In This Issue...

• Salvation, Family Dynamics Institute -- Roger Campbell p.49
• Today’s Dreamers Versus God’s Word -- Marvin Weir p.50
• Looking Back on the New Unity Movement -- Dan Goddard p.51
• The Change Generation Asks -- Gary Colley p.52
• In the News... -- p.53
• Mail Bag -- p.56

      Those who believe the message of the Bible readily agree that the God of heaven offers salvation to mankind through His Son Jesus, Whom He sent to be the Savior of the world (1 John 4:14). Through God’s grace, salvation or pardon for sin is available to all men (Titus 2:11).
        Though some erroneously affirm that men cannot do anything in order to receive the remission of sins, the Bible says otherwise. Because the Bible declares that Jesus is the author of salvation to all those who obey Him (Heb. 5:9), then only those who are obedient to Jesus will be saved. Thus, a person’s salvation through the grace of God is conditional upon that person’s obedience to Christ’s will.
        Family Dynamics Institute (FDI) has issued a statement about man’s salvation. Before noting that statement, let us identify just what Family Dynamics Institute is. Its web site makes this declaration: “Family Dynamics Institute, a nonprofit ministry, provides products, services, and information to enhance all aspects of family life. We accomplish this by creating and providing highly effective faith-based seminars and training courses to educate couples, singles, parents, and children for happy, successful relationships.”
        While it is certainly a noble intention to try and help families, a closer look reveals some serious problems. First, who is the Institute’s leader? “Internationally known inspirational speaker Joe Beam is the founder of Family Dynamics Institute, and serves as Chairman of the Board.” “Joe Beam founded the nonprofit organization, Family Dynamics Institute, in 1994.” (All quotations in these two paragraphs from , 1999,2000-2001 Family Dynamics Institute).
        Joe Beam, Family Dynamics Institute’s founder, is a brother in Christ. He was a past speaker on the now abandoned Nashville Jubilee. Brother Beam has been one of the leaders in leading the church into apostasy, so for his name to be associated with FDI is to raise the proverbial red flag.
        So what is it that FDI teaches about salvation? Under the heading “Statement of Faith,” sub-heading “Salvation,” FDI’s web site declares: “Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer.”
        When I read that statement on FDI’s web site, I knew that I had read those words somewhere before. Would you like to guess where it was? On June 14, 2000 the Southern Baptist Convention adopted “The Baptist Faith and Message.” Under the heading “Salvation,” the Southern Baptists declared: “Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord” (www.utm.edu/martinarea/fbc/bfm/4.html; 2000 Southern Baptist Convention).
        Friends, did you notice that our brethren at Family Dynamics Institute made the same statement about salvation, word for word, that the Southern Baptist Convention made?! While FDI’s statement is shorter, what it says is exactly what the Baptists teach. Do you not find it alarming that some of our brothers in Christ are now teaching what denominations teach about salvation? If you think that Family Dynamics Institute is of no consequence, then think again. FDI’s web site states: “Nearly 45,000 people participated in our seminars and courses in the last 36 months.” Yes, FDI is influencing people’s lives, and its message about salvation is denominational to the core!
        Let’s consider FDI’s statement about salvation. First, it is true that salvation is the gift of God (Eph. 2:8). And, it is correct to say that we have redemption through faith in Jesus (Rom. 3:24-26). However, to declare that salvation is offered freely “to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior” is to say something the Bible does not say. Friends, we never read in the Bible the expression “accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.” Man might say it, but God’s word does not. That ought to settle the issue.
        Furthermore, while we are justified by faith, our justification is “not by faith only” (James 2:24). Family Dynamics Institute’s “Statement of Faith” leaves the readers of its web site thinking that one is saved before and without baptism. What does the Bible say about what man must do in order to be saved? “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16), and “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins...” (Acts 2:38). Why not just tell people what the Bible says?
        One can be made free only by obeying from the heart the doctrine of Jesus Christ in being baptized into Him (Rom. 6:17,18,3). We take no pleasure in pointing out the errors that others make in their religious teachings, but we must oppose any teaching on salvation that is not in harmony with what the Bible says.
        What the Bible says about any subject is not “probably right,” “maybe right,” “could be right,” or “almost right.” What God’s Books says about any subject is ALWAYS RIGHT, period!
                4865 Bates Pike SE
                Cleveland, TN 37323

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      God said to Jeremiah: “I have heard what the prophets have said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies, even the prophets of the deceit of their own heart? that think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbor, as their fathers forgat my name for Baal. The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the straw to the wheat? saith Jehovah. Is not my word like fire? saith Jehovah; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith Jehovah, that steal my words every one from his neighbor. Behold, I am against the prophets, saith Jehovah, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. Behold, I am against them that prophesy lying dreams, saith Jehovah, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their vain boasting: yet I sent them not, nor commanded them; neither do they profit this people at all, saith Jehovah” (Jer. 23:25-32).
        There are two classes of preachers mentioned in Jeremiah that are still with us today. First, there are the dreamers who seek to peddle their dreams (lies) as God’s truth. These false teachers will always have an audience because so many today have “itching ears” (2 Tim. 4:3) and thus demand a placated message. Second, there are those preachers who love the Word of God and are willing to proclaim it in its completeness without alteration or compromise. Not many today desire this type of preaching because it condemns instead of comforts them in their sins.
        We have today an ever-growing number of liberal dreamers in the Lord’s church. They want us to believe that just because they have “dreamed” that we should listen to them! To them their “dreams” are scholarly, interesting, and essential to the restoration of the Lord’s church, but these so-called “dreams” are destitute of authority.
        One only has to mention Bible authority to cause these loving and peaceful dreamers to have violent reactions. These liberal dreamers within the body of Christ have one mission -- to cause the Lord’s people to forget His church by their dreams which they tell to all who will listen (cf. Jer. 23:27). Like their ancient cousins of old, these modern dreamers preach “deceits” and “smooth things” (Isa. 30:10).
        Those who are concerned about the eternal destiny of their soul should listen to and heed what God said long ago because the principle is still the same today. Those dreamers who devised their own messages to suit their own agendas and proclaimed such as God’s truths were told, “Behold, I am against them that prophesy lying dreams, saith Jehovah, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their vain boasting: yet I sent them not, nor commanded them; neither do they profit this people at all, saith Jehovah” (Jer. 23:32).
        Dreamers such as Carroll D. Osburn of Abilene Christian University have their own visions and definitions of “fellowship,” “brotherhood,” and “church of Christ.” Osburn boldly boasts, “There should be room in the Christian fellowship for those who differ whether the Lord’s Supper must be taken every Sunday, or whether instrumental music is used in worship, for those who believe that Christ is the Son of God, but who differ on eschatological theories such as premillennialism, ecclesiological matters such as congregational organization, or soteriological matters such as whether baptism is ‘for’ or ‘because of’ remission of sins” (The Peaceable Kingdom, pp.90-91). The Bible, God’s Word, begs to differ with this dreamer who has no regard for Deity or those he leads astray.
        It should come as no surprise that Osburn opines, “The Bible may be held aloft in today’s churches of Christ, but it cannot be said to be the primary generative source for the basic religious thinking of many of our preachers” (p.4). The brazen audacity of the modernists and liberals is amazing. Unfortunately, they have deceived multitudes into believing that the thoughts and wishes of human dreamers should take priority over the Word of God.
        Brethren, there is a world of difference between one’s theories and dreams and God’s glorious truths! God stated it like this: “The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the straw to the wheat? saith Jehovah” (Jer. 23:28). In other words, the dreams of men are the chaff and Bible truths are the grain. One will starve spiritually and lose his soul grazing upon the dreams of men.
        Brethren, don’t be deceived by educated, smooth-talking dreamers who boast that their visions are more relevant to the church than the Word of God. Please remember that authority resides in neither man’s dreams nor the local church. The sole source of authority is the Bible, God’s Holy Word.
        Surely God would say today, “I am against the preachers (false dreamers, mlw) that use their tongues, and say, He saith” (cf. Jer. 23:31).
                5810 Liberty Grove Rd.
                Rowlett, TX

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      Every faithful Christian deeply yearns for the unity for which our Lord prayed (John 17:20-21) and which Paul commanded the Corinthians (1 Cor. 1:10). But faithful Christians are not willing to accept a pseudo-unity which contradicts principles of truth. In the late 1930s, Claude Witty tried to lead a segment of unsuspecting brethren into union with the Christian Church. In 1938 a “unity meeting” was conducted in Detroit, Michigan and the following year one was conducted in Indianapolis, Indiana. Things came to an extremely quick halt when brother H. Leo Boles was invited to speak in Indianapolis and clearly pointed out that before unity could occur, the Christian Church must drop from her practices those things which caused the division in the first place. It was obvious that the Christian Church intended to do nothing of the sort.
        In 1984 a meeting labeled the “Restoration Summit” was conducted on the same format at Joplin, Missouri. Not only did the same format exist, but the same primary objective was present on the part of the Christian Church. In 1937-39, James Deforest Murch, a leading exponent of the Christian Church cause, working closely with brother Witty, had set forth with much clarity the primary objective of the Christian Church: get members of the churches of Christ to admit that the use of the instrument in Christian worship was only an opinion and, therefore, in the realm of liberty. The Christian Church then and now generally claimed that the use of the instrument in worship is a matter of opinion and should never be made a test of fellowship. In the 1930s there were not many Gospel preachers who would compromise. Now, that statement can not be made in truth.
        For twenty-five years, W. Carl Ketcherside has been promoting a “unity in diversity” movement. He turned from an extremely radical position based on the assumption that there is a distinction between gospel and doctrine to an extremely liberal position based on the same false assumption. Ketcherside says that there is one main fact of the gospel to be believed (Jesus is the Son of God) and one act to be obeyed (baptism). He claims that when these two: the fact and the act are obeyed, one is in fellowship with God and Christ and therefore all of God’s children. Over the years he has made deep inroads into the churches of Christ. Until recently, few were willing to admit that He has been making converts except among the “antis” and a few others.
        However, in late 1983 a fresh champion of Ketcherside’s movement emerged. Although the terminology is a bit different, the principles and the conclusions are the same as those of Ketcherside. Rubel Shelly is now the standard bearer of that movement, assisted by several of lesser ability: Alan Cloyd, Marvin Phillips, Joe Beam, Jeff Walling and a number of others. Of course, Ruel Lemmons spouted the principles of Ketcherside for many years but he had been too inconsistent for many to take seriously.
        No new arguments have been advanced. Every argument is the same as those advanced in the 1930s. A few words have been changed but the principles and conclusions are the same. And, the objective of the Christian Church remains unchanged through all these years: to evoke from us a statement that the use of the instrument is merely an opinion and therefore, extend fellowship to them with no change on their part.
        Rubel Shelly and the others mentioned generally refuse to use the instrument. As a whole, they still believe it to be doctrinally wrong. However, having accepted Ketcherside’s basic premise (the false assumption that there is a difference between the gospel and the doctrine of Christ and that obedience to the gospel by means of baptism -- baptism by their definition -- brings one into fellowship with God and doctrine has nothing with keeping one in that fellowship), they have no difficulty extending fellowship to the Christian Church. And this fellowship is already taking place! Obviously, if doctrine is not vital to the salvation of one’s soul and all of what we contend are doctrinal problems are really nothing more than matters of human opinion and cannot be allowed to disrupt fellowship, we are in the wrong for not extending fellowship to those of the Christian Church.
        But if we are wrong on this count, we are wrong for not agreeing with Rubel that there are “knowledgeable, devout Christians in all the denominations” and thereby extend our fellowship to other denominations in addition to the Christian Church. If we are willing to compromise at the point of doctrine about music, why not also on sprinkling and pouring for baptism and a host of other things? Ask a knowledgeable preacher among the Christian Churches why they refuse to accept sprinkling and pouring as baptism and the use of buttermilk instead of the fruit of the vine on the Lord’s table and they will tell you in so many words that the New Testament does not teach that. And this, brethren, is the issue! If they reject a few things on the basis that those things are not taught in the New Testament, why do they condemn us for rejecting the use of the instrument in worship on the basis that it is not taught in the New Testament and is therefore wrong?
        The Christian Church uses the argument that the use of the instrument is not explicitly forbidden in the New Testament and claims that we are legalistic and are binding human opinion on others when we teach that the use of the instrument in worship is sinful. But they reject the buttermilk on the Lord’s table and sprinkling and pouring and claim that such are sinful substitutions. But where does the New Testament explicitly forbid such?
        Rubel Shelly (along with Ketcherside and others) claimed that the instrument and several other things are of doctrine and are not a part of the faith (gospel). They can fellowship those guilty of infractions of the gospel with no reservations while disagreeing with them about doctrinal matters. This, notwithstanding the fact that Paul points out in Romans 6:16-18, that obedience to doctrine was the point of forgiveness from God and that John warns that those who fail to abide in the doctrine of Christ have not God (2 John 9-11) and that those who fellowship them partake of their evil deeds.
        We could patiently wait for a young, inexperienced man to come to a better understanding of the will of God before rejecting him. But Paul warns us that the false teacher serves his own belly and that is one of the reasons for swift marking and avoiding.
        The primary objective of the Christian Church remains to get us to agree with them that the use of the instrument is only opinion. The Christian Church is not about to give up the use of instruments. They want to be justified for causing the division over the instrument in the first place. If they can get us to agree that the instrument is but opinion there must be wholesale repentance over causing division over opinion.
        Our buildings were taken from us around the turn of the twentieth century by those who introduced the instrument into worship. Nearly all our property was lost in that apostasy. The Christian Church has fallen on hard times since the turn of the century. Their liberalism has devoured their resources. They desperately need our fellowship and are making tremendous efforts to force us into that fellowship.
        To the extent we compromise the doctrine of Christ, to that extent we leave God behind. On the same basis that we can extend fellowship to the Christian Church, we can fellowship any group that claims to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Brethren who see no danger in compromising on the point of fellowship should consider the consequences before losing their senses entirely.
        One wonders if the Christian Church is short on preachers. Religious liberalism kills the zeal to preach and that is one of the problems created by their attitude toward Scripture. If we fall into their snare, we can expect to share in their problems and more.
        Regardless of the flowery speech used and the sophistication of those speaking, any argument that will deny plain Scripture is a false argument and must be rejected. The very basis for using the instrument in worship is that it is not explicitly forbidden in the New Testament. On that basis, most denominational practices cannot be rejected. Are we ready for that consequence?

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      For a growing number, and even some who wear the name Christian, the only qualification for acceptance or rejection of any behavior before God is expressed in the words “is it fun and exciting?” This is heard and somewhat expected in the conversation of the young, but it is disappointing and less excusable in the lives of the many who are older and should know better, but who have not yet matured in Christ! With Paul we must say these are “yet carnal” or worldly (1 Cor. 3:3).
        This attitude is certainly affecting the church for which Christ died (Acts 20:28). In many localities there are those who refuse to attend Bible classes because they say it is “dullsville.” This is a bad reflection on the person instead of on the Bible, the class, or the teacher! Others do not attend each worship period (unless some special entertainment is announced) because they “do not get anything out of it,” and especially when there is something “more exciting” to do. These seem to ignore many passages of Scripture about putting God and His kingdom first, not forsaking the assembling of the saints, and that worship must be directed to God in spirit and in truth (Matt. 6:33; Heb. 10:25; John 4:23-24).
        Marriages are strongly affected by this attitude. Some, after only a few months, divorce their mates, rending many hearts, because one of the participants feels things just are not “fun and exciting” any more! Then these look for a preacher who will deny the Lord’s simple teaching on marriage, divorce, and remarriage (Matt. 19:8-9), so they may feel good about finding another mate who is more “fun and exciting.” The tragedy is, some of these hireling preachers can be found!
        Vows do not seem to mean much to these people! Not only are marriage vows soon “forgotten,” but many seem to also take lightly their vow to serve the Lord. The good confession that “I believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God” is suppressed and flies quickly from the mind of some, when they are “choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection” (Luke 8:14).
        When these are urged to live pure lives, teach a Bible class, serve at the Lord’s table, visit the sick and needy, prepare the building for worship services (or close it afterwards), teach a neighbor or invite them to services, speak to visitors, or a host of other small but important duties of Christians, they respond in word or attitude, that is not “fun and exciting” to me anymore. These have left their first love and need to repent (Rev. 2:4-5). Their promise (vow) to serve the Lord has to be “some great thing,” never difficult, and always “fun and exciting” or they will defect from the Lord’s army!
        Of course for those who study and believe the Bible, it is known that there are responsibilities legislated by the Lord for which we are accountable (Matt. 28:20).
        These come as a result of our abilities and opportunities given us by God. He has the sovereign right to call us into account for the use of that which He has given to us. Paul’s words must continually ring in our ears, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:12).
        Jesus laid down the rule for following Him by saying, “If any come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). The opposite attitude of doing only what is “fun and exciting” is not according to the standard of truth (John 8:32) and will condemn us in the Judgment if we do not repent.
        It should be doubtful in any one’s mind that Christ found the event surrounding the cross “fun and exciting!” When He came to provide redemption for the world by the cross, the Bible says He “endured the cross, despising the shame” (Heb. 12:2). The apostles who suffered to uphold the Gospel in an unbelieving world, some of which are beyond our imagination (Acts 4 & 5; 2 Cor. 11:23-28; Heb. 11), did not change in doctrine or action because they reasoned and asked, “Is it fun and exciting?” We are eternally thankful that Jesus and the apostles did not exemplify the attitude of some today, or the plan of our salvation would have never been revealed by the Holy Spirit!
        What will the next generation of Christians be if we leave the example of doing only that which is according to the world -- “fun and exciting?” We can be sure that elders of the church, though greatly rewarded for their faithfulness, will soon cease to serve in the important work of overseeing! Gospel preachers will not long “stand fast in the faith” as they proclaim the Gospel if they were searching only for that which is “fun and exciting!” This would also be the case in regard to deacons, Bible class teachers, and all others who give and have given of themselves so freely to help the lost and dying of the world. If “fun and excitement” were the rule of life for these they would all immediately cease their cross bearing!
        Even more serious, because of this undisciplined, immature and liberal attitude presently in the church, some are now thinking and advocating that the pattern of truth (if they acknowledge that the New Testament is a pattern at all) be relegated to the place of things of an optional or a matter of choice! These write and say publicly that the present actions of the Lord’s church “must be changed!” These wrest or twist the Scriptures (if they use them at all) to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:15-16). Some of these, like Ahab and Rehoboam of old, blame the changes they invent and their digression from God’s Way, on “the people” or those whom they term “babyboomers.” What ever be the excuse, those who follow the “blind guides” need to be warned that their end will be in the ditch of destruction with their leaders (Matt. 15:13-14).
        Let us take a close look at our own attitude about the work of the Lord. Let us “walk in the light” that we may have pure fellowship with other faithful Christians (1 John 1:7-9). “Am I a soldier of the cross, a follower of the Lamb...” or do I live in subjectivism of searching only for that which is “fun and exciting?”
                “East End Bulletin,” bulletin of the East End Church of Christ, 102 Edison, McMinnville, TN 37110, January 7 &14, 2001.
               
               

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      Further evidence of the apostasy among us is provided in these two excerpts of recent events. One from Alabama and the other from England.
        “Thank you for shopping at Brunos today. You will notice that your groceries will bagged[sic] by the youth group of our church as a fund-raiser to support our summer mission trip to Honduras. In Honduras we will build houses, distribute clothes, shoes and medical supplies for the Honduran people. If you feel led to help us work to accomplish our goal, please feel free to donate directly to the student sacking the groceries, one of our sponsors or directly into the collection jug. Thanks so much for your support!!!”
                Homewood Church of Christ
                Birmingham, Alabama

From Overseas...
        On page 8 of the December 2000 edition of the British Christian Worker an advert can be found placed by David Walker. Following, is part of that advert. “In Northampton we are about to embark on a new method of evangelism through providing Podiatry/Chiropody treatment for local people. Starting in December we will offer 9 hours of clinics in our church building with appointment times on Wednesday evenings, and Thursdays. We have two members who will be receptionist, welcoming patients as they arrive and making follow-up appointments; I will provide the treatment ...Our aim is to provide a high profile service to the community as a work of the congregation, provided by members ... Although it is not our intention to make money from this outreach, there will be a small charge of 3.00 per treatment towards the congregations running costs. ... Please keep this outreach program in your prayers.”
                David Walker, Northampton Church of Christ.

        [EDITOR’S NOTE]
        Though the Bible authorizes “mission work” -- preaching the Gospel around the world. However, it does not authorize the church to have fund raisers to do it. The church is supported in its work by contributions from its members on the first day of the week (1 Cor. 16:2).
        Likewise, the work of the church is evangelism, edification and benevolence, not Podiatry/Chiropody treatments. How far will some brethren go in continuing to be like the denominations around them? With some, there is no limit!
        Innovations and traditions of men are not authorized, no matter how noble the intent.

        From Oklahoma, Jerry Brewer writes:
        Ever wonder why the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth never invited Foy Wallace or Gus Nichols or N. B. Hardeman or C. R. Nichol to bring their people to a workshop in the 1930s? You probably haven’t, because you know why. The Baptists “knew” where these men stood concerning the false doctrines of the Baptists. But today “it ain’t necessarily so.” We just received a brochure from the Baptist “seminary” in Ft. Worth to attend a conference entitled “Sharing Christ In The 21st Century.” The conference will be conducted there in September. I wonder why the Baptists have churches of Christ on their mailing list. Actually, I don’t “wonder why.” I know. Far too many churches like Quail Springs in Oklahoma City have joined hands with the Baptists and agreed to disagree regardless of what the Bible says. Quail Springs and the Quail Springs Baptist Church just conducted their second “Fireworks, Food and Fellowship” meeting (July 1) together. After faithful brethren in Oklahoma placed objections in the newspaper and wrote the Quail Springs elders about their fellowship of error last year, they have decided to ignore us old “Moss Backs” (yes, Keith, I are one!) and do their own thing anyway. After all, we only offer the Bible as authority -- God’s verbally inspired word -- and that takes a back seat to men’s “feelings.”
        Don’t look for the Christian Chronicle to mention this one either. Faithful brethren ought to put pressure on them by letters to the editor, asking why they are ignoring this “historic” and “unique” union of a “Church of Christ” and a Baptist Church. After all, they only report the news -- they don’t create it. But then, on the other hand, they will suppress stories that don’t fit their agenda. Write them and see what response (if any) is forthcoming.
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“I receive STOP and I find it very informative. I believe that if more of our brothers would receive STOP, Banner of Truth (Walter Pigg, editor, 1131 Hickory Grove Rd, Almo, KY 42020, free) and other publisher’s bulletins who write the truth of what is going on in the brotherhood, we would have a better prepared church to stop these change agents. Bristol Road Church of Christ have had these change agents: Joe Beam, Jeff Walling, Larry West, B. Stephens and Albert Lemmons come to this congregation quite often, in fact A. Lemmons will be there March, 3-5. 2001, second time for him in one year. Because of these change agents coming here and the many other changes that have been made there in the last four years, The Bristol Rd. Church of Christ went from an 800 attendance to just over 500 now. Several of us who have attended there for most of our lives have had to leave and worship at other strong congregations, we have tried to teach many in that congregation the truth about these changes and these change agents. In the last year and one half, four elders have resigned and two of them have placed membership at a different congregation. We expect one more of these ex-elders to place membership at a different congregation in the late spring when he returns from Florida. Your letters and others like them help and encourages me and others to keep spreading the truth about the trouble these false teachers are doing to the church. Please keep us informed and keep up the good work” ...Robert Schultz, MI. “Please remove us from your mailing list. We do not wish to receive your newsletter in the future” ...Mark & Sherry King, Nashville, TN. “I would like for you to put me on your list of Seek the Old Paths publication. I have been getting hand me downs for some time now. I have included a few other names that would like to receive this great news also. Thank you” ...Kenneth Kemp, Union City, TN. “The excellent content and strong stand for the truth taken in Seek the Old Paths has always been an encouragement to those of us who have long been on the mailing list. I know it is the prayer of all the truly faithful that the Lord will continue to bless all your efforts to serve Him. Most of our members receive S.T.O.P. and have high regards for its soundness. May the Lord bless you and all of those who work so diligently to produce such a helpful and influential paper” ...Charles Pogue, Warren, AR. “I appreciate S.T.O.P. very much and would appreciate receiving it for my spiritual growth. You see, I just left the confusion of denominational doctrines to follow Christ and what the Bible says about God’s Word” ...Danny Rodriguez, Snyder, TX. “We are interested in receiving your publication. Our elders, ministers, and Missions Deacon would all like to be put on your mailing list. Thank you for your work spreading the truth” ...Main St. Church of Christ, Mt. Pleasant, TN. “I would like for you to send me the S.T.O.P. paper. I enjoy reading it when I get hold of one. I think it is a wonderful paper. Keep up the good work. I will pass it on” ...John Murdock, Ray City, GA. “I have really enjoyed reading S.T.O.P.” ...Name Withheld. “Please put us on your mailing list. We picked one up while on vacation in Michigan” ...Delton Dyal, Baxter, TN. “I am so thankful that you use your talents in such a splendid way; like Jeremiah, your compelling message of the Gospel of Christ and the inescapable personal responsibility for one’s soul is always present. May God help us to not only say that we abideth in Christ, but also to walk, even as He walked (I John 2:6)” ...David Reeves, Ripley, MS. “We sure enjoy reading the Old Paths” ...Marvin McCathern, Binger, OK. “I enjoy S.T.O.P. so much for the sticking to the “word.” So many congregations that have wandered into the way of denominations. How will our little ones ever know the true church that our Lord died for? May God bless you” ...Oklahoma. “Hope this letter finds you and yours in good spiritual health and prosperity. In talking with one of your recipients of the magazine Seek the Old Paths struck a chord deep within me. I would like for you to start sending me this magazine” ...Alvie Foncree, Crossville, TN. “Thank you so much for one of the strongest publications in the brotherhood” ...Alan Caudle, Maumelle, AR. “I was recently at a Lectureship and picked up a copy of Seek the Old Paths. I have enjoyed it so much. Please place my name on your mailing list. Thank you” ...Juanita Keele, Manchester, TN. “Thank you very much for the Seek the Old Paths paper which I’ve received every month. I am receiving this paper each month for years and it helps my ministry and in my work of preaching and teaching of the Word of Christ. Thank you and God bless you” ...Serafin Calixto, Manila, Philippians. “All your kindness and diligence in the truth is respected and very much appreciated! May God bless you and your family, the elders and the saints you lead in East Corinth” ...Justin Hardy, Jamacia. “I enjoy your publication. There are too many churches straying” ...Roy Clark, Thackerville, OK. “We really appreciate your Seek the Old Paths publication. We need more people like you who will stand for the Truth” ...Sandra Moore, Henderson, TN. “It is a good publication and your service to the brotherhood through it is appreciated” ...Douglas Ward, Wichita, KS. “I have read your paper Seek the Old Paths and like it very much. Think you are doing a great job defending the truth” ...Helen Ruth Ward, Clinton, AR. “I would like to receive the Seek the Old Paths. Hear it is one of the best” ...May Jo Lance, McMinnville, TN. “I wanted to thank you for such a great publication” ...David Dozier, Columbia, TN. “I encourage you to stand fast (I know you will) in the face of blind criticism and ignorance of the Word. They are those who have “itching ears.” Always remember there are thousands of us out here encouraging you with love, loyalty, and our gratitude to the Almighty for your persistence, consistency and penchant for the truth” ...Martin Bedford, Tucson, AZ. “We appreciate Seek the Old Paths because you write in the publication the truth. The lack of it is causing many congregations to become liberal” ...William I. Paul, Jr., Elmore City, OK. “In reading Hosea, chapter 4, verse 6 touched my heart as it has many times before. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee...” Thank you for STOP which instead of rejecting knowledge continues to publish knowledge. By your many scriptural articles, you publish the truth; and by other articles, scriptural indeed, you continue to expose error. Thank each of you for your work of love” ...Josephine Begley, Norfolk, VA. “I would like to continue to receive this much needed publication/bulletin. May God bless your work as you continue to preach, teach, persuade and publish God’s glorious Truth” ...Michael Wilk, State College, PA.