Newsletter Vol.3, #29—August 19, 2007

Matthew 11 ¹³For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, ¹⁴and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.

The Baptists have been active in our neighborhood! We received a brochure a week or so ago, placed in our door (reproduced on this page), and we had received one several weeks ago (see Newsletter Vol.3, #24, July 15^th). We admire their industriousness, but deplore the false teaching they propagate! I have enlarged the back more than the rest (and a little more than the actual brochure) so you can see their teaching on how to be saved – teaching that is not all found in the New Testament! Note that I have added the words “Front,” “Inside,” and “Back” to indicate what the brochure looked like.

Let’s take a closer look at the brochure reproduced on the front page.

Front

I don’t have a problem with the front of the publication except it seems to imply that I’m not loved at Caprock as much as I could be if I were at the Faith Baptist church!

Inside

“Relevant, Helpful Bible Messages – learn what the Bible means …”

I wonder if they could explain to me Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21; etc.? I don’t think they would give the true meaning of those passages! More on this when we look at the Back of the brochure.

“Family, Friends, and Fun” – implying, to me, that maybe the church engages in unauthorized activities for the amusement and pleasure of the members.

“Refreshing Music … Christ-honoring songs …” However, these songs are accompanied by instrumental music, something Christ never authorized and which cannot, therefore, be Christ-honoring!

Back

Here is where we want to examine their doctrine carefully.

We realize that God loves us and gave His Son who died on the cross for our sins and that we stand in need of this because all men (of accountability) are guilty before God as sinners.

Our primary quarrel with our Baptist friends is the last step set forth on the back of the brochure, which is, in essence, that one is to pray through for salvation. This is not taught in the new Testament and is a perversion of the passage given to supposedly support such a practice, Romans 10:13.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:21-23 that it is not enough just to call on His name and claim to do things by His authority!

Matthew 7: ²¹Not 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. ²²Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? ²³And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

To call on the name of the Lord is to do what the Lord wants you to do! This, of course, includes not only believing but also repenting of sins (Acts 2:38), confessing Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:10), being baptized for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16), and living faithfully to Him until death as Christians, having our sins remitted by His blood when we repent and turn from them (First John Chapter One).

I invite Pastor Vance Curtis to study this matter carefully. I would like for Mr. Curtis and myself to engage in a public debate (Jude 3), perhaps on the question of whether baptism is necessary for salvation or not. I am sending a copy of this to Mr. Curtis and hope he will respond to it.

– Larry A Bunch   

“Calling on the Name of the Lord”

--Robert Turner

What is meant by the expression, “Calling on the name of the Lord” that is found in Acts 22:16?

I suppose I should first make the usual comment, and one most obvious to serious students.  The verbal expression, “Lord, Lord!” is not what is under consideration, although one who truly “calls on” the Lord may be moved to such an expression.  Jesus said, “Not everyone 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.

One can not “call” except he believes, and this kind of faith demands an objective approach to eternal evidence or testimony - Rom.10:13-17.  It is gendered by teaching, not by an “experience of faith” which is usually an emotional feeling, stirred in those who expect God to operate upon them in an immediate fashion.  Paul was “calling on the name of the Lord” when he was baptized, and in that act of submissive obedience - Acts 22:16.

But we have not exhausted the meaning of “calling upon the Lord” when we cite such cases.  The “name” of the Lord refers to Christ as “means” or “power” by which a thing is accomplished - Acts 4:7-10.  When Peter said, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (vs.12), he was not giving us the “label” to put on the church building.  He was saying we are saved through God’s mercies, extended in Christ, or not at all.  It is by him - His death in our behalf - His intercession at God’s throne - His “way, truth, life” - that man may be saved; hence, “in his name.”

Samuel reminded the Israelites of past times, when they “cried unto Jehovah” for deliverance; but now they wanted a king (like other nations) - 1 Sam. 12:6-15.  He said, “If ye will fear Jehovah, and serve Him, and harken unto His voice, and not rebel against the commandment of Jehovah, and ... be followers of Jehovah your God...”  That is what Old Testament writers meant by “calling on the Lord.”  Joel said, “Whosoever shall call on the name of Jehovah shall be delivered” - Joel 2:32; and Peter quoted this to show that salvation in Christ was of universal application - Acts 2:16, 21.  When he was asked what men must do, he replied, “Repent and be baptized...” - vs.38.  There is no legitimate reason for anyone to think a verbal outcry, or prayer alone, is “calling upon the name of the Lord.”

Those who look to Christ for their salvation are heeders, learners, and followers of Christ.  They realize He has content, that He has spoken words by which they shall be judged in the last day.  They believe, and obey, and thus “call upon the name of the Lord.”

Bulletin of 84th St. church in Oklahoma City, 11-3-96