NEAR THE END? - Baptist Bible Tribune

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Baptist HistoryBy Thomas RAYExchanging freedom for slaveryOn May 13, 1809, 13 black members of the First BaptistChurch of Philadelphia were dismissed at theirrequest in order to establish the First African BaptistChurch. About a month later, on June 19, the church wasorganized and called as their first pastor Henry Cunninghamwho served the church from 1809 until 1812.The next pastor was John King (a white minister fromVirginia), who would serve First African from 1813 until earlyin 1832. Without pastoral leadership, the church began tostruggle and to experience a slow but steady decline in itsmembership. At the same time, Philadelphia had become thehome to an ever-increasingnumber of runaway slavesand freemen who soughtand found refuge in Pennsylvania.The church cameto the conclusion that ifthey were going to evangelizePhiladelphia’s growingblack population, theymust obtain the services ofa black minister who couldprovide them with stabilityand leadership.Shortly after theirsearch was launched, theywere informed about JamesBurrows, a black preacherin Virginia who was havinggreat success in preaching the gospel among the slaves. Thechurch immediately corresponded with Burrows and invitedhim to come to Philadelphia.Burrows was receptive to the church’s invitation, butthere was one major problem. James Burrows was a slave,and his owner refused to allow him to go to Philadelphia untilhe was paid in full for his property. First African Church hadonly 60 members, all of whom were poor, and it was impossiblefor them to raise the money that was required to obtainBurrows’ freedom (a healthy educated slave like Burrowswould sell for somewhere between $800 to $1000). The churchoffered to pay Burrows’ owner in installments for his freedom,but he refused their offer. The church members were naturallydisappointed, but they strongly believed that James Burrowswas God’s man for their church. The church had run outof options but they still had faith in the God who hears andanswers prayer.During this crisis, two cousins, Samuel and John Bivins,would make one of the most selfless sacrifices in Baptist history.Samuel and John, who were both freemen, decided, aftermuch prayer and discussion, to make an astounding offer.They offered to place themselves in bondage as security forthe freedom of James Burrows. Burrows’ owner accepted Samueland John’s offer. They immediately traveled to Virginiaand these freemen willingly became bond slaves in order thatJames Burrows might befree to preach the gospel.Burrows hastenedto Philadelphia where hewas installed as pastorof First African BaptistChurch.Burrows and thechurch did not forgetSamuel and John Bivins.Through their self-sacrificeand the gifts of interestedfriends, Burrowsand the church wereeventually able to obtaintheir freedom. Samueland John Bivins hadserved as slaves for oneyear, a sacrifice they gladly made for the sake of the gospel.The pair returned to Philadelphia where they assisted PastorBurrows in the work of the church.Burrows’ ministry and the growth of the church wouldmore than amply justify Samuel and John Bivins’ sacrifice oflove. Upon the arrival of John Burrows in 1832, the churchhad only 60 members. At his death in 1844, that number hadincreased to 252. (Remember, in that day, Baptist churcheshad approximately five times as many attendees as they hadmembers.)When you are challenged to make a physical or financialsacrifice for the work of God, remember Samuel and JohnBivins, who willingly exchanged freedom for slavery for thefurtherance of the gospel.20 Baptist Bible Tribune [ July/August 2009 ]
URBANCURRENTGonna run on...Charles Lyons, PastorArmitage Baptist ChurchChicago, IllinoisI’m on my run. The sun warms myface. I’m making tracks down theparkway that flanks the Boulevard.I follow a path through the grass. Backwhen I started, there was no path.This summer I’m reflecting on God’sgoodness as I mark 35 years as pastorof Armitage Baptist Church in thisworld-class city. When I began, therewas no path. I marvel at supernaturalstrength for every step. I ponder God’sgrace for the race. My mind flits to mypreacher father, 58 years the pastor ofAshburn Baptist here in the Chicagoarea. What an example!Exodus 23 comes to mind. Godgave me this passage in 1980 when wewere trying to buy this big old MasonicTemple. We sealed the deal in 1981,exorcised the place, and are still sanctifyingit. In verse 20, God tells Mosesand the people He will send an angelbefore them. Then He says He willbring them to the land of the Amorites,the Hittites, the Perrizites, theCanaanites, the termites…you rememberthe passage. I understood that tosay that God would lead us to the enemy,to His enemies, in order to showHis power over them.I didn’t know that the first enemywould be an Irish Democrat slumlordfamily. They owned this building weended up buying at a rock-bottom price.Wow! God led us to face the gangs. Infact, we took over their headquartercorner when we bought this building.Every night 25 guys would be hangingout on our front steps. I spotted theirformer chief a couple weeks ago praisingGod on our front row. God led usto an eyeball-to-eyeball facedown withthe Chicago Democratic machine. Westood, they stumbled and backed away.charles.lyons@armitagechurch.orgGod led us into a Holy Ghost encounterwith radical homosexuals. It’s a greatstory, but suffice it to say Saints 2, RadHomosexuals 0. What really freakedthem out? We loved on them all theway through.Oh yes, through many dangers,toils, and snares…I think of when my back problemswouldn’t even let me walk and thenwould only let me walk but not run. Aritual has evolved. As I begin my run,I think of the blessing of being able torun again. I lift my hands above myhead, crazy-man like. You know, likethe winner breaking the tape…onlythe passing traffic sees no tape and noother runners, just a skinny white manrunning down the parkway with hisarms in the air and his lips moving. I’mthanking God for letting me run onemore day, praising Him for His goodnessand faithfulness all these yearsand miles later.Today, I want to yell over myshoulder to all you servants behind merunning at the 2-year mark, the 8-yearmark, 17 years, 26 years, 34 years,“GOD IS GOOD! HE’S FAITHFUL! Oh,He will test you to grow you. He’ll turnup the fire to purify you. He’ll stretchyou to within an inch of your life, butHe will never, ever leave you. He’s runningwith you right now.”Many days when I thought I wastrudging sluggishly, the fancy shmancysport tool my staff gave me told me Iwas running at a stronger, faster pacethan it felt like. So many nights gettingup to preach my 3rd or 4th message ofthe day I thought, “I’m not getting thejob done.” A couple months ago, I askedall the men who were called to preachto come and sit in the front. About 20guys came and filled the front row.I’ve failed Him, He’s never failedme. I want to holler back to all thosecoming up behind me, “When you don’tthink you can run one more mile, youcan do all things through Christ. Whenyou think you can’t go one more step,you don’t have one more sermon in you,one more service, one more counseling...the passing traffic sees no tape and no otherrunners, just a skinny white man running down theparkway with his arms in the air and his lips moving.session, one more deacons’ meeting,not one more Bible study in you, whenyou don’t have one more tear, when youjust know one more family leaving willbreak you…they that wait upon theLord will renew their strength, theywill mount up with wings like eagles,they shall run and not faint. The race isnot given to the swift. Your labor is notin vain in the Lord.”He may not come when you wantHim, but He’s always on time. I’m awitness! I’ve got to testify! This is mystory, this is my song, I’m praising mySavior all the day long. Can somebodyhelp me praise Him? Can I get a witness?I said, can I get a witness? God isgood! God is able!Miracles ahead! Answered prayer.More souls. I believe I’m gonna runon…see what the end’s gonna be.Baptist Bible Tribune [ July/August 2009 ] 21
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