July 02, 2017

If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. Proverbs 25:21-22

The Bethel Baptist Church, in Spring Lake, N.C. has called Brother John Chapman to be their Pastor. Brother John is a dear and faithful friend to this congregation and I know that he will become a faithful Pastor to the congregation there. We pray for John and his family while they prepare to move and for the dear believers there at Bethel Baptist Church. We rejoice and give thanks to the Lord!

True Repentance

True repentance has something to do with changing a man’s HEART! When his heart is broken toward God, his habits will conform to his state of heart.

True repentance produces a proper ATTITUDE toward God, towards His commandments, and toward others; this, in turn, results in actions which adorn the gospel.

True repentance works on the MIND and the MOTIVES of believers, thus resulting in manners becoming the grace of God. This was why our Lord said, “Cleanse FIRST that which is within…”

It is impossible to reverse the procedure. Let us seek and pray for true conversion and repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1983)

“AND IT CAME TO PASS”

The phrase “And it came to pass” as far as I can find, is one of the most used phrase in all the Bible. Over 1680 times we find these words written on the pages of Holy Scripture. Every time we hear or read the words, “And it came to pass,” may we be reminded that God has, is, and will always cause all things to come to pass by His own sovereign purpose, providence, and predestinating power, and after the counsel of His own will (Ephesians 1:11). God can cause “All things to work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” simply because He controls all things (Romans 8:28). David wrote, “But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased” (Psalm 115:3). The next time you read “And it came to pass” in the Scriptures, or the next time something “Comes to pass” in your life, remember WHY it came to pass and never forget WHO caused it to come to pass.

Pastor David Eddmenson

“And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.” (1 Samuel 3:18).

How great is our God whose hand paints every flower and shapes every leaf; who forms every bud on every tree and every infant in the womb; who feeds each crawling worm with a parent’s care and every insect that sleeps in the bosom of a flower; who opens the golden gates of day and draws the dusky curtains of the night; who measures every drop of rain, the whirling flakes of snow and the sands of man’s earthly life; who determines alike the fall of the sparrow and the fate of a kingdom; who so overrules the tide of human fortune that, whatever befalls a man, come joy or sorrow, the believer readily declares, “It is the Lord: let Him do what seemeth Him good.”

Thomas Guthrie

HOW IS SALVATION RECEIVED?

“Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed” (Rom. 4:16).

Most everyone would agree that there is immense need of salvation in the soul of all people. Just look around, there are churches and different denominations of religion everywhere. Surely, people are saying there is a necessity of salvation. The scriptures certainly make it plain that there is a need of salvation. For we read, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). The difference among men is, how is salvation received? Some say it is received by works, efforts and ceremony or being a member of a certain church. However, the scriptures plainly teach that salvation (the Lord Jesus Christ) is received by faith, not by works. It was said of Abraham, “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform” (Rom.4:20-21). God in His infinite wisdom has sovereignly chosen faith as the means to receive His salvation (Rom.5:1; John 3:36). God reveals to us at least two reasons why salvation is received by believing and not by doing.

1). “That it might be by grace.”

Grace and works are opposites and pull apart. Grace and faith are cooperative and pull together Rom.11:6). Faith is the fruit of the sovereign grace of God given to the sinners in regeneration (1John 5:1; Eph.2:8-9). Faith traces its very existence, cause, reason and purpose to be all of grace (1Cor.15:10). True saving faith when it is given to the sinner quickly recognizes that it is the gift of God and glorifies Him alone (Psa.115:1; Phil.1:29; Titus 1:1).

2). “To the end the promise might be sure to all the seed.”

If salvation were determined and dependent upon the works of the sinner it could never be sure to anyone (John 3:19). Who could produce and continue in perfect righteousness by the efforts of the flesh? God says that our best efforts at righteousness are nothing but sinful, stinking rags (Isa. 64:6). However, because salvation is totally determined, accomplished and dependent upon the excellent, perfect person and priestly work of the Lord Jesus Christ it is certain and sure to all of God’s elect (2Tim.2:19). Christ Jesus did provide for His sheep, everlasting righteousness and redemption (Psa. 57:2; 1Cor.1:30). Therefore, the promise and certainty of salvation must be sure (Heb.2:17; Heb. 9:12).