April 11, 1998 (Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061-0368, fbns@wayoflife.org) - The following article by Pastor Tod Brainard is from The Projector, Fall 1996 (P.O. Box 643, Milton, FL 32572) --

"For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears" (Acts 20:29-31).

The danger of error has always existed within a local church or within a movement of believers. That was the cry of Paul in his last days on earth. Notice Paul’s clear statements: "among you," "of your owns selves." I believe Satan, in these last days, has delighted to see church leaders and evangelists focus their warnings of error outside Fundamentalism while failing to warn of error within Fundamentalism.

New-evangelical name-dropped, to give the appearance of sanding true to the cause of Christ, seems to be very popular. Mention the names Billy Graham or Chuck Swindoll among fundamentalists and you receive a unanimous outcry, "New-evangelicals, Ugh." Mention the name of a fundamentalist who is publicly compromising the Word of God, and you hear a unanimous "hiss" against the one who is giving the warning. An unwillingness to mark and expose those "of your own selves" is the prevailing attitude of our day. Avoidance of the "John the Baptist" style of fearless preaching against sin and error without partiality has resulted in a weak generation of preachers who will not warn the flock of God. As the saying goes, "Our preacherettes give sermonettes to Christianettes." We love to give the impression we are a "bear" against New-evangelicals, but in fact we are fuzzy, cuddly teddy bears when dealing with "those among us."

New-evangelical name-dropping may make folks think you are standing true, but failure to name those "among us" is hypocrisy at its fullest.

Paul’s words, inspired by the Spirit of God, ring loud and clear for all those who have "ears to hear." "I cease not to warn every one night and day with tears." "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock…" (Acts 20:31,28).