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Volume 67 Number 4 Lubbock, Texas 79493 Copyright $12.00 Per Year April 1999 |
Reverend Trials and Afflictions The Angels Who said it was an Old Custom? The vine, branch and fruit Sow and Reap Tour through The Bible Forgive Ye One Another Newly Ordained Minister Announcement for Upcoming Book Obituaries
He sent redemption unto His people: He hath commanded His covenant for ever; Holy and Reverend is His name. [Psalms 111: 9 The term Reverend is biblical, found only once in the entire Bible, applying only to God and carrying the meaning to revere with Godly fear. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." [verse 10]. The 10 verses of Psalms 111 consists of 22 phrases each beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet [as does 112] and is a psalm in praise to God.. A man should never be referred to as Reverend.
What then should we call our ministers? How does the Bible refer to them? Jesus, speaking to the multitude and to His disciples:
Be not ye called Rabbi: for One, is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth for One is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters, for One is your Master, even Christ. But He that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted" [Matthew 23:8-12]. Rabbi means master [John 1:38].
God's ministers are ordained elders: "And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord; on whom they believed" [Acts 14:23].
The apostles were elders, but today's elders are not apostles. The office of apostle, a name given by Jesus [Luke 6:13], was unique to those disciples [learners] whom the Lord gave miraculous abilities, as the meaning of the name implies, "power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease...to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils:" [Matthew 10: 1-8] and who "performed many wonders and signs" [Acts 2: 43].
A letter from the Apostle Peter, an elder:
"The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed. Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint but willingly: not for filthy lucre [money], but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock . 0[1 Peter 5: 1-3].
The Apostle Paul to Timothy: "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour; especially they who labour in the word and doctrine" [1 Timothy 5:17].
Paul left Titus in Crete to "ordain elders in every city" setting forth the qualifications for a bishop or elder [Titus 1: 5 -10]. Originally Bishop [overseer] applied to the principal officer of the local church, the other officer being the deacon. The title Elder, to which God's servants were ordained signified the dignity or age of the officer and Bishop to the work and the office [1 Timothy 3: 1-7]. Paul called for the elders of the church at Ephesus instructing them to "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock over the which the Holy
Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood" [Acts 20: 17-28] Feed them what? "And I will give you Pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding" [Jeremiah 3: 15].
God's ministers should be humble servants, never exalted by the terms, Reverend, Rabbi, Father, or Master, which apply only to God.
Elder Don R. Watson
Canyon, Texas
Voice of the Past ….
We are very much prone to complain about our burdens,, trials and afflictions. Yet we are told in I Peter 4:12-13 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you; but rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings that when His glory shall be revealed ye may be glad also with exceeding. joy.” But some may say, these trials are special to them for witness and evidence and is unnecessary today. But we are told by the Apostle Paul in 2nd Timothy “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution”
We know that our Saviour loves His children and that h~ would not suffer them to have trials and persecutions unless they were necessary and for their good. We cannot appease Satan or the world or even God’s children who are for a time and or Satan’s influence.
Paul’s greatest complaint of persecutions was that of false brethren. We do not know that they were regenerated children of God or some who were public professors only, but they at least bore the name of brethren. Some of the darkest crimes of persecution have been done in the name of Christianity, but it takes more than the name to live the principles of Christianity.
Prosperity is not as good as adversity for us strangers and travelers whose final home and desire is to be with the Son of God and those who love Him.
We do not pray as much nor do we seek the sustaining grace of the Lord as much while all is going well. Neither do we do so while we constantly seek the companionship of the worldly. But it is not natural for any to voluntarily to become afflicted or to seek for trials and we are not commanded to do so God will send them or allow time to come if and when He sees that it is for our good.
It takes the fire to melt the ore from the gold and. separate the dross. No chastisement of God is pleasant at the time, but the after results of humility and obedience brings joy.
Sometimes the sweet faith which comes in strength in such cases becomes the most precious experience of our lives. It. is said that God sometimes washes the eyes of the saints with tears that they may see His promises better.
The child of God will never appreciate this fruit as well if it has not been cultivated in the valley of afflictions and watered with the tears of true penitent sorrow. This is one of the chief sources of Christian fellowship. Fellowship is not so much official as it is emotional and sympathetic.
May Jesus help us to have such fellowship and give understanding to others.
Elder Leon H. Clevenger - The Banner of Love, Aug 1962
John 13: 4-17
Where in the Bible does it say it was customary for the host to have a slave rinse the dust from the feet of his arriving guests? If it was a Jewish custom, why did not Simon Peter, who was acquainted with the custom of the Jews, know what Jesus was doing when he came to him to wash his feet?
Jesus said, "What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shall know hereafter." If it were to merely rinse the dust off the feet, wouldn't Peter have known, if it were the custom?
The Bible does not mention anything about custom or dust on the feet. The example of feet washing is a lesson of humility instituted by our Lord, and given to us to follow in order to receive the joys in so doing, for Jesus said, "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."
What happiness would one receive from having the dust rinsed from his feet? Also, if it were the purpose of feet-washing, why didn't Jesus rinse the dust from the disciples feet before supper, instead of, after supper? Seems, to me that would have been cleaner and more considerate of the host. It is a lesson or example of humility. He showed us how to practice this humility.
Jesus said, "If I then your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done unto you, Verily, verily, I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his Lord."
He gave us an example for us to follow. I feel we should try to follow that example of humility just as close as possible to the way Jesus did. We should not think ourselves too good or too great to bow down at the disciples' feet and show our love to them. "The servant is not greater than his Lord."
If our Lord bowed down at the disciples feet and washed them and left us the example that we should do as he did to them I don't think there is an excuse good enough to warrant our omission in following that good example. Is it right to do what Jesus says we ought to do? If it is, then it must be wrong to refuse or fail to do what we ought to do.
Regardless of the viewpoint of the mentality of feet washing, one would have to be void of sentiment or respect for things sacred to scoff at the feet washing ceremony. It is a solemn, impressive rite that can create a lump in ones throat. Laugh at the participants and they will pity you.
One that does not take part in that service does not understand their ways or know their joys. Only those with the faith and will to humble themselves in the ritual of feet washing can enjoy the pleasure of following His example of humility in that special service .
Geraldine Gentry The Banner of Love, May 15, 1965.
Submitted by Brother Leon Watson, who found this article in his mothers' belongings, [the late Sister Lutishia Watson]
Conclusion
They like the wind, render themselves invisible [wind is one of the few things in the natural world unseen by the eyes of men]; so angels are one of God’s creatures capable of passing beyond the ability of man’s senses. A good example of this is, “And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the Lord went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand; and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses,” [2 King 19:35], The angel had moved unseen, carrying out the judgment of God swiftly and quietly serving as a minister of fire [judgment].
His ministers [angels] a flame of fire,” fire here, as most always in scripture, speaks of Divine judgment, and this verse as a whole informs us that angels are often the executioners of God’s wrath, “And the men [angels] said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it” [Genesis 19:12-13].
The angels have rapid speed, and they can fly, “Yea, while I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time evening oblation,” being caused to fly swiftly touched me about the time of the evening oblation,” [Daniel 9:21]. “And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven,” [Revelation 8:13]. We are told we will be as the angels. “For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.
[Mark 12:25]. This means that we shall fly also.
I have always been envious of the birds being able to take wing and fly unhindered in the sky. I look forward to having the privilege of flying in the glorious abode of the saints, as well as enjoying all of heaven’s other amenities.
Angels appear to be ageless, because the angel of Gabriel that appeared to Daniel above, during his prayer is the same angel that appeared to Zacharias and Mary six-hundred [600] years later. See Luke 1:18- 27.
Angels have their own individuality as with Gabriel just mentioned, and Michael mentioned in Daniel 10:13 and Revelation 12:7.
The angels are ministering servants to the children of God, who are the joint heirs with Jesus Christ: “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” [Hebrews 1:14].
The angels are not the heirs of God as the Children of God are, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ,” [Romans 8:17]. They are ministering servants to God’s elect; they are servants, not heirs as the children.
The angels are numerous: “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round, about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,” [Revelation 5:11]. The elect angels are innumerable; like the elect children they serve.
The angels excel in strength: “Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His Word,” [Psalm 103:20].
Angels don’t sing: we never read in the scriptures of angels singing. In Job 38:7 “When the morning stars sang together, and all the Sons of God shouted for joy.” These angels were there in the morning of creation. They are called the sons of God. They shouted for joy but they did not sing. In Luke 2:13-14, “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” angels were praising but not singing praises. In Revelation 5:11-12, “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and. the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands; “Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.” ‘Saying with a loud voice,’ but not singing. The privilege of worshipping in song belongs to the saints only. Only the redeemed “sing.”
The angel of God, refers to the Divine Word, The Son of God, the Uncreated Angel of God, “Who is the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature: “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him,” [Colossians 1:15-16]. A few examples are, “And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou say anything unto him; for now I know thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.” [Genesis 22: 11,12]. “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions mouth, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, I have done no hurt,” [Daniel 6:22]. “He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God,” [Daniel 3:25]. The Angel [Son of God] appears here, as well as other places, in the theophanic form; that is God [Son of God] appeared in the form of a man.
There are evil angels. Satan is the chief of these: “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, unto everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels;” [Matthew 25:41]. “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it.” [John 8:44]. He is king, “the prince of the power of the air; “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience,” [Ephesians 2:2].
At sometime in the history of the world these evil angels fell. They were ‘disobedient,’ “For if God spared not the angels that sinned but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.” [2 Peter 2-4]. “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day,” [Jude 6] “They kept not their first estate” or principality [margin Jude 6], but left their own habitation whatever this was these angels ‘left it.’ Whatever this may mean or imply, we don’t know, neither can anyone tell us. It was ‘their habitation’ they left: not heaven that is God’s habitation. We do not always understand God, but happy are we if we believe God, and we do not allow our human reason to cause us to disbelieve His Holy Word.
Satan and his angels are subject to Jesus, “And when he was come to the other side into the country of Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce so that no man might pass by that way. And behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time”? [Matthew 8:28-29]
May God Be Merciful To Us All, Elder Kenneth W. Clevenger Cameron, Missouri
How busy are you in doing the Lord’s work? Are you doing any? Are you accomplishing anything?
Do you get so busy with it, that you are not getting anything done? Jesus gives us simple guidance in this matter.
With winter gone and spring upon us, it becomes time for annual spring cleanups. One of the tasks growing up as a child around our house involved cleaning up dead winter growth, scalping the grass, and pruning of trees and shrubs and vegetation.
As we have recently witnessed the annual weekend gardeners begin pruning their trees, shrubbery and vines, we are reminded of one of Jesus’ well-known lessons in conducting our lives while we live in this rough world.
Like many of Jesus’ teachings, he provides us a simply analogy that symbolizes how our lives should be fashioned. We are not talking about keys to our eternal salvation (which Jesus controls; see John 17:1-4, 9-12; Rev. 1:18), but a lesson in how our faith and good works guided by the Spirit will benefit us and glorify God while we reside in this world.
Jesus’ apostles were subjected to a number of special sermons and instructions by Jesus during the time of the last supper until the arrest of Jesus. We read in the gospel of John beginning with the 13th chapter that Jesus conducted the last supper and then spoke well-remembered words to his apostles.
One of the best known instructions he provided them was the example of humility in feet washing. Between the last supper and Jesus’ visit to the Garden of Gethsemane (Chapter 18, where he was confronted and arrested), we can read of Jesus’s last teachings to his apostles. It is here that Jesus provides us insight to the importance to followings his examples and leading our lives in the spirit he discusses.
Jesus gives us the lesson in pruning our fruit trees and vines. By removing the unnecessary and unbearing branches of the tree and vine, the remaining good vines can produce more fruit. It is a practical lesson we all learn as children from our parents in the arts of gardening. Pruning back the vine makes the remainder bear bigger and better fruit. The branches that a cut away soon wither and die once separated from the main vine. Even with the best branches that we expect to bear fruit, we cut away from those branches the small "shoots" and growth to insure that the branch is totally devoted to bearing bigger and better fruit, rather than the sap being used up in numerous smaller and small-bearing branches.
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman." John 15:1.
"Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit."
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
"If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit . . ." John 15:4-8.
Jesus explains to us our world relationship with our Lord. We glorify him with our good works. He uses the grapevine analogy of which, in a practical sense, we are familiar. Jesus is the grapevine, God is the gardener. We are the branches. All the dead branches are cleared out to allow more and better fruit from the other branches. The branches are purged of small, unnecessary "shoot-offs" so that the branch can concentrate all its sap on producing better fruit. The branches so pruned off will wither and die in the sun and are gathered up an burned as trash.
If we, as branches, abide in Jesus by following his teachings of love and good works, the Lord will trim back away from us those unnecessary branches and shoot-offs of our lives which drain our ability to produce the best fruit of the spirit. Galatians 5:22 gives us examples of the fruit of the spirit: "love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance."
Picture yourself in the analogy Jesus provides to us. If we "abide" in Jesus, we will produce much fruit. We can bear no fruit except that we stay attached to the vine. If we focus on serving the vine, God as the gardener will prune off the other non-productive branches, as well as to purge us of non-productive "shoot-offs" in our lives that distract from our producing the fruits of the spirit.
We each need to examine our lives. As branches are we dedicated to serving the vine. If so, we will produce a lot of good fruit. Without the vine, we produce no good fruit and may find ourselves with the other pruned branches which are cast off to clear the way for the productive branches.
There is a lot of fruit in the spirit that allows us to lead fruitful and productive lives in this rough world. We can provide much fruit to God’s children who need it. Are we dedicated to serving the vine? Are we allowing too many "shoot-offs" to drain our sap to produce the best quality fruit?
1st. Cor. 15:35, “But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?”
That is the subject - The Resurrection.
Now, V-36 says there has to be death first, before a quickening. V. 37, The body that was buried [sowed], is not going to be in the same condition as when it is raised, resurrected. If I plant a grain of corn, and then conditions are right, soil moisture, temperature and timing, a sprout will break up through the crust of the ground. This is the first manifestation of life. Next, the sprout becomes a stalk, and the stalk develops joints, and the joints finally produce the ear, and then the full corn.
Now I have reproduced exactly what 1 started with. If I were to do this for 1000 years, I would still reproduce “after his kind” and it would be the same, no more and no less. Now all this verse is teaching [by itself] is the reproduction factor. In nature we cannot improve on the process, nor harvest something different from what we planted. No exchanges, just a change.
V. 38 However, God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him. That is, this seed corn being buried in the ground, at the right moment of proper time, with the right conditions [at the End-Time] will break the crust shell of that seed surrounding the quickened life germinating principle [Voice of the Son of God and start its journey upward through the steps and stages of the sprout, stalk, joint, bud, nodule, ear and full corn. Now this takes time, and all these steps are simply as it pleases the Lord. This is the way He designed for corn to develop, the same with any other grain each has their steps of development as it hath pleased the Lord. However, don’t lose sight of the fact of what the beginning stages and developing steps of upward growth started from. And we will find that we wind up with exact what we started with - the same type of product, corn, but this one is renewed.
V. 19, As I have just said, each different seed has its own stages and steps of development, but all must start in the ground, before the upward process can begin. This is the same whether we are talking about ground plants, animal or birds of flesh, or whatever. They all reproduce according as it hath pleased the Lord. Each one stays in its own kind, never becoming something else. This verse ends the teaching of the principle of death, burial and resurrection.
Verse 40-This verse begins to teach us about bodies, their prescribed positions in this world or universe, and again, these are all just as it hath pleased the Lord, whether they be celestial or terrestrial, etc. They all have their individual identities, and the glory or appearance of each is still as it hath pleased the Lord. The personal identity Principle is taught here.
V. 41- Now this personal or individual Identity has a glory or beauty about it, as the Lord teaches this principle using the planets for example.
V. 42- Now we have the process of reproduction, the different types of plants, animals and bird life, and each of these have their respective identities, then with this principle in place, we then learn the ‘individual identity” of each with a beautiful [glorious] appearance and finally, Paul has in place all the necessary principle ingredients for the stage and steps of bringing us to the Major premise and Theme of the entire writing, and such is found in this verse as it opens with - So Also is the resurrection of the dead. Just like the corn seed, buried dead, then the life germinating principle at the proper moment of time, manifests itself and all the various stages develops in to a
brand new Corn kernel just like the one we started with.
V. 43-44 both tell us that these same steps or stages of development take place in: the Resurrection of the body. The only difference, the germinating principle, and the Timing is a “Lightning Flash Twinkle of the Eye, and a Moment of Quick Quickening and “bingo” we have a brand new, clean, pure, holy, perfect, honorable, powerful, incorruptible product that started from the very same body that was planted in the around. So, the corn seed was still the same, but just changed through the stages of development so as to reach the new kernel. The same with the body of the Elect. Each goes through those same principles of development from dead to life, and the process is lightning fast- quickening and the resulting product if the changed body, but we never did “exchange” anything.
This natural body was changed through this process, as it hath pleased the Lord to a New Molecular body, that is just as the grain of corn, still the same flesh, but now pure and holy without corruption, and even reflects Glory and Beauty beyond the brilliance of the planets, etc., but the principle of such is still exactly the same. Finally, all this same principle is still intact, but this major premise of the resurrection of the body, happens so fact, till you cannot see the steps, like you can watch them in the seed of corn. However, there is a wonderful lesson here in the corn being planted, etc, and the developments happening slowly enough for us to watch and learn the procedure, because when this last quickening at the End Time occurs it will be so fast you’ll miss the steps.
So, the Gospel’s function, as Jesus, and here, Paul teaches, is to use the grain of corn, etc, and planting it, etc, so we can “learn in slow motion” just what is going to happen’ “as a twinkle of the eye, and in a moment,” at the unknown last moment of time. Mall. 24:36. This cycle will happen no more. There will be no more reproduction. One more major point. The germinating principle here comes only from the Voice of the Son of God -John 5:28-29- and the resulting finished, changed perfected, pure, holy, powerful, honorable, incorruptible product is with brilliance, dazzle, glisten and Glorious Beauty, and will be fashioned like unto the Producer of such- The Lord Jesus Christ Himself- because we will be Jesus Christ reproduced in us- Soul, Spirit, and finally, Body- Phil. 3:21; Col. 1:27.
In Kindness and Conviction, Hulan F. Bass
Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. Psalms 32:11
Have you ever considered what this world that we live in, would be like if there was no forgiveness? What if God did not forgive us? What if there was no forgiveness in churches from one member toward another member? Sometimes when I think that I cannot forgive someone that I feel that has wounded me in some way, I am made to feel ashamed of the thoughts and intents of my heart.
In the gospel of Matthew, chapter 6, verses 11W-I 2 we read these words, Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. This is the manner that Jesus has set forth that as we pray that God would give us this day our daily bread. We are talking about a daily prayer that we are to pray each day and that in each daily prayer we are to ask for daily bread. We are to live one day at a time trusting in God to supply our daily needs.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Do we not see in this passage of scripture that if we do not forgive our debtors, then we are not to ask God to forgive us our debts. Then in verse 14, we read; For if we forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. The word [for] carries the thought or the meaning because, That is, Because if we forgive men their trespasses, Your heavenly Father will also forgive you in the same way that we forgive others, God is going to forgive us in the same manner.
I do not think that anyone would not like for God to forgive them when they trespass or offend someone else. Oh! how happy that we ought to be that the God we believe in is a forgiving God, and that when He forgives he also forgets. This passage of scriptures is teaching us that as we try to serve the Lord there must be forgiveness one toward another. As we forgive, God forgives.
In verse 15 we read; But if we forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. In the sense of this text, it is saying that if we want God to forgive us, it is a must that we forgive others. Do you realize that our trespasses, our sins has offended the God of heaven and that only through the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ that God forgave all your sins.
And that all of this came about because God loved you with an everlasting love. Jesus is using this same lesson when He says love ye one another as I have loved you. If you love me keep my commandments. If we love one another, as we ought, then forgiveness will be there. If forgiveness is not there, then there is no indication that love is being made manifest.
How sad it would be if someone offended us and we could not find a place in our heart to just reach out to that individual and forgive him or her. I think that at times like this we need to turn our minds to the Lord and think about how great a sinner that we are and think about what a great forgiver God is. I have seen families torn apart because of a non-forgiving attitude, yet on the other hand, I have been able to see families that manifested forgiveness one toward another and that God blessed them and forgave them in such a manifested way that it was evident that there was love, one toward another.
I have seen churches that did not exercise forgiveness one toward another and the results of a non-forgiving attitude caused a division among its members. Oh! how we ought to pray that God would give us a spirit of forgiveness, one toward another. The church that we have today is the greatest blessing that we have as we travel in this life.
Let us esteem each other above that of ourselves and let us love one another as God has loved us.
As the Apostle Paul writes to the different churches, he always adds, Grace and Peace be unto you. I love to think about the Grace of God that took place in Jesus Christ yet, also, there is a peace that we can have in this live as we forgive out families, our friends, each church member, we will never have the peace with God and with each other as we ought to have. Oh God! Help us to forgive one another. AMEN.
In the A. J. on March 1 on the "A word in Edgewise" page, there was a discussion about role models.
Some examples of one could be a parent, grandparent, movie star, recording star, professional athlete, politician, minister, or maybe, one of your teachers.
Using one of these individuals to pattern your life after could be a mistake because they are only human and susceptible to committing misdeeds. It's my opinion that a human being should never be considered a role mode, in that it could only lead to much disappointment.
Philippians 3:3 as follows: For we are the circumcision which worship God in the sprit and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
There is a scripture from the third chapter of Romans that is also very important. It is as follows: "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." [Romans 3:23]
For a role model, there is only one possibility, the Lord Jesus Christ. Even though, we cannot be perfect like He is, there should be no one better to look up to, that being some one who has never sinned or even thought about it. Our Lord will never leave or forsake us. For all of His children, that has to be a very comforting truth.
Jerry Bass, Lubbock
WHEN YOU MOVE LET US KNOW
Please let us know when you move and change your address. If you fail to do so, the post office returns your paper and charges us $0.50 for its return. Let the post office know your new address also. Editor
Brother Don and Sister Opal:
Please find enclosed our check for a renewal of The Banner of Love for a year. Use the rest as you want.
Mamie and I are doing fairly well; have been in our new home since June ‘98. We. enjoy it very much.
Sincerely and in Christian Love, Oscar R. and Mamie Hanks
Texas City, Texas
Note: Brother and Sister Hanks, we appreciate the extra. It will help us to pay these increasing costs. Thank you. Opal Richards.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” “My Father, which gave them me, Is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Fathers hand.” (St. John 10: 27-28-29)
In the year 1909, Elder R.H. Pittman published this book, Biographical History of Primitive or Old School Baptist Ministers of the United States This volume has been of as much continuous use to our people in the intervening years as any volume produced by them, with the possible exception of the Hassell’s History. It is our desire and intent to bring up to date the history of the faithful and selfless men who have labored among the Primitive Baptists in the years since that time.
We humbly ask your cooperation in collecting basic biographical information and if possible, photographs of any of the men who have labored among the Primitive Baptists since the year 1909. Please believe us when we say that our purpose is not to glorify men, but to preserve a record for our children which we hope will be of as much value to them as Elder Pittman’s book has been to us. We urge our ministering brethren to send us this information as soon as you can.
Those who have ministers among their deceased ancestors can be of great help by preparing a concise sketch of their lives and labors. Even if the information covers no more than the important dates [birth, baptism, ordination, death] and the general geographical area in which they labored, it will be greatly appreciated. Only those who are well up in years now remember many of these elders, and we want to try to prevent a gap in the record. If there are energetic brethren who have the time to do some research in this area it would be of tremendous help. Many will be left out, sad to say, but we want to make our work as complete as we can.
[Lest we be misunderstood, our aim here is to produce a history of those who have held the doctrines and practices considered Orthodox by the great body of the Primitive Baptists. It is not our intent to include those who have been identified with extreme positions regarding fatalism and instrumental music.]
Dear brethren and sisters, we consider this to be a project of abiding importance for our children. How much would have been lost to us if we had no record of the lives and labors of such men as Hassell, Cash, Dalton, Potter, Oliphant, Cayce, Daily, and others? Their names are dear to us. We would not forget them nor the beloved and faithful men who labor among us today. We ask your help and your prayers. Information can be sent to us at the addresses given below. Thank you for your help.
Elder David Montgomery 14302 Walmer San Antonio TX 78247
Elder Wayne Shafer 1418 Prairie Wind Stephenville, TX 76401-5711
Elder Mark Green P. O. Box 334 Boonsville, AR 72927.
Please find check enclosed for $12.00 for another year.
I want to continue reading it as long as I live, or until I see the Lord in the clouds!
Sincerely, Lillian W. Norton Redding, California
Elder Jerry Anstey was ordained to the Gospel ministry on January 16th at the Golden Gate Primitive Baptist Church, Fremont, CA.
Elders in the presbytery of the ordination of Elder Jerry Anstey, Jan. 16 at the Golden Gate Primitive Baptist Church, Lindsay, CA., Joseph Holder, Moderator, Rick Carsara, Michael Ivey, D. A. Layne, Charles Parton, Ollie Wilson, Charles Clark, E. L. Home, Sam Bryant, George D. Walker, Elvin E. Layne, Richard Fox. Deacons in the presbytery: Jim Trantour, Tracy Fredrickson, Bill Ivey, Jim Bryant, Fred Ballard, Art Scaiza, Marshall Brown, Robert G. Brown, Delmas Jones, James E. McCollum, Wiley G. Hicks, Les Collins, William Fox, Hawley Ryan, John E. Ivey, Clifton E. Ivey, Jose M. Rodrigues, III, Lee R. lvey, Allen D. Abernathy, Jeff Abernathy, John H. Hall.