Arm Of The Lord - Reminder Online

"Arm Of The Lord"

This heading is suggested by Isa. 53:1. See Isa. 40:10; 51:9 and John 12:38.

This month we are offering our readers a treat. A brother whom I have known for more than 20 years sent me the article which follows. It delighted my heart to read his understanding. He grew up in a different culture from mine. He speaks another language besides English. He does not know Greek or Hebrew, but he obviously loves the Lord. This article may at first seem strange to you. This brother is a Missionary Baptist of long standing. His material shows how it is possible, just by reading the English Bible to understand it and see it covering the areas of a believer's life in any and all circumstances. In fact, he has observed proof of a kingdom, though that kingdom is not to come until Jesus returns to earth. This article deals with the kind of people which God must have in order to have such a kingdom. I did not understand this truth until I had preached for fifteen years. He does not speak in terms of law or duty to commandments. He describes a relationship, though he does not use that word. My feeling was one of delight when I read the first draft of this article. My idea was to bring it to you, the readers of this paper, that you may see how simple the Bible is for an obedient heart.

If this article blesses your heart and life I shall be happy for you to write me and tell me about it. Not only is it simple, it obviously was a blessing to this writer to think along these lines. Since he is not a preacher his thinking may be easier for some of you. At least you will not be able honestly to thrust it aside as something from a Seminary. This brother has never gone to a Bible school. I will tell you that I was his pastor for a few years a long time ago.

His subject uses a title which God gave to a chosen man after years of his running from the Lord and not walking by faith. It took a struggle for him, but he came around. That man's name was Jacob. The title is only found once in the King James Version, but the theme is found through both Old and New Testaments.

I moved a period inside a quotation marks; I changed the number on verbs a time or two. The rest is his own thinking. The most notable change is that I have actually copied in the passages where he gave the references. This is for your convenience. The article is an example of how it is possible for one to learn the Bible without special schooling, though it is home schooling and he was ready to be taught.

In the very beginning he mentions the tenor of the Scriptures., This is a quality which guides one through the Word. It makes the Word its own interpreter, with its Author directing your steps. Its drift, sense or meaning is revealed.

We wonder if it helps to have the passages quoted from the Word. You have your own Bible, but you must have a certain interest to go get the Bible and turn to the passage. The story the writer is giving may be suggested, but you need the very language to see it for yourself.

Bro. John, as we call him, Bro. Ioane Kanakaole, has revealed to us the kind of heart which blesses us because he has been blessed in the Word with His Lord's company. I can tell you that my own heart was blessed as I began to see his drift. I can hardly wait to go on to the rest where he identifies God's people more particularly.

Did you ever wonder how the teacher remembered the material you were assigned to read in your textbook? He was interested, or as we sometimes say, His/her heart was in it. So it is with the Bible. So it should be with the preacher's message.

We will determine later whether we should give a second part to the readers of The Reminder. – E. B.

Who Are "The Israel of God"?

By Ioane Kanakaole

Introduction

A study of the Scriptures will offer the people of God an opportunity to understand the tenor or flow of the teachings of the Bible. It is my earnest hope and prayer for us as His people that our fear and love for our Father in heaven may draw us closer and closer to him in fellowship. I pray that His tender loving care for us will move us in wonder and awe closer to Him, to his praise and glory. His desire to please us is often overlooked by us in our daily walk because we are consumed by the events of our everyday living. Yet, there are words which He says to us that thrill my heart and soul. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, that you might have hope in your latter end." (Jer 29:11-13) "Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee" (Jer 31:3). "Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee therefore will I give men for thee, and a people for thy life. Fear not; for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thy seed from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him" (Is. 43:4-7).

And too, the words of the psalmist: "How precious are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them. If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee," (Ps. 139:17-18; cf. Mt. 1000:29-31). I feel like dancing in joy and singing praises to His name through our Lord Jesus. How can we forget the words of the psalmist! "I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplication. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long I live" (Ps. 116:1-2). These are but a few words which declare our Lord's love and care and concern for our well being.

Within the scriptures are contained the "mysteries of the kingdom" which our Lord referred to: "And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11 "He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given." (Mt. 13:10-11); 34 "All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world" (Mt. 13:34-35).

36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one" (Mt. 13:34-38; cf. Lk. 12:22-32). They are ours to receive at our Master's offer.

"If Ye Be Willing!"

"And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. 23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. 24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? 25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? 27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

(Lk. 12:22-32; cf. Mt. 6:33-38)

These truths are essential for our well being and happiness and joy and confidence in our endeavors for the Lord's service. They remove from our lives the doubts and cares of the world and instill in us the faith of Christ which overcomes the world. 1 "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" (1 Jn. 5:1-4).

"22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith" (Gal. 3:22-24).

"7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace" (Rom. 6:7-14).

A careful study of the truths of the kingdom are contained in what is declared as the gospel of your salvation:

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

This marvelous truth does not speak about the event of being born again, but of the life of hope and ever being in the care and deliverance of our precious Saviour. and in his protection. It speaks of His ability.

"He Is Able"

25 "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself." (Heb. 7:25-27).

He is able to provide and deliver us. This is the theme of the gospel as has always been through the ages.

"1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

"3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

"6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

"10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." (1 Pet. 1:1-16).

The message of the gospel does not only speak of the death, burial and of the risen Christ; but most assuredly of the preparation of a special people of God to demonstrate the living Christ in their lives.

"Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. (Col. 1:26-28)."

11 "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee." (Tit. 2:11-15).

31 "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. (Jer. 31:31-34).

14 "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 5 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin." (Heb. 10:14-15).

For his works were finished from the foundation of the world. "Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world" (Heb 4:1-3).

The gospel is not therefore just the glad tidings of the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ as is commonly taught and accepted by the so-called "Christian" world. The gospel of the kingdom is that mystery revealed unto us, the Israel of God. If we are willing and will hear what the Spirit says, we will see the mystery of the kingdom within the gospel message as it unfolds to us in our Father's wonderful revelation from Genesis to Revelation.

In this study of the scriptures we will attempt to point out and identify and recognize the marks of the Lord's people down through the ages. The language of the book of Hebrews (1:2) says "by whom (Jesus) he made the worlds"; or as was once explained to me; "framed the ages." You may often hear our preachers use the word; "dispensation."

This facet of the scriptures speaks volumes concerning the way the Lord dealt with mankind. In short, it speaks of how the Lord dealt with a person, or a family, or a group of people, and a nation, and most important of all, the Bride of Christ which is his elect or chosen people, down through the ages.

The principals of grace and mercy and faith are common in all of those ages and they remained the way by which our Lord recognized his special people. The daily ritual of worship and praise might have differed with the times, but, faith and the grace of God's mercy never failed. "For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed (Mal 3:6).

Throughout the ages there has not been a time that the Lord was not with his people regardless of the circumstances. 5 "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me" (Heb 13:5-6) "Return unto me and I will return unto you," He ever pleads to us. (Mal 3:7) This principle in truth is to my heart one of the most outstanding and wonderful demonstrations of our Lord's patience and love for "his people," "the Israel of God." "And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God" (Gal. 6:16).

Even when we were wallowing in sin, His words of love and mercy are echoed and reechoed like a lover calling his sweetheart to repent and return: "2 Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown. 3 Israel was holiness unto the LORD, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD. 4 Hear ye the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel: 5 Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain? 6 Neither said they, Where is the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt? 7 And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination. 8 The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit. 9 Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children's children will I plead (Jer 2:2-9) .

His willingness to be reconciled to us is without boundaries: "8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust (Ps. 103:8-14).

His patience and long suffering for us is without measure. Amen.

Identity – The Israel of God

The purpose of this study is to identify the people of God down through the ages, beginning with Adam and up to the Lord's church today. It is not my idea to engender arguments or to set forth a new doctrine. I was drawn to a particular facet of the gospel relative to what is declared in the Scriptures concerning its revelation to his church now, as compared to what was revealed to the saints of other dispensations earlier and through to today. I found that the gospel of the kingdom is coveted and laid claim to by a lot of the masses of humanity, including so-called Christen- dom. Interesting that it should be so, for our Lord has declared (Mt. 13:10--13) that "it is given to us to know the mysteries of the kingdom, but to them it is not given."

There are two Scripture references I want to cite now to give you the train of thought that I will give you concerning the things that I have discovered. First, the Book of Hebrews (1:1-2) tells us that the gospel message was revealed to the fathers by the prophets. However, the phrase in 1:2 declares "by whom he made the worlds, which was explained to me to be like the framing of the ages in a picture. I thought the example was fascinating. The second reference is the words of Peter (1 Pet. 1:1-12): "1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the ..strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into."

There Peter reveals that the message of the gospel was not revealed in full until our Lord came and died on the cross, and then gave that message to the churches which in time are recorded in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul also revealed that truth to us in his epistle to the church in Corinth. (1 Cor. 13:9-13; 2 Cor 4:3-7; cf. Col. 1:26-28). The message of the gospel is a gradual revelation from the beginning of the scriptures and it is revealed in stages until the church may be brought to the forefront; "that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness towards us through Christ Jesus" (Eph 2:7). Our Father in heaven has given us all that we need to know in this respect (Eph 1:8-12). And he has made us able partakers of his will (Eph 2:1-6) (Eph 3:21) And our Lord hath not left us unprepared that we should be ignorant of the gospel of the kingdom of heaven. He hath given to us life; for he declared unto us "because I live, ye shall live also" (Jn 14:19). He hath given to us the "mind of Christ," in that he declares through the Apostle Paul that we have the mind of Christ." (1 Cor 2:16) It just thrills me all over to know that our precious Lord hath graced us with life, and goeth on to provide us with that gift of "the mind of Christ" in order that we may be able to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. It is a shame that so many of his people take the position of those outside the church, when confronted with a problem or a question; their answer usually is; "I don't know but I can ask my Pastor", or another answer is; "I cannot know because it is too hard to understand the Bible. My brethren I do not know or understand all about the Bible, but I believe what the scriptures say about itself. Most assuredly it is given to us to know; for we have the "mind of Christ" Now it remains for us to "study to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Tim 2:1-5).

(To be continued)

For lack of space we cannot give all of the material in this excellent article in one issue of the paper. Possibly in the next issue.

The Reminder, March 2003

Today is February 18, time for this copy to be on its way to the printer.

Several distractions and serious hindrances have worked again this month. Messages of several deaths have come to this desk.

Several e-mail letters have told us of the passing of Bro. Bill Alsept, pastor of the mission in Spokane, WA. He had been ill for some time, but on Feb. 14 we heard of his passing, Bro. Jack Worth was to preach at his funeral, on Feb. 17th, as we have word. This enjoins upon us the burden of that church's need for a pastor. A church is local, but whenever our brethren are hurt, afflicted, or in need it is reason for us to pray. Prayer is a ministry into which any can enter and reap benefits from what is normally evil or very painful.

Bro. Leo P. Wilson, passed away on that same day, or as some observed, on Valentine's Day. Wife and I felt the burden of attending, as Leo's wife is the older sister of Sister Byrd. Many relatives and friends were there, both for the visitation on Sunday and the service on Monday. We excused ourselves from the services here on Sunday night to attend. Among visitors for the visitation were a niece of Bro. Leo who lives here in Harrison, my son and wife, Ben and Dana, my brother, Glenn E. Byrd from Booneville, Ark., who knew Leo when we were boys and his father, R. S. Wilson was pastor at the home church where our parents were members. Numerous family members on both sides were present for the visitation on Sunday and even more attended the memorial services on Monday. That service was conducted by his wife's nephew, David Earl Ward, assisted by Bro. Dean Housley, a local pastor where he attended when able there in Clinton, Ark.

Bro. Leo Wilson was 86 years old. had served churches in Ark., in Illinois, and possibly other states of which I am not aware. He edited a mission paper for churches for many years. His own memory of service in World War II in Germany and across France are among his memories near the end.

Another Visitation and was here in Harrison, that of Austin Hall, member at Southern Hills MBC here in Harrison. He had not been able to attend services at his church due to the nature of his illness, but served there faithfully until stricken down, and our condolences are extended to his wife Becky and a son and a daughter who survive. Occasionally we feel denied when unable to contribute personally to those who are grieved or afflicted. At least we can pray for them.

The Reminder

A few brethren regularly help me with the expense of the paper. The list of clients receiving it has gone down in recent years, as I am not able to visit among brethren at fellowships and general meetings where I used to pick up names of those who wanted the paper. I am genuinely grateful for this help. the paper is online at the bottom of the box on page 2 of each issue.

Also a number of my works are to be found online, put there by Bro. Mike Maney. His address is. http://anabaptist.com/IndexByrd.cfm Bro. Maney has worked to copy some of my books there, and has even printed two of my older, small books which are available directly from him. Send him an e-mail and ask for these and he will send you the price, including any postage. Address is mike@anabaptist.com. He is copying my works to go with other Landmark works in his web sight. There are other works there which you will appreciate.

My space was limited last time so perhaps you did not grasp that I found two boxes of one of my books which had been mentioned as out of print. This you should order from me at the address in the space above. Learning To Rule Is Not Easy, or The Glory of a Covenant People. This book was printed back in 1981, but it is still up to date. The price is $4.00 per copy and the postage is less than $2.00. But with media mail, like this, the postage varies with your ZIP number, so it is not possible to say exactly how much in advance.

Do Missionary Baptists expect to rule and reign with Christ in the Millennium? they talk about it. Have you thought of being president of the U. S. Or did it occur to you to wonder if you would have the wisdom and t he courage to do so. Most of us question whether we would know or be able. Then how about reigning with Christ. Do we know the standards of such a life? We have this life in which to learn. Are we wasting time, or are we learning. The Way is learned by living by faith now.

Bethel Baptist Church

In our Sunday School we are using The Trail of Blood. This is bringing up some very profitable discussion as to why some people began practicing certain ideas, using the circumstances of the day to determine whether or not. Those who believed that baptism saves decided that babies were born in sink, so should be baptized. Because some did not agree they looked around for power, or authority to force them to conform. It was only a short distance to looking to the State to provide the power. All churches that have united with the State, become state churches, naturally lean to this expedient for power.

It was very early that people left the idea of God's providing for the church's authority by making Christ the Head. Those who depend on numbers and seek natural elements for appeal, as education, entertainment, are soon far afield with the thought of having the right to rule in this life. When will we learn that Christ is claiming that right, even now, so we do not need an organization beyond His church to carry on His work. If we feel these extras are necessary or even helpful, it means we do not reverence or respect Christ as we ought. Such ideas allow for doctrines and practices not supported by the Scriptures.

Man's logic, even when that man is saved, is not safe as our authority. Bro. Bogard told us of a group in Germany called Boggards, named for a man. He did not want that. So Bogardism, Calvinism, and such, is automatically labeled as not right. It is man's invention. I mix up names, calling R. W., W. R. I am sorry, but it is often done. q