SBC=>ENCOUNTERS

TRACT and VIDEO on How To Be A Child of God by David Howell

I encountered an interesting and exciting article when I received my copy of the Southern Baptist Texan this week.  I thought I'd share it with you and see if you think you could use the information.

A Houston businessman, David Howell wrote and published a tract/booklet, explaining "how to be a child of God".  Howell's booklet is being handed out to prisoners by the thousands in Texas. Howell distributed 15,000 throughout Texas and had to print another 10,000.  Chaplains love it, according to the story by David Roach.  Howell is a member of Second Baptist Church in Houston and has a wonderful story of transformation in Christ. 

I hope you can get a copy of the SB Texan and read the whole story about him.  However, you can visit Howell's website and see the online booklet, How To Be A Child of God, the testimonials and a press release if you want.  I copied the embed of his video so you can see it below.  According to David Roach, of SBTexan, one pastor added Howell's site to his church website.   I highly recommend you visiting the site to see if this may be something you think you could use to reach the lost with a simple presentation of the Gospel message.  You may want to share it on your facebook page, too.

According to Dr. David Allen, Dean, School of Theology and Professor of Preaching at the SWBTS in Ft. Worth, Texas:

"David Howell is to be commended for producing a tract that goes beyond what one usually expects! The gospel is clearly presented, illustrated, and with an eye toward discipleship as well. I predict lots of people will take up and read, and may they come to Christ as Savior and Lord!”.

So what do you think?  I'd love to know. 

[SORRY...I just noticed there was a note that none of David's site could be copied in any way. So I removed the video, but you can go to his site to see it. Apologies to David]

Flawed Answers and Problematic CALVINISTIC Information

I find it all very confusing.

Every time I post an article--be it pre-scheduled, published or draft, (as I've said before), my copy disappears. My Typepad service techs tell me it is not really happening... that my empty screen is a figment of my imagination so-to-speak... that the copy which I do not see is actually not invisible... it's visible on their end.  Thus they've concluded it is not a worm or virus, but a glitch in my browser (which is Firefox Mozilla). Now, whether or not Typepad techs are correct or not, does not solve my problem.  I no more have my copy before me to edit and restore than a person has the ability to write or rewrite their name in the Lamb's Book of Life.

This aggravating situation has created such havoc with writing, I've all but stopped completely.  Right now, I have several things I'd like to post about which I've encountered on blogs and other places, but gee...it's such a hassle.  That said, I am going to post a piece of info a friend of mine pulled off the internet regarding Presbyterians.

Why Presbyterian thoughts on a Baptist Blog?

Well, that denomination is most decidedly reformed and followers of Calvinism.  And since there has been so much discussion regarding the Traditionalist Baptist view on an infant's relationship with God (inability and ability to enter heaven should they die), I thought this was an interesting piece of information on how a reformed Presbyterian church viewed the depravity (or lack of depravity) in infants.

From the website of Faith Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, WA; a member of the Presbyterian Church in America.

Subject: The Presbyterian Doctrines of Covenant Children

"According to Calvin the infants of believing parents belong to the church before they are engrafted into its visible membership by baptism. The child of a Christian parent is presumptively a Christian and an heir of eternal life.

The offspring of believers are born holy, because their children, while yet in the womb, before they breathe the vital air, have been adopted into the covenant of eternal life. Nor are they brought into the church by baptism on any other ground than because they belonged to the body of the Church before they were born. He who admits aliens to baptism profanes it.... For how can it be lawful to confer the badge of Christ on aliens from Christ. Baptism must, therefore, be preceded by the gift of adoption, which is not the cause of half salvation merely, but gives salvation entire; and this salvation is afterwards ratified by Baptism."

[Interim Adultero­­germanum: cui adiecta est vera Christianae Pacificationis et Ecclesiae Reformandae Ratio. Per Joann. Calvinum. Corpus Reformatorum, vol. 35, 619, cited by Schenck, p. 13. Similarly Calvin says, '...the children of believers are baptized not in order that they who were previously strangers to the church may then for the first time become children of God, but rather that, because by the blessing of the promise they already belonged to the body of Christ, they are received into the church with this solemn sign.' Institutes, IV, xv, 22. ]" (emphasis added)

My friend asks a very pointed and purposeful question:

"Where is the doctrine of orginal sin and Adamic guilt in this statement above ... "The offspring of believers are born holy,"?"

Folks have been bantering back and forth about the state of infants in relation to Adam's imputed guilt upon each and every person born (or unborn for that matter).  This statement above does seem to say that an adult parent's faith is vicariously transferred to the unborn infant.  Perhaps I am reading this wrong.  I do not know.  However...

if this is, indeed, what Calvinists believe (which is hard to grasp), then how can anyone who is born into a Christian family ever be "totally depraved"?  How can holy be made unholy?  How can an adopted be un-adopted?  Why is it required that someone born holy needs faith to "believe" in order to become what he already is?  How does holy become filthy?  Is "holy" just another of the growing list of words that need to be redefined for folks like me?  Does anyone else find this information problematic of what Presbyterian Calvinists believe?

Is this what Baptist Calvinists believe?

The Traditional Baptist Statement addresses human depravity in a way that does not negate the consequences we endure due to a corrupted world. The nature of man gives him the appetite and desire for sin.  Yet, sin is born only as a person gives into the desires of sin's temptation...which we are certain to do because according to scripture, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  We cannot fix that.  Only God can give us a new heart and impress upon us the desire for Jesus, and empower us with the faith follow Him.  When we act upon that desire, we exhibit the faith we've been given and are changed, reborn, and made into a new creature, holy and acceptable unto God through the shedding of blood at Calvary.

Any thoughts?  selahV

We Need a New Heart and Jesus Gives Us One

Let Jesus Come Into Your Heart...the invitation goes.  Some argue today that this is not possible.  That it is superstition to suggest such a possibility.  Dr. Steve Gaines preaches a sermon which covers the issues of the heart in Scripture.  It's worth sharing with anyone you know.

Baptists and Eternal Security, or Once Saved Always Saved; Part 1 of 3 by David Brumbelow

[David Brumbelow is a pastor in Highlands, Texas. Below is his post and link to part two of three posts on Baptists and Eternal Security.]

"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy". -Jude 24

Baptists are known for believing in “Eternal Security,” or, “Once Saved, Always Saved.”

More humorously it has been put, “Methodists believe in falling from grace, and Baptists practice it.” Also said, “Arminians know they have it (salvation), but they’re afraid they’re going to lose it. Calvinists know they can’t lose it, but they’re afraid they don’t have it.” In my humble opinion, most Baptists have it just right. We know we are saved, and we know we can’t lose it.

There are good Christian folks who believe you can lose your salvation.

I believe, however, the Bible teaches eternal security or, once saved always saved, for the following reasons.

Note:  First, a quick explanation. I am referring to someone who has really, truly placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Just because someone says they are saved, does not mean they are saved. The Bible teaches there are those who falsely profess to be believers (Matthew 7:21-23; 1 John 2:19).

1. Everlasting Life Cannot Be Lost. John 3:16

If it can be lost, then it is not everlasting.
If you have it for a year, and then lose it, it is one year life, not everlasting life.

2. Everlasting Life is something the saved person has right now. John 3:16; 5:24

Well, you say, “Everlasting life may be everlasting, but you do not receive it until you get to Heaven.” No, it is something we possess right now.

John 3:16 - “have” is present tense
John 5:24 - “has” (or “hath”) is present tense

Everlasting life is something the saved person has right now.

3. We are sealed until the day of redemption. Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30

When a king sealed a document, it was as good as already done. No one could break the seal until the proper time.

You yourselves write a decree concerning the Jews, as you please, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s signet ring; for whatever is written in the king’s name and sealed with the king’s signet ring no one can revoke. -Esther 8:8

4. We have been given the Holy Sprit. His is the “guarantee” (or “earnest”) of our inheritance. Ephesians 1:13-14

Guarantee - deposit, earnest money.

When you buy a house you are asked to put down “Earnest Money” to guarantee you are serious and plan to buy the house. The Holy Spirit is our Guarantee of even more things to come when we receive our full inheritance in Heaven. You don’t give a “guarantee” and then take it back.

5. If you could lose your salvation then salvation would be of works. Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:28

Someone says, “No, we are saying that salvation is of grace, and then you have to keep yourself saved.”
Then you are making salvation part of grace and part of works. But for the grace of God AND your good works of keeping yourself saved, you would not make it to Heaven.
Instead of singing “Jesus Paid It All” you would have to sing:
“Jesus paid a part,
Some to Him I owe.
Sin hath left a crimson stain,
We washed it white as snow.”

But salvation is all of grace, not of works lest anyone should boast.

6. You never cease to be a child of your parents. John 1:12

You may disobey your biological parents, but you never cease to be their child. Disobedience hurts your fellowship; but it does not affect your relationship. You are still their child.
After we become children of God, the same is true. You can’t be “un-born again.”

7. Paul said that we have been adopted into the family of God.
Romans 8:14-17, 23; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5
Adoption meant you became, in every legal sense, a part of the family. It was viewed as a permanent relationship.
(to be continued) Part 2
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, April 17, AD 2012.