|
Volume 67 Number 5 Lubbock, Texas 79493 Copyright $12.00 Per Year May 1999 |
1857 Italics? A New Translation Carry Along a Little Honey Jesus Showed Himself Alive - First Five Appearances Family Worship Time Church Finds A New Pastor Spirit of Fear vs. Spirit of Love Tour Though The Bible Y2K Concerns Obituaries
The following article was published in April, 1857 in “THE GOSPEL STANDARD”, there are two very important questions asked, and as they are still unanswered, in the minds of many,( more than one hundred and forty years later;) I decided to send the inquires and answers to “THE BANNER OF LOVE. It might be interesting to some, how I happened to have this information.- After the death of Elder S. N. Redford, Sister Mabel (REDFORD) Osbourn graciously gave me permission to copy the book “ANSWERS TO INQUIRES” in the “GOSPEL STANDARD” (1850-1860).
This book was very valuable to Sister Osbourn for
more than one reason, and I still feel honored that she would trust me with the
same. The book contains two hundred fifty six pages, the editor, Mr. J.C.
Philpot, M.A. answers two hundred fifty five questions pertaining to the
doctrine and practice of “THE STRICT BAPTIST CHURCH” in England. I find it most
interesting, that we now have so many different version of the Scriptures, the
very thing, Mr. Philpot stated would happen, has occurred, if there should be a
NEW TRANSLATION! (there is now at least sixty four different versions; if 1 am
wrong in this statement some one please correct me.)
(April 1857)
Dear Sir,—Of what use are the Italics in the Bible? And if, as I understand, they are additions by the translators, can they be considered a part of God’s inspired testimony?
Yours sincerely, R. G.
Dear Sir,--Since the new translation of the Bible has been talked of, there has been much written on the subject. It has been taken up in almost every newspaper; and some are clamorous for a new version. I wish for your opinion on the subject, knowing that you have had as good an education as most men, and have read the Bible in different languages. Seeing such statements circulating throughout the kingdom, and thinking it might do much mischief. I feel induced to write you. if you think “Gospel Standard,” 1 would not for one moment wish you to notice it; but, if otherwise, I should feel thankful to see a few words from you. yours affectionately, for the gospel’s sake, Observator.
INQUIRIES AND ANSWERS--1857
The intention of the italics, as the sloping characters are usually termed, in our version of the Scripture, is often misunderstood. Their introduction by our translators into the Bible is not an arbitrary or blamable addition, but was, in most instances, a matter of absolute necessity. Their object, we need hardly remind the greater part of our readers, is to show the omission of certain words in the original, which in our language,~ require to be supplied. But it may be asked, "What is the reason for these omissions in the original, and is it right that they should be supplied? Is there not a great hazard of introducing thereby uninspired, and therefore, unauthorized words into the sacred record of God?" To understand properly this question, we must examine into the nature of these omissions, and why they ought or least may be supplied, without any such dangerous or justly dreaded consequences.
Language being spoken before it was written, and the human mind naturally hurrying forward to express its desires and emotions, the consequence is that certain words become, by practice and common consent, usually omitted, which may be easily supplied if necessary. Of this common circumstance all languages supply abundant examples. Thus, for instance, our own language frequently omits the relative pronoun, “who, which,” as in the following sentence: “This is not the man I saw yesterday;” where there is the omission, or what grammarians call the “ellipsis” (the omission of a word or words in a sentence, the sense of which is obvious - Webster) of the relative pronoun “whom”. Now, if this sentence had to be translated into Greek, Latin, or French, (we omit Hebrew, because in that language the same ellipsis is customary), the relative “whom” could not be left out, because the laws of those language would not allow its omission. We do not feel, and perhaps scarcely notice the missing relative, because we are so used to its being dropped, but most other languages would be ungrammatical without it. In ordinary translation, no notice would be taken of this customary English ellipsis; but, if scrupulous accuracy were required, the translator, in order to show its omission in the original sentence, might put the word in italics.
This, then, is the whole history and mystery of these italics in the Bible, by which some are so puzzled, that they point out the omission of words in the original language which cannot be omitted in our own, because the idiom of the two tongues is, in this point, different. We are not therefore, at liberty to reject the words in italics, where they are obviously required to make sense, as by so doing we should absolutely spoil innumerable passages Let us take an instance or two where to omit them would spoil the sense altogether. Read John Xi, 1, without the italics: "Now a certain was sick, Lazarus.’”’Man,” and “named,” are supplied in italics. The Greek, having a masculine adjective, which we have not, does not require “man,” but we do; “named” is not absolutely necessary, but is supplied to prevent baldness and obscurity. Again, verse 39, “for he hath been four days,” where “dead”is in italics.
This is not expressed, but is implied in the original, and therefore could not be omitted in our translation. Of course, it requires a thorough knowledge of the language to be able in all cases to supply properly the omitted word; and in the Old Testament (the Hebrew being a most elliptical, much more than. the Greek), there may be room for examination how far the ellipses are correctly supplied. We were reading the other day a very good sermon, in which an objection was taken to the italics, 1 Cor.XV. 45, and the preacher contended that it should read, “the last Adam a quickening spirit.” Now if this good man had known anything of the original, he would have seen that the very laws of the language necessarily required those words to be supplied; and had he seen in the true meaning of the passage, he would have found the present translation sound divinity as well as good grammar, for “the last Adam was made a quickening “Spirit” by. divine appointment when He was constituted Head of His Church. In fact, after much and careful perusal of the Scriptures, especially those of The New Testament, we can hardly find an instance in which the italics could be omitted without impairing the force and beauty of the translation. And we cannot but admire the great faithfulness of our translators in so scrupulously adhering to the exact words of the Holy Ghost, and when they were necessarily compelled to supply the ellipses in the original, to point out that they had done so by marking the word in italic characters. By so doing, they engaged themselves, as by a bond, to give the word of God in its strict original purity; and yet, as thorough scholars in the original tongues, and complete masters of their own, they were enabled to give us a version admirable not only for its strict fidelity, but also for its eloquence, grandeur, and beauty.
We have thrown together our answer to both the preceding Inquiries, as affording us not only an opportunity to explain the meaning of italics in the Bible, but also to express our opinion upon a question of late much agitated, viz., whether it would be desirable to have a new, or at least revised translation of the Scriptures, we fully admit that there are here and there passages, of which the translation might be improved; as, for instance, “love” for “charity” all through I Cor. Xiii.; but we deprecate any alteration as a measure that for the smallest sprinkling of good would deluge us with a flood of evil. The following are our reasons:
1. Who are to undertake it? Into whose hands would the revision fall ? What an opportunity for the enemies of truth to give us a mutilated false Bible! Of course, they must be learned men, great critics, scholars, and divines. But these are notoriously either Puseyites or Neologians; in other words tainted with either popery or infidelity. Where are there learned men sound in truth, not to say alive unto God, who possess the necessary qualifications for so important a work ? And can erroneous men, men dead in trespasses and in sins, carnal, worldly, ungodly persons, spiritually translate a book written by the blessed Spirit? We have not the slightest ground for hope that they would be godly men, such as we have reason to believe translated the Scriptures into our present version.
2. Again, it would unsettle the minds of thousands, as to which was the word of God, The old translation or the new. What a door it would open for the workings of infidelity, or the temptations of Satan! What a gloom, too, it would cast over the minds of many of God’s saints, to have those passages which had been applied to their souls translated in a different way, and how it would seem to shake all their experience of the power and preciousness of God’s Word!
3. But besides this there would be two Bibles spread through out the land, the old and the new, and what confusion this would create in almost every place! At present, all sects and denominations agree in. acknowledging our present version as the standard of appeal. Nothing settles disputes so soon as when the contending parties have confidence in the same umpire and are willing to abide by his decision. But this judge of all disputes, this umpire of all controversy, would cease to be the looser of strife if the present acknowledged authority were put an end to.. by a rival!
4. Again, if the revision and re-translation were once to begin, where would it end? It is good. to let well enough alone, as it is easier to mar than to mend. The Socianising Neologian would blot out “God” in I Timothy, iii, 16, and strike out I John V. 7-8, as an interpolation. The Puseyite would mend it to suit Tractarian views. He would read “priest” where we now read “elder” and put “penance” in the place of “repentance.” Once set up a notice, “The old Bible to be mended, “and there would be plenty of workmen, who, trying to mend the cover, would pull the pages to pieces. The Arminian would soften down the words “election” and “predestination “into some term less displeasing to Pharisaic ears. “Righteousness” would be turned into “justice,” and “reprobate” into “undiscerning.” All our good Bible terms would be so mutilated that they would cease to convey the Spirit’s meaning, and instead of the noble simplicity, faithfulness, and truth of our present version, we should have a Bible that nobody would accept as the word of God, to which none could safely appeal, and on which none could implicitly rely.
5. Instead of Our good old Saxon Bible, simple and solid, with. few words really obsolete, and alike majestic and beautiful, we should have a modern English translation in the pert and flippant language of the day. Besides its authority as the Word Of God, our present version is the great English.. classic--generally accepted as the standard of the English language. The great classics of a language cannot be modernized. What an outcry there would be against modernizing Shakespeare, or making Hooker, Bacon, or Milton talk the English of the newspapers or the House of Commons.
6. The present English Bible has been blessed to thousands of the saints of God; and not only so, it has ‘become a part of our national inheritance which we have received unimpaired from our fathers, and are bound to hand down unimpaired to our children. It is, ‘we believe, a grand bulwark of Protestantism; (I prefer “The Church Of God,” instead of “Protestantism” G. H. C.) the safe guard of the gospel, and the treasure of the Church; and we should be. traitors in every sense of the word if we consented to give it up to be rifled by the sacrilegious hands of Puseyites, concealed Papist, German Neoiogians, gnfidel divines, arminians, Socinians, and the whole tribe of enemies of God and godliness.
The primitive Baptist church in the United States, so far as I know still hold to the King James Version, and its use is still in all our pulpits; we as a church do not believe there has been an over all improvement in any of the later versions.
We join Mr. Philpot in thankfulness to have this precious book handed down to us by those fore fathers, of years gone by. And if Mr. Philpot’s language, and criticism of others, may seem harsh or judgmental, to some, please remember that a hundred years ago or less, in writing on Biblical principles, adversaries were not referred to with kindness.
In the interest of truth - Hylton Crain
WONDERFUL READING
Thank you for the reminder. Wonderful reading.
Bless you all,
Martha Carr Batesville, MO
By Brother R. W. COTHERN
It always wrings my heart to read of poor old Jacob's plight when trying to stave off starvation for his family in Canaan by buying Egyptian corn.
The first expedition he sent his boys on for corn, incurred some very touching problems. They got the corn alright, and the purchasing money strangely was put in their sack with it, but they were taken as spies and spent three days in jail, and sent home only when they agreed to bring back Benjamin, his favorite son, or they would not get any more corn. And this strange "Food Administrator" even held Simeon bound in jail for security of their promise.
But the "famine was sure in the land" and the corn was soon consumed and they were right back where they started, and worse because one dear son was still down in Egypt in jail and if they returned for more corn they would have to take Benjamin with them or this Governor would not "see them" and that meant death for "all we and our children."
Jacob mourned, and grieved, and remembered the old bloody coat the boys brought home to him one time---all he had left of his darling son, Joseph. Now if they take Benjamin away and something befalls him "it will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave."
The brothers also felt the pinch of poverty. They were middle aged men now and loved their own little children. And in addition to all this sorrow, they were haunted with their sin of doing away with Joseph and deserting him cruelly, and they said one to another, "we are very guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul when he besought us and we would not hear, therefore, is this distress come upon us." What an awful heart broken bunch of "brethren" to push poor little Joseph in an old well, and him begging them not to leave him there alone to die, [that is when they saw anguish of his soul], but they coldly refused his little cry for mercy. This is a load to have to carry on a man's conscience. But, like others may have done they tried to lie out of it, hence the "bloody coat" with which they deceived their poor old father. So, Reuben spoke up and said, "spake I not unto thee saying, do not sin against the child?" Which was a sort of "I told you so," and not much help to them now.
The fact was "we have sinned" and no doubt they had begun to feel that their sin was leaking out --- this strange "governor" gives me the creeps when he looks at me --- do you suppose --- O surely not --- the poor guilty "brethren" did not know that this "governor" [Joseph] was hearing and understanding every word they said. Now, we have to go back down there and face it all again or starve.
Jacob finally gave over to sending young Benjamin with them, but he said, "carry down a little balm and a little honey," and told them to return all the money and take more money to buy more corn" and God Almighty give you mercy before the man that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin if I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved."
O, the desperation of learning that after all money won't buy "corn."
The corn was always sent, but the money returned with it, as much as to say, "it is without money and without price." [Isaiah 55].
You need not try to bargain with your spiritual Joseph, though if you take along a little gift , some sweet oblation of the soul --- the soul that is hungry, faint and poor, something like a little balm and a little "honey" then this "Joseph" will bless it, like the Saviour did the loaves and the fishes and it will feed both you and the people hearing you preach. I believe this Joseph loves honey just like you do.
And when you have done all on earth you can to rightly serve Him and say, "Lord, here I am, take heed and hold me up in thy grace or I die [starve]. He will reveal Himself to you as He did the "brethren" sent to Egypt after corn, and you will not only get all the "corn" you can use but get to meet Joseph face to face, and eat with him at his own table.
If there is trouble anywhere, ---- take along a little balm, and a little honey.
It can pave the way to peace and understanding.
The Banner of Love, October 1961
“He shewed Himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” [Acts 1: 3].
We will, for the most part, use the last chapters of the four gospels for our information concerning the first five appearances of Jesus, all which took place the first day after His resurrection. However, during the forty-day period, from the time of the burial until His ascension, Jesus made ten appearances. Perhaps, the Lord willing, we will write concerning His last five appearances in another article or articles.
It is a remarkable fact, that the actual resurrection of our Lord was not witnessed by any human, or recorded by any of the evangelists. They record the closing and sealing of the tomb and the open and empty tomb, but that mysterious event in which the tomb was emptied is not recorded. It is announced immediately by the angels as having taken place, and afterwards established by unquestionable evidence, but it is not recorded by any of the sacred writers. Jesus died before a crowd, but there were none that witnessed His raising from the dead. The resurrection, like the creation, are only believed by faith. The resurrection and the Genesis record of creation are closely associated; it’s by faith alone that we believe both, it is not likely that anyone would believe in the resurrection if they do not believe that the Lord spoke the universe in to existence, because it takes the same power to do either. And only the Lord has this power as He declared. “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, “All power it given unto me in heaven and in earth,” [Matthew 28:18].
The first accounts of the Lord’s resurrection were given to the women, who were the first to come to the tomb. The women were called on to believe the testimony of the angels, the disciples on the testimony of the women. But in each case they were demanded to believe the testimony of competent and credible witnesses, and not a ocular demonstration, just as we are; “For we walk by faith, not by sight,” [2, Corinthians 5-7]. Faith is demanded of us as a duty and not requested as a favor, and unbelief is a detestable sin.
We first hear the story of the resurrection, not from the lips of men, but from women who are forbidden to speak in the church. The gentle words of a mother are usually the first words of instruction concerning the Lord that her children hear, and impressions of the Lord’s church are best effected at that early age. The word of truth is not first heard from the pulpit but from the mother and father. It is the mother that has the first opportunity to impress upon the child the story of Jesus. Certainly if this practice was followed as it should be, it would serve to make for happy homes, and greater populated churches. And the children would be more prepared to meet the disappointments of life.
The scene opens early on Sunday morning following the crucifixion of Jesus three days before. We find Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Jesus, Salome the mother of James and John, and other sisters, with spices going to anoint the body of Jesus very early in the morning on the first day of the week, walking to the sepulcher to anoint the hastily buried body of Jesus.
They go forth walking by faith, wondering whom they might get to roll the stone away from the mouth of the grave, for the great stone would be too heavy for them. Further more, Pilate had posted guards to see that no, one approached the tomb, but also had ordered it sealed making the sepulcher as sure as possible lest any should come and steal the body away. How could they overcome these insurmountable obstacles? Anyone who would dare to break the seal and roll the stone away would be executed in accordance to Roman Law, even if they could somehow overcome the Roman guards. However, their faith assured them and they pressed on feeling that the Lord would, in some way, remove these obstacles for them, and He did.
In like manner we must also, like these precious sisters, walk by faith and not by sight when we come to the end of our strength. The Lord alone makes the impossible possible in our lives. He has removed impossible obstacles for all of us in our journey here below and shall continue to do so; for He has promised never to forsake us nor to leave us alone. We should not expect, however, the Lord to do those things for us, that we can do for ourselves, but He will also help us to perform those chores.
When they arrived at the sepulcher, there had been a great earthquake, “For the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it, His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow, And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as, dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye, for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified He is not here, for he is risen, as he said; Come, see the place where the Lord lay. ‘And go quickly, and tell His disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him; lo, I have told you.” [Matthew 28: 2-7]
The guards which Pilate had sent to watch over the tomb, so that his disciples would not come and steal the Lord’s body away, were for fear of the angel, as dead men. God had made the way for the women. He had removed, every obstacle for them and would multiply their blessings.
No earthly force could contain Him in the tomb, for He is the Lord, however, He stayed in the grave, as He must, for three days and nights. Although He might have by His own power passed through the substance of the stony door, He didn’t, but waited for God to send His angel to roll the sealed stone away, thus declaring, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” He had accomplished all things, and conquered hell, death, and the grave for His people. God is delighted with the finished work of His Son. Justification is claimed, “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us,” [Romans 8:33-34].
The sisters were terribly afraid, of course, and knew not what all this meant, and the angel said to the women, “Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here; for he is risen, as he said, Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” The angels do not speak to the women as their Lord, but as “the Lord;” as the Lord of angels as well as men; He is the Lord of heaven and earth. They were implying that he could not be held by the power of the grave because of His divine Lordship.
The angel told them to “go quickly, and tell His disciples, that he is risen from the dead; and be-hold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him; lo, I have told you,” And they departed quickly with fear and, great joy and ran to tell the disciples. However, as they went, “Jesus met them saying, All hail.” The sisters held him by the feet and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them “Be not afraid, go tell my brethren to go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.”
These dear sisters were especially blessed by first seeing the empty tomb and hearing the heaven sent news, that he had risen from the dead, and now they see their risen Lord who was dead and now was alive. Surely we can see that this special blessing points out to us the special importance of the sisters of Israel in the Church. Also because they cared enough to come and anoint His body, they received this very special reward. We never out give the Lord
If I could be allowed to make a personal note here. The mothers of Israel have been a great encouragement to me through the years of my ministry, and they still are. I have also witnessed that in some churches, it was the sisters that kept the church going. At some of these churches there were no male members, but the sisters pressed on with faith in their Lord. Some of these Churches have since had some in-gathering, and have been blessed to have some brothers added to help with the affairs of the church. In some of our churches the sisters are recognized as ‘the pillars of the church; we thank God for them.
Also as the sisters were first to demonstrate their faith and concern at the tomb of Jesus; I have often seen that the wife is often the first to pursue the church. They set the proper example for their children, however, their mate, although they may regularly come along to church with their wife and children, and never hinder their wife and family from going to church, but fail to join with their wife to set forth the proper example as the head of the family by, joining the church. We pray that they will follow the example given them by their Lord and follow Him in baptism, and set forth the proper example as the head of the family that God has blessed them with.
Jacque and I have three children, David, Eddy and Sherrye. As young children growing up in Lubbock, TX each Wednesday evening we had what we called "Family Time." Usually it consisted of my reading from The Bible - a verse, but usually a chapter, and then discussing it. There were always questions and views exchanged. It was a time of bonding. Our children have later told us, many times that was one of the most special times in our family, they remembered with much tender feeling. That was a "high time" to them and the retrospective is very pleasant to them - and us.
It was during those tender years, that seeds of fundamental, foundational doctrines were planted and grew to become mature attitudes. To take an Old Testament Narrative and tell the story was very interesting, intriguing, exciting and stirring; however, the historical aspects came alive, as such was projected into the New Testament Church, with principles of doctrine as guide-lines to live by today. In the New Testament grace age, we need those O.T. Figures, shadows, projections, symbols and prophecies. It has said that the O.T. conceals what the N.T. reveals.
The roots are the O.T. and the tree is the N.T. The Projector is the O.T. and the screen is the N.T. Romans 15:4 - "For what so ever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." 1 Cor. 18:11- Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples; and they are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come." The study of the N.T. is greatly enriched by a good basic foundation in the history and prophecy of the O.T. How my heart aches when reflecting back upon those wonderful days when our children were young, at home, and looked to their parents for all guidance, and knowing that we failed in many ways.
Those "Family Time" Wednesdays are still precious to Jacque, my and the children's memories.
Family Worship Time at home is almost a lost art. Very few families today have time for such. Today's modern contemporary society is at such a hectic pace of activities, schedules and secular, social etiquette of learning at most schools, public and private lessons in everything imaginable, till the evening at home with the family together as a unit, is almost unknown. Every member of the family has their own TV, CD player and computer, with which to reach outside of and beyond the immediate family members, till the simple communications available within the family is lost in the shuffle.
There is no substitute for a Family Communication Time. Most families today don't even sit at the table together for the evening meal. What can draw the family members together? Many secular, social entertaining and recreational activities might, but the real basis of our lives should be "God Centered." Acts 17;28 - "For in Him we live, and move, and have our being." Psalms 100:3 - "Know ye that the Lord he is God; it is he that hath made us and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture."
There is no greater nor more noble cause of drawing the family together than to have an evening dedicated to "Family Togetherness," where family values , the real values of life are discussed. This is the place and time for plotting our course, finding our bearings, and realizing our past, present and future destinies. God's Holy Word, The Bible is the Rule Book. It is our complete guide to all righteousness and Godly Living. My Dad, the late Jesse Bass, was one of thirteen children- seven boys and six girls. They were raised on a farm, in Jones County, Texas. In the early infant years of the 20th Century, there were no such things as convenience and luxury, as there is in this high technological age of the waning years of this century. Simplicity was the rule. Even electricity was rare on the farm. Candles, kerosene or gas lights were the lights of the night.
After working in the field during the day, by all the children old enough to hold a hoe, then there were home chores each evening to be completed, such as gathering the eggs, milking the cows, feeding them, the horses, chickens and hogs, cooking supper. Next, all gathered around "Pa Bass," and every evening, not just once a week, he then read a chapter from The Bible, and discussed it. There was no TV, CD, VCR, Stereo or radio. There were no competitions for holding attention, in these "down home" days. These children grew up close, knowing and living by God's Word, and Church on Sunday was the high light of the week. The family is still close, even though Pa and Ma Bass, and most of their children have now passed from the walks of this mundane sphere.
The cousins, though many have inter-married and their spouses are of a different denomination; yet those early years of training were passed on to the children and their children, just as God taught Israel in the olden days - Deut. 6:7-12 [Read This] This verily was the bedrock basic foundation of our founding fathers of this great nation, the U. S. A.
Elder Sylvester Hassell wrote of his father, Elder C. B. Hassell [1808-1880] thusly; "As far back as I can remember he was in the habit of assembling his family around the family altar every morning and evening to read a portion of Scripture, sing a hymn of praise, and to pour forth in the most humble and reverent manner his thanksgiving and supplication at the throne of grace. I can truly say that these were the most affecting happy and blessed seasons of my life. There are evergreen spots in memory's waste, forming the nearest approach to heaven that I have ever realized on earth. He sang well, and taught his children to sing. On Sunday morning after prayers, he took great delight in instructing his children in Scripture history and the purposes of God in salvation, and continually, both by precept and example, he strove to raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
I have often felt and said that I would rather have such a father than all the riches, honors and pleasures of the world. For some generations the Primitive Baptist of Williamston held prayer meetings at each other's houses every Sunday night; since the war my father has had all these meetings at his house. [hfb-The Civil War]. His spirit was singularly attuned in prayer and praise. I never knew a man who could more truthfully say, with David, I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." I
It is very important at this juncture, to include from the Baptist Witness, Feb. 1999 Issue, the following excerpt = "Hassell focuses much attention on the history of the Kehukee P.B. Assoc., of the state of N.C. He spoke from the Philadelphia Confession of Faith which had been adopted by this assoc. This confession was also unanimously approved and republished with explanatory footnotes by the Nat'l Meeting of P.B. held in Fulton, KY in 1900. We see that concern was expressed over the lack of family worship and the proper training by their parents.
"And verily there is one spring and cause of the decay of religion in our day which we cannot but touch upon and earnestly urge a redress of, and that is the neglect of the worship of God in families by those to whom the charge and conduct of them is committed. May not the gross ignorance and instability of many, with the profaneness of others, be justly charged upon their parents and masters, who have not trained them up in the way wherein they ought to walk when they were young, but have neglected those frequent and solemn commands which the Lord hath laid upon them, so to catechize and instruct them that their tender years might be seasoned with the knowledge of the truth of God as revealed in the Scriptures, and also by their own omission of prayer and other duties of religion in their families, together with the ill example of their loose conversation, have inured them first to a neglect, and then contempt, of all piety and religion?
We know this will not excuse the blindness and wickedness of any but certainly it will fall heavy upon those that have been thus the occasion thereof; they indeed die in their sins, but will not their blood be required of those under whose care they were, who yet permitted them to go on without warning - yea, led them into the paths of destruction? And will not the diligence of Christians with respect to the discharge of these duties in ages past rise up in judgment against and condemn many of those who would be esteemed such now?
I close this exhortation with the teachings of -Deut. 11:18-21- "Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by thy way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house and upon the gates; That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth."
I do not say that enrolling and involving your children in so many social, recreational, physical and mental activities of this current environment is wrong, but such should simply be an exercise in priority. When there is not enough time during each week to fit all those things into the agenda, so as to have time to study and meditate in God's Word. then elimination of those other areas of attentiveness needs scaled back and the re-aligning of priority. Simply stated, as does Jesus in His sermon on the Mount. Matt. 6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you." Then, and then only, can you expect the timely results - that we can relive the "days of heaven upon the earth."
May Zion and her daughters prosper in the Lord, in the days ahead. May pleasant seasons abound.
The New Salem Primitive Baptist Church of Floydada, Texas is pleased to announce that through much prayer and searching, the Lord has brought Elder Ronnie Hedges to be the new pastor of our church. In December of 1998 the church voted to call Elder Hedges to the position of pastor of our Church Through much prayer and consideration Elder Hedges accepted the call in February of 1999.
The church feels very blessed that the Lord brought Elder Hedges to our church and asks for the prayers of its brethren and sisters that the Lord will continue to guide and watch over our church, that we may walk the path that God would have us to follow.
We are also happy to announce that our church has two new members, Elder Ronnie Hedges and his wife, Gloria presented themselves for membership to our church on the promise of a letter from the Lebanon Primitive Baptist Church of Lawn, Texas.
Again, we would like to express our love for Elder Ronnie and Sister Gloria and pray that our Lord’s name will be lifted up.
In God’s Love,
Cade Fowler, Clerk
New Salem Primitive Baptist Church
Floydada, Texas
Much of the religious world revolves around the spirit of fear. We are told that we are to fear for ourselves and our eternal fate. We are instructed that if we do not take certain actions to "cement" our lives, then we must fear the eternal consequences of that inaction.
We do not have to watch much television to find a minister skilled in the art of selling a ministry of fear. We are told we must confess... , we must accept..., we must repent..., we must be baptized..., we must support with our resources and finances. The consequences are the "fears" of our failure to perform these good works. These doctrines of "fear" work pretty well in our world today, just as they have been for hundreds of years.People respond to these doctrines of fear. Our human nature is to respond to action out of a sense of fear. We do it most days of our lives. In fact, too many times in our day to day lives we wait to respond to situations until we fear the consequences.
False prophets capitalize on our fears. Fear of the consequences is a great worldly selling point. That is why we see lots of religious conversions in jails. It is the human nature in all of us.
However, a doctrine of "fear" goes against the teachings and instructions of God. Do not be confused with our having a respectful "fear" of the power of God. We all should respectfully fear the power of God ("fear of the Lord is wisdom" Job 28:28). That fear is respect.
We are talking about a worldly spirit of human emotional "fear" of eternal consequences for our failure to perform good works. It is this fear that is exploited by other men in the world to get us to "save" ourselves eternally with our works and actions and decisions. God instructs us against such fear.
One of my favorite passages in the Bible is in the first chapter of II Timothy. It is the Apostle Paul’s second letter to Timothy.
He talks to us about our worldly fears of our eternal salvation.
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and of a sound mind." II Tim. 1:7. An understanding of God’s plan with us should give us comfort and security with its power, love and soundness of mind. It should ease our conscious, not stir it up. Our fellow man givers us the spirit of fear; God gives us the comfort and security of our salvation.
The Apostle Paul adds to his instruction: he tells us not to be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, but to be a "partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God..." v.8.
We are told we should expect afflictions in this world. We should prepare for them, expect them, and be willing to take on these afflictions with the understanding of the spirit of power, love and a sound mind. We should sympathize with others who suffer, and suffer with them, and suffer like them. When we suffer our afflictions with a sound mind and power and love of the spirit, then we have the ability to bear and be content with those afflictions.
We all will suffer afflictions; but we can bear them together with the contented conscious that comes with the spirit of power, love and sound mind.
Paul adds important instruction to Timothy, explaining why we should not have the spirit fear : He tells us that God ... "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 Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel..." II Ti. 1:9-10.
We are taught by many men that our eternal fate is in our own hands and we should "fear" our inactions. But the Apostle Paul tells us that God saved us and called us not according our ourselves, but according to "his own purpose" — and he did so through Jesus Christ "before the world began."
The gospel does not bring us "life and immortality". The gospel brings life and immortality "to light".
In a simple analogy, the gospel does for us what a light switch does to a darken room. We turn on the light and suddenly "see" the furniture which fills the room. Our good deed of turning on the light did not put the furniture in the room; our turning on the light switch simply lets us see what was already there.
The Apostle Paul tells us the same here. The gospel reveals to us — brings to light — that which the Lord has already done for us with his sovereign grace according to his own purpose to secure our immortality through Jesus Christ. He saved us before the world began; the gospel reveals that fact to us.
God provides for us the security of His purpose. We perform good works in appreciation for his free grace and to make our daily world and its afflictions better for our fellow man and ourselves.
The spirit of fear provides just that: fear. The spirit of God is of "power , and of love, and of a sound mind." Reading and studying God’s word will provide you the security of a sound mind, content with the afflictions that will come your way.
In listening to talks and also receiving information in writings, I’ve been thinking more about the difficulties of computers that is called Y2K, concerning electrical shortage or outage; Things to prepare in my notes listed the following:
Water- [spring, well or bottled water] Food - cooked and canned is good. Tray with candles underneath to keep food warm, real careful]. Medical supplies, [prescription] Keep records of all bills, etc on paper, and put in a place you can find easily. Prepare to have a stove or fireplace. A push mower. Manual things like clocks, etc. flashlights and batteries.
In a newspaper, [The Surbanite] there was a writing of Y2K Contingency Planning Committee, who has over 1,000 hours of research on the subject, first explained the basic logistics of the potentially widespread disaster, which stem from our society’s overwhelming dependency on computers, and the chance that they could be seriously affected by the date rolling over to January 1, 2000.
In the writing it is written concerning the member of Y2K Contingency Planning Committee feeling obligated to address the issue because of the effect it could have on the community. He admits he has no idea of the effect of the problem which could range from minor inconvenience to chaotic mayhem.
He says, “They [Y2K experts] all predict a problem, it’s the degree in which they predict it—but everybody predicts some level of disruption.” “He aims to transform fear and concern into an effective action plan and emphatically stresses preparedness” “It’s all about you taking care, community begins with us and our families.”
He said preparedness is mostly a matter of common sense, such as having enough necessities, like canned goods, bottled water, flashlights, batteries, and matches to last from 3 to 30 days, depending on the individual.
Some information is as Red Cross listed as follows: Check with manufacturers to see if programmable, appliances or other electrical equipment, which an embedded chip might be affected.
As you would in preparation of a storm or any kind, have some extra cash of travelers checks on hand, in case of AIM Cards, credit cards, etc cannot processed. [keep in safe place in small amount at a time before 12-31-99].
Have extra blankets, coats, hats, and gloves to keep warm. If you have smoke alarms, check batteries.
Listen to battery operated radio.
I sure hope it is God’s will to not need a major change and that no electrical changes occur. God always supplies everything we need in every age of time, but sometimes it’s not been like now days.
It’s really encouraging thinking of Joseph. [Gen. 39:2-6] and to think the way our Dear Lord made him able to overcome all the experience she had, also to be able to share during the time of famine.
Our Dear Lord has purpose in all He allows in our experiences. He always proves to us that He will see us through.
Gen 50: 20 is real encouraging. I believe Genesis 39: 21-23, Gen. 45:5-8; Gen. 50:19-21; also Rom 8:28; all fit together.
In Dear Hope and love, Loretta Lilly
Akron, Ohio