SEPTEMBER EDITION... WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE-
by Dr. Keith J. Wise
Introduction: Here we go again, September. Now this is a visible month of transitions in that a real series of changes can be seen in the flora and fauna of our environments throughout most of the continental United States. Many of our population are home from vacations and excepting that first weekend of September when families take their last fling, the entirety of the country is either in school or getting ready to enter school. On the recreational side we see football, jackets and routines. Special events on the calendar include, Labor Day in which we celebrate the labor of an industrious population. Some obscure but important days in September are Grandparents Day and Patriot Day as we begin the month in visible motion. Later the calendar notes the Autumnal equinox(Sept.22) or the day before the Jewish Feast of Rosh Hashanah or literally the day of shouting or blasting. Christians will sometimes note this as the "Feast of Trumpets" or the beginning of the Jewish New Year. Yom Kippur comes a week later on September 30. This is noted in Judaism as the "day of atonement."
Digging Deeper- (Origins of the Baptist Church- A History of Denominations)
As we have already noted in our various studies, churches repelling off of the Protestant Reformation began to take various forms in describing themselves. The Baptist Church in Europe finds its origins in the 16th and 17th centuries. Basically speaking, they emerge from three groups and primarily in England and the Netherlands. First, there were the "Separatist" who spoke out against the Anglican Church in England in the late 16th century. Second, were the "Anabaptist." By 1525 they had rejected "infant baptism" and many of their splinter groups that expressed eccentric worship services had become marginalized or disappeared. They were known to the reformers as "radical reformers." Finally, the last group that will comprise the Baptist denomination will be the Mennonites. They emerge from the Roman Catholic Priest, Menno Simons.) He dissented major Catholic teaching and withdrew from the Roman Church. By 1536 he came in contact with Anabaptist but wasn't as dogmatic in his viewpoints as the Anabaptist.
The First Baptist Congregation: A "Separatist" congregation in Gainsborough in Lincolnshire England found itself led by John Smythe (1570-1612). A graduate of Cambridge University, he became a minister during the reign of James I who was pro-Catholic. In 1608 to avoid persecution, Smythe and the congregation migrated to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Here they came in contact with similar minded Mennonites. Furthermore, Smythe and 37 others, influenced by Anabaptist and Mennonites had himself and his flock baptized by "affusion" or "pouring." In 1609 the first Baptist congregation was organized. Its theology was "Arminian" from Jacob Arminius (1560-1609) who opposed the Calvinist theology of "Predestination." Those who embraced this view in the Baptist circle were known as "General Baptist."
The Baptist were at a period of consolidation and dissension in their theology and their views in a number of areas. For instance, there were the already described "General Baptist" who held that the sacrifice of Christ was universal and available to all men. Another branch of the Baptist were known as "Particular Baptist." This group said the atonement of Christ was for a limited and select "chosen" persons or group of "the elect." By 1611 in the group think of the Baptist, two leaders emerged in the discussions. First, John Smythe and Thomas Helwys (1575-1616) in their profession of faith as "General Baptist" drew up a systematic "confession" called A Declaration of Faith of English People Remaining At Amsterdam in Holland." With the changes in monarchy in England, Helwys will take a small group back to England. In a timeline we see several interesting developments: 1638- The first "Particular Baptist" congregation is started with a subsequent controversy over Calvinism and Predestination. They will split and be lead by a Calvinist leader by the name of John Spilsbury. 1641- Baptist congregations in various places begin to practice "immersion" as their form of baptism and consequently receive the name "Immersion Baptist." Between 1640-1660 the Baptist will have considerable growth in England. They come under direct persecution between 1660 -1689 until the Act of Toleration (1689) in England.
As an overview, the Baptist in England and elsewhere processed and developed three confessions of Faith. 1.) "A Confession of Faith of Seven Congregations or Churches of Christ in London." (1644) 2.) The "Confession of Somerset" held by sixteen congregations of the Baptist in 1656. 3.) Finally in 1688 a confession simply called several names that had a trans-Atlantic flair emerged: "Confession of 1688" "London Confession" or the "Philadelphia Confession of Faith." By 1693 a Catechism was prepared by two scholars among the Baptist: they were William Collins and Benjamin Keats which reflected a kinship with the Westminster Shorter Catechism. In America, we are familiar with Roger Williams who established himself in Rhode Island, originally a colony but finally became a state in later times of the American Revolution.
In America as the United States progressed, the Baptist were torn asunder by other issues of the times as were other groups. For instance they were divided by the issue of Slavery and their Structural Organization. In 1845 the Baptist in eight southern states organized the Southern Baptist Convention. In 1907 the Northern Baptist organized with the name the Northern Baptist Convention. By 1950 the Northern Baptist called themselves the American Baptist Convention. As we will see with other groups in America, a proliferation of groups and conventions will emerge on the American Continent reflecting the ardent independence and ideas of these groups, shaped by the frontier.
The Baptist in American today are basically composed of: Southern Baptist, National Baptist Convention of America, National Baptist Convention of the USA Inc., American Baptist Convention, General and Freewill Baptist, and the Baptist Alliance of North America. There may be more organized groups at this writing from Independents Baptist onward, but I have no documentation.
Did You Know? (answers at the bottom of page)
1. Who erected his own gravestone?(II Samuel 18:18)
2. Who made lime from a king's skeleton? (Amos 2:1)
3. Who put a wet blanket on a king and killed him? (II Kings 8:15 RV)
4. What two Hebrews were embalmed by Egyptians? (Gen. 50:2 and Gen. 50:26)
5. Who was the first of the twelve disciples to be murdered? (Acts 12:1-2)
Nuggets of Nourishment: A Sermon- Giving LivingG
Text: Luke 6:38
Introduction: One of the greatest accomplishments of any human life is to develop a "giving" attitude in every dimension of living. An attitude that sees God able and ready to do more than we can ask or think is abundant in scripture. We have a limited attitude in every aspect of life, but God does not. (Illust: There was a time when man believed he could not go any faster than 35 mph. or the air would be sucked out of his lungs and he would die. This seems strange to us today). Look at Paul's benediction to the church at Ephesus in Ephesians 3:20: "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever...Amen." I personally believe that there are at least three principles if developed and cultivated that will bring an abundance of blessing in life, attitude and peace of mind.
I. RECOGNIZE GOD AS OUR SOURCE- If we will see God as our source both materially and spiritually we will prosper. (Illust.) In the second century of the church there developed a heresy known as "dualism." It taught that there was a difference between the physical and spiritual realms. It proudly proclaimed that all things physical were evil and only spiritual entities were good. (Gnostic heresy) Jesus and his disciples never taught this. The first century church taught there was a danger of allowing the material realm to become more important by placing it first. But Jesus and His disciples taught the principle of "balance" in all things. Money is not wrong, but the "love" of money make us "imbalanced" before God. The Bible would have us see material objects as controlled by a spiritual mind with balance. In Luke 12:15, Jesus told the disciples to take heed that "...for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." Therefore, as Christians we are to practice "verticalism" or looking to God, while living out our life in service to man in "horizontalism." Man is to see our good works, "but glorify the father in heaven."
II. WE MUST GIVE TO GET OR PLANT TO GROW- God illustrates this in the ecosystem of planet earth. Rain falls to earth bringing nourishment and sustenance to the planet. Then it evaporates and moves along in the weather systems to recycle again. Even in the death of animals and plants it is recycled. Are you lonely? Help someone...you will not be lonely any longer. Volunteer at your church or community agency and you will find true friends in most cases. Gives your tithes and offerings to the local church, the "storehouse" of the New Testament. All this and more will return to you in due time. Notice again, that we give to get to give again. James hits the nail on the head for the Christian in our age when he tells us the reason we don't receive is because to fail to ask then when we receive we selfishly use our seed and "heep it on ourselves." (Illust. Jesus tell us in scripture that "corn" can not multiply until it dies. When it is planted that kernel or as we see it in America corn on the cob,(it was different in the New Testament times), in a sense dies to allow its "germ" to "germinate." That one kernel produces a stalk which in turn produces many ears of corn to feed many more people.) We can keep our wealth to ourselves but it will produce less than if we sow it to the Lord, give it to missions, help someone in the church or community without their knowledge etc. Only in Christ can death bring LIFE.
III. EXPECT GOD TO DO SOME GREAT THINGS WITH OUR GIVING LIVING - If we believe God's Word is true we can put these principles into practice and see great results. Why don't we practice them?
1. As human beings we have a hard time waiting on the Lord and His economy. We only structure our thinking in terms of blessing materially. Ironically, we face two dangers in this regard as we sow and reap.
a) Covetousness and Worry- The various versions have a number of things to say to us. The Jews taught that defilement came from "without" ourselves. Jesus however, said that one is defile from "within." (Mark 7) An illustration of this is the Rich Young Ruler who had "many possessions" and he wanted material wealth more than eternal life. Besides being a sly sin, covetousness is idolatry.(Col. 3:5) The Apostle John warns the early Christians, "...keep yourselves from idols." (I John 5)
b) Covetousness tends to cloud the uncertainty of life and certainty of death.
2. Covetousness tends to cause disobedience which fosters defeat. (Illust.) Remember the story of Achan in Joshua 7:20-21. The children of Israel were commanded not to take anything our of the city of Jericho. Achan did and it cause defeat for Joshua at Ai. In the New Testament Paul instructs Timothy to the Christian community, "...People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction." (I Tim. 6:9)
3. Covetousness is a tactic denial of God's care. (Job 31:24-28) Paul again to the Hebrew Christians will simply say "...Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have..." (Hebrews 13:5)
Digging Deeper- (Origins of the Baptist Church- A History of Denominations)
As we have already noted in our various studies, churches repelling off of the Protestant Reformation began to take various forms in describing themselves. The Baptist Church in Europe finds its origins in the 16th and 17th centuries. Basically speaking, they emerge from three groups and primarily in England and the Netherlands. First, there were the "Separatist" who spoke out against the Anglican Church in England in the late 16th century. Second, were the "Anabaptist." By 1525 they had rejected "infant baptism" and many of their splinter groups that expressed eccentric worship services had become marginalized or disappeared. They were known to the reformers as "radical reformers." Finally, the last group that will comprise the Baptist denomination will be the Mennonites. They emerge from the Roman Catholic Priest, Menno Simons.) He dissented major Catholic teaching and withdrew from the Roman Church. By 1536 he came in contact with Anabaptist but wasn't as dogmatic in his viewpoints as the Anabaptist.
The First Baptist Congregation: A "Separatist" congregation in Gainsborough in Lincolnshire England found itself led by John Smythe (1570-1612). A graduate of Cambridge University, he became a minister during the reign of James I who was pro-Catholic. In 1608 to avoid persecution, Smythe and the congregation migrated to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Here they came in contact with similar minded Mennonites. Furthermore, Smythe and 37 others, influenced by Anabaptist and Mennonites had himself and his flock baptized by "affusion" or "pouring." In 1609 the first Baptist congregation was organized. Its theology was "Arminian" from Jacob Arminius (1560-1609) who opposed the Calvinist theology of "Predestination." Those who embraced this view in the Baptist circle were known as "General Baptist."
The Baptist were at a period of consolidation and dissension in their theology and their views in a number of areas. For instance, there were the already described "General Baptist" who held that the sacrifice of Christ was universal and available to all men. Another branch of the Baptist were known as "Particular Baptist." This group said the atonement of Christ was for a limited and select "chosen" persons or group of "the elect." By 1611 in the group think of the Baptist, two leaders emerged in the discussions. First, John Smythe and Thomas Helwys (1575-1616) in their profession of faith as "General Baptist" drew up a systematic "confession" called A Declaration of Faith of English People Remaining At Amsterdam in Holland." With the changes in monarchy in England, Helwys will take a small group back to England. In a timeline we see several interesting developments: 1638- The first "Particular Baptist" congregation is started with a subsequent controversy over Calvinism and Predestination. They will split and be lead by a Calvinist leader by the name of John Spilsbury. 1641- Baptist congregations in various places begin to practice "immersion" as their form of baptism and consequently receive the name "Immersion Baptist." Between 1640-1660 the Baptist will have considerable growth in England. They come under direct persecution between 1660 -1689 until the Act of Toleration (1689) in England.
As an overview, the Baptist in England and elsewhere processed and developed three confessions of Faith. 1.) "A Confession of Faith of Seven Congregations or Churches of Christ in London." (1644) 2.) The "Confession of Somerset" held by sixteen congregations of the Baptist in 1656. 3.) Finally in 1688 a confession simply called several names that had a trans-Atlantic flair emerged: "Confession of 1688" "London Confession" or the "Philadelphia Confession of Faith." By 1693 a Catechism was prepared by two scholars among the Baptist: they were William Collins and Benjamin Keats which reflected a kinship with the Westminster Shorter Catechism. In America, we are familiar with Roger Williams who established himself in Rhode Island, originally a colony but finally became a state in later times of the American Revolution.
In America as the United States progressed, the Baptist were torn asunder by other issues of the times as were other groups. For instance they were divided by the issue of Slavery and their Structural Organization. In 1845 the Baptist in eight southern states organized the Southern Baptist Convention. In 1907 the Northern Baptist organized with the name the Northern Baptist Convention. By 1950 the Northern Baptist called themselves the American Baptist Convention. As we will see with other groups in America, a proliferation of groups and conventions will emerge on the American Continent reflecting the ardent independence and ideas of these groups, shaped by the frontier.
The Baptist in American today are basically composed of: Southern Baptist, National Baptist Convention of America, National Baptist Convention of the USA Inc., American Baptist Convention, General and Freewill Baptist, and the Baptist Alliance of North America. There may be more organized groups at this writing from Independents Baptist onward, but I have no documentation.
Did You Know? (answers at the bottom of page)
1. Who erected his own gravestone?(II Samuel 18:18)
2. Who made lime from a king's skeleton? (Amos 2:1)
3. Who put a wet blanket on a king and killed him? (II Kings 8:15 RV)
4. What two Hebrews were embalmed by Egyptians? (Gen. 50:2 and Gen. 50:26)
5. Who was the first of the twelve disciples to be murdered? (Acts 12:1-2)
Nuggets of Nourishment: A Sermon- Giving LivingG
Text: Luke 6:38
Introduction: One of the greatest accomplishments of any human life is to develop a "giving" attitude in every dimension of living. An attitude that sees God able and ready to do more than we can ask or think is abundant in scripture. We have a limited attitude in every aspect of life, but God does not. (Illust: There was a time when man believed he could not go any faster than 35 mph. or the air would be sucked out of his lungs and he would die. This seems strange to us today). Look at Paul's benediction to the church at Ephesus in Ephesians 3:20: "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever...Amen." I personally believe that there are at least three principles if developed and cultivated that will bring an abundance of blessing in life, attitude and peace of mind.
I. RECOGNIZE GOD AS OUR SOURCE- If we will see God as our source both materially and spiritually we will prosper. (Illust.) In the second century of the church there developed a heresy known as "dualism." It taught that there was a difference between the physical and spiritual realms. It proudly proclaimed that all things physical were evil and only spiritual entities were good. (Gnostic heresy) Jesus and his disciples never taught this. The first century church taught there was a danger of allowing the material realm to become more important by placing it first. But Jesus and His disciples taught the principle of "balance" in all things. Money is not wrong, but the "love" of money make us "imbalanced" before God. The Bible would have us see material objects as controlled by a spiritual mind with balance. In Luke 12:15, Jesus told the disciples to take heed that "...for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." Therefore, as Christians we are to practice "verticalism" or looking to God, while living out our life in service to man in "horizontalism." Man is to see our good works, "but glorify the father in heaven."
II. WE MUST GIVE TO GET OR PLANT TO GROW- God illustrates this in the ecosystem of planet earth. Rain falls to earth bringing nourishment and sustenance to the planet. Then it evaporates and moves along in the weather systems to recycle again. Even in the death of animals and plants it is recycled. Are you lonely? Help someone...you will not be lonely any longer. Volunteer at your church or community agency and you will find true friends in most cases. Gives your tithes and offerings to the local church, the "storehouse" of the New Testament. All this and more will return to you in due time. Notice again, that we give to get to give again. James hits the nail on the head for the Christian in our age when he tells us the reason we don't receive is because to fail to ask then when we receive we selfishly use our seed and "heep it on ourselves." (Illust. Jesus tell us in scripture that "corn" can not multiply until it dies. When it is planted that kernel or as we see it in America corn on the cob,(it was different in the New Testament times), in a sense dies to allow its "germ" to "germinate." That one kernel produces a stalk which in turn produces many ears of corn to feed many more people.) We can keep our wealth to ourselves but it will produce less than if we sow it to the Lord, give it to missions, help someone in the church or community without their knowledge etc. Only in Christ can death bring LIFE.
III. EXPECT GOD TO DO SOME GREAT THINGS WITH OUR GIVING LIVING - If we believe God's Word is true we can put these principles into practice and see great results. Why don't we practice them?
1. As human beings we have a hard time waiting on the Lord and His economy. We only structure our thinking in terms of blessing materially. Ironically, we face two dangers in this regard as we sow and reap.
a) Covetousness and Worry- The various versions have a number of things to say to us. The Jews taught that defilement came from "without" ourselves. Jesus however, said that one is defile from "within." (Mark 7) An illustration of this is the Rich Young Ruler who had "many possessions" and he wanted material wealth more than eternal life. Besides being a sly sin, covetousness is idolatry.(Col. 3:5) The Apostle John warns the early Christians, "...keep yourselves from idols." (I John 5)
b) Covetousness tends to cloud the uncertainty of life and certainty of death.
2. Covetousness tends to cause disobedience which fosters defeat. (Illust.) Remember the story of Achan in Joshua 7:20-21. The children of Israel were commanded not to take anything our of the city of Jericho. Achan did and it cause defeat for Joshua at Ai. In the New Testament Paul instructs Timothy to the Christian community, "...People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction." (I Tim. 6:9)
3. Covetousness is a tactic denial of God's care. (Job 31:24-28) Paul again to the Hebrew Christians will simply say "...Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have..." (Hebrews 13:5)
CONCLUSION: Read the lyrics to the old hymn..."God Will Take Care of You"
A FEW THOUGHTS:
"...Just because things go wrong is no indication that you must go with them."
Attitude: "Selfishness makes Christianity a burden; love makes it a delight." Amen
(Answers to "Did You Know?" above.)
1. Absalom-
2. Moab, Amos 2:1- That is, the Moabites did, see chapters one and two as Amos personifies the neighboring tribes in order to make vivid his condemnation of them.
3. Hazael killed king Ben-hadad.
4. Jacob (Israel) and Joseph-
5. James-
