Moriah Primitive Baptist Church

Madison County, Georgia

When Lesser Equals Greater
(October 6, 2006)

And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night …  -  Gen 1:16.  Scripture says, God made the sun to light the earth during the day and the moon to light the earth during the night.  God made the sun and moon for our benefit.

Have you ever noticed the sun and moon appear to be about the same size?  Check it out, but examine the sun during its rising or setting, for it is far too bright to view midday.  Also, a clear outline of the moon can best be seen during a full moon. 

Yes, the sun and moon do appear to be about the same size, but in actuality they are not.  The sun is 400 times larger than the moon, but the sun is 400 times further away, so they appear to be the same size.  Think the two 400’s a coincident?  I don’t!

Perfect solar eclipses are a remarkable phenomenon.  Other planets in our solar system have solar eclipses, but Earth is the only planet with a perfect solar eclipse.  A solar eclipse is when a planet, its moon, and the sun align themselves - in that order.  A perfect solar eclipse occurs when the moon perfectly covers the sun, no over or under-lapping, a perfect fit.

When the moon perfectly covers the sun, scientists are able to observe the sun’s chromo sphere.  If the moon were a little smaller or a little further away, a portion of the sun would show and blind our view.  If the moon were a little larger or a little closer, the sun’s chromo sphere would be blocked.

What is so special about the sun’s chromo sphere?  From it, scientists have obtained a dearth of information in the field of chemistry, in physics, and have proven Einstein’s Theory of Relativity.  Without a perfect solar eclipse this information would not be available.  Allow me to ask my question a second time, think the two 400’s a coincident?  God made the sun and moon the same size for our benefit, for when the lesser equals the greater, God is glorified!

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Self Righteousness
(October 13, 2006)

Self righteousness is an attitude for which the Lord has no tolerance.  Self righteousness can be identified in two, equally distasteful forms.  Let us define each form and consider Jesus’ teaching of both.

The first manner in which individuals can be self righteous is the most recognized, the holier than thou attitude described in Is 65:4-5.  God called this attitude abominable and a stench in His nose.  Let us formally define this form of self righteousness as:  judgment, with another as a reference point.  Jesus spoke against this attitude in Luke 18:9-14.  Jesus addressed this form of self righteousness with the Pharisee who thought himself better than his neighbor, but Jesus taught the neighbor‘s humbled spirit to be more godly.

The second manner in which individuals can be self righteousness is less recognized, the self justifying attitude described in Job 32:1.  God is equally displeased with this type.  Let us formally define this form of self righteousness as:  judgment, with created reference points.  Jesus spoke against this attitude in Mark 7:1-7.  The Pharisees had created a pile of washing ordinances above and beyond what Moses had recorded.  In the Pharisees’ eyes, an individual who kept all of God’s ordinances was not good enough, he/she had to keep man’s ordinances too.  Jesus said these manmade laws were hypocritical, that their creators’ and enforcers’ hearts were far from God.

Self righteousness is something to be recognized, avoided, and purged from ourselves.  Our nature gravitates to sub-standards.  We luke-warmers love the neighbor down the street who drinks and cusses too much.  We not so holy rollers feel better about ourselves when the person in the next pew misses twice as many meetings as ourselves.  We over-achievers think ourselves better because we keep our traditions.  May we continually look to God and His word for our standard, and only to God. 

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Our Second Article of Faith
(October 20, 2006)

Twenty-three years ago I picked up a Bible for the first time.  I was shocked at what I found:  call no man father, married ministers, a different Ten Commandments, one intercessor ….  I was angry.  The Bible was contrary to so much of my Roman Catholic upbringing that I vowed I would not allow myself to be duped again.  My search for a church began with the phone book, an alphabetical hunt through its church listings.  I based my search on three assumptions:

    1.  There was one and only one God  -  Eph 4:6
    2.  There was one and only one salvation  -  Eph 4:5
    3.  God recorded this information for me  -  Eph 3:4

Most churches (ie., their pastors) agreed with my first two assumptions, but none agreed with my third  -  in word, sometimes; in practice, never.  Too often I heard:  "The translators erred in this passage," "The Greek correctly expresses God’s intent here," "But our confession says," or "our Council has determined."  These words were red flags to me.  Like the eunuch I needed a guide, but like the Bereans I felt compelled to try my guides.

After months of searching, I attended a church where the Word of God was not questioned, nor was its accuracy suspect.  To my surprise, I observed a people who believed, preached, and practiced 1Tim 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.

My heart rejoiced when I found a church body who believed and studied their English Bible as if it were perfect and complete (Is 30:8), as if it were accurate and preserved (1Pet 1:25), as if they feared to alter God’s word (Rev 22:18-19).  I found a church which was constituted primitive baptist.

What is a primitive baptist church?  That’s a big
question, but back then, crucial to me was finding a
church which proclaimed, believed, and practiced this second article of faith. 

    We believe the scripture of the Old and New
    Testament (in English, the King James Translation)
    to be the inspired word of God and it alone is to
    govern God’s people, both in faith and practice. *

In other words,  I was searching for a people who believed God had preserved and translated His word for me.  Is God capable of preserving and translating His word?  Certainly!  Has God preserved and translated His word?  My faith is based on it.

Yea, hath God said? comes in many forms.  But just as diverse, are the vehicles employed to usurp the Bible’s authority:  confessions, creeds, resolutions, lexicons, traditions …  "Been there, done that, and have no intention of going back,"  I said and say 20+ years later.

As a church member and a preacher, I realize I come far short of a perfect knowledge of God’s will, but because I come far short does not mean the Bible does.  May we continually and confidently go to God’s word to seek His will.  May we remain true to His word.


Note  -  This is the second of Moriah Primitive Baptist Church’s thirteen articles.  Our Articles of Faith are nothing more than a proclamation to the world, a summary of our beliefs.  I believe our articles fairly represent the majority of primitive baptist churches.

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Carest Thou Not?
(October 27, 2006)

After a full day of ministering, Jesus and the disciples set sail for their next appointment  -  Mark 4:35-37.  During their voyage a great storm came upon them.  The disciples, many of whom were seasoned fishermen, became concerned over the storm, so much so, they woke Jesus.  Waking Jesus, they asked, "Master, Carest thou not that we perish?"  -  Mark 4:38.  For a moment, the disciples thought the Lord did not care about them, or had forgotten about them.  This passage is not the only place in scripture where such a question is asked of God.  The psalmists asked it often:

Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?  -  Ps 22:1-2 
Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord?  and  Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?  -  Ps 44:23
Lord, why cast thou off my soul?  Why hidest thou they face from me?  -  Ps 88:14
Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?  That is to say, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?  -  Matt 27:46.

Haven’t we all asked God this question, especially during trials?  Of course God cares for us.  He does not forget about us, nor does He go to sleep on us. 

Allow me to point out a detail I find very interesting.  Yes, I encourage you to read the rest of the account:  how Jesus calmed the wind, stilled the sea, and delivered the disciples  -  Mark 4:39-41.  This is a wonderful deliverance, but the detail I would like to focus the reader’s attention is the purpose of Jesus’ trip. Jesus traveled all night, through a raging storm to minister to a naked, deranged stranger  -  Mark 5:1-2. 

Let us once again ask ourselves the question, "Does God care?"  If Jesus would travel all night, through a violent storm, for one soul;  then I think we can safely conclude:  Yes, He cares.

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The Ground Types
(November 3, 2006)

The theological interpretation of "The Parable of the Sower" has been debated for centuries.  Do the first three ground types represent fallen man, or men who have fallen?  -  Matt 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, Luke 8:4-15. 

The intent of this article is to encourage the reader to step backward and view this parable from a nontraditional perspective.  First, let us view the parable not as a comparison of four ground types, but as a comparison of six ground types:  wayside, stony, thorny, 30-fold, 60-fold, and 100-fold  -  Mark 4:8.  Second, let us view the parable not as a theological discussion of elect and non-elect, but as a teaching intended to prick a hearer  -  Matt 13:15.  Third, let us view the parable not as a proof text for or against reformed theology, but as a means to conversion  -  Mark 4:12.  Prayerfully consider the following applications:

1)  Like Israel during the time of the Judges, I can and have passed in and out of all six ground types through different seasons of my life.   For instance, I remember a time when I was moved to crank up my prayer life.  After a month or so, my level of intensity digressed, yet maintained a level higher than which I had begun.  I went from a thorny level to a 100-fold level, then down to a 30-fold level.

2)  Like the Corinthian Church, I believe I am all six ground types at the same time, but in different areas of my life.  The Corinthian Church exceeded in spiritual gifts and giving, yet struggled with strife and authority issues.  Their giving was at a 60-fold level, but their fellowship was at a way side level.

3)  Like the Apostle Paul, I can pass through all six ground types within a 24 hour period.  I recently experienced a day in which my morning was extremely profitable, struggled after a lunchtime interruption, then rallied to redeem a portion of my evening.  I began the day at a 100-fold level, slipped to a stony level, but rallied to a 30-fold level.

       Maybe I am unique, but I believe myself to be all six ground types in different areas, in different seasons, and in the same day.  Lord, help us to plough the fallow, remove the rocks, and pull the weeds each and every day.

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Passing Along Knowledge
(November 10, 2006)

Sometimes a table can accomplish what a thousand words cannot.  The following table summarizes the life spans of the first generations of man:

  *  These dates are non-B.C. dates, from Creation going forward
**  Enoch did not die, but was taken up to heaven by God.

Observations made from the schedule above:
1)  Seth, Enos, Caianan, Mahaleel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, and Lamech each received firsthand knowledge from Adam.
2)  Noah received knowledge from Enos, Caianan, Mahaleel, Jared, Methuselah, and Lamech.
3)  Shem, Ham, and Japheth received knowledge from Methuselah and Lamech
4)  Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth received knowledge  of:  creation, the garden, the fall, and the penalty just one person removed.
5)  Although God planned the flood 100 years prior to its occurrence, the flood did not occur until all the forefathers died of natural causes.
6)  Pre-flood knowledge (underground mists, no rain, grass eating lions …) was carried 350 years beyond the flood by Noah, and 502 years beyond the flood by Shem.

Out of the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every matter be established  -  Deut 19:15.

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The Stronger Man
(November 17, 2006)

Jesus Christ cast an unclean spirit out of a man  -  Luke 11:14-26.  Let us consider the teaching which followed this deliverance.  Our point of emphasis will be taken from verse 22:

     But when a stronger than he shall come upon him,
     and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armor
     wherein he trusted, and divided His spoils.

This verse contains several pronouns.  Let us read the verse again, replacing the pronouns with their antecedents.

     But when a man stronger than the strong man shall
     come upon the strong man, and overcome the strong
     man, the stronger man taketh the strong man’s
     armor wherein the strong man trusted, and divided
     the strong man’s spoils. 

The casting of another unclean spirit (recorded in Mark 5:1-20) may better explain this teaching.  Allow me to paraphrase that deliverance:

Jesus and His disciples were met by a possessed man as they came ashore in Gadaria.  This man had an unclean spirit.  As a matter of fact, a legion of devils dwelt in this man.  The unclean spirit was strong, over-powering the man and any mortal who dare tame it.  The unclean spirit had power over the man’s legs, his vocal chords, and his mind.  The unclean spirit caused this man to live in a cemetery and cut himself.  But thankfully, along came a stronger man.  Jesus Christ bound the unclean spirit, and cast it out of the Gadarene.  The stronger man defeated the strong man  -  Luke 11:21-22.

Do not visualize the cartoon figures of 70 years ago, the equal sized characters sitting on each shoulder - one with a halo, the other with horns.  But rather, picture a strong man and a stronger man.  Guess who wins.  Praise the Lord, Jesus our friend, our intercessor, our Savior is the stronger man.

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What is the Candlestick?
(November 24, 2006)

The command to shine was given on three occasions.  The command was first given to those listening to the Sermon on the Mount  - Matt 5:15.  The second audience was Jesus’ disciples, shortly after He interpreted the Sowing Parable  -  Mark 4:21.  The third audience was the Philippian Church  -  Php 2:15.  This command was given to saints, preachers, and churches.

The command, as given in Matthew and Mark, is twofold.  The first half of this command was given in the form of a "do not."  Do not hide, cover, or obscurely position your light.  Notice, this portion of the command can be observed with passiveness.  Avoid the negative, and one has obeyed.

The second half of the command was given in the form of a "do."  Place your light on a candlestick.  Elevate your light so as to illuminate others.  This portion of the command is observed with action.  Passiveness does not work here.  We have heard many sermons about our lights (good works), but what is our candlestick?

Our church has run articles in our county paper, but I don’t think a newspaper is the candlestick Jesus was speaking.  Our church has a newsletter, a web site, and signs on the roads near our meeting house, but I don’t think they are the candlesticks which Jesus spoke.  So, what is the candlestick?

I believe our candlesticks are our lives:  our marriages, our families, our children, our reputations, our work ethic, our word …   People will not give heed to our faith if our lives are a mess.  Why should they?  Faith and good works are placed atop the candlesticks we have set in the midst of our communities.  Our lights ought to illuminate those inside and outside of the church. 

Yes, our candlesticks must be set in the community, but they must be functional and effective.  May the Lord help us mend, balance, dust, and polish our candlesticks - that God may be glorified.

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A Blood Issue
(December 1, 2006)

A woman, who suffered twelve years from a blood issue, approached Jesus Christ.  The woman did not seek Jesus’ attention, but touched Jesus’ garment from His blind side.  She was healed despite her non-traditional approach  -  Mark 5:25-34.  To fully appreciate this woman’s sorrow let us consider her burden, including the O.T. Law to which she was subject  -  Lev 15:19-27. 
*  Physically, she had been weakened; 12 years of an energy draining illness. 
*  Mentally, she had to be weak; 12 years causes one to grow tired of being tired. 
*  Financially, she had been weakened; 12 years of  doctors depleting her assets. 
*  Socially, she was ostracized; unable to hug her children, sleep next to her husband, or sit in the same pew with another.

The woman was made whole as soon as she touched Jesus’ garment.  Her healing was instantaneous.  Jesus knew it, and so do the woman.  But Jesus made the woman tell all that happened, not for His benefit, but for the disciple’s benefit.  Jesus had the information, but the disciples needed to know.

Afterwards, Jesus said, "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague"  -  v. 34.  Jesus said she was whole (completed action) and be whole (future action).  She was healed and had regained her strength.  What wholeness lay ahead?

A case could be made to interpret Jesus’ saying as;  to sin no more.  But I interpret Jesus’ saying as;  go embrace your husband, kiss your children, and don’t worry about brushing against another ever again.  Jesus’ healing was complete:  physically, mentally, financially, and socially.  Let us not forget, Jesus is the same today and for ever.

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Parental Blessings
(December 8, 2006)

Often times children receive blessings as a result of faithful parents.  An interceding parent and a delivered child is a pattern often repeated in the Bible.  Father for daughter, mother for daughter, father for son, mother for son;  the relationships are varied, but the principle is the same - Mark 5:35-43, 7:25-30, 9:20-27, 2King 4:18-24.

Faithfulness is not the only origin of blessings. Obedience has generated blessings not only for children; but husbands, wives, grandchildren, households, nations.
>  Noah’s faithfulness benefited 3 sons, 3 daughter in-laws, a wife, and mankind  -  Gen 6:7-10
>  David’s faithfulness benefit his son and the nation under Solomon   -  1King 11:9, 34
>  Jehu’s faithfulness benefited four generations  -  2King 10:29-30
>  Abigail’s faithfulness benefited a husband and a household  -  1Sam 13-18
>  Abraham’s faithfulness benefited a nation and a people  -  Gen 17:5-9
>  Moses’ parents’ faithfulness benefited Moses, a nation, and a people  -  Heb 11:23

Were any of these parents perfect?  No.  Were their children perfect?  Of course not.  Yet their children obtained deliverances. 

Are any of us perfect?  No.  Are our children perfect?  Of course not.  Yet, our children can receive such blessings.

Not convinced?  Consider the following case study:  There once was a vile family.  The whole family was corrupt, except for One.  Thankfully, one Son remained faithful.  This faithful Son and Brother went to the Lord on behalf of His entire family, and the Lord heard this Son’s petition.  Not only did the Lord hear the Son’s petition, but the Son made atonement, secured redemption, obtained forgiveness and reconciliation for His brethren.  Imagine having a family member like that.  We do.  His name is Jesus.  Thanks be to God we are part of His family.

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Unregenerate Man Cannot
(December 15, 2006)

God cursed Adam when Adam sinned.  The curse was immediate and everlasting.  By means of the "after their kind" doctrine, Adam’s offspring received the same curse -  Gen 1:11, 12, 21, 24, 25;  Rom 5:12, 17-19.

Our corrupt state put us in disfavor with God, and corruption stripped us of all ability.  Natural man is void of ability, unregenerate man is dead, and this is our condition from conception  -  Rom 3:10-18, Eph 2:1-3, Ps 51:5, 58:3.

Our corrupt condition has just been described with general terms, but the Bible gets very specific.  Consider the following, the inabilities of natural man:
1.  He cannot see; God looked down for he could not look up  -  John 3:3,Ps 53:2-3.
2.  He cannot enter; God stooped down for he could not rise up  -  John 3:5, 8:6-8
3.  He cannot come; God came down for we could not go up  -  John 6:44, 6:38
4.  He cannot hear; God bent down for he could not listen up  -  John 8:43, 13:5
5.  He cannot believe; God was taken down for he could not get up  -  John 10:25-26, Luke 23:52-53
6.  He cannot be converted; God tore down for he could not live up  -  John 12:40, Mark 15:37-38
7.  He cannot understand; God kneeled down for he could not offer up  -  Rom 3:11, Luke 22:41
8.  He cannot know; God bowed down for he could not straighten up  -  1Cor 2:14, John 19:30
9.  He cannot change; God laid down for he could not lift up  -  Jer 13:23, 1John 3:16
10.  He cannot please God; God sat down for he could not finish up  -  Heb 11:6, 1:3

Why did Jesus come down?  He had to, for our state was down.  Salvation by grace to a depraved sinner is:  Jesus came down to a people who could not get up.

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Stir up a Nest like an Eagle
(December 22, 2006)

As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings   -  Deut 32:11.  The Lord would have us learn from the manner in which an eagle nurtures its young.

Before breeding, a pair of eagles put in order last year’s nest.  The couple repair damages and line the nest with grass, moss, and feathers.  The finished product is a safe, warm home for their babies.

Mama eagle lays eggs (usually two) and spends the majority of the next 35 days incubating.  The eaglets receive three months of room service, then life gets progressively less comfortable.  At three months, Mama Eagle removes the nest’s lining.  Too uncomfortable for sitting, the eaglets stand.  They squawk, but Mama is more concerned with strengthening leg muscles than she is with baby’s comfort.  As time passes, her eaglets are nudged to the nest’s edge and encouraged to hop from nest to limb (or to rock) and back.  The eaglets squawk, but development is a higher priority than is comfort.

The nest is a safe place for eaglets.  Daddy Eagle continually circles above looking for predators, and Mama Eagle is quick to cover babies with her wings during storms and strong winds.  Life is good for the eaglets, despite Mama’s nest stirring.

The Lord used the eagle’s care to describe Israel’s exodus out of Egypt  -  Ex 19:4.  Israel found refuge under Pharaoh, but Egypt was not Israel’s home.  The Lord gradually made Egypt less comfortable, and pushed Israel to the nest’s edge.  Israel squawked, but God was more interested in Israel’s development than He was in their comfort.

Does the Lord stir our nests?  Do we squawk when we hear a duty sermon?  Grace sermons are so much more comfortable.  Do we squawk when the minister behaves like a pastor?  Do we squawk when God seeks our maturity?  Thankfully, we have a God who stirs our nests.

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He Bares You Up like an Eagle
(December 29, 2006)

Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself  -  Ex 19:4.  The Lord would have us learn from the manner in which eagles bare their young.

Mama Eagle uniquely evaluates whether or not she will receive a suitor.  She puts the suitor through a series of flying tests.  She evaluates his ability to follow her through intricate figure eight maneuvers and catch the sticks she drops from ever decreasing altitudes.  Mama Eagle receives only a candidate who passes her tests.

Why does Lady Eagle demand such a talented flyer?  Two reasons.  First, she wants a male who can provide for her during the incubation period and for her babies during their growth stage.  Hunting demands a focused, talented flyer.  Second, she wants a male who can catch a weak winged eaglet.  An eaglet’s first solo flying lesson is baptism by fire.  Mama Eagle carries the eaglet high into the sky and drops her baby.  Mama is not worried if her baby’s first solo flight is unsuccessful for she knows Daddy Eagle is prepared to rescue her baby.  She is confident, for Dad has been tested.

No doubt the eaglet’s freefall is terror filled, but Mama Eagle is willing to risk being misunderstood when teaching her baby to fly.  Scripture tells us Israel was terror filled as they exited Egypt.  Moses was willing to be misunderstood when teaching Israel to fly, for He knew God would swoop down and catch Israel  -  Ex 14:10-13.

I have experienced my own free falls, but the Lord has never allowed me to hit bottom.  The Lord has swooped down and rescued me every time.  Our heavenly Father has proven Himself to be a faithful provider and deliverer.  He bares us up like an eagle

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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