Author: Berean Baptist

               Today I was thinking back on last month’s observance of the Lord’s Supper. In these observances, I often mention the communion is not a sacrament but a memorial ordinance. Jesus told the disciples, “As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, do it in remembrance of me.” The Lord told us to remember, which is a good exercise for every Christian.

               It is good when we think back on the marvelous change God made in our lives when He revealed Christ to us in the gospel. Many of you have much more vivid remembrances than I because my salvation came early in life as a child. I had no overtly sinful behavior that harmed others or me. This is not to say I was not a sinner but to express my lesser experience with the world than teenagers or adults. This does not affect my salvific worth for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. It does speak to the absence of compelling testimony that some others have of salvation from a lifetime of crimes against God. My testimony would seem far less spectacular than many I have heard.

               As I write this, I sense I may dig too deep a hole to climb out of if I continue in this vein. I do not want to appear better than anyone no matter what your background. We were all sinners condemned to Hell. I am better to return to my original thought. It is remembrance and the value of it in our Christian lives. When we do not remember what God did for us, we become complacent, ungrateful, and prone to think we have come this far by a product of our own efforts. We do not acknowledge the providence of God who always superintends every action.

               Often in the Psalms, the psalmists mention God’s providence and thank Him for the works He does and those He did. How many times are the exodus and wilderness wanderings mentioned in scripture? Praises for God’s mighty works often follow. Many psalms are prayers, and we would do well to learn from them how to approach God properly. The popular ACTS acrostic for prayer begins with A—Adoration. Adoration speaks of God’s wonderful providence in the present and in the past. It may include God’s plans promised for the future. These are all in the form of remembrances since the authors wrote them before you and I were born and are still yet future. In other words, remember what He did, what He does, and what He will do.

               My remembrance this week is think of God’s providential work in bringing me to Berean. The story has many twists and turns and is too lengthy to discuss here. None of it was predictable in my power, but looking back, remembering, I see how God perfectly put the pieces together to give support to unimaginable processes. It would be good for you, for just a few minutes, to stop and reflect, to remember where you have been and how far you have come. Why are you here at Berean in this year 2023? I am sure if you observe the big picture of your life, there are no by chance happenings. God moves, He orchestrates, and you may not see it in the immediate. It is only as you carefully survey your memory that you see He works all things for your good.

               This is to say this part of your life might not seem too good now, but someday you will remember it was a piece of the entire picture God perfectly, providentially worked for His glory and your good.

Paster V. Mark Smith

               This week in our sermon series in Mark, we continue our study of Jesus’ selection of His apostles. These were the men who were the charter members of His church and charged with laying the foundation of church doctrine. Paul refers to this in Ephesians 2 by saying the apostles and prophets are the foundation of the church. Jesus is the chief cornerstone upon which the building is fitly framed, and it was in the development of Christ’s teachings that the apostles built this framework.

               Teaching others to do His work was the reason for the three-year ministry of Christ. Without this, Jesus might well have shortened His stay to a few months and then hastened to the cross. This would make sense if He intended the Kingdom on earth would come quickly after He arose from the dead. The earthly Kingdom did not come quickly. Rather, we have this long interval of the church age in which we wait for Christ to return. During this time, Christ’s work continues by others. Primarily, these others are the preachers of the gospel, and in particular, the pastors of the Lord’s New Testament churches. Though we all should be involved in church ministry, it is peculiarly the pastor’s job to perfect the saints and strengthen the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11).

               I have often wondered how a sermon from the apostles would sound. Today we have preaching schools that develop preaching skills (homiletics) as well as in-depth instruction in the scriptures. The apostles did not attend preaching school. The only school they had was three years of Jesus’ teachings and example. And yet, none of us would say their Bible education was inferior. However, preaching skill is more than knowing the word. We must communicate the word. Paul claimed others complained he was not much of a communicator. Others were not much impressed with his technique. His preaching was efficacious because he depended on the Holy Spirit to make the word effectual to the hearer. This is the most deficient feature of today’s preaching. We are concerned with style and certain engaging factors that are no part of Jesus’ processes. Minus the Holy Spirit, our sermons are corporate TED talks that have no power to move the hearer beyond emotional responses.

               None of this is to say technique does not matter. Paul skillfully managed the word with logic. While preparing my sermon a few weeks ago, I read an article which gave unconventional preaching advice. I will not run you through thirteen points made, but rather mention two that are good for our congregation. The first is to preach as if there are non-Christians present when there are none. We find ourselves there too often. Despite this, it is good for me to preach as if you know less than you do. You may track with me on every point but what good is it for me to preach if I believe you could preach back to me the same information? Many Sundays I might as well not come. Remember the importance of repetition as you read the gospels. Why three synoptic gospels and why New Testament epistles that mirror each other? It is good to hear what we know to reinforce it in our souls.

               The second piece of advice is that points are a good thing. It is popular today to preach without them (pointless sermons?). Several months ago, one of our members that moved away returned for a service. The gist of her comment was the enjoyment of hearing a sermon and following logically point by point until reaching the right conclusion of its beginning premise. Yes, someone really does like filling out blanks.

               I said two pieces of unconventional advice, but I believe a third is in order. This one you will accept without hesitation. CUT 10% OF THE WORDS FROM THE SERMON! I do not think so. Bad idea. Not me.

Pastor V. Mark Smith

This week and last, we are in a study of Jesus’ selection of His twelve disciples. Most of them we know extraordinarily little about but understanding the religious and political climates of their day, surely shows anyone who stayed with Jesus must have had a unique call and gifting to endure what He promised was coming. Mostly, He dealt with the trials and tribulations fostered by the world’s hatred of them. Treated as outcasts, and targets of the same hostilities against Him (Matt. 10:22; 24:9), their lives were nothing less than tumultuous. We are not privy to the many conversations that happened over the course of three years. The gospels are brief concerning the few we have, but we know there must have been many more when they asked hundreds of questions—some answered, some not.

               The key to hanging in with Jesus through the tough discussions must have been many more hopeful ones with promises that convinced them that staying was more profitable than leaving. The salvation of their souls was the beginning of their confidence. Salvation changes our heart, and the mind sets its affection on the heavenly rather than the earthly (Col. 3:2). This kept the disciples from placing too much value on temporal gains of which Jesus promised little to none. This does not mean there was nothing significant in their salvation to look forward to in this present life. There is peace that envelopes our souls, a peace the world does not understand. There is contentment even though we may have little of what the world offers. There is sweetness and calmness in life’s troubles that might otherwise depress and make us think life is not worth living.

               Amongst all Jesus’ warnings of what would befall them by staying faithful to Him, was an occasional glimpse of the glory they would share with Him. None could be greater than what He said about the regeneration. They would sit on thrones as judges of the tribes of Israel. Jesus spoke of His millennial kingdom when the entire world focuses on Jerusalem and the tiny nation of Israel. Tiny no more, Israel will dominate across the entire globe with King Jesus on the throne. Righteousness will reign and prosperity will abound.

               Overlooking and aiding will be the apostles of the King. They are the chief princes of His kingdom. Their faithfulness is the foundation of the church, the bride, built upon the Solid Rock of Jesus Christ. When Jesus showed them this, still being human and still with their sinful nature, the news began to dominate their thinking. “When is it coming? When is it coming?” was their constant repetitious question. Even when ascending back to His Father, they could not resist and let Him go without asking one more time (Acts 1:6).

               What a great promise to know in the millennium, their earthly poverty would turn to earthly prestige—prestige without sinful influences but with a fully regenerated mind. At the time of Jesus’ ascension, there was another promise yet unknown to them. Only the apostle John would learn this before his death. The unveiling of this promise comes at the end of the Revelation. As the Bible records the names of the foundational men of the church, so the dazzling city walls of the New Jerusalem has foundations that record the names of the apostles of Heaven’s Lamb of Glory.

               Is it worth it to stay with Jesus? Is it worth it to devote your life to Him? Is it worth it to be a pariah because of your faith in Him? Trust Him, believe Him, stay with Him, and one day you can ask the apostles, “Is it worth it?” You will not need to ask. Your faith will end in sight.Pastor V. Mark Smith

               Today, and for the next several weeks, the theme of the messages is Jesus’ choice of twelve men who would assist Him in gospel ministry and would continue His work after His death, resurrection, and ascension back to His Heavenly Father. They were remarkable men, although not recognized by anyone in their time as such. At least not until God demonstrated His power in them, they had nothing to claim in education, wealth, or worldly wisdom.

               The apostle Paul would later write, “Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called.” (1 Corinthians 1:26b) These twelve fit the description exactly with one of them being a traitorous, selfish, and contemptuous individual. What the Lord did with the others was not this one’s character. Jesus made the others wise, mighty, and noble in the only way these traits count—in the service of the Lord of lords and King of kings. After Jesus left them to continue His ministry, their opposition recognized them as all the above, as men who had been with Jesus. There was no explanation for their courage and abilities except that from Him they inherited the power to do as He did (John 14:12).

               From these gospel accounts, the New Testament goes on to reveal a specialized calling of others to continue the works of Christ. The period of supernatural acts is over—at least in a physical sense. We do not need them today and must concentrate on the knowledge of the word and its power to accomplish everything God desires. If we miss the truth that the word is all sufficient, it will lead us into mistakes made by many who ignore the scriptures while they look for the next miracle. The scriptures are clear that they alone are sufficient to make us fit, completely equipped for any work God calls us to do (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Each week as we explain the scriptures verse by verse, we obey the Bible’s command to put on the whole armor of God. Each piece finds its foundation in the knowledge of scripture. It is the fool who does not hide the word of God in his heart and remains unprepared for the spiritual battles we face each day.

               My point is that we do not need the formal calling of apostleship to accomplish the same end of the work as they did. We only need to be faithful to read the word, know the word, and apply the word. God does mighty works through it, and only through it. It is His method for the current world and shall preserve His people for eternity. I find it remarkable that heaven will apply God’s word continuously for the peace, safety, and eternal preservation of God’s people. Are you not amazed that God left us with such an incredibly powerful otherworldly tool to use for our aid and comfort, and yet for most, it lies gathering dust throughout the week?

               Should we expect to experience the power of these apostles without their source? Their wisdom did nothing for them. It was not their natural abilities that caused their selection. It was what Jesus would speak into them as He taught them His words. This much, we still have. The necessary words—all the necessary words—preserved in the book we preach each week. As the Lord’s church, we are each chosen to be messengers of the truth and of the power it miraculously speaks. Use it and see the difference it will make in your life.

Pastor V. Mark Smith

We are just a few short years away from celebrating 250 years of democratic government in these United States. While we are a standout among the world’s democracies, we are hardly the oldest. San Marino, a tiny nation of 23 ½ square miles surrounded by Italy, claims this title. They date their constitutional republic to the beginning of the 4^th century. There must be something going on in their government that keeps people satisfied and overwhelmingly reluctant to choose another form. A government this stable would surely be the model of perfect governance. It may seem so, but it is not the type of government that God will choose for this world when He delivers it from the curse of sin and remakes it in perfection.

            What is this government? Most Americans and a good part of the world would reject the biblical description of God’s ruling authority. In Acts 4:24, we gain understanding of the type of rule God exercises over the world and will be the final government for eternity: “…Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is…” In this verse, Lord is the Greek word despotes which can be translated “despot,” or “absolute ruler.” In this case, God is a totalitarian despot. God is sovereign which means He reigns over all, and He also rules over all. King Charles III reigns over Great Britain but he does not rule. We have no sense that this kind of control could be good for us. We have all heard Lord Acton’s quote: “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” This is true of all human rulers that obtain all authority over their subjects. This would be true of God if He were not perfectly righteous, kind, and good.

              Romans 8:28 reflects God’s goodness which says He works all things for our good. The strength of this promise is that God Himself is good. He rules with the authority to exclude all evil that is against us. Those things we do not understand are good for us are included in all contingencies that He also controls. We must understand the good God works is ultimately only for His own. The redeemed are His interest. For this reason, the world hates all the good God does, and all the power used to do it. C.H. Spurgeon wrote:

              “There is no doctrine more hated by worldlings, no truth of which they have made such a football, as the great, stupendous, but yet most certain doctrine of the Sovereignty of the infinite Jehovah. Men will allow God to be everywhere except on His throne. They will allow Him to be in His workshop to fashion worlds and make stars. They will allow Him to be in His almonry to dispense His alms and bestow His bounties. They will allow Him to sustain the earth and bear up the pillars thereof, or light the lamps of heaven, or rule the waves of the ever-moving ocean; but when God ascends His throne, His creatures then gnash their teeth, and we proclaim an enthroned God, and His right to do as He wills with His own, to dispose of His creatures as He thinks well, without consulting them in the matter; then it is that we are hissed and execrated, and then it is that men turn a deaf ear to us, for God on His throne is not the God they love.”

              My final thought is that God’s sovereign rule is not relegated to the past nor expected only in the future. He rules here and now. He does His will now in the heavens above and in the earth beneath. No one stays His hand or dare ask, “What are you doing?” We are content for God to be our absolute Monarch. King of kings and Lord of lords is the perfect description of our God. I would say, “May He reign forever.” No need. He will.

                                                                        Pastor V. Mark Smith

            As a preacher of the gospel, I make many comments about the blessed privilege of having God’s word as the instruction manual for our lives. Though many dispute the value of the Bible for the modern world, few want to dispense with it entirely especially considering the teachings of Jesus. No one legitimately finds fault in Him. At least this view of scripture has been the case for American history for over four hundred years going back to the establishment of the first permanent colony in this country.

            Despite revisionist history, the purpose of the first settlers was to make a place where they could worship God according to their conscience. Lest we are historically inaccurate, theirs was not an open religious system but kept the goal of making their views of scripture the only view. Thankfully, they were mostly right, but were not interested in diversity of opinion. You may ask, “What were the main tenets of their religion?” They were theonomists meaning it was proper to establish a government that made laws according to scripture and enforced their obedience to righteous living. This tied to their practice of infant baptism and their misinformed interpretation of the church. They were unlike Roman Catholics who believe baptism regenerates by washing away original sin. Rather, this baptism is an expression of God’s covenant with His people. The inclusion of infants in the church thereby also seals them as citizens of the state. I will not take you into the long history of what this did to other societies in Europe that interpreted the same. Suffice it to say the ultimate result is governmental persecution.

            The practice of church/state relationships was present in all the colonies (with exceptions such as Rhode Island founded by Baptists) until and for a brief time after America won its independence from Britain. There is no denying the Christian religious part in the establishment of this country even though they wrongly enforced a church/state government. Those who lobbied intensely for a change to religious freedom were the Baptists who were the objects of much persecution. Our objection to infant baptism and belief in soul liberty was incompatible with church/state combination. In other words, to reject infant baptism was to be an anarchist.

            If you read Christian news, you are aware the issue of theonomy experiences a revival in current Christian thought. It is beyond the Christian right as it would make it our duty to elect officials who are only Christian and will make laws only as they are consistent with scripture. This may sound good, but giving more thought, you should quickly see a problem as the next consideration is the character of the enforcers and the interpretation of what they enforce. This is a return to the principles our Baptist forefathers fought against. We uphold the right to interpret scripture by our conscience, understanding that conscience is right only when directed by the Holy Spirit.

            Baptists cannot be theonomists and remain consistently Baptist in conviction. There is value in the debates and conclusions of our forefathers in adding the first amendment to the Constitution. We should recognize and appreciate the underpinnings of Christian influence in the establishment of our government. Do not reject it or the Bible. The outstanding issue today is the resulting licentiousness of rejecting our foundation. The lack of respect for Jesus’ teachings plagues our society. The answer is not theonomy. It is conversion. Theonomy will return in the righteous Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Until we have a perfect Ruler and Judge, the gospel sufficiently sustains us. Rely on the gospel for conversion of those who disagree with Christ and His word.

Pastor V. Mark Smith

            This week in our study of Mark’s Gospel, we return to the Sabbath controversy of chapters 2 and 3. The Sabbath was the heart of the Jewish worship system, and its rules were arduous and thus a badge for those who fully committed themselves to them. They were exceedingly odious in their ritualistic demands which made them a burden too hard to bear. In the church council at Jerusalem in Acts 15, the apostles and other church leaders gathered to discuss the necessity of circumcision for Gentile converts. Peter referred to this demand as a yoke of the law their Jewish fathers were unable to bear. In other words, their salvation came through faith not the law because their fathers proved their inability to keep it.

            The assessment of Sabbath Day observance by the Jews in Jesus’ time would as well fit this description. A law intended for the good welfare of the people became an unbearable yoke. The endless restrictions and requirements left all dissatisfied and even prompted the leaders who insisted upon them to improvise methods of circumventing them.

            Seven years ago, in our study of the Ten Commandments, we dug deeply into the fourth commandment in five sermons. My purpose was to explain its vital necessity for both them and us, and rather than abandoning its use, we should discover its usefulness. I remember in one sermon emphasizing the Christian Sabbath as a day to honor the word of God. I began explaining where the scriptures intend us to be on the Lord’s Day. We have six days to hear the word at home and one day for attendance of corporate worship to engage together in the word. It is for the enjoyment of the congregation.

            Secondly, we are to read the word. We do our best to accomplish this in our church services. We read the word at the beginning of the service, and we end with it. In between, are congregational readings and exposition through sermons. This makes Sunday the chief day for God’s word. We have not met the requirements of duty to the word if it is not freely and frequently used in our services. We are aware of too many churches that have abandoned the Bible entirely and thus poor practice yields poor performance.

            Thirdly, we are to contemplate the word. I will defer more explanation as I hope in our reading together you do think about what we are reading and especially this would be true in hearing the word explained in the sermons.

            Fourthly, and a favorite of mine, we must pray the word. In my original message on the fourth commandment, I did not consider nor have in mind our current practice. I did not intend that we should make prayers of the word. It is not that the thought escaped me completely, but rather the use of the scriptures in this way reminded me too much of high church liturgy. After exploring further by reading the prayers of our good Christian ancestors, I discovered this was widespread practice. Because Baptists are not formal liturgists, we have lost this practice. I revived it for our church because speaking back to God the same promises He makes and the meaning He intends, increases our knowledge of the word. At least, it takes the selfishness out of our prayers.

            These are just a few thoughts gleaned from the former sermon series. It is too much for our purposes in surveying Mark, but good instruction, nonetheless. Praise God for your Sabbath attendance to engage the word of God.

Pastor V. Mark Smith

            Today in our study of Mark’s gospel, we begin a three-part miniseries on Jesus’ relationship to the fourth commandment: “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. ^[9] Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: ^[10] But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: ^[11] For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. (Exodus 20:8-11). This is the longest of the commandments, which being longer than the other nine, necessarily gives more explanation to its observance. However, this commandment loses ground to the briefer statements such as “thou shalt not kill,” “thou shalt not commit adultery,” and “thou shalt not steal.” When we think of the commandments, we give greater weight to these than the fourth, and think we have more latitude to disobey the fourth than the others. Most Christians are callous towards the fourth while appalled at anyone who carelessly misbehaves with six through eight. This way of regarding the commandments is backwards from Jewish practices in the first century.

            The fourth commandment became the Jews’ test of faithfulness to the law. This command was at the center with the others revolving around it. It was the grand symbol of their piety, and thus many added restrictions were part of its observance which defeated God’s purpose of making it spiritually healthy. The Sabbath was their greatest burden not their greatest joy in worshipping the Lord.

            Most of us would not feel right if we posted the Ten Commandments on the wall only to discover with closer inspection, we left out the fourth. The Ten Commandments are not the ten, they are the nine. Surprisingly, many good Bible teachers are agreeable to this. They struck the fourth commandment from the law leaving us without a specified sanctified day to worship the Lord. I could call the names of these proponents who would be familiar to you, but I shall leave them anonymous. This temptation is detrimental to the church. The result of the missing commandment is the lack of shame for missing corporate worship. There is no shame for taking the Lord’s Day to use for us.

            In the early days of Christianity in this country, the expectation of every church member was to hallow the day by making sure they were present for worship. There were disciplinary measures taken for its neglect. The church will certainly act against murderers, adulterers, thieves, and an idol in the backyard. We are less likely to make a fuss or enact disciplinary measures because a member misses a few Sundays. In our defense, we do have a lenient time limit, but admittedly do not often treat it as seriously as the others.

            This failure to hold up to the standard leaves us where we are today. While you would not easily fornicate (I hope), you will easily absent yourself from worship. The double standard with the fourth commandment has gradually eroded the church so that we feel uncomfortable speaking of it. I believe most of you expect me to give greater attention to the others and leave number four alone. Thus, we have nine commandments not ten.

            The Jews of Jesus’ day were wrong in their perversions of the commandment. They were, however, correct in considering it as important as the others. Though Israel was guilty of breaking all the commandments, it was commandments one, two, and four that God held over their heads and sent them into captivity. By the time religious parties formed among the Jews in the intertestamental period and the memory of the captivities and their current occupation by a foreign power was on their minds, the benchmark of their piety was in place. The Sabbath Day was the pinnacle of their religion. We do not want to repeat their mistakes, but neither do we want to miss the mark and come short of the glory of God with disobedience to the command to reserve the Sabbath rest for public worship.

Pastor V. Mark Smith

             In this week’s message, we find ourselves delving into the subject of fasting. While this is the second part of a message on legalism, I choose to dive deeper into this one act that was a badge of righteousness for the hypocritical religionists of Jesus’ day. You might assume by my negative attitude towards it that I do not recommend it. My exact point and stated position are that it is a personal conviction for each believer to decide. It is not my business to criticize those who do. However, the announcement of a fast and to appear fasting is against Jesus’ teachings. The temptation to legalism is born out of it. This is true of any markers we purposely use to display an attitude of superiority over other Christians.

            In my studies, I find certain authors I respect more than others and consider them my trusted companions as I search the scriptures. I notice a difference in how my companions handle this subject. On one hand, there are those who insist we recover the discipline of fasting in the modern church. By way of example, one wrote: “…fasting has enormous benefits for the Christian’s soul.” Another wrote: “In my own life, I have not practiced regular fasting.” According to author one, author two misses a major (enormous) opportunity to be closer to Christ and obedient to Him than author one. Keep in mind that benefits of the Christian life are always primarily to make us closer to Him. Author two also wrote: “Whether fasting is a mandated spiritual activity for every Christian in the New Testament is up for debate.” We do not know if author one believes fasting is “a mandated spiritual activity for every Christian.” This is the point I seek to make. If there is a spiritual activity that has enormous benefits for the soul, yet not mandated in the scriptures, we are at loss to explain the reason.

            I cannot think of anything taught in scripture that has these implications for the soul without a mandate. It simply becomes a natural part of the Christian disposition. You may find fasting comes naturally in times of troubling decisions, or in grief or loss. I can identify with fasting this way. Author one claims that a growling stomach is a reminder to pray. For me, an alarm set on a particular schedule does the same thing.

            I do not mean to discourage anyone from the practice of fasting. I only want us to be mindful of the danger as well as the benefits. Criticism of those who do not and the claim they would be better Christians (enormously so) if they did, appeals too much to knowledge only the Holy Spirit has of the individual. When I first became pastor of Berean, I found some of the members wanted me to be their conscience. I refused to inject myself into their personal lives at this level. It makes me have God-like power over them. I cannot and will not declare a fast for you or for Berean Baptist Church in general. If you must, do it in the quietness of your spirit.

            One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. (Romans 14:5-8)

Pastor V. Mark Smith

            I often derive the bulletin articles I write each week from subjects that pique my interest and help encourage me in my walk for the Lord. All do this in some way whether they are positive affirmations or negative rebukes. Knowing what to do and not to do have equally encouraging effects. Other articles are like the one today. This one comes from the frustration of the degradation of truth that we as Baptists should stand for.

            Let me set the stage. A few weeks ago, on the observance of the Lord’s Supper, I authored an article referring to a 19^th century work by Edward Hiscox titled The New Directory for Baptist Churches. Most of you have never heard of it, but it had widespread circulation for many years around the turn of the 20^th century. My article commented on the remarkable consistency of our liturgy in the Lord’s Supper compared to Hiscox’s description of Baptist practice in his time. In conversation with members of the church, we discussed Baptist practices in which I commented that I am unashamedly Baptist. I am convinced the biblical principles we observe should not change.

            You may wonder where this is leading and why I am fidgety with a burr under my saddle. With limited space, I must get to the point. In my renewed interest in Hiscox’s book which I have owned for many years, I discovered a rewrite and updating of the book by a contemporary Baptist pastor. The apostle Peter wrote:  “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” (1 Peter 1:23). Most of us would agree this verse sets the standard for an immutable, infallible word from God. If our practices were biblical and valid in the 19^th century (and before), they are, according to the word, still biblical and valid today. It was disheartening—no, a better word is disgusting—that a modern pastor would insert unbiblical practices into Hiscox’s work and pretend that Hiscox would sanction them as if he had written them himself.

            These changes included the possibility of membership in a Baptist church without baptism, the acceptance of infant baptism if circumstances warranted it, the sanction of private communion, the possibility of membership association for those noncompliant with church discipline and doctrine (in other words the sanction of individual conviction over the agreed doctrines of the membership under the guise of soul liberty) among other irregularities. These were troubling enough and are factors that undermine and destroy the church. However, added to this was ecumenical cooperation with churches that are not of like faith and order. The topping on this mishmash of the devil’s concoction came in the section on ministerial ordination. This Baptist (?) sanctioned the ordination of women to the pastorate. In my experience this heresy is the last step before the acceptance of homosexuality in the church. Indeed, the approval of the National Council of Churches and World Council of Churches followed. These two groups are heretical and accepting of the previous issues. They defile the meaning of church.

            My extreme disappointment is the attachment to Edward Hiscox with the title, The New Hiscox Guide for Baptist Churches. New indeed! My further discovery was the author’s affiliation with the American Baptist Churches USA, a group we do not recognize as Baptists, and neither would we accept their baptisms as valid. Baptists face the degradation of faith and practice with groups such as these that dilute the name and disguise the truths Baptists died for. We will remain historical Baptists believing we are the same with the church Christ founded. We will earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude v. 3).

Pastor V. Mark Smith