If the Holy Scriptures really meant to teach that anyone of the Adamic Human Family who became wise and prudent in the natural arts and sciences, including the philosophies and reasoning of human prudence, was the mark against their being elect, then we would have a total dilemma. Let us follow through with this hypothesis and false premise.

A human being of the Adamic family is born into this natural mundane, evil, wicked, depraved world as a new born baby, then they begin to grow up. Let us say that this babe was a babe in Christ also - 1^st Cor. 3:1; 1^st Peter. 3:2. Let us say, though, that as this babe begin to learn, go to school and become educated in the arts, crafts, sciences, politics, socials, religious philosophies and prudence of this world, and with, and as such, wisdom become this person, that, according to some folks' premise, they would at some precise level of wisdom, cease to be an elect born-again Child of God, and would become a non-elect. No longer a sheep, but the wisdom and prudence turned this sheep into a goat. Now, if this be so, and it is not, but anyway, if this wise and prudent - goat non-elect, could somehow lose their wisdom and prudence, and become a simple and feeble-minded baby again, then they would turn back into a sheep - elect in Christ.

So, if we find someone who is wise and prudent, then all we would have to do, rather than preach the gospel to them, would be to give them a mind-deadening drug, or hit them over the head with a baseball bat, and knock them silly, so their minded is no longer wise and prudent, and that would save them as an elect again.

Well, the truth of this is far from such a diatribe. The truth is that there are many ignorant, uneducated, simple and feeble-minded adults, as well as all babies (and we are all babies to start with) who are born without any wisdom or prudence, that become wise and prudent through experiences of life, education, learning and knowledge and become wise in this world, but most (the multitude) who are Regenerated Born-again Elect, are still babes in Christ, and live and die that way, never coming to the knowledge of the truth.

However, there are some of these wise and prudent folks who are Covenant Elect and become, at the point of Regeneration - New Birth, babies in Christ in a vital sense, and begin to study, learn, as their spiritual teachers are educating them into wisdom and prudence. Now these are wise and prudent in both the natural and spiritual realms.

I must point out however, that their wisdom and prudence is not the criteria for being babes in Christ, but such does not hinder nor help them either, in becoming a born-again regenerated elect sheep.

Many of the babes in Christ are in natural and spiritual (gospel) ignorance and stay that way all their lives. This group was one of Paul's great concerns. If they were all going to have the opportunity to hear, receive, understand, obey and keep "Gospel Knowledge," then he was wasting his time writing about such a concern.

Finally, it is not their wisdom or prudence that determines whether they are or are not Elect Sheep-Child of God. In fact, Luke 16:8 - Jesus says - "And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light."

Yet the children of light are wiser, with their spiritual light, than the natural wisdom of this world.

There have been men who are wise & prudent, who have sent men to the moon and returned them safely, yet, they are not necessarily "children of light" (gospelly), but also might just be (many of them) Regenerated Born-again Elect Sheep, without gospel knowledge.

Conversely, most of these "children of light," probably do not have the wisdom and prudence, education and knowledge to sent a person to the moon and back. Some might, however.

Notice this verse states "in their generation." That is known as the "cutting edge," of current technology. Yet this "cutting edge," keeps changing. Today's modern and contemporary is tomorrow antiquated. Yet, the "children of light," never had to update their criteria in Christ which stays the same. Then, these same ones, as disciples of Christ who are babes in Christ are continuing to learn and grow in grace and in knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ - 2^nd Peter 3:18. Notice I did not say "all elect grow in grace and in knowledge gospelly, but just disciples only, and even some of them are led astray by false teachers and false preachers with false doctrines - 2^nd Cor. 4:3-4.

Hulan F. Bass (elder)
Lockhart, TX

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Please begin my subscription to the Banner of Love. I am submitting $36.00 for three years. Mail to:

Lowell Nixon, Strawn, Texas.

Note: Thank you Brother Nixon, you paper is on the way.

For several years after coming to the Church, I wondered what a glass darkly might be.

After searching out some of the scriptures on the subject, I have found that the Apostle Paul is telling us about a glass through which we can see but dimly or darkly.

The word, darkly, as used in this text is an adverb. An adverb modifies an adjective, verb, or another verb. The writer is using the subject, we, then the verb, see, then through a glass. Then the word, darkly, tells us how we see through the glass.

We find the word, glass, as used in this and other texts means a mirror. When we look into a mirror, it reflects on us as to what a person we are. The mirror has a dark side on the back of the glass, so we can only have a small amount of the transparent view. When we look into a mirror, we see a person with a dark side [sinner] before the God of heaven and earth.

We have the pleasure to look at times into a better view of Heaven, and what it holds for God's people. We sometimes view ourselves as fallen creatures in Adam. At times, we can look into the mirror and see that God is pleased with us in our poor efforts to serve Him.

The apostle tells us, "but then we shall see him face to face." The great martyr, Stephen, was stoned to death saying, "lay not this sin to their charge." As the stones tore his flesh, he said, "I see heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God." The restricted view by which he had preached so wonderfully in Acts chapter seven was removed, and the glass became transparent. The gospel he preached and lived in hope of being with God became a reality.

His soul was carried into Heaven. Devout men carried Stephen's body to burial. He now has a transparent view of God, awaiting the resurrection of the body at the coming of our Lord.

Revelation 21 verse 21 states, "And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl; and the street of the city was pure gold as it were transparent glass." Strong's concordance 5124 states: transparent like rain or showers.

Yes, we have a view from time to time of Heaven. Our soul longs to fly away and be with the Lord, where we will know, even as we are known of God. 1^st Cor. chapter 13, verse 12.

Elder Charles Holmes

Mena, Arkansas

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We enjoy your paper for the cause of Christ. We are members of the Tyler Primitive Baptist Church. My wife has been fighting cancer for the last 23 years, and with God's Love and help she is in remission again.

Pray for us as prayer is the healing power.

Sincerely yours,

Brother Alfred A. Blevins

Sister Marie Blevins

Note: May God continue to keep her cancer in remission. We are praying for you. Opal Richards.

Do you remember to say "thanks" when someone does something really nice for you?

It is a pretty basic concept — one we try to teach our children. How many times have we instructed and reminded our children to say "thank you" whenever a good deed is done for them? It is a very good habit, not only for our children, but for us.

With the passing of the annual Thanksgiving holiday, we are reminded of this issue. We have a special day set aside for saying our thanks for all our blessings. This year there was a special emphasis on our blessings of freedom and liberty, and a thank you to all the men and women who serve our country and daily put themselves in harm’s way to battle terrorism.

Have you ever performed what you felt was a kind act for someone, but yet they failed to say "thank you" to you? My guess is that this has happened to many of you. I know I have felt that way,

If you have ever felt hurt because people did not appear appreciative of a kind act you did for them, then you are not alone. Jesus had the same time of situation. And it provides a good lesson for all of us.

In the 17^th chapter of Luke we have such an example. It is the story of the 10 lepers.

Told at Luke 17:10-19, this is an excellent example of a failure to say thanks for a wonderful deed. It should be a great example and instruction to us.

As Jesus was heading toward Jerusalem, he entered a small town in Samaria. On the outskirts of town he met 10 lepers. Leprosy was a dreaded, and many time fatal, disease that most people had for life. Leviticus chapters 13 and 14 detail the problems of leprosy, how it caused one to be outcast, and the great celebration for those who were cured of it.

When Jesus saw the lepers, he told them to go see the priest ( in Leviticus we are told that the initial disease and any cure of leprosy must be verified by a priest).

As the lepers headed off to see a priest, they were healed of the dreaded disease. One of the 10, when he saw his disease had been miraculously cured, he turned around and went back to Jesus. He fell on his face in front of Jesus feet, giving him thanks and glorifying God in a loud voice.

Jesus, noting the one returning leper was a Samaritan, not a Jew, asked where the other nine Jewish were who had also been cured. "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger."

Looking at the one Samaritan who returned to say "thanks" Jesus said: "thy faith hath made thee whole."

Does this example apply to us? What good deed has been done for us? How about eternal life? Millions of people on earth have done nothing to earn the free gift from the Lord of his sovereign grace. How may have stopped to say thanks to the Lord?

How about you? The Lord has provided you eternal security by his sovereign grace. Have you said "thanks" in the manner you ought for this wonderful gift?

Have you been to church, prayed, and sung praises to the Lord to say thanks for this undeserved gift of eternal life?

Your salvation, like the 10 men’s cured leprosy, was given without condition. But like the returning Samaritan, your faith, by saying thanks, can make you whole. Remember to say thanks to the Lord.

Does Man Have A Free Will?

While John was baptizing in the wilderness many Pharisees and Sadducees came to his baptism. "He said unto them, Oh generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits mete for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, we have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, who shoes I am not worthy to bear; he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire, Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (Matthew 3:7-12)

Baptism is used at least three different ways in the New Testament. First of all, it is used as water baptism, which is a representation of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Romans 6:3-5) The burial of Jesus Christ in the heart of the earth is the true baptism. (Luke 12:49-50) The third way that it is used is Baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit's work with his people begins with regeneration. (John 6:63) With regeneration comes belief in God and belief in God leads to water baptism. The whole purpose of the gospel is to teach Jesus Christ and him crucified. (1st Cor. 2:2) Baptism of the Holy Spirit begins with the believer in Christ and in the case of the early believers followed water baptism. It first took place on the day of Pentecost. The Lord appeared to his saints after his resurrection from the dead and "being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, saith he, ye have heard of me, for John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." (Acts 1:4-5) "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: And ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8) After this saying, Jesus was taken up in a cloud out of their sight.

We see in the quotations above that the Father had promised the happenings at Pentecost. Baptism of the Holy Spirit came in power. The question is, what is this power? It is the promise that he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance. This is done through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We must remember that in the 6th chapter of John that Jesus tells us that we shall all be taught of God. The work of the Comforter accompanies the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is through the Spirit of God that the power of God is in the gospel. (Romans 6)

Some of the works of the Spirit that is done in his power are found in 2nd. Corinthians 1:20-22. "All the promises of God in him are yea and in him amen, unto the glory of God by us. Now he which establishes us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; who hath also sealed us and given the earnest of the Spirit in our heart." See also Ephesians 1:11-14, To have the assurance of God is the earnest of the Spirit. Without God's presence with us through the Spirit we could not know if we were saved or not. The Apostle Paul tells us in 1st Thessalonians 1:5, "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance. As ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake."

At Pentecost the Spirit came down in cloven tongues of fire and fell upon the people. Why tongues of fire? Basically the baptism of the Spirit seems principally to teach God's people the truth as it is in Christ Jesus, for he is the way, the truth, and the life. We are taught by the Word of God, (Christ) through the work of the Spirit, there are two classes of people in the church, those that believe and just show up and those that come joyfully in the Spirit, on fire and zealous of every good work reaping the joyful blessings that is laid in store for us. In which group are you? Amen: