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TWO STEPS TO SLAVERY

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By Ken Blue

The Word of God teaches that man has the freedom to prepare for and work at the occupation of his choosing. He is permitted to earn all the money possible, as long as he does it honestly. He also has a moral obligation to pay a living wage, if he has employees, to help the poor, and to save for his future. Two principles are taught: He has a right to do with what he earns, as he chooses; and a responsibility to help the poor. Perhaps, if families worked together to take care of each other, and the church cared for the poor, we would not be sliding into a communist dictatorship.

Cap•i•tal•ism n. “An economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately or corporately owned and development is proportionate to the accumulation and reinvestment of profits gained in a free market.”

So•cial•ism n. 1.a. “A social system in which the means of producing and distributing goods are owned collectively and political power is exercised by the whole community. b. The theory or practice of those who support such a social system. 2. The building of the material base for communism under the dictatorship of the proletariat in Marxist-Leninist theory.”

Com•mu•nism n. 1. “A theoretical economic system characterized by the collective ownership of property and by the organization of labor for the common advantage of all members. 2. Communism.a. A system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single, often authoritarian party holds power, claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people. b. The Marxist-Leninist version of Communist doctrine that advocates the overthrow of capitalism by the revolution of the proletariat.” The American Heritage Dictionary.

Remember, once a communist government is in place, the next order of business is to purge out all who disagree and are unprofitable to the state.

The following is from The Distributed Republic. It calculates the number killed under Stalin. “The figure comes from the book by Robert Conquest, The Great Terror: Stalin’s Purge of the Thirties (Macmillan 1968). In his appendix on casualty figures, he reviews a number of estimates of those that were killed under Stalin, and calculates that the number of executions 1936 to 1938 was probably about 1,000,000; that from 1936 to 1950 about 12,000,000 died in the camps; and 3,500,000 died in the 1930-1936 collectivization. Overall, he concludes: “Thus we get a figure of 20 million dead, which is almost certainly too low and might require an increase of 50 percent or so, as the debit balance of the Stalin regime for twenty-three years.”

NEW PASTOR ASSUMES LEADERSHIP OF CHURCH IN WALLA WALLA, WA.

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ordination

By Pastor Tim shanks

On Sunday, November 1st God’s Word Baptist Church had the privilege of hosting the ordination service for Kevin Congrove. Brother Congrove answered the Lord’s call to pastor the Heritage Baptist Church in Walla Walla, WA. Shortly after the ordination service Pastor Congrove moved to Walla Walla with his wife (Heidi) and three children (Sam, Ruthana, and Katie).
It is clear that God has been molding brother Congrove for this area of service. He has been a faithful deacon, song leader, adult Sunday School teacher, prison ministry preacher, Rescue Mission leader, pulpit fill-in (when I was out of town) and Youth Pastor while in GWBC. Heidi was also very active as a Sunday School teacher, Nursery leader, Juvenile Detention leader etc. Both Kevin and Heidi are very excited about the work in Walla Walla.
Obviously, we are greatly saddened to see the Congrove family go, but extremely excited to see what the Lord is doing. God has greatly blessed the Heritage Baptist Church in the few short weeks they have been there and we praise the Lord for it! Please pray for Pastor Congrove, his family and the Heritage Baptist Church. When you do, ask the Lord to do something mighty for his pleasure and glory.

Tim Shanks
I Timothy 1:12

NOTE: Brother Shanks was trained at Open Door Baptist in Lynnwood, WA. He currently pastors God’s Word Baptist Church in Ridgefield, WA. It is wonderful that God is using his church to train and send out new pastors and missionaries. Praise the Lord!

THE GOSPEL SOME CHRISTIANS CAN NOT SEE

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By Ken Blue

“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;” Mark 1:1.”Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,” Mark 1:14.

The story is told of a family who had a litter of new puppies. A sign was posted which read, “Catholic puppies for sale; $10.00 each.” A few days later, a new sign replaced the older one, it read, “Baptist puppies for sale; $20.00 each.” A man stopped and said, “Last week you called them Catholic puppies, now you call them Baptist; Why the change?” “Well,” said the owner, “This week they got their eyes open.”

When we hear a word, certain pictures come to mind. For example, when I say automobile, airplane, baptism, or gospel; you get a mental equivalent. Try it; you will see. However, your image may not match my intended use of the word. Only by understanding the context in which I use it, can you see what I mean.

For example, the word “gospel” in our text, means “good news.” But, what is the message of that good news?

I. WE KNOW THE DEATH OF CHRIST IN NOT PART OF THIS GOSPEL-

“From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.” Matthew 16:21-22.

a. Notice that Jesus began to teach His disciples that He must die. “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples…” This shows that Jesus had not taught it till then, nor did anyone understand it.

b. Notice that Peter sees this teaching incompatible with their gospel. “Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee”

c. Notice that they did not understand Old Testament prophecies of Messiah’s death. “Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. 32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: 33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death:.” Luke 18:31-33.

d. Peter’s denial shows their ignorance of His upcoming death. “But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. Mark 14:68.

So, we know John, Jesus and the Twelve preached the gospel; we also know that it did not contain one word concerning His dying for man’s sin. That ought to be evident, But most Baptist never understand its implication.

II. WE KNOW HIS BURIAL AND RESURRECTION WAS NOT PART OF THEIR GOSPEL- Again, our text makes it clear that John, Jesus, and the Twelve preached the gospel in the four gospels.

a. Notice that His resurrection was not part of their gospel. “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.” Matthew 16:21.

b. Notice that they had no knowledge of his upcoming death, burial and resurrection. “Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. 32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: 33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. 34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.” Luke 18:31-34. Notice carefully verse 34. They could not have been preaching what they did not understand or believe. Yet, they preached a gospel.

c. Notice that the preparation of His body showed that they did not believe His upcoming resurrection. “Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.” John 19:40. They would not go to the effort if they expected His resurrection. Yet, they had heard His gospel.

d. Notice that the concern of the women was who could roll the stone away from the tomb. “And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. ..3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?” Mark 16:1,3. If they expected His resurrection, they would not be coming to anoint His body or be concerned about the stone.

c. Notice the unbelief of the eleven when the Mary Magdalene brought news of His resurrection. “Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. 10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.” Mark 16:9-11. Now, we can’t expect that the Twelve preached the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and then all of them changed their theology! Yet, they preached the gospel.

d. Notice that Thomas did not believe the report of the other disciples. “But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.” John 20:24-25. Are we to believe that Thomas preached the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for sin, and now he is an unbeliever?

e. Notice that Jesus rebuked sharply the eleven for their unbelief. “Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.”. Mark 16:14.

SUMMATION: 1. We know that no one understood or preached that Jesus must die. 2. We know that none understood or preached His resurrection. 3. We know that their reaction to His death was one of discouragement, and to His resurrection; doubt and unbelief. 4. We know from Luke 18 that He explained it and they understood none of it. Therefore, we know that none of them preached the gospel of His death, burial, and resurrection in any manner.

Now the key is in the context as used by John, Jesus, and the Twelve in the four gospels and early Acts period. Notice the text again. “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;” Mark 1:1.”Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,” Mark 1:14.

The “good news” was that the King and the Kingdom was at their doorstep. “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 3:1-2. “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17. Have you ever wondered why no Baptist preacher gives this kind of invitation? The reason is clear; the kingdom is not at hand. It has been rejected by Israel and is now in abeyance.

Finally, notice the very first question by the Twelve, after Jesus resurrection. “When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1:6. Were they wrong to expect the Kingdom? No; they had every right to expect it. He spent 40 days with them; do you think He explained to them that Israel would reject their message of the resurrected King? The answer is no. Did He explain that He would build a new thing, called the church, the body of Christ? Again, the answer is no. Did He commission them to go and start Baptist churches? Our final answer is no. He spoke only of those things concerning the coming Kingdom.

So, you see. The Word of God must be rightly divided and so must the words. The good news we preach today, is that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and is alive to save all who come to Him in faith. That is GOOD NEWS! Sadly, most Christians are led to believe that the gospel in four gospels and early Acts is the same gospel preached today. It could not have been.

The Journey-By Clem Head

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clemkylatinyThe Journey

By Clem Head

The end of my life journey began in July, 2008 when I was 73 years old. Before that time I had been my usual, hyper-energetic self: cutting firewood, playing music, even biking 14 miles. I went to church, and I loved my Lord Jesus, but I have to say that my relationship with Jesus sometimes took a back seat to the things I wanted to accomplish. I was admittedly proud of what I could still do at my age. Then I began to lose my energy. I got fatigued just walking around a grocery store. All I wanted to do was lie around.

I went to multiple doctors who, despite many tests, including an MRI and artery biopsy, came up with no clear diagnosis. All the while I grew weaker and weaker. I lost my voice and couldn’t sing. It saddened me to have to cancel my music shows as I hated to let my audience down.

Then, following a bout with pneumonia that sent me to the hospital, I was lying on our couch and felt a lump in my right side. More tests and another biopsy at last gave a clear diagnosis – I was dying of advanced liver cancer and given 1-3 months to live.
My wife, Diane, held my hand as we got the diagnosis. She recalls me saying “Good thing I know where I’m going. Guess I’m going to get to heaven sooner than I thought.” Since that time, I’ve discovered that knowing your time is short is a gift.

The beauty of the gift is that I’ve been able to draw much closer to God. I’m closer than I’ve ever been to my Jesus and I’m totally at peace for the first time in my life. I’ve been inundated with love and affection from our church families and friends, my former co-workers on the waterfront, people I’ve met playing music and, most of all, my family.

Not everyone is blessed with knowing their time is short. Not everyone gets to know where they are on their life’s journey, but everyone should live like their time is also short. Draw close to God and each other. It is my fervent prayer for you that you read this and accept the Gift.

Love in Christ Jesus,

Clem

December 16, 2009

NOTE: Clem Head is a dear friend of mine, and he and his family were among the first converts and members of Open Door Baptist Church. We first met in the spring of 1970. Because of Clem and Irene Head, many of their children, nieces and nephews are saved and serving the Lord. Joyce and I thank God that we were privileged to know Clem. We extend our heartfelt love to Clem and his family.

THE HADITH AND PLAGIARISM

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By Ken Blue

“Hadith: are narrations originating from the words and deeds of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Hadith are regarded by traditional schools of jurisprudence as important tools for understanding the Quran and in matters of jurisprudence. Hadith were evaluated and gathered into large collections mostly during the reign of Umar bin Abdul Aziz during the 8th and 9th centuries. These works are referred to in matters of Islamic law and history to this day. The two main denominations of Islam, Shi`ism and Sunnism, have different sets of Hadith collections.” (Wikipedia Encyclopedia.) Italic mine.

When reading the Hadith or the Quran, one will be struck with the number of comments that appear to be revised stories from the Holy Bible. We have seen the same phenomena in the book of Mormon.

If the quote from the Hadith, is indeed by Muhammad; the question is, did he borrow it from the words of Jesus and ascribe them to himself, or did God reveal them to him? Remember, Muhammad lived 600 years after the life and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus gave the following parable in Matthew 20:1-14. “ For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. 2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? 7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. 8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. 11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.”

Now, read and compare the following quote from the Hadith, Volume 1, Book 10, Number 533: as Narrated Abu Musa: “The Prophet said, “The example of Muslims, Jews and Christians is like the example of a man who employed laborers to work for him from morning till night. They worked till mid-day and they said, ‘We are not in need of your reward.’ SO the man employed another batch and said to them, ‘Complete the rest of the day and yours will be the wages I had fixed (for the first batch). They worked Up till the time of the ‘Asr prayer and said, ‘Whatever we have done is for you.’ He employed another batch. They worked for the rest of the day till sunset, and they received the wages of the two former batches.”

Although Muhammad was illiterate, and could neither read nor write, it appears that he heard bits and pieces of the Old and New Testament Scriptures and then presented them to his followers as coming from himself. The above is one example; there are many more. You read and decide for yourself. Since the Old and New Testament Scriptures were complete by the time Muhammad was born, are we to believe that the Quran has replaced the Holy Bible, that Esau has replaced Isaac, that the Arabs have replaced the Jews, and that Muhammad has replaced The Lord Jesus Christ?