Why I Am Not Southern Baptist - May 14
I grew up in Southern Baptist churches and many of my friends and relatives are still a part of the Convention, but when I was converted in 1973, I searched for a biblical church and joined a sound fundamental Baptist congregation (not all fundamental Baptists are sound!). I am thankful for the spiritual benefit I received growing up under the sound of the gospel and for the scriptural doctrine I was taught as a boy, and I am thankful for every good thing that God has done through the Convention, but there are some compelling biblical reasons why I never went back. And I have found those reasons more compelling every decade.
I WAS ABUSED IN THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
The 2019 annual Southern Baptist Convention was held in Birmingham, Alabama, June 11-12. There were 8,183 messengers from associated churches (meaning churches that contribute to the SBC Cooperation Program). “Southern Baptists acted in support.. See Full Report
I grew up in Southern Baptist churches and many of my friends and relatives are still a part of the Convention, but when I was converted in 1973, I searched for a biblical church and joined a sound fundamental Baptist congregation (not all fundamental Baptists are sound!). I am thankful for the spiritual benefit I received growing up under the sound of the gospel and for the scriptural doctrine I was taught as a boy, and I am thankful for every good thing that God has done through the Convention, but there are some compelling biblical reasons why I never went back. And I have found those reasons more compelling every decade.
I WAS ABUSED IN THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
The 2019 annual Southern Baptist Convention was held in Birmingham, Alabama, June 11-12. There were 8,183 messengers from associated churches (meaning churches that contribute to the SBC Cooperation Program). “Southern Baptists acted in support.. See Full Report
Friday Church News Notes - May 10
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH VOTES IN FAVOR OF HOMOSEXUAL PASTORS AND SAME-SEX “MARRIAGE” (Friday Church News Notes, May 10, 2024, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - After long years of the leavening of theological liberalism, the United Methodist Church voted to remove its ban on homosexual pastors and same-sex “marriages.” The vote at the General Conference on May 1 was 692-51. This follows the departure of more than 7,600 congregations over the last four years in protest of the denomination’s apostasy. Most have joined The Global Methodist Church (GMC) which was founded in 2022. The United Methodist Church was formed in 1968 from a merger of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church. It has been declining in membership each year, having lost almost two million members in the 1970s and ‘80s alone. As early as 1968 a widely publicized.. See Full Report
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH VOTES IN FAVOR OF HOMOSEXUAL PASTORS AND SAME-SEX “MARRIAGE” (Friday Church News Notes, May 10, 2024, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - After long years of the leavening of theological liberalism, the United Methodist Church voted to remove its ban on homosexual pastors and same-sex “marriages.” The vote at the General Conference on May 1 was 692-51. This follows the departure of more than 7,600 congregations over the last four years in protest of the denomination’s apostasy. Most have joined The Global Methodist Church (GMC) which was founded in 2022. The United Methodist Church was formed in 1968 from a merger of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church. It has been declining in membership each year, having lost almost two million members in the 1970s and ‘80s alone. As early as 1968 a widely publicized.. See Full Report
Looking for Biblical Evidence of Salvation - May 9
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves” (2 Co. 13:5).
To strive to maintain a regenerate membership is the most essential thing that churches must do to be stronger. In fact, if a church doesn’t strive for a regenerate church membership, it can’t rightly call itself a biblical church. If the members are not born again, they can’t possibly grow spiritually, can’t possibly live a separated pilgrim lifestyle, can’t possibly do God’s will, can’t possibly build godly homes that raise a godly seed (Mal. 2:15). If all of its members aren’t born again, a church can’t possibly follow the practice Paul gave in Colossians 1:28, “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”
The practice of Quick Prayerism and the frenzy for numbers, among other things, have destroyed this fundamental principle in a great many Baptist churches since the 20th century.
A regenerate church membership is an ancient Baptist principle based on clear biblical teaching, and it was practiced.. Read More
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves” (2 Co. 13:5).
To strive to maintain a regenerate membership is the most essential thing that churches must do to be stronger. In fact, if a church doesn’t strive for a regenerate church membership, it can’t rightly call itself a biblical church. If the members are not born again, they can’t possibly grow spiritually, can’t possibly live a separated pilgrim lifestyle, can’t possibly do God’s will, can’t possibly build godly homes that raise a godly seed (Mal. 2:15). If all of its members aren’t born again, a church can’t possibly follow the practice Paul gave in Colossians 1:28, “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”
The practice of Quick Prayerism and the frenzy for numbers, among other things, have destroyed this fundamental principle in a great many Baptist churches since the 20th century.
A regenerate church membership is an ancient Baptist principle based on clear biblical teaching, and it was practiced.. Read More
Memory Verse Journal Plan - May 8
Memory Verse Journal
https://www.wayoflife.org/free_ebooks/memory_verse_journal.php
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psalm 1:1-3).
If there is one thing we can do to strengthen the churches it is to seriously strengthen the biblical depth of the congregation. “For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong.. Read More
Memory Verse Journal
https://www.wayoflife.org/free_ebooks/memory_verse_journal.php
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psalm 1:1-3).
If there is one thing we can do to strengthen the churches it is to seriously strengthen the biblical depth of the congregation. “For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong.. Read More
Levites gather in Jerusalem to re-enact their musical role in the Temple.
Friday Church News Notes - May 3
LEVITES TUNE UP FOR THE THIRD TEMPLE (Friday Church News Notes, May 3, 2024, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - “Levites Tune up for the Third Temple” is the title of a report in Israel365News for May 3, 2024. Following is an excerpt: “On Thursday, the third intermediary day of Passover, Levites gathered in Jerusalem to reenact their musical role in the Temple. A group of about two dozen Levites gathered in the Old City to practice their singing while wearing garments designed for use by the Temple musicians in the Third Temple. ... The Gaon of Vilna (an 18th-century Torah sage) said that the Temple music would be the last secret to be revealed before the Messiah.” We know from Bible prophecy that.. Read More
LEVITES TUNE UP FOR THE THIRD TEMPLE (Friday Church News Notes, May 3, 2024, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - “Levites Tune up for the Third Temple” is the title of a report in Israel365News for May 3, 2024. Following is an excerpt: “On Thursday, the third intermediary day of Passover, Levites gathered in Jerusalem to reenact their musical role in the Temple. A group of about two dozen Levites gathered in the Old City to practice their singing while wearing garments designed for use by the Temple musicians in the Third Temple. ... The Gaon of Vilna (an 18th-century Torah sage) said that the Temple music would be the last secret to be revealed before the Messiah.” We know from Bible prophecy that.. Read More
Hymnals - May 2
Following are some suggestions for choosing a church hymnal.
It is difficult to know how long hymnals will continue to be published, since they aren’t compatible with contemporary worship. I would guess that the market for hymnals has decreased significantly in the past 10 years.
It is essential to use hymnals with wisdom and spiritual discernment. Every song and hymn must be weighed by the Word of God, as we have described in the chapters “Weighing the Music” and “Weighing the Lyrics.”
God’s people must be taught to weigh Christian music by God’s Word, not by their emotions or by tradition. My personal taste is not the fundamental issue.
There are problems with all hymnals. God’s people must be properly informed so they can avoid errors.. Read More
Following are some suggestions for choosing a church hymnal.
It is difficult to know how long hymnals will continue to be published, since they aren’t compatible with contemporary worship. I would guess that the market for hymnals has decreased significantly in the past 10 years.
It is essential to use hymnals with wisdom and spiritual discernment. Every song and hymn must be weighed by the Word of God, as we have described in the chapters “Weighing the Music” and “Weighing the Lyrics.”
God’s people must be taught to weigh Christian music by God’s Word, not by their emotions or by tradition. My personal taste is not the fundamental issue.
There are problems with all hymnals. God’s people must be properly informed so they can avoid errors.. Read More
Billy Graham and Modern Bible Versions - Apr. 30
Billy Graham (1918-2018), the most influential evangelist of the 20th century, had a major role in the popularizing of the modern Bible versions. He exemplifies evangelicalism’s capitulation to the endless stream of versions.
Though there is no evidence that Graham had made the effort to understand even the ABCs of the Bible text/version issue, he put his imprimatur on practically every new version, no matter how corrupt and even flippant. He never warned of the ultra-liberal bent of the prominent textual critics who produced the Greek New Testament underlying the modern versions, or of the terrible corruption of the Vaticanus and Sinaiticus manuscripts (the so-called “oldest and best”) favored by the textual critics, or of the unbelieving principles of textual criticism. Graham largely treated the modern version issue as that of updating language .. Read More
Billy Graham (1918-2018), the most influential evangelist of the 20th century, had a major role in the popularizing of the modern Bible versions. He exemplifies evangelicalism’s capitulation to the endless stream of versions.
Though there is no evidence that Graham had made the effort to understand even the ABCs of the Bible text/version issue, he put his imprimatur on practically every new version, no matter how corrupt and even flippant. He never warned of the ultra-liberal bent of the prominent textual critics who produced the Greek New Testament underlying the modern versions, or of the terrible corruption of the Vaticanus and Sinaiticus manuscripts (the so-called “oldest and best”) favored by the textual critics, or of the unbelieving principles of textual criticism. Graham largely treated the modern version issue as that of updating language .. Read More
David Hughes
Friday Church News Notes - April 26
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH WORSHIPS TO HOMOSEXUAL ROCK ANTHEM (Friday Church News Notes, April 26, 2024, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The following is excerpted from “SBC Megachurch Starts New Sermon Series,” Disntr, Apr. 15, 2024: “David Hughes, the president and CEO of Church ... by the Glades in Coral Springs, Florida, has successfully turned the organization into a highly profitable carnival act. Rather than providing spiritual sustenance through the gospel, Hughes is preoccupied with putting on a spectacle. Week after week, we have reported that this church, which remains in fellowship with the Southern Baptist Convention and the powers that be, blasphemes God with its worldly performances and secular music. This past weekend, Church by the Glades.. Read More
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH WORSHIPS TO HOMOSEXUAL ROCK ANTHEM (Friday Church News Notes, April 26, 2024, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The following is excerpted from “SBC Megachurch Starts New Sermon Series,” Disntr, Apr. 15, 2024: “David Hughes, the president and CEO of Church ... by the Glades in Coral Springs, Florida, has successfully turned the organization into a highly profitable carnival act. Rather than providing spiritual sustenance through the gospel, Hughes is preoccupied with putting on a spectacle. Week after week, we have reported that this church, which remains in fellowship with the Southern Baptist Convention and the powers that be, blasphemes God with its worldly performances and secular music. This past weekend, Church by the Glades.. Read More
Churches on the Road to Contemporary/Emerging - Apr. 25
Over the last several years, I have become convinced that unless there is a deep-seated, far-reaching change in the average Independent Baptist church, the vast majority will be contemporary-emerging within a decade or two.
Take New Hope Baptist in Burlington, North Carolina, for example. It is a fairly conservative Independent Baptist church. The dress is conservative. They don’t preach false doctrine. They pray for revival. They try to reach souls for Christ. They have all of the typical programs, such as Sunday Schools, youth ministries, and missions support. They preach holy living. They have special prayer meetings, which is more than most churches have today.. Read More
Over the last several years, I have become convinced that unless there is a deep-seated, far-reaching change in the average Independent Baptist church, the vast majority will be contemporary-emerging within a decade or two.
Take New Hope Baptist in Burlington, North Carolina, for example. It is a fairly conservative Independent Baptist church. The dress is conservative. They don’t preach false doctrine. They pray for revival. They try to reach souls for Christ. They have all of the typical programs, such as Sunday Schools, youth ministries, and missions support. They preach holy living. They have special prayer meetings, which is more than most churches have today.. Read More
Mark Levin
Mark Levin’s Way or God’s Way - Apr. 24
I listened to Mark Levin’s radio broadcast last week and was reminded of two things. First, Levin is one of the most knowledgeable, clever, sincere, and passionate personalities in America’s conservative political movement. Second, other than sharing a love for America, we have radically different world views. I’m not criticizing Mr. Levin; I am thankful for the good he has done for America--he and every other “conservative.” I’m only singling him out insofar as he represents the most zealous, thoughtful, practical side of political conservatives.
My point is that regardless of what we have in common about America, we have very little in common in reality. If God’s redeemed people are followers of secular voices, no matter how knowledgeable and zealous, it is evidence of carnality and worldliness because God’s thoughts are not their thoughts.
Following are some of the differences:.. Read More
I listened to Mark Levin’s radio broadcast last week and was reminded of two things. First, Levin is one of the most knowledgeable, clever, sincere, and passionate personalities in America’s conservative political movement. Second, other than sharing a love for America, we have radically different world views. I’m not criticizing Mr. Levin; I am thankful for the good he has done for America--he and every other “conservative.” I’m only singling him out insofar as he represents the most zealous, thoughtful, practical side of political conservatives.
My point is that regardless of what we have in common about America, we have very little in common in reality. If God’s redeemed people are followers of secular voices, no matter how knowledgeable and zealous, it is evidence of carnality and worldliness because God’s thoughts are not their thoughts.
Following are some of the differences:.. Read More
Baptist Bible Fellowship International’s Road to Emerging - Apr. 23
Baptist Bible Fellowship International (BBFI) was founded in 1950 by pastors who left the World Baptist Fellowship as a result of a dispute with J. Frank Norris. Prominent among the roughly 100 founding pastors and missionaries were G.B. Vick and Noel Smith. They located their headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, and founded the Baptist Bible College there.
The BBFI is a fellowship of pastors rather than a fellowship of churches. Any Baptist pastor can affiliate by adhering to the fellowship’s 20 articles of faith and leading his church to support at least one approved BBFI missionary or missionary project (such as the fellowship’s schools).
The BBFI grew quickly and became very influential among Independent Baptists. By 1969, enrollment in Baptist Bible.. Read More
Baptist Bible Fellowship International (BBFI) was founded in 1950 by pastors who left the World Baptist Fellowship as a result of a dispute with J. Frank Norris. Prominent among the roughly 100 founding pastors and missionaries were G.B. Vick and Noel Smith. They located their headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, and founded the Baptist Bible College there.
The BBFI is a fellowship of pastors rather than a fellowship of churches. Any Baptist pastor can affiliate by adhering to the fellowship’s 20 articles of faith and leading his church to support at least one approved BBFI missionary or missionary project (such as the fellowship’s schools).
The BBFI grew quickly and became very influential among Independent Baptists. By 1969, enrollment in Baptist Bible.. Read More
Friday Church News Notes - April 19
THE HURKLE-DURKLE GENERATION (Friday Church News Notes, April 19, 2024, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The following is excerpted from “Hurkle-Durkle Is the New Way to Self-Care Ourselves to Death,” The Free Press, Mar. 20, 2024: “Every few years, the algorithm latches on to a new justification for doing absolutely nothing. Sometime this winter, I noticed videos about bed rot, which is what it sounds like: plonking down in bed indefinitely. ... Then, more recently, the term hurkle-durkle began flashing across my screen. ... on TikTok and Instagram it means to hit snooze, curl up under your duvet, and relax. To hurkle-durkle is to be at rest but not exactly sleeping. Kind of like you’re in a coma. ... These have dovetailed with various de-productivity trends that don’t have a Scandinavian patina but mushroom up nonetheless, like quiet quitting, which is about keeping a job but purposely not excelling at it, and.. Read More
THE HURKLE-DURKLE GENERATION (Friday Church News Notes, April 19, 2024, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The following is excerpted from “Hurkle-Durkle Is the New Way to Self-Care Ourselves to Death,” The Free Press, Mar. 20, 2024: “Every few years, the algorithm latches on to a new justification for doing absolutely nothing. Sometime this winter, I noticed videos about bed rot, which is what it sounds like: plonking down in bed indefinitely. ... Then, more recently, the term hurkle-durkle began flashing across my screen. ... on TikTok and Instagram it means to hit snooze, curl up under your duvet, and relax. To hurkle-durkle is to be at rest but not exactly sleeping. Kind of like you’re in a coma. ... These have dovetailed with various de-productivity trends that don’t have a Scandinavian patina but mushroom up nonetheless, like quiet quitting, which is about keeping a job but purposely not excelling at it, and.. Read More
Hymns - Jewels From Anne Steele - Apr. 18
Anne Steele (1717–1778) was a pioneering Baptist female hymn writer of the First Great Awakening era. Called “the female poet of the Sanctuary” and “the mother of the English hymn,” she published 144 hymns, 34 psalms versified, and 30 poems.
Yet we will see that Anne Steele’s hymns have dropped out of most Baptist hymnals since the turn of the 20th century.
Anne’s father and grandfather were pastors. The Steeles were from a long line of non-conformists that were persecuted for their faith. John Rede, founder of Anne’s church, was imprisoned in the Tower of London for a number of years in the early 1660s.
“Though, after the Glorious Revolution of 1688, Dissenters were granted relative freedom of worship, they still had not been given full.. Read More
Anne Steele (1717–1778) was a pioneering Baptist female hymn writer of the First Great Awakening era. Called “the female poet of the Sanctuary” and “the mother of the English hymn,” she published 144 hymns, 34 psalms versified, and 30 poems.
Yet we will see that Anne Steele’s hymns have dropped out of most Baptist hymnals since the turn of the 20th century.
Anne’s father and grandfather were pastors. The Steeles were from a long line of non-conformists that were persecuted for their faith. John Rede, founder of Anne’s church, was imprisoned in the Tower of London for a number of years in the early 1660s.
“Though, after the Glorious Revolution of 1688, Dissenters were granted relative freedom of worship, they still had not been given full.. Read More
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