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Volume 71 Number 2 Lubbock, Texas 79493 Copyright $12.00 Per Year February 2003 |
Christ, the first fruits Why we love One man stopped Seeking military pictures Children in the church As a man thinketh, so is he Translation Tour through the Bible Obituaries Meetings
Mena, Arkansas
1st. Cor. 15:20-22
The scriptures teach tithing and first fruits giving as an Old Testament order under the Law: Proverbs 3:9, first fruits of increase, also of labors. Ex. 23:16 of land 23:19 of wheat harvest 34:22 of meat offering Lev. 2:14 of wave offering 23:10 and 11 of corn, wine and oil, 2nd Chr. 31:5 of fruit trees, Ne 10:35 of dough 10:37 of your oblations Eze. 20:40 and of all things 44:30.
The New Testament worship as put in the Church by our lawgiver has no mention of percentage giving.
The words first fruit is mentioned two times in the Bible. The words first fruits is given 24 times in the Old Testament and seven times in the New.
The giving of first fruits in the Old Testament were given as recognition that God is giver of all. Every instance points to God giving His all in the person of Jesus Christ, His son, who is the first born among many brethren, Romans 8:29.
The giving of finances is a very small part of the giving process for church members. We are to give all in His service, not of necessity, but as purposed in our heart. God loves a cheerful giver, 2nd Cor., 9:7.
The New Testament Church is not ordered to tithe, [give 10 percent], neither is the giving of first fruits a demand, [law] placed on the Church.
First Corinthians chapter 15 tells us that Christ is the first fruits and they that are Christ's at his coming, verse 23.
Romans chapter 8 verse 23 states, "we who have the first fruits of the Spirit, meaning the earnest of the spirit, 2nd. Cor. ch. 5 vs. 5
Romans chap. 11 verse 16 states, "for if the first fruits [Christ] be Holy, the lump, [Church] is also Holy [sanctified], and if the root [God's people under the first covenant] be Holy, so are the branches." The New Testament Church was first given to the Jews. We are not to boast against the branches, verse 18.
Romans ch. 16 vs. 5 Paul states that his beloved brother, Epaenetus is the first fruits of Achaia unto Christ. Also states in I Cor. ch. 16 vs. 15 that the house of Stephanas is the first fruits of Achaia. These people were in the Churches of Achaia [Greece], and they gave all in God's service. The writer gives no mention of finances or percentages in giving.
The Apostle James states in his writing, ch. one verse 18,"of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures." We that are Christ's should be living by the gospel.
The Apostle John states in Revelation ch. 14 verse 4, of his that these being redeemed from among men are the first fruits unto God and unto the Lamb. Christ the first fruits, and they that are Christ's at his coming. 1st Cor. ch. 15, verses 20 and 22.
THANK GOD FOR YOU
Please renew my paper for another year. Use the extra as needed. I enjoy the paper very much and thank God for you.
Thank you,
Naomi Chambers
San Antonio, Texas
Note: We appreciate the extra and your kind words, Sister Chambers....Opal Richards
We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19. Love is the foundation of the Christian Hope. It was not something that God saw in sinners that moved Him in His great being to prepare salvation for them, but an attribute to Himself. His wonderful love, "God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son into the world." The poet expressed it in simple terms, "I am so glad that our Father in heaven tells of His love in the book. He has given, wonderful things in that book I see. But this is the dearest, that Jesus loves me."
"But God who is rich in mercy for his great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sin hath quickened us." And therefore, "We love Him because He first loved us." Again the poet expresses it "Though I forget Him and wander away, still He doth love me wherever I stray. Then back to his dear loving arms would I flee, when I remember that Jesus loves me"
The old colored brother expressed it this way: "We love God with the very love that He loved us with, because He first loved us and shed abroad His love in our hearts and we love Him with that very love." Again the poet said: "If there is only one song I can sing. When in His beauty I see the great king, this shall my song in eternity be, I am so glad that Jesus loves me."
Now, if God so loved us we ought also to love one another, for love is of God and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God.
I never shall forget the first old Baptist Association that I ever attended. We arrived on the grounds on Thursday night, and on Friday morning I watched the brethren and sisters as they came in their covered wagons, and as they would meet and fall into each others arms, and embrace each other, I rejoiced and said, "surely these are the people of God." Remembering that it was stated by Jesus, "By this may all men know that you are my disciples if you have love one toward another.
O behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us, that we should be called the sons of God and another great consolation is that the love of God can never be frustrated.
The question was asked, but has never been answered. Who can separate us from the love of God?
Can tribulations or persecutions or nakedness or peril or pestilence or famine?
I am persuaded that neither
death nor life nor angels, nor principalities, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God. Amen.
Elder W. H. Richards,
The Glad Tidings, Dec. 1929
[Publisher of The Glad Tidings]
BROTHER DAILY IN HOSPITAL
Brother Arthur Daily is in the hospital having a pace-maker put in his chest. Would you say prayers for him?
Brother Daily's wife,
Lucille
Note: We are saying payers for Brother Daily. May God bless you. Opal Richards.
"And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and tell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead." Luke 10:30
How would we react to such a scene? Perhaps we have come upon a similar occurrence, were fearful to become involved, and since we were rather busy, turned on. We meet this wounded man in the scriptures, and the Lord Jesus Christ introduces him to us. We are told he was a certain man. When the Lord refers to a "certain" man He is speaking of a particular individual.
This man was a wounded person and meant something to someone; however, some among the worst group of that society had inflicted on him terrible wounds and stripped him of his clothes. Furthermore, they departed from him there leaving him half dead. It does not require long lectures on human nature to conclude that man is a depraved being whose potential for sin is unthinkable.
Perhaps we could linger here for a while and analyze his situation, about why he was leaving Jerusalem, the peaceful "foundation city," and going down to Jericho, the conquered and cursed city, well known and important to the Jew. But, the man is bleeding and already half dead, and he needs help. Who will help him, and does he not have a neighbor? Remember, the whole lesson here is in answer to a certain lawyer who asked the Lord, tempting Him by asking, "and who is my neighbor?" [Luke 10:29]
Who is my neighbor? We usually associate a neighbor with someone next door or a little way down the road; people we really enjoy being with. The lord is going to teach us who our neighbor really is. A neighbor will be tried and tested, not by how often we have coffee with him or visit across the back fence, but by a bleeding and half-dead man who has no clothes or money. Verse 31: "And by chance there came down a certain priest that way; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side." Who better than a priest to render aid to a suffering person. After all, he represented the God of all mercies. Surely, he might remember the proverb, "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again"
[Proverbs 19:17] We could occupy our mind wondering about this priest. Possibly he was in a hurry and had a busy schedule that day, or perhaps we should not be too "judgmental". After all, he came by chance; he just happened by. But the heavy questions still loom: not how busy was he, but who is my neighbor?
Whatever his hindrance, he quit traveling by chance, at the very sight of the poor man, and began traveling with purpose, because he set a definite course. His immediate goal was to go by on the other side. It appears he did not even come close, but walked away, the antithesis of a neighbor, by the Lord's own definition.
On this busy road a Levite then came by. If the priest thought the task too menial for his high office, what about the Levite? At least he came to the place and looked on the man. That was a good sign, but what did he do? The man's condition was surely deteriorating, but the Levite only looked at him and passed by on the other side [in the shadow of the priest]. Sometimes we can become so involved in our religion that we forget to be a neighbor. Then came a certain Samaritan [despised by the Jew]. As he journeyed he came to where the man was, looked at him and had compassion. This is an all-important characteristic of a neighbor: he went to him. Does this not remind us of One whom the world despised, and He came to where we were, while our condition was far worse than that of this pitiful man.
The Samaritan bound up the man's wounds, poured in oil and wine, set him on his own beast, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. He stayed that night with him, and when he left on the morrow took out two pence, gave them to the host and said, "Whatsoever thou spendest more, I will repay thee when I come again." The Lord now identifies the neighbor by asking a question, "Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that tell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then Jesus said unto him, go and do thou likewise."
One man out of many stopped, one man poured in oil and wine. May it please the God of all grace to bless us with discernment to recognize the fallen, whether in health or a drooping spirit, to bless us to seek the right words which may be "as apples of gold in pictures of silver" [Proverbs 25:11], and "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; or thereby some have entertained angels unawares [Hebrews 13:2].
"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." [Galatians 6:10].
ALVIN CHURCH BEING BLESSED
Please renew my subscription for another year and use the rest for whatever you have need for. Our church at Gulf Cost Primitive Baptist Church in Alvin, Texas is being blessed with God's love.
If you are visiting in this area, we would love to see you there. "Come and see." God Bless!
In Christian Love,
Mildred Ramey
Alvin, Texas
OUR FAVORITE PAPER
This is our favorite paper. We look forward to it each month. We have been planning to get down
to visit you, but with mother in ailing health, we just haven't been able to get away for any length of time. Don't give up on us, though, we will make it someday Use the little remainder of check for your good work.
Your Brother and Sister in Christ,
Kenneth and Mary Lou
Broyles
Milan, MO
Banner seeks information on those in military
The Banner of Love is seeking information and pictures of the men and women who are in the military or federal government services.
The purpose will be to allow our readers to know about those friends and relatives of our readers who have placed themselves in "harm’s way" during the present world crisis involving the threat of terrorism.
If you have a friend or family member currently serving in the military, or other federal governmental service, we urge you to provide that information to the Banner of Love.
Because of their strategic locations, many of our young men and women in the military are not allowed to disclose their exact military assignments. However, we feel our readers would enjoy knowing, and praying for, those individuals who are special to our readers.
If you have a family member, or close friend, currently in the military or federal government service, please send to the Banner a picture of the individual, plus background information such as the branch of military service (i.e. Army, Reserves, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, etc.), any specialty, home town, and the parents, grandparents or other family/friend connection to our readers.
From time to time, we will print the pictures and background information for our readers knowledge and interest.
In addition, if a service mailing address is provided, we will provide to them a free subscription of the Banner of Love while they are deployed in the service. We also would greatly appreciate knowing immediately of any address changes because of the substantial back-charge cost under postal regulations for foreign-mail which is returned.
While we greatly desire to publish the pictures, such pictures which are provided for publication may not be available for return; so please do not provide original pictures, but provide to us a picture for which copies have been made.
THANKS FOR YOUR LABOR
Thank you so much for your labor and the writers of the Banner of Love. We look forward to it each month.
May God bless you in your work.
Thanks,
Brother Ted and Mary Frances Gregory
Crescent, OK
LOVE TO READ YOUR PAPER
I love to read your paper. Sure would hate to miss a copy. May God bless you in your work.
With Love,
Vivian Wiedebusch
Hamilton, Texas
HEART FILLED WITH RECOLLECTIONS
Dear Mrs. Opal Richards:
When I take this pen in hand, my heart is filled with recollections of my mother,
Lorene Lee and my dad, [Elder] Raymond Lee, and of you Sister Opal; for your kind and loving remembrance of my parents when I first talked with you a couple of years ago, as I was first subscribing to the Banner of Love.
Thank you and your son, and all who contribute to this publication. My heart is lifted each month when I receive my copy.
May our Heavenly Father bless you all and keep you in the light of His word.
Please use any amount over my subscription to provide your paper to others or to aid in any way you see fit.
In Christian Love,
Brother Walter Lee
Wimberley, Texas
Note: Brother Lee, we so appreciate your kind words. Your parents were such good Godly people, much loved. You had a great heritage. May God bless you always. We appreciate the extra, and will use it for the distribution to God's people. Thank you, Opal Richards
Several years ago my wife and I were traveling out of town with our very small children and on Sunday morning, as I generally enjoy doing when I can, we visited an older, but very small church. The congregation was small, and generally elderly.
I confess I do not remember much of the elder’s sermon that day because it was one of those occasions when our children became difficult to deal with. Instead of focusing on listening to the sermon, I spent most of the time trying to keep quiet our restless children.
After church, I attempted to apologize to the deacon and the pastor of the church for the interruptions my family had caused. The deacon rebuffed me.
"That was a wonderful sound to me," he said. "It’s been a long time since we had young children in this church building. I wish that was a problem for us every Sunday."
As I said, I do not remember the sermon, but I vividly remember the lesson that deacon gave to me that day after church. I did not quit trying to discipline my children in church, but I came to respect the principle regarding children in the church.
How important are the children in the church? Are they important in your church. Are children a part of your church? Do we make the children fell like an important part of the church and its services?
Our ministers are charged to deliver the gospel to the entire congregation – does that include the children? A lot of religious denominations apparently do not feel that children can learn in the congregation with the adults, or feel they are too disruptive because those churches create separate schools, nurseries, and youth ministries.
Primitive Baptists do not believe such auxiliary functions are scriptural in that the Lord has provided all the basic elements for a church, instead holding that the ministers provide gospel food suitable for the entire flock – young and old.
How about us parents? How do we deal with our children in the church? It’s certainly a whole lot easier to grant their wishes to let them stay home, watch television or sleep in on Sunday mornings.
Our lesson should begin with Proverbs 22:6: "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Children are an extremely important part of the church. They should not be ignored, pushed aside, or overlooked. Children are a gift to the church. No different, or less, than the other gifts the Lord has placed in the church. I’ve got an old deacon to send you to if you do not believe it.
How are the children treated in your church? Do they feel "at home"? Are they invited to participate in the services? Are they encouraged when they do participate?
As the fellow brethren and sisters in my home church can attest, I am probably the least qualified and feel wholly inadequate to speak on raising children in the church – especially now as I function as a single parent. As in most of my writings, however, I write primarily to myself and pray it is beneficial to others.
If there is a struggle among young couples regarding their children attending church, I encourage the following basic points; it’s certainly not exhaustive, but maybe will provide a starting point:
1. Set the proper example. Will your children attend church, pay attention, and participate if you do not?
2. Prepare them. Before church, tell the children what to expect in the church service, and what you expect of them. Do not criticize them if you have not told them what to expect or what is expected of them.
3. Interact during church. Help the children find the correct song, or the correct scripture. Show them when to stand, when to sing, and when to bow.
4. Get them their own Bible. Children seem to develop best when they have their own tools. Encourage and help them find the interesting historical stories and help them understand the Bible’s basic organization.
5. Encourage questions. No different than adults, children will have questions. Encourage them to ask you, and for them to individually ask the pastor. It’s good for them, good for you, and encouraging to the minister.
6. Sit near the front. Children (and adults) get more out of worship when they can see and hear. And they behave better also.
7. Talk at home. Help prepare your children at home both before and after church. Make a point after church of asking each child their impressions and thoughts of the service, singing, prayer and sermon. They will listen if they know they will later be asked to provide their opinion or what they enjoyed the most. Let them know their opinion is important.
8. Invite a child to sit with you. You help yourself and the child spiritually if the child experiences and enjoys worship with others. It is important for the child to see the practice, devotion and experience of worshipers other than their parents.
9. Explain the fundamentals. Provide the basic fundamental philosophy of the church to your child. Use your church’s "Articles of Faith" and devote a short lesson from time to time on one of the articles. It helps both the children, and you.
10. Do not be discouraged. Children take patience. Thank the Lord for His patience with us, and give that same patience to the children at your church.
By Elder Dale E. Magers
(Proverbs 23:6-8) "Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye; neither desire thou his dainty meat: For as he thinketh in his heart so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; But his heart is not with thee. The morsel which thou hath eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet word." In 1st. Thess. 5:22; Paul writes "Abstain from all appearance of evil." Ever since the fall of man, we have not been able to accept the good and leave off the evil. It seems that once we come into possession of what is evil, we become partakers of that evil. Since we have two personalities, a Spiritual and a natural one, we often become curious about what is evil, but when we come into the knowledge of it we are in some way partaking of it. We see that Solomon warns against this, we are not to eat with them that hath an evil eye. (An evil eye shows that this person has his heart set on evil and not what is good.) Often to eat with someone indicates fellowship with that person. Do you recall that when the disciples went fishing with Peter after the crucifixion of Christ, the Lord pursued them, fixing a meal of fish on the shore commanding them, to "Come and Dine" With this meal and the instruction that follows brings them back into his fellowship, especially Peter who denied him three times. It it great to have fellowship and dine with the Lord, but it is evil to have fellowship with the world! No wonder the Lord asked Peter, "Lovest thou me, more than these?"
A companion text to illustrate this truth is found in Matthew 5:22-23, "The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness." If we are thinking properly, our whole body will be engaged in Gods work, for as a man thinketh so in his heart is he. The apostle Paul warns the Colossians, "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, for Christ sitteth on the right hand of God." Where are your effections? Paul says in verse 2 of the 3rd chapter of Colossians, "Set your effections on things above, not on things of the earth, for ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." If we know that we have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ from our sins and have been given eternal life we should rejoice to leave off that which is evil and follow good. Our problem is we do not think enough about what Christ has done for us, that he has delivered us from death, hell and the grave. Paul wrote in 1st Corinthians chapter 15:33-34, "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God, I speak this to your shame."
How much time do we spend seeking the righteousness of God, learning more and more about Christ everyday? Do we spend the majority of our time seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, or is church and spiritual things an after thought? The apostle Paul wrote in 2nd Corinthians 6:14, "Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteous with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?" May we all work more diligently to pursue in our hearts the things of God, for where our heart is shows where our treasure is. As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. Am I a soldier of the cross? Amen
THE BEST IS YET TO COME
By Jerry Bass
Individuals in our nation who are of the opinion that all is hopeless and a brighter future is not possible. Can you imagine dwelling in a place where crime, pornography, wars, disease, teen pregnancy rates, divorce, cost of living increases, natural disasters, such as floods, poverty, malnutrition, racism, pain, sorrow, crying, death, disappointment and temptations will cease to exist.
Is there such a place? Yes, it is a paradise far above the skies. God's children know it as Heaven, where there will be streets of gold and roses will never fade.
So for those individual who feel that things are getting worse with each passing year, may they rejoice that there is a much better day coming. That is, of course, when our Savior returns for a second time.
May we comfort in the fact, that the best is yet to come!
Written with much love,
Jerry Bass
Lubbock, Texas
The only usage that the K.J.T. Bible uses this word is found only five (5) different times, so therefore such word cannot be used scripturally any other way.
2nd Sam. 3:10 = Strong’s Hebrew #5674
Col. 1:13 = Strong’s Greek #3179
Heb. 11:5 = Strong’s Greek #3346 & 3331 in this order
So, we begin with definitions first, in the above order of appearance.
Strong’s Hebrew #5674 = abar – a prim. root – to cross over
Strong’s Greek #3179 = methistano – to transfer, i.e. carry away, dispose or (fig.) exchange, seduce – put out, remove, translate, turn away.
Strong’s Greek #3331 = metathesis – transposition, i.e. transferral (to heaven); disestablishment (of a law) = change, removing, translation
Strong’s Greek #3346 = metatithemi – to transfer, i.e. (lit.) transport, (by impl.) exchange (reflex) changes sides, (fig.) pervert – carry over, change, remove, translate, turn.
Funk & Wagnalls Dictionary = translate = 1. to give a sense or equivalent of in another language; change into another language. 2. to explain in other words; interpret. 3. To change into another form; transform; 4. To remove as an ecclesiastic, from one office to another. 5. To retransmit (a message) by means of a telegraphic relay. 6. To convey or remove from earth to heaven without natural death.
HFB Commentary: After reading, studying and meditating upon the above data that I’ve assembled, I am slowly coming to the realization, view and understanding of the panoramic picture, in mental process, as "translate,": is most difficult to visualize in the natural realm. So I proceed to the Spiritual. Herein I have a clear mechanical understanding of the dynamics of, and the workings of ACTION, before performed upon the recipient.
Translate or translation is a process of change or transition from static to mobile. The results of such action must be perceived as the action itself from the active Higher Source upon and unto, by not by, the passive recipient.
The object of translating or translation, is not only passive, but incapable to perform or even comprehend the need, purpose, function or utility of such action. The design, intent, purpose, function and utility of such activity is not within the translating itself, but the action of such is simply following the designer who is directing the action of such. So neither the action of, nor the recipient are aware of and with no degree of understanding as to why, where, when or who. Only the Designer knows, and has the power to implement, perform and complete the action required to complete the translation.
The gravity and immensity of this translating action is beyond the realm of natural biogenesis. It is with conception, without gestation, and instantaneous completion of the finished product. It is a mystery unfolding from a Divine Source with Divine Purpose and Will. When the performance is fully completed, the object itself will become aware of the operation within, feel the sweetness, joy, glory and comfort thereof, but still not understand the dynamics of, or mechanics of, the necessary step involved in the design, beginning, molding, and finishing of the assignment. Yet, it did, has, and will continue to occur by the same Designer upon the selected recipient, of His Choice, until all have been translated according to a blue-printed Covenant, by an Eternal Designer from before the foundation of the world – Eph. 1:4---11.
For example, in simple language, we will use the King James Translation of the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek Manuscripts, as handed down from the Original Autographs from the Divinely Inspired Writers thereof, being about 40 total. These Language Manuscripts from these three different languages were intact, without error, word for word, from the Divine Inspirer Designer Himself. The Translation required 47 linguistic scholars a total of seven (7) years to complete. King James the 1st of the Tudor Family, authorized the translation of these Mss from their Original Languages into the King’s English in 1604 A.D. He summoned 54 Scholars from Cambridge, Westminster and Oxford. 47 Responded and were divided into six (6) companies, each being assigned certain portions of the Mss. They began their work which lasted seven (7) years until 1611 A.D. During this tenure, they completed their initial assignments, then exchanged Mss., until all 47 had checked each others works to the letter.
Now no time during these seven years were those Mss consulted, queried, asked to accept, or invited to participate in this Translating Action. These Mss were simply and passively acted upon. The Action was with the scholarship, Intend, Knowledge, Wisdom, Understanding, Purpose, Intend, and final Destination of Objectivity of the Object. The results were totally passive by the recipient. The attitude, mind-set, mood, manner of feelings, or consent of these Mss, was never a part of the equation whatsoever. When the work was finished the Mss were still just as passive, peaceful, tranquil, docile and obedient as before they were acted upon, back when they were still in the original languages. They never had a mood shift within them-selves and demanded to be left as they were. They never resisted the action or denied such.
That is, in final analysis, the situation with each of God’s Elect, Chosen in Him, before the foundation of the world, dead in sin in Fallen Adam, and were content, satisfied and pleased in their ignorant, unlearned and biased condition. They never had any initiative, desire or inclination to be changed from being dead in Adam to Alive in Christ. Yet, it was inevitable such was gong to happen, at the appointed hour.
Eph. 1:11 – "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will."
This initial "from dead to life" is as passive upon the Born-again Regenerated Elect Child of Grace in the Spiritual realm, as was in principle being born-naturally into the Fallen Adamic Family. Life always precedes action, so the Translation takes place, giving life, then this life can begin to act, but such, as even in natural is just a new born baby. Spiritual the same to the Born-again Regenerated Elect, is but a Babe in Christ. The Same translating force of the Holy Spirit, in its 1st Creative Function, then continue in its 2nd Holy Ghost function to cultivate that which it previously created. This 2nd function will lead, direct, stimulate, education, locate, focus, nourish, maintain, sustain, comfort and soothe causing growth thereof, not of the natural outward person, but now that of the inward person. This process can be slow or medium or fast, depending upon circumstances, opportunities, availability and proximity of the True Gospel Preaching, Teaching and Instructing, either one on one, or in the Assembly of the Saints in the N.T. Church. Upon such growth, there is then the possibility and probably of Gospel conversion, and the detailed instructions necessary in order to the Pressing into the Kingdom. The requirements of such entry will be outlined as each successive step is taken, leading these translated person into the realm of conversion of Timely Gospel Obedience, of which does become active and persistent upon the recipient’s part. The N.T. is filled with Gospel Timely Obedience in increments of milk then finally meat.
This Gospel Conversion step is one of education, knowledge, understanding, hearing, receiving. believing, confessing, asking, seeking, knocking, running, sitting, standing, praying and holding steadfast unto the end of your sojourn in this timely frame. This is really the subject of another writing.
In conclusion you will have noticed by your careful study of this writing that the action of Translation only occurred once. Translation is not timely. However, it is a one-time action, but lasts forever.
HENRY ARNEL DOYLE
Dear People of my Heavenly King: I love you all. I think that many of you knew my brother, Henry Arnel Doyle, who went to heaven, February, 8th. I guess the simplest way to tell you what a wonderful person he was, is to say, that in all the years growing up together, he never said a cross word to me.
There will always be an empty space in my heart, but I praised God and thanked Him for taking him home. He is free of pain and disappointment forever more.
While he was on his death bed, several of his family members and I were singing to him from, the "Good Old Songs."
We were singing,"O How Sweet to Die," when he breathed his last breath. I was standing by him, looking down on his face. He couldn't seem to move his lips, but I saw smile wrinkles around his eyes. He seemed to go to sleep with no sign of pain at all.
What a sweet peace and comfort to we, who were there. There will always be an empty space in our family reunions, but we will have a lively hope of meeting him-- "Where the Roses Never Fade."
Mahala Jane Clark
Poteau, OK
MY BELIEF IS STILL STRONG
I would like to subscribe to the Banner of Love. My daddy, Brother Zack Williams of Mt.Zion Church, near Nixon, Texas, subscribed to it for many years. I found a copy of it in his things. I was once an Old Baptist myself, but circumstances prevented me from remaining one, although, my belief is still strong.
Please send me a years' subscription. Enclosed you will find $12.00 to cover it.
Thank you,
Ann Williams Beicker
TREASURES OF THE SNOW
Thought of the treasures of the snow in looking on the front porch a few mornings ago. The sun was shining beautifully and the snow was glistening like beautiful pearls.
Looked up Psalms 147:17-18, also Job 38:22-27. These verses are very interesting.
There's been much wintery weather here. Our Dear Lord always makes us able to overcome. He will see us through. May He bless you all in honor to Him.
Thanks be to our Dear Lord for His blessings.
In precious Hope,
Sister Loretta Lilly
Akron, Ohio
THANKS FOR PRINTING THE BANNER
Dear Brother Richards, family and staff:
Thank so much for publishing The Banner of Love. I pray all is well with you.
I never lost my husband, but we lost our son when he was 16 1/2. God is good- He knows what He is doing. It has been 27 years, but it seems like yesterday sometimes. He has given us a daughter, two grandchildren and now a great granddaughter. It would be much more blessed if they would go to church with me. Some of our churches only have a few members. Most are only sisters. I pray He will add to them.
Remember us after all others.
Your sister in hope,
Mrs. W. D. Flowers
Bay Minette, AL.
Renew the paper for two years.