August                                                                                           October

A Responsibility on my part    A Sincere "Thank You"    Infant Salvation    In need of prayers     50 Years of service    I was Blind, Now I See    In Heaven    Frequently asked questions    A profit in his own country    Ordination of Brother Sam Latimer    Tour Through the Bible    Obituaries

Jesus was in the city of Jerusalem teaching in the treasury of the temple and exchanging words with the Pharisees [Jews]. Who after a while, began boasting that they were Abraham’s seed; they said, "Abraham is our father!" Jesus said, "I speak that which I have seen with my Father; and you do that which you have seen with your father; ye are of your father the, he devil and the lusts of your father ye will do." He [devil] 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." He that is of God heareth God’s words; ye therefore hear them not because ye are not of God."

The Pharisees, inflamed, hatefully asked, "Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? And the prophets are dead; whom makest thyself?" Jesus said "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad." The Jews fired back "Abraham?" Jesus quickly answered "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."

That was the last straw as far as the Jews were concerned and they "took up stones to cast at him; but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by." They were blind and could not see, even though they were in the very presence of the Son of God they comprehended it not. They were at enmity with Him. They hated Him and wanted to kill Him. Keep in mind they were supposed to be the Shepherd's of the Lord's sheep. (See John 8:12-59)

So Jesus passed them by leaving them in their temple [dissappeared out of thier midst]. "And as Jesus passed by He saw a man which was blind form his birth." [John 9:1] He was naturally blind, and also blind to anything spiritual, as we all are by nature. Who being concieved in, are transgressors from the womb. Who by nature alienated from God and are blind to spiritual knowledge or any sense of thier true sinful condition. Also absent of any operation of the Spirit giving them knowledge of the grace of God and salvation through His Son Jesus Christ. He was born blind and he had never seen light of day or any other thing of God's creation.

We are not told how old he was, but by Jewish tradition he must have been at least thirty years old. Because the Jews mever considered any male to be an adult until he had reached this age. He is called a "man". Jesus passed by and saw a "man". His parents said in the twenty-first verse, "He is of age".

Jesus' deciples knew or know of this man, because they ask, "Master, who did sin, this man, or his parent, that he was born blind?" They knew that he was born blind. However, they seemend to have a problem understanding the reason why that he was born blind. They seemed to think that because of some sins of his parents, or for his own sins before he was born, was the reason he was born blind.

They ask, "Master, who did sin, this man, or his parent, that he was born blind?" Now it would not seem so surprising that they might think that he was born blind because of some sin of his parents, however, it does seem strange that they would ever consider that he was blind because of some sins that he had committed before he was born. It is notable that they never asked Jesus to heal this poor creature, but rather yearned to have their curiosity satisfied. Also they considered him to be under some condemnation for some sin that they were not.

It seems that in those days, that there was a popular notion among many, including the Pharasees, of the pre-existance of souls, and their transmigration from one body to another. So they thought that perhaps this poor creature's soul was condemned to the dungeon of this blind body to punish it for some sin committed in another body which it had previously animated. This seems to be the opinion of the Pharasees concerning him when they said in verse thirty four, "Thou wast altogether born in sins.

It seems that the deciples were tainted with heresy and moved them to ask Jesus, "Master, who did sin, this man, or his parent, that he was born blind?"  Their question in reference to whether he was punished for the wickedness of his parents, which God sometimes visits upon the children, and is a good reason why parents should take heed of sin, comes from Exodous 34:7, "visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation."

Jesus answered them, "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him." Jesus was not implying that this man or his parents were from origional sin and sins of thier own. However, God would use this man's affliction to show the wonderful, marvelous works of God. All body irregularities, distempers, and afflictions arise from sin, as does the fall of man. Also, that spiritual blindness that afflicts all mankind. However, it was not for any uncommon guilt, that moved God to afflict this poor sinner.

Jesus said, "I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day; the night cometh when no man can work." The one what sent Him was His Father, and ours. His mission was to do the will of His Father, "For I cane down from Heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me, and all that the Father givith me shall come to me: and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." He "must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day." he came to fulfill all that was required of Him in His days, and this He did while he was making His visitation here on earth as the Son of man, in His flesh, while the day of His life lasted, for the night [death] or end of his day would soon come.

Jesus, who is light, would give light, and only He can. Jesus would do the works of light prophesied of Him, that is, keep all the laws and do all those things the prophets had spoken concerning Him, "Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. [Isaiah 35:4-5] Jesus was going to fulfill Isaiah's and the other prophets prophesies that spoke of Him giving sight to this poor blind man. It was a work of light that He did in His day. As He said in John 9:5 "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

After Jesus had said these things, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing." [John 9:6-7] We would not expect anything clean to come out of an unclean thing. However, we would expect only a clean thing to come out of a clean thing. The saliva of a human being [sinner] is a very unclean liquid; nearly every disease organism known can be found in a smear taken from the mouth.

This menagerie of disease organisms are opportunities waiting for the right environment, so that they might move in and take up housekeeping, house destruction might be a better choice of words. Many diseases are spread from one person to another by saliva, and would be a very unsuitable solution to mix with anything to make an ointment to anoint any thing and especially the eyes. If the clay from this sin cursed earth would happen to be clean, and it is not, the saliva from any of us sinners would pollute it and make it an unprofitable salve.

However, the spittle was clean and pure. There is healing virtue in everything that belongs to Jesus. When the spittle was mixed with dust of the earth by Him who had made man from dust of the earth, it made the perfect save, the true balm of Gilead, to anoint the eyes of the poor blind beggar. With the ointment Jesus anointed the blind mans eyes and gave him sight; He is the great physician. Jesus could have cured him with a word, as He did others, but He chose to do it in this manner this time. Unless Jesus anoints the eyes of the elect, they would be blind to the things of the spiritual world. This typifies the opening of the mind's eye. There is no other power in Heaven or earth, and Jesus had all the power in Heaven and Earth, that could give the poor blind man his sight, naturally or spiritually.

We shall not enlarge upon this point further, except to call your attention to an applicable text that could be considered here, Jesus said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised," Luke 4:18

concluded in October 2000

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VOICE OF THE PAST...

A RESPONSIBILITY ON MY PART

By Elder Afton Richards

On a recent Sunday, quite some time after the close of the service, a young girl came to me and put a dollar in my pocket, with the remarks, "I had to wait to get my allowance before I could give to the church." Also, another young lady about her age, [12 or 13] put some money in my pocket.

Not long ago I wrote that I have great hopes for the future of the church for our young people. These two are two good examples of the reason I feel this way.

Also, I thought, how much responsibility this puts on me to spend this money wisely. When a young lady sacrifices her weekly allowance money, to give to her pastor, because of love for him, and for the church, then, if I spent the money unwisely, and she received knowledge of it, it would destroy her confidence and love for me, and injure her image of the entire church structure.

I don’t have words to express my appreciation for the young people in the church. I look at them, and I say to myself, "There is Coming a Better Day For The Church." Could I be wrong?

A. E. Richards The Banner of Love, May 1971

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One year ago, Mt. Paran Primitive Baptist Church in Paris,Texas purchased a 2.5 acre lot. This was the first step in our commitment to build a new meetinghouse. We have received so much encouragement and generous cash contributions, as well as the prayers of the faithful in our behalf. What a blessing you have been to us! Your response came from Alabama, Arkansas, California, Mississippi, and our loved ones in Texas.

Last week, about one year to the day, we were able to pay the balance of the note, which we had scheduled for five years.

Please continue to pray for us. We are running ads to sell about ½ of the lot and plan to put our current church property on the market. Our building committee has recommended that we finalize our building plans and start on the foundation.

Thank you so much. May God be with you always.

Members and Friends of Mt. Paran

Primitive Baptist Church

Luke 18:15-17 - "And they brought unto Him also infants, that he would touch them; but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto Him, and said, Suffer Little Children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God.

Verily, I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as A little child shall in no wise enter therein." Several important doctrinal basic premises develop and come to light manifestly here.

Infants in the Greek is - [Strong's #1025] - brephos-infant [prop. unborn] lit. or fig.: babe [young] child, infant... Children in the Greek is - [Strong's #3813] - paidion - a childling [of either sex] i.e. [prop] an infant...

Jesus is calling in this particular context, Little children the same as an infant. Jesus is not referring to a young person in their youth. Jesus is equating the Kingdom [Church on earth] with the same quality as an infant.

We also affirm that of such [infants] is the kingdom of heaven....This affirms that infants are of such quality that they are entitled to be members of the kingdom of heaven.

We adults should adopt this quality of life - attitude of forth-rightness as an infant [little child], through humility [Matt. 18:1-5], that we might be "great" in the kingdom of heaven.

2nd Sam. 2:21 - teaches that David, after his terrible sins with Bathsheba, Uriah's wife, was forgiven of these sins [verse 13], but that his child by her would die [v. 14]. David mourned, but said, "....can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." David's infant son was sent to heaven!

Job 21:7 - "Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power." Job 36:14 - "They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean." Is Job contradicting himself? He says the wicked live to be old, then says that they [unclean] die in their youth...Which is true? Both. Job is not saying that Infants die as a wicked unclean person. The youth is not an infant. The youth in this verse is simply a young person. Strong's #5290 gives the Hebrew word - no'ar - boyhood, child, youth...

Rev. 13:8 - Infants do not worship the beast... Rev. 17:8 - Infants do not wander after the beast...

It has always been, through history, the Primitive Baptist position concerning infants that die in infancy, that they go to heaven. Why? Because we can find many references showing that of such - infants and little children go to heaven. There is no scripture that shows that such goes to hell- lake of fire, when they die in infancy.

It is also the Primitive Baptist position that all Adamic Humanity, from conception forward, infants, little children, young teenagers, young adults, grown adults, middle-aged adults and old people, that they all are under sin in Adam - Psalms 51:5; 58:3.

In conception; in the womb, the are wicked; not a single just person on earth; both Jew and Gentiles are under sin; All the world [of humanity] is guilty before God; All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God; By nature we are all the children of wrath; Even the seed is corruptible....

So, we conclude that there is no such thing as Infantile Purity, Harmless, Undefiled, Innocent pure blood of babies, nor an Age of Accountability -

Responsibility - from conception...

We are all [infants up] dead in sin... Well, if all infants that did infancy go to Heaven, and they are not pure and holy, but dead in sins, How do they get to heaven? If they get to heaven on infantile purity, and are not sinners, then they are safe and saved without the need of a Savior. If that be true, then there will be some in heaven without the saving and redeeming grace of Jesus Christ.

The truth is, that all the Family of God, infants and adults are saved sinners, only by the blood of Jesus Christ, who redeemed them from their sins on Calvary's Cross, once and for all- Heb. 10:14...Infants are redeemed the same as Adults. There is no redemption in any other, save in the Blood of Jesus Christ...All [elect] men, women, children, infants, are lost in Adam, but saved in Christ Jesus' blood!

Infants die. Why? Because of sin - Rom. 6:23; James 1:15. Notice the lesson in Matt. 18:10-14 - Jesus is teaching that a man had 100 sheep, and one was gone astray. He says that the man went to find the lost sheep, and rejoiced in his saving such.

Question: In this lesson, carefully study just exactly who that one lost sheep was...Who was the lost sheep? Answer: Matt. 18:14 - Jesus tells me it was one of these little ones, and He is not willing that one of these little ones should perish. If Jesus is not willing that a little one should perish, then I conclude that no little one will perish. Rom. 9:19; 2nd Peter 3: 9...Jesus is not willing and no one has ever resisted His Will -

Rom. 9:19, but does His Will - Dan. 4:35...

Conclusion: All infants are Adamic in Seed-Genetic Nature, and therefore are all sinners by nature, and then also by practice.

Plant a grain of corn in the earth, cultivate it, water it, fertilize it, harvest and gather it; then re-plant it, for 1000's of ages &/or Generations, and in the end, What is it? It is still no more than the same type of grain of corn, that you originally planted. So, with the progeny of Adam- We are Adam multiplied! Baby rattle snakes? Is the quality of their poison the same as the grown-snakes? "If infants do not need to be saved, then they need no Savior"! All [Elect] men, women, children, infants, are lost in Adam-but saved in Christ Jesus!

Yet, all infants that die in infancy are heaven bound...There is no scripture in the negative with reference to infants and little children with an eternal consequence; however, there are many positive scriptural eternal affirmations.

Stated again, There are no scriptures that state or imply that any infant dying in infancy, is subject to a negative eternal consequences. Further, there are many scriptures that state and imply that all infants dying in infancy, are subject to a positive eternal consequences.

They did not inherit their actual practiced Sins from Adam. They performed them themselves, from their inherited sin-nature from Adam.

Why? Because there are Scriptures that teach that of such [infants] go to Heaven...Luke 18:16.

There is no scripture that teaches infants die and go to Hell. If infants die, then why? Because of sin, by nature and practice,just as is the same with adults.

Then if infants are sinners how do they go to heaven? Only by the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ, the same as adults! There is no scripture concerning Redemption apart from the Blood of Jesus Christ. Redemption is only by the blood of Christ - period...

Again, this position has always been the Primitive Baptist's Position Scripturally.

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The Lord willing, McKenzie Primitive Baptist Church of McKenzie, TN. plans special services on Saturday, October 7, 2000, to honor their pastor, Elder S. T. Tolley for 50 years of tireless and loving devotion to the gospel ministry.

Congregational singing will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by a general welcome and a time of recognition. An add-a-dish meal will be served in the church dining room at noon, followed by an open house reception from about 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Friends and relatives who may not wish to attend the morning singing or noon meal are encouraged to come for the reception afterwards. This occasion is not restricted to Primitive Baptists only, but all friends - and fellow ministers especially - are invited to come.

Elder Tolley has served several churches in the local area and has traveled many thousands of miles to meetings and preaching appointments throughout the United States. Through The Christian Baptist, he has touched thousands of lives during more than 30 years in publishing the truths of the gospel by the printed page.

He has been a father in the ministry to many other ministers, and some will be present to recognize his support and guidance. He and his family are well known and respected in the community and have countless friends.

This occasion was kept as a surprise for Elder Tolley until it was published in the papers -he had no idea this was being planned. Please come and share this special occasion with us.

The address of the church location is Woodrow Street, just across from the Middle School in McKenzie, some three blocks west of Bethel College. For more information please call 901/352-5783, or 901/352-3810. The address of the Tolley's is P.O. Box 5, Atwood, TN 38220, Phone: 901/662-7254.

Members and friends of McKenzie Primitive Baptist Church, McKenzie, TN.

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IN NEED OF PRAYERS

We, of the Albuquerque Primitive Baptist Church are sad to announce that Elder Lonnie Wright has been diagnosed with advanced Parkinson's disease, and is in a nursing home in Albuquerque.

We request that our brothers and sisters would fervently pray for Brother Lonnie and Sister Bonnie Wright and the family.

Cards or letters of encouragement can be sent to Sister Bonnie Wright Box 207

Edgewood, NM 87015

Submittted by: Brother Jerry Foshee

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Don and Opal Richards:

Enclosed is renewal subscription to the Banner for another year. Hope to meet you both some day.

When in Lubbock, Brownfield, Sundown and Lockney, we have so many relatives, we have little time left for others. Our intentions are good.

Love,

Elder Conway

Sister Eunice Wood

Note: Elder Wood, we would be happy to meet you folks. I was happy to learn that you folks had moved to this part of the country. Come to see us.

.....Opal Richards

Harley asked me to write you a note with the hope that you would convey it to the sweet brothers and sisters in the West Texas Association.

Harley and I continue to rejoice over the sweet, spiritual meeting. Our hearts were deeply touched by the warm and loving kindness that was shown us by the dear brothers and sisters.

We are looking forward to attending next year and have already started encouraging others to attend.

I was so happy to see you again, Aunt Opal. Please come to see us.

In Christian Love,

Elder Harley and Sister Rubye Stripland

Powderly, Texas

Note: Elder Stripland is pastor of the Paris, TX church

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Dear Publishers of the Banner of Love: I am enclosing a check for renewing my subscription. Use the remainder as you need.

My prayers are for Sister Melba in her illness.

I especially enjoy Brother Don's writings on "The Great Exodus."

Sister Lillie John

Tempe, AZ

We have noted with interest that there have been several announcements in recent months about ordinations in various churches. We have not kept count, but it seems there have been announced about an equal number of elders and deacons whom the churches have set aside for those respective offices.

These ordination announcements have caused my mind to ponder the duties created by such ordinations.

A special duty is placed by the church upon both the husband and wife with such an ordination. But the duties of the elder or deacon is not what I want to discuss here today. I want to talk about the duty upon the church, the congregation and the family when it chooses to ordain. This duty is as important as the one on the individual who is ordained.

There is an excellent lesson in the teachings of the gospels regarding Christ’s ministry. Jesus encountered difficulty in the way of skepticism from those around him when he began his ministry. It appears he encountered the most difficulty in his home community among his best acquaintances.

After Jesus had clearly established his ministry, having delivered the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-6-7) and taught the parables to the multitudes (Matt. Chapter 13), Jesus had been away from his home. He returned home to his part of the country at Galilee (where he had been raised) to teach in his own synagogue. (Matt. 13:54, Mark 6:1 and Luke 4:14). He was met with much skepticism and astonishment.

The people in the synagogue who heard him became angry. Who was this to come preach to them? This man was just a local native, merely a carpenter’s son, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joses and Simon and Judas. Matt. 13:54-55.

They were offended and filled with wrath (Matt 13:57, Mark 6:3, Luke 4:28). They took Jesus and led him out of the synagogue, out of the city and cast him headlong over the hill (Luke 4:29).

Jesus here proclaimed one of his oft-quoted teachings: A prophet is without honor in his own country, among his own kin and in his own house (Matt. 14:57, Mark 6:4, and Luke 4:24). Because of their unbelief, the people missed out on many miracles with which Jesus could have blessed them. Matt. 13:58.

We need to exercise care that we do not make the same mistakes the people in the synagogue made about Jesus. Do we fail to recognize a prophet in our midst because he is local. If we do, we could miss out on many blessings.

We will assume that the ordination service has applied the examination and charge that the Apostle Paul specifies in First Timothy, Chapter 3. After that, the church, the community and the ordained’s kin have the duty to acknowledge the ordained work, and accept the gift, and the teachings, that comes with it.

It’s always hard for me to listen to the preacher admonishing me with the truth of the Word. It is especially hard if the minister is someone I grew up with or am related to (and I am related to a bunch of them -- you know who you are). After all, I knew them when . . .

We never like it, but it is so much acceptable to hear the harsh truth when it comes from an out-of-town prophet. We do not like to hear that person we knew as a kid tell us the harsh truth and shepherd the flock.

That is a mistake we often make when we ordain someone. We are all familiar with instances where this has occurred. Too much pressure is on that individual to overcome their past. It becomes much "easier" for them to move to another "country" where their acceptance is made. When we let this happen, like the people in Jesus’ synagogue, we may lose out on the blessings that we otherwise would have received by our acceptance of them.

It is apparent that we see that the Lord has provided talents to an individual because we carefully watch an individual, examine them and call for their ordination. We need to constantly remind ourselves and acknowledge the Lord’s calling after the ordination.

There is a huge responsibility upon an individual who has been ordained as a minister. I do not know of a single elder who takes his office lightly. When a minister studies and feels burdened to labor or deliver a message, we should recognize the prophet, especially when he is at home. We should not miss the blessings because we did not recognize the prophet in his home country.

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Dear ones:

In this age it seems the economy is often the subject of many conversations. In thinking of prosperity it's good to be reminded of Deut. 8:18; also the other verses in Deut. 8. God is so good to us.

May He bless you all. He will see us through.

In dear hope,

Sister Loretta Lilly,

Akron, Ohio

I appreciate The Banner of Love.

Linda Hawkins

Sudan, Texas

In Heaven, no one will lay claim to fame,

All they will do, is praise our Saviours' Holy Name.

In Heaven, no one will experience any sadness,

Only unending days of joy and gladness.

In heaven there will be no sorrow,

Just ecstasy in that great land of Tomorrow.

In Heaven, we shall walk the streets of gold,

And rejoice that we will never grow old.

In Heaven, it will be a glorious life,

With absolutely no need to worry about any strife.

In Heaven, there will not be any crying,

And certainly no need to ever worry about dying.

In Heaven there will be no days of ice, drizzle, snow, or sleet.

Also , there will be no experiencing several one hundred degree days

Needing an air conditioner in torrid heat.

In Heaven there will be a multitude of a flower which smells so

fragrant that God made

They are called roses and their beauty in the sweet by and by will never fade.

In Heaven, our real home, all of God's elect will be as happy as they can be,

Because through all eternity, they will be dwelling by the crystal sea.

In Heaven, we will never be bored,

Because we will forever be with our Creator, The LORD.

In God's Love,

Jerry Bass,

Lubbock, Texas

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ORDINATION SERVICE OF BROTHER SAM LATIMER

TO THE OFFICE OF DEACON

Presbytery members seated:  Elders George Johnson,  John Horner, Gail Faries, Tom Taylor, James Taylor.  Deacons: Brothers Bob Porter, Andy Coats, J. L. Phipps, John Metcalf, Jack Denton.

Presbytery Moderator:  Elder Tom Taylor

Presbytery Clerk:  Elder James Taylor   

Questioning: Elder George Johnson

Ordination Prayer:  Elder Gail Faries

Ordination Charge:  Elder John Horner     

Brother Sammy related his experience in being led of the Lord to move to Crosbyton, Texas

Questions by Elder George Johnson                               

1.  Do you believe God is supreme and one in three?  Yes, John 5:7-8 .                  

2.  Do you believe the old and new Testament is a Word of God?         Yes, II Tim. 3:16            

3.  Do you believe the Lord established the Church for a united effort to glorify and worship God?    Yes, we should not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.

4.  Would you support and hold up the hands of your pastor?    Yes.

5.  Would you work and support the other deacons in a willing manner?    Yes, desire to work and learn from them. 

6.  Will the church support Brother Sammy as a deacon in the church?    Church gave it's assent.

Brother George stated that Brother Sammy has the desire and will to do his part in assisting the pastor and serving the church as deacon.

Questions from Elder Tom Taylor.

1. Are you in agreement wit the Articles of Faith posted in the Church building?    Yes

2. Do you understand that if you ever deviate from those Articles of Faith you will no longer be a deacon among the Primitive Baptists?    Yes.

Brother George gave his recommendation that Brother Sammy be ordained to the office of Deacon.

Ordination Prayer by Brother Gail Faries

Brother John Horner:

The office of Elder and Deacon are the only two offices given in the Church. brother Sammy will not put to use, because of the need, in the office of a deacon.

II Peter 2:13 Peter said, he wanted to stir us up to put us into remembrance to remind us of things that we ought to know.

I Timothy 3:8 Likewise the deacons if they desire the office of a deacon, they desire a good works. A deacon must be grave, serious, Brother Sammy is and has been serious about the works of the Lord for a long time. The promary responsibility is the temporal welfare needs of the church.

A deacon must not be double tongued - say one thing to one group and something different to another.

A deacon must hold the mystery of faith in a pure conscience.

A deacon's wife must be grave, not slanderous, sober, faithful in all things.

They who use the office of deacon purchase to themselves a good degree and must be bold in faith and in the Lord.

Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom. The Holy Ghost is continually effectual in our lives and actions to bring an honorable name to our church. Those who are without continually watch you and your life brings honor to Christ.

You must have wisdom, it is necessary to know what to do and how to do. A deacon serves primarily in natural things, but to the child of God, everything is spiritual.

We do not make deacons or reward them with an office because we do them and ourselves no favor.

As a deacon, you must use the money given to the church in a wise manner.

James 2:15-16, What doth it profit if we are able to take care of each others needs and don't.

I John 3:17, If we don't take care of each others' needs how dwelleth the love of God in us.

I Cor Upon the first day of the week, we are to lay in store in the church what god Has prospered us.

If we put our finances in it, our heart might get a bit closer to it also.

A deacon is not the lord of the pulpit, he is to be a watchman in the church. he is to see that we live in accordance with the scripture.

I Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore, under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time for He careth for you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

by Elder David Pyles

Question: Why do Primitive Baptists not use musical instruments?

We can find no biblical precedent for the usage of musical instruments in New Testament worship. The scriptures give repeated instructions to sing in the church but never to play (Romans 15:9, I Cor 14:15, Eph 5:19, , Col 3:16, Heb 2:12, Ja 5:13)

It will occasionally be objected that there are also many other things in all modern churches which are without scriptural precedent - things such as electric lights, air conditioners, etc.: however, these items affect only the setting of worship and are not integral to it. The scriptures have clearly afforded much liberty in such matters (Lk 5:3, Jn 4:20-24, Acts 20:7-8, acts 21:5) A distinction must also be made between an addition to the New Testament pattern and and aid to this pattern. Electric lights, song books, reference Bibles, etc. are aids to worship, but musical instruments are additions to worship.

For a discussion about the importance of adhering to scriptural example, we refer the reader to the question regarding scriptural precedent.

It is commonly objected that Psalm 150 offers instruction to praise the Lord with various kinds of instruments. However, these instructions are not refering to new Testament worship. Procedure used in Old Testament worship obviously cannot be used to ammend the New Testament pattern; otherwise, animal sacrifices, priests, etc. could be legitamately introduced to the church. It should be observed that Psalm 150 also commands to praise the lord with dance (Ps 150:4), yet those who use the Psalm to defend musical instruments would generally condemn dancing in the church.

Question: Why do Primitive Baptists not have Sunday schools?

Bible study is greatly to be commended, and there are definite benefits to studying and discussing scriptures with other Christians; however, scriptural examples dictates that such activities should be conducted in contexts other than formal church worship. There is nothing in scriptures to indicate that worshippers, either in the church or in the law, were ever segregated by knowledge, age, sex, marital status, or any other criterion. Instead, all worshipped in a common assembly.

The importance of adherence to scriptural example of this and other matter is considered in the question treating scriptural precedent.

Some will say that Sunday schools are necessary for the instruction of children; however, the Lord cautions against assuming a posture which views the understanding of children with slight or disdain. He tells us that their understanding can exceed that of the wise and prudent (Mt 11:25, Mt 21:15) and that God has ordained praise in the utterances of babes (Mt 21:16). Accordingly, Jesus rebuked his disciples for denying admittance of children to His presence  (Mt 19:13-15, Mk 9:36-37, Mk 10:13-15). Hence, it should not be assumed that children are incapable of receiving proper instruction from the general assembly. The modern practice of denying children children entrance to church sanctuaries is very much against the spirit of the scriptures.

Question: Why do Primitive Baptists not have organized programs for the entertainment of youth?

Primitive Baptists do not condemn entertainment when it is moral and in moderation. We also recognize that men of God in the scriptures occasionally use humor and sarcasm (Is 40: 18-23, Is 44:12-20, Lk 16:9), so this too is acceptable provided that it is clean, purposeful, and moderate. however, the idea that it is the role of the church to entertain is absolutely alien to all that is scriptural.

the lord condemned the priests of Israel saying, ... they have put no difference between the holy and the profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean... (Ezek 22:26). Again, the Lord said, And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean (Ezek 44:23). When churches have taken sports, games, comedy, and other amusement, and have commingled them with songs of praise, prayer, and preaching then no difference is being made between the holy and the profane.

A church involved in such indiscretions should not expect the blessings of God in its efforts to preach the gospel. The Lord told Jeremiah, ... if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth...(Jer 15:19) We are therefore the mouth of God only when we make a difference between the precious and the vile. The Hebrew for vile can sometimes mean gluttonous, which condemns modern practices yet further. Modern Americans are essentially baptized in entertainment every day of the week, yet some are so worldly that they expect even more of it from the church.

The scriptures suggest that Paul had an interest in some sports (I Cor 9:24, II Tim 2:5, Heb 12:1), yet he condemned competitiveness in the church (I Cor 4:7, I Cor 11:21-22). This further illustrates that things which are appropriate in everyday life are not necessarily appropriate in a church context.

Preoccupation with entertaining youth often leads to neglect in teaching youth. This is particularlytrue when such entertainment is purposed to be a diversion from sinful activities common to young people. The instruction of the scriptures are both necessary and sufficient to guide young people as well as old, and to strengthen them against temptations of the worls (Deut 6:6-7, Ps 119:9-11, 1 Tim 5:14, II Tim 3:15-17)

Question: Why do Primitive Baptists not have crucifixes or pictures of Jesus in their churches and homes?

The scriptures unequivocally forbid images of God of any kind (Ex 20:4-5, I Cor 10:14, Gal 5:19-21, I Jn 5:21). Since Jesus is the Son of God, and therefore equal with God ((Jn 5:18, Phillip 2:5-8), pictures of Jesus must also be censured by these commandments.

Pictures of Jesus are in every sense idols. The popular portraits of Jesus are products of man's imagination, and misrepresent Jesus in dishonoring ways. If Jesus' hair had in fact been long, then Paul would have never condemned this practice (I Cor 11:14).

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