March 29, 2006 (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) –

From time to time, I publish some of the goodies from my interesting mailbox, and many people have told me that they enjoy reading these things. Following are some items from the last couple of months:

THEY LIKE MY PREACHING

“I believe O Timothy is doing exactly what God wants it to do. I enjoy reading it completely each month and it has given me many valuable insights. I thank Bro. Cloud for compiling this information which saves me a great deal of time. O Timothy keeps an eye on this increasingly apostate world, allowing me to continue to study God’s Word. You are indeed a light in this exceedingly dark world. Please don’t ever let it go out.”

“God has always preserved a remnant that get it RIGHT; I learned as a child the majority is NEVER right. So keep on doing what you're doing for those of us out here that appreciate the difference!”

“The author of the article entitled What About Ruckman? hit the nail on the head. As an ex-member of Galilean Baptist Church in Livonia, MI., with it’s hard-core Ruckmanite following, I can attest from first hand experience that the man is vicious. ... I knew as a very spiritually young, ungrounded individual that the spirit that lurked around that crowd was not the Holy Spirit. I'm not sure if it was the vulgar language that was used by Ruckman during his guest preaching appearances, or the ‘nigger’ jokes he told at Pastor Noe’s house during battleship...I mean...fellowship after the services, hmm? Nevertheless, I am a KJB believer and I agree with all points made in the article on your website. Thanks for being a blessing to me tonight.”

“How refreshing are your articles on new evangelicalism. I live in England and am trying to educate the elders of my local Baptist church into the apostate patterns of the British Baptist Union and the WBA. I find they have little or no knowledge of such terms as new evangelicalism and do not recognise that they are indeed immersed in it up to their necks. I send them each a copy of your articles and now believe I am getting a positive response from some of them. Keep it up my friend.”

“I've been a supporter of your online ministry for about three years, and have read most of the articles and commentaries at your website. The work you are doing is invaluable at this late apostate hour and I thank you for your faithfulness in the Lord Jesus.”

“First, I want to commend you for your obedience and strong stand for the Lord that you have taken in these perilous times. I also want to thank you for your work on ‘The Strange History of Pentecostalism.’ I was saved 8 years ago, and began going to a Pentecostal Church. I accepted the doctrine of Initial Evidence, but something never felt quite right about it. It was through your article and other research that I found the entire Pentecostal Movement to be a fraud.”

“Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!! [The writer is referring to the article “A Warning about Professional Sports.] I have never understood this adulation of sports figures who are like Gods to the many men in our churches.”

“A sharp sword (The Bible) will cut going and coming and does not care who you are or how much you think you may know. Probably more people dislike your work than like it but I wanted to encourage you to continue a work that is able to cut its way through false teaching and encourage faithful service. God bless your ministry.”

“Watchmen are rare these days, especially those that ACT upon what they see, I agree with the many that your ministry is RARE and soundly based on the Word of God the light of which is very much needed in these dark hours before our Lord’s return. England is in the same sad state that seems to be flourishing in America and elsewhere, we praise the Lord for ministries such as yours, as you are able to put together the words that so many of us are not able to do in trying to give warnings and answers to others, also for building us up and equipping us to stand firm.”

“I have attended a ‘Hyles Church’ for five years and after thoroughly studying your publications on the web I made the difficult decision to leave a church that has been preaching a perverted gospel. Emotionally my family and I wanted to stay because we grew close to the people there, but my loyalty to a church or a man will never supersede my loyalty to the biblical convictions that God has given me. I have attended this church for five years and it appears that soul-winning is more like a basketball game in which the team with the most points wins. It is as if they’re having a sales contest or something. I think big numbers are great and exciting but fleshly excitement will never replace biblical preaching that points a finger in a man's face and tells him to repent of his sins or go to hell. Don’t get me wrong. I believe in compassion along with that finger in the face but I don’t believe in deceitfulness based on a presentation of the gospel that avoids repentance in order to get the quick decision. I have noticed that these unscriptural presentations concentrate more on the end rather than the means. Unfortunately, the end result is a sinner who has been given a false hope based on a false gospel that excludes repentance and replaces it with salesmanship methodology. As a result, far less than 1% of the ‘converts’ start attending the church regularly. The truth is a gospel without repentance is just as wicked as a gospel with works. Brother, thanks for letting me share and thanks for taking a stand against heresy and apostasy in the church.”

“I am a professional writer. I own a marketing firm called Stellar Text. I’d like to compliment you on how well-written your article was.”

“I just wanted to write and say that I have considered you a friend since the day I met you at my Church and you have encouraged me in the faith 1,000 times with your encyclopedia. It seems so sad to see people attack your ministry. So let me thank you for your incredible work and please consider my letter as encouragement from our God.”

“First of all, wow! Your work is really impressive. Thank you. I'm 28 years old. I have been interested in religion since I was a child. About six years ago I have started to study the orthodox Jewish tradition (I have also started to study Biblical Hebrew since one year ago), and about one year ago I felt the need to rediscover Jesus, so I came back to the Catholic church. I began to study the Catholic teachings and I become deeply unsatisfied  with  them, then, after reading ‘The American Daily’ or some other conservative website, I started to look for info on Baptism, and after some time I discovered ‘Sword of the Lord’ and your own website among others. I felt that I have found the right faith, the right Jesus, and I accepted it, so thank you very much. Your work has helped me to rebirth.”

“We appreciate your Way of Life website so much, and we have been blessed by reading many of your books. You are someone that we constantly look to for sound spiritual teaching, and you remain in our prayers.”

“I’ve made use of your website for a few years now, and have also purchased a number of your well-researched books. The site has proven to be a gold mine of valuable spiritual information that I believe has helped to keep me on the right track in my Christian walk. At any rate, I’ve been meaning to contribute a substantial sum for a while now, and have finally gotten around to actually doing it. This is my way of saying ‘thank you’ for all the hard work you’ve done over the years and for standing firm in the faith.”

“Brother Cloud, your writings are what got me to investigate the Pentecostal movements beliefs! I remember when I first read ‘The Strange History of Pentecostalism,’ I got mad. HOW DARE HE WRITE SUCH STUFF! but there as ONE little problem; I couldn't put it out of my mind. It just kept coming to the forefront of my mind, and I couldn't shake it! So, I began a little investigation of my own. I’ll prove him wrong. And the more I investigated and tried to prove you wrong, the more I ended up proving you RIGHT! Finally, on Easter of 2004, after coming to place where I just knew I couldn’t remain in those circles any longer, I ended up parting with the Pentecostal Movement.... for good!”

“I read your article called ‘Those Fundamentalist Pharisees.’ I know you get a lot of negative things said about you and your stand for biblical truth. When I started reading the daily listing of articles on your website, I was taken back as well. But I did the correct thing and instead of getting mad at you, I looked inside myself and found I was compromising God’s Word instead of obeying it. You remind me of many of the prophets in the Old Testament. God’s people would not listen to them either and experienced God’s discipline in the long run. I just want to say thanks for being a modern day Bible prophet calling all of us back to the Scripture. You may not see much reward here from God’ people but I know the Lord will reward accordingly to your faithfulness to Him and His Word.”

“I thank the Lord each day He has graciously lead me to men such as Brother Cloud! Thank God there are still men like Brother Cloud who are faithful to the Word in this unfaithful age. His teaching has encouraged and convicted me to ‘earnestly contend for the faith.’ My Christian life has been enriched just to know the Bible is still honored and held as the Final Authority in faith and practice. There are many who say it, but  few who live it.”

“I have emailed you once or twice regarding my disagreement with you concerning issues like music and the Southern Baptist Convention. Though I have not read any of your arguments that have changed my mind on these issues, I do agree with many of your positions. I regret that others have labeled you a ‘Pharisee.’ I appreciate your ministry even though I might not agree with every opinion that you have. I have found your website helpful and informative.”

“God bless you for the marvelous Bible doctrine information you make available to Christians all over the world, and your defense of the preservation of God's Word, the Bible. Your work is unprecedented in this age of Apostasy. It is to their shame that many born again Christians choose to discredit your name.”

“I would like to thank you for the unwavering stand you take. I have quite a few friends who have gone the New Evangelical route and my heart is very heavy for them. I even know of some who have come away from the Catholic church, gone to an Evangelical church for a while, and are now back into Catholicism. In typical New Evangelical spirit, these folks tend to shun any kind of ‘negativism’ and are amazingly ecumenical. When I try to graciously point out the dangers of this way of thinking, they tend to become very defensive and even militant in their attitude. It is so refreshing to have men like you who are willing to stand for the fundamentals of the faith. Keep up the good work and be assured that you are in my prayers on a regular basis.”

“I want to start off by saying thank you for the stands that you take on different issues that are not being addressed by other Christian publications and voices. I receive the ‘O Timothy’ magazine and keep every issue for future reference.”

“I received my CDs for Swordsearcher and the Way of Life Encyclopedia and Things Hard to be Understood. What a blessing! While I have a 2nd edition of the Encyclopedia in hardback as well as a paperback version of Things Hard to Be Understood, to have these so easily accessible through Swordsearcher makes cross referencing that much easier. Since I am in the military, I am often on the road yet still responsible not only for my own study of God’s Word but for preparation of Sunday School lessons. These two CDs have as much material as a small bookcase of information and enable me to travel lighter. As my children get ready to head off to college starting next year, I plan on getting each of them their own set of CDs. I can think of no better reference material to provide them. God bless you for your hard work.”

“Thank you dear Christian friend for this article [‘Calvinism’s Proof Texts Examined’] and also the one entitled 'Calvin's Camels'! The timing, for me at least, is excellent! The 'Calvinism' subject has been much on my heart in recent months and certain pressure has been exerted from some of my Calvinistic friends!! This is most helpful, as indeed is all of the material on your site and the numerous publications I have purchased! Incidentally, your Way of Life Encyclopedia is a wonderful production and one which I should have purchased years ago, when I first returned to the 'paths of righteousness'! However, it is never too late and this book is a great learning resource!”

“I have never written to you before, but I am writing now just to express my gratitude for the sound doctrine you publish. I was recently entangled with a church ( after moving to a new city for work reason) I thought initially was true, but eventually found out they were oneness pentecostals  and  left. One of the factors that helped me find a scriptural basis for leaving that false church was the email you sent out about the divinity of Christ, sometime early in Nov. In fact it came at the right time. I knew something wasn’t right, and you newsletter provided me with the right scriptures to back up my decision to leave. Keep up the good work”

“I come from Indonesia, and am finishing my doctorate training here in the States, and plan to return this summer, following completion of my thesis. I am a fundamentalist and want you to know that I appreciate the ministry of Way of Life. It helps a lot, especially in third world countries where books are not readily available, fundamental books that is. The articles in the mailing list and website are great encouragement.”

UNLESS I AM MISTAKEN, THESE DON’T LIKE MY PREACHING

“May God have mercy on your ignorant soul. Where can you receive Jesus as your true personal savior? Only at Mass in the Holy Eucharist on your tongue, down your throat and in your stomach. I will pray for you to Jesus through His Holy Mother now for you to STOP THE BLASPHEMY on the Roman Catholic Church!! You are in grave danger of your soul!!”

“Cloud has a fat head. Many have noticed this and are put off by his snob attitude about pastoral authority and the overlord principle. He is a classic case of a man who defends the KJV but massages it around to promote his presuppositions. Same old blather we heard from Papa Roma about 1700 years ago. Furthermore; who says the local church cannot be a teacher (pastor is only used once in the New Testament and is all negative in the Old) and a handful of God's people? Cloud sounds like all the other hot shots in all the Baptist colleges and cemetaries.’ (from Steve Van Nattan of Balaams’ Ass ministry)

“I just read your article on Worship music....you guys are nuts!!”

“I would like to say that you are one of the most hatefilled and fervently anti-christian websites have had the unfortunate luck to have laid eyes on. Christ taught and preached love and tolerance. The APOSTATE Paul is the one who preached against homosexuality. He was never and will never be an advocate of christ. In fact, he was one of the contributers to the dillution of christianity with rediculous idiotic doctrine.”

“Jesus came not only to save people from sin, but from suffocating Pharisees like yourself who are more interested in following some laws than having a relationship with Jesus. ... I pray that you come to know the Jesus I know and am getting to know better. I hope too many people aren't fooled by the lies on your website that Satan helped create. Don't lose sight of what really matters: Jesus....not stupid legalities.”

“Your website makes me cringe. I can understand why this world hates fundamentalist Christians when you write legalistic articles like this. You make it sound as if the whole Catholic church is blasphemous and going to hell. There is no humility in your critiques, only a pharisaical elitism that makes my stomach turn.”

“Wow, that is all I can say, the absolute arrogance and ‘How I see it or else’ attitude is scary. I have always been taught to be careful of the gatekeepers who set in judgment over others works, not that it is wrong but that we should be careful because one can easily go from watching over the truth of the word and begin thinking they are the only ones that are right. It appears as though that is where you are and it is very sad. If you disagree with Chuck that is OK but we all can disagree with each other on all kinds of things. We should focus on what we agree about and not every little thing that can tear each other down. To read your article you would think that Chuck is a worker of the enemy and damning people to hell, the bible teaches us to think on those things that are good and lovely and of good report. If I take your article at face value I would think that Chuck is sent from the devil to corrupt the word and destroy lives. WOW, is that really what you are saying, and if you are making such an allegation I have one question, SO WHERE IS YOUR FRUIT?” [Note from Brother Cloud: This man puts all sorts of words into my mouth that I have never said and attributes motives to me that I don’t have, then condemns me for writing what I did not write and having an attitude that I do not have. You can’t win with this “judge not” crowd!]

“Your false statements of the ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, AND APOSTALIC FAITH which JESUS CHRIST FOUNDED is A TRUTH that you cannot and will not accept, to your own self infliction of such inherited prejudice. You can only be pitied and prayed for, while at the same time loved as Christ says: WE ARE TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.  Until you allow yourself to become capable of doing what Our Lord Jesus has told all people to do, the world will continue in such an unbrotherly, unchristian, and ungodly way of life.  If you are not a Mason, you would make a good one. God Help You and Have MERCY on you. THE TRADITIONAL LATIN MASS THE MASS OF ALL AGES. DEO GRATIAS!”

“Are you out of your minds? Take your bible and smack yourself in the head with it and hope that in the process you knock yourself back into reality with the rest of the modern world.”

“I so pity your condemning life,  light years away and apart from the release of grace God gave us through Jesus our Savior...it must be very lonely in your world. John Eldridge is only targeted by your latest search for a chance to condemn someone else...he'll escape unscathed...but you certainly will not...I'm sorry for men and women like you...wake up and fulfill your purposeful, Godly life...alive! Praying for you.”

“Wow. I believe I stumbled across the modern day Pharisees. It is really something that you can inerrantly interrupt the word of God and point out where every other Christian is wrong. Thank God that you’ve founded the only denomination that is truly 100% Christian.”

“I read some of your articles. My heart was grieving that christians are more worried about pointing a finger than doing God's business. You should spend more time doing God’s work than criticizing other men of God.”

“your thing on cavin is a bunch of nonsence. Hunt is dum just like you.  I am pround to be a former baptist because of freaks like you.”

“Don’t be a Pharisee! Your fundamentalist interpretations of the Bible are stifling your witness. Open your heart to the love of Christ and you too might find it.”

“You Bible believers are truly full of hate. As Catholics we are not taught to judge others by our faith, but to look at ourselves. And you tell me, were does it say by Scripture alone? ‘Sola Scripture.’ It does not! And as far as Mary, Our Holy Mother goes, be very careful, you do not want to anger our Lord.”

A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

“By the power of the Lord God Almighty I pray and ask that David Clouds mouth be shut before everyones eyes and is exposed for preaching another gospel, In Jesus Christ Name! AMEN”

“You guys are really brainwashed! Have you been living under a rock or something? You sound reminiscient of Hitler! Most of the people you mentioned as ‘rock’ groups are pop singers! When are you people going to realize that you are the most ignorant, naive people on this planet? Probably never! Hypocrates, that's all you are! You'll never accept that, but that is the truth. How stupid can you be?????”

“stop it punky. I am not down with your telling me caltlics are not saved. heratic. I think your not saved as well as all baptist that hold your view. Jesus said do not judge.  I left the baptist because you haste people”

“I was looking over this 2001 article about the ‘evil life of john lennon’.  Whoever wrote this article is sick. Whoever wrote this article is a deceiving, propagandist ******.  There is no "hell', but if there was, the author of this article would burn there. They are the real evil of this world. John Lennon was more a role model, more an image of Jesus than any of you sadistic, evil ********* could ever dream of being. I am a philanthropist, a caring, loving person who would never hurt anyone, and I hope the author of this article and the people who support it suffer greatly throughout their lives.”