St. John 14:6, Jesus saith; [to Thomas] "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Remember, this is what Jesus said and we know He spoke the truth, John said, "Thy word is truth."

If anyone, could come unto the Father any other way than by the Son, then Jesus would not be the way. He might be a way. But the text says, "He is the way." This means Jesus is the only way, as He is the only way, then there is no other way.

In St. John, chapter 10:7, Jesus said unto them again, "Verily, verily [which means truly, truly] I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep." Not a door. He is the only door through which a poor sinner can enter, and be saved or have life. Jesus is the source of all life. He is the great embodiment of life.

When in the garden, just before He was led away, by a wicked mob, to be tried in a merciless court, with a law or attorney. He cried, "Father if it be possible , let this cup pass from me. Jesus was speaking of the cup of suffering. The humanity of Jesus dreaded suffering even as we do. Yet, He prayed, not my will, but thine be done. Father, if there be any other way, that those whom thou hast given me can be saved, and can live with me in heaven, let it be that way, that I suffer not, but there was no other way. Jesus is the only way. Oh! Blessed thought, yes, glorious theme, sweet Jesus is the Saviours name. Salvation is sure through Him. St. John 10:10 Jesus said , "I am come, that ye might have life, and that ye might have it more abundantly.

Jesus is preaching the funeral of Lazarus said, "I am the Resurrection and the life."

Jesus does for His people what we could not do for ourselves. The disciples could roll away the stone, but they could not raise Lazarus to life. Jesus only could do that but after Jesus raised Lazarus to life. The disciples could loose him and let him go.

In St. Mark 5:38-39, we see many weeping because a damsel had died. They could not awake her, because to them she was dead. But to Jesus, she was only sleeping. He was the only one that could awake her. Jesus needs no help in raising the dead. But as witnesses Jesus taketh some into the room where the maid lay. Jesus taketh the damsel by the hand and said, Maid, I say unto thee arise, and straightway the damsel arose, and walked, Jesus then commanded that something should be given her to eat. Jesus raises the dead, then turns to the church and charges her to nurse or feed them.

Let me just mention that in the days of Elijah, a woman's son had died. The mother went to Elijah, desiring that Elijah come and raise to life again, her son. Elijah sent his servant, saying take thy staff in thy hand, go to the child, lay the staff on the face of the child. The servant did as told. The servant returned to Elijah and said, the son is not awakened. There is not breath in him.

The mother had not confidence or faith in the work of the servant, as to giving life to the dead. She desired only Elijah. Elijah came to the child. Stretched himself upon the child, his eyes to the eyes of the child. His hands to his hands, his lips to his lips. He did this twice. These are also types and shadows

This staff and the servant represents the minister and the gospel. This could not raise the dead. But Elijah stretching himself upon the child represents the direct operation of the spirit. The child sneezed seven times. Elijah delivered the child to his mother, saying, See, thy son liveth.

Jimmmie Bass, Sr., Banner of Love, May 1974

By Don R. Richards

We will not attempt to detract from Elder Bass’ excellent article and documentation, but hope to comment on it as compared to the various forms of the word Israel" which we hear day to day. In doing so, we will talk of the five different "Israels".

The country of Israel that we know of in world politics today was formed in the 1947-48 time frame. It is composed primarily of the Jewish ethnicity who claim blood heirship to the original Old Testament nation of Israel; and, quite frankly, probably indeed do include direct blood descendants of the original 12 tribes of Israel.

Back to Top

It's always a joy reading all the good writing in the Banner of Love. In the January issue, Elder George Walker explained really well concerning "Time Salvation." It reminded me of Jonah 2:9.

I believe Brother Jonah could see clearly there was no way he could be delivered in this time world by the works of this natural world or have any hope of Eternal Redemption by the works of this natural world. The men rowed hard to try to keep Jonah from being cast into the seas; the Book of Jonah is really interesting.

I underlined Elder Hulan Bass' writing the words, "The Bible is not a map to heaven, but a Rule Book of timely and gospel life style.

May our Dear Lord bless you all. He will see us through.

Jonah 2:9 is always real encouraging.

In precious hope,

Sister Loretta Lilly

Akron, Ohio

Back to Top

Enclosed is the payment for my subscription. Use the little that's left for what you need it for.

I enjoy the paper. Thank you for your good work for the betterment of God's people.

God bless you all. God bless America and all our dear ones in the military. I have two grandsons in the Marines. They are Primitive Baptists boys, thank the Lord. Sgt. Zeb Brown is leaving out in the morning for his ship, the Carl Vinson. Zeb is the son of Marshall Brown, my son.

The other is J. T. Brown, who is the son of Elder and Sister Sylvia Brown. He's going through combat training.

It saddens our hearts when these things happen, but we have a God that is able to see them through and bring them home if it is His will.

God bless you all. Let us remember to pray for one another. I need your prayers very much.

In Christian love,

Sister Mary Burleson

Madera, CA

Note: Sister Burleson, if you have your grandsons' address, if you will send it, we will be glad to put them on the Banner of love mailing list, free of charge. May God's blessings be with them.

.....Opal Richards

Back to Top

Please find enclosed a check to cover past expense and a renewal. Use the rest where needed. Thank you for continuing to send the paper, despite my negligence.

Thank you for writing articles that help us to grow in our knowledge of the Lord and his work, and for the letters and news from others that bring a most welcome show of love among the flock.

May God bless you in your efforts to spread the good news.

Julia Mann

Havre de Grace, MD

Note: Sister Mann, thank you for your generous support. It is greatly appreciated.

Back to Top

We've been having good meetings at Salem Church. And I don't mind saying "Primitive Baptist"!

I certainly enjoy the Banner. I always read it through, sometimes I save an article or two until I have more time. Keep up the great work. Pray for us,

Elsie Dugger, Quitman, AR

Just a note to let you know we are doing good, still able to go to church and are enjoying good meetings.

I am sending some money to pay for another year. Hope everyone is well and enjoying the blessings of life. Enjoyed having you here at Grace. Thanks, come again.

We pray the Lord will bless His people everywhere.

Yours in hope,

Oscar and Mamie Hanks

Texas City, Tx

Note: Thank you Brother Hanks for writing and for the extra amount paid. I always love to go to the Grace Church, and I always feel at home there. Opal Richards

I would like to be able to get a subscription of the Banner of Love. I am sending $12.00 for a yearly subscription, if that is not enough, please let me know, so I can send more.

I have been a member of Primitive Baptist since I was 12. My grandparents, Steve and Winnie Bloyd, my great-grandparents were Brother and Sister Ely from Brownfield, TX. My mother, Eileen Duggan is a member of the Odessa Primitive Baptist Church. My membership is still with them. I now live in central Texas in the Belton/Temple area.

Sincerely,

Colleen Owings

Belton, Texas

Note: Sister Colleen, thank you for the subscription, that is the right amount. Your paper is on its way. We are all familiar with your folks, including Elder Steven Bloyd. Opal Richards

Back to Top

A LETTER OF APPRECIATION

Dear Brother Richards:

We, at the Tyler Primitive Baptist Church appreciate your efforts to publish The Banner of Love with its emphasis to "Publish the truth in love" to the benefit of Primitive Baptists and others. The religious articles are encouraging and instructional to God's people. Also, our church has long appreciated your efforts to include our annual meeting notices in "The Banner of Love," which has helped our attendance in years past.

In fact, those of us who attend meetings elsewhere use your publication to determine the dates and places for other meetings. Finally, your publication of obituary notices from churches provides a valuable service to Primitive Baptists as well.

The Tyler Primitive Baptist Church recently lost dear Sister

Lillie Mae Morris, who was a long and faithful member of our church. Thus, we would appreciate your including the enclosed obituary written for our church records in the next issue of The Banner of Love, if possible. Again, we thank you for providing this service for the Lord's people.

We pray that God will bless you in all your efforts to spread God's truth in love, to encourage and instruct His people, and to provide various other services to their benefit. We want you to come visit us at the Tyler Primitive Baptist Church at any time.

In Christian Love,

E. L. McGee

We continue to enjoy the Banner of Love, and appreciate your efforts in publishing good articles in the paper.

May God continue to bless all your labor's of love.

By His mercy,

Brother Jim Trautner

Upland, CA

Back to Top

GULF COAST PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH

On April 15, 2002, the Gulf Coast Primitive Baptist Church of Alvin, Texas went into regular Conference. Brother Doyle Weldon called for, and it was passed, for the ordination of Brother Trey Collier to the full work of the gospel ministry. The date was set for Dec. 14, 2002, the same time as the Annual Meeting..

On the 14th of December, 2002, we met at the Senior Citizen Building in Alvin for the annual meeting and the ordination of Brother Trey Collier. Services started at 10:00 a.m. with singing and Elder James Baker from Amarillo, Texas preached first, followed by Brother Trey Collier. They were blessed with the Holy Spirit. The morning service ended with the right hand of fellowship and prayer.

The afternoon services started at 2 p.m. with singing and prayer, followed by the Ordination of Brother Trey Collier.

The Presbytery elected Elder Steve Clark as moderator for the Ordination. Brother Charles Richards was elected Clerk. Elder Pat Young was elected to question the candidate and to question the Church spokesman, Brother Bill Hasty. Upon completion of the questioning by Elder Pat Young, Elder Jeff Moseley delivered the Ordination prayer during the laying on of hands.

At this time, Brother Hasty escorted Sister Marina Collier to set beside Brother Collier. Elders J. R. Haymon and Harley Stripland delivered the charge to Brother Trey. After which, they also charged Sister Marina and the church to support Brother Trey in his ministry.

The moderator asked the Church spokesman if the Church was satisfied with the work of the presbytery, which the Spokesman stated in the affirmative. It was moved, seconded and voted that Brother Collier be delivered back to the Gulf Coast Primitive

Church as an ordained Elder. After reading the minutes by the clerk, the Presbytery, having completed its work, was dissolved. the right hand of fellowship was extended to Elder and Sister Collier by all present.

The following were in the presbytery: Elders: James Baker, Anthony Blevins, Troy Barrington, Steve Clark, John Horner, J. R. Haymon, Truman Keel, Billie M Moseley, Jeff Moseley, Mark Richards, Mark Rowell, Michel Rhodes, Harley Stripland, Jesse Stripland, and Pat Young.

The following Deacons were present: Charles Richards, Gary Baker, Doyle Weldon, Johnie Bass, Jr., Paul Smith, James Rutledge, James D. Peet and Gary Rhodes.

God's blessing be with you is our prayer for you and your family.

Sister Mildred Ramey

Alvin, Texas

Back to Top

Esau and Jacob were twin boys, born unto Isaac and Rebecca; see Gen. 25:21-25.

And their names became very prominent, from that point, being used to show a contrast in the teachings of the Bible. Also became a subject of controversy for religious teachers. Mainly because they were to become two nations, and two manner of people; and it is written that God loved one and hated the other.

In Malachi 1:2 the Lord [Jehovah] states to Israel, I have loved you; yet to say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? Yet, I loved Jacob. Stating in 1:3, And I have hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage to waste for the dragons of the wilderness.

Loved is a translation from the Hebrew word 'ahab; to have affection for. And hated is a translation from the sane'; to hate [personally]

And it is recorded, in Romans 9:13. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

This teaching tells us that these, the love and the hate, occurred before Rebecca gave birth to Esau and Jacob; therefore being before either had done any good or evil.

This statement is very troublesome to those who believe that God's selection of his children is based upon their belief, desires, and acts. Therefore teaching that God did not really hate Esau; but just loved him less.

The Oxford Universal Dictionary on Historical Principles defines hate as an emotion of extreme dislike or aversion; detestation, abhorrence, hatred; the opposite of love. Love and hate, as expressed in these teaching, is as different as good and bad; as godly and ungodly; as darkness and light; as black and white.

In fact if you will make a study of Jacob and Esau, you will find that Esau was the better of the two; for God had not appeared

unto either. Aand when the Lord appeared unto Jacob he called him Israel; he will rule as God. Thus Jacob became a servant of God.

Isa. 45:4 For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not know me.

So the question is, why did

God love one and hate the other? 1 Sam. 12:22 For the Lord will not forsake his people [Israel] for his name's sake; because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people.

Rom. 9:11 For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth. 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

It pleased him; and he purposed it. It was according to his eternal purpose. Therefore it is written, Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

Back to Top

Even though the morning air is cold, the sun is shining, and it looks like it will be a beautiful day.

An old gentleman is seen walking down the street, then he stops momentarily and sits down on the bench in the small park across the street from the post office.

As he pulls off his gloves, he starts to examine the mail he had in his hand. Then a young man approached him, and said: "Well, Uncle Ed, how are you this morning?"

Ed: Well fine. I was enjoying this sunshine, after a cold night. How has it been with you, Brother Tom?

Tom: Oh, fine. I have just been visiting some of the church people, and was just getting ready to go to your house.

Ed: Well, that's fine. I am always glad to see you. Things get pretty quiet around my place during the week. What do you know?

Tom: Oh, not much. One matter I was worrying about. I used for a subject at church last Sunday, where we are taught to train up our children in the way of the Lord, and when they grow old they will not depart from them. Do you remember that scripture?

Ed: Sure, and it is a good thing I would have enjoyed hearing your sermon. Good liberty?

Tom: Oh, I don't know. I felt like I handled the subject pretty well, but after church a brother was talking to me, and he has me disturbed about it.

Ed: Well, well, tell me about it.

Tom: This brother said he did not understand the scripture. He knew how it read, and he listened to me, but he said he had brought his children up in the church, taught them the true principles, he thought, and all of them were members of the church, but one of his boys became cold, married a girl of another church, and now he has left the church, and joined in with his wife, and seems not to care for the church anymore.

Ed: I see. But I don't see what this has to do with the scripture you mentioned.

Tom; Don't you see, he was fine when he was a child, but as he grew older he departed from the church and its teachings. This is what has his father disturbed.

Ed: Don't tell me. How old is this son anyway?

Tom: About 22 or 23 years of age.

Ed: Now, that's great. I am crowding 80. Since when is a person barely out of his teens to be classed as being old?

Tom: Oh, I never thought of it that way.

Ed: Well, you better start thinking that way. Don't you think?

Tom: I guess you are right.

Ed:; I could give you many instances of people, who were brought up in the atmosphere of the church, and left after growing up. But these true principles were moved away back in their minds, to be kept and nourished, sometimes almost unconsciously. I know one man like this, and after he was past 70 his doctor told him that whatever he planned to do he better get done, because his days were numbered. And, do you know, one of the things he wanted was to return to the old home church, and be baptized, and die in the church.

I could recall accounts of many more people like this.

A true principle instilled in the mind of a child will never leave. They may be shoved back for years and years, but at the right time, they will be remembered.

Tom: Thank you, you have helped me. I will be seeing you again soon.

Back to Top

I read in the Banner of love requesting pictures of those in the military and am sending in my grandson's picture. He is stationed in San Diego, CA. Listed below is the following information about him.

Jason Haddock, U. S. Navy. He is on the USS Bunker deployed on Nov. 2, 2002 to the Persian Gulf from San Diego, CA. His address is:

E3 Haddock, USS Bunker Hill-CG52 96661-1172. His father is Jim Haddock-Fresno, CA. Jason's hometown is Fresno, CA. When he is not out to sea he is living at: Jason Haddock, 8596 Bonita Bluffs Ct. Apt 821, Spring Valley, CA. 91977.

Thank you so much for thinking of the men and women in our armed services. I really appreciate it. I am unable to hear much from Jason, but sometimes, I do get an e-mail from him.

Thank you again and may God bless you. Enjoy the Banner of Love.

Virginia Wallen

Vialia, CA.