July                                                                                         September

By Elder Charles Holmes

Mena, Arkansas

There are many mysteries in the Bible, this man being one of the greatest. He appears on the scene in Genesis chapter 14 verses 18 to 20.

This man is said to be King of Salem, and Priest of the Most High God. His name being interpreted as "King of Righteousness." These three titles separate him from the Priest under the law. They were made Priest only in the Priestly tribe, Levi.

Melchizedek met Abram in the Valley of Shaveh, on return of the slaughter of the King of Elam and three others. He brought forth bread and wine and blessed Abram [High father}. Who was later named Abraham {Father of a Multitude].

In blessing Abram, he blessed the Jewish Nation, and the Levitical Priesthood which was under the law. The tribe of Levi was blessed in this blessing of Melchizedek, Levi was the great-grandson of Abraham.

Levi also paid tithes to Melchizedek when he was yet in the loins of father Abraham. Heb. chapter 7 verses 6-7 state, "but he whose descent [genealogy] is not counted from them [sons of Levi] received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises, and without contradiction the less [Levitical Priesthood] is blessed of the better [King of Salem and Priest of the Most High God."] This man of mystery was King of Salem, later called Jerusalem, a literal town, and a literal king appointed of God. His appointment was to bless the nation of Israel through their father, Abraham.

There are those that believe that this man was Shem, one of the sons of Noah. We hope by the scriptures to show that this is not so.

There are those who believe this man was Jesus Christ that makes this appearance in Genesis 14. We will attempt to show that this is not so.

Hebrews chapter 7 verse 3 states of this man, Melchizedek, "without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, or end of life: but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually."

In the case of Shem, we read from Genesis chapter 7 verse 7, 'And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his son's wives with him because of the waters of the flood.' Noah, the father, and his wife, and Shem being one of the sons, entered into the Ark. We have established by God's word that Shem was not the same person brought to our attention in Hebrews, chapter 7.

Secondly, we would like to bring to your attention as in many places to show that Jesus Christ was not the person mentioned in Genesis, chapter 14.

John, chapter 17 verse 1 states, 'These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes, and said, father, the hour is come: glorify thy son, that thy Son may glorify thee." Matthew chapter 1 verse 18, "now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise; when as His mother, Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost." These verses of scripture reveal to us that Jesus Christ had a father and a mother.

This mysterious person that appears in our Bible is said to be without decent [pedigree or record] of his birth, or who his parents were, or when he was born, or when he died. A great man of mystery, God sent to be king of Salem and priest of the most high God. His blessing was on Abraham and the nation of Israel.

The writer of Psalms brings to our attention, based on the account of this man in Genesis chapter 14 this: Psalms 110 verse 4 "The Lord has sworn, and will not repent, thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." The promised king and priest would come after this order, and not the order of the Levitical Priesthood, which had a beginning of service in the priesthood recorded, and the end of that service.

We go from the account of this man in Genesis 14 to Psalms 110 verse 4, and now to the writer of the book of Hebrews, who mentions this man's name nine times in this book. The apostle lets us know that Christ has a priesthood without beginning or ending, and it is after the order of Melchizedek, and not that of the Levitical priesthood. "For it is evident that our Lord sprang from Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood." Hebrews Ch. 7 verse 14.

Yes, we do have a high priest that can be touched by the feeling of our infirmities. Hebrews chapter 4 verse 15. Jesus Christ is priest of the most High God, King of Salem [Peace]. and King of Righteousness; Read Isaiah chapter 40 verse 1. This man of mystery was king of Salem, and Priest of the Most High God. Christ was made a priest after this order. He is King of peace, King of Righteousness, Priest of the Most High God, and many other wonderful titles.

We end this writing by continuing in Hebrews, chapter 4, verse 16 states: "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

In His Service, Elder Charles Holmes

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VOICE OF THE PAST...

"And all these things are of God." All new things are of God as we read in V. 17 of II Cor. 5th chapter. "All things are become new." "Who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ." "Because we thus judge, if one died for all then were all dead." We judge that all Jesus died for were dead and all He died for were reconciled to God or to Himself. All that Jesus died for were His sheep or people. "The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." John 10:11 "And I lay down my life for the sheep." V. 15. "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish." 28. "And that He died for all, [his sheep] that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.

Sinners were reconciled to God by the death of Jesus Christ. "for if, when we were enemies, We were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." Paul said, "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed, unto us the word of reconciliation." The word reconciliation and the ministry of reconciliation mean the same thing.

The gospel ministry proclaims that sinners were reconciled by the death of His Son. The preaching of the gospel is to reconcile those previously reconciled to God by the death of His son and saved by His life to God doctrinally and practically as taught in V. 20. "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

The Banner of Love - May 1, 1934 ELDER J. S. NEWMAN

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By Elder Cleveland Bass

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Here Paul is saying not that all died in Adam, but all do die corporeal death. True, all of Adam's race died in him when he transgressed God's righteous and holy law. Because of Adam's transgressions, all of the race of Adam, including animals, ocean life, fowls, will die and do die every day.

Eccl. 3:19 for that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea they all have one breath; so that man hath no preeminence above a beasts. Verse 20, All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. 21, who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

When man dies, something about him does not die, but goes back to God who gave it. That is his spirit, or the inner man, the body goes back to the dust. So all die as the result of Adam's sin. If as Paul says that in Adam all die, and then says in Christ shall all be made alive, if all that die in Adam shall be made alive in Christ, then we have universal salvation of all.

But all that die in Adam will not be made alive in Christ as the Bible teaches election and therefore these are not the same all.

Though we died in Adam and will die a natural death yet some glorious day God's elect will be made alive in Christ to live with Him forever more. The body will be raised and united with the spirit and be conformed to the image of Christ.

Paul says in 1st Cor. 15:49, As we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall bear the image of the heavenly. All the race of Adam bears the image of the earthy, but Paul did not say as many as have borne the image of the earthy shall also bear the image of the heavenly. If he had said that, it would have been the same all.

So the same all that die in Adam is not the same all that shall be made alive in Christ. We shall be made alive in Christ because of how great things Christ has done for us.

Written in love, and for the cause of truth, Cleveland Bass [Elder]

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By Elder George Walker

There has been many a man that was gifted to speak in a way that would cause other men to take notice of what they were saying, they would even be touched by some degree to turn and pay close attention of what was being said. It might even convince them in their own minds what this man said, was worthy of consideration. Yet the voice that they were listening to was not life giving.

I am talking about the voice of God, the voice of Jesus Christ, a voice that speaks and it is done. In Isaiah we read these words, "Declaring the end from the beginning, of ancient times and things not yet done, saying my counsel shall stand and I will do all my pleasure, yea I have purposed it. I will bring it to past. I have spoken it, I will also do it." We are speaking of God, that He speaks and it is done.

We find that many times in the New Testament that Christ speaks with much power. It was even said of Him that no man spake like this man spake. He would speak to the lame and they would walk, to the blind and they would see, to the lepers and they would be clean, to the woman with the issue of blood and she was made whole, to Lazarus that was dead for four days and he came forth to live again.

There is power in the voice of the Son of God, in Him dwelleth the fulness of the Godhead. Jesus said, "All that the Father giveth me, shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out, for I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him that sent me, and this is the Father's will that hath sent me, that of all that thou hath given me, I shall lose nothing, but raise it up again at the last day." When the Lord gets ready to quicken or give life to one of His children that is dead in trespasses and in sin, He just speaks and give life forevermore.

Jesus also made this statement, "No man can come to me except the father that has sent me draw him and I will raise him up again in the last day." Then in John chapter ten, Christ says, "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. I and my Father are one."

This is telling us about the power that is in the voice of Jesus Christ, that Christ speaks to the dead in sin and gives life, just as He spoke to Lazarus and Lazarus came forth. He did not ask Lazarus if he wanted to live because Lazarus was dead. He speaks and you live. What a wonderful Savior we have that loved us so much that He laid down His life for us, the just for the unjust. Then comes and speaks to the dead in sin and gives eternal life.

This is good news to a sinner and yet the best news is that this Christ that spoke to your dead soul and granted life is going to come again in the last days and speak again to all that are in the graves and will say unto His sheep on his right hand, "Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the found- ation of the world.

There is a song that we sing that goes something like this, "When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh may I then in Him be found, dressed in his righteousness along, faultless to stand before the throne. Oh there is coming a day ahead us that he will speak and say, come forth and we will come forth in his righteousness, in his perfection and it will be by the life giving voice of Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord. AMEN:

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Dressing Up the Church

by Don R. Richards

From time to time we have all seen various types of suggestions for changing or modernizing the church services. Nearly every church of every denomination goes through this or faces such suggestions at some stage.

We have all seen the many churches which revise not only their procedures, but also their doctrine, in attempts to make it more interesting and attractive to visitors or potential members. All sorts of procedure are added to "dress up" the church in an attempt to add membership or attention.

The Primitive Baptist Church has a very basic doctrine of sovereign grace, and a very basic, simple procedure for church service. There are very, very few ancillary proceedings or programs to detract from this basic procedure. The procedures used in the church service have changed very, very little of the years of the history if the church.

Yet, from time to time we hear about certain individuals or groups in the church who would like to add some type of segregated youth program, or a segregated Sunday School, etc.

While we should always be wary of the Pharisees-type of issues of allowing a man-made "tradition" to rise to greater importance than the spiritual Jesus-inspired teachings of charity, there is a tremendous value in preserving the tradition of simplicity of the church’s procedure; and of course there is extreme scriptural importance in maintaining its sovereign grace doctrine. It’s value and attractiveness lies in its doctrine of the unconditional love of God, with worship and praise to the Lord, not to man.

My older brother, Charles, telephoned me the other night and during our conversation he reminded me of our father’s teachings with regard to the purity, value and attractiveness inherent in the simplicity of the church service and its doctrine. He reminded me of a writing by my father as he compared the church with a valued antique. The writing brings back not only actual personal memories of working side-by-side with our father, but also reminds us all of the spiritual value of the church as it is, without attempting to "dress it up."

The following is a reprint of one of my father’s writings on the subject. I cannot improve on the message:

About antiques..... A few years ago, I had a very enlightening experience. For about a year, the boys and I printed a monthly magazine for a man who was a barbed wire collector. When he began talking to me about printing this magazine, I had no idea what an item it is to be a barbed wire collector. I wondered how he would fill this magazine each month. I had a surprise. In each edition, we had material left over, with no room for it. Barbed wire is a true antique. You know, an antique is something that is so old that it is enhanced in value by its age. I learned that collectors would pay as high as fifty dollars for an 18-inch length of wire, if it was an antique item they needed for their collection. I was told that collectors would load up and go up in some of the western states and search the ranches. If they found a piece of fence with a piece of antique wire, they would rebuild the entire fence for the owner in exchange for a strip of this old collector's piece of wire. There was a trader in town who got hold of a lot of old items, mostly junk. But he knew the kind of wire the collectors wanted, and he came in possession of a large roll of antique wire. He sent word for the man who was an expert in wire and told him what he had. In the meantime, he decided to dress the wire up. He got him a can of copper paint and painted the wire very pretty and shiny. When the collector got there, the man asked him how much he would give for it. The man said, "Not a penny." "Why?" he was asked. "It is antique wire." "Yes," the collector said, "but you have ruined it. It is just a pile of old junk now." People ask us about the word "primitive."

What does it mean? It means the ancient, the original, and the Primitive Baptist Church is truly an antique. It is so old it has long outlived the newness, and people who want something new wouldn't have it. And the worst thing you can do is to start painting it up and dressing it up, to take away the old look. The true church, like a fine piece of antique, is ruined when you start messing with it. -- Elder Afton E. Richards, 1982

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ORDINATION BROTHER STEVE BALDOCK

The Fairview Primitive Baptist Church, of Clovis, NM

has called for the ordination of Brother Steve Baldock to the full work of the gospel ministry. Brother Steve Baldock has been liberated to preach from the pulpit for many years. It is evident the Lord has continued to bless him in his preaching endeavors and appointments. After deep consideration, fervent prayers, and counsel with sister churches, the church unanimously voted to call for this ordination.

The ordination service has been scheduled for the 29th of September, 2001 during the fifth Sunday meeting, which is to be hosted by the Fairview Primitive Baptist Church at 5th and Johnson in Clovis, NM. It is our sincere desire that all ordained ministers and deacons plan to be in attendance for this special meeting. Of course, we also extend the same invitation to all sister churches and members. If for some reason you are unable to attend this ordination, please be prayerful for our meeting and Brother Steve.

Should you need a place to stay during your visit, please feel free to contact any church member, or feel free to give us a call for a list of current lodging places. As usual, meals will be provided at the church. There are large amperage electrical hookups available on the church property.

Please be prayerful for this special meeting. We have expectations that the Lord will be with us during this time, and pray He will continue to bless Brother Steve Baldock

Respectfully submitted in Christian Love,

Fairview Primitive Baptist Church

Clovis, NM

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In a special called meeting on July 8, 2001, Elder Billy Moseley of Lockhart, TX accepted the call to pastor the Burnet Church, Burnet, TX. He will be with us at the church to preach on 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays, when a 5th Sunday falls. We love him and his family very much and we pray that Lord will bless this church in his care.

We will have Elder Mark Richards preaching for us on the 3rd Sunday, and visiting Elders on 1st Sunday. These men are both able gifts, and we are thankful for their love and devoted service to God. We enjoy the fellowship we share with them.

We pray that God will continue to bless us in our attempts to worship and serve Him. May we all behave in such a manner as to glorify and honor our Father in Heaven and His Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, by whose Grace and by whom we have received our salvation.

In Christian Love,

Burnet Primitive Baptist Church

Elder Billy Moseley, Pastor

Sister Jewell Faught, Church Clerk

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By Elder Mark Green

"And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." [Rom. 12:2]. Maybe I am wrong in this- I hope I am - but I see entirely too many children being raised in Old Baptist homes where I fear that the television and the music they listen to have a much greater effect upon how they act and think than does the religion of the household. They are being shaped by the world. this is true of far too many of the parents, also.

I think most observant and thoughtful adults see what the problem is - and most do very little about it. Most parents today seem to think it will harm their children to deny them those things the average child has, when just the opposite is the truth.

"But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof"

[Rom. 13,14]. When we put on clothes, those clothes are shaped to the general contours and angles of our bodies. We shape what we put on. That is not how it is to be with us in our walk of faith, however. We are to put on Christ, but He is to shape us. We are to be conformed to Him. To put on Christ means to imitate His example and to regulate our conduct by His word.

"Putting on Christ" is opposed to "fulfilling the lusts of the flesh." "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself." [Matt. 16:24]. To follow Christ, to walk as He walked, we cannot give in to what our sinful nature desires, but we must deny it. If we make provisions for the flesh, then we are making plans to gratify it. when we gratify the flesh, we are not "putting on Christ."

I have said this publicly more than once: It would be a shameful epitaph to write on my tombstone, "He died well-entertained." That would be a terrible tombstone for the Old Baptists, too: They entertained themselves to death," or maybe, "They entertained their children to death." We can't have both, brethren. We can either deny ourselves, follow Christ and perhaps by His mercy enjoy a lively, vibrant religious life; or we can indulge the flesh, imitate the world, and perish religiously. "If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die."

Now, I have done my meddling, got this off my chest, got the burr from under my saddle, so I'll hush. But, I still fear I am right. There is no greater danger facing the Old Baptists today than this simple proposition. There is not even anything that is a close second, in my humble opinion.

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By Elder Dale Magers

Who would walk over to a dead man and start talking to him? Yet we know that all of the human race died when Adam, the first man, transgressed God's law and ate the forbidden fruit: "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." [Romans 5:12]. This act by Adam changed the nature of man and man became a sinner by nature: The natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them because they are spiritual discerned" [1 Cor. 2:14].

In Romans 8:6 Paul tells us, "The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Instead of a man being able to call on God for spiritual life, or to create himself, he does not desire God. God is his natural enemy: [Romans 3:10 and 11]. "There is none righteous, no not one: there is none that understandeth, There is none that seeketh after God."

The land today is full of people telling lost sinners that they can come to God while God is telling them in his word that they cannot come: "And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. I receive not honor from man." [Gospel of John 5:40-41].

Although, one would not speak to a dead man, yet we have a great desire to speak to those that are spiritually alive! How does one become spiritually alive? You cannot will yourself to be created, for John says in he first chapter of his gospel, verse 13: "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, But of God."

God is the creator of spiritual life. This is necessary to enjoy God, to have faith to know God, to seek God, to love God, and to learn about Him. Christ teaches the necessity of this new birth in the third chapter, verses 3 and 5, "...except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." "... except a man be born of Spirit and water, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." "It is the Spirit that quickeneth;..." [John 6:63] Spiritual creation is entirely the work of the Godhead!

When a man has been regenerated [born again], he then is able to hear the gospel. He has been given a new heart to receive spiritual truths through the Spirit [we are all directly taught by the Spirit as John tells us in the sixth chapter of the gospel of John: "They shall all be taught of God." God teaches us through the instrumental means of the Gospel about himself, especially about Jesus Christ, [Paul tells in the first book of Corinthians, the second chapter, verse 2, "for I determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

This message can now be felt in the new heart of flesh God gave us when He took out the heart of stone. We now can feel the guilt of conviction for our sins as the spirit convinces us!

We can now feel the guilt of knowing that it was our sin as well as other saints that drove the nails into the hands of Christ while at the same time rejoicing in the good news that in his death He made the offering to God, the Father that forever cleansed us from our sins, not losing a single one of his chosen people [St. John 6:37-38-39]. He preserved us forever eternally [Hebrews 10:14].

In this new heart there springs up a sure hope in the resurrection, not because of anything that we have done, nor can do; but because of what our Lord has done. Although our confidence in what we can do diminishes, our trust in God's work and grace grows! We have received the earnest of the Spirit.

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I remember something Elder Jimmy Bass told me years ago. I don't remember his exact words, but it was something like "If it's not peace with all, it's not peace at all."

I don't think that I fully understood that at the time, but this past year it made more sense to me. We may say, we are at peace with our brothers and sisters in our church, or in other churches, but if it is not peace for ALL, it is not peace at all.

In conference, does your church answer in peace? if you are at peace with ALL, then you are at peace. If not, you can't truly answer in peace. What this means is that the CHURCH is at peace. The members are at peace with one another.

"But," you say. "That OTHER church is out of order. We can't fellowship with THEM." I repeat, if it's not peace with ALL, it's not peace at all. Discipline your own members according to the scriptures, and leave the other churches alone. You will remain at peace in your own church by doing so.

We often show more courtesy and feeling for denominations of this world than we do for other Primitive Baptist Churches. If we feel other Primitive Baptist Churches are out of order, let's pray for them, and love them. And by all means be kind.

We are instructed to love our enemies. Members of other Primitive Baptists Churches are not even our enemies. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ. How much more we should love them and pray for them.

How selfish we can be at times. How boastful and full of pride. We point at other people, when we should be pointing toward Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

The Lord humbled me recently, and made me see myself as a sinner and not a peacemaker; not better than or smarter than anyone else. My heart opened to love all the Primitive Baptist, regardless of their differences on certain views.

I was diagnosed with leukemia last year, and the outpouring of love from Primitive Baptist from across the country was overwhelming to me. I truly did not deserve the love and kindness I received. Let's not wait until someone is sick or hurting to show this kind of love and peace with other Primitive Baptist.

A man told brother Harvey Bass recently that he didn't know which side to be on in a current controversy. Brother Harvey's answer was, "Be on the side of peace." I smiled when I heard that.

That's when I remembered what his brother, Elder Jimmy said years ago.

Love,

Leon Watson

Fritch, Texas

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The words of this hymn are being submitted with a breaking heart and eyes clouded with tears. Please, may we all humbly and prayerfully read these words with sorrow in our hearts and examine ourselves individually, whether we are guilty of the sentiment or not. May we beg God forgiveness for the hardness of our hearts.

For the love of Zion,

Elder Travis E. Brown

Abilene, Texas

No. 643 in The Good Old Songs

1. God, who rules the times and seasons, Doubtless for the best of reasons, Has been pleased to visit Zion, With afflictions sore and trying.

2. See of late the sad declension, Bitter strife and fierce contention; Fiery zeal and persecution, Raging like the troubled ocean.

3. See the proud assuming spirit, Some among us now inherit; Striving who shall have dominion, Slaves to popular opinion.

4. See the world and church uniting, In the work of proselyting; Wood and hay, and stubble bringing. To build up the gospel kingdom.

5. See the train of "means and measures," filthy lucre, worldly pleasures; Honors, titles, wealth, and numbers, All combined to gain more members;

6. See the wide-spread desolation, Churches and associations, Once so happily united, Now are like a house divided.

7. Christian fellowship and union, Correspondence and communion, All are sacrificed together; Brother scandalizing brother.

8. Oh! It is a day of terror; Dark and lowering clouds of error O'er devoted Zion hover; Oh! When will the storm pass over?

[Chorus] When, O when will Christ the Saviour Come, His little flock to favor? When, O When?

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We would like to share, also to thank each of you for your expressions of love during the time of sorrow. So much to thank God for; we can never thank Him enough.

We thank God for the time he gave us to spend with Dad. He suffered much due to a car hitting him, while stopped at a stop sign in 1963. After having back surgery in 1965 he wore a foot brace, knee high. He didn't complain, though he had many difficult times.

He recalled Mom saying the most important things in life can't be bought with money. They are love, morals, hope, honesty, friends, family, and our Hope in God. Our Hope in God being the most important.

One of his favorite songs, "Better Farther On" is real encouraging as we seek to press on.

Our Dear Lord will see us through. May He strengthen you all.

1 Cor. 15:42-58; 1 Thes. 4:13-18, also 1 Thes. 5:23-25 is real encouraging.

In Dear Hope,

Sister Loretta Lilly

Akron, Ohio

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Sometime the Path in life we take is a rough and rocky road.

We don't know that we are on it

and we carry a heavy load.

Take a walk and look ahead and

approach life with a smile and ask someone to walk beside you as

you walk your Country Mile.

Take a walk out in the country let your mind wonder for a while

and forget each sad tomorrow as you walk your country mile.

Take the hand that you are offered, it may even belong to a child. They may want to walk beside you

As you walk your Country Mile

When our life on earth is over and we walk our last country mile, just hold on to God's hand

He will help you walk your last

Country Mile.

 .........Janie Barnard

[This poem won first place of the year 2000 on the west coast.]

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My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Although, I'm not of your faith, all of us who are Christians, believe in one God and one Heavenly Home.

My precious husband, Sam, is now in that very special home. He was taken June 4, 2001. Our family's loss can't be put into words, but knowing he's now free from suffering and pain and in Jesus's loving arms, enables me and my children to go on.

For those of you who didn't know Sam, he was a devoted member of the Lubbock Primitive Baptist Church. He loved his church and his church family so very much and he loved his Lord most of all.

Sam was the most special man I've ever known in my life. He said what he meant and he meant what he said. All who knew him could never doubt his sincerity and devotion.

Each day seems more difficult for me, at this present time, but knowing my wonderful husband is at peace gets me through.

I would appreciate your prayers, as you all have mine.

Yours in Christ,

Joan Shoultz

Lubbock, Texas

Note: We all miss Brother Sam at church. We keep thinking of how he used to come in smiling and shaking hands with every one.

May God be with you and your sweet family is our prayer. Opal Richards

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By Elder Hulan Bass

Luke 7:36-50 The conclusion of this narrative is that Jesus told the woman, "Thy faith hath saved thee, go in peace." The Pharisees were condemning Jesus for His kind benevolence to her, thinking He knew not what a worldly sinful woman she was. Simon the Pharisee, owned the home of the visitation by the woman and Jesus. He never received Jesus into his home with the same warmth, kindness and love that Jesus showed the woman. Simon was ultra-religious and the woman, to him, was a worthless sinner. Simon was totally confused with the positive biddings Jesus spoke to her.

Again this same type of scenario was prevalent in the narrative of the Roman Centurion in Matt. 8:5-10. "I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." Jesus spoke most highly of this "non-Jew," and told that he had greater faith than any natural Israelite. "Many shall come from every direction and sit down in the kingdom [Church on Earth] with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."

Next, we find this same lesson with the man sick of palsy in Matt. 9:2 - where Jesus told him, "thy sins be forgiven thee." The Jewish Scribes were infuriated at His telling this man to "take up his bed and go unto thine house." They were saying that Jesus had blasphemed." Next the same lesson is repeated in the story of the woman who had an issue of blood for 12 years, as recorded in Matt. 9:18-22. She had come close enough to Jesus to touch the hem of his garment. Jesus turned to her and said, "Daughter, be of good comfort. Thy faith hath made thee whole." This continuing scenario of "Faith Saving Principle" was more than the Legalists of Israel could comprehend.

Again, in Matt. 9:27-30 concerning the two blind men - Jesus seemingly violated the old Laws of Moses, and incensed the Jews again. Jesus said to the two blind men - "Believe ye that I am able to do this?" They said unto him, "Yea Lord." Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it unto you." This "Saving faith" was being repeated over and over to various "sinners," in the eyes of The Old Law.

In the scene of Jesus walking on water and bidding Peter to also walk on water and come to him is rich in teaching this "Saving Faith Principle." Matt. 14:24-32 - As Peter began his " Faith Walk," he became frightened and fearful and began to sink, and said to Jesus, "Lord, save me." Immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and saved him from drowning, then said to Peter "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"

This example clearly teach us all that there is a timely deliverance or Temporal salvation by exercising "Saving Faith."

Matt. 15:22-28 This woman cried unto Jesus saying, "my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil." But He answered her not, as this point, as He was about to teach a great lesson to his disciples, who were saying for Jesus to "send her away, for she crieth after us." Then Jesus said, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." "Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord help me." Again, He answered her - "It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs." She said, - "Truth, Lord, yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's tables." Jesus finally declared to her, "O woman, great is thy faith, be it unto thee even as thou wilt." And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. Again, "Saving Faith" is the principle criteria

Luke 18:35-42 Again, here is the lesson. As Jesus come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way-side begging. As Jesus passed by he cried, "Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me." They which went before rebuked him, to hold his peace. "But he cried so much the more."

Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him. When he was come near, Jesus asked him, "What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee?" He said, "Lord, that I may receive my sight." Jesus said unto him, "Receive thy sight, thy faith hath saved thee." Immediately he received his sight.

Comments: Many times Jesus would tell His Disciples - "O ye of little faith." He told the ship crew in the scene of Mark 4:36-40 - "How is it ye have no faith." In the story of Luke 8:22-25 - Jesus spoke firmly again, asking the disciples who were fearful of the storm while they were on the ship, "Where is your faith."

A major lesson of this principle is in Luke 17:5-6, where His disciples asked Jesus, "Lord, increase our faith." Jesus said to them, "If ye had the faith of a grain of mustard seed...." He was not saying they did not have faith, but that they were not utilizing the measure of faith they already had. He did not increase their faith, but told them to start using what they already possessed.

There are more than enough examples of "Saving Faith," so, now let us summarize. We must first learn just "where" anyone receives faith. It is a fruit of the Spirit - Gal. 5:22-23. Rom. 12:3 - Measure of faith all comes from God, as the voice of the Son of God, through the Holy Spirit. He is the author and finisher of our faith - Heb. 12:2. Faith cannot be acquired by, or at the will or mood of any person.

Faith is only granted to the Elect, and then only at the "Point of Regeneration-New Birth." From this point forward, the exercise thereof is incumbent upon the "alive recipient." Faith indicates an evidence of a Born-again Elect child of God. When such is displayed and manifested for "good righteous works," it is easy to detect and know that "by their fruits ye shall know them." Matt. 7;20; 12:33-35.

There is a theory being perpetrated from time to time, from century to century, that "one must be regenerated or born-again by the Holy Spirit first, "then that person must exercise "Saving faith," in Gospel Obedience to bring themselves unto their "final salvation." Then, they must persevere unto the end or they would only prove they were not an elect whatsoever. This theory espouses the heresy that, in effect, Regeneration is first, but does not complete the steps of "salvation." Your positive response is necessary to being to fruition through your "Saving Faith."

The Gospel is not the means, so they say, but such Gospel Obedience does enhance and assist unto "final deliverance." The entire theory is entwined within Calvinism.

By not distinguishing, rightly dividing the word of truth, and the blending of Eternal and Timely Salvation, one can be falsely led to believe that Regeneration is only the first "half-step," and the 2nd "half-step" is found within your "Positive Obedient Response to the free offer of the gospel," thereby completing and bringing you unto "final" salvation. This is rank heresy. Saving Faith is exercised as an effect and result of and certainly not the cause of Eternal Salvation. One is solely by the works of the Holy Trinity, and the second, is by the faith-works of the regenerated man. There is really no difference in the Old Law Pharisee and the modern day "grace works" dogmas of Calvinism.

So "Thy faith" is really "His Faith" since He bought and paid for us and owns us. Heb. 12:2. So none of these folks in the various scriptural examples listed in this writing were exercising "Saving Faith," in order to, but simply, because of. Oh, incidentally, "saving faith" is really not even a Bible term in the first place.

Compiled by Hulan F. Bass [Elder]

Lockhart, Texas

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The world would be a much better place in which to live if more children growing into adulthood;

1. Would not develop an addiction to drugs or alcohol;

2. Would keep their language clean in not using profanity;

3. Would not smoke 2-3 packs of cigarettes a day in endangering their health;

4. Would practice abstinence until marriage;

5. Would be model citizens in never committing a felonious crime;

6. Would be respectful to their parents and help them when the need arises;

7. Would be faithful and caring husbands, fathers, wives and mothers;

8. Would, as a parent, teach their children that remaining abstinent until marriage is the Godly thing to do;

9. Would be devout in attending church on a regular basis.

10. Would, as their parents did, bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord in teaching them discipline and good moral values. [Ephesians 6:4];

11. Would be employed in a profession that honors God.

In the raising of children, check out a verse from Proverbs. It is as follows: Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it. [Proverbs 22:6]

Regarding that Scripture, I only wish more parents would do this because it is their Godly duty. That is an undeniable truth!

Jerry Bass

Lubbock, Texas

[From the Lubbock Avalanche Journal, 6-23-01]

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Over the years visitors to the great Smoky Mountains National Park have made the journey to Cades Cove to see the cabins and churches erected by those families who lived in this isolated community deep in the mountains of Blount County, Tennessee. The pioneer settlers of Cades Cove, led by the Olivers and Jobes, had to bring everything they needed with them - axes, clothing, seeds, guns and medicines. But the most important thing they brought into the Cove was their rock-solid faith in God as their provider, protector and Savior.

This cove, deep in the mountains, was so isolated that all in the cove welcomed the preacher who came to preach at the monthly services, as he was their only source of news from the world outside.

In 1827 Wears Cove Baptist Church of Sevier County, TN extended an arm to their members who had settled in Cades Cove.

On June 19, 1829, Elder Thomas Hill of Sevier County and Elder Augustine Bowers of Ellejoy in Blount County constituted Cades Cove Baptist Church. The original members included Elder Richard Davis, who was called as pastor, and William Davis, who was chosen as clerk; John and Luraney Oliver; James Oliver; James and Emily Johnson; Edward James; John Lacy and Christopher Winders. John Oliver purchased the first minute book for $1.50.

Meetings were held in member's homes until October 1832 when a log meetinghouse was built on land deeded by William Tipton. In the Primitive-Missionary split, the church remained on the original principles on which it was founded, and adopted the name Primitive Baptist. The current frame building replaced the original log construction in 1887. Pastors have included Elders Richard Davis, William Andrew "Preacher Andy" Gregory, William Howell "Preacher Will", Oliver and John W. Oliver.

The Primitive Baptist Church continued to hold services until the 1960's; over 20 years after the federal government purchased the cove, removed the settlers and made it a portion of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

A heritage celebration worship service was held in this building May 27, 2001, participated in by descendants of the settlers of the cove including Elder Jimmy Cooper, pastor of Tuckaleeche Primitive Baptist Church, whose parents were residents of the cove.

[From The Gospel Appeal, 7-2001.]

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