Preachers and Quotes

When ABA preachers preach (especially when other ABA preachers are present, in seminary and in some type of associational meeting) they often quote from a "famous Preacher" (not ABA). The quote will almost always include a reference to universal church. IMO, a sermon may be great the rest of the way, but sours on me by a universal church quote. Watch for it in seminary chapel services, revival services, etc. Note: This post was the week before the pastor and missionary conference. Some I consider excellent preachers have been caught in this trap. Why would anyone defend using universal church heresy quotes in a MB sermon? Why have others not realized it or do not talk about it? When MB are fed a steady diet of universal church quotes, some will pick up the lingo even if they profess not to believe universal church. Example are: the Church; the rapture of the church; the American church; the Western church. When a preacher quotes someone, he is tarred by their beliefs. Who do MB quote? Mathew Henry, who couldn't find a NT church with a Bible, both hand and a flashlight. Many other names could be given. When a preacher uses a universal church quote, it doesn't make him look better in eyes of sound, solid MB.

How Far Is Too Far?

"For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God." (Romans 6:10)

Here is another situation that concerns me: churches receiving members from other churches. It is the policy of some brethren when questioning a prospective member from a Southern Baptist church to only go so far as to ask: what church baptized you? It is common knowledge that many (if not a majority) of SB churches practice open communion and it is a growing practice of these churches to receive a person's baptism as long as they are immersed and satisfied, no matter what denomination baptized them. Other brethren will say "When in doubt, I rebaptize." Even others will say that when a church starts practicing open communion, they have ceased to be a true church and have lost their authority to baptize. Others will say that because scriptural baptism by John the Baptist was the foundation of the church that Jesus established, that alien immersion is the dividing line. My opinion falls at where a church begins to fellowship false churches in union meetings, or open communion, or alien immersion. There is no Biblical consensus on this issue, even in the ABA. Here's the problem: baptism is a type of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We need to know how far is too far because it is serious business to break a type. Just ask Moses. It kept him from being allowed by God to pass into the Promised Land. I'm not saying that we don't need a line, but we must have a clearer line. 2 Timothy 3:16,17: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." Would God through Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:2 by implication command us to "keep the ordinances" and not give us the instructions in His word to carry out His commands?

Choking On The Briars

I am posting about something that really concerns me. It's a widely-used saying: "Spit out the briars." One of the reasons I bring attention to this is a conversation on Facebook that I made a comment on. This is the gist of a comment made by one of our dear brethren about another brother who has gone off "the deep end" doctrinally: I respect your views. I don't agree with everything he does, nor does he agree with everything I do. Another dear brother that we know ended the conversation with this to this same fallen brother: "I would enjoy a good conversation as well as fellowship". It's one thing to have a civil conversation (which we all need to be reminded to do at least from time to time), being respectful of the person, and even to pray for a brother who has fallen that he will return to the truth, but it's quite another issue to say that you respect their views. It's also one thing to hang out with a person: you can hang out with anyone and even be their friend, but having fellowship means we hold things in common. When someone leaves the truth on salvation or the church, you can't have the same fellowship that you once had. I wish our older brethren that I have the deepest respect for would quit giving this admonition to "spit out the briars" and would only recommend writers who are at the minimum sound Baptists if they are not ABA. I'm afraid our younger brethren may read after too many emerging church authors and may wind up choking on the briars because some of these guys are way out in left field.