Ten Reasons Why I Believe The Bible Is The Word of God

the BaptistCHALLENGEa voice of independent Baptists ISSN 8756-9612VOL. XXXVI, No. 6June 1996WHOLE NO. 418Ten Reasons Why I Believe TheBible Is The Word of GodBy R. A. TorreyI was brought up to believethat the Bible was theWord of God. In early life Iaccepted it as such upon theauthority of my parents, andnever gave the question anyserious thought. But later inlife my faith in the Bible wasutterly shattered through theinfluences of the writings of avery celebrated, scholarly andbrilliant skeptic. I found myselfface to face with the question,“Why do you believe the Bibleis the Word of God?” I had nosatisfactory answer. I determinedto go to the bottom ofthis question. If satisfactoryproof could not be found thatthe Bible was the Word of GodI could give the whole thingup, cost what it might. If satisfactoryproof could be foundthat the Bible was God’s Word,I would take my stand upon it,cost what it might.I doubtless had manyfriends who could have answeredthe question satisfactorily,but I was unwilling to confidein them the struggle thatwas going on in my own heart;so I sought help from God andfrom books, and after muchpainful study and thought cameout of the darkness of skepticisminto the broad daylight offaith and certainty that theBible from beginning to end isGod’s Word.The following paragraphsare largely the outcome of theexperience of conflict and finalvictory. I will give ten reasonswhy I believe the Bible is theWord of God.I. On The Ground of theTestimony of Jesus Christ.Many people accept theauthority of Christ who do notaccept that of the Bible as awhole. We all must accept Hisauthority. He is accredited byfive divine testimonies; (1) bythe testimony of the divine lifeHe lived; (2) by the testimonyof the divine words He spoke;(3) by the testimony of the divineworks He wrought; (4) bythe divine attestation of theresurrection from the dead; and(5) by the testimony of His divineinfluence upon the historyof mankind. But if we acceptthe authority of Christ we mustaccept the authority of theBible as a whole.He testifies definitely andspecifically to the divine authorityof the whole Bible. Wefind His testimony to the OldTestament in Mark 7:13. HereHe calls the law of Moses“The word of God.” That, ofcourse, covers only the firstfive books of the Old Testament,but in Luke 24:27 weread, “And beginning atMoses and all the prophets, heexpounded unto them in allthe scriptures the things concerninghimself.” And in theforty-fourth verse He said, “Allthings must be fulfilled whichwere written in the law ofMoses and in the prophetsand the Psalms.”The Jews divided the OldTestament into three parts —the law, the prophets, and thePsalms — and Christ takes upeach of these parts and putsthe stamp of His approval andauthority upon it.In John 10:35 Christ says,“The scripture cannot be broken:thereby teaching the absoluteaccuracy and inviolabilityof the Old Testament. Morespecifically still, if possible, inMatthew 5:18 Jesus says, “Onejot or one tittle shall in no wisepass from the law till all be fulfilled.”A jot is the smallest letterin the Hebrew alphabet —less than half the size of anyother letter, and a tittle is themerest point of a consonant —less than the cross on a “T”— and Christ here declares thatthe Scriptures are absolutelytrue down to the smallest letteror point of a letter. So if weaccept the authority of Christwe must accept the divine authorityof the entire Old Testament.Now as to the New Testament,we find Christ’s endorsementof it in John 13:26. “Butthe Comforter, which is theHoly Ghost, whom the Fatherwill send in my name, he shallteach you all things, and bringall things to your remembrance,whatsoever I have said untoyou.” Here we see that not onlywas the teachings of theApostles to be fully inspired,but also their recollection ofwhat Christ Himself taught.We are sometimes askedhow we know the Apostlescorrectly reported what Jesussaid. “May they not have forgotten?”True they might for-(See BIBLE on page 21)

Page 2The Baptist Challenge June 1996The Work of the Prophets -- Message #9The Prophets As Expoundersof the Law -- Part 2“And there arose not aprophet since in Israel likeunto Moses, whom the Lordknew face to face” (Dt. 34:10).The first five books of theBible, Genesis, Exodus,Leviticus, Numbers, andDeuteronomy, called in theScriptures the “Book of theLaw,” were written and given toIsrael by a mighty prophet,Moses. He was both lawgiverand expounder of the Law; andas such he was necessarily alsoa prophet. He was called of Godthe prophetic office and receivedhis commission directlyfrom God. And so it is with everyprophet of God. “And Godsaid unto Moses, I AM THATI AM: and he said, Thus shaltthou say unto the children ofIsrael. I AM hath sent me untoBy R. Nelson ColyarTHE BAPTIST CHALLENGE(USPS 547-400)M. L. Moser, Pastor EmeritusCENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCHP. O. Box 25848Little Rock, Arkansas 72221-5848mlmoser1@juno.comyou” (Ex. 3:15). Moses receivedthe word of God from God andgave it to men for God. That isthe work of a prophet of God.Moses kept the charge ofthe Lord to him and finished hiscourse in all faithfulness. “Andit came to pass, when Moseshad made an end of writing thewords of this law in a book, untilthey were finished, that Mosescommanded the Levites, whichbare the ark of the covenant ofthe Lord, saying, Take this bookof the Law, and put it in the sideof the ark of the covenant ofthe Lord you God, that it maybe there for a witness againstthee” (Israel)” (Dt. 31:24-26).It has already been pointedout in a previous article that thelaw of the Lord as expressed inthe Ten Commandments wasgiven to man long before theSecond-class postage paid at Little Rock, ArkansasPublished Monthly Subscription: Free By RequestPOSTMASTER: Send address changes toThe Baptist Challenge, P. O. Box 25848, Little Rock, Arkansas 72221-5848Articles carrying the author's byline do not necessarily reflect theeditorial policy of the paper.SUBSCRIPTION POLICYSince The Baptist Challenge has no subscription cost, it is being printed as a missionproject of the Central Baptist Church of Little Rock, Arkansas. Contributions are appreciatedfrom those who would like to help defray the cost of its publishing. We request that each readerfurnish us with a change of address when moving in order to save us the cost of $.50charged us by the Post Office. If we receive a Change of Address form from the PostOffice, your name will automatically be dropped from our mailing list.coming of Moses. It was operativein principle in the antediluvianperiod. We know thatAbraham had the law also. TheLord appeared unto Isaac andconfirmed the covenant He hadmade with Abraham, thus: “AndI will make thy seed to multiplyas the stars of heaven, and willgive unto thy seed all thesecountries; and in thy seed shallall the nations of the earth beblessed; because that Abrahamobeyed my voice, and kept mycharge, my commandments, mystatutes, and my laws” (Gen.26:4-5).It was by the prophetMoses that the book of the Law(Genesis to Deuteronomy), containingthe Law of the Lord, withall of its accompanying commandments,ordinances, andjudgments, was given to Israel.By its provisions, all the domestic,civil, and religious life of thenation was governed. It revealsalso the Messianic hope towardwhich every man of faith for theages long has looked in sereneand abiding confidence. It is atonce the solid foundation for allrighteous government and thebasis of all subsequent propheticproclamations.Deny the Book of the Lawand you deprive the world ofall hope, for it gives us not onlythe rule of right relationships,but it discloses also the graceof God toward a hopeless world.Grace abounds in the Book ofthe Law. Salvation by gracethrough faith in the Redeemeris its central and dominanttheme.Moses Expounds the LawMoses as the prophet is anexpounder of the law which hegave to Israel. It will suffice forour present study to note howhe sets forth (1) the purpose ofthe Law of the Lord, the TenCommandments, (2) the ordinancesof the law as preachmentsof grace, and (3) the lawof the blessing and the curse.1. At the command of God,Moses gathered all the peopleof Israel before Mount Sinai toreceive the Law from the Lord.Their careful preparation againstthe day when the Lord shouldmanifest Himself on Sinai, therigid inhibitions enforced uponthem, lest they die, the quakingof the great mount and the appearanceof fire and smoke, becausethe “Lord descendedupon it in fire,” all testified tothe nature of the Law of theLord. Its demands are absoluteand its penalties sure and terribleupon a rebellious people.God spoke to Israel fromthe Mount. The reaction of thepeople to that scene tells us thestory of the purpose of the Law.It is not by the Law that menare saved. It is by the Law thatmen come to the knowledge ofsin. By its righteous demands,man’s falling short of the gloryof God is revealed. This is whatoccurred at Sinai. “And all thepeople saw the thunderings, andthe lightnings, and the noise ofthe trumpet, and the mountainsmoking: and when they saw it,they removed, and stood afaroff. And they said unto Moses,Speak thou with us, and we willhear: but let not God speak withus, lest we die” (Ex. 20:18-19).Thus the speaking of theLaw had the desired effect: allthe people saw themselves unfitto stand before God. Deathcannot be except where there issin, i.e., the transgression of theLaw. At once they saw the needof a Mediator, i.e., one whostands between a holy God anda sinful people, and speaks tothem for God. “Wherefore thelaw was our schoolmaster” (onewho leads the child to theteacher), Paul says, “to bring usunto Christ, that we might bejustified by faith” (Gal. 3:24).Thus the Law points to Christ:for Christ is the end of the Law(See COLYAR on page 19)

June 1996The Baptist Challenge Page 3Quiz The PastorThe Shroud of TurinBy Nick Michalinos, PastorAustin Ave. Baptist Church, 403 E. Austin Ave.Pasadena, TX 77502Q.: I saw on the TV ashroud that is said to havecovered the dead body ofJesus. Could this be true?A.: I’ve seen pictures andalso read many articles concerningthis shroud which hasbeen called the Shroud ofTurin. Turin is an Italian cityand obviously the shroud inquestion was found there.There is no doubt it is an oldpiece of material and could bea shroud or sheet that wasplaced over a dead body, but Ideny that this shroud could bea covering placed over the deadbody of Jesus, and I want toshow you why. Bear in mindthat the face and shape of aman’s body is said to be outlinedin this single piece ofcloth that is said by some tobe a shroud. This fact alone, aswe shall show, does away withthe idea this sheet could havebeen placed on the corpse ofJesus. Though this issue maybe unimportant to some, we believeit is important because itinvolves truth against error, therecord of the Word of Godagainst the opinions of men.When Jesus died on thecross, a disciple named Joseph,a rich man from Arimathea,went to Pilate and boldly askedfor the body of Jesus (Mk.15:43). When Pilate had madesure Jesus was surely dead, heconsented and “gave the body(of Jesus) to Joseph,” (Mk.15:45). Joseph and another disciplenamed Nicodemus (Jn.3:1; 7:50) then took the body ofJesus down from the cross andprepared the body for burial ina new tomb, which incidentally,belonged to Joseph (Jn. 19:39).Now notice how they preparedHis body for burial. Theyhad about 100 pounds of amixture of myrrh and aloes,plus clean linen cloths (Jn.19:39). They took the linencloths and began to wrap orwind these linen cloths aboutHis body, and as they did this,they added little by little the 100pounds of spices (myrrh andaloes) into the folds of thecloth “as the manner of theJews is to bury” (Jn. 19:40).Can you imagine 100pounds of spices being placedaround His body plus thewrapping of the cloths? Thinkabout how bulky this wouldbe. What kind of a facial orbody out-line would this make?Certainly not anything like weare told by the promoters ofthe Shroud of Turin. The 100pounds of spices were placedon the body to keep the odorsof a decaying body to a minimum.Observe also there is absolutelyno mention of a singlepiece of cloth being placedover His body. Linen clothswere wound about His body asthe following Scriptures show:“wrapped” (Mk. 15:46);“wrapped” (Mt. 27:59);“wrapped” (Lk. 23:53);“wound” (Jn. 19:40). This is theway the Jews buried their dead.Webster’s Dictionary gives thedefinition of a shroud as: “towrap a corpse; winding sheetto wrap a body.” EvenWebster’s Dictionary disagreeswith the single cloth idea.At the resurrection ofLazarus we are told that “hethat was dead came forthbound (compassed or wrappedabout) hand and foot withgraveclothes: and his face wasbound about with a napkin(just like the Lord Jesus). Jesussaith unto them, ‘Loose him(untie, unbind, release —would this be necessary if asingle sheet were placed overhis body?), and let him go’.”There is no single cloth to befound here.Notice when God smoteAnanias, the Jews “wound himup (in linen), and carried himout, and buried him” (Acts 5:6).They rolled his body in linen.There was no need to coverAnanias’ linen bound bodywith a sheet. His wife was nodoubt buried in the same manner(Acts 5:9-10).Also, in the burial processby the Jews, a cloth napkinwas placed separately uponthe face of the corpse to coverthe look of death. Such wasthe case when Jesus wasburied (Jn. 20:7). A cloth napkinwas placed over His dearface. The one piece shroud ofTurin is said to show the outlinedfeatures of a man’s face,but the cloth napkin over theface of Jesus being separatefrom the winding cloths andthe 100 pounds of spices onthe body, would remove anypossibility of this showing upin His case. There is no waythe “shroud of Turin” carriesany weight of credibility toBible believers.As we all can plainly see,the Scriptures once again refutethe findings of thosewho constantly indulge inaccumulating religious relicsof all kinds. There is simply noplace in God’s Word for ashroud being placed over thebody of Jesus at His burial.Perhaps it may be true in theimagination of some folks, butit is not be found as a scripturalfact. Don’t’ be deceivedby the promoters of the shroudof Turin. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "My TestimonyBy Resa BragdonOn October 8, 1995, I wassaved by God’s grace. I hadsaid at the age of 10 that Ihad been saved but it wasn’tso. I had really been botheredas a teenager and even beforeMike and I married with manydoubts about my salvation experience.Then we got marriedand went to Japan and itnever bothered me much inthe 13 years we were there.Sometimes I would doubtand become afraid but somehowI would continue on inmy own deception.Since coming home inMay, I have been exposed tomuch preaching and many trueBaptist churches and Christianpeople. My doubts and fearsbegan to surface again.Then in July our churchreceived a letter from amissionary’s wife in Mexico,Heather Craft. She told of howshe had made a profession ofsalvation but had had manydoubts. She said she had notrepented of her sins and trulybelieved. She said there weremany evidences in her life thatproved she did not have theSpirit of God living in her. Shewent on to name them and asI read the list my heart toowas very convicted.1. She had fear in herheart and so did I.2. She had no peace inher life and I also had nopeace.3. She did not highly esteemGod’s Word and prayer— neither did I.4. She had not experiencedthe chastening hand ofthe Lord — neither had I.5. She did not have aconverted life and I also didnot have a changed life.(See DOUBTS on page 4)

Page 4The Baptist Challenge June 1996Beware of WolvesEvery Baptist preacher,with any understanding of the‘Scriptures, knows that a Baptistchurch is supposed to beindependent. All Baptistpreachers claim to be independentand will also statethat their church is independent.All Baptists use theword autonomous, sovereign,independent, etc. to describetheir churches. The churchesof The Southern Baptist Convention,The American BaptistConvention, The ConservativeBaptist Association, The BaptistBible Fellowship, The GeneralAssociation of RegularBaptists, The World BaptistFellowship, etc. all claim thattheir churches are independent.They all recognize thatthis is what they are supposedbe.It becomes apparent thatfor Baptist preachers andBaptist churches to claim tobe independent doesn’t necessarilymake it so! Some, Ibelieve are deliberately lying!What is an independent BaptistChurch? The characteristicsare easy to see.1. An independent Baptistchurch is a Baptist churchteaching and preaching all theBible truths for which Baptistshave stood since thedays of Christ.2. An independent Baptistchurch is not associated withany man-made association,convention or organized fellowshipsuch as The SouthernBaptist Convention, TheAmerican Baptist Convention,The Baptist Bible Fellowship,The Conservative Baptist Association,The General Associationof Regular Baptist, TheWorld Baptist Fellowship, theBy Norman H. WellsAmerican Baptist Association,the Baptist Missionary Association,etc. Any church identifiedwith any of these is notan independent Baptistchurch.3. An independent Baptistchurch is a missionary Baptistchurch endeavoring to carrythe good news of the gospelto every creature. It supportschurch-sponsored missionariesdirectly. Any church that doesits mission work through amission board is not an independentBaptist church. Godhas abundantly blessed independentBaptist churches. Inthem rests the hope of thisgenerationThere is a detestable, dishonestand dishonorable practicebeing carried on by someso-called Baptist preachers. Iam told that seminaries evenencourage some graduates inthis practice. These men willlearn of an independent Baptistchurch that is seeking apastor and will present themselvesas an independent Baptist.The preconceived idea isthat if the independent Baptistchurch calls them as pastorthey will then proceed to tryand lead the church into aconvention, association or organizedfellowship. Subtly theywill begin encouraging supportof missionaries sent out byMission Boards and will dropthe truly independent Baptistmissionaries. They will specializein indoctrinating the youngpeople with the idea that thechurch should identify withsome organization. This is afree country. If a Baptistwants to identify with a Convention,Association, or Fellowshipthat’s his business.However, to deliberately deceivea church in order to leadit into an association with oneof these groups is dishonestand unchristian. Let God’speople beware of suchwolves!Many of us need to pray thisprayer of Sir Jacob Ashley: “OLord, Thou knowest how busy Imust be this day. If I forget Thee,do not Thou forget me.” "DOUBTS . . .(Continued from page 3)After reading this letter inJuly, two days later we went toKentucky for six weeks. It was avery miserable time for me becauseI couldn’t rest or havepeace but I wouldn’t admit mylost condition.The first of September Icame back to Elgin, Illinoiswith full intentions of speakingto my dad about my conditionbut I never did.On October 4 our churchhere at Elgin had revival servicesuntil October 8th. Bro.Gordon Silcox from North Dakotawas the evangelist. Everynight he preached to the savedpeople about the need of revivalin their hearts. On Sundaymorning October 8 hepreached to the lost people.The first statement in hismessages was, “If you don’tknow you’re saved, thenyou’re not!” This statementpierced my soul. I said in myheart, “I must hear every wordthis preacher preaches today.”At that point, I also threw my10-year-old experience out thewindow. Fir the first time in 24years I was honest with theLord.Bro. Silcox preached howit takes the Word, the Spiritand belief for salvation. As Ilistened, my heart became veryheavy and sorrowful.At invitation time westood and sang one verse butI didn’t move. One more versewas sung and at that point Iwent up front to my dad andtold him of my troubled soul.You see, I came to the placethat I didn’t care what peoplethought. I came to the end ofmy road and I had to havepeace once and for all.Bro. Silcox and his wifeboth talked to me and readscripture to me but still myheart was heavy with sorrow.He told me to go home andstart reading First John andlater that night he said hewould study the entire bookof First John with me.After we came home,Mike took the children to eatlunch and I was left all alone— just God and me. I wasrestless and I wanted salvationso much. I took my Bibleand began reading First Johnchapter one. I then turned toJohn 3:1-18.When I came to verse 18it stood out like a neon sign.I had admitted I was lost andI knew how I stood in God’seyes. Verse 18 told me theonly reason I was condemnedwas because I hadn’t believed.Like a little child infaith, I believed!Oh, what joy and in aninstant the Spirit of God becamealive in my soul. I feltfree! Words cannot conveywhat salvation is. One mustexperience it to know. My soulwas bubbling full and my heartburned. I couldn’t wait untileveryone came home to tellthem about the salvation Godhad given me.For the first time in 24years I feel alive and notdead. Now I desire the milk ofGod’s Word for I know it wasby the power of God’s Wordthat I was saved. (Not by aprayer I or someone elseprayed.)God’s grace is truly amazing.I thank God every day for(See DOUBTS on page 00)

June 1996The Baptist Challenge Page 5Did Moses Write thePentateuch?It was a French physician,Jean Astruc, who, seeing thetwo different names for God inthe Book of Genesis —Elohim and Jehovah — inventedthe theory since calledthe Wellhausen Theory, afterthe scholar who adopted anddeveloped it. It claims that thePentateuch, or five books ofMoses, did not assume thepresent form until the days ofthe Exile.It is, they say, a compilationof the writings of severalauthors: one writer uses thename Jehovah for God; anotherthe name Elohim. Thesetwo writers are designated bythe letters “J” and “E”. Yetanother, jealous for the priestsis called “P”. A writer eagerfor holiness is “H”. The writerof Deuteronomy is “D”. Thencome scribes who unite thebooks, such as “J.E.”; andeditors or redactors, “R.J.E.”These documents, accordingto the critics, date from 621B.C., when the nucleus of thePentateuch was produced(Peak), to the Exilic period,about 850 B.C.Groundless ReasonsThe chief reasons for thetheory appear to be that (1)different names for the Deity,they say, indicate different authorsof the book; (2) variationsin style show variationsin authorship; (3) thePentateuch indicates evolutionarydevelopment; (4) the bookis far too advanced for theMosaic age. Let us further notice(5) divine inspiration andmiracles do not alter the opinionof the critics; and (6) evenChrist, they allege, cannot beBy T. W. Fawthroptrusted in matters of history,science, and authorship.Thus the theory is thatthe Pentateuch (or five booksof Moses) is the result of along, historical process, endingwith the labors of Ezra;the complete book was publishedunder the name ofMoses, and represented as ifwritten by him. But Mosesvanishes and a series of unknownauthors appear instead.The critics profess to find inthe Pentateuch inconsistenciesin statements, incongruities inlegislation, and different methodsof presentation, all requiringdifferent authors.The theory ignores literarymorality, for it assigns toMoses books which he neverwrote. This appears to be amatter of indifference to theconsciences of these critics.They tell us that the author ofthe Book of Deuteronomy wasa pious Israelite, with a noblemotive; in fact, one of thelaws of his book decrees thatfalse witnesses be put todeath (Dt. 19:18-19). But whenhe so boldly attributes hisbook to Moses (Dt. 1:1) whatbecomes of his piety andnoble motive, for he becomesa false witness himself?Different names for Godare said to indicate differentauthors. But the namesElohim, the God of power, theCreator; and of Jehovah, theLord, the Immutable, the Covenant-keepingGod, are usedas indicating character. Thereis no reason why the sameauthor should not use bothnames, according to his differentconceptions of the Deity.For instance, in Genesis 7:16,the creatures went into the ark“as God had commanded him(i.e., Noah), and the Lord shuthim in.” Here the idea is thatthe God of creation, Elohim,commanded; but the Covenant-keepingGod, Jehovah,preserved His servant from theDeluge.Do variations of style necessitatedifferent authors? Isany author restricted to onestyle? How many styles hadShakespeare? Did not LordTennyson write “In Memoriam”and “The NorthernFarmer”? And did not themathematical professor, Rev.C. L. Dogson, write “Alice inWonderland”? It is very difficultto adjudge styles today;but who can detect their idiosyncrasiesin a language whichhas been dead for 3,000years?Mere SuppositionsNow as to the supposedinconsistencies and incongruitiesrequiring different authors;many of these are meresuppositions which disappearon closer study. Others areadded statements, of fullerdefinition; for instance, inGenesis 2 there is anotherstory of the creation, supplementaryto the story in Genesis1, and a fuller account ofman’s creation. In ExodusMoses refers to two tablets ofstone; but in Deuteronomy hespeaks also of an ark of wood.Surely this addition doesnot require another author?Another author is demandedfor the regulations of theAaronic priesthood, “P”. Butwhy? Surely the vast learningof Moses, taught of God, wassufficient.The Wellhausen Theoryis largely influenced by thetheory of evolution—that timemust be given for expansion,and that the Pentateuch can(See PENT on page 18)DOUBTS . . .(Continued from page 4)His mercy He showed to me allthose years that I was an unbeliever.At 10 years old I had becomevery scared of hell and Ididn’t want to go there, but Ididn’t repent and believe. I wasonly reformed and not regenerated.Now, I want to tell everyoneabout the difference God hasmade in my life. Now I have nofear or worry. The Bible says thatperfect love casteth out fear.It is a strange thing for aperson to spend 13 years asa missionary in Japan and domany works in Jesus’ name,but we are not saved by ourdeeds or good works. Godlooks on the heart. I nowknow one reason why Godbrought us back to America— that I may know His salvation.For years I would hearpreachers and other Christiansmake the statement: “I knowthat I know I’m saved.” I usedto cringe whenever I heardthis. But I too now can saysas they, I know that I knowI’m saved.By His Grace We AreSaved,Resa BragdonThe Bragdons (Mike andResa) spent 13 years ministeringin Himeji, Japan asmissionaries out of FirstMissionary Baptist Church inElgin, Illinois.They are now beginning awork to the multi-culturedNorthwest. Their desire is toplant churches in the NorthChicago area with an emphasison the many Japanesewho live in the area. Pleasekeep them in your prayers.They are sponsored by theFirst Missionary Baptistchurch, 385 Silver Street,Elgin, Illinois, Terry Wilson,Pastor. ! ! ! ! ! ! ! "

Page 6The Baptist Challenge June 199620 Reasons Why Biblical TonguesWere Languages1. Acts 2:4. “... they wereall filled with the Holy Ghostand began to speak withother tongues.” “... every manheard them speak in his ownlanguage ...” (Acts 2:6).2. Mark 16:17-18. “... theyshall speak with new tongues;they shall take up serpents.”“New” describes a foreigntongue or language that wasnew to the speaker. God performeda miracle of instantlygiving the ability to speak anunknown language without thelong process of learning a newlanguage.3. One can stir up emotionalecstasy that results insounds that are not words orsentences. There is nothingsupernatural about this socalled“speaking in tongues.”It is a sham — a counterfeit.Biblical “speaking in tongues”was a God-given miracle tospeak real languages.4. “... we do hear themspeak in our tongues ...” notsome gibberish, babbling orother strange sounds out ofthe mouth or throat.5. God turns water intowine through the long processof the vine drawing moistureand nourishment from theground into the grape. Jesusperformed that miracle instantlywhen He made waterinto wine. We learn a new unknowntongue through longprocess of study and practice.Jesus performed that miracleinstantly when He had menspeaking new tongues instantly.6. 1 Corinthians 14:22. “...tongues are for a sign...” Likethe miracle sign of instantlychanging water to wine, themiracle sign of instantly speakinga new, unknown tonguewas a sign to authenticate orconfirm the spoken Word byGod’s spokesman. All signsceased when the Bible wascompleted.7. 1 Corinthians 13:8 “...shall cease ...” Along with direct-from-Heavenwords ofprophecy and knowledge,tongues ceased when the partialWord became the perfectcompleted Word, when thespoken Word became the writtenWord. Those who teachotherwise deny a completedBible.8. The Bible word“tongue” was language. Checkyour Bible in Revelation 5:9;10:11; 13:7; 14:6; 17:5. Stickwith the Bible. Don’t be misled.9. Acts 10:46. “... tongues... magnify God ...” This wasnot meaningless sounds, theycommunicated meaningfulwords in another language.Peter and the others were talkingto Italians who were notJews.10. 1 Corinthians 14:14-15.“Tongue” here was a prayerto God in a language unknownto some of the hearers.11. 1 Corinthians 14:15.They sang in another language,unknown to some. Inother countries, we have triedto sing from a hymnal in alanguage we did not know.We thought we did quite well,but did not understand all thewords we were reading andsinging. We did not have theBiblical gift or sign of languages.12. 1 Corinthians 14:16.They gave thanks in another(unknown) tongue. This involvedmeaningful content, notmeaningless sounds.13. “... if the trumpet givean uncertain sound ...” (1 Cor.14:8). If you are not certainwhat the person is soundingor saying, you had better notguess. Languages must be understoodor correctly interpreted.14. 1 Corinthians 14:9.Tongues-speaking must consistof words. This is possibleonly if tongues were real languages.15. 1 Corinthians 14:5.The tongues or languagescould be interpreted. Interpretationdemands meaning.Meaningless sounds cannotbe interpreted. You cannotgive meaning to somethingwith no meaning.16. 1 Corinthians 14:13.“...pray that he may interpret.”To interpret is to communicate.You cannot communicate nonsense.17. 1 Corinthians 14:10.Paul clearly refers to the manylanguages of the world as hediscusses tongues.18. 1 Corinthians 14:11. A“barbarian” is our word for“foreigner.” Most of us cannotunderstand foreign tongues,but they are still languages,not mere sounds.19. Isaiah 28:11. Foreigninvaders with “stammering lipsand another tongue” wereabout to invade Israel as ajudgment from God. These foreignersspoke a language,though unknown to Israel.Paul quotes Isaiah in 1Corinthians 14:21. They wereforeign tongues, not the emotionalbabbling that some aredoing today and falsely claimingthat it is Biblical tongues.20. Acts 21:40. Paul suddenlychanged from the Greektongue to the Hebrew tongue.Notice that the word “tongue”is used. Paul said in 1Corinthians 14:18 that hespoke in “tongues” more thanall of the Corinthians. Paulspoke language, not gibberish.We could “speak intongues” if we followed theinstructions of JimmySwaggart, Oral Roberts andsome local people who havetried to instruct us how to doit. Just work yourself up — letyourself go in an emotionallycharged environment — sometimeswith a special kind ofmusic — turn your mind blank— say “glory, glory, praisethe Lord” faster and fasterand faster. This does not producethe Bible miracle. It producesthe lies and deceptionsof the false cult of Charismaticreligion. — Copied! ! ! "If Churches WereWal-MartBy Ken MarlerMy grandfather is 94 yearsold, and acts 60. He has unbelievablygood health and anactive lifestyle. My grandmotheris almost as active at88.They live in It, Miss. Yes,It.That’s the name of thecommunity just off Interstate55 South between Gallman andWesson. There is a sign proclaiming,“This is It.” I havealways wanted a second signnot far down the road reading“That was It.”Every Thursday, mygrandfather drives about 20miles to Wal-Mart inHazlehurst. That is senior adultday, and he can get free coffee.He doesn’t miss that dayat Wal-Mart. When I envisionmy grandfather at Wal-Mart, Isee him making sure everyoneknows he’s in the building.After all, when you’re 94, youwant everyone to know you’restill alive.When I asked mygrandfather why he drives the40-mile round trip for a free cupof coffee, he says, “Well, I likethe free coffee, and I also likethe way the clerks hug on me.”(See MART on page 9)

June 1996The Baptist Challenge Page 7Why? Why? Why?Why Reformed (?) Baptists?Why Universal Church?Why Write About It?I am amazed, and at thesame time perplexed, at thenumber of Baptists today whounhesitatingly denominatethemselves as Reformed Baptists.Recently, in a discussionwith a member of the congregation,I raised the question,“Why do some Baptists thinkthey should designate themselvesas Reformed Baptists? Inthe process of our discussion,another question was raised,“Why do some people espouseand defend the doctrine of theuniversal invisible (or visible)church.”After I left the brother andheaded home, these two questionskept running through mymind. And I keep asking myself,Why? Why? I decided beforeI reached home that thisneeded to be explored. Then,knowing the animosity whichan article on these questionscould provoke, I asked myselfwhy I should write on the matter.After pondering that questionfor a time, I determined todeal with all three questions.Why “Reformed Baptists?”Baptists, true New Testamentkind of Baptists do notneed to identify themselves inany way with the ProtestantReformers. Baptists were inbusiness for the Lord for 1500years before the ProtestantReformation and need no connectionwith the Reformers.Jesus established a churchwhile He was on earth andpromised a perpetual existenceto that church, in and throughthose churches that wouldBy Wayne Campcome out of that first local congregation.He promised “Uponthis rock I will build mychurch; and the gates of hellshall not prevail against it”(Mt. 16:18). In light of thispromise and abundant testimoniesfrom non-Baptist historiansthere is no doubt that ourBaptist heritage and system ofdoctrine goes back far beyondthe Protestant Reformation.Moreover, when one identifieshimself as a ReformedBaptist, he is ultimately admittinga past connection with theRoman Catholic Church for theProtestant denominations cameforth from that rotten root.Baptists were never formallyconnected with the reformationand were, in fact, despisedby the reformers fortheir insistence upon the Wordof God as the only rule of faithand practice. In the book,Crossing the Centuries, editedby William C. King, with twoprominent Roman Catholic contributorsand a number of othereminent scholars, this appears:“Of the Baptists it may be saidthat they are not reformers(Emp. mine, RWC). Thesepeople, comprising bodies ofChristian believers known undervarious names in differentcountries, are entirely distinctand independent of the Romanand Greek churches, have hadan unbroken continuity of existencefrom Apostolic daysdown through the centuries.”Robert Barclay, a Quaker,wrote, “We shall afterwardsshow that the rise of theAnabaptists (later just calledBaptists-RWC) took place priorto the reformation of theChurch of England.” Sir IsaacNewton wrote, “The modernBaptists, formerly calledAnabaptists, are the onlypeople that have never symbolizedwith the Papacy.”If Sir Isaac Newton werewriting today, he could not saythat. Among other things, Baptistshave symbolized withRome in calling themselvesReformed Baptists. You cannotsymbolize with the ProtestantReformation and not symbolizewith Rome. I find it hard tobelieve that Baptists, who werehated and persecuted by theReformers, Luther, Zwingli, andCalvin, would now seek to identifywith the Reformers. TheReformers never renounced orabandoned many of theRomish traditions even thoughsome of them admitted theirinability to find grounds forthem in the Scripture. The Reformerswere Pedobaptists.They sprinkled babies just asRome had done. Many otherthings remained the same inthose Roman CatholicChurches taken over by theReformers. We are told that“The major Protestant Reformersand their associates werethe bitterest foes and persecutorsof the Anabaptists” (Spiritualand Anabaptist Writers,pg. (pg. 6)It is difficult for me to understandwhy anyone whocalls himself a Baptist wouldwant to identify with Rome andher harlot daughters, the ProtestantReformers. Why identifywith the Reformers who mustshare with Rome the responsibilityfor the blood of manymartyrs? Why identify withbaby sprinklers and still try tohold on to immersion as theproper mode of Baptism? Or,do the Reformed Baptists insiston immersion? If so, Why?The best information that Ihave is that the Reformed Baptistsdo practice immersion forbaptism. The Reformers of theProtestant Reformation did notinsist on immersion eventhough they admitted this wasthe practice of New Testamentperiod churches. In fact, most,if not all, Protestant churchesmaintained that sprinkling wasa completely acceptable andvery desirable mode of baptism.But, one really wonders whyso-called Reformed Baptistswould insist on immersionwhile they are seeking so hardto identify with the Reformers,so much so that they wear theirname?I believe, based in the informationthat I have, that theReformed Baptists insist on thebaptism of believers only. Dothey? If so, why? If you aregoing to identify yourself withthe Protestant Reformers, whyinsist on a profession of faithbefore the administration ofbaptism? Just go ahead andbaptize the babies like yourProtestant kinfolk do.But, you answer, “We believein salvation before baptism.”Why, if you are Reformed?Your forerunners, theCatholics did not believe in aprofession of faith before baptism.Why do you if you are aReformed Baptist?When I pastored in Louisiana,I heard of a preacherwho had come to believe thedoctrines of grace. I called himand, in the process of our discussion,he informed me thathe would fellowship with anyone,invite anyone into hispulpit who believed the doctrinesof grace. He said, “Idon’t care what you believe onbaptism, the church, or any ofthose other non-essentials. Ifyou believe in the five points Ican fellowship with you on anindividual or church level.” Hethen added, “I guess I am aReformed Baptist.”The name Baptist signifiesa connection with the ordinanceof baptism. It sets trueBaptists apart from the Catholicsand Protestant Reformers.There is a virtual trail of blood(See WHY on page 8)

Page 8The Baptist Challenge June 1996WHY . . .(Continued from page 7)down through the centuriesthat was shed by our forefathersover their stand on baptism.They believed in immersionas the only mode of baptism.They insisted on one beingof such age as to make acredible profession of faith beforebeing received for baptism.They denied the authority ofRome and the Reformers toadminister the ordinance ofbaptism.In view of this, I ask,“Why Reformed Baptists?”Why not just go ahead andidentify with Calvin all theway? Sprinkle your babies. Persecutetrue Baptists. Admit youcame out of Rome and are adaughter of that old harlot.Why a universal church?I woke up last night with thisquestion on my mind. Why domen espouse a doctrine like theuniversal church doctrine. I rememberasking a question in adebate I once had that includedthe nature of the New Testamentchurch. My opponentkept switching churches. Hewould be defending his localchurch one moment and thenext he would switch to defendingthe universal church. Iasked him a question alongthis line, “What is the functionand work of this universalchurch you are defending?” Heanswered along this line,“There is no work or functionfor the universal church.”He was defending achurch without a work or function,a vagrant, non-functioning,non-working church. I askthose readers who might holdto the universal nature of thechurch, “What is the work andfunction of the universal invisiblechurch?” The universal invisiblechurch never assemblesto worship. This church neversends forth a missionary. Thischurch never receives an offeringor gives anything to missions.This church never hasadmonished itself in psalms,hymns and spiritual songs.This church has never called apastor. This church has neverdisciplined a member or restoreda disciplined member.This mystical church has neverbaptized a convert. This churchhas never taught a baptizedconvert to observe the allthings commanded by Christ.This church, this mysticaluniversal invisible church cannottruly be a church for thevery word found in the GreekNew Testament where churchappears in the KJV means acalled out assembly. For achurch to truly be a church itmust be able to assemble together.“But,” you protest, “itwill one day assemble inheaven when all the saved ofall the ages come together inglory.” Your protest deniesyour argument for a universalinvisible church, for even whenall the saved of all the agesare assembled in heaven, thatwill be a local visible assembly.I am not of the persuasionthat all the saved of all theages will ever constitute thechurch as the Bible uses theword, but, even if they do gatheredin glory, they will be localand visible, not universal andinvisible.The body of Christ doesnot consist of many scatteredparts randomly strewn all overthe world and in heaven. Thebody of Christ is a local visiblechurch of the Lord JesusChrist. Paul said to the membersof the local visible churchat Corinth, “Now ye are thebody of Christ, and membersin particular” (1 Cor. 12:27). Hedid not say, “You are part ofthe body of Christ that is scatteredall over the world.”Rather he told them that thatone congregation at Corinthwas the body of Christ. Whatwas true of the church atCorinth is true of each individuallocal visible congregation.Since one local body ofbelievers can and were called“the body of Christ” then eachtrue to the Bible local congregationcan be called the same.One does not have to claimmembership in some mysticaluniversal invisible congregationto be in the body of Christ.If he is a member of one ofthese true local visiblechurches he is a member ofthat body of Christ as were theCorinthians.The church is also calleda flock. When Jesus was aboutto depart this world he said tohis church, “Fear not, littleflock; for it is your Father’sgood pleasure to give you thekingdom” (Lk. 12:32). He didnot address them as part of theflock that is composed of allthe saved of all the ages.Rather they were themselvesHis little flock. One does nothave to be in some imaginarybig universal invisible flock tobe in the flock of Christ. If heis a member of a local NewTestament church he is a memberof one of Christ’s flocks.Let me call one otherScripture to your attention beforemoving on. “For the husbandis the head of the wife,even as Christ is the head ofthe church: and he is the saviourof the body” (Eph. 5:23). Iam sure that none will assertthat Paul is here speaking of abig universal husband who isthe head of a big universalwife. The meaning is obvious.Paul is telling the church atEphesus that wherever onefinds a husband and wife, thehusband is the head of thewife. Likewise, wherever onefinds a local visible New Testamentchurch Christ, who isomnipresent, is the head of thatlocal body. The church in thisverse is no more universal andinvisible than is the wife. Thechurch in this verse is no morecomposed of all the saved ofall the ages, or all the savedfrom Pentecost forward, or allthe churches scattered acrossthe world, than the wife in theverse is composed of all thewives of all the ages. Thechurch is as local and visibleas the wife.Since one can be a memberof a local body of Christwhere he can participate in carryingout the work which Christhas committed to his churches,why do men try so hard toprove the existence of a nonworking,non-functioning universalchurch?One writer, a few yearsago, wrote that the universalinvisible church theory was anunderground tunnel by whichthose who found themselves inan unscriptural local church escapedthe responsibility to getout and find a scriptural localbody. If you are part of a trueand scriptural local body, whycreate some mystical invisiblebody? You do not need suchan underground tunnel for escape.If you are in anunscriptural local visible body,you will not escape the responsibilityof getting out byclaiming, as some do, “I am amember of the big church, thebig universal invisible church.”I once visited a member ofthe church I pastored in thehospital. While there I spoketo the man in the other bed.He quickly informed me he wasa preacher. I asked if hepastored a church. “No,” hereplied, “I visit all of them thatI can.” I then asked him wherehe held membership. He replied,“I am not a member ofany of these little churchesdown here.” Waving his handaround his head and pointingupward, he said, “I am a memberof the big church that youcan’t see.” Further interroga-(See WHY on page 9)

June 1996The Baptist Challenge Page 9WHY? . . .(Continued from page 8)tion revealed that his reason forjust being a member of the “bigchurch you can’t see” was sothat he could escape the responsibilitythat goes with such membership.He could give an invisibleoffering to that invisiblechurch and it never lowered hisvisible bank account. He couldgo where he wanted to go and dowhat he wanted to do because inthe universal invisible churchyou are never missed because itcan never and does never assemble.In short, it was an undergroundtunnel by which he escapedall the responsibilities thatgo with membership in a localchurch.But, I ask, “Why? Why doyou expend so much energy indefense of a body that hasnever been together, a housethat is fragmented all over theworld, a temple that is not builttogether, a flock that is scatteredand strewn over heavenand earth, when a member of alocal visible church of the LordJesus Christ has much, muchmore to enjoy and participatein than those who claim membershipin the ‘big church’ inthe sky and wherever?”Now, it is conceivable thata family can be scattered. Ihave a son in Illinois, anotherin Louisiana, another in Germanyand another in NewYork. I have brothers and sistersscattered over Arkansasand one in Iowa and I am inTennessee. But a church is anassembly and a body, as such,it must be able to assemble.The family of God is composedof all the saved of all the ages,but the church is always a localvisible body of baptizedbelievers who are covenantedtogether as one body of Christto carry out the work whichChrist has commissioned Hischurches to do. Why do weneed more, such as a mysticaluniversal and invisible bodythat has no work or function?Why write an editorialabout this? Because it needsto be addressed. As more andmore Baptist churches identifythemselves as Reformed theuniversal invisible concept ismore conducive to their way ofthinking. As Southern Baptistsbecome more and more liberalin their doctrines they areabandoning local church truthand accepting the mystical natureof the church. I had a bookwritten as a study course bookand published by the SBC in1946. It set forth the local natureof the church and said,“The Scriptures teach no suchthing as a universal invisiblechurch composed of all thesaved of all the ages.” About1963 the SBC published a statementof doctrine in which theyset forth the local church andin one sentence at the end ofthe article on the church theysaid something like this, “Werecognize also that the Scripturesspeak of the church ascomposed of all the saved ofall the ages.” Only one yearlater they issued another statementin which the universalinvisible church took preeminenceand in which theybriefly mentioned that the NewTestament also teaches a localnature of the church. Thisweek many have read of thefact that in the Eastern part ofthe country SBC missionariesare starting churches and haveabandoned the name Baptistaltogether in an effort to appealto a broader base ofpeople.I am informed that theABA, the BMA, and the BBFhave churches and preachersthat have followed this wind ofdoctrine and now espouse theuniversal invisible churchtheory. In fact, I recently readan article written some time agoby an ABA preacher calling onthe people to cast out the offenderswho hold the universalinvisible church theory. Lo,they are going the way of allthe denominations. If the localchurch is secondary to the allegeduniversal invisiblechurch, why not go all the wayand identify with the Protestants.Yea, even go back hometo the mother of harlots, Rome.Why Reformed Baptists?Why not just be Presbyteriansor, if you cannot abide thedoctrines of grace, be Methodists?Don’t soil the name ofBaptists by attaching the Reformedhandle to it.Why Universal Church?Why when some of its most determineddefenders admit thereis no function or work for themystical body. All the workand responsibilities of the socalleduniversal invisible bodymust be executed by local visiblebodies.Why write about it? I amreminded of the words of Judewhen he started to write hisshort epistle. “Beloved, when Igave all diligence to write untoyou of the common salvation,it was needful for me to writeunto you, and exhort [you] thatye should earnestly contendfor the faith which was oncedelivered unto the saints. Forthere are certain men crept inunawares, who were before ofold ordained to this condemnation,ungodly men, turningthe grace of our God into lasciviousness,and denying theonly Lord God, and our LordJesus Christ” (Jude 3-4). Thedoctrine of the universal invisiblechurch is at the root of theproblem of folks identifyingthemselves as Reformed. It isat the root of many other hurtfulheresies. I personally believeit is the single most hurtfulheresy to come down theline except those heresies thathave to do with the way of salvationand the doctrine ofChrist. As to the body ofchurch-related matters, it is themost hurtful.And, when church-truthsare compromised and destroyed,it will not be long beforeother truths are flushed inthe name of unity. Baptistsheld to local church doctrinesand to the doctrines of gracelong before the reformers camealong and we need to identifywith them. True churches flourishedfor centuries without espousingthe heresy of the universalinvisible church. Whydo we need that today? I begto be excused from identitywith the Protestants in anyway."MART . . .(Continued from page 7)Once when my grandfather wentto Wal-Mart, it just happened tobe his birthday. When he enteredthe door, he found the clerks hadthrown him a birthday party —cake, candles, balloons, ice cream,and a newspaper photographerwere all there. (Of course, therewas free coffee, also.)Wal-Mart knows mygrandfather, and they know hisname and when his birthday is.Now it is very interestingthat my grandfather does notgo to church. He is a Christian,and my grandmother faithfullyattends church. My grandfatherjust doesn’t go.I think I know why.At Wal-Mart he gets whathe doesn’t get at church. Theingredients he misses atchurch? Hugs, people knowinghis name, birthday parties, asense of belonging, and beingappreciated.You see, it doesn’t matterif you are 4 or 94, you likethis type of attention. Age isnot the issue. The issue is feelinglike you belong and thatyou are a part of what’s goingon.If my grandfather were inyour church. would he get theWal-Mart reception? ! ! "

Page 10The Baptist Challenge June 1996Professors LobbyAgainst CreationismFrom the Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionLocal university professors,weighing in on the creation-evolutiondebate, say theteaching of creationism as sciencein high schools will leavestudents ill-prepared for college.A group of 50 scientistsat Emory University has sent aletter to state school SuperintendentLinda Schrenko urgingher “to reconsider your supportfor proposals to teach creationismin the Georgiaschools.”And a science educationprofessor at the University ofGeorgia, having found thatmany of the future scienceteachers in his classes associatedbelief in evolution withatheism and immorality, is urginga new sensitivity to Southernreligious beliefs in order toteach evolution more effectively.The Emory letter, signedby the biology departmentchairman, professors, researchersand graduate students,claims that “creationism is notan alternative scientific theory;it is a set of nonscientificideas.”Jeff Chandler, a spokesmanfor Schrenko, said thesuperintendent’s reaction tothe letter was the same as herresponse to a prior legal opinionfrom Attorney General MikeBowers on the issue: It’s a localmatter.Schrenko would let localschool boards decide whether“they wanted to cover [creationism],or if they wanted togo with just evolution, orwanted to go with [both theories],as long as it’s within the(See LOBBY on page 19)Remember When —A Coke was a Coca-Colaand not a drug?Crack was a fracture, abreak or a sharp suddensound and not dope?Drugs were somethingyou bought at drug-stores torelieve discomfort or were prescribedby your doctor andnot something go get hookedor “high” on or an addictivesubstance to be sold on thestreets with sales in the billionsof dollars?Ladies wore dresses andnot pants or shorts?Earrings were for women,small and not African-stylehuge circles or miniature chandeliers?“Dikes” were protectiveseawalls in Holland not lesbians?Femininity was what menliked in their ladies — wives,daughters or girlfriends — andnot imitations of the masculinesex?Women wore shoes andstockings in public and notshower slippers or sneakers?Home-making was an artand not looked upon asdrudgery or female slavery?Mother was adored as awonderful role model for herdaughters?Men were men and youcould easily tell it?Effeminates were calledsissies, fruits and queers?Gay was an adjective todescribe happiness or happypeople, such as the words to“When Irish Eyes Are Smiling,All The World Seems Brightand Gay”?None of the male sexwore earrings, necklaces,bracelets (arm) or slave anklechains?Men wore coats and tiesin public places and not bluejeans, pajama-type pants witha drawstring?The “casual look” wasonly for sports events, picnicsand at home?Shirt tails were tucked introusers and not left hangingout and down to the knees?Slacks fit the length of thelegs and not crumpled overthe shoes, 8 inches too long?Male haircuts were short,neat and trimmed around theneck and ears, not flowingdown the back, tied inbunches with a ribbon or rubberband or having to be continuallybrushed aside, off thecheeks, in order to see?Athletes did not havetheir ears pierced and brilliantsor dangles inserted?Athletes did not makemillions of dollars for throwinga ball through a hoop or carryinga pigskin up and downa field; and people did notpay $1,000, 500, or 100 for aseat to watch it?Sunday was the Lord’sDay — one day out of sevengiven to honoring the Creator?Families went to churchboth Sunday morning andevening instead of stayinghome and watching sports,murder mysteries and howling“rockers” on TV?Christian colleges closedall sports arenas on Sundayand urged the students to attendchurches or do missionwork?No blaring of stereos orTV audio out dorm windowswith worldly music on Sunday?!"Behold the Stars!I never behold the starsthat I do not feel that I amlooking in the face of God. Ican see how it might be possiblefor a man to look downupon the earth and be an atheist,but I cannot conceive howhe could look up into the heavensand say there is no God. — Abraham LincolnHow To Have AReal MissionarySpirit In A BaptistChurchThe way to have a realmissionary church is to preachmissions, teach missions, talkmissions, and sleep missions.The more a church gives formissions, the more she willgive for every other purpose.It is not enough to shed afew tears and tell how youlove missions. The preachingand tear-shedding must be followedby real mission giving.You cannot outgive God.Finally, to have a realmissionary church, pray muchabout missions. Sincerely askthe Lord to bless the missionaries.Call each missionary byname before the throne ofgrace when you pray daily.Call them by name when youpray in your pulpit. The pastorshould lead the way inmission giving and missionpraying. "The New AgeMovementThe New Age Movementis a combination of Easternmysticism, occultism, humanism,positive thinkism andChristianity all rolled up into apowerful persuasive philosophy.It is a belief in the onenessof all life and in the humanpotentials of the UniversalSelf.Deep stuff, right? Not really.Many of us hear the slogansof the movement everyday and don’t realize it.The phrase “We are theworld” reflects the New Ageconcept of a one world — onemind order.(See NEW on page 11)

June 1996The Baptist Challenge Page 11Is Your ChurchMoving Like AMighty Army?Last Sunday our pastorasked Jimmy Mitchell, justback from two years in theArmy, if he’d be guestspeaker at our church. Jimmyrefused at first. Then, with afunny light in his eye, he saidhe would if the congregationsang “Onward Christian Soldiers”just before he began.So we gave forth with song,and Jimmy waded in. This iswhat he said:“You have been singing:Like a mighty armyMoves the church of God."That might have been allright once. The trouble now isthat about ten million menknow exactly how an armymoves and it doesn’t movethe way a lot of you folk inour church do. Suppose thearmy accepted the lame excusesthat many of you thinkare good enough to serve asalibis for not attending church.“Imagine this, if you can.Reveille 7 a.m. Squads on theparade ground. The sergeantbarks out ‘Count fours. One!Two! Three! Number Fourmissing. Where’s PrivateSmith?’“‘Oh,’ pipes up a chap bythe vacant place, ‘Smith wasout late last night and needsthe sleep. He said he wouldbe with you in spirit.’“‘That’s fine,’ says thesergeant, ‘Remember me tohim! Where’s Brown?’“‘Oh,’ puts in anotherchap, ‘he’s playing golf. Hegets only one day a week forrecreation, you know.’“‘Sure, sure, is thesergeant’s cheerful answer.‘Hope he has a good game.Where’s Robinson?’“‘Robinson,’ explains abuddy, ‘is sorry not to greetyou in person, but he is entertainingguests today. Besides,he was at drill lastweek.’“‘Thank you,’ says thesergeant, smiling. ‘Tell himhe’s welcome any time he isable to drop in.’“Did any conversation likethat ever happen in anyarmy? Don’t make me laugh.Yet you hear stuff like thatevery week in the church, andsaid with a straight face, too.“Like a mighty army! Ifour church really moved like amighty army, a lot of youfolks, would be courtmartialed?”— Reader’s DigestNEW . . .(Continued from page 10)Other catch phrases as “gettingin touch with your higherself” and “be all that you can be”reflect the movement’s humanisticside of man being the measureof all things.While the New AgeMovement can now be foundin all realms of life: science,psychology, religion, etc. . .we need to understand that itis a movement which has alwaysbeen regarded by WesternCivilization as plain ‘olwitchcraft.Although New Agersclaim to have an open mind toall religions, their philosophyrepresents a carefully calculatedundermining of Judeo-Christian beliefs.Many Christians believethat the New Age Movementfits the description of theAntichrist’s religion — a rejectionof the God of the Bibleand the declaration that self isGod. — Arthur Wm. Hunt III.Email Address:mlmoser1@juno.comDarwin WinningThe BattleDarwin is widely recognizedas the father of organicevolution. As an hypothesis,evolution has widely grippedthe world of human thoughtand endeavor. It assumes aprocess of unfolding fromwithin to without, and neverfrom without to within. It isnature working itself out, orits inherent processes unfoldingtoward a definite goal, sofar as man is concerned, isthe evolution of a super race,and the building of a kingdomof perfection out of supermen.The idea appeals to thecarnal mind, and, as a consequence,it has mastered widelyamong the cultural and spiritualcircles of the world.In its conquest, evolutionhas mastered school matter.Text books, supplementarymaterials, and magazines prevailinglyreflect the evolutionaryconcept, and their dataprevailingly popularizes it. Theeducational world is motivatedby evolution.In its conquest, evolutionmasters school methods.Pedagogical practices prevailinglyconform to evolutionaryscheme of life. Naturalisticmethods galore reflects itsmastery here.In its conquest, evolutionmasters business practices.On every hand we witnessmen practicing “the end justifyingthe means.” The smartoutwit the weak, and rob themof their rightful possessionsand gloat over it. The consciencelesstake unfair profitsand in the name of respectabilityrob multitudes of theirmaterial birthrights.In its conquest, evolutionmasters .morality. Subjectivestandards are made to supplantobjective standards. Individualrights are made tosupersede the rights of themasses, and through suchendeavor the objectivestandard set up for the racein the Bible are flayed andfrazzled, discounted andditched.In its conquest, evolutionmasters church methods.Churches widely accept theprinciple of compromise indealing with spiritual problems.They widely condonesin, widely extol worldliness,and widely ignore the spiritualdemands upon them. Evolutionassumes that the wayof compromises is the way ofprogress.Now, what do these factsmean? They mean that naturalismhas produced a conqueringconcept that socialand cultural currents aredowngrade, that immoral tidesare swamping us; and thatspiritual forces are rushingmankind to the brink of doom.Brethren, the race is nowapathetic. Unless the sons ofmen are awakened to the diabolicalinfluence of evolutionism:nudism, socialism, communism,liberalism and atheismwill sweep away all of themooring which safeguard theinterests, the hopes, and theambitions of Christian heartsand homes. Beware of institutionalism."Telephone:(214) 755-7777Email:mlmoser1@juno.com

Page 12The Baptist Challenge June 1996Dole Will Declare“American Family Day” IfElected. An item in the May/June 1996 American Enterprisesaid: “It received little pressnotice, but in the primariesBob Dole promised that ifelected he will declare his firstday in office ‘American FamilyDay,’ on which he will rescindevery pro-abortion executiveorder of his predecessor,reject federal approval ofabortion drugs, end foreignaid for abortion programs, andprohibit federal funding ofexperiments on human embryos.”— CN* * *A Gold Medal For Graham.Mixing Church and Stateis a dicey proposition — evenwhen it involves an Americanicon like Billy Graham. Whenthe evangelist receives a CongressionalGold Medal, thelegislature’s highest honor,some Southern conservativesthink it would be a “neat idea”for him to address a joint sessionof Congress. But no religiousleader has ever deliveredsuch a speech form theHouse chamber, an honorusually reserved for heads ofstate. So Bob Dole and NewtGingrich crafted a compromise:Graham will speak in theCapitol Rotunda. “It’s stillquite an event,” says aGingrich aide. — Newsweek.* * *Quote of the Day. JaySekulow, chief counsel for theAmerican Center for Law andJustice, a Virginia-based religiousliberty advocacy groupfounded by religious broadcasterPat Robertson, condemnedan anticipated courtdecision in Hawaii that mightprompt the state to issue marriagelicenses to same-sexcouples. Speaking to a nationalmeeting of the SouthernBaptist Christian LifeCommission, Sckulow said:“This is an attack which coulddestroy and undercut thisculture so significantly that itcould alter the way we viewourselves as a people. ... Weare now faced with what Ithink is perhaps the greatestchallenge to religious liberty.The growing movement forsame-sex marriage and theshift in our culture toward aview that says the family canbe defined however one wantsus to define it.”* * *Van Impe’s LucrativeSensationalism. Dr. FrankMcClelland writes in the November-DecemberCanadianRevivalist: “In our last two issuewe have written aboutJack and Rexella Van Impe’sflirtation with Rome, and theirmean-spirited attack on Dr.Paisley. Now comes a shortTV exposure of the Van Impeson ‘A Current Affair.’ Theprogram examined Van Impe’sfantastic claim that a Russianinvasion force is already inthe U.S. poised to topple theGovernment. The TV crewfound this ‘force’ in Gulfport,MS. It turned out to be acollection of old surplus EastGerman ambulances and watercarriers that the owner wasrefurbishing for use as ambulancesand garbage trucks inthird world countries —[Other Van Impe ‘gems’ wererebutted.] One erstwhile VanImpe supporter said, ‘Firstthey get the money, and thenthe money get to them.’ Quitea lot it seems. Their operationbrought in $15 million lastyear, and the combined salariesof Jack & Rexella werequoted as $350,000.” — CC* * *Court Approves AssistedSuicide. The Ninth CircuitCourt of Appeals recentlydevised the ultimate in convenienceproducts — disposablesenior citizens. Eight ofthe 11 judges on the panelgave constitutional protectionto assisted suicide, usinglogic that also could justifysate-sponsored murder of terminallyill patients ... JudgeRobert R. Beezer, dissentingfrom the majority, explainswhere this logic leads. If assistedsuicide is analogous toabortion, as the court argues,then one also can envision acase in which relatives andphysicians could terminate a“non-viable” life in the nameof personal privacy. The Netherlandsoffers a chilling precedent.Dutch doctors two decadesago gained the right toassist in suicides but sworethey would go no further. By1990, Beezer notes, “2,300people were euthanized uponrequest, 400 died as a resultof physician-assisted suicide,1,000 died from involuntaryeuthanasia (patients werekilled without their knowledgeor consent) and 8,100 died asa result of doctors’ deliberatelygiving them overdosesof pain medication (again, 61percent of this category werekilled without their knowledgeor consent.)” It has becomecommon for elderly citizens inHolland to beg relatives notto send them to convalescenthomes, knowing that somekindly doctor could murderthem in their sleep. — by TonySnow, columnist DetroitNews.* * *AT&T Continues PushingHomosexuality. AT&Tcontinues to aid the homosexualmovement, as it sponsored“Campaign Crazy,” amusical presented by the Gaymen’s Chorus of Washington,D.C. An advertisement for theevent declares it to be “theshow Pat Buchanan doesn’twant you to see.” — WashingtonBlade Via AFA Journal.* * *Georgia and Creationism.Recently, in our state, thehead of the department ofeducation wished to allowGeorgia schools to teach creationismas another view ofthe origin of the earth — creationas well as evolution.Fifty professors from “religious”Emory University objectedand said that creationismis unscientific. I wonder ifthe people who gave the thousandsof dollars to startEmory University in the past,and endowed it with thou-

June 1996The Baptist Challenge Page 13sands, plus trust funds fromthe monies that they hadmade, feel the people at Emoryhave been good stewards ofthe trust they had? Remember,this was a religiousschool to start with. I’m surethat they feel just like the timethey discovered that one ofthe teachers at Emorypreached that “God is Dead!”What is the lesson that wecan learn from this? Do yourgiving while you’re living,then you’re knowing whereits going! In other words, investin what you know isstraight and righteous rightnow, giving it to the Lord! Butbe it known, that later on itwill probably go bad. It is allin man’s hands, and mankinddrifts and backslides. So manyschools, colleges, and universities[and churches] have leftthe original track that theywere on spiritually when theywere started and when theirfounder was alive. It is sad tonote, but it is true that institutionsare not infallible (andneither are people). Sometimesthey backslide and change ina dramatic way. — Church BusNews.* * *Charles Stanley’s Son ToBegin Non-denominationalChurch, Not SBC. AndyStanley, son of former SouthernBaptist Convention PresidentCharles Stanley and wellknowntelevision preacher,said the church he is helpingstart in north Atlanta will notbe Southern Baptist, for now.The new church, North PointCommunity Church, has yetto accept members, purchaseland or meet weekly. About1,600 people attend Sundayevening worship services heldtwice a month. Worshiperscurrently meet in a conferencecenter in the neighboringcounty. Stanley said the decisionwas a difficult one, basedon the church’s vision andmission. The decision is not acriticism of the Southern BaptistConvention, he said, addingtwo-thirds of the leadershipcome from Southern Baptistbackgrounds. “I’m verygrateful for the convention,and we will support financiallySouthern Baptist causes,” hesaid. Stanley added he wantsto keep a door open to lateraffiliation with Southern Baptists.“Six months down theroad we may say, ‘You know,maybe this isn’t as big a dealas we thought.’ “ Stanley, 38,was on staff at First BaptistChurch of Atlanta for 10 years.A graduate of Dallas TheologicalSeminary, Stanleypreached three years at thechurch’s northern campus. Heleft the church in August 1995,disagreeing with his father’scontinued leadership at thechurch while wife Anna pursueda divorce. Anna Stanleyhas since withdrawn her petitionfor divorce.* * *ACLU Files Against GarbagePickup. The AmericanCivil Liberties Union has fileda federal lawsuit against thetown of Barrington, RhodeIsland, claiming that the TownCouncils’ practice of providingfree weekly garbagepickup for the churches is anunconstitutional establishmentof religion. In response,the Town Council agreed tostop providing the service, butis seeking some way to continuethe practice of usingtown snowplows to plow outchurches after snowstorms.ACLU Executive DirectorSteven Brown opposes thatpolicy as well, saying its purposeit “to continue to accommodatethe religious institutionsin town.”* * *Hillary Eager Student ofIslam. First Lady HillaryRodham Clinton has becomean “eager student” of Islam,and believes the religion is oftenmisunderstood in theWest. In videotaped remarkspresented at a cultural festivalin Saudi Arabia, Clintonsaid, “I, myself, have becomean eager student of Islam inrecent years, thanks in part tomy daughter, who took acourse on Islamic history.” InFebruary, Clinton hosted aWhite House celebrationmarking the end of the MuslimRamadam fast. — EP* * *Too Much Money. AnAmish man from Wisconsinrejected an insurancecompany’s $212,000 settlementoffer for a traffic accidentthat killed his wife, expressingconcern that suchwealth would tempt his familyto abandon their values. “It ismore harm than good,” saidMahlon Lambright, a carpenter.His wife Mary, 38, waskilled last year when a semitrailertruck struck their horsedrawnbuggy. — EP* * *Clinton’s DeceptionAbout Vietnam. Rememberhow President Clinton assuredthe American peoplelast year that his decision toopen trade with Vietnam reflectedAmerican interests andthe Communist regime’s continuedliberalization? Well,just recently — amidst the newcrisis between the UnitedStates and Cuba — the trustedmilitary magazine Jane’s DefenseWeekly reported thatVietnam has been trainingCuban commandos for attacksin the United States in theevent of an American attackon Cuba. “Havana’s strategyin pursuing such training isto attack the staging and supplyareas for U.S. forces preparingto invade Cuba,” themagazine said. “The politicalobjective would be to bringthe reality of warfare to theAmerican public and so exertpressure on Washington."According to the report, theVietnam goverfnment hasbeen training Cuban SpecialForce troops at least since1990. -- Human Events.* * *Judgment Day ForTammy Fay? Tammy FayBakker Messer is reported tohave colon cancer and is undergoingchemotherapy. Rememberher? She was the wife(See WNR on page 14)

Page 14The Baptist Challenge June 1996WNR . . .(Continued from page 13)of "Rev." Jim Bakker who togethermade millions on theso-called PTL network. Theirprograms were on hundredsof TV stations and they averagedover 100 million in donationseach year. They owneda lavish office and studiobuilding in Charlotte, NC andbuilt a multimillion dollar vacationcamp in Southern Carolinafor their supporters. duringtheir yers on national TV theyboasted of having spiritual giftssuch as tongues, healing, prosperity,etc. Thousands of listenerssent in sacrificial gifts inhopes of also receiving healingand spiritual benefits. In fact,many sent in their last penny.Also, during this boast of beingspiritually superior to othersthey lived in extreme luxurywith apparently no consciencefor taking the money of poorpeople under false pretenses.Back In PrintEcclesiaBy B. H. CarrollRather, the Bakkers preachedthe false doctrine of"prosperitytheology," that anyone can berich if he has enough fiath.Many elderly sent their life savingsand many who strugglefinancially sacrificed to send tothe Bakkers, hoping to receivespiritual blessings and material"prosperity!" Of course, itcaused multiplied thousands tofeel condemned because theydidn't get healing or riches likethe Bakkers. However, duringthe mid 1980's the Bakkers puton a drive for more money whichcame by the millions, but theyused it for a different purpose.In fact, they mis-used over 150millions that way. But since theywere "spirit filled," and "had thegifts," they didn't have to followtherules of honesty, integrity,and accountability. Apparently,they never received the"gift" of honesty! Nevertheless,some of those who sent indonations thought otherwise.After repeatedly pleading withAn exhaustive study of the Greek word, "ecclesia." Dr.Carroll discusses its usage in the Septuagint, the NewTestament, and in many of the classics. An importantbook in understanding the nature of the New Testamentchurch. Order from:Challenge PressP. O. Box 25848, Little Rock, AR 72221$4.00 Plus Postage & HandlingBakker's organization to usetheir money for its intendedpurpose, or at least return it,some contributors took legalaction. And as a result, investigationsrevealed that theBakkers were living lavishly insin and debauchery. Jim Bakkerwas sentenced to jail while hiswife was put on probagtion,even though they were equallyguilty. (Wonder why the NOWgnag and other Big MouthJezebels [BMJKs] didn;t screamabout unequal treatment formen and women?" But TammyFay pledged loyalty to her sufferinghusband and that shewould be waiting for him uponhis release from jail. But, of allthings, "spirit filled" TammyFay, with all the "gifts of thespirit," soon abandoned herhusband, got a divorce, andmarried one of Jim's friends.From all reports she did this tosatisfy her lust for sex andriches! Where was God? Well,her new husband is now underinvestigation for shady dealingsand Miss Tammy Fay is receivingchemotherapy for coloncamcer. Since her doctoorschose chemo over surgery indicatesthat the cancer has spreadtoo far for surgery. We msutpray for Tammy Fay and herfamily, and especially that shewill get right with the Lord beforeher death. A worse tragedyis that not one Charismaticleader in America has spokenout against the Bakkers, stressingthat they were not "spiritfilled," and they did not havethe "gifts of the Spirit," whenthey were deceiving faithful listenersout of their life savings.-- The Missionary Challenge.* * *Supreme Court RejectsReligious-liberty Claims. Returningto the bench April 15following a two-week break,the U.S. Supreme Court declinedto hear three disputesinvolving religious-libertyclaims. Left standing werelower court rulings that: •Chicago officials have theright to refuse to permitworship services in a commerciallyzoned area; • Ohiomay exempt religious organizationsfrom charitable solicitationregulations withoutviolating the FirstAmendment's ban againstgovernment advancement ofreligion; • The First Amendmentprevents courts fromruling on a lawsuit by aTexas Pentecostal ministerseeking to challenge the cancellationof his minister's license.* * *Tax Freedom Day. Here'ssomething to ponder. Becasueeverything you'll earn the restof this year will be yours tospend or invest as you will --unless, of course, you discovernext April that you owe thegovernment more than was withheldfrom your paycheck. Friday,May 3rd was Tax FreedomDay in Arkansas. Tax freedomcame to Texas on May 2nd, toOklahoma on May 1st, to Tennesseeon April 28th, but inConnecticut May 31st. Residentsof Wisconsin and Minnesotadidn’t celebrate TaxFreedom Day until May 14thand 15th respectively. Thisyear American workers will putin two hours and 47 minutesof their eight-hour workdayjust to pay their taxes. That’smore work than it takes to payfor food, housing, and clothingcombined. And if the costof complying with the federaltax code were included, wewould all have to work 13 dayslonger. Ouch! — Compiled(See WNR on page 15)

June 1996The Baptist Challenge Page 15WNR . . .(Continued from page 14)from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.* * *Homosexual Marriage EffortsPrompt “Wake UpCall.” Colorado Gov. Roy(See WNR on page 15)WNR . . .(Continued from page 14)Romer has become the firstgovernor to veto a bill whichwould have prohibited samesexmarriages. The same day,San Francisco mayor WillieBrown officiated at a “wedding”for 175 homosexualcouples on the first day of thecity’s same-sex marriage ordinance.That day “was a wakeupcall,” warned Robert Knight,director of cultural studies atthe Family Research Council inWashington, “but it was onlythe latest in a series of eventsthat show how seriously thehomosexual rights movementtakes this issue. None of this isdefinitive, because people allover America are waking up tothe threat and are responding.”In a case going to trial thissummer, a Hawaii court is expectedto declare homosexualmarriage constitutional. TheHawaii case has prompted actionin several other states.South Dakota, Utah and Idahohave enacted laws either denyingrecognition to such out-ofstatemarriages or limiting marriageto a union between a manand a woman. A similar bill isawaiting the governor’s signaturein Georgia. Legislators inabout two dozen other statesOpen Windows For CatholicsAnd Other ChristiansBy S. E. AndersonBaptists, Protestants and Catholics alike will welcomeOpen Windows. It is courteous, fair and thorough.Conversations between Catholics and Protestants,already enjoying openness, will be stimulatedand enriched by reading this volume. Both groupsagree on many vitally important doctrines; both mayhave some shortcomings. These expositions of 95Scripture passages may not satisfy all readers, butthey should compel more Bible study. The Holy Spiritcan help each reader to separate the good from whatis less so, and find herein enough inspiration for acloser fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Order from:Challenge PressP. O. Box 25848, Little Rock, AR 72221$5.00 Plus Postage & Handlinghave attempted or are consideringsuch legislation.* * *Legislation Would ForbidTeaching Evolution By Itself.State lawmakers will considera proposal that could forceteachers to talk about creationismwhen teaching theevolutionary theory of humanorigin in the State of Ohio.Similar attempts in otherstates have been struck downby the courts. Rep. Ron Hood,R-Canfield, has introduced thebill that would require publicschools to teach about factsthat support evolution andthose that do not. Hood, afreshman legislator, said it isnot his intent to require theteaching of religious creationism.He wants them to discusscreation science. Creationismis the Bible-basedtheory that all things in theuniverse were created by Godrather than through evolution.Creation science is a theorythat the biblical account ofcreation can be scientificallyverified. “My intent is thatthis stay strictly on the science,and I’d be very disappointedif it was construed anyother way,” Hood said. Criticssee the bill as an attemptto circumvent federal courtrulings. The courts have heldthat teaching creationism violatesconstitutional prohibitionsagainst religious indoctrinationin public schools. —AP* * *Louisiana To Take“Mark of the Beast” Off License.In response to a claimthat the Social Security numberis the biblical “mark of thebeast,” state police are droppingits use on Louisianadriver’s licenses. PaulSchexnayder, attorney for thestate Department of PublicSafety and Corrections, saidhe is not sure whether the newpolicy will eliminate the numberof all driver’s licenses oron just those of people whoobject to its presence.* * *Partial-Birth Abortions:Brutal Child Murder. Thelate-term partial-birth abortionprocedure is a gruesome formof child murder. It involvespartially extracting a baby,legs first, then stabbing theinfant at the base of the skullwith medical scissors, wideningthe wound, and insertinga catheter to suction out thebrain and collapse the skull,killing the child. Of thenation’s 1.3 million abortionsin 1993, about 13,300 wereperformed after the 21st weekof gestation, according to theCDC. — CC* * *The “Inbetweenites.”This is the day of the “moderate.”It always seems tohappen in a presidential electionyear. Politicians whospeak with any fervor or certaintyare “extremists.” Whatwe need, say those supposedlyin the know, are peoplewho are less ideological andmore pragmatic. Let’s occupya middle position and get ridof the extremists. Let’s electsomeone as President who can“bring us all together.” Inchurch circles the same cry isheard. Liberals in the SouthernBaptist Convention shunthat descriptive term and arealmost always known as “moderates.”The word “moderate”sounds so soft, so comforting,so personable as opposedto that scary word “fundamen-(See WNR on page 16)

Page 16The Baptist Challenge June 1996WNR . . .(Continued from page 15)talist.” A Christian collegepresident was asked recentlyhow he intended to positionhis school. “Right down themiddle of the road,” was hisenthusiastic answer. Kind ofa dangerous place, isn’t it? Acare in the middle of the roadwill cause lots of accidents.Within the professing churchthe woods are full of moderates.Years ago, W.B. Riley, agreat fundamentalist leader,remarked that the Bible saidquite a bit about the Perizites,Hivites, Jebusites, andMoabites, but, in his opinion,the most dangerous enemiesof the people of God were the“inbetweenites. ...” Dr. ErnestPickering — CC* * *Warning: Promise KeepersIs Dangerous! Pastor JackStephens warns: “The PromiseKeepers promise to breakdowndenominational barriersis a smoke screen for destroyingall doctrinal barriers.” Dr.Ralph Colas says: “As a reporterwho covered [the AtlantaPK Clergy meeting] withpress credentials, I would describeit as a meeting whichincluded compromise,ecumenism, apostasy, Jesuitcasuistry (the end justifies themeans), and hyper-emotionalism,along with a theologybased on relationships ratherthan Biblical truth. Dr. ErnestPickering warns: “To encouragemen to support their pastorand their church eventhough neither is following theWord of God is to compromisethe truth.” Dr. DonJasmin says PK is the “mostdangerous new movementdown the ecumenical pike inthe last 50 years.” — CC* * *Great Bible WordsBy I. W. RogersA collection of in-depth studies on 31 Bible terms --Informative, enlightening, a valuable and for every studentof the Bible. "This is the kind of book that should be in thehome of every church member, since it makes plain, thematters which usually beocme too deep theologically forgeneral reading" -- Buell H. Kazee.These articles appeared first as a series in The BaptistChallenge and were later made into this one volume book.Order from:Challenge PressP. O. Box 25848, Little Rock, AR 72221$2.95 Plus Postage & HandlingPK and Catholics. In recentarticles we have documentedincreasing Catholic involvementin the burgeoningPromise Keepers movement.The 3-4/96 Foundation says:“Some people find it difficultto believe that Roman Catholicsare actually participants inthe Promise Keepers movement,but it is true. A PromiseKeepers Wake Up Callbrochure distributed in SanLuis Obispo, Calif., urgespastors, churches and theirmen to attend special ralliesduring March, one of whichis to be held at the St. RoseCatholic Church in PasoRobles. This fact was confirmedby a phone call to thePK leader in that church.”The 4/29 Christianity Todayquotes a Catholic Bishopsofficial: “Promise Keepersre-ignites in men an awarenessof the spiritual dimensionin life and offers them asafe place in which to findsupport ... for Christian valuesand virtues.” The CT articlesaid PK representativeswill be among the speakers ata May 31-June 2 Catholic men’sconference in Steubenville,Ohio. Dr. Ernest Pickeringsays: “To worship and cooperatewith Roman Catholics andothers who are in doctrinalerror promotes the idea thatcorrect doctrine is less importantthan fellowship.” — CC* * *Graham’s Daughter APreacher. Billy Graham’s“preacher” daughter, AnneGraham Lotz, was canceledfrom speaking at the OklahomaBaptist General Convention’sannual Evangelism Conferencein 1993. But Texas SouthernBaptists featured her “stirringpreaching” at its EvangelismConference last January. Grahamhas praised his daughter’spreaching abilities and seemsto condone this. — CC "KansasLegislators ReactTo PrayerThey won’t invite PastorJoe to the Kansas State Legislatureagain! They invitedPastor Joe Wright ofWichita’s Central ChristianChurch to deliver the invocation— and he told God onthem!No sooner had theirguest chaplain concluded hisprayer than three Democratsin the state legislature wereon their feet at microphonesprotesting, “He can’t talk likethat about us!” Rep. DelbertGross considered the invocationgross, calling it “divisive,”“sanctimonious” and“overbearing.”What did Pastor Joe sayin Topeka that incited therighteous wrath of threeDemocrats from Hays andKansas City?“Heavenly Father, wecome before you today to askYour forgiveness and to seekYour direction and guidance.We know Your Word says,‘Woe to those who call evilgood,’ but that is exactlywhat we have done. We havelost our spiritual equilibriumand inverted our values.“We confess that wehave ridiculed the absolutetruth of Your Word in thename of moral pluralism. Wehave worshiped other godsand called it‘multiculturalism.’ We haveendorsed perversion andcalled it ‘an alternatelifestyle.’ We have exploitedthe poor and called it ‘a lottery.’We have neglected theneedy and called it ‘self-preservation.’We have rewardedlaziness and called it ‘welfare.’In the name of ‘choice,’we have killed our unborn.(See PRAYER on page 20)

June 1996The Baptist Challenge Page 17Jonah and the WhaleCome, little children, hearken to me,I’ve a story to tell you as true as can be.It is in the same Book as is Daniel and Ruth,And though it sounds fishy, it still is the truth.There’s a part of this story that is very sad,For ’tis of a city which went to the bad;The Lord saw the people and their wicked ways,And said I can’t stand it but forty more days.So He said “Prophet Jonah, you go there and cryAnd proclaim to this people, and tell them that IWill rain down destruction on that wicked townIn forty more days, if they don’t humble down!”When he heard the Lord’s voice old Jonah said, “No,I’m a hardshell Baptist, and I don’t think I’ll goThe Ninevite people mean nothing to me,I’m against foreign missions, so I’ll just let them be.”So he journeyed to Joppa, and there in great haste,Took passage to Tarshish without time to waste.The Lord saw it all from His heaven on high,And He said, “Prophet Jonah, you’ll do it or die.”So He set the winds blowing and it really got rough,On captain and crew for they weren’t so tough;Then Jonah confessed it was caused by his sin,And the crew threw him out and the whale took him in.’Twas a thing to behold, ’Twas a sight to be seen;Prophet Jonah riding off in his submarine!‘ In a bed of green sea-weed, the whale stopped to rest,As he tried all in vain, his last meal to digest;For he had indigestion, was sore and dismayed,And rumbled inside while the old prophet prayed.The whale felt the need of fresh air mighty quick,For that filthy old sinner was making him sick;So he came to the surface, not far from land,And vomited Jonah right out on the sand.Jonah thanked God for His mercy and grace,As he looked on the whale and made a sour face.Three days and three nights, was the Prophet insideThe belly of the whale which he occupied.So after he rested and dried in the sun,Prophet Jonah, for Nineveh, started to run,And when He arrived—it was bout a week late,He started to preach as he entered the gate.The whole population repented and prayed,And the hand of God’s judgment and vengeance was stayed.Now, children remember, this is no idle tale—If you disobey Father, just remember the whale!ChildrenEverywhereBy Edith Moser[The following was an articlewritten from the missionfield in southern Mexico nearly800 miles southeast of MexicoCity. It appeared in the July1966 issue of The Baptist Challenge.]* * *Children — children —children everywhere. So manychildren, and yet so few ofthem may ever hear the storyof Jesus and how He lovedus enough to come and diefor our sins that we might besaved from the consequencesof them and go to heaven tolive eternally with Him.Everywhere you look,there are many children andmany of them have deformitiesof one kind or another.One little girl has a club foot,another has an albino streakand is deaf and dumb andfrightened of everyone whocomes near her. Others haveother things wrong with themphysically but all of them,along with their mothers andfathers and grandmothers andgrandfathers and aunts anduncles, need to hear the gospelof the Lord Jesus Christ.You would not believethe depth of the poverty thatthese people live in. Most ofthem live in bamboo-like camehuts with thatched roofs.They do not cook on a stovesuch as you and I have butjust on charcoal fires with apiece of tin or something laidover it to support the pots,etc. They do not have chimneysand when the weather isbad enough that they have tocook inside the house, thesmoke just fills the hut andgoes out through the thatchedroof. Many of the roofs areblackened all the way throughfrom the smoke of the cookingfires.How would you like a dietof beans and tortillas and ricewhich is what many of themhave to eat most of the time.Sometimes they kill an armadilloor some other animal orcatch a fish and have somemeat to go with this food andoccasionally they havechicken (very skinny becauseof lack of food to give them)or some other barnyard animal.The chickens, pigs, etc.live right in the house withthe people in most instances.In fact at the place where weorganized the last church,Pejelagartero, I ate lunch withmy feet right over a settinghen. She resented my puttingmy feet so near her but therewas no other place to putthem.So — YOU would like todo something to help thesechildren to hear the gospeland to be saved and have ahome in heaven. Then GIVEand GIVE and GIVE until ithurts and then you wills tillhave more left than they everhad. But unless we here inthe United States who are soblessed with so many thingssupport someone to go andtell them of Jesus, they maynever hear and the Lord willhold us responsible.Ladies and children, let’sdo something about it. Wantto? "Telephone:(214) 755-7777Email:mlmoser1@juno.com

Page 18The Baptist Challenge June 1996PENT . . .(Continued from page 5)not be the work of one man,or one age. But what is therein the book which Mosescould not accomplish —Moses guided by God? Evolutionis yet unproven, butanother theory is proven,which the critics ignore — thetheory of inspiration, that theBible is the Word of God.“Verily I say unto you, Tillheaven and earth pass, one jotor one tittle shall in no wisepass from the law till all befulfilled” (Mt. 5:18). The patchworktheory of J.E.P.D. is insufficientto account for thegreat religious revival manifestedthroughout the subsequenthistory of the Israelitishnation; it requires the greatLawgiver.The objection that thePentateuch is far too advancedto be a product of the Mosaicage is not borne out by facts.Professor Sayce maintains thatit is a “Baseless assumptiondue to the critics’ ignorance”(Lex. Mosaica). The critic conceivesa theory, which is surmiseand guesswork, but towhich all Scripture must bemade to conform. The Scripturewhich refuses so to do isto be considered as folkloreand fictitious. Inspirationnever enters into the critic’sscheme: he has thrown overboardall divine interposition.First, the objection wasthat writing was unknown inPalestine in these early Mosaicages; then over 300 tabletswere found at el-Amarna, lettersfrom chieftains in Palestine,imploring help from Pharaohagainst Khabiri invaders,probably the Hebrews. Thesetablets date from the Mosaicage: so the objection vanished.Then the critics occupieda second line of trenches —that only the few educatedpeople were able to write. Butthe tablets dug up at Taanach,on the Plain of Esdraelon, Palestine,are letters of correspondencebetween localsheiks of that period, and yetin the learned cuneiform script.In fact, so far back as whenAbraham was in Ur, five centuriesearlier than the Mosaicage, there was great literaryactivity. Khammurabi had overthrownthe Elamite sovereignty,freed Babylonia andspread abroad her language,the cuneiform, among theCanaanites, so that it becamethe language of both diplomatsand traders long beforethe arrival of Joshua in Palestine.So this second line oftrenches was taken.Khammurabi’s LawsThe next tenet was thatthe Laws of the Pentateuchwere too wise for the Mosiacage. Unfortunately for thetheory, when the laws on theCode of King Khammurabiwere deciphered, similar andeven identical laws with thoseof Moses, and even Abraham,were found. And this Codeantedated Moses by 500years. Professor Sayce pertinentlyinquires, “What becomesof Dr. Driver’s theory,that the law is later than theprophets?”The last line of trenchesseems to have been the ritual:that it was far too elaboratefor the age of Moses, andmust be relegated to the daysof the Exiles. But at Serabit,near the turquoise mines ofSinai, there is found a templewith high-places, ablutions,and incense-burnings, likethose of the Hebrews and ofthe same period. And this isnot all, for at Ras Shamra inSyria are found tablets also ofthe Mosiac period, containingthe identical sacrifices andfeasts which Israel observed.How, then, could this ritualhave been invented by Exilicpriests, about, 580 B.C. whenit was in vogue at Serabit andRas Shamra, eight centuriesearlier? Let us once morequote Professor Sayce, “Therout of the higher critics iscomplete.”Critics hold that thePentateuch dates from aboutthe days of King Josiah tothe Exile. Throughout this periodthe term “Lord of Hosts”is extensively used FirstSamuel to Malachi, but neverin the Pentateuch. Why? Becauseit had not then beenformulated, the Pentateuch beingof the earlier age ofMoses.Significant OmissionsThe age of the SecondTemple was one of musicalfestival, timbrels, harps, andchoirs, but the priestly codeknows nothing of them. Why?Because the law belongs to aprevious age.Jerusalem is never mentionedin the Pentateuch; itfirst occurs in Joshua 10:1. Butif the nucleus of thePentateuch was written in 621B.C. when Jerusalem was thenational metropolis (Peake),why this omission? BecauseJerusalem was not the capitoltill after the Pentateuch waswritten.The Book ofDeuteronomy is particularlyquestioned. But its openingwords declare, “These be thewords which Moses spake”(Dt. 1:1), “according unto allthat the Lord has given him incommandment unto them” (Dt.1:3), “beyond Jordan in theland of Moab” (Dt. 1:5). OurSavior repelled the Tempter byquotations from this book (Mt.4:1-10).In an age of writing, likethe Mosaic, a learned man likeMoses, educated as an Egyptianprince, the champion ofdown-trodden serfs, the leaderand lawgiver of a mighty nation,would be sure to leavesome written record. Where isit? The Pentateuch says thathe wrote it at God’s command(Ex. 24:4; Num. 33:2; Dt. 31:9).The chronicler refers to theBook of the Law given byMoses (2 Chr. 34:14). Biblicalwriters, and Christ Himself, saythat Moses wrote thePentateuch. Doubtless he collectedtablets, records of earliertimes embodying the serviceable,and adding the historyof his own times, and hisown revelations. Jewish scholars,priests, and kings, allquote Moses as the author.Are critics more likely to becorrect than they?Evidence of ArchaeologyEvery archaeological discoveryharmonizes with theMosiac authorship and historicalaccuracy. How couldpriests, 800 years later, andaway in Babylon, have correctlycompiled the early historyof the nation? Today,when the roll of the torah(Law) is read in the Jewishsynagogue, all spring to theirfeet, explaining, “This is thelaw which Moses set beforethe children of Israel (Dt. 4:44)by the mouth of Jehovah(Num. 12:8), through the handof Moses” (Ex. 34:29). Moseswas the instrument; Jehovahthe Giver. Are they all mistaken?Surely the climax of thecritical claim is that evenChrist is not infallible, savewhen He speaks of God’s Fatherhood,love and redemption;certainly not when He refersto science, history, andBiblical authorship. With aviditythe critics seize upon St.Paul’s phrase, He “emptied(See PENT on page 19)

June 1996The Baptist Challenge Page 19LOBBY . . .(Continued from page 10)letter of the law,’ Chandler said.Bowers told Schrenko thatteaching alternative theoriesmust have a secular purpose,and any effort to promote creationism,an implicitly biblicalview, is “fraught with constitutionalpitfalls.”With the controversyraised this year by Georgia legislatorsand in Hall County,where the school board wantscreationist textbooks, universityscientists are joining the debateto express the expectations forincoming students.Marc Lipsitch, a microbiologyresearcher who wrote theEmory letter, said that someprofessors there wanted aneven stronger statement emphasizingthe damage that“third-rate science” could do toAtlanta’s aspirations to be atruly international city. "PENT . . .(Continued from page 18)himself” (Phil. 2:7), building uponit their Kenotic Theory, thatKnowledge was included in the“emptying.” St. Paul refers to His“form,” the “fashion” of a bondservant,the laying aside of Hismajesty and glory, but never Hisknowledge. His teaching is fromGod. “My teaching is not mine,but his that sent me” (Jn. 7:16).“The word which ye hear is notmine, but the Father’s who sentme” (Jn. 14:24).Our Lord’s TestimonyThe Messiah of whom“Moses in the law, and theprophets, did write” (Jn. 1:45)is denied even the wisdomwhich the critics claim. Theyassure us that the Pentateuchwas not written by Moses,but was “the result of a longhistorical process, the laststage of which begins with thelabors of Ezra, in the fifth centuryB.C.” (Peak’s Commentary,p. 121). We may be allowed tochoose, and we prefer to trustthe One who “knew all men ...and knew what was in man”(Jn. 2:24-25). And here is Histestimony: Jesus knew nothingof J.E.P.R.D. and Co. (how likejeopardy it reads, or P.R.J.D.E.prejudice!), but He does knowMoses, and from his verybooks, Exodus, Leviticus, andDeuteronomy, He quotes hiswords.And again, listen to thesesolemn injunctions, “Did notMoses give you the law?” (Jn.7:19); “For if ye believeMoses, ye would believe me:for he wrote of me” (Jn. 5:46);“All things must needs be fulfilled,which are written in thelaw of Moses ... concerningme” (Lk. 24:44).Now listen to these concessionsfrom the recentlypublishedPeak’s Supplement— “The rich material (of theCodes) has upset some of theepoch-making theories ofWellhausen” (p. 3). Again,“There is evidence that theIsraelites in Egypt were acquaintedwith writing, and it isbeyond dispute that alphabeticalwriting was in widespreaduse in Palestine in the daysof Moses, and much earlier”(p. 4). Let us not throw overboardthe pilot Moses androam through the seas of thepast with unknown pilots, orwithout any; Moses is still onthe bridge.O grant us light that we may seeWhere error lurks in human lore,And turn our doubting minds toThee,And love Thy simple Word themore.Email Address:mlmoser1@juno.comCOLYAR . . .(Continued from page 2)for righteousness to every onethat believeth.The people were nowready to hear what the Lordwould say to them by Moses:“Fear not: for God is come toprove you, and that his fearmay be before your faces, thatye sin not” (Ex. 20:20). Howfaithful this servant of God tohis holy charge! “And thepeople stood afar off, andMoses drew near unto thethick darkness where God was.And the Lord said untoMoses, Thus thou shalt sayunto the children of Israel, Yehave seen that I have talkedwith you from heaven. Ye shallnot make with me gods of silver,neither shall ye make untoyou gods of gold. An altar ofearth thou shalt make untome, and shalt sacrificethereon thy burnt offerings,and thy peace offerings, theysheep, and thine oxen: in allplaces where I record myname I will come unto thee,and I will bless thee” (Ex.20:21-24).An altar of earth pointsstraight to the Cross of Calvary.Sacrifices of burnt-offeringsand of peace-offeringspoint to none other than theChrist of the cross of Calvary,who died for our sins andstands in resurrection gloryand power as the Mediatorbetween God and man, as it iswritten of Him: “For this isgood and acceptable in thesight of God our Saviour;Who will have all men to besaved, and to come unto theknowledge of the truth. Forthere is one God, and one mediatorbetween God and men,the man Christ Jesus; Whogave himself a ransom for all,to be testified in due time” (1Tim. 2:3-6). Thus the prophetMoses was a mighty expounderof the Law of theLord unto the sons of men, tothe end they might see theirneed of a Savior.2. The force of the Lawof the Lord was thus demonstratedat Sinai. There must beone, a man, who speaks withall authority for God to men,and who intercedes with Godfor men. Moses was theProphet-Priest who mediatedbetween God and Israel atSinai. In this role he is a prefigurationof the Man ChristJesus.But the Lord spoke toMoses again. This time fromthe Holy of Holies, out of thetabernacle of the congregation(Lev. 1:1). The words fromSinai are unto death; thewords from above the MercySeat are unto life eternal.In the Book of Leviticus,Moses gave to Israel fromGod the law as contained inordinances. These statutes setforth the required sacrifices aswell as the manner and seasonsin which they were tobe offered. They all witnessto the depravity of man andthe Law’s severity, on theone hand; and on the other,to the riches of God’s graceabounding over sin unto theblessedness of the believer inChrist Jesus. Worship wasgiven its rightful place, thefirst place in every life and inthe life of a nation as well.Holy living was enjoyed uponGod’s people. Obedience toGod’s holy commandments, ordinances,and judgments wasdemanded, with the promiseof rich blessings upon all whocomplied. In all this, Moses isa mighty expounder of theLaw, by which life should begoverned.3. Moses is also an expounderof the law of theblessing and the curse. Bythe very nature of law — anyrighteous law — compliance(See COLYAR on page 24)

Page 20The Baptist Challenge June 1996One Way SatanWorksSome years ago while in arevival meeting with theBirdwell Lane Baptist churchin Big Spring, Texas, I pickedup a “new” version of theParable of the Good Samaritan.This illustrates very wellone of Satan’s methods ofwork, so I thought I wouldinclude it in this issue of TheBaptist Challenge.The parable is written indialogue as spoken by ourblack brethren in the southyears ago. I hope none of ourblack brethren will take offenseas none is intended butsimply to get across the truthas presented in this illustration.A young colored man felthe had been called to preach.So he applied for admissionto the ministry and the examinationproceeded.“Can you read, Sam?” Answer:“No sir.”“Can you write?” Answer:“No sir, I can’t write,but my wife she am a pow’fulgood writer.”“Well, do you know yourBible?” Answer: “Yes sir, Iknow my Bible. I know it fromlid to lid.”“What part of the Bibledo you like best?” Answer:“Well, Sir, I likes de New Testament,de Book of deParables, sir.”“And what part of theparables?” Answer: “Why Ilike de parables of de goodSamaritan. I likes dat de bestof ‘em all.”“Well, Sam, tell us theparable of the Good Samaritan.”“I shore will. Once upon atime a young man went downfrom Jerico to Jerusalem andfell among thieves and dethorns sprung up and chokedhim, and he went on and didn’thave no money and he met dequeen of Shebby and shegave that man a hundredpieces of silver and tenchanges of raiment and hegot on de Chariot and drovefuriously. And while he wasdriving through the woods,his hair caught on a limb andhe hanged dere many daysand nights. Yes sir, and deraven brought food for him toeat, and water for him to drink.“An one night while hewas hanging dere, his wifeDelila come along and cut offhis hair and he fell on stonyground, and he went on andhid himself in a cave and itrained forty days and nights,and he went on and met a manwho say ‘Come in and havesupper wid me,’ and he said,‘No, I just married a wife andI can’t come.’ But he went outin de highways and bywaysand compelled dat man tocome in and have supper widhim.“When he came to Jerusalemhe saw Jezebelle a settingup high in a winder and shesaw him and laughed at himand he said. ‘Throw her downout of dere,’ and he said,throw her down some mor’and dey throwed her downseventy times seven andgreat was the fall thereof.“And of the fragmentsdey took up twelve basketsfull and now in de day of judgment,I know not whose wifeshe be.”* * *Now as anyone whoknows his Bible knows, this“Parable of the Good Samaritan”is a little “mixed-up,” althoughall of it is scripture.These are different portionsof scripture that have beentaken from different sectionsof the Bible (out of context, ofcourse) and put together insuch a way as to make it comeout comical.Satan, on the other hand,does the same way with theBible, producing all false doctrine,but whereas this “parable”came out comical, thework of Satan comes outdeadly, it kills the souls ofmen.Always make sure in yourreading and study of the Biblethat you do not do as thiscolored man did, and makesure you don’t mix your scripturesup in such a way as tomake the scripture teach somethingthat God didn’t putthere. "PRAYER . . .(Continued from page 16)In the name of ‘right to life,’we have killed abortionists.We have neglected to disciplineour children and calledit ‘building self-esteem.’“We have abused powerand called it ‘political savvy.’We’ve coveted our neighbors’possessions and called it‘taxes.’ We’ve polluted the airwith profanity and pornographyand called it ‘freedom ofexpression.’ We’ve ridiculedthe time-honored values ofour forefathers and called it‘enlightenment.’“Search us, O God, andknow our hearts today. Tryus and show us any wickedway in us. Cleanse us fromevery sin, and set us free.“Guide and bless thesemen and women who havebeen sent here by the peopleof Kansas and who have beenordained by You to governthis great state.“Grant them Your wisdomto rule, and may their decisionsdirect us to the centerof Your will.“I ask it in the Name ofYour Son, the living Savior,Jesus Christ. Amen.” "Pride RebukedThe life and death of ourLord Jesus Christ are a standingrebuke to every form ofpride.Pride of birth: “Is not thisthe carpenter’s Son?”Pride of wealth: “The Sonof Man hath not where to layHis head.”Pride of personal appearance:“He hath no form norcomeliness.”Pride of reputation:“Made himself of no reputation.”Pride of superiority: “I am... as one that serveth.”Pride of ability: “I can ofmine own self do nothing.”Pride of will: “I see notmine own will.”Pride of resentment: “Father,forgive them.”* * *If people read — that isgood.If people understand —that is better.If people respond — thatis best.Seay’s SortiesBy Betty Jo SeayA terrible malady hasstricken Gene! He has cleanedout his desk! He bought thisdesk more than thirty yearsago and it has slowly filledwith a lovely accumulation!Apparently I, too, havebeen stricken. Fifty years ofsnap shots have been passedon to April to sort after I organizedour “story in photographs,”in a new album Genegave me.Could this snowball andextend to other treasures?“Lay not up for yourselvestreasures upon earth,” is stillgood advice. "

June 1996The Baptist Challenge Page 21BIBLE . . .(Continued from page 1)get, but Christ Himself tells usthat in the Gospels we have,not the Apostles’ memory ofwhat He said, but the HolyGhost’s recollection, and theSpirit of God never forgets. InJohn 16:13-14, Christ said theHoly Ghost would guide theApostles into “all truth,”therefore in the New Testamentteaching we have thewhole sphere of God’s truth.The teachings of theApostles is more complete thanthat of Jesus Himself, for Hesays in John 16:12, “I havemany things to say unto you,but ye cannot bear them now.Howbeit when He, the spirit oftruth is come, He shall guideyou into all truth.” While Hisown teaching had been partial,because of their weakness, theteachings of the Apostles, underthe promised Spirit, was totake in the whole sphere ofGods truth. So if we accept theauthority of Christ we must acceptthat of the whole Bible,but we must, as already seen,accept Christ’s authority.II. On The Ground of ItsFulfilled Prophesies.There are two classes ofprophesies in the Bible. First theexplicit, verbal prophesies, andsecond those of the types. Inthe first we have the definiteprophesies concerning theJews, the heathen nations andthe Messiah. Taking theprophesies regarding the Messiahas an illustration, look atIsaiah 53, Micah 5:2, and Daniel9:25-27. Many others might benamed, but these will serve asan illustration. Many othersmight be named, but these willserve as an illustration.In these prophesies writtenhundreds of years before theMessiah came, we have themost explicit statements as tothe manner and place of Hisbirth, the manner of His receptionby men, how His lifewould end, His resurrection andHis victory succeeding Hisdeath. When made, theseprophesies were exceedinglyimprobable, and seemingly impossibleof fulfillment, but theywere fulfilled to the very minutestdetail of manner and placeand time. How are we to accountfor it? Man could nothave foreseen these improbableevents — they lay hundreds ofyears ahead — but God could,and it is God who speaksthrough these men.But the prophesies of thetypes are more remarkable still.Everything in the Old Testament— history, institutions,ceremonies — is prophetical.The high priesthood, the ordinarypriesthood, the Levites,the prophets, priests and kings,are all prophesies. The Tabernacle,the brazen altar, the laver,the golden candlestick, thetable of shewbread, the veil,the altar of incense, the Ark ofthe Covenant, the very coveringsof the Tabernacle, areprophesies. In all these thingsas we study minutely and soberlyin the light of the historyof Jesus Christ and the church,we see, wrapped up in the ancientinstitutions ordained byGod to meet an immediate purpose,prophesies of the death,atonement and resurrection ofChrist, the Day of Pentecost,and the entire history of thechurch. We see theprofoundest Christian doctrinesof the New Testament clearlyforeshadowed in these old institutionsof the Old Testament.The only way in which we canappreciate this is to get into thebook itself and study all aboutthe sacrifices and feasts, etc.,till you see the truths of theNew Testament shining out inthe Old.If in studying some elementaryform of life, I find arudimentary organ, uselessnow, but by the process of developmentto become of use inthat animal’s descendent, I say,back of this rudimentary organis God, who, in the earlier animal,is preparing the life andnecessities of the animal that isto come. So going back tothese preparations in the Biblefor the truth that is to beclearly taught at a later day,there is only one scientific wayto account for them, namely,He, who knows and preparesfor the end from the beginningis the author if that book.III. On the Ground of theUnity of That Book.This is an old argument,but a very satisfactory one.The Bible consists of sixty-sixbooks, written by more thanthirty different men, extendingin the period of compositionover more than 1500 years;written in three languages, alldifferent, in many differentcountries, and by men on everyplane of social life, from theherdsman and fisherman andcheap politician up to the kingon his throne; written under allsorts of circumstances; yet inall this wonderful conglomerationwe find an absolute unityof thought.A wonderful thing about itis that this unity does not lieon the surface. On the surfacethere is oftentimes apparentcontradiction, and the unityonly comes out after deep andprotracted study. More wonderfulyet is the organic characterof this unity; beginning in thefirst book and growing till youcome to its culmination in thelast book of the Bible. Wehave first the seed, then theplant, then the bud, the blossom,then the ripened fruit.Suppose a vast buildingwere to be erected, the stonesfor which were brought fromthe quarries in Rutland, Vermont,Berea, Ohio, Kasota,Minnesota, and Middletown,Connecticut. Each stone washewn into final shape in thequarry from which it wasbrought. These stones were ofall varieties of shape and size,cubical, rectangular, cylindrical,etc., but when they werebrought together every stonefitted into its place, and whenput together there rose beforeyou a temple absolutely perfectin every outline, with its domes,sidewalls, buttresses, arches,transepts — not a gap or flawanywhere. How would you accountfor it? You would say,“Back of these individual workersin the quarries was themaster-mind of the architectwho planned it all, and gave toeach individual worker hisspecifications for the work. Soin this marvelous temple ofGod’s truth which we call theBible, whose stones have beenquarried at periods of time andin places so remote from eachother; but where every smallestpart fits each other part; we areforced to say that back of thehuman hands that wrought wasthe Master mind that thought.IV. On the Ground of theImmeasurable Superiority ofthe Teachings of the Bible ToThose of Any Other and AllOther Books.It is quite fashionable insome quarters to compare theteachings of the Bible with theteachings of Zoroaster, Buddha,and Confucius, andEpicurus, and Socrates, andMarcus Aurelius Antoninus,and a number of other heathenwriters. The difference betweenthe teachings of the Bible andthose of these men is found inthree points.First, the Bible has nothingin it but truth, while the othershave truth mixed with error. It(See BIBLE on page 22)

Page 22The Baptist Challenge June 1996BIBLE . . .(Continued from page 21)is true Socrates taught how aphilosopher ought to die; he alsotaught how a woman of the townought to conduct her business.Jewels there are in the teachingsof these men, but (as Joseph Cookonce said) “They are jewelspicked out of the mud.”Second: The Bible containsall truth. There is not a truthto be found anywhere on moralor spiritual subjects that youcan not find, in substance,within the covers of that oldbook. I’ve often, when speakingupon this subject, askedany one to bring me a singletruth on moral or spiritual subjects,which, upon reflection, Icould not find within the coversof this book, and no onehas yet been able to do it. I’vetaken pains to compare some ofthe better teachings of infidelswith those of the Bible. Theyindeed have jewels of thought,but they are, whether theyknew it or not, stolen jewels,and stolen from the very bookthey ridicule.The third point of superiorityis this: the Bible containsmore truth than all other bookstogether. Get together all literatureof ancient and moderntimes all the beautiful thoughtsyou can; put away all the rubbish,put all these truths youhave culled from the literatureof all ages into one book,and as the result, even thenyou will not have a book thatwill take the place of this onebook.This is not a large book. Ihold in my hand a copy that Ican carry in my vest pocket,and yet in this one little bookthere is more of truth than inall the books which man hasproduced in all the ages of history.How will you account forit? There is only one rationalway. This book is not man’sbook, but God’s book.V. On the Ground of theHistory of the Book, Its VictoryOver Attack.This book has alwaysbeen hated. No sooner was itgiven to the world than it metwith the hatred of mankind, andthey tried to stamp it out.Celsus by the brilliancy of hisgenius, Porphyry by the depthof his philosophy, but theyfailed. Lucian directed againstit the shafts of his ridicule,Diocletian the power of the RomanEmpire, but they failed.Edicts backed by all the powerof the Empire were issued thatevery Bible should be burned,and that everyone who had aBible should be put to death.For nineteen centuries everyengine of destruction that humanscience, philosophy, wit,reasoning or brutality couldbring to bear against a bookhas been brought to bearagainst that book to stamp itout of the world, but it has amightier hold on the world todaythan ever before. If thatwere man’s book it would havebeen annihilated and forgottenhundreds of years ago, but becausethere is in it “The hidingof God’s power” though attimes all the great men of theworld have been against it, andonly an obscure remnant for it,still it has fulfilled wonderfullythe words of Christ, thoughnot in the sense of the originalprophecy: “Heaven and earthshall pass away, but my wordshall not pass away.”VI. On the Ground of theCharacter of Those Who Acceptand of Those Who Rejectthe Book.Two things speak for thedivinity of the Bible — thecharacter of those who acceptit, and equally, the character ofthose who reject it. I do notmean by this that every manwho professes to believe thebook is better than every manthat does not, but show us aman living an unselfish devotedlife, one that without reservationhas surrendered himselfto the will of God, and I willshow you a man who believesthe Bible to be God’s Word.On the other hand show me aman who rejects the divine authorityof the book, and I willshow you a man living a life ofgreed, or lust, or spiritual prideor self will.Suppose you have a bookpurporting to be by a certainauthor, and the people best acquaintedwith that author sayit is his, and the people leastacquainted with him say it isnot. Which will you believe?Now, the people best acquaintedwith God say theBible is His book; those whoare least acquainted with Godsay it is not. Which will youbelieve?Furthermore, as men growbetter they are more likely toaccept the Bible, and as theygrow worse they are more likelyto reject it. We’ve all knownmen who were sinful and unbelieving,who by forsakingtheir sin lost their unbelief. Didany of us ever know a manwho was sinful and unbelieving,who by forsaking his sinlost his faith? The nearer menlive to God the more confidentthey are that the Bible is God’sWord; the farther they getaway from Him the more confidentthey are that it is not.Where is the strongholdof the Bible? In the pure unselfish,happy home. Where isthe stronghold of infidelity?The gambling hall, the drinkingsaloon and the brothel. If aman should walk into a saloonand lay a Bible down upon thebar and order a drink, weshould think there was astrange incongruity in his action,but if he should lay anyinfidel writing upon the bar,and order a drink, we shouldnot feel that there was any incongruity.VII. On the Ground of theInfluence of the Book.There is more power inthat little book to save men,and purify, gladden and beautifytheir lives than in all otherliterature put together — morepower to lift men up to God. Astream never rises higher thanits source, and a book that hasthe power to lift men up to Godthat no other book has, musthave come down from God ina way that no other book has.I’ve in mind as I write, aman who was the most completevictim of strong drink Iever knew; a man of marvelousintellectual gifts, but who hadbeen stupefied and brutalizedand demonized by the powerof sin, and he was an infidel.At last the light of God shoneinto his darkened heart, and bythe power of that book he hasbeen transformed into one ofthe humblest, sweetest, noblestmen I know today. What otherbook would have done that?What other book has the powerto elevate not only individualsbut communities and nationsthat this book has?VIII. On the Ground of theInexhaustible Depth of theBook.Nothing has been addedto it in the 1900 years, yet aman like Bunsen, or Neandercould not exhaust it by thestudy of a life time. GeorgeMuller read it through morethan one hundred times, andsaid it was fresher every timehe read it. Could that be trueof any other book?But more wonderful thanthis, not only individual menbut generations of men for1900 years have dug into it and(See BIBLE on page 23)

June 1996The Baptist Challenge Page 23BIBLE . . .(Continued from page 22)given to the world thousands ofvolumes devoted to its exposition,and they have not reachedthe bottom of the quarry yet. Abook that man produces, mancan exhaust, but all men togetherhave not been able to get to thebottom of this book. How are yougoing to account for it? Only inthis way — that in this book ishidden the infinite and inexhaustibletreasures of the wisdom andknowledge of God.A brilliant Unitarian writerin trying to disprove the inspirationof the Bible says: “Howirreligious to charge an infiniteGod with having written Hiswhole Word in so small abook.” He does not see howhis argument can be turnedagainst himself. What a testimonyit is to the divinity of thisbook that such infinite wisdomis stored away in so small acompass.IX. On the Ground of theFact That as We Grow inKnowledge and Holiness WeGrow Towards the Bible.Every thoughtful personwhen he starts out to study theBible finds many things withwhich he does not agree, but ashe goes on studying and growingin likeness to God, the nearerhe gets to God the nearer he getsto the Bible. The nearer he gets toGod’s standpoint the less andless becomes the disagreementbetween us and the Bible. Whatis the inevitable mathematical conclusion:when we get where Godis, we and the Bible will meet. Inother words the Bible was writtenfrom God’s standpoint.Suppose you are travelingthrough a forest under theconduct of an experienced andhighly recommended guide.You come to a place where tworoads diverge. The guide saysthe road to the left is the oneto take, but your own judgmentpassing upon the facts beforeit, sees clear evidence that theroad to the right is the one totake. You turn and say to theguide, “I know you’ve hadlarge experience in this forest,and you’ve come to me highlyrecommended, but my ownjudgment tells me clearly thatthe road to the right is the onewe should take, and I must followmy own judgment. I knowmy reason is not infallible, butit is the best guide I have. Butafter you’ve followed the pathfor some distance you areobliged to stop, turn aroundand go back and take the pathwhich the guide said was theright one.After a while you come toanother place where two roadsdiverse. Now the guide saysthe road to the right is the oneto take, but your own judgmentclearly says the one to the leftis the one to take, and againyou follow your own judgmentwith the same result as before.After you’ve had this experienceforty or fifty times, youfound yourself wrong everytime, I think you would havesense enough the next time tofollow the guide.That is just my experiencewith the Bible. I received it atfirst on the authority of others.Like most all other young men,my confidence became shaken,and I came to the fork of theroad more than forty times, andI followed my own reason, andin the outcome find myselfwrong and the Bible right everytime, and I trust that fromthis time on I shall have senseenough to follow the teachingsof the Bible whatever my ownjudgment may say.X. On the Ground of theDirect Testimony of the HolySpirit.We began with God andshall end with God. We beganwith the testimony of the secondperson in the Trinity, andshall close with that of thethird person of the Trinity. TheHoly Spirit sets His seal in thesoul of every believer to the divineauthority of the Bible. Itis possible to get to the placewhere we need no argument toprove that the Bible is God’sWord. “My sheep know myvoice” and God’s childrenknow His voice, and I knowthat the voice that speaks tome from the pages of that bookis the voice of my Father. Youwill sometimes meet a pious oldlady who tells you that sheknows that the Bible is God’sWord, and when you ask herfor a reason for believing thatit is God’s Word, she can giveyou none. She simply says “Iknow it is God’s Word.” Yousay “That is mere superstition.”Not at all. She is one ofChrist’s sheep and recognizesher shepherd’s voice. She isone of God’s children, andknows the voice of God. She isabove argument.Everyone can have thistestimony. John 7:17 tells youhow to get it. “If any man willdo his will, he shall know ofthe doctrine, whether it be ofGod, or whether I speak of myself.”Just surrender your willto the will of God, no matterwhere it carries you, and youwill put yourself in such an attitudetowards God that whenyou read the book you will recognizethat the voice thatspeaks to you from it is thevoice of the God to whom youhave surrendered your will.Some time ago, when I wasspeaking to our students uponhow to deal with skeptics,there was in the audience agraduate of a British Universitywho had fallen into utter skepticism.At the close of the lecturehe came to me and said:“I don’t wish to be discourteous,sir, but my experiencecontradicts everything youhave said.” I asked him if hehad followed the course of actionthat I had suggested andnot found light. He said thathe had.Stepping into anotherroom I had a pledge written outrunning something as follows:“I believe there is an absolutedifference between right andwrong; and I hereby take mystand upon the right, to followit wherever it carries me. Ipromise earnestly to endeavorto find out what the truth is,and if I ever find that JesusChrist is the son of God, Ipromise to accept Him as mySavior and confess Him beforethe world.”I handed the paper to thegentleman and asked him if hewas willing to sign it. He answered“certainly” and did signit. I said to him “you don’tknow there is not a God, andyou don’t know that Goddoesn’t answer prayer. I knowHe does, but my knowledgecannot avail for you, but hereis a possible clue to knowledge.Now you have promised tosearch earnestly for the truth,so you will follow this possibleclue. I want you to offer aprayer like this: “Oh God, ifthere be any God, and thoudost answer prayer, show mewhether Jesus Christ is Thyson, and if You show me He is,I will accept Him as my Saviorand confess Him before theworld.” This he agreed to do.I further requested that hewould take the Gospel of Johnand read it every day, readingonly a few verses at a timeslowly and thoughtfully, everytime before he read asking Godto give him light. This he alsoagreed to do, but he finishedby saying, “There is nothing init.” I replied “I know that.”Then he went on to say itseemed just as if he had beencaught up by the Niagara river(See BIBLE on page 24)

Page 24The Baptist Challenge June 1996BIBLE . . .(Continued from page 23)and had been carried along andthat before long he would be ashouting Methodist.A short time ago I metthis gentleman again and hesaid to me that he could notunderstand how he had beenso blind, how he had ever listenedto the reasoning whichhe had; that it seemed to himutterly foolish now. I repliedthat the Bible would explainthat to him, that the “naturalman receiveth not the thingsof the spirit of God.” But nowhe had put himself into theright attitude towards God andHis truth, everything had beenmade plain. That man who assuredme that he was “a verypeculiar man” and that methodsthat influenced otherswould not influence him. Byputting himself into the rightattitude towards God, got to aplace where he received thedirect testimony of the HolyGhost that this Bible is God’sWord, and any one else cando the same. ! ! ! ! ! "COLYAR . . .(Continued from page 19)yields a blessing; non-complianceyields a curse. “Ye shallkeep my sabbaths, and reverencemy sanctuary: I am theLord,” is a cardinal duty underlyingIsrael’s peace and prosperity.Henceforth in Israel thedesecration of the Lord’ssabbaths and the neglect andthe defiling of His sanctuaryare sure signs of love’sgrowing cold and increasing iniquity.These in turn are certainportents of impending evilfrom God’s hand upon His erringpeople.The Law of BlessingThe law of blessing is this:“If ye walk in my statutes, andkeep my commandments, anddo them; Then I will give yourain in due season, and theland shall yield her increase,and the trees of the field shallyield their fruit. And yourthreshing shall reach unto thevintage, and the vintage shallreach unto the sowing time: andye shall eat your bread to thefull, and dwell in your landsafely. And I will give peace inthe land, and ye shall lie down,and none shall make youafraid: and I will rid evil beastsout of the land, neither shall thesword go through your land.And ye shall chase your en-emies, and they shall fall beforeyou by the sword. Andfive of you shall chase an hundred,and an hundred of youshall put ten thousand to flight:and your enemies shall fall beforeyou by the sword. For Iwill have respect unto you, andmake you fruitful, and multiplyyou, and establish my covenantwith you. And ye shalleat old store, and bring forththe old because of the new.And I will set my tabernacleamong you: and my soul shallnot abhor you. And I will walkamong you, and will be yourGod, and ye shall be mypeople” (Lev. 26:3-12).What blessings for an obedientpeople. How much morecould a people ask for thanthis? Yet, alas! how completeis man’s failure. Complete obedienceis not in him. This beingtrue, the law of the blessing,with all its glowing promises,is followed directly byanother law, the law of thecurse.The Law of the CurseThe Lord said by theprophet Moses: “But if ye willnot hearken unto me, and willnot do all these commandments:and if ye shall despisemy statutes, or if your soulabhor my judgments, so that yewill not do all my commandments,but that ye break, mycovenant: I will do this untoyou” — here follows the threatof chastisement for their disobedience,one stroke uponanother, increasing with severitywith each succeeding strokeof the rod, until His people arebroken in pieces. The record istoo long to quote in full detailhere Read it in Leviticus 26:16-39. Suffice it to say that thefirst chastisement seems quitesevere enough: “I will even appointover you terror, consumption,and the burning ague, thatshall consume the eyes, andcause sorrow of heart: and yeshall sow your seed in vain foryour enemies shall eat it. AndI will set my face against you,and ye shall be slain beforeyour enemies: they that hateyou shall reign over you; andye shall fell when nonepursueth you.”For the second stroke ofchastening judgments the Lordsays: “And if ye will not yetfor all this hearken unto me,then I will punish you seventimes more for your sins.”Then the third: “I will bringseven times more plagues uponyou according to your sins.”The fifth is even worse: “ThenI will walk contrary unto youalso in fury; and I, even I, willchastise you seven times foryour sins. And ye shall eat theflesh of your sons and theflesh of your daughters shallye eat ... And I will scatter youamong the heathen (nations,Gentiles), and will draw out asword after you: and your landshall be desolate, and your citieswaste.” How obstinate aremen in their sins! How devastatingare the Lord’s judgments!The curse of the Lawis death and destruction.All of this anticipated thethen future history of Israel. Allnow has been fulfilled, as theworld well knows. All Israel accordingto the flesh is scatteredamong the nations of the earth.Millions have been put toshameful death through thepast centuries of their dispersion.The few years beginningwith World War II have utterlydestroyed millions more. Yetother millions more are bruisedand hurt and sick and hidingfor fear, and wanderers in theearth. Yet they are not utterlydestroyed. The Lord says Hewill not utterly destroy them.One glorious day they shall bedelivered, as we shall se in ournext article, according toMoses the expounder of theLaw. ! ! ! ! ! ! ! "