Circles of Inclusion

When you read my last posting, you may feel I am encouraging unity at any price, but that is not what I said. Unity in the Christian body is important but there are times when you not only should divide but you must divide.

There are circles of fellowship that are built on a biblical model and there are those who are not in any of our circles. For example, within the twelve Jesus had the three but Jesus did not embrace the wolves in sheep’s clothing.

The first circle of inclusion is to determine whether or not the person is a Christian. This is determined by how a person talks and walks.

A person can not be saved and deny the deity of Jesus Christ according to 1John 4:2-3.

Hereby you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 1John 4:2-3

In addition, Jesus requires us to be “fruit inspectors” by determining the strength of the relationship based upon the persons actions.

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them. Matthew 7:15-20

A part of confessing that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is recognizing the source from which we learn about Christ is authoritative. Accepting the Inerrancy of the Scriptures is key to embracing the Jesus Christ of the Scriptures.

If you do not accept the truth and reliability of the Scriptures, Jesus Christ may be redefined to mean another person than the God Incarnate, Word who became flesh, who is the only way to God the Father.

There are people today who are working at forming alliances between “Baptists.” They do so embracing other “Baptist” but overlooking the Word of God. Their common ground is not Scripture, or the Jesus Christ of Scripture, they wish to stand on the basis of their own preferences.

Here are some quotes from an article in the Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/20/AR2007012001295.html

Former presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton are leading an effort to forge dozens of small and medium-size, black and white Baptist organizations into a robust coalition that would serve as a counterweight to the conservative Southern Baptist Convention.

The new coalition, which is Carter's brainchild, would give moderate Baptists a stronger collective voice and could provide Democrats with greater entree into the Baptist community. But Carter and other organizers are trying to walk a fine line, insisting that the alliance is not directly political while touting its potential to recast the role of religion in the public square.

The covenant would not be not a new denomination but a coalition of four historically black Baptist churches -- including the 7.5-million-member National Baptist Convention USA and the 2.5-million-member Progressive National Baptist Convention -- and several predominantly white Baptist groups, including the 1.4-million-member American Baptist Churches USA and the 500,000-member Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

Together, they have more than 20 million members, outnumbering the SBC, which was not invited to the Atlanta meeting.

Make no mistake about it, this coalition is not based upon Christ but upon a political cause. This cause is not scriptural; it is purely anti-SBC.

I have no doubt this new coalition will have some success in their political agenda – but only for now. Most of this coalition will still be here after the Christians are removed in the gathering, spoken of by Paul.

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1Thessalonians 4:16-17

I do not fear this new group; I do not embrace them or their cause either. I do, however, embrace all Southern Baptists who stand with me inside the circle of the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.

That document can be found here:
http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp

A Few Facts You Might Not Know.

Paul required Timothy to be circumcised before they worked together.
Acts 16:3

Paul called on the power of the Holy Ghost to strike Elymas with blindness and that was the event that immediately preceded John Mark leaving Paul.
Acts 13:7-13

Paul was so mad at John Mark for leaving that he would not permit him to go on his next missionary journey.
Acts 15:37-41

Paul believed it was necessary to shave his head and take a Jewish vow.
Acts 18:18

No one ever asked for John Mark to be removed from his apostleship.

No one ever asked for Paul to be removed from his apostleship.

Almost everyone knows Peter denied Christ and repented but few know that Peter liked to go fishing naked.
John 21:7

When Peter put on his clothes and swam to shore to meet Jesus, Jesus did not ask him why he was fishing naked.

The great preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, smoked a cigar.
http://www.spurgeon.org/misc/cigars.htm


Spurgeon’s picture was also used on a card to advertise for the sale of tobacco.
Here’s what the card said: “When I have found intense pain relieved, a weary brain soothed, and clam refreshing sleep obtained by a Cigar, I have felt grateful to God and have blessed His name.”
http://www.spurgeon.org/misc/cigars.htm

He also owned a slave named George.
http://www.spurgeon.org/misc/cigars.htm

Many preachers who do not support the use of tobacco or owning slaves often quote Spurgeon.

I have never heard of anyone trying to kick out Spurgeon from the ranks of the Baptists. To the contrary, many in the ranks of Southern Baptists, especially Calvinists, embrace him as a spiritual father.

The Reverend Elijah Craig, (1738-1808) a Baptist pastor from Kentucky, not only founded Georgetown College and built the first fulling mill and paper mill in Kentucky, drank whisky. Not only did he drink it but he was one of the original distillers credited with the creation of Bourbon Whisky from moonshine.
http://www.straightbourbon.com/articles/ccname.html

When Elijah Craig’s life was described in Cathcart’s Baptist Encyclopedia not one word about alcohol was mentioned.
http://www.21tnt.com/biographies.htm#CraigE

There were no Baptists trying to remove Elijah Craig from his pastorate for making, selling, and drinking Bourbon Whisky.

Charles Stanley was divorced in 2000 and yet is still the Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Atlanta, GA
http://www.fba.org/

Charles Stanley is still listed as a pastor in the Southern Baptist Convention.
http://www.sbc.net/ministersearch/pastordetail.asp?pid=MTgyMDgy

Anyone can see God still using Charles Stanley to do a mighty work. God is using his son, Andy, to reach many people today also.

As you can see by the articles on my blog, I do not support smoking, drinking, divorce, and many other issues. I am not ashamed to say I am a conservative, fundamental, Southern Baptist.

I also understand that God has used, and continues to use, imperfect people. Just look at some of the people God used in the past – Rahab (a prostitute), Samson (a whoremonger), Paul (a legalist who called himself the chief of sinners), Peter (a denier who enjoyed fishing naked), and even you and me (a sinner).

Our Baptist Faith and Message 2000 is a good place to stand together as Baptists. It is not a creed, but a quoting of the fundamental doctrines found in Scripture. We must not be silent about sin, but let us follow the example given to us by Jesus in Mark 9. After the children were placed on Jesus’ lap, John makes an important statement:

“And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he does not follow us: and we forbad him, because he does not follow us.” Mark 9:38

John was upset that there was someone doing the work of God another way. This person did not eat the same food as John. This person did not walk the same way, or talk the same way. John saw this person in competition to their ministry.

Jesus quickly corrected his concerns:
“But Jesus said, Do not forbid him: for there is no man which will do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part.” Mark 9:39-40

I believe the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 is a great statement of truths found in the Bible. I believe they are not to be used as a creed to divide us, but are a summary of the great doctrines of the Scripture which should unite us.

Someone does not have to be exactly like me for me to accept them as a brother in Christ. If we continue in the direction we are currently going, we will one day have a banquet where everyone attending will be sitting at a separate table because we can't get along.

Let’s make 2007 a year of unity within our Southern Baptist Convention.

Unity without Uniformity

Imagine being back in time just prior to World War II. Japan attacks Pearl Harbor and the nation is outraged. West coast states form their own armies and start attacking the Japanese. The east coast states start attacking Germany. The Mississippi Valley states attack Italy. Florida attacks Cuba. Texas attacks North Africa.

Would we have won the war? Would we even have a chance?

We won the war because we fought a unified battle. Every state had to overlook the issues that were separating them and come together for a greater good.

Jesus told us:

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:18-20

These are our marching orders and Jesus made it clear that unity is our method.

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. John 17:20-23

Does this mean we overlook sin in the camp? Are we suppose to embrace sin? In no way. God calls us to holiness.

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1Peter 1:14-16

We also have the obligation to correct an erring brother:

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Matthew 7:3-5

This correction has a process:

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Matthew 18:15 - 17

Paul gives us additional instructions:

I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. 1Corinthians 5:9-13

As we face a new year we must be careful to do all things decently and in order. We must love the brethren. We are to do good – especially to the household of faith.

We must be careful to have our facts straight before bringing an accusation against the leadership of a church or of our convention.

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. 1Timothy 5:17-20

If our leadership rules well – we need to compensate them well (and get out of their way, let them lead, and support them.)

If our leadership sins – we need to bring the witnesses and address the sin. The sin is addressed to correct the relationship and restore the fellowship. If the sin disqualifies the person from keeping their present position, replace them.

And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 2Thessalonians 3:14 -15

In the next few years we will be addressing the issues of:
Social Drinking, Speaking in Tongues, Tobacco, Gambling, Freemasons, House Churches, Saddleback, Elder Leadership, and even styles of music.

As you consider making resolutions and motions in our upcoming state and national conventions remember: what you propose will either unite us in the battle, or will divide and defeat us. Be very careful how you word your proposal and the intent of your action.

Ben Franklin said:
We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.
http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/quotable/quote71.htm

As Ed Young preached at the SBC Pastor’s conference: We must not get off onto side streets.

Happy New Year!

My Bible passage for this year is:

Jeremiah 9:23-24

“Thus saith the LORD,

Let not the wise man
glory in his wisdom,

neither let the mighty man
glory in his might,

let not the rich man
glory in his riches:

But let him that glorieth glory in this,

that he understandeth and knoweth me,

that I am the LORD

which exercise lovingkindness,

judgment,

and righteousness,

in the earth:

for in these things I delight,

saith the LORD.”


May God richly bless you as you seek to know Him better,

May your worship cause God to delight,

And this year may you be a cleaner vessel than ever before.


Let’s get ready for Heaven in 2007!

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