35 p. 22, 28, 95, 103, 110, 115, 120, 127, 128, 129, 137, 143, 145, 156, 162, 181, 182, 184, 197, 258, 260, 262
Proverbs 25:16 p. 33
Proverbs 25:21 p. 34
Proverbs 25:27 p. 33
Proverbs 27:9 p. 198
Proverbs 31:4 p. 120, 152
Proverbs 31:4-5 p. 134, 143
Proverbs 31:4-6 p. 162, 241
Proverbs 31:4-7 p. 179-180
Ecclesiastes 7:17 p. 168
Ecclesiastes 9:7 p. 197
Song of Solomon 5:1 p. 48, 117, 120, 159, 161
Isaiah 1:22 p. 34
Isaiah 5:22 p. 95
Isaiah 16:10 p. 18, 20, 94, 96, 104, 126, 184, 201, 203, 262
Isaiah 24:9 p. 112, 155, 161-162
Isaiah 25:6 p. 95, 178-179
Isaiah 27:2-3 p. 112
Isaiah 28:7 p. 137, 238
Isaiah 43:20 p. 34
Isaiah 49:26 p. 107
Isaiah 51:17 p. 207
Isaiah 55:1 p. 121
Isaiah 56:12 p. 162
Isaiah 58:11 p. 148
Isaiah 65:8 p. 18, 20, 78, 112, 120, 126, 184, 203, 215, 262
Jeremiah 2:18 p. 34
Jeremiah 17:9 p. 214
Jeremiah 31:12 p. 109
Jeremiah 35 p. 135, 137
Jeremiah 40:10, 12 p. 78, 113
Jeremiah 48:33 p. 108
Lamentations 2:11-12 p. 113
Lamentations 5:4 p. 34
Ezekiel 44:21 p. 135, 171
Daniel 1:8 p. 114, 137, 241
Daniel 1:12 p. 34
Daniel 10:3 p. 114
Hosea 2:8, 9 p. 105
Hosea 4:11 p. 105
Hosea 9:2 p. 109
Joel 1:5 p. 106
Joel 1:10 p. 96
Joel 2:19 p. 109
Joel 2:24 p. 105, 109, 126, 201
Joel 3:18 p. 116
Amos 4:8 p. 34
Amos 9:13 p. 107
Jonah 3:7 p. 34
Micah 6:15 p. 96
Habakkuk 2:15 p. 137, 143
Haggai 1:6 p. 148
Zechariah 9:17 p. 118, 120
Matthew 5:21-28 p. 169
Matthew 6:6 p. 135
Matthew 9:17 p. 118, 177-178
Matthew 10:42 p. 34
Matthew 11:18-19 p. 151-153
Matthew 16:12 p. 110
Matthew 16:24 p. 15, 137
Matthew 22:37 p. 134
Matthew 26:2 (Passover) p. 41, 59, 173
Matthew 26:26-30 p. 170-175, 204-205
Matthew 26:29 p. 119, 120, 143, 153, 172-175, 174, 179
Mark 2:22 p. 118, 177-178
Mark 9:41 p. 34
Mark 14:22-26 p. 170-175, 204-205
Mark 14:25 p. 119, 143, 153, 172-175. 174, 179
Mark 15:23, 36 p. 26, 96, 119
Luke 1:15 p. 157, 161
Luke 1:47 p. 141
Luke 5:37-38 p. 118, 177-178
Luke 5:39 p. 178
Luke 7:34 p. 151-153
Luke 12:1 p. 110
Luke 22:18 p. 119, 143, 153, 172-175, 179
Luke 22:19-20 p. 170-175, 204-205
John 1:1 p. 143, 234
John 1:12 p. 275
John 2:1-11 p. 139-151, 172, 215, 224
John 3:16 p. 154
John 4:13 p. 34
John 8:32, 36 p. 214
John 8:34 p. 137
John 10:20-21 p. 151
John 15 p. 121
Acts 2:13 p. 90, 93, 98, 106, 175-177
Acts 4:30 p. 143
Romans 3:20 p. 190
Romans 3:21-28 p. 190, 275
Romans 3:23 p. 141
Romans 5:8 p. 275
Romans 6:23 p. 275
Romans 10:9-10,13 p. 275
Romans 11 p. 235
Romans 12:3 p. 131
Romans 14:19,21 p. 134, 137, 217-218
1 Corinthians 3:16 p. 134, 137, 241
1 Corinthians 5:6-8 p. 110
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 p. 134, 137, 241
1 Corinthians 8:9 p. 134, 135, 137, 241
1 Corinthians 10:33 p. 135, 241
1 Corinthians 11 p. 150, 170-175
2 Corinthians 5:13 p. 131, 241
2 Corinthians 5:20 p. 240, 241
2 Corinthians 6:17 p. 181, 241
Galatians 2:16 p. 190
Galatians 3:3 p. 190
Ephesians 4:15 p. 13
Ephesians 5:15 p. 133, 137
Ephesians 5:18 p. 22, 120, 234, 239-240
Colossians 2:16 p. 180-181
Colossians 2:16-17 p. 181
Colossians 2:20-22 p. 180-181
1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 p. 130, 131, 156, 169
1 Timothy 3:2 p. 131, 169, 170
1 Timothy 3:3 p. 137, 168-170, 241
1 Timothy 3:8 p. 168-170
1 Timothy 3:11 p. 131
1 Timothy 4 p. 180-182
1 Timothy 4:5 p. 182
1 Timothy 5:23 p. 18, 164-168
2 Timothy 4:5 p. 130, 131
Titus 1:7 p. 137, 168-170
Titus 1:8 p. 131, 169
Titus 2:2-6 p. 131
Titus 2:13 p. 143
Hebrews 4:15 p. 143
Hebrews 9:15 p. 142
Hebrews 9:28 p. 143
1 Peter 1:13 p. 130, 131, 137
1 Peter 1:18-19 p. 171
1 Peter 2:5-9 p. 134, 135, 180
1 Peter 4:7 p. 131
1 Peter 5:8 p. 130, 131, 137, 143
1 John 1:7,9 p. 215
1 John 2:1 p. 137
Revelation 1:6 p. 134, 180
Revelation 1:8 p. 143
Revelation 5:10 p. 134
Revelation 14:10 p. 119
Revelation 19:16 p. 152
Ancient Wine and the Bible: The Case for Abstinence can be purchased at Free Church Press, LifeWay, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, your local bookstore, and many other places on the internet.
Or a signed copy from: David R. Brumbelow, P.O. Box 300, Lake Jackson, Texas 77566 USA, postpaid for $21.
The Wit and Wisdom of Pastor Joe Brumbelow by David R. Brumbelow ($13) and
Masterpieces From Our Kitchen (Cookbook) by Mrs. Joe E. (Bonnie) Brumbelow ($12) are also available at this address.
The Wit and Wisdom of Pastor Joe Brumbelow is also available on the internet.
Scripture Index for Ancient Wine and the Bible
© David R. Brumbelow, October 7, AD 2014
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, October 7, AD 2014.
For more information:
Ancient Wine and the Bible - the book
Wit and Wisdom of Pastor Joe Brumbelow, and Cookbook
Dr. R. L. Sumner on "Ancient Wine and the Bible"
Alabama Baptist Review of "Ancient Wine and the Bible"
Dr. Brad Reynolds' Book Recommendations on Alcohol
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Thou Shalt Not Kill
Thou shalt not kill. -Exodus 20:13; KJV
Many have mistaken this to mean:
1. You cannot kill animals.
In Scripture, however, it is normal to hunt, fish, and raise livestock for food. You should not torture or mistreat animals, but they are provided for food and other resources.
2. You cannot take another human life under any circumstances.
There is, however, justifiable homicide, the justified taking of another human life. Examples: self defense; a just war; a capital offense and a legitimate trial and execution.
Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man. -Genesis 9:6
He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. -Exodus 21:12
If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed. -Exodus 22:2
Actually, the above commandment is more accurately translated (from Hebrew) as, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13, NKJV), and most modern English Bible translations do such.
But all human life is sacred. All are made in God’s image.
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. -Genesis 1:27
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. -Romans 12:18
And remember Jesus Christ died for all and rose again, loves all, and desires all to trust in Him as Lord and Savior (John 3:16-18; 1 John 2:1-2; Romans 5:8; 10:9-10; 1 Timothy 2:4,6).
*******
One reason for the above study.
I recently heard a police officer speak of how he had to take a life in the line of duty. While he said it was ruled a justified shooting, he said he would still have to face God, who said without qualification, “Thou salt not kill.” Since it was in a large group setting, I did not get the chance to speak with him about this issue. He obviously had a misunderstanding of Exodus 20:13. Had I or my brother Mark, also present, the opportunity to speak with the police officer, I think we could have put his mind more at ease.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, October 1, AD 2014.
Articles:
Gun Control in Light of Connecticut School Shooting
More articles in lower right margin.
Many have mistaken this to mean:
1. You cannot kill animals.
In Scripture, however, it is normal to hunt, fish, and raise livestock for food. You should not torture or mistreat animals, but they are provided for food and other resources.
2. You cannot take another human life under any circumstances.
There is, however, justifiable homicide, the justified taking of another human life. Examples: self defense; a just war; a capital offense and a legitimate trial and execution.
Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man. -Genesis 9:6
He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. -Exodus 21:12
If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed. -Exodus 22:2
Actually, the above commandment is more accurately translated (from Hebrew) as, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13, NKJV), and most modern English Bible translations do such.
But all human life is sacred. All are made in God’s image.
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. -Genesis 1:27
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. -Romans 12:18
And remember Jesus Christ died for all and rose again, loves all, and desires all to trust in Him as Lord and Savior (John 3:16-18; 1 John 2:1-2; Romans 5:8; 10:9-10; 1 Timothy 2:4,6).
*******
One reason for the above study.
I recently heard a police officer speak of how he had to take a life in the line of duty. While he said it was ruled a justified shooting, he said he would still have to face God, who said without qualification, “Thou salt not kill.” Since it was in a large group setting, I did not get the chance to speak with him about this issue. He obviously had a misunderstanding of Exodus 20:13. Had I or my brother Mark, also present, the opportunity to speak with the police officer, I think we could have put his mind more at ease.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, October 1, AD 2014.
Articles:
Gun Control in Light of Connecticut School Shooting
More articles in lower right margin.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Obituary - Evangelist Freddie Gage
Evangelist Freddie Gage
"Baptist churches had altar calls, tent revivals, all-night prayer services, testimonial meetings and open-air crusades. … We were taught that real discipleship was teaching and training new converts to go reach another lost soul. ... Back then if you were not a soul-winner, you were out of place. Today, if you are a soul-winner, you are out of place. Souls being saved was not only on the agenda, it was the agenda." -Evangelist Freddie Gage, speaking of the glory days of evangelism; BP.
Freddie Gage, longtime Southern Baptist evangelist, died September 12, 2014 in a Houston hospital following an extended illness. He was 81.
Funeral services will be held on September 26, 2014 at 1:00pm at Sagemont Church in Houston, Texas. Gage’s longtime friends and fellow ministers John Morgan, Jimmy Draper, John Bisagno, James Merritt, Johnny Hunt, Darrell Robinson, and Jonathan Falwell will be conducting the service.
Gage’s four sons, Daniel, Paul, Rick and Rodney, all followed their father into evangelism and ministry careers.
Besides his wife Barbara and four sons, Gage is survived by four sisters, 10 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
The evangelist was born in a charity ward in a Houston hospital and reared by his grandparents in one of the city’s ghettos. By the age of 16, he was a gang leader.
When challenged to attend a revival service at Melrose Baptist Church, Gage was convicted of his sin by the Holy Spirit through the preaching of Evangelist Dan Vestal, Sr. Gage then decided to give his life to his Lord Jesus Christ. Gage’s wife also received Jesus as her Savior at the same service. Not only did Gage find faith that night, he also felt called to preach the Gospel. At age 19, he committed himself to a life of evangelism.
My dad, Joe Brumbelow, knew Freddie in the early years of his ministry in the Houston area. Brother Joe was one of the first pastors to have Freddie Gage preach for him in Revival at Doverside Baptist Church in Houston, TX. While not always agreeing at all points, they were lifelong friends. Freddie Gage, Joe Brumbelow, Larry Taylor, Dan Vestal, and so many others were a part of those glory days of evangelism mentioned above.
Last April, 2014 I visited Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. I noticed a display in chapel dedicated to Evangelist Freddie Gage. Few seminaries have the commitment to revivals and evangelism as Paige Patterson and SWBTS.
You can honor Freddie Gage’s memory by having an evangelist in revival at your church, and by telling someone about Jesus.
For more information:
http://editor.des05.com/vo/?FileID=d74adefc-b1a1-44b3-b44a-ef3197a63f4f&m=f13d0884-376f-45fd-8aad-054bf98c24a5&MailID=28836353&listid=23216
gotellministries.com
http://www.bpnews.net/43362/freddie-gage-6-decades-an-evangelist-dies
Update: Barbara Gage:
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, September 16, AD 2014.
More articles in lower right margin.
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
New Calvinist President At International Mission Board, SBC
The International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention has just elected a new Calvinist president, David Platt. Some may think it unusual to have a mission president who does not believe Jesus Christ died for the sins of all humanity.
For those unaware, a 5-Point Calvinist does not believe Jesus died for the world, only for the elect. This view is often called Limited Atonement, or Particular Atonement. Therefore, if Jesus did not die for you, you have no chance to ever be saved and go to Heaven. You never had, and never will have a chance to be saved.
Southern Baptists have always had Calvinist and non-Calvinist (aka Moderate Calvinists, Traditionalists) as a part of their convention. The majority, however of Southern Baptists for over 100 years have believed Jesus died for all, and as the Holy Spirit convicts, all have the free choice of accepting or rejecting Jesus as Savior. In contrast, many Calvinists do not believe in that free choice, or free will, of man concerning salvation.
Dr. Rick Patrick, of Connect 316, has pointed out the following new SBC executive positions in the SBC all lean heavily in the Calvinist direction.
2011 - North American Mission Board - Kevin Ezell
2012 - Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary - Jason Allen
2013 - Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission - Russell Moore
2014 - International Mission Board - David Platt
And, of course, the strongest Calvinist SBC seminary is Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville.
Baptist Press has not said much about David Platt’s Calvinism. I’m awaiting a reply from questions I’ve sent directly to the IMB concerning this.
The following from the more moderate / liberal ABP has this to say about David Platt:
“He has been active in Together for the Gospel, a biennial preaching conference for followers of the so-called ‘New Calvinism’ — popularized by leaders including John Piper of Desiring God Ministries and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler — that emphasizes God’s sovereignty in deciding who is saved.”
http://abpnews.com/ministry/organizations/item/29141-david-platt-elected-imb-president
From all indications, David Platt is a very capable preacher, husband, father. He is a strong supporter of missions. He has many strengths. But some are wondering when the calvinization of the Southern Baptist Convention is going to end. Must all our agency leaders be Calvinists? Some non-Calvinists (Traditionalists, Moderate Calvinists) are feeling alienated in their convention. I’m convinced things will balance out, but I’m not sure when. Just thought you should know.
*******
Note & Update:
I am now reading articles implying Dr. Platt does not believe in Limited Atonement.
My evidence for the above, however, includes
The ABP story referred to above.
Christianity Today has referred to him as a Reformed Baptist (aka Calvinist).
Several Calvinists themselves have said that Platt believes in Limited Atonement.
At a 2012 Together for the Gospel (a Calvinist organization) conference, Platt preached on Particular Atonement (another name for Limited Atonement). Among his points were, “The atonement of Christ is graciously, globally, and gloriously particular.” He used the same Scripture in the same way as other Calvinists who believe in Limited Atonement.
Saying I believe everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (said about Platt in one news article), does not exclude belief in Limited Atonement. Those who believe in Particular Atonement simply believe the non-elect (those for whom Christ did not die) will never call on the name of the Lord.
I have seen some, not all, Calvinists twist words, be deceptive, and say most anything, to get a job as pastor or other office. Both Paige Patterson and Al Mohler have pointed out this problem. We need to be open, clear, transparent about what we believe. If asked about Limited Atonement, I would have no problem clearly explaining what I believe. Our leaders should have no problem answering it either.
An answer like Dr. Jason Allen gave (I struggle with Limited Atonement) is not sufficient. Let’s be clear about it.
I well remember in the days of the SBC Conservative Resurgence being told by moderates that we all believe the same thing about the Bible. Well, that was obviously not true. Some today seem to want us to think we all believe the same thing concerning Calvinism. Or, that if we just ignore it, it will go away.
If Platt used to, but no longer believes in Limited Atonement, then let us know that.
I have not yet received a reply to questions related to this issue that I sent to the IMB.
As Southern Baptist Texan Editor Gary Ledbetter said, “There are some constituencies that have concerns about the comments and theological statements Dr. Platt has made as a popular speaker and writer - nothing unorthodox but pretty Calvinistic at times.”
There are 5-point Calvinists I greatly admire. But in this day when Calvinism is on the rise in the SBC, especially among our SBC agencies, we need to be open and specific about what we believe.
-DRB; 9-11-2014
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, September 3, AD 2014.
The Calvinists Are Here; Gerald Harris, Christian Index
Books on Calvinism, Predestination
Limited or Universal Atonement by Dr. David L. Allen
Connect316 - A SBC group that believes: God loves every person. Christ died for every person. God wants to save every person.
For those unaware, a 5-Point Calvinist does not believe Jesus died for the world, only for the elect. This view is often called Limited Atonement, or Particular Atonement. Therefore, if Jesus did not die for you, you have no chance to ever be saved and go to Heaven. You never had, and never will have a chance to be saved.
Southern Baptists have always had Calvinist and non-Calvinist (aka Moderate Calvinists, Traditionalists) as a part of their convention. The majority, however of Southern Baptists for over 100 years have believed Jesus died for all, and as the Holy Spirit convicts, all have the free choice of accepting or rejecting Jesus as Savior. In contrast, many Calvinists do not believe in that free choice, or free will, of man concerning salvation.
Dr. Rick Patrick, of Connect 316, has pointed out the following new SBC executive positions in the SBC all lean heavily in the Calvinist direction.
2011 - North American Mission Board - Kevin Ezell
2012 - Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary - Jason Allen
2013 - Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission - Russell Moore
2014 - International Mission Board - David Platt
And, of course, the strongest Calvinist SBC seminary is Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville.
Baptist Press has not said much about David Platt’s Calvinism. I’m awaiting a reply from questions I’ve sent directly to the IMB concerning this.
The following from the more moderate / liberal ABP has this to say about David Platt:
“He has been active in Together for the Gospel, a biennial preaching conference for followers of the so-called ‘New Calvinism’ — popularized by leaders including John Piper of Desiring God Ministries and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler — that emphasizes God’s sovereignty in deciding who is saved.”
http://abpnews.com/ministry/organizations/item/29141-david-platt-elected-imb-president
From all indications, David Platt is a very capable preacher, husband, father. He is a strong supporter of missions. He has many strengths. But some are wondering when the calvinization of the Southern Baptist Convention is going to end. Must all our agency leaders be Calvinists? Some non-Calvinists (Traditionalists, Moderate Calvinists) are feeling alienated in their convention. I’m convinced things will balance out, but I’m not sure when. Just thought you should know.
*******
Note & Update:
I am now reading articles implying Dr. Platt does not believe in Limited Atonement.
My evidence for the above, however, includes
The ABP story referred to above.
Christianity Today has referred to him as a Reformed Baptist (aka Calvinist).
Several Calvinists themselves have said that Platt believes in Limited Atonement.
At a 2012 Together for the Gospel (a Calvinist organization) conference, Platt preached on Particular Atonement (another name for Limited Atonement). Among his points were, “The atonement of Christ is graciously, globally, and gloriously particular.” He used the same Scripture in the same way as other Calvinists who believe in Limited Atonement.
Saying I believe everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (said about Platt in one news article), does not exclude belief in Limited Atonement. Those who believe in Particular Atonement simply believe the non-elect (those for whom Christ did not die) will never call on the name of the Lord.
I have seen some, not all, Calvinists twist words, be deceptive, and say most anything, to get a job as pastor or other office. Both Paige Patterson and Al Mohler have pointed out this problem. We need to be open, clear, transparent about what we believe. If asked about Limited Atonement, I would have no problem clearly explaining what I believe. Our leaders should have no problem answering it either.
An answer like Dr. Jason Allen gave (I struggle with Limited Atonement) is not sufficient. Let’s be clear about it.
I well remember in the days of the SBC Conservative Resurgence being told by moderates that we all believe the same thing about the Bible. Well, that was obviously not true. Some today seem to want us to think we all believe the same thing concerning Calvinism. Or, that if we just ignore it, it will go away.
If Platt used to, but no longer believes in Limited Atonement, then let us know that.
I have not yet received a reply to questions related to this issue that I sent to the IMB.
As Southern Baptist Texan Editor Gary Ledbetter said, “There are some constituencies that have concerns about the comments and theological statements Dr. Platt has made as a popular speaker and writer - nothing unorthodox but pretty Calvinistic at times.”
There are 5-point Calvinists I greatly admire. But in this day when Calvinism is on the rise in the SBC, especially among our SBC agencies, we need to be open and specific about what we believe.
-DRB; 9-11-2014
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, September 3, AD 2014.
The Calvinists Are Here; Gerald Harris, Christian Index
Books on Calvinism, Predestination
Limited or Universal Atonement by Dr. David L. Allen
Connect316 - A SBC group that believes: God loves every person. Christ died for every person. God wants to save every person.
Friday, June 20, 2014
W. A. Criswell on Calvinism, Predestination
Recently it has been claimed, numerous times, that W. A. Criswell was a five-point Calvinist. This is not true.
W. A. Criswell (AD 1909-2002) was a leading preacher and pastor for many years. He was a great preacher of the Gospel, and a conservative leader. A graduate of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, he was influential in the Conservative Resurgence of the Southern Baptist Convention. He pastored First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas. He was published in the Baptist Standard, Southern Baptist Texan, and the Sword of the Lord. He authored numerous books and served as president of the SBC. His many sermons can be found at wacriswell.com.
Was W. A. Criswell a Calvinist? Yes, and no. Criswell claimed to be a Calvinist. But he was not the strict, five-point Calvinist some claim him to have been. As one who knew him well said, “He said he was a Calvinist, but he sure didn’t act like one.” Another consideration is that the term Calvinist meant something a little different back in Criswell’s day, than it means to many today. Some old time Calvinists are seeking to separate themselves from some of the New Calvinists.
Dr. Criswell proudly proclaimed himself a Calvinist. But he did not buy into Limited Atonement. He also believed in what some would consider a non-Calvinist view of Free Will. He praised Charles G. Finney, a pariah to the New Calvinists.
Note some of Criswell’s comments below.
God is Sovereign, Man is Free
“Now that, I think, is an ultimate answer for our hearts and our lives about the sovereign, foreordaining, predestinating decrees of Almighty God. He does it, and He runs it, and He chooses, and He elects, and He guides, and He says certain things, and they inevitably come to pass just like it’s written here in the Book. And yet, and yet, with us down here in this world, there's no violation of our moral integrity, or our free choice, or the sovereignty of our own lives. The two go together. The great decree of Almighty God leaves me absolutely and perfectly free. I am not bound; I am at liberty. The decree of God has in it my own free choice, and the two are not antagonistic. They go together in the will of God.”
-W. A. Criswell, Predestination, Acts 27:22-31; 5-23-1954
“God made us morally free. I can curse God to His face. Now isn't that an unusual thing? And a lot of men do it! I can rebel against every edict, every decree, every commandment, every law of God. I can do it! And a lot of men do…
When a man turns down the proper grace of Jesus, I don't understand it. I don't see it. But he has the liberty to do it, the freedom to choose…”
-W. A. Criswell, The Knowledge of the Truth, 1 Timothy 2:1-7; 6-29-1958
God’s Will is that all Come to the Knowledge of the Truth
“As Ezekiel 33:11 describes, "As I live, saith the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked would turn from his evil way and live: oh, turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?" That is God; the longsuffering, merciful kindness of our heavenly Father, rejoicing not in condemnation and damnation and the agony of those who are lost, but praying, pleading, waiting, hoping that the lost man will turn and be saved. Oh the longsuffering of God!”
-W. A. Criswell, Lest Any Perish, 2 Peter 3:9; 7-14-1974.
Used “Into My Heart” and Revelation 3:20 in Evangelism
“I want the Lord Jesus to come into my heart. I want to take Him as my Savior.”
-W. A. Criswell in appealing to the lost during the invitation, John 1:29-37; 4-5-1970, wacriswell.com
“And it’s for you for the having and for the taking. All God asks is that we come and receive it. He can’t give it to us with our hands closed. And He can’t come into our hearts when they’re barred against Him. All that He asks is just the invitation. ‘Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if anyone open the door, I will come in’ [Revelation 3:20]. And He will, and brings with Him all of the rich gifts that only heaven could afford, and they’re for you. They’re for you. They’re for you.”
-W. A. Criswell, If a Man Sin, 1 John 2; 11-13-1960.
The Great Evangelist Charles G. Finney
“One of the tremendous affirmations of the great evangelist and preacher Charles G. Finney is this; that it is the truth of God that convicts and that saves.”
-W. A. Criswell, The Knowledge of the Truth, 1 Timothy 2:1-7; 6-29-1958
Rejected Limited Atonement
“I’ve never been able to understand how the Calvinists, some of them, believe in a "limited atonement." That is, the sacrifice of Christ applied only to those who are the elect, but there is no sacrifice of Christ for the whole world—when John expressly says He is the sacrifice, the atoning, dedicated gift of God in our lives for the whole world [1 John 2:2]. And it is just according to whether we accept it or not as to whether the life of our Lord is efficacious for us in His atoning death.”
-W. A. Criswell, If Anyone Sin, 1 John 2:1-2; 4-8-1973
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, June 20, AD 2014.
More Articles:
Brief History of SBC Conservative Resurgence
Unlimited Atonement, Jesus Died For All
Adrian Rogers on "Wit & Wisdom of Pastor Joe Brumbelow"
Adrian Rogers on Predestination, Calvinism
Paige Patterson on Calvinism
Books on Calvinism, Predestination
Judges 9:13 and Alcohol
More articles in lower right margin.
W. A. Criswell (AD 1909-2002) was a leading preacher and pastor for many years. He was a great preacher of the Gospel, and a conservative leader. A graduate of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, he was influential in the Conservative Resurgence of the Southern Baptist Convention. He pastored First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas. He was published in the Baptist Standard, Southern Baptist Texan, and the Sword of the Lord. He authored numerous books and served as president of the SBC. His many sermons can be found at wacriswell.com.
Was W. A. Criswell a Calvinist? Yes, and no. Criswell claimed to be a Calvinist. But he was not the strict, five-point Calvinist some claim him to have been. As one who knew him well said, “He said he was a Calvinist, but he sure didn’t act like one.” Another consideration is that the term Calvinist meant something a little different back in Criswell’s day, than it means to many today. Some old time Calvinists are seeking to separate themselves from some of the New Calvinists.
Dr. Criswell proudly proclaimed himself a Calvinist. But he did not buy into Limited Atonement. He also believed in what some would consider a non-Calvinist view of Free Will. He praised Charles G. Finney, a pariah to the New Calvinists.
Note some of Criswell’s comments below.
God is Sovereign, Man is Free
“Now that, I think, is an ultimate answer for our hearts and our lives about the sovereign, foreordaining, predestinating decrees of Almighty God. He does it, and He runs it, and He chooses, and He elects, and He guides, and He says certain things, and they inevitably come to pass just like it’s written here in the Book. And yet, and yet, with us down here in this world, there's no violation of our moral integrity, or our free choice, or the sovereignty of our own lives. The two go together. The great decree of Almighty God leaves me absolutely and perfectly free. I am not bound; I am at liberty. The decree of God has in it my own free choice, and the two are not antagonistic. They go together in the will of God.”
-W. A. Criswell, Predestination, Acts 27:22-31; 5-23-1954
“God made us morally free. I can curse God to His face. Now isn't that an unusual thing? And a lot of men do it! I can rebel against every edict, every decree, every commandment, every law of God. I can do it! And a lot of men do…
When a man turns down the proper grace of Jesus, I don't understand it. I don't see it. But he has the liberty to do it, the freedom to choose…”
-W. A. Criswell, The Knowledge of the Truth, 1 Timothy 2:1-7; 6-29-1958
God’s Will is that all Come to the Knowledge of the Truth
“As Ezekiel 33:11 describes, "As I live, saith the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked would turn from his evil way and live: oh, turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?" That is God; the longsuffering, merciful kindness of our heavenly Father, rejoicing not in condemnation and damnation and the agony of those who are lost, but praying, pleading, waiting, hoping that the lost man will turn and be saved. Oh the longsuffering of God!”
-W. A. Criswell, Lest Any Perish, 2 Peter 3:9; 7-14-1974.
Used “Into My Heart” and Revelation 3:20 in Evangelism
“I want the Lord Jesus to come into my heart. I want to take Him as my Savior.”
-W. A. Criswell in appealing to the lost during the invitation, John 1:29-37; 4-5-1970, wacriswell.com
“And it’s for you for the having and for the taking. All God asks is that we come and receive it. He can’t give it to us with our hands closed. And He can’t come into our hearts when they’re barred against Him. All that He asks is just the invitation. ‘Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if anyone open the door, I will come in’ [Revelation 3:20]. And He will, and brings with Him all of the rich gifts that only heaven could afford, and they’re for you. They’re for you. They’re for you.”
-W. A. Criswell, If a Man Sin, 1 John 2; 11-13-1960.
The Great Evangelist Charles G. Finney
“One of the tremendous affirmations of the great evangelist and preacher Charles G. Finney is this; that it is the truth of God that convicts and that saves.”
-W. A. Criswell, The Knowledge of the Truth, 1 Timothy 2:1-7; 6-29-1958
Rejected Limited Atonement
“I’ve never been able to understand how the Calvinists, some of them, believe in a "limited atonement." That is, the sacrifice of Christ applied only to those who are the elect, but there is no sacrifice of Christ for the whole world—when John expressly says He is the sacrifice, the atoning, dedicated gift of God in our lives for the whole world [1 John 2:2]. And it is just according to whether we accept it or not as to whether the life of our Lord is efficacious for us in His atoning death.”
-W. A. Criswell, If Anyone Sin, 1 John 2:1-2; 4-8-1973
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, June 20, AD 2014.
More Articles:
Brief History of SBC Conservative Resurgence
Unlimited Atonement, Jesus Died For All
Adrian Rogers on "Wit & Wisdom of Pastor Joe Brumbelow"
Adrian Rogers on Predestination, Calvinism
Paige Patterson on Calvinism
Books on Calvinism, Predestination
Judges 9:13 and Alcohol
More articles in lower right margin.
Monday, June 9, 2014
Adrian Rogers Elected 35 Years Ago
Adrian Rogers; 1988
I was present at the 1979 Southern Baptist Convention in Houston, Texas. Adrian Rogers was elected president, beginning the Conservative Resurgence and Southern Baptists taking an uncompromising stand for the inerrancy of the Bible. I consider it one of the greatest days in the history of the SBC and one of the greatest days of my life. Thank God for Paul Pressler, Paige Patterson, Adrian Rogers, and the other leaders in the Conservative Resurgence. This is important! -DRB
Read more about it:
Adrian Rogers Elected SBC President 35 Years Ago
NASHVILLE (BP) -- Thousands of messengers had arrived in Houston to vote for Adrian Rogers in the presidential election at the 1979 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting. Some with limited resources had traveled hundreds of miles and were sleeping in tents in hopes of restoring their denomination to theological orthodoxy.
There was just one problem: It was the night before the election and Rogers wasn't sure that God wanted him to be nominated. When he encountered fellow conservative leaders Paige Patterson and Jerry Vines in a hotel lobby, the three of them, along with Rogers' wife Joyce, went to pray about the matter in Rogers' room.
After hours of seeking God's will, Joyce Rogers, feeling God's leading, signaled to her husband, and he said, "I will do it."
The following afternoon, Rogers, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tenn., was elected over five other candidates on the first ballot with 51 percent of the vote. The Conservative Resurgence had begun.
Thirty-five years later, observers say Rogers, who died in 2005, was the pivotal leader in the SBC's struggle to make belief in the Bible's inerrancy a bedrock commitment of all convention entities -- a commitment that undergirds Southern Baptists' evangelistic outreach at home and abroad.
Inerrancy is the doctrine that the Bible is completely free from error regarding theology, history, science and every other matter to which it speaks. The group who advocated inerrancy and elected Rogers labeled themselves "conservatives," a reference to theology more than political ideology. Opponents of the conservatives -- many of whom held orthodox beliefs but thought theological diversity should be tolerated in the SBC -- were called "moderates."
Frank S. Page, president of the SBC Executive Committee, said he is excited to see a young generation of pastors who believe the Word of God and hold to a high degree of understanding of its authenticity. "I believe that this new reality is directly attributable to great men who stood strong for the Gospel and especially Dr. Adrian Rogers," he said. "His election 35 years ago signaled a grassroots movement that has changed our entire denominational mindset. Thank God for Dr. Adrian Rogers."
'Manning the pumps'
Despite the last-minute decision to run, Rogers was motivated to serve the convention by events stretching back to his days as a student at Stetson University in Florida when he learned that some professors funded by the Cooperative Program questioned doctrines that most Southern Baptists regarded as foundational to the Christian faith.
In one class taught by an ordained Baptist minister, Rogers "heard the great historic truths of the faith demeaned over and over," Joyce Rogers wrote in "Love Worth Finding," a biography of her husband. After class one day, Rogers gathered the courage to confront his professor and asked, "Sir, are you really saved?"
In response the professor defined salvation as "that experience when a man escapes the consequences of a maladjustment to his fellow man" and said, "I don't know if there is a heaven or hell."
Soon Rogers learned that the problem in Baptist life was not isolated to his university.
By the mid-20th century, "the view that the Bible was not the Word of God had become common among professors at Southern Baptist seminaries," Baptist historian Gregory Wills wrote in "Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1859-2009."
Wills explained that for much of the 20th century, seminary administrators tried to persuade the denomination that their professors were orthodox while at the same time trying to persuade professors to conceal their more objectionable views, revealing them only at strategic moments to sympathetic audiences. Southern Seminary professor Bill Hull, for example, was known to hide progressive views in book reviews on modern French or Belgian New Testament scholarship. "I often like to 'bury' such comments in material that will be read only by those who need to see it," Hull wrote in a 1966 letter to Southern Seminary President Duke McCall.
Occasionally, however, Southern Baptists caught a glimpse of what seminaries were teaching.
In 1961, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary professor Ralph Elliott's "The Message of Genesis," published by the Baptist Sunday School Board, argued that some of the stories in Genesis were historically inaccurate, including the flood and the sacrifice of Isaac. Sixteen of the SBC's 28 state paper editors criticized the book, and the 1962 annual meeting in San Francisco adopted a motion expressing "abiding and unchanging objection to the dissemination of theological views in any of our seminaries which would undermine ... faith in the historical accuracy and doctrinal integrity of the Bible."
Eventually Elliott was fired. But C.R. Daley, editor of Kentucky Baptists' Western Recorder journal, said there were many other seminary professors like him.
If Elliot is "a heretic, then he is one of many," Daley said according to a 1983 Christianity Today article. "... Professors in all our seminaries know that Elliott is in the stream of thinking with most of them, and is more in the center than some."
Rogers believed that some seminary administrators were being dishonest about what faculty members believed and that some faculty held views that were unacceptable to the Southern Baptists who funded them.
The problem wasn't isolated to the seminaries. In 1969, the Sunday School Board published a commentary on Genesis by British scholar G. Henton Davies that claimed Genesis 1-11 was not historical and that Abraham was mistaken in his belief that God commanded him to sacrifice Isaac. The 1970 SBC passed a motion calling for the book to be withdrawn and rewritten.
Rogers believed that he faced a choice: leave the convention or lead a change.
"Adrian considered leaving the denomination," Joyce Rogers wrote. "This would be a major step should he do so. It would require his leading his church to come out of the denomination or else resigning. But in his heart he believed something could and should be done. He used this analogy. The Southern Baptist Convention is a good old ship that has taken on much water and is slowly sinking. The choices seemed to be to abandon the ship or to man the pumps. He chose the latter and was ultimately blessed in 'manning the pumps' along with others."
'Rising star' of Memphis
As Rogers was realizing the extent of the problem, other conservatives were realizing what to do about it.
Paul Pressler, a judge in Houston, and William Powell, editor of the Southern Baptist Journal, deduced that the key to changing the convention was winning the presidency. The president appointed the Committee on Committees, which in turn nominated the Committee on Boards (now the Committee on Nominations). The Committee on Boards then nominated trustees of the SBC entities. Conservative trustees could change the entities.
A president who appointed conservatives to the Committee on Committees would lead to conservative trustees in two years. A 10-year string of conservative presidents would lead to all the convention's trustee boards being controlled by proponents of inerrancy -- since only a percentage of trustee seats became vacant each year.
Pressler banded with Patterson and others to translate the plan into action. Traveling the nation, they organized conservatives to elect a conservative president in 1979. Rogers, who had been nominated in 1976 against his will, was an obvious candidate for the job. But part of Pressler and Patterson's strategy was to keep Rogers away from their informal organization so he wouldn't be labelled a denominational troublemaker, hurting his chances at election.
Potential presidential candidates like Rogers, Vines and Charles Stanley "were deliberately kept out of what was happening during the first five years of the controversy," Patterson said in a 1994 interview. "They were aware of it and knew of it but had nothing to do with it whatsoever. That was done on purpose because anybody who was a conceivable candidate for president we deliberately kept at arm's length."
With the 1979 convention approaching, conservatives focused on Rogers. Opponents focused on him too, knowing the coming battle in the SBC would be contentious.
Daley, a moderate, said in a lecture at Southern Seminary five years later, "Some of us saw the rising star out of Memphis named Adrian Rogers -- in my mind the most brilliant of his group, the one who poses the gravest threat to the Southern Baptist Convention. It was obvious that he was to be the king. It was obvious to some of us that he wasn't the kind of king we wanted."
The man to lead
Rogers arrived in Houston believing he shouldn't run. Before a Pastors' Conference session in which Rogers and W.A. Criswell, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, were to preach, Criswell told him, "Lad, you need to let us nominate you." Rogers replied, "Dr. Criswell, I don't believe that's what God wants me to do." Nonetheless, Criswell announced in his sermon, "We will have a great time here if for no other reason than to elect Adrian Rogers as our president" -- a remark that drew loud cheers.
Despite Rogers' reluctance, messengers were already en route to Houston, planning to vote for him, some at great personal sacrifice. Among them was Sheldon Hale, then the 32-year-old pastor of Andrew Baptist Church in Bowling Green, Ky. With a small convention budget from his church, Hale along with his wife and three young children drove cross country to Houston and slept in a tent outside the city.
Hale told Baptist Press that he knew other Southern Baptists who, like him, were concerned about the direction of the convention but didn't have money to stay in expensive hotels near the convention center. They either camped or stayed in cheap hotels far from the annual meeting so that they could cast a vote for Rogers.
"I would do it again," Hale, now pastor of First Baptist Church in Silver Grove, Ky., near Cincinnati, said in an interview. "It was hard to travel with three little ones and be camped out. But not only did we enjoy the time with them and they got to experience the time at the convention, we felt like we were part of history."
With history in the making, God began to change Rogers' mind. First, Bertha Smith, a longtime Southern Baptist missionary to China called him to say, "Brother Adrian, God wants you to do this." Then another missionary to China, Charles Culpepper, sent a message: "Tell Adrian that I have been with God, and he should allow his nomination."
Adrian and Joyce Rogers had devised a system where she would say a number between one and 10 to indicate how confident she was that Adrian's nomination was God's will. The number never rose above five. Yet as Rogers, Vines and Patterson prayed on the eve of the election, Joyce Rogers held up 10 fingers -- and Adrian agreed.
When Rogers was elected the next day, surprise was audible in the hall. Some messengers gasped. Others whooped and embraced. But Rogers, himself a bit surprised, had a sense of God's guidance and purpose.
Following Rogers, an unbroken line of conservative presidencies -- including two more terms for Rogers between 1986 and 1988 -- helped the convention return to biblical orthodoxy in its entities. All agree that the turnaround was not the work of any one man. Still, even his opponents say there was something special about Rogers' election 35 years ago.
Moderate church historian Walter Shurden, who was dean of Southern Seminary's school of theology in the early 1980s, viewed Rogers as the crucial figure in the SBC's conservative movement, which he called "fundamentalism."
"I sincerely doubt ... that fundamentalism could have known its measure of success apart from Adrian Rogers," Shurden wrote. "... No other fundamentalist could rival him as preacher, debater, or intransigent believer. When the leadership of the fundamentalists met for their strategy sessions, the press releases often read, 'Adrian Rogers presided.' He was by far fundamentalists' most capable leader and moderates' most formidable opponent."
SBC President Fred Luter called Rogers a "giant of the faith" and said he helped save the convention.
"Thirty five years ago I was a brand-new Christian sharing the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ on the street corners of New Orleans, trying to transform the neighborhood I grew up in," Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, said. "At the same time Dr. Adrian Rogers was being elected as president of the Southern Baptist Convention, trying to transform an entire convention back to believing in the Bible as the true Word of God.
"I shudder to think what our beloved convention would be if not for the courageous stand of Dr. Rogers, Dr. Patterson, Judge Pressler and so many others who stood up for God's Word at a very critical time. May we never forget what this giant of the faith did for the future of the Southern Baptist Convention. Dr. Rogers was truly not only a gift to the SBC but also to the body of Christ."
-by David Roach. bpnews.net
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, June 6, AD 2014.
Other Articles:
Connect 316 Breakfast at SBC, Baltimore
Brief History of SBC Conservative Resurgence
Q & A on SBC Conservative Resurgence, part 1
Differences Between the 1963 and 2000 Baptist Faith and Message
Adrian Rogers on "Wit & Wisdom of Pastor Joe Brumbelow"
Adrian Rogers on Predestination, Calvinism
Judges 9:13 and Alcohol
More articles in lower right margin.
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Better Off Without Alcohol
ALEXANDRIA, La. (BP) -- "More needs to be done to protect populations from the negative health consequences of alcohol consumption," a little known individual recently said according to news reports. Who is the person? A) a backwoods Baptist preacher; B) a recovering alcoholic; C) an expert on chronic disease and mental health?
If you chose A or B, you are wrong. The answer is C. The person who spoke out on the negative health consequences of alcohol is none other than Oleg Chestnov, who works with the World Health Organization.
Chestnov said a recent report "clearly shows there is no room for complacency when it comes to reducing the harmful use of alcohol." Chestnov warned that alcohol raises people's risk of developing more than 200 diseases and killed 3.3 million people in 2012.
The 3.3 million who died from alcohol-related causes "translates into one death every 10 seconds," Shekhar Saxena, head of WHO's mental health and substance abuse department, said according to reports.
Chestnov and Saxena were two WHO representatives that answered questions when the health agency issued its "Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health 2014" on May 12 in Geneva, Switzerland.
According to the WHO report, some countries have strengthened measures to protect people from alcohol, including increasing taxes on alcohol, raising the legal drinking age and regulating the marketing of alcoholic beverages.
Among other measures WHO encourages countries to adopt is discouraging the consumption of alcohol.
Couple the WHO report on alcohol consumption with the organization's "2014 World Cancer Report" and the truth about alcohol becomes even worse. The WHO cancer report concluded, "No amount of alcohol is safe when it comes to cancer risk."
The more alcohol one drinks, the more at risk the person is to develop cancer, according to the WHO cancer report. Alcohol's few positive effects are far outweighed by its negatives and there is no such thing as safe drinking.
A 2010 study by Britain's Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs reported alcohol was the most harmful drug on the planet, even worse than crack or heroin.
"Professor David Nutt, chairman of the ISCD, whose work was published in the Lancet medical journal, said the findings showed that 'aggressively targeting alcohol harms is a valid and necessary public health strategy,'" Reuters reported.
Given the WHO reports, as well as the ISCD study, you have to wonder about those who are proponents of alcohol consumption. How can they advocate a product, a drug really, that wreaks so much havoc?
If the cold hard truth about alcohol were widely reported, it would likely not enjoy its favored status in many countries. "If alcohol were introduced today as a new product, its legal sales would be fought vigorously," Jeff Herten wrote in the book "The Sobering Truth: What you don't know can kill you." A medical doctor, Herten detailed in his book the dangers of alcohol, even when consumed in so-called moderation.
What I find most interesting is that, in light of recent scientific declarations on the ills of alcohol, some Baptist preachers have in recent days softened their stance toward alcohol consumption.
While it seems the advocacy of imbibing alcohol is most prevalent among young theologians, there have been some more seasoned pastors who have declared alcohol in moderation, or social drinking, to be OK.
Their argument has been that the Bible does not condemn alcohol consumption, it only denounces drunkenness. Those who believe abstinence is the best policy have been dismissed at times as stogy legalists who are ill equipped to minister in an enlightened society.
No, the Bible does not condemn drinking alcohol. However, I believe the principle found in Scripture is that you are better off without alcohol.
Consider the following passage found in Proverbs 23:
"Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has conflicts? Who has complaints? Who has wounds for no reason? Who has red eyes? Those who linger over wine, those who go looking for mixed wine. Don't gaze at wine because it is red, when it gleams in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a snake and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and you will say absurd things. You'll be like someone sleeping out at sea or lying down on the top of a ship's mast. 'They struck me, but I feel no pain! They beat me, but I didn't know it! When will I wake up? I'll look for another drink.'"
There are other biblical passages that echo the sentiment found in Proverbs 23 -- your life will be better if you avoid alcohol. Or as I have long proclaimed to my children, "Nothing good comes from alcohol."
Societies of the world and advocates of alcohol consumption should take note. It is not just Bible-thumpers that denounce the drinking of alcohol; now it is scientists and medical doctors too.
The recent WHO reports and the 2010 ISCD study only confirm what the Bible has long taught: "Wine is a mocker, beer is a brawler, and whoever staggers because of them is not wise" (Proverbs 20:1).
-by Kelly Boggs, a weekly columnist for Baptist Press, director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention's office of public affairs, and editor of the Baptist Message (www.baptistmessage.com), newsjournal of the Louisiana Baptist Convention.
http://www.bpnews.net/firstperson/42595/firstperson-better-off-without-alcohol
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, May 25, AD 2014.
Dr. R. L. Sumner on "Ancient Wine and the Bible"
If you chose A or B, you are wrong. The answer is C. The person who spoke out on the negative health consequences of alcohol is none other than Oleg Chestnov, who works with the World Health Organization.
Chestnov said a recent report "clearly shows there is no room for complacency when it comes to reducing the harmful use of alcohol." Chestnov warned that alcohol raises people's risk of developing more than 200 diseases and killed 3.3 million people in 2012.
The 3.3 million who died from alcohol-related causes "translates into one death every 10 seconds," Shekhar Saxena, head of WHO's mental health and substance abuse department, said according to reports.
Chestnov and Saxena were two WHO representatives that answered questions when the health agency issued its "Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health 2014" on May 12 in Geneva, Switzerland.
According to the WHO report, some countries have strengthened measures to protect people from alcohol, including increasing taxes on alcohol, raising the legal drinking age and regulating the marketing of alcoholic beverages.
Among other measures WHO encourages countries to adopt is discouraging the consumption of alcohol.
Couple the WHO report on alcohol consumption with the organization's "2014 World Cancer Report" and the truth about alcohol becomes even worse. The WHO cancer report concluded, "No amount of alcohol is safe when it comes to cancer risk."
The more alcohol one drinks, the more at risk the person is to develop cancer, according to the WHO cancer report. Alcohol's few positive effects are far outweighed by its negatives and there is no such thing as safe drinking.
A 2010 study by Britain's Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs reported alcohol was the most harmful drug on the planet, even worse than crack or heroin.
"Professor David Nutt, chairman of the ISCD, whose work was published in the Lancet medical journal, said the findings showed that 'aggressively targeting alcohol harms is a valid and necessary public health strategy,'" Reuters reported.
Given the WHO reports, as well as the ISCD study, you have to wonder about those who are proponents of alcohol consumption. How can they advocate a product, a drug really, that wreaks so much havoc?
If the cold hard truth about alcohol were widely reported, it would likely not enjoy its favored status in many countries. "If alcohol were introduced today as a new product, its legal sales would be fought vigorously," Jeff Herten wrote in the book "The Sobering Truth: What you don't know can kill you." A medical doctor, Herten detailed in his book the dangers of alcohol, even when consumed in so-called moderation.
What I find most interesting is that, in light of recent scientific declarations on the ills of alcohol, some Baptist preachers have in recent days softened their stance toward alcohol consumption.
While it seems the advocacy of imbibing alcohol is most prevalent among young theologians, there have been some more seasoned pastors who have declared alcohol in moderation, or social drinking, to be OK.
Their argument has been that the Bible does not condemn alcohol consumption, it only denounces drunkenness. Those who believe abstinence is the best policy have been dismissed at times as stogy legalists who are ill equipped to minister in an enlightened society.
No, the Bible does not condemn drinking alcohol. However, I believe the principle found in Scripture is that you are better off without alcohol.
Consider the following passage found in Proverbs 23:
"Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has conflicts? Who has complaints? Who has wounds for no reason? Who has red eyes? Those who linger over wine, those who go looking for mixed wine. Don't gaze at wine because it is red, when it gleams in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a snake and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and you will say absurd things. You'll be like someone sleeping out at sea or lying down on the top of a ship's mast. 'They struck me, but I feel no pain! They beat me, but I didn't know it! When will I wake up? I'll look for another drink.'"
There are other biblical passages that echo the sentiment found in Proverbs 23 -- your life will be better if you avoid alcohol. Or as I have long proclaimed to my children, "Nothing good comes from alcohol."
Societies of the world and advocates of alcohol consumption should take note. It is not just Bible-thumpers that denounce the drinking of alcohol; now it is scientists and medical doctors too.
The recent WHO reports and the 2010 ISCD study only confirm what the Bible has long taught: "Wine is a mocker, beer is a brawler, and whoever staggers because of them is not wise" (Proverbs 20:1).
-by Kelly Boggs, a weekly columnist for Baptist Press, director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention's office of public affairs, and editor of the Baptist Message (www.baptistmessage.com), newsjournal of the Louisiana Baptist Convention.
http://www.bpnews.net/firstperson/42595/firstperson-better-off-without-alcohol
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, May 25, AD 2014.
Dr. R. L. Sumner on "Ancient Wine and the Bible"
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Connect 316 Breakfast at SBC, Baltimore
June 10, 2014
6:30am
at Hilton Baltimore Peale Room
Breakfast Buffet
Speakers/Discussion Panel:
Adam Harwood
Richard Land
Malcolm Yarnell
Brad Whitt
Cost: $25
First 100 will receive a gift bag with a number of books including:
Anabaptists and Contemporary Baptists by Malcolm Yarnell
Autopsy of a Deceased Church by Thom Rainer
Born Guilty? by Adam Harwood
Explore the Bible Sunday School Sample by Lifeway
John 3:16 by Jerry Vines
Forty Days of Refreshment by Brad Whitt
Journey to Faithfulness by Tim and Heidi Guthrie
Salvation and Sovereignty by Kenneth Keathley
Scripture Isn't Silent, Why Are We? by Bob Eklund
Trouble with the Tulip by Frank Page
What is Calvinism? by Peter Lumpkins
Whosoever Will by David Allen and Steve Lemke
1-3 John Commentary by David Allen
For More Information:
http://connect316.net/Breakfast
http://connect316.net/ViewBreakfastFlyer
Whosoever Will Conference
http://connect316.net/events
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, May 14, AD 2014
Books on Calvinism, Predestination
Paige Patterson on Calvinism
Francis Wayland on Calvinism in 1856
Brief History of SBC Conservative Resurgence
at Hilton Baltimore Peale Room
Breakfast Buffet
Speakers/Discussion Panel:
Adam Harwood
Richard Land
Malcolm Yarnell
Brad Whitt
Cost: $25
First 100 will receive a gift bag with a number of books including:
Anabaptists and Contemporary Baptists by Malcolm Yarnell
Autopsy of a Deceased Church by Thom Rainer
Born Guilty? by Adam Harwood
Explore the Bible Sunday School Sample by Lifeway
John 3:16 by Jerry Vines
Forty Days of Refreshment by Brad Whitt
Journey to Faithfulness by Tim and Heidi Guthrie
Salvation and Sovereignty by Kenneth Keathley
Scripture Isn't Silent, Why Are We? by Bob Eklund
Trouble with the Tulip by Frank Page
What is Calvinism? by Peter Lumpkins
Whosoever Will by David Allen and Steve Lemke
1-3 John Commentary by David Allen
For More Information:
http://connect316.net/Breakfast
http://connect316.net/ViewBreakfastFlyer
Whosoever Will Conference
http://connect316.net/events
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, May 14, AD 2014
Books on Calvinism, Predestination
Paige Patterson on Calvinism
Francis Wayland on Calvinism in 1856
Brief History of SBC Conservative Resurgence
Monday, April 28, 2014
The Christian Work Ethic
I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; and there it was, all overgrown with thorns; its surface was covered with nettles; its stone wall was broken down. When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest; so shall your poverty come like a prowler, and your need like an armed man. -Proverbs 24:30-34
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. -Exodus 20:8-9
A man had trouble sleeping. He told his doctor, “I sleep fine at night, and I sleep pretty well in the morning. But in the afternoon I just toss and turn.”
Perhaps we should all go back and read the Little Golden Book about The Little Red Hen.
Some responsibilities are yours alone. Some struggles you are going to have to deal with. Work hard; provide for your family; serve the Lord; give to church and to others. Also get some rest and fun along the way. Make this world a little better, because you were here.
For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. -2 Thessalonians 3:10-11
But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. -1 Timothy 5:8
See also: Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy 24:14-15; Proverbs 10:4; 12:24, 27; 13:4; 21:5; 23:21; 27:23; John 9:4; 1 Corinthians 9:7; 10:31; 1 Timothy 5:18.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, April 28, AD 2014.
Other articles in lower right margin.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. -Exodus 20:8-9
A man had trouble sleeping. He told his doctor, “I sleep fine at night, and I sleep pretty well in the morning. But in the afternoon I just toss and turn.”
Perhaps we should all go back and read the Little Golden Book about The Little Red Hen.
Some responsibilities are yours alone. Some struggles you are going to have to deal with. Work hard; provide for your family; serve the Lord; give to church and to others. Also get some rest and fun along the way. Make this world a little better, because you were here.
For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. -2 Thessalonians 3:10-11
But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. -1 Timothy 5:8
See also: Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy 24:14-15; Proverbs 10:4; 12:24, 27; 13:4; 21:5; 23:21; 27:23; John 9:4; 1 Corinthians 9:7; 10:31; 1 Timothy 5:18.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, April 28, AD 2014.
Other articles in lower right margin.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Robert L. Sumner at Grace Baptist, Brazoria, TX
Robert L. Sumner; The Biblical Evangelist
Dr. Robert L. Sumner will be preaching at:
Grace Baptist Church of Wild Peach
5050 CR 353, Brazoria, TX 77422
Host Pastor - Mark Brumbelow
979/798-0305
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
at 7pm
R. L. Sumner is an evangelist, author of over 30 books, and editor of The Biblical Evangelist. He was formerly associate editor of the Sword of the Lord with Dr. John R. Rice. At the time, the Sword of the Lord had a circulation of over 400,000. Copies of the Biblical Evangelist, and books by Dr. Sumner will be available.
A copy of The Biblical Evangelist will be given to each family. It is filled with sermons, Bible studies, and sermon illustrations. You can subscribe to it for free. It was one of Adrian Rogers favorite publications and Adrian ordered hundreds of Sumner‘s pamphlets for his church. Dr. Sumner is independent Baptist, but he is not anti-Southern Baptist. A number of Southern Baptist Leaders subscribe to his paper.
He is 90 years old and still going strong! Dr. Sumner has been preaching in California, and is stopping in Texas on his way back home to Lynchburg, Virginia.
For those in the Houston, Brazoria, TX area, this is a great opportunity to hear and meet one of the most influential conservative Christian leaders of the 20th and 21st centuries. I will be there. I hope you will too.
*******
Books by Robert L. Sumner:
Bible Translations
Biblical Evangelism in Action
Fights I Didn’t Start, And Some I Did: Round 1 (Foreword by Ergun Caner)
Fights I Didn’t Start, And Some I Did: Round 2 (Foreword by Bailey Smith)
Fundamentalist Foibles!
Hell Is No Joke
Commentary on Hebrews (recommended by Adrian Rogers, Warren Wiersbe, Charles U. Wagner, Elmer Towns)
Commentary on Ephesians (recommended by Hyman Appelman, Baptist Bible Tribune)
Commentary on James (Foreword by Paige Patterson)
An Examination of TULIP: The Five Points of Calvinism
Jesus Christ is God
Biblical Essays by a Historic Evangelical Fundamentalist (Foreword by Jerry Vines)
And many more.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, April 14, AD 2014.
Other Articles (Labels) in lower right margin.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
How To Keep Your Pastor
One of the heartbreaking things church members go through is losing a pastor they love. The church may not even notice the Pulpit Committee (Pastor Search Committee) that quietly shows up one Sunday. They may not notice the pastor missed a Sunday or two to preach “in view of a call” at another church. They may not know the pastor wanted to move; they thought everything was fine. And the pastor has good reason to keep things quiet until another church has called him as pastor. So often the first information the church has that their pastor is leaving is when he stands in the pulpit and formally announces his resignation.
How do you keep a pastor?
To the deacons and laymen out there who want to keep their pastor, these are a few things that might help. And these are things your pastor will probably never mention.
1. A cost of living adjustment for your pastor each year. Not really a raise in salary, just keeping up his salary with inflation. Over several years, a set salary seriously declines. And like you, the pastor has to support his family and pay his bills. Give him some pride and ability to do so.
2. Consider a real, live, honest to goodness raise in his salary. After all he’s doing a good job, is experienced, and you want to keep him.
3. Take him aside and tell him what a good job he’s doing. Better yet, tell it in front of the church.
4. Get the church to add to his monthly retirement contributions to GuideStone. If you don’t know about Guidestone Financial Services of the SBC, check with a fellow pastor or your Baptist Association’s Director of Missions. If he is not contributing to his GuideStone Retirement, have the church begin doing so for him.
5. Check with the pastor and his wife about things needing improved in the parsonage. Provide the money, but if they prefer, let them take care of it. After all, as long as they are there, it’s their house. Give them some privacy. You wouldn’t want someone else running things in in your house.
6. Make sure the pastor and his family are free to take a couple of days off each week. Make sure the church knows and supports this.
7. Seriously pray for your pastor. He has burdens and stress you will never know.
8. Bring others with you to church.
9. Be present, with a good attitude, at every church service; Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night, or whatever schedule your church has. A good crowd is encouraging and helps him preach better.
10. Allow the pastor the funds to buy at least one new book each month.
11. Support his plans to reach more people for Christ.
12. Faithfully give your tithes and offerings to your church.
Make things so good for your pastor he’d be crazy to go anywhere else.
But know that sometimes under the best of circumstances, God will lead your pastor elsewhere. If so, use the above to encourage your next pastor.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, April 1, AD 2014.
Articles:
How to Get a Life When Ministry Drains it Out of You
Church Buildings - Dos and Don'ts #1
Earth Day
The Girl Who Saved His Ministry
Wit And Wisdom Of My Dad
More Articles in lower right margin.
How do you keep a pastor?
To the deacons and laymen out there who want to keep their pastor, these are a few things that might help. And these are things your pastor will probably never mention.
1. A cost of living adjustment for your pastor each year. Not really a raise in salary, just keeping up his salary with inflation. Over several years, a set salary seriously declines. And like you, the pastor has to support his family and pay his bills. Give him some pride and ability to do so.
2. Consider a real, live, honest to goodness raise in his salary. After all he’s doing a good job, is experienced, and you want to keep him.
3. Take him aside and tell him what a good job he’s doing. Better yet, tell it in front of the church.
4. Get the church to add to his monthly retirement contributions to GuideStone. If you don’t know about Guidestone Financial Services of the SBC, check with a fellow pastor or your Baptist Association’s Director of Missions. If he is not contributing to his GuideStone Retirement, have the church begin doing so for him.
5. Check with the pastor and his wife about things needing improved in the parsonage. Provide the money, but if they prefer, let them take care of it. After all, as long as they are there, it’s their house. Give them some privacy. You wouldn’t want someone else running things in in your house.
6. Make sure the pastor and his family are free to take a couple of days off each week. Make sure the church knows and supports this.
7. Seriously pray for your pastor. He has burdens and stress you will never know.
8. Bring others with you to church.
9. Be present, with a good attitude, at every church service; Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night, or whatever schedule your church has. A good crowd is encouraging and helps him preach better.
10. Allow the pastor the funds to buy at least one new book each month.
11. Support his plans to reach more people for Christ.
12. Faithfully give your tithes and offerings to your church.
Make things so good for your pastor he’d be crazy to go anywhere else.
But know that sometimes under the best of circumstances, God will lead your pastor elsewhere. If so, use the above to encourage your next pastor.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, April 1, AD 2014.
Articles:
How to Get a Life When Ministry Drains it Out of You
Church Buildings - Dos and Don'ts #1
Earth Day
The Girl Who Saved His Ministry
Wit And Wisdom Of My Dad
More Articles in lower right margin.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
What the Bible Teaches About Baptism
“Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” -Matthew 28:19
“Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection. -Romans 6:3-5; also Colossians 2:12; Matthew 3:13-17; John 3:23; Acts 8:38.
What is the first commandment for a new believer?
To be baptized.
Why do Baptists practice Believer’s Baptism by Immersion?
First, why believers?
Only believers were baptized in the New Testament. You have to be old enough to understand and voluntarily trust in Jesus, therefore infants are not baptized. Faith comes first, then baptism.
Second, why immersion?
The NT Greek word for baptize (baptizo) means to immerse, dip, or plunge. In NT times they practiced immersion.
Immersion presents the true picture of baptism. It is a symbol of a death, burial, and resurrection. When you bury someone, you don’t sprinkle a little dirt on their head, you cover them up.
What are the three things baptism represents?
1. Jesus died for my sins, was buried, and rose again.
2. Death to your old life of sin and a new life in Christ.
3. Baptism is also a picture of the final resurrection. When a Christian dies, his body is buried and his soul, spirit goes to Heaven (2 Corinthians 5:8). But when Jesus comes again, the departed saints will come with Him and their physical bodies will be resurrected (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15).
Is baptism a part of salvation?
No, faith alone in Christ alone is what saves us. Baptism is a good work, but we are not saved by good works (Ephesians 2:8-9).
If a person trusts Jesus as their Lord and Savior, but dies before they are baptized, will they go to Heaven?
Yes. The thief on the cross believed in Jesus but died before having a chance to be baptized (Luke 23:39-43). Jesus assured, “this day you will be with Me in paradise.“ But if it is possible, we are to obey the biblical command and be baptized.
Is baptism really important?
Yes. The Bible commands it and Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist to set an example for us. Jesus walked about 60 miles from Galilee to the southern part of the Jordan River to be baptized. Would you be willing to walk 60 miles to be baptized?
Why is baptism practiced in a public place in front of others?
Baptism is a personal testimony that you have accepted Jesus as your Savior and you want the church and the world to know. Your baptism says you believe Jesus died for you and rose again; that you have died to your old life of sin and have a new life in Christ; and that you believe in the resurrection at the Return of Christ. It is a way of taking a public stand for Christ.
Will a person baptized in another way go to Heaven?
What determines if we go to Heaven is whether we have personally received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, not our mode or kind of baptism. But we should seek to be true to the Scripture and the commands of our Lord.
Who can baptize?
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the two ordinances (special commands given by the Lord for the church to follow) of the church, so the local church has the authority to baptize.
“Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead.” -Baptist Faith & Message, 2000; doctrinal statement of the Southern Baptist Convention.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, March 23, AD 2014.
Other Articles:
The Roman Road of Salvation
Dr. Robert Wring on Baptists and Elder Rule Why I Support the Baptist Association, Part 1
Basic Baptist Doctrines / Beliefs
Baptists and Eternal Security, or Once Saved Always Saved; Part 1 of 3
Cooperative Program Not Intended to Send Money to International Missions
Random Advice to Pastors, Part 1
Other articles in lower right margin.
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