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IS IT WRONG TO GET SINNERS TO CHURCH TO GET THEM SAVED

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By Ken Blue

IS IT WRONG TO GET SINNERS TO CHURCH TO GET THEM SAVEDRecently an article came to my attention suggesting it is an abomination to get the lost to come to church in order to get them saved. The article would have you believe the only purpose of the church is to edify and build up the saints.

Men who used “means” to get the lost to church are equated with the Antichrist and the Devil. I guess that would include Dr. Jack Hyles and Dr. Lee Robertson who used every means possible to get the lost to church. If you doubt this, purchase their books on how to get the lost to come to your church. It is strange that these men and others like them are ignored in the list of those attacked. Isn’t it rather hypocritical to give out Bibles, drawings, and CD’s to those who bring visitors to church, but if others have a program to bring sinners to church, they have turned the church into something worse than a whorehouse?

Now, if you don’t care if sinners go to hell, come right out and say so. But, stop playing the self-righteous game by implying that if anyone uses a different means, they are demon possessed. These people would be critical of Paul if he was here today. “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.” 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. Notice that Paul is interested in gaining the more.

[pullquote align=”left” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=”16″]Any pastor who is not trying constantly to “gain the more” is not in the will of God and is not doing the work of God.[/pullquote]

Paul would have used Jewish holidays to reach the Jews, and pagan holidays to reach the pagans. In fact, he went much further than any Bible believer would go today. In reference to Timothy, Luke said, “Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.” Acts 16:3. Dake understood why Paul did this. He says, “Because the Jews would not hear him preach or have anything to do with him if he was not circumcised…Under the circumstances, to speed the gospel it was wisdom to do so. The same Paul refused to circumcise Titus because of time and circumstances (Gal. 2:3-5). Paul did his best to win the Jews (1Cor. 9:20; Rom. 9:1-3), —Dake’s Study Notes. The very idea of accusing pastors of worldliness, immorality and selfishness because they use various “means” to get the lost to come to hear the gospel is wickedness beyond description.

Pastor, don’t let those who can’t build a church and don’t want you to, control you and your church. These men want you to follow their non- productive advice, and keep you under their thumb so they can glory in your flesh.

There are many ways to reach the lost. Three holidays that Americans are attracted to are Christmas, Easter, and the 4th of July. Stop your fear of the brethren and use these days to get people saved. You should get it settled in your mind; fellow pastors and evangelist are not going to build your church. That task is given to you, God, and your church members as you do the work of evangelism. Don’t worry about the little puppies; let them bark and you keep the caravan moving

EVER WONDER WHAT HAPPENED TO JOHN THE BAPTIST

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WHY BAPTISTS DON’T FOLLOW JOHN THE BAPTIST

By Ken Blue
The pages of Matthew and mark start out blazing with the ministry of John the Baptist. He is among the prophets, is the greatest born of women and has a unique ministry. Although 400 years of silence has elapsed, John, Jesus, and the Twelve are still operating under the Old Testament Covenant. There is not one word of proof to the contrary.

Mary and Joseph offered sacrifices as prescribed by the Law, at His birth. He was careful to obey the Law during His earthly ministry. “And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city” Nazareth. Luke 2:39. He said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Matthew 5:17-18. The sacrificial and ceremonial Laws was not fulfilled until He died on the cross and said, “It is finished.” Here is where the Law ended! “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;” Colossians 2:14. To pretend that the Law ended before the cross is unscriptural and dishonest. (Matt. 5:23, 40; 7:12, 8. Luke 10:26; 16:17.

After Jesus had chosen His Twelve, Peter became the central figure and was always in the inner circle of our Lord’s work. However, after Acts 15:7 Peter never shows up again! There are 28 chapters in Acts; wonder what happened to Peter?

Paul says of John, “When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose. Acts 13:24-25. Like Peter, John the Baptist is also forgotten and left behind.

Did you ever notice when the Corinthians were choosing up sides to name their favorite leader, none mentioned John the Baptist! “Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:12. Ever wonder why no one claimed John as their leader and teacher? If John is the founder of the Church, isn’t it rather peculiar that no one claimed to follow Him? In fact, the only one who claimed to follow John was Apollos, and he did it ignorantly and had to be corrected by Paul! See Acts 18:24-26.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]John fulfilled his ministry by presenting Christ to Israel, and his followers to Christ.[/perfectpullquote]

The answer is simple. John fulfilled his ministry by presenting Christ to Israel, and his followers to Christ. Peter’s apostolic leadership ended with Israel’s final rejection of Christ. Jerusalem, the temple, the Law, the sacrifices, and the nation were being set aside and a new man and ministry were being introduced by Luke in the second half of Acts. That man was the Apostle Paul.

John the Baptist’s ministry and that of Peter came to a close in the mid-Acts period. (John was killed during the Lord’s earthly ministry; however, some of his followers continued his teachings in ignorance of the change taking place).The new Apostle had a new ministry, a new sphere, and a new gospel. “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Galatians 1:11-12. “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:” Ephesians 3:1-6.( The “holy apostles and prophets” were the companions of Paul. They were not the Twelve. (Acts 14:4,14. Rom. 16:7. I Cor. 1:1; 4:6, 9. Gal.1:1. I Thess.1:1,6,9; 2:4,6).

So, what happened to John and Peter? They were left behind when it became evident that Israel was not going to repent. The nation and all associated with their Kingdom of Heaven ministry ended, and a NEW MAN was born! “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;” Ephesians 2:15. Where did Peter and John go? Their ministry was finished when God set the nation of Israel aside. Now you know.

IS YOURS A CARBON COPY OF THE CHURCH JESUS STARTED

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By Ken Blue

“If Jesus were physically on earth today he would be a member of a Baptist church because a (true) Baptist church is a practical copy and an actual descendant of the church that Christ started during His earthly ministry.”

The above is a quote from a Baptist Bride Pastor. All briders agree with him on this matter. However, we will give a little Baptist quiz and let the Briders tell us if his church is a “practical copy…of the church Christ started during His earthly ministry.”

1. Does your Baptist Church preach the same gospel John, Jesus and the Twelve preached? If you need help, see the following: “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. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. 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. They knew nothing of His upcoming death; so what gospel did these Baptist preach?

2. Does your Baptist Church preach, “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”? Why not, Jesus, John, and the Twelve did.

3. Does your Baptist Church have a healing ministry? “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.” Matthew 4:23-25. Isn’t your ministry a “copy” if His?

4. Does your Baptist Church teach Matthew 5,6,7 as Baptist doctrine, and do you pray the Lord’s Prayer? Don’t tell me you skip and hunt for verses to support the “copy” you have created.

5. Does your Baptist Bride pastor use sermon notes, own more than one suit, use credit cards and cast out devils? “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.” Matthew 10:5-10. Does your Brider church preach and practice the carbon copy of these Baptist predecessors? (I think the “carbon copy” is getting a little thin about now).

6. If the Lord is fortifying His Baptist Bride Church in Matthew 10:16ff, what do Baptist have to endure unto the end to be saved? See verse 22. If the Lord was speaking to His Baptist Bride church here, what did He mean? Can a Baptist loose his salvation? See Matt. 24:13.

7. Since Briders believe Jesus and John were not operating under the Law of Moses; which priest do you send the healed to, and what offering are they to take? (Matt. 8:4).

8. Does Matthew 13 refer to the Baptist Bride Church? If these instructions were not to the Baptist Bride Church, who were they to, and what was the purpose of these parables?

9. What is the “binding and loosing” the Baptist Bride Pastors do? Matt.16:19.

10. Do you allow divorcees, who remarry, to join the Baptist Bride Church? Matt. 19:9. Why would you allow people committing adultery membership in the Bride?

11. Why do Baptist Briders reject Mark 16 as their great commission? “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16:15-18. Isn’t Mark 16 just as inspired as Matthew 28?

12. Does your Baptist church use the same baptism as John’s baptism: Baptism unto repentance for the remission of sins? (Mk 1:4; Mt. 3:5-11)

I feel that somewhere along the way, the “copy” machine went haywire. It is the Brider who claims that his church is a “copy” of the first Baptist Church, of John, Jesus, and the Twelve. We challenge them to prove, that their church is a “copy” of the church in the four gospels. We will gladly post their “proof.” Again, we do not expect answers to the above questions. What the Brider has done is create an illusionary Baptist Bride Church in his own mind and then search for a scripture here and there to prop up their claims. It won’t work!

THE SHADOW

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ABIDING UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY

By Ken Blue

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalms 91:1.

Last week an unusual event took place in the Seattle area; the sun came out and we had about 80° weather! In the late afternoon, I went to the east side of our house to soak in some of the precious rays. The shadows were long, so I had to go down the driveway a few feet to get in the sunshine.

I tilted my wheelchair to a recline position, with my back to the sun. My chair and image cast about a three foot shadow to the East in front of me. My dog, Chester followed me, circled the chair a couple of times, and then lay down in my shadow. Although there was much lawn grass and a cool cement slab nearby, he chose to lie in the gravel, about six inches from my foot pads.

As I looked down on Chester, I could not help but think of the above verse. What could I learn from what I saw? First, I learned that he wanted to be near me. Then, I realized that he chose the rough driveway instead of the cool slab, or comfortable lawn. Next, he found comfort from the heat of the day by placing himself where I was between him and the sun. Finally, a few times he raised his head and looked at me, and wagged his tail. Now, I don’t pretend to know what was on his mind, but I think I understood the signal I received.

Perhaps nothing was intended from that little event, but let me share what it meant to me. First, we should get as close to our Master as possible. Then, we should choose the rough ground to be close if necessary. Since God asks us to cast all our care on Him, let’s keep Him between the heat of the day and ourselves. Finally, we should lift our heads and say, “I love You; everything’s OK when You are near; and thank You for all You do for me.”

I looked at Chester and thought to myself, “You are one lucky dog.” Maybe that’s why they call it a dog’s life. But then, we too, have it made, don’t we?

IT NEEDS TO BE SAID

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MY FRIEND AL HUGHES

Al HughesBy Ken Blue

There are many things in life that should never be said. Everyone would have been better off, had we kept silent about certain things. On the other hand, there are things we put off until it is to late. So, as I get closer to the finish line, I feel there is one thing I must say, and that concerns my friend Al Hughes.

Al and I attended the same college; not at the same time. I have known Al and his family for about 37 years. He served on staff with me for five years, and we have been in constant contact throughout the years. In fact, I spoke with him today.

Al and I do not have the same personality or daily habits. He is far more disciplined that I am. We don’t copy each other’s music, preaching style, or theology, but we are the best of friends. Al has never tried to build a following or a little kingdom. He pastors his church and allows others to pastor theirs; without censorship. I have been invited to preach each year at his Jubilee for the past 15 years, and lord willing, I will be with him again this August.  (2010).

He has never shunned me, avoided me, or rejected me over decisions and choices I have made. Personally, I don’t believe he has ever gossiped about me or anyone else. He has never demonstrated a spirit of control or power over any pastor because of their choice of friends or ministry. Some cannot see this as grace. To them, it is compromise and tolerance.

Few things in life are more helpful and encouraging than, real, lasting friendships. To me, that is what Brother Al Hughes is. I am thankful for every friend I have, but I wanted to personally and publically thank Pastor Al Hughes for his encouraging, unwavering, and enduring friendship. Thank you, and your dear family, Brother Hughes!

Brother Hughes is an excellent preacher and you should contact him at: http://www.avhughes.com/page6/index.html

Brother Ken Blue