Evangelist Bailey Smith (AD 1939-2019)

Excerpts from Christian Index article by Gerald Harris: 

"Most Baptists have known Bailey Smith as both a successful pastor and an effective evangelist for more than six decades and his death has left a significant spiritual void in the 21st century church that seems to be struggling to keep evangelism a priority.

The book The Sacred Trust by Emir and Ergun Caner avows, “Without a doubt (Bailey) Smith is the ideal personification of a Christian who has an unwavering, single-minded commitment to fulfilling the Great Commission.

It was during his tenure as pastor of the Oklahoma church that he became the youngest man ever to serve as president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Smith authored the best seller Real Evangelism and has several books to his credit, including Taking Back the Gospel, Real Christianity, Real Christian Excellence, and The Grace Escape. He was working on his biography at the time of his death.

Bailey’s greatest asset on earth for the past 55 years has been his wife, Sandy Elliff Smith. The Smiths have three sons: Bailey Scott , Steven Wayne, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, and James Joshua, who is pastor of Prince Avenue Baptist Church in Bogart. Smith is not only survived by his wife and sons, but by eight grandchildren."

More information at: 

https://christianindex.org/bailey-smith-home-heaven/

Evangelist Bailey Smith was one of my heroes.  He was the second SBC president of the SBC Conservative Resurgence.  I remember voting for him at the Southern Baptist Convention.  I was just out of college (ETBU) and will always be grateful to my parents for helping me with the expense of attending those conventions. 

Bailey proudly stood for evangelism and the inerrancy of the Bible.  To the young preachers out there – get his books and listen to his preaching.  You don’t have to preach like him, or anyone else, but you can certainly learn and profit from him. 

Updates: 

“I believe Jonah was a literal person swallowed by a literal fish, spit out of a literal stomach, and in a literal mess,”  -Bailey Smith, upon his presidential election, during the height of the Conservative Resurgence. 

"Bailey Smith, having transferred his permanent address to a golden strand in the presence of the Lord, leaves behind a legacy of men and women led to Christ.  And though that was not all that he did, who can leave a more noble legacy?...

As pastor of one of the greatest SBC churches, First Southern Del City, Oklahoma, a graduate of Southwestern Seminary, twice president of the Southern Baptist Convention, and forever a supporter of the biblical role of the evangelist, Bailey was simply remarkable.  His Real Evangelism conferences were an encouragement to tens of thousands.  His encouragement on a personal level was the deep work of God’s Spirit in his soul…"

-Paige Patterson 
https://www.paigepatterson.org/blog/a-tribute-to-dr-bailey-smith

-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, January 15, AD 2019. 

Other Articles: 

Brief History of the SBC Conservative Resurgence

Q&A on the SBC CONSERVATIVE RESURGENCE; part 1

Wit And Wisdom Of My Dad

11 Reasons to Not Drink Alcohol

More Articles in lower right margin. 

Paige Patterson Issues Statement Addressing Recent Events

Former Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary President Paige Patterson released a statement in late November addressing a statement from Kevin Ueckert, chairman of Southwestern’s board. 

“While I do not have any interest in continued dialogue related to Southwestern’s Trustees or officials, I do always want the whole story to be told,” Patterson wrote.  “As Chairman Ueckert indicated in his recent letter to Southwestern’s donors, I am deeply appreciative for anything that the trustees did to recognize my 42 years of training preachers and missionaries in the denomination, including 15 years at Southwestern Seminary. 

“I was unable,” Patterson continued, “to accept the Executive Committee’s proposed settlement agreements because all contained a strict nondisclosure clause.  I have launched no campaign against Southwestern and do not intend to do so.  But neither will I sign a statement that commits my family and me to positions that we cannot guarantee.  One wonders what I have done to generate such a request.  I would have thought the trustees would know me well enough after 42 years to know that I would never sign such an agreement.  Nevertheless, for this reason, I was unable to accept the proposed settlement agreements.” 

-article in Southern Baptist Texan, January, 2019, print copy, p. 13.  

http://texanonline.net/

-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, January 7, AD 2019. 

Update:

Paige Patterson Responds to Houston Chronicle

https://www.paigepatterson.org/blog/letter-to-the-editor

Mohler, Akin apologize for backing accused leader

http://bpnews.net/52428/mohler-akin-apologize-for-backing-accused-leader

Articles:

Baptists and Eternal Security, or Once Saved Always Saved; Part 1 of 3

Baptismal Regeneration; Is Baptism Necessary For Salvation? Part 1

11 Reasons to Not Drink Alcohol

LGBT and Suicide

Other Articles in lower right margin. 

LGBT and Suicide

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

Youth who identify as homosexual, bisexual, and transgender have a significantly higher risk of suicide and life-threatening behavior compared with heterosexual youth, according to an extensive study published in JAMA Pediatrics, 2018.  Biblical morality is better, safer, and should be widely taught.  We are to love everyone, but it is not loving to affirm sinful, self-destructive behavior. 

My heart goes out to anyone who considers, or commits suicide.  Please see “13 Reasons Why Not to Commit Suicide,” linked below. 

Suicide affects all groups and categories of people.  Yet, when one group has a significantly higher rate of suicide and life-threatening behavior, it should give us pause.  It should cause sincere concern. 

Some will contend the higher rate is because of the general population not accepting their lifestyles.  But LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender) lifestyles have more acceptance today than ever.  Furthermore, these higher rates of self-destructive behaviors are also seen in even more accepting cultures such as Sweden. 

Excerpts from Christian Post article:

Dr. Michelle Cretella, executive director of the American College of Pediatricians, told The Christian Post that the study "confirms what no one disputes: Namely, that youth who identify as LGBQT have higher rates of mental illness leading to a greater risk of life-threatening behaviors."

Sweden is among the most LGBT affirming nations in the world, yet, LGBT mental illness and suicide rates in Sweden are just as dramatically elevated relative to the general population.

A September study conducted by Russell B. Toomey, Ph.D., of the University of Arizona-Tucson, found that more than half of all teenagers who identify as female to male transgender have attempted suicide.

For more information:

https://www.christianpost.com/news/gay-transgender-youth-at-significantly-higher-risk-of-suicide-than-heterosexual-peers-study.html

Love everyone.  Treat everyone with respect.  All are made in the image of God.  But also, lovingly point to the truth. 

-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, January 2, AD 2019. 

Update: 

Therapy bans and reports of trans regret grow

“Former transgender activist Walt Heyer, 78, had sex change surgery in 1983 and lived as a woman for eight years before he became a Christian and accepted his biological sex. He released ‘Trans Life Survivors’ in October, a book of stories from dozens of individuals who regret their decision to undergo sex change surgery. The book tells 30 stories, but Heyer said hundreds contacted him and said they wished they hadn't identified as transgender.”  -Baptist Press

http://www.bpnews.net/52234/therapy-bans-and-reports-of-trans-regret-grow 

Articles:

13 Reasons Why Not to Commit Suicide

10 Reasons to Avoid Pornography

The Roman Road of Salvation

Southern Baptists On Natural Marriage; Same-Sex Marriage

Jesus Christ on Same-Sex Marriage

Christian Apologetics: A Reasoned Defense of Christianity

 Other Articles in lower right margin.  Check them out.