|
Volume 63 Number 9 Lubbock, Texas 79493 Copyright $12.00 Per Year September 1995 |
The Bride's Chamber A River That Hath Streams Before The Beginning Time To Pray Memories and Sweet Meeting Attended the West Texas Association Giving Heed to Seducing Spirits End Zone Views The Mountain of God The Downward Course of Abraham Sister Mattie Sue Abshire Sister Virginia Scoggins Arvenis Norton Brother Charles Head Brother Karl Keener My Journey
First, "Preach the word"- 2nd Tim. 4:2. However, the "word by Itself kills" - 2nd Cor. 3:6 - "but the spirit giveth life."
Preaching the word or letter is scriptural, but it is not "The Gospel."--1st Thess. 1:5 - informs us of the requirements of "The Word becoming the Gospel.'
"For Our Gospel came not into you in word only, but also in power, and in The Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.."
So, the Gospel requires the presence and leadership of the Spirit. Now, knowing this, we can then follow The Gospel, always realizing that if it is not accompanied with the Spirit it is not The Gospel, but the Word only.
With this ingredient, we follow The Gospel, as it goes about its various assignments, always being delivered by the God-Called Preacher, with its applications and appeals being directed only to the born-again Elect Child of God. If it is not directed only to the Born again Elect Child, then it cannot be heard or understood spiritually - John 8:43.
Now, concerning The Gospel [not just the letter of the Word,] it will lead us into two distinct areas every time, or both. Namely, the Spirit leads the preacher who leads the congregation. It is never "The preacher leading the Spirit."
Paul says, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."
1st Cor. 11:1. Paul further admonishes to "Follow Him" - 1st Cor 4:16; Phil 3:17. But if you study the context, Paul is always implying that first Christ or rather The Spirit of Christ is leading him. Having articulated this fine point, I now am ready to amplify my major thrust.
When a God called preacher is following The Spirit [which is the leader] into various fertile fields of the Gospel, we will learn that each and every endeavor leads either into - The Classroom, or the Bride's Chamber. If it is only The Word or Letter, it will always be "The Classroom." If it is Spirit-Led, then it becomes The Gospel [1st Thess 1:5]. Sometimes, The Spirit may forbid us to experience the Bride's Chamber, but rather lead us only into the Classroom. But while there, The Spirit, through the preacher, may "Show or point you to the Bride's Chamber" without your having manifestly experienced entering therein. The Holy of Holies itself - The Sanctum Sanctorium - in the Tabernacle of the O. T. is also a figure of the Bride's chamber.
This is where The Lord promised to meet with them and make his presence known between the cherubim's --The Shekinah Glory. This is a picture of the height or crown of spiritual joys on this earth. This is the ultimate spiritual experience of the Child of Grace while earthbound.
This is truly the earnest, joy, foretaste of glory or God. You may have only been in the Outer Place - The Holy Place, before. All sermons of the Word or Letter only, speak to the Mind. However, if the sermon is endowed with The Spirit and its leadership, it then speaks to The Heart.
Also notice, as The Spirit leads, we follow. No man can command The Spirit - Ecc 11:5; 1st Cor. 2:9-10.Observe in - Rom 8:27 - the operation of The Holy Trinity.
"And he that searcheth the heart knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." There you have it - The mind of the Spirit is in harmony with God The Father and The Son. The Son then calls the preacher who follows The Spirit, which leads us into The Gospel, then into the Bride's Chamber.
I feel many times my studies have opened my mind's door of understanding, and in The Pulpit before the congregation my desire is to lead them into the Bride's Chamber, but the Spirit may forbid such entry, only allowing the Minister to "Show or point" one to The Bride's Chamber. I know by experience that many times I have "seen" it but was not permitted to enter therein. The main difference is that "seeing it" you joyfully understand it, but when the Spirit allows "entry into it" you not only see it but "feel it." Then is when shouts of praise go up. Then is when tears of joy are shed. Then rejoicing is to the full.
A regenerated born-again elect child of God under the sound of The Gospel may or may not feel it but no doubt will see it. The difference is whether the spirit allows entry only into the Class-Room, or maybe, even into the Bride's Chamber. Here is the fullness of joy S of S 4:16. In this context, Solomon magnifies the wonderful encounter an "Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south, blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into His Garden, and eat his pleasant fruits." Here The Bride's Chamber is expressed as a " Garden." Especially notice, it becomes His Garden. S of S 4:12 - The Bridegroom favorably affirms and gives His approval of the Bride's Chamber with a beautiful description - "A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.."
This is the Bride's Chamber.
If we are to not only see but enter therein, we must start prayerfully, that the Preacher will, with the approval and leadership of the Spirit, be endowed with the "Preached Gospel" and not just in Word or Letter only. The Worship Service begins with Songs of Praise and Adoration, and reaches an elevated plateau of adoration till the "Spiritual Presence" of the Lord Jesus Christ, The Husband, is felt. Just before the minister enters the pulpit, the knee is bowed in humility and prayer is rendered. Then and only then can such "God-honouring Praise lift us higher to not just see, but feel the Glory of The Lord. That is ultimate timely joy of rest for the tired labourer. He is on his pilgrimage and sojourn on this mundane earth looking for and seeking for an heavenly abode where even now - timely, he can enter into sweet rest - The Bride's Chamber. If not, may we at least have the view from the Classroom to see it.
The Classroom is the place of "Instruction in Righteousness" 2nd Tim 3:16. Being taught is important, but the experience of The Bride's Chamber is the higher level where shouts of joy are heard.
The assembly of the Saints is not to be forsaken - Heb 10:25. The classroom is better than no attendance at all, but may we all pray for entry into the Bride's Chamber. "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be Praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of His Holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great king."
Psalms 48:1-2...This is the manifestly declared difference in just sitting in The Church, and spiritually entering into The Kingdom - Matt. 6:13.
The Kingdom is another way of expressing The Bride's Chamber. Again, Rom 14:17 - "For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."
I pray, may it be the Mind of the Spirit, to grant just such encounters.
Hulan F. Bass [Elder]
Lockhart, Texas
"There is a river, the streams shall make glad the city of our God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the most high..." Psa. 48:4
These words are to be understood in a figurative sense as applicable to gospel times. This river is the pure gospel of Jesus Christ, the streams its doctrine of truth, happiness, joys, food for the soul, healing of afflictions, power, and wisdom--all flowing out to his children into the parts of this old world where he in his great power and wisdom has placed his candle upon the candlestick which are the living waters, [Spiritual Truths] following a river, "and he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal proceeding out of the throne of God and the Lamb" - Rev. 22:1
This river of water of life --[Spiritual truths, --brings glad tidings of great joy and peace---not trouble, strife and division, but it makes glad the City of our God. This river brings peace, happiness, joy, contentment to the penitent believer--one who has grace reigning in his heart and the spirit of Christ controlling his flesh.
This river has for its head or fountain deeply imbedded in God, in his mind, purposes, and God's love, mercy---and reconciling grace. "The foundation of God standeth sure--having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his"--2 Tim 2:19.
Being figurated as a literal river, these attributes of God flowed out under cover or flowed underground for a long way and time.
"Who hath saved us---and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ before the world began."
2nd Tim 1:9. "To make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath hid in God." Eph 3:9. Indeed was this river under the sands of time, even so it did for and in the experiences of grace of our elect child of God. While we were in sin before the regeneration power of God took possession of us, that river of God's love and mercy was secretly under cover, gently flowing to our being.
When the fullness of time came--it all came to the surface in essence of the Babe of Bethlehem. This river in the body essence of Jesus Christ flowed among hills of Judea, Samaria and Galilee for about thirty-three years and then sank in the quick sands of hate, cruelty, murderous suffering for only a part of three days and nights and rose to the surface again with a conquering face that surmounted every mountain, hill and plain between earth and heaven; flowed over the threshold into the door of heaven, with a conquering crown and the banner of victory over all demons and enemies of earth and hell, immediately directing the great course of the river of his love and mercy back into this world where his children [the church] must sojourn a while in the city of God--this river flows through the City of God.
Dear reader, will you bear with me in my understanding that this great river as it recoursed from heaven to the City of God, [the church] here in time on earth--the streams, [plural in number] of this great river flows individual currents in every child of God, into the spiritual avenues of the heaven born child of grace, the gentle flow and force of this great river is now sent into our souls by an individual stream from heaven by the power of the Holy Ghost. I do not mean by this expression to add another party to the three in one Godhead--it is the Spirit under a new administration. The Apostle Peter verifies this position: "Unto whom it was revealed that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven which things the angels desire to look into---1 Pet. 1:12. This river flowed among the Lord's people in their services on the day of Pentecost-- while Peter preached the water of life of this river that made glad the City of our God.
"Then they that gladly received his word, were baptized and the same day there added unto them about three thousand souls." Acts 22:41.
As these streams take lodging in the hearts of God's people, they bear different spectacles of glory in the sense of the principle of doctrine. "The streams whereof shall make glad the City of God." It makes the city glad individually, also collectively. The doctrine of eternal choice of his children, the doctrine of the covenant of grace, the assurance and blessing of it, the doctrine of eternal life promised before the world began. The doctrine of eternal redemption, by Jesus Christ, the doctrine of justification, pardon, adoption, regeneration, perseverance in grace, each is a stream flowing from the great river, proceeding out of the throne of God and the Lamb.
But let it be remembered that this river only runs in the City of God --it does not run to Babylon [flesh]. Babylon has tried to undermine this river ever since there has been a Babylon, but this river runs secretly from the flesh and human nature. "The natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God"--1 Cor 22:14.
This river is a spiritual passion of God, and the world of flesh can never draw one drop of water of life from this river. God has provided some providential streams in this world to water the cattle, the beast, the fowl, and the fish to live in but the river of our text flows from the throne of God and of the Lamb. A garden enclosed shut up, a fountain sealed. S. S. 4:12
If you live after the flesh, you, my sister, my spouse; a spring shall starve, peace, joy--and happiness of the soul that the great river of God's love brings to your soul.
E. J. Norman, [Elder] The Banner of Love May 15, 1964
Let's look at a subject that should be precious to us all. It renders the foundation of many of the "good and perfect" gifts the Lord has prepared for us. This subject is "Before the Beginning." Man thinks of the events of time as having beginnings and endings. Not often does he look to see what transpired before the beginning, what brought it about, and what course did it take?
Genesis 1:1 declares what occurred "in the beginning." It says that "God created...the heaven and the earth." This, the beginning of time, is of great importance. For this marks the start of time and all natural life as we know it. In God, that eternal purpose to create burst forth with the first utterance recorded for man..."Let there be light." Try to imagine the beginning, the beginning of beginnings, the first tick of time.
God, in whatever dimensions he transcends, speaking Time, the Earth and Universe [the four dimensions we are living in] into existence. These dimensions became our domain, yet boundaries we cannot escape. For Example: How many of us can return to our childhoods without our imaginations? Or go back before we were born and consult our predecessors. We cannot. We are prisoners of this time and universe. Or limited minds can hardly even imagine living without these boundaries.
What led God to create the heaven and earth and the host therein? Using the Bible, let's take the Beginning of Time [Genesis 1:1] as a fulcrum and explore the events and mind of God which occurred Before the Beginning [or as stated in Ephesians 1:4 "..... before the foundation of the world,"], in eternity past. Let's trace the events that lead us to the source of our Salvation. You will find that the beginning, the path and the end are all marked by the Golden Thread that links the whole Bible together. Christ said in John 5:39 to "search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me." Christ is the Author and finisher of our Faith. Yes, the scriptures are to testify of Christ, to tell His story. The goal of this writing is to discover Him as the Author of our Faith.
The Bible refers to multiple Key Events which occurred before the Beginning. These events are of vital importance to the Biblical story, fulfillment of Prophecy, and the Testimony of Christ.
We have confirmation, from Genesis 1:1, that God was certainly there at the Beginning. "In the Beginning God created..." But, Genesis 1:26 quotes God saying, "Let us make man in our image."
The words "us" and "our" implies multiple persons present. These persons make up what is known as The Godhead, Col. 2:9 says, "For in him [Christ] dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." Then who are in The Godhead? 1 John 5:7 states that "....there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word [Christ - Revelations 19:13 "His name is the Word of God"], and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one. These three are the Godhead. This is where the Godhead received the name Trinity. Now let's close the loop here, John 1:1 states, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Later in that same chapter; John 1:14, it says that "....The Word was made flesh, and dwell among us..." Romans 1:20 says, "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world -[Beginning of Time] are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse;" We cannot yet understand the Trinity [Godhead] and His eternal power. Yet, knowing they exist [through faith] allows us to understand the invisible things of him...Like: the righteousness of God, the wrath of God, and His Love, Wisdom, and Power.
The first event of pre-world history we will discuss is God's Love. His love is more than just an attribute of God. It is of the very being of God . 1 John 4:7 says that: "God is Love." More than truth, mercy, faith, and power; Love is the master motivator of Divine purposes. Love preexisted the creation. It was there in eternity past...that God loved us. The actual beginning of God's Love toward us is tied to His Loving Jesus. John 17:24 states [Christ speaking], "..for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world." And then in John 17:23 Christ says, "...and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." So, from these witnesses, one can determine that God loved us as He loved Christ and that He loved Christ before the foundation of the world. [Also, see 1 Peter 1:19-21, John 8:58.]
Hand in hand with God's love was God's foreknowledge. His master of time allowed Him to see [as only God could see] down through the passage of time and know those that He loved. And not as we would know someone [that is, recognize them], but intimately know someone. 11 Timothy 2:19 states, "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are His." and Romans 8:29 says, "For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son." These were not all the people of God knew would exist. These were the ones he wanted to know in a relationship of love and fellowship. This knowledge is an active knowledge, not passive. These are the ones that God said would "...know me from the least to the greatest..." the ones that He would "...write his laws in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts, and will be their God, and they shall be my people." [Jeremiah 31:33-34.] These activities were what made his foreknowledge active, not passive. And remember, all of this occurred before the beginning of time.
The Foreknowledge of God leads directly to the next topic, Election. 1 Peter 1:2 states, "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,.." Here we see the link between the two, And this too was before the beginning. Ephesians 1:4 says, "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love." Notice that the scripture also shows the trail back to his love. Now as God Elected [chose] those objects of his love, he wrote their names in his divine scroll, the Lamb's Book of Life. Revelation 13:8 says, "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." [There are also 7 other scriptural references to the "Book of Life"].
Once God had chosen those that he loved, through his foreknowledge, he desired to have them with him. But to be near God you must be pure and holy. So God pre-determined their destiny or predestinated them to become pure and holy as His Son, Jesus is. Romans 8:29, "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son,..." Ephesians 1:5, "having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself..." and Ephesians 1:11, In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated,"...God predestinated the chosen to become sons by adoption and therefore heirs.
But how was God to do this? His attribute of Justice demanded punishment to all who were children of Adam. The Mercy of God had to be harmonized with His Justice. It took great Wisdom to solve this problem. Man's wisdom could have never figured this out. I Cor. 2:4-7, Paul says, "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
[5] That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. [6] Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect; yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought; [7] But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory." The wisdom of God was a mystery to and existed before, the world, If you turn to Proverbs 8 you will read of wisdom. Solomon treats wisdom as a person and as if wisdom was speaking, describing itself. In the 22nd verse, Wisdom says, "The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. [23] I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was." As you study about the subject of Wisdom in the scriptures you will find that it is such a part of God that it can be interpreted as being the person of Christ. Also, you will notice that Christ was the answer to the question stated above. Christ was the answer to the problem, that took wisdom to solve. Christ [Wisdom] was the integral part to God's purpose.
This led to the purpose of God, not a plan, not a scheme, but a purpose. From His Wisdom he purposed to send Christ into the world at the fullness of time [Gal 4:4] to redeem those objects of his love. Ephesians 3:10-11, "To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, [11] According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Here you see that God's purpose was wrought from his manifold wisdom and that His purpose was in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This purpose was as all purposes should be, established by counsel [see Proverbs 20:18]. God, in counsel with the Godhead [Father, Son and the Holy Ghost] determined this eternal purpose. This counsel took place before the world began, in eternity past. II Timothy l:9, "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." Notice that the purpose was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. This means that the purpose and Christ Jesus were there before the world was. Notice also that all of this was given according to God's grace. Grace is at the foundation of God's mercy and love. The prime motivators of and to, God's purpose.
God was so sure of the full and perfect execution of this purpose that he promised it to all, i.e. his son and the object of his love. Titus 1:2, "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began..." With the completion of these things God was ready to create the world. He knew that mankind would fall, and that because of his great love He had to redeem those that He loved.
Once the world began and the fall, God committed his Son to the work he had purposed. The majority of the Old Testament scripture were devoted to unveiling the coming and purpose of Jesus Christ. The history includes from the original sin, through the lineage of man, the law, the disciplines and prophesies from and to the Jews, to the culmination of the birth of Christ.Christ came to die for those He loved from before the world began. Hebrews 9:28, "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many..." Hebrews 10:14, "For by one offering, he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified." Hebrews 9:14 "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God" Notice that each of these 3 scriptures contains the word 'offer". Also notice that the offering was made once and it was not made to man but to God. This offering was part of the purpose of God and completed the legal work required to free the captives of sin. This offering signed the adoption papers which made us part of the family of God. The seal with which we were ordained to eternal life [from the foundation of the world] was completed.
God's faith was so strong in His Son completing the work that he would send him to do, that even before his Son's birth, God sent his Spirit into those that he loved. This is the application of the legal work that Christ was to perform. Christ says in John 5:25, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live [see II Timothy 1:9 and Romans 8:30.] Those that the Spirit of God did and will enter are enabled to believe in Christ [see Acts 13:48]. With this new capacity to believe, we are given the responsibility to obey Him. This was also foreordained. [see Ephesians 2:10].
Final, as 1 Corinthians states in 2:7, "...which God ordained before the world unto our glory" all of this God has done to have us with him, to be glorified in him. [see 1 Corinthians 2:7 and Romans 8:31.]
In Christ's Love,
Eddy Bass
Albuquerque, N.M.
..... SIXTIETH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Here is a picture taken of Elder and Sister Frank McCarty on their 60th Wedding Anniversary. We are doing O.K. considering our age and health. We don't go very much because of our health.
Frank hasn't been very well for the past five years. And his health isn't very good now. We don't get to go to church very much, but the Lord has blessed us in many ways. And we still look to him to guide us.
If anyone would like to write us, we would like that. We need your prayers in the things we have to face.
In Christian Love,
Elder and Mrs. Frank McCarty
4914 Atterbury; St.
Norfolk, Va. 23513
I got up early one morning
And rushed right into the day
I had so much to accomplish
That I didn't take time to pray.
Problems just tumbled about me
And heavier came each task
"Why doesn't God help me," I wondered
He answered, "You didn't ask."
I wanted to see joy and beauty
But the day toiled on, gray, and bleak
I wondered why God didn't show me
He said, "But you didn't ask.
I tried to come into God's Presence
I used all my keys at the lock
God gently and lovingly chided,
"My child, you didn't knock."
I woke up early this morning
And paused before entering the day
I had so much to accomplish
That I had to take time to pray.
Author unknown
Selected by Charlene Cargile
Farwell, Texas
A GREAT COMFORT
I find the "Banner" a great comfort and I appreciate the subscription so much.
I pray that the Lord will continue to bless you and your paper's ministry.
In Christ's Love,
Eddy Bass
Albuquerque, N.M.
Dear Sister Opal; have thought of you so much since I read the article in the Banner of Love of your nice trip to Maryland, New Jersey and New York. I enjoyed it so much and to know what a joy you received. Was so glad to see the picture of Sister Helen Beauchamp. We have known her since she was a teenager and I still love her; and how Jimmie and I loved to hear her sweet singing. Also we have known the Taylor men since they were boys. It brought back so many sweet memories of all of their sweet singing. And we enjoyed having them in our home.
Jimmie and I with our son and wife also went to the Welch Tract Church, but we were not there for church. We were on vacation in Maryland to see our son, and wife's two sons, who were in the service and stationed in Maryland. We went to another Primitive Baptist Church, forgot the name of it. Jimmie left a note under the door of the Welch Tract Church, but never got a reply.
Our 5th Sunday meeting was a very sweet spiritual meeting with eleven ministers. The house was full and all the ministers were so blessed to bring sweet messages of our Great Redeemer. And the singing was so sweet.
Our ministers were: Elders Bernard Gowens, Tim Janes, and his father, Elder Janes; Elders Don Martin and Kenneth Martin, Clem Cook, Norman Jones, Alvin Russell, Ray and Lyman Little, and Bob Allgood and Brother Larry Guffy, who is exercising.
I was so glad to see Elder Gowens. I had not heard him preach since my Jimmie passed away. Also so happy to see and hear Elder Kenneth preach. And he was asked to line a song, No. 31, which was so sweet. I was happy to see Sister Herman and her three sisters, two from Farmington, and the one [Allene Green] who lives with her and takes her on their trips. They live in Arkansas. Sister Herman is 94 years old and gets around pretty good. She plans to be at the Clovis meeting also. Said she was the only member living who was in the constitution of the Clovis Church.
Love
Sister Ruby Smart
Cortez, Colo.
Note: Sister Ruby, thank you for writing. I fondly remember you and Elder Smart visiting Afton and me when you were enroute back home after visiting your parents in Lubbock.....Opal Richards
ENJOY IT SO MUCH
I'm sending money to renew The Banner of Love. I enjoy it so much. So many good writers. God bless them all and you dear ones that work so hard to get it printed.
In Christian Love,
Leona Tucker
Ardmore, Oklahoma
WEST TEXAS ASSOCIATION
What a wonderful meeting the West Texas Association was this year. Each minister came with a wonderful story expounding the truth of Grace. As I sat there I wondered if it could get any better. And I think that it did get better and more lovelier as we listened to the spiritual sermons. Wish you could have been there.
Opal Richards
Over the second weekend in August I was fortunate to attend the session of the West Texas Association, Cone, Texas, which was being hosted by the Malachi Primitive Baptist Church.
It was great getting to see many of my friends and relatives again.
The fellowship was glorious, the singing was uplifting. The preaching was divine; food was delicious. I only wish it could have lasted another day or two.
Well, there's always next year when this wonderful meeting will be hosted by the church I attend regularly, which is the Lubbock Primitive Baptist Church.
In God's Love,
Jerry Bass
Lubbock, Texas.
It's football season.
I say that with excitement because I am an avid football fan. My father was always a follower of the local high school football teams; and my brothers and I all played on the football teams in our high school days.
My friends know of my loyalties to the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Dallas Cowboys. I enjoy the games, the pre game activities, the halftime reports and the follow up stories.
I know not everyone shares in my enthusiasm for the sport. However, I find that even of those who are not football fans, they nearly always can name one thing that has become reasonably commonplace at football games.
There is one sight that has become so common and it is done so often, that even the reluctant football fans are familiar with it.
When one team is preparing to score a touchdown, an extra point, or a field goal, the TV cameras are usually at one end of the field and they zoom in behind the team with the end zone in the background. In most cases, some fan holds up a sign in the end zone with a reference on it to a biblical scripture.
Can you name the scripture. It nearly always is the same scripture, and some fans holds up the sign at nearly every game.
The scripture, of course, is "John 3:16." Almost everyone who has been to a game, or see part of one on TV, has seen such a sign.
Do you believe the sign? Have you looked in the Bible to determine what the scripture says?
"For God so loved the world, that he gave up his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.
I believe the sign, but I know that my interpretation is probably a lot different than most of those people who hold up those signs.
I wish I felt that everyone who quotes this scripture really understands it. However, my opinion is that few of those who quote it really understand it.
First, the word "world", as used here does not mean all humanity. Most people "in end zones" who used this scripture interpret this scripture to mean that a person will not perish "if ...", and usually include the words "accept Christ." But that is not what the scripture teaches.
I was fortunate a few years ago to hear Elder Hulan Bass preach on this very subject, and he gave all the background as to the much-quoted scripture to provide a full understanding of it. Perhaps I can talk Elder Hulan into putting his sermon into print for the Banner of Love.
First, the quoted scripture begins with the word "For". That should tell you something -- it should tell you to back up a few verses to read the introduction to the scripture and get the appropriate context.
The first few verses of the third chapter of John tell us about Nicodemus and his conversation with Jesus. It provides us the background (from Numbers 21:9, including the Lord's instruction to Moses to use the brass serpent on the rod to help people attacked by snakes).
When you study this, you also should read at least one verse past John 3:16:
"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." John 3:17.
If we interpret John 3:16 the way most of the "end zone" people think it is, then verse 17 is inconsistent and meaningless. If the "end zoners" believe each of us "must" accept Jesus, then non acceptance on their terms means condemnation. Therefore, the result of Jesus' coming would mean condemnation to the world -- something John 3:17 tells us is not so.
The third chapter of John is a story of promise and salvation. It is not an "scare" offer to get you to buy insurance, as many people would have you believe.
Look for the "end zoners". But understand the context of the scripture they are quoting.
WE THANK YOU
The Snyder, Texas Primitive Baptist Church would like to thank everyone who contributed to our 100th Anniversary Meeting. We would like to thank those who attended and help make this a joyous meeting and one of true thanksgiving that the Lord has blessed this church to be here to serve His people for the past century.
We also want to thank everyone for the prayers that were uplifted on the behalf of this meeting. Even for those who were unable to attend this meeting for whatever reason, we felt the prayers and they were indeed answered.
It was truly a blessed meeting and the Lord definitely visited His people. We were privileged to hear some great preaching from Elder Mark Richards, Elder Chuck Sammons, Elder Mike Rodgers, Elder Barry Brown, Elder Don Washek, and our own pastor, Elder Howard Jernigan. What a joy it is to hear the same messages and truths preached today that were preached 100 years ago. How thankful we are to our forefathers that they established one of God's churches in Snyder, Texas and we should be ever faithful and conscious of preserving that which has been entrusted into our care.
We invite anyone who would like to visit us at anytime to do so.
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils---" II Timothy 4:1
Departure from the faith "in the latter times" has been going on since the first century and is nothing new to God's people. John said, "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would [no doubt] have continued with us--."
John is saying you can identify a person by the company he keeps. "Birds of a feather flock together." There is something wrong when you find dove circling for prey with the buzzards or if you find sheep wallowing in the mire with hogs. But Paul said, "Evil men and seducers shall wax [grow] worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." II Timothy 3:13.
It is the giving heed [paying attention] to the seducing spirits and doctrines of devils that causes one to depart from the faith. The term "the faith" expressed in our text is "the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" spoken of by Jude. "The Faith" which is that body of doctrines and practices taught by Jesus Christ and passed on to "the saints" by the Apostles as expressed in Acts 2:41-47. It is not "The Faith of Christ" or "The Faith of God" which is a gift of God to all that He saves by grace. God's elect can not depart from "the faith of God" for "what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God of no effect? God forbid:--." [Romans 3:3-4, Eph 2:8-9, Gal. 2:20-21. But God's people can Depart from sound doctrine by giving heed to seducing spirits.
Seducing spirits in our text speaks of the deceitful ungodly influencing voices of man or the ministers of Satan who are transformed as "ministers of righteousness" [II Cor. 11:13-15]. They are the "spirit of error" [fraud, deceit and delusion] spoken of by John as opposed to the "spirit of truth" [I John 4:6]. It is obvious from scripture that some [of God's people it is presumed] shall depart from the faith giving heed to these seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. That some is not limited to Non Primitive Baptist - we are not the "untouchables."
The seducing spirits that "forbid to marry" and "to abstain from meats" are evident in some religious systems even yet today. But one of the most predominant Seducing Spirits that prevails today is that spirit which says, Bigger is Better. This spirit says to the religious leader, "You must do something to increase the number in your congregation." The Devilish Doctrines which are heeded is the questioning of God's Word: Hath God Said," followed by Adding to the Word, and then by Disobedience to God's Word to achieve the desired results. So what are the results? Today churches are marketing religion in the same manner as big corporations market worldly products. Set Goals; Do Advertising, Promotions and Specials; Provide lots of entertainment, Promise Instant Satisfaction and Quick fixes and offer it all at Bargain Prices.
We are not redeemed with corruptible things such as "silver and gold" but with "the precious blood of Jesus Christ."
We can not "make merchandise of God's people" and remain true to Christ. We cannot allow such practices to become part of the Primitive Baptist way. What size of a scourge would Jesus make today to drive these money changers out of his Fathers' house? May God help us to heed, thus saith the Lord and to be content to walk in the old paths where is the good way. As Jude said, "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that Ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints," Even as it was then, so is it now "For there are certain men crept in unawares...."
Primitive Baptist Elders area not exempt from this seducing spirits that says, Bigger is Better and you can rest assured that if it is needed they will depart from the faith and give heed to the doctrines or devils. God's word says in Psalms 127, "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it [that are builders of it in it]."
This Psalm is all about family building and what is taught here applies to building the house of God. Children are an heritage of the Lord. By God's grace parents can make their own children if God so blesses the womb to bring forth fruit. Man cannot make a child of God and God does not have any grandchildren. God makes His own children, God adds to the Church.
As builders of the house in the house there are some things that we can and should do: [1] Have a hearts desire and prayer to see God's people saved in time from the bondage of works [Romans 10:1] [2] Be an Example to believers by following Christ. [1] Thes 1:6, 1 John 2:6, Romans 12:1-2, Mark 8:34 [3] Sound out the Word of the Lord holding to sound doctrine. [1 Thes 1:8, 1 Tim 4:16]. [4] Worship God in Spirit and in Truth while we patiently look for the glorious appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ. [1 Thes 1:9-10, John 4:23-24, Titus 2:11-15]. [5] Be ready always to give an answer to every man [person] that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you. There may be more, but we should not and dare not go beyond what the Scripture teaches.
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the Glory of God." [1 Cor 10:31]. As Solomon said, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter; fear God, and keep His Commandments; for this is the whole duty of man." [Ecc 12:13].
This Seducing Spirit that says Bigger is Better is also asking Primitive Baptist Elders the question, "Can we not lower the standards of the church a little in order to grow. This seducing question soon gives rise to more enticing questions. Does not God recognize other churches of other orders and origin as part of the true church? Could we not compromise a little when it comes to Scriptural Baptism? Could we not open up the communion table to all God's people, just as long as they call themselves "Christian" and say they have been baptized? Could we not be less strict concerning membership because, after all Everybody is doing it? Should we not ordain Elders because they are good speakers, regardless of how many divorces they have had? Does not unusual circumstances allow us to forget about proving our Elders? Can't we just forget about church discipline in our modern day society? Should we not just preach love and forgiveness and forget all about repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ? I don't say this to cause trouble or to offend anyone, but I believe any Primitive Baptist Elder [including myself] that answers any one of these questions yes to justify the Bigger is Better philosophy is in danger of "Giving Heed to Seducing Spirits and Doctrines of Devils."
John the Baptist never endorsed the Bigger is Better philosophy foe when he saw the religious crowd coming to his baptism, he said "O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet [answerable to-proof of] for repentance. And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father [don't claim any pedigree]: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham " [Matt 3:7-10]. In other words John told them God can make His own vessels of honor, He does not need man to help Him out in this matter.
Jesus never endorsed the Bigger is Better philosophy. He said "Strait is the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and Few there be that find it". The Gate is the Church; Bethel the gateway to heaven in the Gospel sense. "Broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and Many there be that go thereat." Jesus told the Jews in John 6:53, "Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink his blood ye have no life in you." Those who were blind to the mysteries of the Kingdom could not understand this. Even many of His Disciples said, "This is a hard saying who can hear it." Jesus did not change his manner of speech just to please the crowd and gain Bigger Following. He said, "Doth this offend you-- It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing - But there are some of you that believe not--Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father."
This was not a Bigger is Better - Get on the band wagon - Crowd gathering message and "from that time many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him." Did Jesus start special promotional activities to regain the crowd? Did Jesus say, "Oh, My, the building is almost empty, I had better take steps to get a bigger congregation?
No he said to the Twelve, "Will ye also go away"? Our Lord cared nothing about the Bigger is Better Philosophy. His position was "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad" [Matt 12:30]
Written with love and sincerity in defense of the faith.
Your brother I hope, Bob Allgood
When Moses exiled himself in the land of Midian [the descendants of Abraham and Keturah], he married one of the daughters of the priest of Midian, and tended the flock of his father-in-law. While tending the flock he was in the back side of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, to Horeb, [Horeb is the name for the Sinaitic mountains.] This is the place where God spoke to him out of the burning bush. Telling him that he would serve God upon this mountain; when he had brought the people out of Egypt.
It was this mountain that Moses was sent to, with the elders, to the rock which watered his congregation of Israel; it is also where God called Moses up for forty days and forty nights, and gave him the commandments that he was to teach Israel. And it was there that Moses received the instructions to build the sanctuary; the tabernacle for the congregation, and set it up away from the encampment. And a cloudy pillar ascended, and stood at the door, and the Lord talked to Moses; promising him that his presence would go with him, and would separate him and all the Israelites from all the people that were upon the face of the earth. Thus showing them that they were the elect nation of God on earth.
It was also there, that God said Moses could stand on a rock, and when God, in all His glory, passed by, He would put him in the cleft of the rock so that Moses was able to look upon the back parts of God; no man being allowed to look upon His face. This was the place where God made the covenant, that He had not made with Abraham and Isaac; this covenant was made with the nation of Israel at the mountain of God [This being the law covenant. The law covenant required all Israelites to maintain their relationship with their Lord God.]
The Hebrew word "Choreb"; which is defined as desolate, was translated as Horeb; describing mount Sinai, and the desert thereof. It was an evil place, where nothing would grow, and there was no water to sustain man or beast. Therefore the Israelites caded Moses for water, for this was not the mountain that Moses and the children of Israel sang about the day they were saved out of Egypt; saying, "Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O Lord, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established."
Although the people had no place for refuge in this hostile environment, God commanded them to make Him a sanctuary, that he may dwell among them within the tabernacle. And as long as they look to Him for substance he would provide their needs. This tabernacle was a type of that which was to be in the spiritual kingdom of God; here on earth; a place that God would dwell with His elect, and provide all their needs.
The rock from which the water came is spoken, as being the Spiritual Rock which followed Israel; being a type of Jesus Christ who gives the living water; that water which sustains the Spirit life; the gospel.
Also the cleft in which Moses was protected from shows another type of Christ, who protects us from the wrath of God, and the condemnation of the Law. For from Mount Sinai; we can see the evil jealousy of God's wrath which would have caused him to destroy all Israel; except for Moses' interceding. Therein God is seen as fire, and smoke, and causing the earth to tremble in his anger. [The same can be seen when Christ cried with a loud voice, yielding up the ghost. For he had met the demands of our God in the restoration.]
This mountain, which represented the bondage of the law, was not one to be desired, but one to be feared; a place of desolation, and there was nothing there that would give life or support it. Yet, even this day the children of God seem bent on returning to that mountain of the law, and if it were possible to an eternal damnation before God. This mountain was not one of those in the promised land, Canaan.
But it did represent the law which was to govern the nation of Israel when they occupied that promised land. As written in the allegory, that Sinai answered unto Jerusalem; Jerusalem being the type for God's kingdom here on earth; the tabernacle of God.
[Concluded]
"He builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord;" between Bethel and Hai, but notice it does not say, "the Lord appeared unto him," as before. Many times I have heard folks say that they could serve God just as well and get just as much out of the church without being a member, as those who lived in the church could. Well that just isn't so, God has given us a commandment, "seek ye first the kingdom of God, [the church] and His righteousness," [Matthew 6:33.] We see here, that Abraham in his disobedience, trying to live between Bethel and Hai, was continuing on his "downward course," Abram journeyed going on still toward the south." [Geneses 12:9] and south always means "down", you never hear it said we're going up south. Furthermore, his downward course takes him "down into Egypt." [the world of outer darkness.] There is no reason to suppose that this was so with Abraham, but that it is not that way today, remember, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever." [Hebrews 13:8.] We should not expect that we will fare any better than Abraham the friend of God did, when we disobey God?
In Genesis 12:10 it reads, "And there was a famine in the land and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there," that is, he planned to only stay for a short spell. No matter what the circumstances may be, there is never any place like the church to live and dwell in, for it is the "The Land of Milk and Honey," it is God's place, and it is the place He has provided for His little children to live in. When we think that we can flee into the world of outer darkness to find help, we shall be as Elimelech and Naomi, who like Abraham, in a time of famine in their lives, fled to the Moabities but only found sickness, death and poverty. Naomi said, "For the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me, I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty," [Ruth 1:21.]
"And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south," He continues on his "downward course," for the next thing we read, as he and Sari came near to Egypt, is that Abraham says to his wife, "Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon; Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, they shall say, this is his wife; and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister; that it may be well with me for my sake; and my soul shall live because of thee," [Genesis 12:12,13.] He thought that he could pass her off as his sister because of their family resemblance, they had the same father but different mothers, see Genesis 20:12. Abraham isn't walking by faith now, he is walking by sight.
We see him here in the weakness of the flesh, he is like a lost child, he is only concerned about himself, he fears for his life and is willing to even give his wife to others to save it. He frantically pleads that she enter with him into the lie he had dreamed. He felt like a sheep among wolves, far away from the shepherd and the flock, what a terrible condition to be in. Abraham had brought all this distress not only on himself, but on all that were with him, as he continued on his "downward course," and except for the grace of God, all of the horrors of this dark and terrible place would have consumed him.
We know that all of this scheme was the product of Abraham's mind, with the help of Satan of course, and he could have changed his course, but he didn't. It is a hard thing, doing the best that we can, to try to live above sin when we are living in the church and under its influence, but out in Satan's world we are like sheep among wolves and are likely to be ensnared as Abraham was.
It would seem that Abraham had certainly come to a low ebb. He was not willing to leave his father and Lot for the pleasures of Canaan, but now was willing to give his wife to another to save his life.
As Abraham expected, so it was, for when they continued on "downward into Egypt," "the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair. The princes also of Pharaoh saw her and commended her before Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. And he entreated Abram well for her sake; and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses and menservants, and maidservants and she asses, and camels, [Genesis 12:14-16.] Again we should notice, that because a man may have much of this worlds substance it does not mean that these riches are given by God for a special blessing; for we can see here that Abraham, at this particular time, was wallowing in sin.
We suppose that Abraham probably thought his scheme was working out even better than he had supposed, because of the special treatment and gifts, he felt that his life was not longer in jeopardy and he was safe and secure; but remember, Jonah felt secure, he too, like Abraham had fled "from the presence of the Lord," and felt quite secure, for he had "gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay and was fast asleep;" and he also continued on a "downward course," he went down into the sea, down into the fishes belly, down to the bottom of the mountains and the earth and her bars was about me forever; yet thou hast brought up my soul from corruption, O Lord My God. It would seem that Abraham had come to the bottom of his "downward course," but finally, by the grace of God, Abraham was brought up into the land of Canaan.
"And the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house;" surely Satan must feel well pleased with himself, for here Abraham who was to be the progenitor of David seemingly was about to have his seed defiled by the Egyptians. For the seed of Abraham, by Sarah. would one day spring forth king David, the progenitor of the greater King David, but if there was no lesser David, then there would never be a greater David which was Jesus Christ, the Promised Seed, "And in thy seed shall all the nations of earth be blessed...He hath not, And to seeds, as many; but as one, And to thy seed, which is Jesus Christ---but, "the seed of the woman that shall bruise thy head, see Genesis 22: 18:3: 15: and Galatians 3:16
As stated the promised seed, Jesus, was to come through Abraham's seed, and he and his wife are one flesh; Sarah should bear the "son of promise," Isaac, and through him the "Promised Seed" would be given. Satan has always endeavored to thwart the plan of God, and it looked as if he would soon be successful in breaking the golden chain of salvation; should Sarah come to Pharaoh's bed the seed would be defiled, the chain would be broken, however, we see that all of the subtlety of Satan was of no avail, for the "Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife.
Abraham's scheme is exposed and he is called to stand, in his shame, before the proud monarch of the land of darkness. Pharaoh said to him, "What is this that thou hast done unto me? Why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife? Why saidest thou, She is my sister? so I might have her to me to wife, take her and go thy way," [Genesis 12:18-19.] Abraham has no answer, and it is true that he stood convicted by his sins before Pharaoh, but more especially before his God; whom he must realize by now had, by grace, delivered him out of this den of lions. God's providence glistens brightly, for if Pharaoh had been left alone to follow his nature he would have required Abraham's life, but God softened Pharaoh's heart and he sent Abraham, Sarah, and all they had out of Egypt, and Satan is foiled again.
"And Abraham went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south." [Genesis 13:1.] Notice, he went up out of Egypt, however, he still has his nephew, Lot with him, none others are mentioned that are with him. Lot is the problem; thusly he continued "into the south," that is, he is still on his "downward course." We might also mention that he took some other troubles with him when he went up out of Egypt, and continued traveling down south, he brought a lot of Egypt with him, see Genesis 12:16, among which was a little Egyptian maid named Hagar, see Genesis 16:3. Hagar would also prove to be an object of shame and distress to him in the days to come.
In Genesis 13:5-8 we read. "And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks and herds, and tents. And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together; for their substance was great, so they could not dwell together, and there was strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle. And Abraham said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between my herdmen and thy herdmen for we are brethren."
"Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan, [Genesis 13:11.] Now Lot is finally gone, Abraham's downward course is over. And the Lord said unto Abram, after Lot was separated from him, lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, southward and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, [Canaan] so thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth then thy seed shall then be numbered. Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.
Then Abraham removed his tent between Bethel and Hai, see [Genesis 12:8] and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord." [Genesis 13:14-18.]
Our beloved Sister, Mattie Sue Abshire, who passed from this life to be with her Savior on July 5, 1995. Sister Sue was born November 23, 1911 in Grandview, Texas.
She is survived by her husband, Robert "Bob" Abshire; sons, Jimmy Johnson, Jerry Johnson, and Ronnie Johnson; three sisters; Lucille Blackmon, Dorothy Gay, and Marilyn Coker; ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were conducted July 10 by Elder Clifford Gowens, pastor of First Primitive Baptist Church of Dallas, where Sister Sue had been a long time member. Her son, Jerry Johnson, also participated. She was buried in Restland Memorial Park in Dallas.
Sister Abshire had been unable to attend church for several years, but loved the church, and was a faithful member. She will be especially missed by her family, loved ones and many friends in the Tyler, Texas area where she had resided for several years. She was a wonderful, loving person, and we thank our Lord, Jesus Christ that she is now with her Heavenly Master, in the midst of those mansions not made with hands, in which we all hope someday to be with Him.
Submitted to the Banner of Love at the request of the First Primitive Baptist Church.
In Christian Love,
Bruce Coates, Clerk
......... SISTER VIRGIE PORTER SCOGGINS
The members of the Levelland Primitive Baptist Church, offer our loving tribute of respect to the memory of Sister Virgie Porter Scoggins. She was born in Knox County, Texas, and passed from this life, Sunday, April 9, 1995 at 10:00 p.m. in the Levelland Methodist Hospital, after a lengthy illness at the age of 83 years. She married Martin Bruce Scoggins, January 4, 1934 in Dickens, TX. He preceded her in death, June 16, 1990. She is also preceded by a daughter, Hazel Pepin, January 19, 1973.
She is survived by one grand daughter, Debbie Long and two grandsons, Mike Pepin and Chris Pepin of Levelland; one brother, Bob Porter of Dickens and three sisters; Helen Lundberg of San Saba, Tx; Mary Nickles of Dickens and Ruby Lawson of Levelland; and two great grandchildren.
Services were held Thursday, April 13 at 10:00 a.m. in George C. Price Funeral Home Chapel, with Elder Gayle McCoy of Spade officiating. Pallbearers were: Richard Lawson, Jerry Lawson, Bunk Lawson, Ned Waker, John Porter and Matt Walker.
To her family, we offer our sincere sympathy and pray the Lord will comfort them.
Be it resolved that a copy be sent to The Banner of Love, and a copy to the family and a copy be placed in the church records.
Elder Gayle McCoy, Moderator
Peggy Johnson, Church Clerk
ARNEVIS NORTON
"I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being." Psa. 104: 33.
This quote so well befits Arnevis. She enjoyed singing praises to our Heavenly Father. she began singing at an early age. She led her first Sacred Harp song at the age of nine years. Through the years she continued to sing and attend Sacred Harp Singings as long as her health would permit.
"Serve the lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing." Psa. 100: 2
This Arnevis did with her religious life. Her membership continued to be with Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church near Heflin, Ala. However, she lived in San Antonio, TX where she attended the San Antonio Primitive Baptist Church regularly since 1954. She was faithful and had the hope that God has blessed us with--that we shall be with Him.
"Sweet is the day of sacred rest" [Cooper book, devotion pg. 48, 416]. God called Arnevis to her sacred rest June 9, 1995, where her heart will be tuned to sing with the angels there before the throne- to praise Him forever more.
Arnevis was born Oct. 6, 1909. Her husband, Charlie Norton preceded her in death in 1958. She is survived by one daughter, Montez LeCroy, grandchildren; Charles LeCroy, Vivian Blackwood, Connie Penney; six great grandchildren; one sister, Vena Molley in Heflin, Ala. She is the last of a family of fifteen children.
Funeral services and burial was held in Heflin, Ala. She was buried at Lower Cane Creek Cemetery with Elder Lewis Norton conducting the services. Sacred Harp singers were grouped together to sing the songs she liked so much as last good byes were said.
Written with Christian love and fond memories of our happy experiences together during the last 30 years.
Mildred Edmonds - July 17, 1995
... BROTHER CHARLES A. HEAD
On June 8, 1995, our Lord called home to His eternal presence our beloved brother in Christ, Brother Charles A. Head. Brother Head who was 90 years and eight months old, was laid to rest at Mountain Park, Oklahoma on June 10, 1995 following services at the Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, conducted by Elder Bill McCarthy, assisted by Brother Randy McCarthy. Elder Bill Caraway, who had served as a fellow deacon with Brother Charles before being ordained to the ministry, gave the closing prayer at the service. Elder Allen Daniels, who had known Brother Charles most all of his life, offered the private prayer for the family afterwards.
A large congregation of family and loved ones from near and far attended the services.
Brother Charles was a long time member of the Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church. Ordained to the office of deacon on August 28, 1971, he faithfully fulfilled that office. He also preached, filling a second Sunday appointment at Bethlehem since July, 1981. He declined ordination to the ministry, often stating that he felt unworthy of such office.
The end of a life of a Godly man causes us to reflect on that life, and in the case of Brother Charles, it is a joy to do so. An humble man of good humor and of gracious manners, he adored children and they all knew this Those who had known him when they were children would value his counsel as they became adults and would continue to be dear to him.
A lover of peace in our Lord, he was nonetheless adamant about the principles taught in the Word of God, and he was never willing to yield on such. With this as the uncrossable boundary, he got along with all men because he recognized that others had as much right to their opinions as did he, even when not in agreement with him.
He was devoted to his loving wife, Sister Lovey, and we know she will miss his presence most of all. Our prayers will continue to be with her.
We will indeed remember with fondness and appreciation the life of Brother Head, and his name will always be mentioned prominently among Primitive Baptists throughout a wide area of this country.
BE IT RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution of Respect be placed in our church records, a copy be sent to Brother Head's family, and copies be sent to Primitive Baptist papers for publication.
Written by order of Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church, 1200 Southwest 58th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, while in conference on August 6, 1995.
Elder Bill D. McCarthy, Moderator
Floyce Floyd, Church Clerk
The members of Wanders Creek Primitive Baptist Church bow in humble submission at the loss of our dear brother in Christ, Brother Karl Keener. Brother Keener died on May 26, 1995 in Throckmorton, Texas.
Brother Keener was born on November 27, 1905 at Houston, Texas. On June 26, 1988, he united with Wanders Creek Primitive Baptist Church.
Funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m. on May 26, 1995 at Owens and Brumley Funeral Home in Wichita Falls, Texas with Elder H. O. Ballard, officiating. Burial was in the Bell Cemetery at Odell, Texas.
Brother Keener is survived by his wife, Elsa Luella of Henrietta, Texas; four daughters; Joan Warren of Dickens, Texas; Faye Hollar of Seymour, Texas; Patsy Guziak of Hurst, Texas; and Linda Cameron of Henrietta, Texas; four sons-in-law; twenty grandchildren; forty great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. A son, Clifford, preceded him in death.
He was faithful to attend church a long as his health permitted. We rejoice in knowing that he will no longer suffer the pain and afflictions of this world.
Elder H. O. Ballard, Moderator
Sister Anita Patton, Church Clerk
I do not know how to express the words to thank my Master permitting me to be able to go to the meetings that I have in July and these two weeks in August.
My good Master has enabled me by His grace to attend the Old Baptist churches in the great state of Alabama, where I was born seventy five years ago in Gylacauga, Alabama. I live across the street from where I was raised. I have never thought that I had enough money to move in the day time and I have seen some people move at night, but Mama told me to never move at night. I am so happy that I have never moved from this place. We call it Home Sweet Home. We don't know in the future what will come our way.
An elderly sister said to me, Brother Beckett, I am not worried about heaven after I am gone from this life, because, my Jesus, the Son of God, that came down from heaven not to do His own will, but the will of His Father to pay the price that no body could pay by the evidence that I have and hearing the gospel preached by you and others that I love so much that my Jesus paid the price that no one could pay. My Jesus gave me a better hope in my heart than all the knowledge of men that have preached, "if you will accept or let him, you will be able to go to heaven." Brother Beckett, I remember something better that you have said so many times that the truth makes you free. She said, I am some what bothered about my journey between now and the grave. There are so many that are in the nursing homes. She told me, I am getting past four score and ten and I am living on bonus years, but I am praying that the good Master will bless me to take care of myself to the end of my journey. She told me, that if He never blesses me any more HE has already blessed me more than I deserve.
The good Master has granted us to have a fine brother, Jonathan Blakeley to join our church, who is licensed to preach, to carry me to some of the best meetings that I have been to in fifty years in the grand old church. We have been blessed to go to churches in Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi and Texas.
I would like to write about two meetings that stand out in July and August. It would take too much space to tell about all the churches and ministers that I was able to meet at these churches. I hope to meet my spiritual kinfolks; and to meet my natural kinfolks. I would like for you to know as we approached this church near Metter, Georgia, Jonathan and I looked at each other as it nearly took our breath away. It was one of the most beautiful Primitive Baptist Churches that we had ever seen.
We arrived on Saturday morning at their union meeting the fifth weekend in July. There were a good number of elders at this meeting. I could name some of them, but I am afraid I would leave someone out. Brother Jonathan Blakeley preached and the good Master smiled down upon him with His spirit and I felt the spirit of God was with us. The church was named Rosemary, which is in the Upper Canoochee Association. It was the first time I had been to this association. Elder Sam Bowen is the pastor of this church. We stayed all night with him, wife and three children; and they were so nice to us.
Elder Manning Temple invited us to this meeting. Brother Jonathan called him Saturday morning before we arrived in Vidalia, and we followed him to church. Elzie D. Bryant pastored this church a good many years ago. I was in his ordination. I wanted to visit some spiritual kinfolks that he preached to. The early part of his ministry I had the good pleasure of being with him. I can't explain that some of our younger ministers leaving us by death, that I enjoyed their preaching so much, and leaving one like me here on earth I have some tapes of his preaching and it would bring tears to my eyes, the way he was blessed to preach the gospel.
Sunday morning, I was getting ready to eat breakfast with Elder Sam Bowen, he received a telephone call that Elder Wilmer Lynn was found dead in bed around five o'clock Sunday morning. He had a business that he was training his son to take over so he could visit some to other churches. I can't understand or explain how these things take place. The only thing I can say to the family, to pray to this Master that Elder Lynn told us about that it will be better by and by.
Brother Jonathan and his mother, Chita Blakeley came on August 7. We went to Jackson, Miss. where my sister Willadean and Emmett Tynes live. I had never been to their home in Jackson, Miss. We and her family had a wonderful time Monday night. Tuesday morning we left to go to the First Primitive Baptist Church of Dallas. The good Master blessed us in a good way at this meeting. We stayed all night in the home of Brother and Sister Terrel Honeycutt. On Tuesday night we enjoyed ourselves very much, and after I told them some of my journeys. I said, to not let me tell you about some of the things that has taken place with me, and he had a nice clock, and every fifteen minutes it would strike.. Brother Honeycutt said, what time would you like to get up for breakfast. I told him I would like to get up at 10 O'clock in the morning.
Brother and Sister Honeycutt took us on a tour of Dallas. We saw where President Kennedy was shot. We saw the Dallas Cowboys Station, where they played football, and other interesting things that are in Dallas. They took us where Chita Blakeley stayed the night at Sister Beverly Coates. And we had a nice visit with her. We sang Sacred Harp songs. Brother Jonathan wanted to eat in an Italian Restaurant. I told him, I eat American food, I didn't know how to order; but it was so good.
We left the restaurant to go to Fort Worth to Mt. Zion Church and we enjoyed the sweet fellowship in the Gospel and I was able to meet some Elders that I had never seen before. Elder and Sister Weldon Walker were so nice to us and told us how to get to Cone, Texas.