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Tag Archives: baptist preacher

The Bible?

18 Wednesday Nov 2020

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

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baptist preacher, Bible, preaching

             It was early in the 19th century; a young Baptist preacher and his friend were on a preaching tour, that is, they were going from community to community to preach what they believed to be the Gospel of Christ. Both young men were preachers; one said to the other, “Brother Sewell, I am sorry to see you carry the Book with you to church. Young Sewell asked: ‘Why?’ His companion replied: ‘I am afraid the people will think we learned our sermons out of it.’ This was exactly what young Sewell had done” (Biographical Sketches of Gospel Preachers, H. Leo Boles, p. 181). 

What was “the Book”? It was the Bible.

From that time, Jesse Sewell set his mind in a more diligent fashion to see what “the Book” truly said; he was determined that from it only would he preach. This did not go without a response from the church of his heritage. They responded when they gathered: “The vote was put, about half a dozen of the forty members present voted to exclude him from the Baptist Church; the others did not vote. The announcement was made that he was excluded, and the assembly arose and left the house in confusion” (p. 183). One man wanted it to be said about Jesse Sewell that he was excluded from their fellowship because “it was for teaching heresy.”

Imagine that! Teaching heresy when one uses only the Bible from which to preach and teach!

I remember when I was much younger my mother saying something to me that was similar. It was her thinking, at the time, that I should not have learned to preach from the Bible, but that I should have been preaching what the Lord’s Spirit gave me, apart from the Bible. Evidently, she learned from others this way of thinking (she later rejected that way of thinking). Since that time, I have not come across too many people who think this way, though I have read of preachers who believed they were guided by the Holy Spirit to say what things they were saying, apart from what the Scriptures actually said.

When a person preaches from the Bible, there is going to be a response. A good many people will like it and like it very much. There will be many more, however, who stand opposed to one’s firm resolution to preach what the Scriptures teach. One does not have to look far, as in our socially conflicting society, to see that. Paul said of himself, For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith (Rom. 1:16-17). What did it get him? It got him much in the way of trouble! He was stoned, flogged, ostracized and incarcerated. Still, he would not change what he did, For I will not dare to speak of any things save those which Christ wrought through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed (15:18).

            There are many who say what Paul did, but as one looks around, all saying the same thing Paul did, there is still much confusion. Who and what are we to believe? It was John who wrote to the saints, Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world (1 John 4:1). How can this be done? In Berea, the Scripture teaches us: Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so (Acts 17:11). The Bible is The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul: The testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple (Psa. 19:11). RT

What A Compliment! (3)

12 Sunday Sep 2010

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

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baptist preacher, debates

In truth, debates are actually good and productive, and the words of the Baptist preacher should encourage reconsideration. When the Lord walked on this earth he forthrightly challenged the error that was preached in his day. While the Lord exhibited much compassion, his confrontational approach is something to be emulated. The people of Jesus’ day were amazed at the authority by which he spoke (Matthew 7:28-29), and they took note that the religious leaders were frightened by him also (John 7:26, 46; 12:42-43). They had good reason to be for when a person hears the truth, the purveyors of error lose influence. Truth has nothing to fear. Now, more than ever, is the time to preach the word (2 Timothy 4:2) and “reason” publicly and/or privately with those that hold positions that are contrary to the Scriptures (Acts 20:7; 17:2-5). Let us encourage this effort.

Some think that public oral debates are of little to no value for today’s society, but I have never subscribed to that way of thinking. Debates and debate books have been very influential to me in my own growth. It is difficult to have our individual ways of thinking challenged; it is for you, it is for me, and it was for those who lived during the first century. As we seek to know the truth of God’s word and help others to make an application, let us be strong enough to allow our ways of thinking to be critically examined. What does truth have to fear? Debates are an honorable venue for the investigation of truth. As men of God we must controlled by God’s truth (Galatians 2:20); The Lord’s truth needs men who will be firm and Christ like in ALL regards.

What A Compliment! (2)

10 Friday Sep 2010

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

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baptist preacher, debates

In this apology, he stated a reason why some refuse to debate any longer. It is the opinion of some that debates have declined in frequency because there is no interest in them. Perhaps this true, but is there another reason why debates have waned over the years? In accordance with the sentiments of the apology, there is another reason; maybe we can call this the real reason. Some potential participants in the debate setting do not want what is considered true to be put through critical examination alongside an opposite view. When the truth is held up for discussion and an opposite view is the opponent, the opponent will be shown to hold a position not true. When such occurs, it is not long before the error loses influence with people interested in truth.

Preachers who proclaim error, especially after it has been exposed, care little for debates any longer. Their congregants, after the hearing of truth, become more interested in truth and the influence of the preacher wanes. The Baptist preacher, apparently, did not want to take his conviction into this environment and allow it to be critically examined. He did not want another to have an opportunity to show him to be mistaken in his view. In the apology he offered for his withdrawal, he actually paid a compliment to the process and those who support the process. Since truth holds firm when attacked, those who hold positions contrary to truth decide it is in their best interest to no longer enter controversial engagements. The Baptist preacher who withdrew from the debate actually concedes that our debates are doing much good in that many are converted to the truth of the Bible by these discussions. “As I said, I had reservations after considering that putting my name to this debate would draw people to the CoC [church of Christ] organization’s doctrine. Most up north do not know of your group, and I do not want to introduce them to it.” This, in effect, says that the position he once held to could not hold up when scrutiny came from biblical examination. Again, this compliment (although backhanded) given to the Lord’s people is worthy of note. Some may think that discussions of this sort hold the interest of few people anymore; in truth, however, there is another reason why these types of discussion no longer continue as they once did, and the remarks of the Baptist preacher makes this clearer.

The last in the series will be tomorrow.

What A Compliment! (1)

09 Thursday Sep 2010

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

baptist preacher, debates

Each person has a particular way in which he learns best. Some learn best by way of visuals such as power point presentations, images on a television screen, and things of this sort. Others learn best by shear effort at perseverance in reading difficult material and others, still, learn best through controversy (debates). This latter is a good way for me to learn. I learn when issues are analyzed and proponents of issues are put through the “crucible” of controversy or critical examination. Oral debates and debate books are very useful tools in learning because we learn not only what particular issues divide people, but also how the individual issues stand up to scrutiny. I value the debates I have in book form, and when I am old and gray, these books will still be on my shelf for they will certainly keep my mind active.

Not long ago (April 2009), I traveled to the Chicago area (Schaumburg) for a public oral debate on an issue that divided two religious men; that issue was the nature of man in relationship to God’s saving grace. Before I arrived, I received a courtesy call from the local preacher about one of the participant’s withdrawal from the debate (a Baptist preacher). I learned that he withdrew because he could no longer defend the proposition he signed to defend. After receiving the call, I reflected on two things: first, it was disappointing that he withdrew on a Thursday before the debate was to begin the following Monday; second, it was good that the denominational preacher had actually learned that the position he agreed to defend did not measure up to the truth of God’s word, and thus was indefensible.

Because the debate was so near to time of start, the Baptist preacher sent a letter of apology to the local preacher and the other participant in the debate. I was fortunate enough to read that letter of apology, and took special note of what he said. As it turns out, the Baptist preacher was strongly encouraged by another Baptist preacher not to be involved in the debate, and it was not because of the weakness of the proposition he signed on to defend. The reason he was encouraged strongly against participation was along this line: “…my reservations about the debate were confirmed when he [his preacher friend] warned me not to go through with the debate. He pastored down south where your group is larger, and he said one method for drawing converts is through these debates. I spoke with others who cofirmed [sic] this.”

This is the first of a three part series. Be sure to look for parts two and three to read the conclusion of this piece.

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