Comment on the Baptist Bride Heresy: These arrogant slow bellies claim that if you are born again but not in a Landmark or Brider local church, you will have to wait tables at the Marriage Feast of the Lamb. This is not found anywhere in the Word of God. Also, it is a total reversal of the teaching of Jesus Christ, who "took on himself the form of a servant."
Jesus said,
Matthew 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and
to give his life a ransom for many.
So, if the Baptist Bride think they are exalted at the Marriage Feast, they should instead be rejoicing that they are to serve the others. That is what a true saint wants. Thus, I conclude that Briders are not born again, and their cult is an élitist club of arrogant self-love junkies.
The doctrine of servants at the Marriage Feast is nothing but the snob factor seen in Mormonism, Reformed theology, Islam, and the Roman Catholic Church. Their law that a Brider church has to anoint a new Brider church is pure apostolic succession, just as the Pope practices it. And the farmer hauled another load away....
Comment on the Baptist Heritage Heresy: This is a claim that the Baptist
heritage goes all the way back, with living links in all the years, to John
the Baptist. This is a lie for two reasons:
1. When they get back to about 1400 AD, they have to start using people who didn't say the word "Baptist" once. The Heritage apologists have to say, "If their doctrine was Baptist, then they were Baptists and didn't know it." This is defining the past by the present, which is insane logic and a lie. We do not take our "traditions" from the present Baptist bigots, we take our "traditions" from the apostle Paul, and then we move forpiano coversd to the present, NOT the reverse.
2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
2. Neither Jesus, nor any of the Apostolic writers, were Baptists, or they would have said so. If Jesus was a Baptist in doctrine, then the logic of the Heritage idiots is that Jesus was Baptist in doctrine and didn't know it. Rub their noses in it, for they cannot say the saints of the ages were Baptist in total ignorance if Jesus was not a Baptist. He founded the faith once delivered, and the true faith must originate in Christ.
The Baptist Heritage have a Gnostic idiot for a savior who didn't know who he was. This is the filth Origin and Pliney taught. This is blasphemy, and it is the only way they can make Jesus a Baptist. He didn't know he was a Baptist.
A strong Baptist Heritage stand is blasphemy, and those who promote it will go to hell. Let's face it-- The Baptist movement, as manifest today in about 99% of all Baptist churches, is a snob club for wicked perverts of the truth. Make your own fellowship as the Holy Ghost leads you.
I want you to read this and notice that the Bible Church folks are clearly suspect by this exclusive standard. Also, note how they fail to see that there were many years during the Dark Ages when the title "Baptist" was not known anywhere, though there were always the faithful. They would say that the Waldenseans and the Donatists were Baptists-- They just never figured it out and put it on the church sign. I find it very curious that Bill Prater starts right off by giving a proof text from the Dispensation of Law to validate the Baptist Bride in the Dispensation of Grace. :-) Their typos, in "the original, " have been corrected. Please note how very little proof texting is offered by this man. Thus...
Editor: Steve Van Nattan
By Rev. Bill Prater
In Jeremiah 42:2 we read, "...for we are left but a few of many..." The thought that I had as I read that phrase "for we are left but a few of many" was perhaps the same thought many would have. We, as independent, fundamental, Bible-believing Baptists, are indeed a few left of many. But, Praise The Lord, there are a few of us left around! As I see it, there is both a negative side and a positive side of being "left but a few of many".
"We are left but a few of many" and we are: DECREASING STEADILY
John Clarke Redpath, a Methodist said, "In the year 100 all Christians were Baptists". Cardinal Hosius (Catholic, 1524), blip of the Council of Trent once stated, "Were it not that the Baptists have been grievously tormented and cut off with the knife during the past twelve hundred years, they would spiano coversm in greater number than all the Reformers". Mosheim, a Luthern, said, "Before the rise of Luther and Calvin, there lay secreted in almost all the countries of Europe persons who adhered tenaciously to the principles of modern Dutch Baptists".
The number of those who "hold tenaciously" to the Word of God and who are "earnestly contending for the faith which was once delivered to the saints" is far smaller than in years gone by and is without a doubt, decreasingly steadily. The number of churches who are still practicing personal, doctrinal, and ecclesiastical separation is smaller than it has ever been before. The cry being sounded by the "religious" community today is "Compromise for the sake of unity", and much to the displeasure of our Lord, "Baptists" are answering that cry at an alarming rate. Of course, this "falling away" was prophesied in the Scriptures and should not come as any surprise. As a matter of fact, the numbers of those leaving the "old paths" will certainly increase as we approach the day of our Lord's return.
The Apostle Paul addressed this issue to a certain extent in 1 Corinthians 4 when he said, "for we are made a spectacle unto the world...". And later in that chapter he said, "we are made as the filth of the world, and an offscouring of all things unto this day". I'm sure that there are any number of churches, just like Fellowship Baptist Church, who have taken a stand against something in their community, and as a result, they're despised for it even to this very day. I believe a church should have as much positive influence in the community as possible, and for lack of a better term, we should project the best image possible.
(This is another message for another time, but we serve a great King according to Malachi 1:14, a King who is worthy of the very best. For too long now, independent Baptists have been considered the church on the other side of the tracks, and most of the time for good reason. The typical independent Baptist attitude is "cheapest is best". I'm glad God didn't have that attitude when it came to the redemption of our soul. I'm glad He sent the BEST, even if it did cost a little more.) But if we as Bible-believing Baptists are going to stand for the truth, that means we will, at times, be unpopular for doing so. But nonetheless, we MUST stand. It may mean being labeled a bigot, a racist, a homophobe, a legalist, a hate-monger, or any number of other terms used by the enemies of the truth. It may mean being called anti-social, unchristian, unloving, exclusive, or even cultic.
In preparing His disciples for His departure, the Lord said, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me." If the disciples were expected to patiently endure the ridicule and to stand in the face of public opposition, what makes you and I any different? Why should we expect to have any easier than those who have gone before us?
Those who find themselves in the upper echelon of Christianity disapprove of us. Those who consider themselves to be the spiritually elite tend to look at us with much disapproval. Because we refuse to participate in the local ministerial association or in the local PK chapter we are looked down upon. Because most independent Baptist preachers haven't spent half of their life in some apostate seminary somewhere, listening to some guy who, in some cases, couldn't cut it on the mission field or couldn't hack it in the pastorate, they are considered to be ignorant and unlearned. Sounds to me to be the same attitude that the spiritual elitists had topiano coversd Peter and John in Acts 4. The Bible says that they "saw the boldness of Peter and John" and they "marvelled". They wondered to themselves, "how can these men be effective not having spent time in one of our institutions of higher learning?" I'll tell you how they were effective. First of all it says they were "filled with the Holy Ghost", and secondly "they had been with Jesus". Most of these spiritual elitists wouldn't know the Holy Ghost or Jesus either one if they slapped them in the face.
Consider this quote taken from Notes on the Principles and Practices of Baptist Churches by Francis Wayland, "The acquisition of a formal education alone does not qualify one to be a minister of the gospel. No amount of education will equip a person to be a good communicator, nor will it give someone a 'pastor's heart'. The supreme qualification for the ministry, as Wayland saw it, was that a person be called of god to the position. He believed education to only be an accessory to equip a man, and did not see it as an end in and of itself". While there is certainly no premium to be placed on ignorance, the lack of a degree does not predestine a man to failure in the ministry. Education in many ways is a good thing, but nothing can replace being "filled with the Holy Ghost" and being "with Jesus".
"We may be left but a few of many" but: WE ARE DOCTRINALLY SOUND
Thank the Lord there are some left who still believe what Baptists have always believed. Those things which were "once delivered unto the saints" and which were "most surely believed among us". Things regarding the infallibility of the Scriptures; salvation by grace through faith; Christ's virgin birth, sinless life, vicarious death, triumphant resurrection, literal ascension and pre-millennial return; Baptist baptism; closed communion etc.
These precious truths are under constant piano help today from those who have either departed from the faith or who were never there to begin with. The doctrines that are being compromised for the sake of unity are the same doctrines for which many of our Baptist forefathers fought and died for. May God help us to stand strong even though "we may be left but a few of many".
God help us to have the courage and determination of men like John de Trautenau, surnamed Ziska, who when asked by a friend where he would like to be buried replied, "When I am dead let the brethren take off my skin, let them give my flesh to the fowls of the air, and make a drum of my skin, the Germans will flee at the sound of it when you approach them in battle" (A General History Of The Baptist Denomination by David Benedict, pg. 154-155). In 1664 Benjamin Keach was prosecuted and subjected to public ridicule. While in the pillory, he said to the spectators, "Good people, I am not ashamed to stand here this day, with this paper on my head. My Lord Jesus was not ashamed to suffer on the cross for me, and it is for His cause that I am made a gazing-stock. Take notice, it is not for any wickedness that I stand here; but for writing and publishing his truths, which the Spirit of the Lord hath revealed in the Holy Scriptures" (A General History Of The Baptist Denomination, by David Benedict, pg. 215).
The Scriptural, New Testament, Baptist church has ALWAYS been independent. From its very inception it has had no head but Christ. To submit to a higher earthly authority means giving up much of the divine authority given by God. Francis Wayland wrote, "Jesus Christ left His church without any general organization. Throughout the New Testament we can discover not a trace of organization beyond the establishment of individual churches...Is it not probable that as he left it, so he intended that it should continue to the end of time?" Consider this quote from by David Benedict, "But it must be acknowledged that churches founded on congregational and independent principles, cannot consistently have much business for councils, and I think the fewer there are among the Baptists the better" (A General History Of The Baptist Denomination, pg. 25). Mosheim, who was no friend to the Baptists said, "The churches in those early times were entirely independent, none of them subject to any foreign jurisdiction, but each one governed by its own rulers and laws" (A General History Of The Baptist Denomination, pg. 98). It is impossible to maintain doctrinal purity and New Testament principles when some national organization is set up as the guardian of truth. 1 Timothy 3:15 says that "the church of the living God" is "the pillar and ground of the truth".
What it means to be distinctly separated as an independent Baptist is described by Francis Wayland on page14 of his book Notes on the Principles and Practices of Baptist Churches. Wayland says, "No church has any power over any other church. No minister has any authority in any church, except that which has called him to be its pastor. Every church, therefore, when it expresses its own belief, expresses the belief of no other than its own members. If several churches understand the Scriptures in the same way, and all unite in the same confession, then this expresses the opinion and belief of those who profess it.
It, however, expresses their belief, because all of them, from the study of the Scriptures, understand them in the same manner; and not because any tribunal has imposed such interpretations upon them. We cannot acknowledge the authority of any such tribunal. We have no right to delegate such an authority to any man, or to any body of men. It is our essential belief that the Scriptures are a revelation from God, given not to a Pope, or a congregation of Cardinals, or an Arch-bishop, or a bench of Bishops, or a General Assembly, or a Synod, but to every individual man. They were given to every individual that he might understand them for himself, and the word that is given him will judge him at the great day. It is hence evident that we can have no standards which claim to be of any authority over us. This, however, in no manner prevents those who are agreed from working together, and cooperating in every form of Christian effort, and uniting in every manifestation of brotherly love."
In Matthew 3:11 we read, "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea". Matthew 11:11 says, "Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." The Baptist name is a divinely sanctioned name. John was not given the name Methodist, Lutheran, or Episcopal. His name was not John the "Baptizer", that's like saying John the "Tent Maker" or John the "Carpenter". His name was divinely given as John the BAPTIST.
Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." If your church is like the one Jesus built, you dwell in safety because Jesus promised to protect His church. The key is whether or not your church is like the one Jesus built. The church Jesus built was a local, visible, fundamental Baptist church. It was not some pie-in-the-sky, sweet-by-and-by, mystical, magical, invisible, interdenominational mess. Jesus gave us the pattern for a true New Testament Baptist church when He established the first Baptist church DURING HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY (not on the day of Pentecost), and He expects all Baptist churches to conform to that pattern. Those who don't, have no right to claim for themselves, the promise of Matthew 16:18.
Someone once said that "It's not the size of the man in the fight, but the size of the fight in the man". In much the same way, you don't measure a church by their attendance or their finances or any such thing. You measure a church according to their degree of truth and the length of sacrifice they are willing to go to defend that truth. When a church is determined to stand for the things of God, they may have to do so in the face of opposition (both within and without), economic difficulties, persecutions, and many other things which no doubt will come their way. But let us not forget, that there is repiano coversd for those who are determined to stand.
The songwriter wrote:
I will stand and be counted, I will stand for the truth.
I will walk in the footsteps of those who've gone before.
I will stand for the truth, I will stand.
I will stand tho' it be alone, for my place is on God's side.
And I choose to be numbered with those who serve the Lord.
I will stand for the truth, I will stand.
May our pledge to God be to stand!
In Revelation 19:1-8 we read these words, "And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints."
We may be "left but a few of many" and we may be decreasing steadily, despised socially and disapproved of spiritually, but Praise The Lord we're doctrinally sound, we're distinctly separated, we're divinely sanctioned, we dwell in safety, we're determined to stand and we'll be the
COMMENT:
Editor: Balaam's Ass Speaks: This arrogant boasting is NOT characteristic of Bible based Christianity. Rather; it sounds a lot like Revelation 3:14-18:
Revelation 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukepiano coversm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Brider's apologetic continued:
If the church that Jesus started was a Baptist church, and it was, and if the church is the Bride, and it is, then it only stands to reason that the Bride must be a BAPTIST BRIDE! Does that mean that only Baptists are going to heaven? Absolutely not! As a matter of fact, I'm afraid that many who so proudly claim the name Baptist are as lost as a goose in a hail storm. It is certain that not all Baptists are going to heaven. Does it mean that only Baptists will be raptured? Absolutely not! ALL of the redeemed will be raptured. Then what is a Baptist Bride? A Baptist Bride is made up of all those who have been faithful and true to the local New Testament Baptist Church for which Jesus died and to which He will be married in heaven. That may sound exclusive and prejudicial, but I didn't write the book, I just try to live it.
For now, we may be considered the "ugly stepsister", we may be viewed as "the church on the other side of the tracks", others may look at us with scorn and contempt, but one of these days we'll be the most beautiful Bride which ever existed, when in glory, we are married to our Bride Groom Jesus Christ.
COMMENT:
Editor: Balaam's Ass Speaks: I have had to listen to this sort of thing from Branhanites. Also, Mormons and JWs think and talk the same way. The principle of pastors and leaders convincing their people that they are the elite and special ones is old stuff. Korah taught this, and he even questioned Moses' purity and authority. Diotrophes also would make a good "Brider" with his man declared purity. These poor folks have an answer to the Question, What about born again people who are not in Baptist named churches? Answer: "They are Baptists, they just don't know it." The Pope also uses this of all of us now-- He says we are OK, we are just "separated brethren" and don't know who our real Mother is yet.
LINKS:
Baptist Bride Defined Here as and Exclusive Possession of Correct Doctrine
Here
is the insane doctrine that all Bible believers from Jesus to now were Baptists,
they just didn't know it.
"Baptist churches went by various names through the first fourteen centuries
of their history, and most of these names were given them by their enemies,
the purpose being to deride them. They have been called Montanists, Novationists,
etc. The name that prevailed for the longest period was "Waldenses", but none
of the names ever changed the fact that all the while they were Baptist churches."
David Cloud's Useful and Rational Dicussion of the Issue
Typical
Sovereign Grace (Hyper-Calvinist) Baptists--
This is oil and water, which don't mix well.
Narrow church which rejects the Brider notions
This
fellow told my son that he was a Brider without knowing it.
Why? Because my son was approved by the unstable Doctor.
spchk