This Issue...
OAK HILLS AND MAX LUCADO DROPPED CHRIST LONG AGO
Marvin L. Weir
Christ promises that He will not “fail” or
“forsake” a child of God (Heb. 13:5), but a
Christian can “fail” and “forsake”
the Lord! Max Lucado and his apostate followers at the
Oak Hills church in San Antonio, Texas, have just recently
officially dropped the name “church of Christ.”
Those faithful to the Lord and His church have known for years that
Max Lucado is a false teacher and an enemy of Christ. Lisa Harrison
Rivas, staff writer for the San Antonio Express-News
writes in the Saturday, September 6, 2003 paper these words:
“Max Lucado hopes renaming his church, opening new campuses and
adding musical instruments to the worship service will help bring
more people to Christ.”
The staff writer is correct in calling the congregation
“his” or Max's church because any group who spurns the Word
of God certainly does not belong to Christ! One is reminded of the
Lord saying, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord,
Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the
will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21).
The report continues with the staff writer saying,
“Oak Hills Church of Christ is now Oak Hills Church, and
although the name has changed, Lucado said the church's core values
will not.” Lucado is quoted as follows: “When it comes to
strategy, when it comes to approach, we want to do whatever
seems most effective at the time ... That's what
these initiatives are: changes of strategy, not changes to doctrine
or core values” (emph. MLW).
Lucado abandoned most of the Lord's teaching or doctrine
(cf. 2 John 9-11) long ago. His statement, however, of “these
initiatives” not being “changes to doctrine” reveals
his disdain for the Lord authorizing singing as an act of
worship. Max has successfully convinced his loyal followers that
instrumental music is an option or expedient and not a doctrinal
matter. The Lord teaches otherwise (Matt. 26:30; 1 Cor. 14:15; Eph.
5:19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 2;12; James 5:13), and Max's church was
singing until the pied piper convinced them to change
by adding the instrument. It is a tragedy that “about 4,000
worshippers each Sunday” are content to follow Max down the
broad way that leads to destruction (Matt. 7:14). The Lord has
commanded His followers to “sing” -- not “play” or
“make music.”
Vic King, minister of missions at Oak Hills, “said the
staff doesn't expect a lot of members to leave over the
changes.” Neither do I! Isn't it sad that it is so very
difficult to convince brethren with the Word of God that they are
in full-blown apostasy? King goes on to say, “It's the sign
that we are changing...We are changing to a sign that more
accurately reflects who we are.” This is only doubletalk from
those who cannot bring themselves to be honest false teachers! At
least Lucado tells the truth in saying that “some find the
Church of Christ name to be an insurmountable barrier.” He
continues saying, “A common comment from new members is this:
‘We would have come sooner, but we had to get over the name of
the church'.”
What a sordid mess and a stench in the Lord's nostrils!
How it must grieve the Savior to have traitors boast of loving Him
while changing the sign because some are embarrassed by
the name church of Christ. Who died for the church? Was it
Max? I think not (Acts 20:28)! Who is the head of the
church? Is it Max? No, it is the Lord (Eph. 1:22-23)! Since Christ
purchased His church of which He is head with His blood, why would
it be an “insurmountable barrier” for folks to attend a
congregation that wears His name? Mark it down, and mark it down
well. Those who must “get over” a congregation wearing the
Lord's name have never genuinely obeyed the Gospel and
been converted to Christ.
The staff writer continues, saying, “Most Churches of
Christ feature only a cappella singing, a tradition King
says is based on the absence of the use of instruments in the New
Testament churches. But for the first time, Oak Hills will add
instruments to a new Sunday evening service, which
will be geared toward young adults and will begin early
next year” (emph. MLW).
A cappella singing is not some man-made
tradition. It is a God-given command! It is true that Max and Oak
Hills are adding to the worship -- something God has
forbidden man to do (Rev. 22:18-19). Their motive is crystal clear
-- the attraction of “young adults.” It is a pity
that so many today are more interested in attraction than
conversion.
The article ends noting that Lucado is asking the
“members to spend the next 40 days praying about these and
other initiatives.” It would be much better if all of
Lucado's followers could spend the next three days in the belly of
a great fish so they might be convinced to repent and come to their
spiritual senses (Jonah 1:17-2:10).
Our prayer is for more members of the body who truly love
the Lord and have no desire to drop Him from His church!
5810 Liberty Grove Rd.
Rowlett, TX
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Editorial...
DIFFERENT KINDS OF WORKS #3
In Ephesians 2:9, the Bible plainly says that we are not
saved by works. It also makes clear the “kind of works”
that do not save -- it is works whereby one may boast or brag.
Galatians 2:16 reveals another “kind of works”
that do not save -- the works of “the law” -- the law of
Moses.
Titus 3:5 shows we are not saved by works of righteousness
that we have done. These are works wherein one may think he has
earned salvation by his good works.
The Holy Spirit shows in Romans 4 that Abraham was not
justified “by works” but then turns around in James 2:21
and says that Abraham was justified “by works.” It is
obvious that either these Scriptures contradict each other or there
is a difference in the “kind” of works under consideration.
The “kind” of works that justified Abraham, also justified
Rahab (James 2:21-25). Therefore, all who are justified before God
today are justified by the same kind of works performed by both
Abraham and Rahab.
What “kind” of works were performed by Abraham and
Rahab? It was not: 1) works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21), 2) works
of the devil (1 John 3:8), 3) works of moral goodness (Titus 3:5),
4) works of the law of Moses (Rom. 3:20) or 5) works of
righteousness introduced by man (Rom. 10:1-3). They were justified,
made righteous, acquitted, by faithfully obeying the works God
commanded them to perform. They rendered (executed, performed)
“works of faith” (1 Thess. 1:3; 2 Thess. 1:11). These were
works coupled or yoked with faith. James clearly demonstrates that
faith without works is dead, vain, useless (James 2:22,24,26).
Abraham was not counted righteous the moment he believed
God. He was counted righteous “WHEN he had offered Isaac
his son upon the altar” (James 2:21). His act of obedience
was the point in time when Abraham's faith was counted unto him for
righteousness. “And the scripture was fulfilled which
saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for
righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God”
(James 2:23). The same example of obedience is shown of Rahab. She
was justified before God “...WHEN she had received the
messengers, and had sent them out another way” (James
2:25). It is only at the point of obedience that faith becomes
complete, not before. Hebrews 11 confirms the same. The great heros
of the Bible were only justified WHEN they OBEYED God. Notice these
action verbs: Abel offered (v.4), Enoch pleased God (v.5), Noah
prepared an ark (v.7), Abraham obeyed, offered (v.8,17).
Salvation does not originate with man. Man cannot earn
salvation. Man cannot deserve salvation. But man must have faith
that responds in obedience to God's will before God gives the gift
of salvation. Even Jesus learned this vital lesson.
“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things
which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of
eternal salvation unto all them that obey him”
(Heb. 5:8-9). Jesus himself said, “Not every one that
saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;
but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in
heaven” (Matt. 7:21). We must not only HEAR the word, we
must DO what it says (Matt. 7:24-27).
Salvation only comes as a result of OBEYING God's WORKS,
His Will. “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves
servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of
sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be
thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have
obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered
you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants
of righteousness” (Rom. 6:16-18).
All acts (works) connected with salvation are acts
commanded by the Lord and man is just a servant in doing the
master's will. Even when we have obeyed the Lord's commands by
faith, we still cannot say we've earned or deserve salvation. Jesus
said, “...when ye shall have done all those things which
are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done
that which was our duty to do” (Luke 17:10). Regardless
of what man does, he has no reason to boast of himself in
salvation. Paul said, “But God forbid that I should glory,
save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is
crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Gal. 6:14).
First Peter 1:22 says we have purified our souls in
obeying the truth, yet it is not the act of obedience alone
that saves. Obedience coupled with faith brings God's forgiveness.
It is not man himself that saves even though Peter
preached to those on Pentecost to save themselves (Acts 2:40). We
save ourselves by faith and obedience to God's will (Rom. 6:17-18).
It is God who saves, but man has the responsibility to act
in harmony with the will of God. When man's faith causes him to
work the works God has commanded, God's grace (favor, bounty) is
extended through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
Salvation therefore, is neither by GRACE ONLY nor by WORKS
ONLY. It is when men work the works of God by faith that operates
in love (cf. Gal. 5:6). It is at this point we can then glory in
the cross of Jesus for what God has done for us (Gal. 6:14).
Anything short of this is a hollow mockery. Man's pride is dealt a
fatal blow the moment he bows his will to God's in obeying the
Gospel. It is from this moment he declares, as did the Savior in
Matthew 26:39 “...not as I will, but as thou
wilt.”
3rd of 3 parts
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SEVEN STEPS TO PERDITION
THE ESSENTIAL FOUNDATION OF DENOMINATIONALISM
Dan Goddard
Denominationalism is most assuredly heading for
Perdition, for they are exactly opposed to the New
Testament doctrine on every count.
Below are found seven steps to perdition. Believe and
practice these and you will lose your soul.
1. Faith, plus nothing, minus nothing. The
Sectarian Denominations have always rested upon the doctrine of
“faith only.” That emphasizes the faith only doctrine and
shows that the Denominations are in a drift away from the New
Testament. By “faith only,” it was generally meant that
faith was the main thing, and it did not render unnecessary other
acts of yielding to the Divine Will; such as prayer, confession,
repentance, etc. But by “faith, plus nothing, minus
nothing,” all those aids are muted or set aside as unnecessary,
for it means there is absolutely nothing but “faith”
required of men.
James 2:20,24 declares that “faith apart from works
is dead.” That shows the above doctrine is false -- without
life -- exactly as the body without the spirit is dead (v.26).
2. Baptism is not essential to salvation. Years
ago, it was common to hear preached, that while baptism is not
necessary to salvation, it is “not sinful.” But today,
Sectarians are bold to announce that all who are baptized in order
to obtain the remission of sins, are lost. Probably no doctrine
taught is more hated and blasphemed than is the doctrine that
repentance and baptism are necessary to have the remission of sins,
as per Acts 2:38. The Baptists are so rank in their hatred of this
doctrine that if they can seize one who has been baptized “into
the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,” they
immediately re-immerse him, and rejoice over the accomplishment! It
makes them happy to lead souls to act contrary to New Testament
example. It does not bother their conscience at all to teach that
it is sinful to teach that men are to be “baptized into Jesus
Christ,” but it eases them to see persons immersed into the
Baptist Church or some other Denomination! Anything, just so they
are not baptized “into Christ.” That leaves them to live
and die OUT OF CHRIST; and as “eternal life” is “IN
Christ Jesus” (1 John 5:11), they are happy to see people die
WITHOUT ETERNAL LIFE.
Baptism is hated simply because it is God's expressed
means of getting people INTO CHRIST where they can possess
“eternal life” and “every spiritual blessing.”
Denominationalism stands upon its success in keeping men OUT of
Christ and getting them into some non-essential Denomination in
lieu of that.
3. Church membership not essential. Another
cardinal and emphasized doctrine of the Denominations is the
non-essentiality of church membership in the church over which
Christ is HEAD and of which He is the SAVIOR. They “move heaven
and earth” to keep men from coming under Christ as Head and
Lord, or leaning upon Him as SAVIOR, by instructing men that church
membership is not essential to salvation. But that leaves men to
live and die WITHOUT CHRIST AS THEIR SPIRITUAL HEAD -- to live and
die WITHOUT HIM AS THEIR SAVIOR -- but it is honorable and correct
to live and die with a human head, such as Martin Luther or John
Calvin or John the Baptist. That is true Sectarian teaching.
Knowing that “Christ loved the church, and gave Himself for
it” (Eph. 5:23), they delight to teach men it is
“non-essential” to belong to anything that CHRIST LOVES.
Seeing that the church was “purchased with His own blood”
(Acts 20:28), they seem most happy when they can keep men OUT of it
as an institution that is worthless, if not
dangerous, to their salvation; not being able to reason,
that, in keeping men out of the blood-purchased church, they
keep them away from the blood by which the church was
purchased.
4. Salvation offered out of Christ. By placing
salvation OUT OF CHRIST they teach men that they may be saved
WITHOUT CHRIST. Yet, the Bible says we are “baptized INTO
Christ” (Rom. 6:3: Gal. 3:27). Hence, if we are saved without
baptism, then we are saved WITHOUT CHRIST. That doctrine removes
Christ from the foundation of Denominationalism. Deny it, who can!
And it is for that purpose that Satan originated the Denominations,
for they are all A UNIT in that teaching; showing that they all
have ONE AUTHOR, and that author the ENEMY of both God and man.
Christ is contradicted by the doctrine, for He says: “He
that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark
16:16).
But they reverse Christ's teaching, substituting instead
this doctrine: “He that believeth and is NOT BAPTIZED shall be
saved.” They ADD the word “NOT” to the Word of God,
hence incur rejection by Him at the Judgment (See Rev. 22:18).
5. One church is as Good as another. The common
saying, originated by the Denominations that “one church is as
good as another,” is to teach men that they are as well off OUT
of the church as IN the church. This says that salvation is in
every particle realized OUT of church membership, thus making the
church a sort of plaything, a place where men can spend their money
and receive nothing they could not have had without that
membership. Satan invented that phrase to promote his many
Denominations -- that each one would share in equal honors with all
the rest. Thus he took care of his own body of churches. That was
necessary, else he would indicate that one of his churches would be
better than another; and that to avoid discrimination, he invented
another phrase “the church doesn't save you.” That is
intended to completely separate salvation from church membership
and to offer salvation to men independent of Jesus Christ,
who is “the Head of the church, which is His body” (Col.
1:18,24).
6. Substitution of prayer for obedience. By
substituting Prayer for Obedience in baptism, Satan makes every
man's WORKS his own “Savior,” for Prayer is the WORK of the
sinner exclusively. But baptism is anything but a WORK of the
sinner. In baptism the sinner is passive, he merely yields in
humbleness to the service of two others, God, who pardons him, and
the preacher who immerses him at God's command. Hence Satan's
design is to have the sinner save himself independent of God. This
is the gist of Denominationalism -- the one object for which it
labors.
7. Charging divisions to the Holy Spirit.
Denominationalism could not exist without claiming that the number
of Sects, in their DIVISIONS and CONTRADICTIONS, are all guided in
their quarreling by the Holy Spirit. Thus the “UNITY of the
Spirit” is brought down and dragged through the muck of
DIVISIONS -- made responsible for all the contradictions in the
religious world. Thus Satan's contradictions are laid to the
“operation of the Holy Spirit,” and this to make thinking
men finally decide that the Bible is not worth studying and
obeying.
By teaching the above seven doctrines, Denominationalism
is most assuredly heading for Perdition, for they are exactly
opposed to the New Testament doctrine on every count.
29511 Bock St.
Garden City, MI 48135
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NECESSARY INFERENCE AND OUR WORSHIP PRACTICES
Kenneth Perkins
For the record, I was not raised in the church of Christ. I
was not raised in the Greek Orthodox church, the Primitive Baptist
church, or any other church that does not believe in the use of
mechanical instruments in worship. In fact, I was raised in a
denomination that has very much embraced the use of instruments in
worship. Today, however, I do not believe that mechanical
instruments of music should be used in worship. I believe that
instruments are not a part of Christian worship for the same reason
that roasted lamb is not part of the Lord's supper. The fact that
God commanded the eating of roasted lamb with unleavened bread in
the Old Testament in no way proves that it is acceptable for us to
do such under the New Covenant when we partake of the Lord's
supper. Likewise, the fact that God permitted instruments under the
Old Covenant in no way proves that He approves of them under the
present economy.
Notice that nowhere in the New Testament does
inspiration explicitly limit the elements of the Lord's supper. No
one ever says, “thou shalt only eat unleavened bread
and drink of the fruit of the vine when thou partakest of the
Lord's supper.” Yet, I can think of no one who would be so
presumptuous as to think of adding lamb to the Lord's Table on the
basis that lamb was eaten with unleavened bread as part of the
Passover. I can think of no Christian who would think of baptizing
in the name of John the Baptist in addition to the Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit (or Jesus Christ) simply because at one time
a baptism of John existed. Yet, nowhere do we see an explicit
prohibition of such anywhere in the Bible.
Most everyone would consider the use of the bread and the
fruit of the vine as excluding all other things from the Lord's
supper. The same holds true of “in whose name” we are to
baptize. These are examples of necessary inference. It is inferred
that passages like Matthew 26:26-28, 1 Corinthians 10:16,17 and
11:26-29 limit the Lord's supper to unleavened bread and the fruit
of the vine. Furthermore, one must infer from passages such as
Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38, and that 1 Corinthians 1:12,13 that one
may not baptize in the name of John the Baptist in addition to or
accompaniment to the name of Jesus Christ or the Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit.
Unfortunately, many in the religious world are unwilling to
apply this same logic to the issue of music in worship, which, by
the same reasoning, is limited to believers glorifying God with one
mouth and singing to God's name (Rom. 15:6-9) --
the sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of the lips
(Heb. 13:15). If we do not presume to add lamb to the Lord's supper
as an “accompaniment,” why do so many feel so at ease
adding instruments to worship? We know how serious such an addition
can be from God's word itself. “And Nadab and Abihu, the
sons of Aaron, took each of them his censer, and put fire therein,
and laid incense thereon, and offered strange fire before Jehovah,
which he had not commanded them. And there came forth fire from
before Jehovah, and devoured them, and they died before
Jehovah” (Lev. 10:1-2, ASV).
Since we know what the consequences were when Nadab and
Abihu made an offering that the LORD had not commanded, why is it
that so many today are comfortable adding that which the LORD has
not commanded to our sacrifices of praise?
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THERE IS SOMETHING IN A NAME
Roelf L.Ruffner
“Brethren, believe not every spirit, but try the
spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets are
gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).
When and if the history of the current apostasy in the
Lord's church is written, Sunday, August 31, 2003, will certainly
be mentioned, if not in a footnote. It was on that day that the Oak
Hills church of Christ of San Antonio, Texas, announced their
intention to change their name to “Oak Hills Church” and to
add the use of mechanical instruments of music to their services.
In one fell swoop by dropping “of Christ” from their name
they acknowledged a spiritual divorce which had taken place a long
time ago -- they are no longer the “bride of Christ.”
This announcement is important because of who made it --
Max Lucado. Lucado is an internationally known author and preacher
for Oak Hills. He is also an apostate and a false teacher of great
influence. For the several years he has written best-sellers while
he departed further and further from the Truth. Yet I know of
preachers for whom he is a role model and they quote more from his
works than they do the Bible! The denominations love him. He has
actively courted their favor and fellowships them. Some have even
given him awards. He appears on television talk shows as a
“minister of the Church of Christ” and quickly embarrasses
faithful Christians by failing to defend the doctrine of Christ (2
John 9). For years sound congregations have “marked” him as
a false teacher (Rom. 16:17). In that regard he will not be missed.
I, personally, do not know of a false teacher who more closely
resembles the warning of the Apostle Paul concerning their kind:
“For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus, but
their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the
hearts of the simple” (Rom. 16:18).
Names are important! In our world they denote allegiance.
An American is not a Canadian. My wife would never think of being
called “Mrs. John Doe.” One changes one's name if they
remarry or something has happened and they are ashamed of their
name. Max Lucado and his church make it clear they are ashamed of
the name “church of Christ.” It is a stumbling block to
them. God's truth often is, to the sinner (1 Peter 2:8).
But while the Oak Hills Church merrily takes the way of
apostasy, the “broad” way “that leadeth to
destruction” (Matt. 7:13); we choose not to. The bride of
Christ chooses the “strait” gate and the “narrow”
or difficult way “which leadeth unto life” (Matt. 7:14). We
are not ashamed of the name “church of Christ” and the
Biblical doctrine it stands for. We will continue to have this name
above our meeting places because we are “of Christ” and not
“of the world” (cf. 2 Peter 2:20).
3418 Meadowlark Lane
Carlsbad, NM 88220
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FALSE TEACHERS WILL NEITHER “PUT UP” NOR “SHUT UP”
Jerry C. Brewer
Nowadays, false teachers refuse to defend their errors. In
this postmodern world, they consider all religious points of view
valid -- whether they agree with God's point of view or not. That's
not only the case with denominational preachers, but with false
teachers within the church as well. Those who are determined to
change the church and drag it back into the Babel of
denominationalism have a penchant for spouting their false
doctrines then ignoring all challenges to defend them. That seems
to be the case with Henry Petree who preaches in Fort Gibson,
Oklahoma.
In a newspaper article published in Muskogee, Oklahoma
last June, Petree claimed that Joel's prophecy of the Holy Spirit
was fulfilled in the upper room with the 120 disciples and that
today we cannot understand the word of God without the help of the
Holy Spirit. In the newspaper article, Petree quotes John 14:16
from the NIV. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you
another Counselor to be with you forever.” Then, continuing to
quote from the NIV, he says the following:
“This Counselor was to be the Holy Spirit of God. After
Jesus' death on the cross, there were 120 meeting in an upper
room when something miraculous happened and old Joel's prophesy
was fulfilled.
“'They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated
and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with
the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the
Spirit enabled them' (Acts 2:3-4).
“Later in Acts 2:38, 3,000 people were baptized and each of
them received that same Spirit.
“'Peter replied, repent and be baptized, every one of you,
in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins.
And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'
“Today, the role the Holy Spirit plays in our lives is that
of a counselor and teacher. It enables us to understand that
which would be impossible with human understanding and comforts
us in times of trial and difficulties.” (Henry Petree,
“The Holy Spirit Is With Us,” Muskogee Phoenix &
Times-Democrat, Sat., June 1, 2002, p.6B).
First, Petree has the descent of the Holy Spirit in the
wrong place, at the wrong time, and upon the wrong persons. The
Holy Spirit did not descend upon the 120 disciples. He descended up
on the twelve apostles only (Acts 1:26-2:4). His descent did not
take place in the upper room, but at the temple (Acts 2:1-47).
Second, Petree claims what Calvinists have been claiming for
centuries that we cannot understand the Bible without direct help
from the Holy Spirit. That Petree stands with ancient Calvinists is
demonstrated in the following description of Calvinist preachers in
the early 19th century:
“The Bible, to them, was a book of maxims and disconnected
truisms, that afforded a text, to be interpreted, not by the
study of the context or of the meaning of the words, the
circumstances in which and characters to whom it was spoken,
but by the direct illumination of the Holy Ghost sent down from
heaven, while they were speaking...
“They believed the Bible is a mystery so the unregenerate
could not understand it. It had a spiritual meaning discernible
only by spiritual men, distinct from the meaning it might
convey to the unregenerate or natural man.” (David Lipscomb,
“Life And Sermons of Jesse L. Sewell”, 4th Edition,
Gospel Advocate Co., Nashville, 1954, pp. 26, 30).
That's exactly the ground Henry Petree occupies in his
assertion that, “It [the Holy Spirit] enables us to understand
that which would be impossible with human understanding....”
And it is that exact proposition that we sent to him on Sept. 21,
2002 and asked him to defend in the following email message:
“Brother Petree:
According to the Muskogee Phoenix & Times-Democrat for June
1, 2002, you say, 'Today, the role the Holy Spirit plays in our
lives is that of a counselor and a teacher. It enables us to
understand that which would be impossible with human
understanding and comforts us in times of trial and
difficulty.' (p.9B).
“If you sincerely believe the above to be true, then I
invite you to consider a public discussion of the following
proposition:
'It is impossible to understand the Scriptures without
direct aid from the Holy Spirit'
Affirm - Henry Petree
Deny - Jerry C. Brewer
Sincerely Yours,
Jerry C. Brewer”
Prior to Sept. 21, Preston Silcox, who preaches for the
Eastside church in Muskogee, Okla. also made numerous attempts to
contact Petree and discuss his article, but Petree would not
discuss it nor defend his statements made in the newspaper. The
following information comes from brother Silcox:
“According to my records, I emailed him (Petree, JCB) on
June 4, 2002 with a number of questions. I gave him a time
frame in which to respond to me, expecting that he would ignore
me otherwise. After that time passed, the men wrote a letter to
the elders at Ft. Gibson (dated June 12), expressing the same
concerns and attaching my initial letter and questions. On June
17, Petree finally responded with a very weak letter saying
(among other things), 'I do not speak in tongues, heal the
sick, or raise the dead. I don't teach it and don't believe it
happens today.' He wrote a few other things, but not once did
he address the questions or the real matter at hand. He
apparently thought he did with the above quote, but I never
asked him a single question that related to his response. He
went on to show his disdain for my questioning him.
On June 18, I responded to him, explaining that my
intentions were upright, and that I cared for the truth, his
soul, and the souls of those on whom he has an influence. I
then proceeded to ask him again to clear the whole matter up by
simply answering the questions I mailed him. Around June 19, I
received the following and final response: 'Nehemiah 6:2-4.'
Mr. Petree did respond to letters we mailed him, but not
with anything of substance. He avoided the issues, never
clarified himself, said I was in the wrong, and demonstrated
that he never really wanted to talk about the ordeal to begin
with.” (E-Mail message from Preston Silcox, Dec. 17, 2002)
On Dec. 4, 2002, I sent another email message to Petree
saying, “Brother Petree: On the outside chance that you didn't
receive my email of September 21, 2002, I'm sending it again.”
I then included the same message which was sent in September.
Again, there was nothing but silence from the Fort Gibson church
and Henry Petree.
One of two things has to be true about a man who will not
defend what he preaches and/or practices. 1) He is either dishonest
in what he preaches and doesn't really believe it, or 2) he is a
coward. There is not a faithful Gospel preacher upon the earth who
will refuse to defend the Truth he preaches. If Petree is preaching
the Truth, he ought to be man enough to defend it. But, like most
false teachers in this postmodern world, he will neither put up nor
shut up.
308 South Oklahoma
Elk City, OK 73644
Table of Contents
In the News...
ANYBODY'S DOG
“The prevailing attitude at Oklahoma Christian seems to
be that they will be “anybody's dog who'll hunt with 'em.”
Members of the school's faculty and administration have
carried a policy of “non-discrimination” to its highest (or
is it “lowest”?) level. That is obvious from the material
they publish monthly in their Christian Chronicle, and
from some of the congregations fellowshipped by their faculty
members. The Alameda “Church of Christ” in Norman, Oklahoma
is one of the most far-out religious bodies in Oklahoma still
claiming to be a church of Christ. This is the church where Dan
Bouchelle -- now at Central in Amarillo, Texas -- preached for
about seven years while holding membership in the Norman
Ministerial Fellowship and speaking at “Holy Week” services
with the Episcopal priest. Alameda is also the church which
co-sponsored a “Kids' Praise Rally” with Norman's First
Baptist and Northeast Baptist Churches on Saturday, March 9, 2002
(Norman Transcript, Thurs., Mar. 7, 2002). And, like “birds of
a feather,” Oklahoma Christian is willing to join this flock of
apostasy. The following comes from The Daily Oklahoman's Norman
Section for July 13, 2002:
“ALAMEDA CHURCH OF CHRIST”
“NORMAN -- The congregation will have a special vacation
Bible school celebration Sunday, beginning with breakfast at 8:30
AM. Parents will have the opportunity then to follow their children
to Bible exploration class and a special craft time.
“Worship will begin around 10 AM, with the children
singing the songs they learned at VBS. Later, Dr. Don Hebbard will
speak about 'Secrets of Successful Families.' It will be the first
of a two part series and will refer to Genesis 13:1-9.
“In a 6 PM gathering Hebbard, who is director Of
Oklahoma Christian University's Institute of Marriage and Family
Counselling” will present part two of 'Secrets of Successful
Families.'”
The second paragraph tells it all. The celebration/worship
which begins “around 10 AM” will consist, in part, of
“children singing the songs they learned at VBS” and then
Dr. Don Hebbard (and heavy on the *Dr.*) will speak.
We have a lot of preachers in Oklahoma who would never
speak on Sunday morning in a period of “worship” with a
children's choir performing. But neither will a lot of those
preachers lift their voices to utter a single syllable against the
errors promulgated and fellowshipped by Oklahoma Christian, because
their Alma Mater is dearer to them than the church for which our
Blessed Lord suffered and died.
Jerry Brewer
www.gospelpreceptor.com
Table of Contents
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