Moriah Primitive Baptist Church

Madison County, Georgia

Subtlety #1:  Doubt
(printed July 2, 2004)

The serpent employed four subtleties in the garden (Gen 3:1-5).  The first subtlety was to question the Word of God, the second was to add to the Word of God, the third was to deny the Word of God, and the fourth was enticement.  Today’s comments will focus on the first subtlety, "Yea, hath God said?" planting doubt. 

Have you ever left home and two miles down the road been asked, "Did you turn off the stove?"  You respond, "Yes." but ten minutes later you have talked yourself in and out of your answer several times.  A seed of doubt can be planted that easily.  Doubtings about the Word of God come from many sources.  Let us consider a couple of examples clothed in religious garb.

Footnotes call attention to places where there was uncertainty about the original text is a quote from the preface of a commonly used Bible.  This is:  Yea, hath God said?   Translators overuse paraphrase and put way too much of their own interpretation into the Bible. That's the way God's Word is!  is a quote from a theologian gaining popularity among our people.  This also is:  Yea, hath God said?  Doubt is a powerful tool, whether cast purposely or unawares.

The Lord said, "Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever" (Is 30:8) and "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away" (Luke 21:32).  If we believe God parted the Red Sea, allowed the sun to shine through a night, and raised Jesus from the dead; let us also hold fast to God’s promise that He would preserve His Word for us in the 21st Century.

Yea, hath God said? comes in many forms, sometimes from within.  Let us try the spirits (1John 4:1), even the religious spirits.  Let us worship Him in spirit and in truth and go to His Word without doubts

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Subtlety #2:  Addition
(printed July 9, 2004)

The serpent employed four subtleties in the garden (Gen 3:1-5).  The first subtlety was to question the Word of God, the second was to add to the Word of God, the third was to deny the Word of God, and the fourth was enticement.  This week we will discuss the second subtlety, adding to the Word of God.

Speaking of the forbidden fruit God said, "thou shalt not eat of it" (Gen 2:17).  The Lord never said, do not touch it.  Touch not was Eve’s addition.  Let us speculate how the addition came about.  Suppose Eve reasoned, the best way not to sin is to keep away.  She did not want to get near the tree, so she purposed in her heart not to touch it.  A personal commitment such as this is fine, but the commitment was between her and God.  Such a commitment is not acceptable when imposed on others, for that is adding to the Word of God.

One source of addition comes in the form of tradition, holding people accountable to the way things have been done simply because that is the way things have been done.  Primitive Baptists have been guilty, for  we had been knee deep in such traditions for years.  But we are getting better, for our ankles are now showing.  I pray we can be like the Bereans, readily receiving and then searching scripture to see what is so (Act 17:11).

God is adamant, He does not want His Word added to (Deut 4:2, Prov 30:5-6, Rev 22:18-19).  Thus saith the Word is our guide; not thus saith grandpa, the deacons, the preacher, or an association.  Let us try the spirits, whether they are of God (1John 4:1).  Let us worship Him in spirit and in truth, without addition.

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Subtlety #3:  Denial
(printed July 16, 2004)

The serpent employed four subtleties in the garden (Gen 3:1-5).  The first subtlety was to question the Word of God, the second was to add to the Word of God, the third was to deny the Word of God, and the fourth was enticement.  Today’s comments will focus on the third subtlety, "Ye shall not surely die."  Every time we pass a cemetery we see this lie was a whopper.

We are accustomed to the denial of God’s Word in the secular world.  Evolution denies creation (Gen 1). Civil Unions deny marriage (Gen 2:24).  Selective reduction denies life (Jer 1:5).  Bart Simpson denies honoring parents (Ex 20:12).  Abercrombie & Fitch denies modest apparel and behavior (1Tim 2:9). 

Denials from worldly sources do not surprise us, but let us not drop our guard to denials from within:
Have you ever heard:  "for He shall save His people from their sins (Matt 1:21)" only to be followed by "do not let His work go to waste."  Can you see the second statement denies the first statement? 

Ever hear:  "with men it is impossible (Mark 10:27)" followed by "so all you have to do is …"  Here too, the second statement denies the first.

Ever hear:  "He should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given Him (John 17:2)" followed by "do not let this opportunity slip away."  This is denial.

Ever hear:  "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy (Titus 3:5)" followed by "so come on down."  The Word of God is too often being denied.

Denial comes in many forms.  May the Lord bless us to identify the denial of His Word.  Let us try the spirits (1John 4:1) and worship him without denial.

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Subtlety #4:  Enticement
(printed July 23, 2004)

The serpent employed four subtleties in the garden (Gen 3:1-5).  The first subtlety was to question the Word of God, the second was to add to the Word of God, the third was to deny the Word of God, and the fourth was enticement.  This week’s comments will focus on the fourth subtlety, enticement.

The objective of an advertisement agency is to create desire for a product in the mind of potential customers, and enticement is often the tool of choice.  Consider the following:  Gentlemen, pretty women will be attracted to you if you drive our car or friends will envy you if you purchase our truck.  Ladies, your hair will look fuller if you use our shampoo or our perfume will help seduce your partner. 

Our adversary’s product is disobedience, you are the customer, and enticement is often the tool of choice.  Eat and ye shall be as gods (Gen 3:5) or worship me and kingdoms will be yours (Matt 4:8-9) are enticements that may seen archaic in 21st Century.  Order our beer and enjoy a pretty girl’s company.  Use our credit card and get your dream vacation.  Wear our low rider jeans and guys will be all over you.  Do these sound more contemporary?  They certainly sound more familiar.

Reading these enticements on the black and white of a newspaper make us wonder, "Who would buy into this dribble?"  Yet it works on television with cosmetically altered actresses their wanton eyes.

Let us be aware.  Let us reword "No Fear" into "Know Fear," "Just do it" into "Just resist it," and "You deserve it" into "He deserves it."  May the Lord be
glorified as we resist enticement.

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Caterpillars Can’t Fly
(printed July 30, 2004)

Allow me to define the Doctrine of Total Depravity:  Man, by his fall, has wholly lost all ability to perform any spiritual good accompanying eternal salvation.  Allow me to illustrate with the caterpillar.

If one were to pick up a caterpillar, speak to the caterpillar about the art of flying, show the caterpillar diagrams how to fly, pray for the caterpillar, and then heave the caterpillar high into the air, what would be the result?  Splat!  A confused bug, for caterpillars are not capable of flying.  They have neither the equipment, nor the ability to fly.

Metamorphosis is the life changing event where caterpillars are transformed into butterflies.  Before metamorphosis caterpillars are ugly and harmful; how-ever, after metamorphosis caterpillars become new creatures.  The new creature, the butterfly, is beautiful and useful.  It has both the equipment and ability to fly.

If one were to pick up an unregenerate man, preach to him the gospel, show the unregenerate man diagrams of eternal salvation, and pray for the unregenerate man, what would be the result?  Splat!  A confused man (1Cor 2:14), for unregenerate man is not capable of believing (John 8:43).  He has neither the equipment, nor the ability to believe (John 8:47).

Spiritual Birth is the life changing event whereby unregenerate man is transformed into regenerate man (Eph 2:1-5).  Before spiritual birth man is ugly and harmful (Rom 3:10-18); however, after spiritual birth man becomes a new creature (2Cor 5:17).  The new creature, regenerate man, is beautiful and useful (Rom 2:13-15).  He has both the equipment and ability to believe (2Cor 4:6). 

Which comes first, belief or spiritual birth?  Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God - John 3:3.  Spiritual birth must come first.

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The Self Righteous Brother
(printed August 6, 2004)

The passage in scripture commonly referred to as The Parable of the Prodigal Son is a story about not one son, but two sons (Luke 15:11-32).  The younger son demanded his inheritance, received it, wasted it, and returned home empty and humble.  The older son reacted with anger as his father celebrated the return of his wayward brother.  Which son is the main character of this parable and what was Jesus trying to teach when he spoke?  The answer can be found in the context.

In Luke 15:1 we find Jesus eating and speaking with publicans and sinners. 
In Luke 15:2 the Pharisees and scribes arrive with disdain, murmuring against Jesus for companying with a lower humanity. 
In Luke 15:3 Jesus spoke: 
In Luke 15:4-7 Jesus asks, what man would not rejoice over finding his lost sheep? 
       Who is the main character, the found sheep or the man who ought to be rejoicing. 
In Luke 15:8-10 Jesus asks, what woman would not rejoice over finding her lost silver? 
       Who is the main character, the found silver or the woman who ought to be rejoicing?
In Luke 15:11-32 Jesus tells us the parable of the two brothers. 
       Who is the main character, the found brother or the brother who ought to be rejoicing?
In Luke 15:1-3 Jesus speaks.  To whom does Jesus speak, to publicans and sinners or to scribes and Pharisees who ought to be rejoicing?
In Luke 15 Jesus speaks to us.  To whom does Jesus speak, to recent converts or to self righteous church members who ought to be rejoicing.

Yes, I believe "The Parable of the Prodigal Son" would more appropriately be named "The Parable of the Self Righteous Brother."  I pray we never forget that our churches are havens for sinners and not gathering places for the self righteous.  It is meet that we should be glad over he that was lost, but now is found.

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The Mind of a Servant
(printed August 13, 2004)

Lance Armstrong recently won his sixth consecutive Tour de France, a feat never before accomplished.  The Tour de France is truly a test of fortitude.  Contestants cycle 2,100 miles through the mountains and farmlands of France in three weeks time. 

Armstrong was one of nine cyclists sponsored by the U.S. Postal Service.  Armstrong, the team’s captain, was accompanied by eight teammates whom the French call domestiques.  Armstrong’s picture was splashed across televisions and newspapers worldwide.  His domestiques were absent from both the headlines and the pictures.  The world loves a winner, but the Lord loves a servant (Luke 22:27, John 12:26).

Domestique (doe*mess*teek) is the French word for domestic, which interpreted is servant.  The French call the eight cyclists which support their captain, domestiques.  Let us consider all that domestiques do for their captain.  Domestiques:  1) help their captain conserve 40% of his energy by taking turns riding lead and creating a draft, 2) obtain food and drink for their captain from supply cars, 3) surround and protect their captain from the bumping of other cyclists during crowded conditions, 4) give up their bike when their captain’s bike fails, 5) encourage their captain during days of weakness, and 6) provide specialized skills (ie., mountain climbing, flat terrain, sprinting…). 

Armstrong’s eight teammates spent themselves each and every day for their captain. Armstrong’s domestiques were nameless and self sacrificing, for their captain’s victory was their victory. If the Postal team could so faithfully serve Lance Armstrong, ought we the more to serve our Lord and Savior.  If the mighty men could so faithfully serve King David (2Sam 23:13-16) and the saints serve Paul (Rom 16:1-9), ought we the more to serve the Captain of our faith?  Let us have the mind of a domestique (John 13:14), for we serve the greatest Captain this world has ever known

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Rebel or Conformist?
(August 20, 2004)  

     As a former math teacher who has taught hundreds of teenagers, I intend to challenge the teens of Madison County with this article.  I ask, "Are you a rebel or are you a conformist?"  Please read the next few paragraphs before you answer.

Passing by one of your schools as the dismissal bell rang I was quickly brought up to speed with the latest fashions.  I noticed guys wearing clothes several sizes too big and girls wearing clothes several sizes too small.  I noted trends in everything from piercings to hair styles.  I know the majority of these fashions are uncomfortable and ask why?  But their answers were the same answers I gave as a teen.

A young man said, "I like the styles" and ran to his bus with one hand full of books and the other full of britches, to keep them from falling.  A young lady said, "I am expressing my individuality" yet the girls beside her had similar outfits.  Answers of individuality and personal preference are a lie.  In fact, the opposite is true.  Adherence to trends does not express individuality but conformity - conformance to peers, to Hollywood, and to Fifth Avenue.

A rebel is one who resists the main stream.  Are you strong enough to resist peer pressure or are you a conformist?  Let me test your fortitude.  Are you strong enough to be caught toting your Bible?  Are you individualistic enough to be caught visiting a nursing home.  Are peers changing your preference for church to partying.  Or, are you a lemming?

The Bible says, "be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed"  -  Rom 12:1.  Once again I ask,  Are you a rebel or are you a conformist?

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Raising Standards
(printed August 27, 2004)

Just about the time I get comfortable with a Biblical concept, the Lord blesses me with a little more understanding and then, Wham!  I see how short I fall in my service and my walk.

For instance, the Royal Law (Jam 2:8) commands us to love thy neighbor as thyself.  A difficult task, because deep down I concede I love myself quite a bit.  So about the time I get comfortable with the Royal Law the Lord grants me insight into Phil 2:3, esteem my brother better than myself.  And before getting practiced in this command I am given a glimpse into John 13:34, love thy neighbor as Christ loved me.  I think, "Wow!  How can I achieve Christ’s standard when I am still working on the 2nd level and have yet to master the 1st?

Forgiveness is also a command with tiers.  Eph 4:32 commands me to forgive my brother.  A difficult task, because my nature does not easily let go.  So just about the time I get comfortable with this principle the Lord grants me insight into Matt 18:22, where I am told to forgive my brother 490 times when he apologizes.  And before I can become practiced in this command I am given a glimpse into Luke 23:34, where Jesus forgave without being apologized to.  Once again I think, "How can I achieve this Christ’s standard when I am still working on the 2nd level and have yet to master the 1st?

I admit, there is a part of my flesh that wants to scream, "Lord, I have committed.  Please quit raising the bar!"  But then I think how thankful I am that Jesus never made such a request.  Stephen was able to forgive as Jesus forgave (Act 6:70).  How?  Stephen was full of the Holy Ghost (Act 6:5).  Lord fill me now (Luke 11:13).  May the Lord help us to increase in spirit and service to Him.

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What’s a PB?
(printed September 3, 2004)

      I am often asked, What is a Primitive Baptist and what is the difference between us and other Baptists?  Well, there is the ten minute answer and there is the two hour answer, but most people are only truly interested in a sixty second response.  So in the next few words I’ll try to give an ultra-concise answer.

The passage of scripture found in 2Timothy 1:9-10 is the best sixty second response I have seen.  Verse 9 speaks of an eternal salvation that comes about by grace, without assistance from man.  Verse 9 reads:

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy
calling, not according to our works, but
according to his own purpose and grace, which
was given in Christ Jesus before the world
began.

Verse 10 summarizes Jesus’ earthly and eternal accomplishments.  This verse speaks of Jesus putting away death, and the gospel Jesus provided which tells of that accomplishment, the good news.  Verse 10 reads:

But is now made manifest by the appearing of
our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished
death, and hath brought immortality to light
through the gospel.

Notice the gospel is given credit for bringing life and immortality to light, but is not credited for life and immortality.

The ramifications of 2Tim 1:9-10 as such cause Primitive Baptists to rejoice in the familiar words that follow far differently than do our neighbors:  He shall save His people from their sins, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand, and It is finished (Matt 1:21, John 10:28, 19:30).  Visit our website (moriahpbc.org) for a more in depth response.  May the Lord help you to rightly divide His Word.

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Teach, Baptize, Teach

(printed September 10, 2004) 

Jesus Christ gave a directive commonly known as "The Great Commission" in Matt 28:19-20.  The great commission can be divided into three components:  teach, baptize, and teach.  The 1st component of this commission is to teach the unconverted.  Those who have not been exposed to the gospel are the target audience for the first command to teach. -  Rom 15:20-21.  The 2nd component of this commission is to baptize.  The desire to be baptized is common among new converts; "what shall we do?" and "what doth hinder me?" -  Act 2:37, 8:36; with church membership following baptism  -  Act 2:41, 47.  The 3rd component of this commission is to teach converts.  The baptized believer is the target audience for this second command to teach.  Jesus did not intend to leave his saints without instruction, leadership, or fellowship.  Further instruction helps a child of God maintain and develop his walk while here on earth -  Rom 15:22-25, 1Thes 4:1, Titus 3:8. 

Paul preached and charged his sons in the ministry to preach messages of both eternal salvation and earthly duty -  Act 20:27-28.  The Lord commended His saints for readily receiving all preaching  -  Act 17:11.

Preaching messages of eternal salvation is exciting for a minister.   Listeners often respond with smiles, nods, and tears of joy.  Preaching messages of earthly duty is more laborious, for wrinkled foreheads and scrunched up eye brows are common reactions.  Yet, your pastor is commanded to teach both, and you are commanded to receive both.  -  Titus 2:15.  What is your response to the second type of teaching in the Great Commission?  I pray your response is as noble as the Berean’s

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Pray After This Manner

(Published September 17, 2004) 

One subject covered in the Sermon on the Mount was prayer - Matt 6:5-15.  Jesus’ instruction included how, when, where, and with what motive to pray.  The Lord even provided an outline for us to consider as we pray.  That outline, commonly referred to as the Lord’s Prayer, suggests items we should include in our prayers:  praising the Lord (v. 9), submitting to His will (v. 10), requesting needs (v. 11), forgiveness and mercy (v. 12), appealing for protection and more praise (v.13).  Then in verse 14 and 15 Jesus elaborated on one item and one item only.  Do you know which item Jesus elaborated?  Don’t look it up, yet!  Let’s see if we can figure it out.

Take a moment to consider the last dozen prayers you offered to the Lord.  Now check off the items you included in those prayers.  If you began with "Dear Lord,"  check off the 1st item.  If you made a request for a need, check off the 6th item.  If you asked for a peaceful day, check off the 10th item.

1.  Our Father which art in heaven
2.  Hallowed be thy name.
3.  Thy kingdom come.
4.  Thy will be done
5.  in earth as it is in heaven.
6.  Give us this day our daily bread.
7.  And forgive us our debts,
8.  as we forgive our debtors
9.  And lead us not into temptation,
10.  but deliver us from evil:
11.  For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.  Amen.

Now that you have completed this exercise, which item has not been checked off?  I suspect item number six has the most check marks, but which item has no check marks?  Well, that’s the item Jesus elaborated.  Now look it up - Matt 6:14-15.  May the Lord help us to maintain equilibrium in our prayers.

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As an Ox to the Slaughter

(Printed September 24, 2004)

What did you visualize when you read the title to this article?  I picture a skydiver jumping from a plane ignorant of the fact there is no parachute in his backpack or a trucker heading down a mountainous road ignorant of the fact his brakes are not working.  Well, the Lord used an ox going to the slaughter to describe a man who would become involved with an odious woman  -  Prov 7:22.  Wow, that’s some serious imagery!

The Bible is not silent when it comes to contentious and brawling women  -  Prov 19:13, 21:9, 21:19, 25:24, 27:15, 30:21-23.  How can a young man recognize an odious woman for Prov 7:21 speaks of a woman who with fair words and flattering speech will capture your heart?

Young men  if she is loud, stubborn, and has restless feet, stay away  -  Prov 7:11-12.  She will be on her best behavior during courtship, so be alert.  Watch her interact with her parents, for if she doesn’t respect them what makes you think she will respect her husband.  Watch her interact with the very old and the very young, for if she has no patience for the weak what makes you think she will have patience for her husband and her children.  Watch her under stress or when fatigued, for life is full of trials and tribulations.  Then after you have observed her, get the advice of an experienced, happily-married couple.  You will be surprised how much insight they have into the matter.

There is no other earthly decision that will have a greater impact on your happiness, your children, your financial stability, and your health than marrying a virtuous woman.  Take stock, for marriage is serious business.

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All Articles Written by Elder Dolph Painter, Moriah Primitive Baptist Church

pastordolph@aol.com

This site created by Steve McCannon. This page last updated 07/18/2008