SHOULD BAPTIST CHURCHES HAVE ALTARS?

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By Ken Blue

“1. An elevated place or structure before which religious ceremonies may be enacted or upon which sacrifices may be offered. 2. A structure, typically a table, before which the divine offices are recited and upon which the Eucharist is celebrated in Christian churches.” – The American Heritage Dictionary.

Having been saved and reared in Baptist churches all my life, it never occurred to me that much of what we do is steeped in tradition. We have borrowed these from Judaism and the Catholic Church. One of these is the so-called “altar.”

One way the altar is justified is by placing the tithes and offering on the communion table as an offering from the people; Thus the sacrificial altar. Another defense of the altar is to sing, Is Your All On The Altar Of Sacrifice Laid? Then we plead with Christians and sinners to “come forward to the altar and get right with God.

Thus, we, like Catholics, have come to accept the altar as part of the church furniture, and getting people to it is the goal of the sermon. Coming to it is an act of sacrifice, dedication, and surrender.

None of the church epistles have any suggestion that such an apparatus was to be installed. The idea would probably have been abhorred by the early church.

The following information concerning altars in Protestant churches is taken from Wikipedia Encyclopedia.
“A wide variety of altars exist in various Protestant denominations. Some Churches, such as Lutheran and Methodist will have altars very similar to Anglican or Catholic ones, keeping with their sacramental understanding of the Eucharist. In Protestant churches from Reformed, Baptist, Congregational, and Non-denominational traditions, it is very common for the altar to have on it only an open Bible and a pair of candlesticks. Many of these groups use a very simple wooden table, known as a Communion Table, adorned perhaps with only a linen cloth, and would avoid any suggestion of a sacrifice being offered.

Some evangelical churches practice what is referred to as an altar call, whereby those who wish to make a new spiritual commitment to Jesus Christ are invited to come forward publicly. 
[perfectpullquote align=”right” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Tradition is a powerful thing.[/perfectpullquote]

It is so named because the supplicants gather at the altar located at the front of the church (however, the invitation may be referred to as an “altar call” even if there is no actual altar present). Most altar calls occur at the end of the sermon…This is a ritual in which the supplicant makes a prayer of penitence (asking for his sins to be forgiven) and faith (accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior).

Altar calls may also invite those who are already fully members of the Christian community to come forward for specific purposes other than conversion; for example, to pray for some need, to rededicate their lives after a lapse, or to receive a particular blessing (such as the Gifts of the Holy Spirit) or if they are called to certain tasks such as missionary work.”

So, the question is, should Baptist churches have altars and an altar call? If not, how would we carry on business? Tradition is a powerful thing. Should we, or could we function as well without the altar?

GRAFT INTO WHAT?

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HOW GOD WILL GRAFT IN THE GENTILES

business couple looking at each other angrily

By Ken Blue

“Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:” 1 Corinthians 10:32.

When it comes to right divisions, the reader should notice that God classifies three distinct groups in Scripture. They are Jews, Gentiles, and the Church of God. Although a Jew and a Gentile may be in the Church of God, the context of Romans 8-11 shows that God is speaking about them as different groups.

Failure to rightly divide these three has caused many in the Church of God to fear being “cut off” and “cast aside.” All manner of mischief can develop when we ignore the context. The believer in Christ discovers in chapter 8 that nothing can separate him from God’s love. Then, he turns the page and reads that he must fear lest he be “cut off.”

The key is to follow the context, and see that all three groups are dealt with in these chapters. For instance, in Romans 8 we read, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39. It is clear that chapter 8 is speaking to the Church of God.

When we come to chapter 9 and 10, we see that the Jew is the subject. There, Paul explains why the Jews have been temporally “cut off,” and that God would save Gentiles. Prior to Israel being “cut off” and their “fall,” they held a favored place in God’s plan. Notice what Paul says about their special status. “Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; 5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.” Romans 9:4-5.

However, as a result of Israel’s rejection of their King and the kingdom, they have been temporarily “cut off,” and they “fell” from being favored among the nations. “Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?” Romans 11:12.

Today, Israel is like all other nations, and each Jew must come to Christ just like the Gentile. Gentiles, now, have the same standing and privileges as the Jew. They have been placed, or “grafted,” into a new place of privilege and opportunity, without the national conversion of Israel. Chapter 11 is not talking about the Church of God, but rather the Gentile nations.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Many Christians erroneously think that Israel has been removed from her covenants and promises and that the church of God possesses them and has replaced the Jew.[/pullquote]

No one is grafted into Israel, nor does the Gentile or the Church take the Jew’s place or promises. The text is clear; Gentile nations now have the same privileges and standing as the Jew. All are sinners and must come to Christ the same way. The time will come when the Gentile nations will be removed from this status, and the Jews will be “grafted” once again into the favored position with God. They will become head of the nations.

When God begins to graft Israel back, the following will be true for them. “1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. 2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 4 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it. 5 For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.6 In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; 7 And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.” Micah 4:1-7.

Many Christians erroneously think that Israel has been removed from her covenants and promises and that the church of God possesses them and has replaced the Jew. Nothing could be further from the truth. The illustration of “grafting” simply shows that the Gentile nations need not look to the Jews for God’s favor or salvation. All are on equal ground. This is a new privilege for the Gentiles.

DEBATING WITH FOOLS (ATHEIST)

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THE ATHEIST ILLUSION

By Ken Blue

“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.” Psalms 53:1.

Recently I watched a debate on TV between an atheist and a Christian. The atheist demanded proof that God exist. He was asked what proof he would accept. He said, “Just any proof you have.” The Christian said, “No, I see no need to go through a list of proofs that you have already made your mind up to reject. So, to save time, tell me what proof you would accept, and I’ll see if I have it.” He said, “OK, show me God.” The Christian said, “You got me on that one. I can’t do it.”

Next, the Christian asked the atheist to prove that God does not exist. The atheist responded, “Since you can’t provide the proof demanded, I am not required to prove that God doesn’t exist.” The Christian asked, “Since I cannot give the proof you demand; are you so dense you think your lack of proof gets you off the hook?”

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The atheist has faith in his blindness and his personal reasoning about what he cannot see.[/perfectpullquote]

The believer should understand that the atheist operates with two sets of rules. One, you must present “proof,” which none of them will accept. Secondly, since they don’t believe God exist; they reason that they aren’t required to prove anything. Their ignorance drives their arrogance.

The problem is not that proof for God’s existence is lacking. The issue is, the fool has made up his mind to reject any and all arguments you present. They pretend they follow science, yet they can’t prove one point of their argument with established scientific evidence.

Don’t be intimated. The atheist does not have any proof for his argument. He cannot explain the origin of life, and he doesn’t KNOW for sure if his argument is valid; he merely believes it is. The Christian and the atheist both operate from the platform of faith. The Christian has faith in the Scriptures and the evidence he sees. The atheist has faith in his blindness and his personal reasoning about what he cannot see.

Any Christian struggling with this issue should read The Evolution Cruncher, by Vance Farrell.

Now, there are only four possible answers to the argument.

1. Matter is eternal.
2. Matter came from nothing.
3. Matter came from an eternal, intelligent Creator.
4. Nothing matters; all is an illusion, and we aren’t really here.

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!