Reformed Baptist Fellowship blog

My friend Steve Clevenger tipped me off to the new Reformed Baptist Fellowship blog. The contributors in this collaborative effort include Richard Barcellos (see my review of his In Defense of the Decalogue), Sam Waldron, James White, and Jim Savastio, among others. There are already some good posts up, and I look forward to checking in from time to time to read more.

JTR

The Lord's Supper

Below are a few excerpts from the study material for JPBC 101 (Unit Six: What are the Ordinances?) which we offer for new members and attendees at JPBC to understand better our church’s doctrine and practice.

What is the Biblical view of the Lord’s Supper?

The Lord’s Supper was established by Jesus himself on the night that he was betrayed. The Gospels tell us how Jesus gathered in an upper room with his disciples to celebrate the Passover meal (see Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22). In the midst of this "last supper" with his disciples, however, Jesus transformed the meal into a symbolic anticipation of his sacrifice on the cross. He declared that the bread represented his body and the cup represented his blood (see Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20). He also commanded that the disciples continue to celebrate this meal "in remembrance of me."

We know that the early Christians were, in fact, obedient to Jesus’ command. Paul describes the observance of the Lord’s Supper in the church at Corinth (see 1 Corinthians 10:14-17; 11:17-34). Some Christians refer to the Lord’s Supper as "communion," while others prefer the Biblical phrase "Lord’s Supper" (1 Corinthians 11:20).

Who can participate?

As with baptism, the New Testament seems to reveal that the proper participants in the Lord’s Supper are those who are already believers and members of a local church body (thus baptized believers). Paul rhetorically asks, "The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?" (1 Corinthians 10:16). Therefore, children of believers who have not yet professed faith in Christ and been obedient to baptism and non-believers should not participate in the Lord’s Supper. Paul warns that anyone who takes the Supper in an unworthy manner "will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 11:27) and may face dire consequences (vv. 29-30).

Who hosts the Lord’s Supper?

The New Testament also teaches that the proper host of the Lord’s Supper is the local church. Paul tells the believers in Corinth about proper observance of the Supper "when you come together" (1 Corinthians 11:20, 33). This does not mean that only the members of a local church can take the Supper. That view is sometimes called "close (or ‘closed’) communion." Baptized believers who are visiting in a local church that is not their own are certainly welcomed to the table. This does mean, however, that the Lord’s Supper is not a private or individual event. It is hosted only under the authority of a local church. The Lord’s Supper symbolizes our commitment to Christ and to a local body of believers. This is why it is especially important that every member of the church try to be present at those times when the Lord’s Supper is being served.

What does the Lord’s Supper mean?

Some have taken the words of Jesus literally when he said, "This is my body," and "this is my blood." This view, however, misses Jesus’ point. He often used symbolic language. Jesus also said, "I am the door" (John 10:7, 9) and "I am the vine" (John 15:5), but we hardly take these words literally. In like manner, when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper he meant these words to be taken symbolically. The bread is like his body; the cup is like his blood. When we take the bread and cup, we remember the death of Jesus on the cross. We recall that he died for us. We are also challenged to take up our cross and follow him (see Luke 9:23).

Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 11 of two important things about the Lord’s Supper. First, it is a festival of self-examination. Before we take the Supper we should examine ourselves closely. "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup" (11:28). The Lord’s Supper is a time for taking spiritual inventory of our lives. We ask deep within, "How closely am I walking with the Lord?" Second, it is a time to remember and proclaim Jesus. Paul said, "For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till he comes" (11:26).

See you this Sunday as we observe the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper in morning worship.

Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle

(Evangel article 2/27/07)

Baptist Identity and the "Angry Young Men" of the SBC

I am working my way through listening to the audio sessions from the "Baptist Identity II" Conference at Union University (held Feb 15-17, 2007). Very interesting discussion. Greg Thornbury (pictured above) gave his address on the "The 'Angry Young Men' of the SBC" (listen here), discussing the impact of bloggers on the SBC. Good analogy drawn from Wired Magazine's feature on what's expired, tired, and wired. So, according to Thornbury:

What's expired? Baptist programs;

What's tired? Baptist battles;

What's wired? Baptist basics (doctrine, regenerate church membership, etc).

I also found Mike Day's message on "The Future of Baptist Associations and State Conventions" (listen here) to be of interest in light of the development of the Evangelical Forum. Day discusses the emergence of non-geographical affinity groups in place of traditional associations and state conventions.

For the other audio presentations from folk like LifeWay's Thom Rainer, Paige Patterson, and David Dockery, look here.

JTR

Beware of Lot's choice!

J. C. Ryle (1816-1900) was the evangelical Anglican Bishop of Liverpool, England. Ryle wrote the spiritual classic Holiness (read the book online here). One essay in that work is titled "Lot – a beacon." At one point, Ryle examines Lot’s poor decision to settle in the well-watered plain of Jordan, near the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (see Genesis 13:10). While Abraham settled in Canaan, "Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom" (v. 12). Ryle observes: "Make a wrong choice in life, an unscriptural choice, and settle yourself down unnecessarily in the midst of wordly people, and I know no surer way to damage your own spirituality, and to go backward about your eternal concerns." He warns, "Beware of Lot’s choice!" then makes application to several key decisions in life:

a. Remember this in choosing a dwelling place or residence. It is not enough that the house is comfortable, the situation good, the air fine, the neighborhood pleasant, the rent or price small, the living cheap. There are other things yet to be considered. You must think of your immortal soul. Will the house you think of help you toward heaven or hell? Is the gospel preached within an easy distance? Is Christ crucified within reach of your door? Is there a real man of God near, who will watch over your soul? I charge you, if you love life, not to overlook this. Beware of Lot’s choice.

b. Remember this in choosing a calling, a place, or profession in life. It is not enough that the salary is high, the wages good, the work light, the advantages numerous, the prospects of getting on most favorable. Think of your soul, your immortal soul. Will it be fed or starved? Will it be prospered or drawn back? Will you have your Sundays free and be able to have one day in the week for your spiritual business? I beseech you, by the mercies of God, to take heed what you do. Make no rash decision. Look at the place in every light, the light of God as well as the light of the world. Gold may be bought too dear. Beware of Lot’s choice.

c. Remember this in choosing a husband or wife, if you are unmarried. It is not enough that your eye is pleased, that your tastes are met, that your mind finds congeniality, that there is amiability and affection, that there is a comfortable home for life. There needs something more than this. There is a life yet to come. Think of your soul, your immortal soul. Will it be helped upwards or dragged downwards by the union you are planning? Will it be made more heavenly or more earthly, drawn nearer to Christ or to the world? Will its religion grow in vigor, or will it decay? I pray you, by all your hopes of glory, allow this to enter into your calculations. "Think," as old Baxter said, and "think, and think again," before you commit yourself. "Be not unequally yoked" (2 Cor. 6:14). Matrimony is nowhere named among the means of conversion. Remember Lot’s choice.

Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle

(Evangel article 2/20/07)

Hymn Singing, Cyberhymnal, and Family Worship

Just finished reading John Blanchard and Dan Lucarini's Can We Rock the Gospel? (Evangelical Press, 2006). Hope to post a review soon (for my review of Lucarini's Why I Left The Contemporary Christian Music Movement, look here). It just confirms the value of solid hymnody over rock inspired contemporary Christian music.

We were discussing singing hymns in Family Worship yesterday in our "Family Foundations" Sunday School class at JPBC, and a friend suggested the use of Cyberhymnal. I was not aware of this resource. It is pretty awesome. For those who cannot read or play music, you can find your hymn by title and listen to the tune in addition to finding extra verses in some hymns.

In our family devotions, we have been using the "Christ-centered Hymns" booklet, cheaply published by Chapel Library. It has been great singing some of these classic old hymns with our children. Some of their favorites:

"Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted"

"When I Can Read My Title Clear"

"How Sweet and Awful"

Note: The above hymn links may shift as time goes by and their internal set up on Cyberhymnal changes.

JTR

Wilberforce on Unitarianism

As a young man, newly converted to Christ, William Wilberforce (1759-1833) devoted himself to two life goals: the end of slavery and the reformation of manners. God chose to achieve much good through this one man’s life.

In his book "Real Christianity," Wilberforce also addressed the rise of Unitarianism in Britain [which was at the time much more "Protestant" than is its contemporary manifestation]:

The Unitarian teachers by no means claim to absolve their followers from the unbending strictness of Christian morality. They prescribe love for God that dominates all life and a habitual spirit of devotion. However, people who seek a refuge in this form of faith seem to go there because they want a watered-down sort of faith; they want the joys of Christianity without the difficult doctrines. In particular, most of them seem to want to escape the Bible’s command to be separate from the world, a unique and special people. They prefer to remain at one with the world’s philosophies….

Christianity has not gone to the same efforts to promote its arguments that the Unitarians have. If they were attacked as they have attacked orthodoxy, and asked to defend their tenets, I doubt they would be able to keep their ground so well. In short, we can find no watered-down alternative to Christianity that can be rationally supported. If we have abandoned Christianity, then we must logically abandon all its forms. We must abandon any hope we have of finding the comfort of faith without its demands.

(As quoted in Lon Fendall, William Wilberforce: Abolitionist, Politician, Writer [Barbour, 2002]: 193-95).

Wilberforce, "Amazing Grace," and the end of slavery

The older I get (and the more conservative my theology becomes), the less interest I have in movies. I am, however, planning to go see the new film "Amazing Grace" based on the life of William Wilberforce and his fight to end slavery in the British Empire. It opens February 23.

This morning there was an interesting interview with Adam Hochschild, author of Bury the Chains on NPR's Weekend Edition in light of the movie's release and the 200th anniversary of Britain's abolition of slavery. Hochschild's affirmation of the new film was tepid to say the least. Oddly enough, he nearly completely ignored speaking about Wilberforce (arguing instead for slave revolts in the West Indies and a British populist movement as bringing the end of slavery). He also seemed intent on besmirching the legacy of John Newton. The interview is titled "Ending Salvery in Britain: A Shifting View of History." Indeed, there seems to be a move afoot to erase the evangelical Christians roots of the abolitionist movement (couched in terms of eliminating British colonial self-congratulation; listen to an earlier interview on NPR with Hochschild here when Bury the Chains was released). For a corrective to Hochschild, see Rodney Starks' account of the end of slavery in For the Glory of God.

JTR

What do you say to a Unitarian?

I've posted the audio for last week's midweek study at JPBC on Unitarians in our evangelism and apologetics series. Below is the outline for the study:

What do you say to a Unitarian?
JPBC February 14, 2007
Jeff Riddle

I. Definitions: What is Unitarianism?

II. Historical Backgrounds:

• Monarchianism.
• Arianism.
• Michael Servetus (1511-53).
• Faustus Socinus (1539-1604).
• John Biddle (1615-62).
• American Unitarian Association formed in 1825.
• In 1961 they merged with the Universalist Association of America to form the Unitarian-Universalist Association.

III. Beliefs:

1. Reason and conscience as authority, vis-à-vis the Bible.
2. Complete religious toleration.
3. The innate goodness of man.
4. Universal salvation.
5. Liberal social agenda. Examples: Pro homosexual behavior/marriage; anti-war, etc.

IV. What do you say to a Unitarian?

1. What does the Bible teach about God?

The Bible teaches the Trinity.

Examples: (1) Baptism of Jesus in Matthew 3; (2) Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20; (3) Acts 2:32-33; (4) Romans 1:2-3; (4) 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Does the Unitarian view do justice to Jesus’ own self-understanding?

Compare the claims Jesus made for himself. See:
John 10:30: "I and My Father are one."
John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life."
Luke 5:17-26: "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" (v. 21).

Does the Unitarian view do justice to the early Christian view of Jesus?
See "Jesus is Lord" (Rom 10:9; 1 Cor 12:3).

See the warning against those who do not preach Jesus properly: 1 John 4:1-3; 5:1, 9-13.

2. Does it make sense to say that all religions deserve equal toleration and consideration?

3. If men are innately good, then why is there so much human evil in the world?

4. If all men meet the same eternal destiny what does this say about the justice of God?

5. Can we ever hope to solve all the world’s problems apart from God’s complete and final intervention?

Book Recommendation: Pinocchio

My wife had my son Sam read Pinocchio in home-school last year and I finally got around to reading it myself.

The journalist Carlo Lorenzi, who went by the pen name Carlo Collodi, wrote a fairy tale about a mischievous wooden puppet that was serialized in an Italian newspaper in 1881-1882. The book Pinocchio was published in Italian in 1883, and an English translation appeared in 1892. The Disney movie in 1940 popularized the work but omitted a lot of the compelling moral lessons.

At the end of Lorenzi’s story, the wayward Pinocchio learns to obey his elders, to keep his word, to work hard, and to think of others above himself. As he drifts off to sleep, the Blue Fairy appears to him in a dream and says:

Brave Pinocchio! In return for your good heart I forgive you all your past misdeeds. Children who love their parents, and help them when they are sick and poor, are worthy of praise and love, even if they are not models of obedience and good behavior. Be good in the future, and you will be happy.

When he awakes in the morning, Pinocchio finds he is a real boy and exclaims, "How ridiculous I was when I was a puppet! And how happy I am to have become a real boy!"

What a great book for a child (or adult) to read!

JTR

Winter Reflections

"While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease" (Genesis 8:22).

"You have set all the borders of the earth; You have made summer and winter" (Psalm 74:17).

"If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself" (2 Timothy 2:13).

As I write we are in the midst of a cold snap. All the complaining about warm winters is over. It is keep-your-pets-indoors, wear-layers-of-clothing, see-your-breath-in-a-fog-before-your-face COLD!

When Noah and his family emerged from the ark after the flood, the Lord made a promise to mankind: "I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done" (Gen 8:21). Then, as a reminder of this, the Lord promised the constancy of the seasons. As long as there is seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, day and night, we know that there is a covenant God.

This account reminds me of Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 2:13: "If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself." Just as the preservation of the earth does not depend on God’s approval of human conduct, so our salvation does not depend on God’s approval of our human efforts at faithfulness. If we are saved and persevere in the faith, all the glory goes to God alone. "If [read "when"] we are faithless, He remains faithful." Now this is not to make any excuses for slackness in our behavior. The redeemed man will strive to live a godly life. This word humbles us and it gives us hope.

So, when it gets cold outside or the snow starts to fall, consider for a moment a faithful Creator God who has entered into a covenant with unfaithful men whose hearts are evil from youth. Remember also that the same God who is faithful to give us winter and summer is also faithful to keep those who are saved in Christ.

Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle

(Evangel article 2/6/07)

Michael Haykin coming to JPBC in October 2007

We just got confirmation yesterday that Michael Haykin, Principal of the Toronto Baptist Seminary and noted Baptist church historian, will be coming to JPBC October 5-6, 2007 (Friday-Saturday). Dr. Haykin will be one of the plenary speakers for the annual Evangelical Forum meeting which will be hosted at JPBC. More details TBA as the date approaches.

Winter 2007 Evangelical Forum Newsletter

Brian Davis has just posted the Winter 2007 issue of the Evangelical Forum Newsletter (volume 4, number 1). Click here to read. Bonnie Beach is working to get the hard copy edition in the mail later this week.

Grace, JTR

Great Post-Super Bowl Quote

We had no Super Bowl party at JPBC last night, though we did meet for worship and study of Leviticus 12 on the Rules for Purification after childbirth.

I liked the quote from winning Colt's coach Tony Dungy that I read in the Daily Progress this morning as the media was hounding him after the game for a sound byte on being the first African-American coach to win the Super Bowl:

"I'm proud to be the first African-American to win this.... But again more than anything, Lovie Smith [the Bears' coach] and I are not only African-American but also Christian coaches, showing you can do it the Lord's way. We're more proud of that."

JTR

Happy Birthday Stylos!

This blog turned one year old back on January 19. My first post was "The 2006 Golden Globes: Hollywood and the Homosexual Agenda" (look here for the January 2006 archive). The present post is the 176th.

The most comments (53 to date) on any post came on the one back on December 2, 2006 (Happy Holidays? Pagan Evangelism). It got quoted in the local Charlottesville weekly, The Hook (see here), was linked on a multitude of progressive blogs (which led to all the comments--just google it), and was even quoted in the December 17 Virginian-Pilot newspaper (look here).

At one point I was considering ending the blog on its one year anniversary, but I guess I'll keep plugging along for now.

Thanks to those who read and join in the conversation.

JTR

The Patience of the Saints

"Here is the patience and faith of the saints" (Revelation 13:10).

"Here is the patience of the saints" (Revelation 14:12).

In reading again through Revelation, the last book of the Christian canon, I was reminded of the comfort and assurance God gives to those who follow the Lamb. Though Revelation describes many evil things, both things present and still to come, things like the wickedness of the beast and his false prophet, it also reminds us that God will ultimately triumph in the end. Good will defeat evil; Christ will overcome Satan; death will be swallowed up with life.

At several points, John points to "the patience and faith of the saints." The believer is given patience—rooted in his faith in Jesus Christ—for enduring trials. What trials are you facing? Have you been sick? Do you fear death? Just last week I got an email from a Pastor in South Carolina who has been a close family friend. The email told me how he had just received word that his 33 year old son had died suddenly leaving behind a wife and infant child. Truly, no man knows his time (Ecclesiastes 9:12). Are you frightened by the world’s wars and rumors of war? Are you worried that you might not be able to get your bills paid this month? Do you fear for the waywardness of a son or daughter? Have you lost fellowship with a Christian friend? Are there moments of bewilderment and even despair?

Christian, hear the comfort of Scripture. God’s hands are firmly on the steering wheel of the universe. God will triumph over evil in the end. Nothing can take you out of his hands (John 10:29). Look at how God takes care of birds and plants, and "Are you not of more value than they?" (Matthew 6:26).

"Here is the patience and faith of the saints."

Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle

(Evangel article 1/31/07)

In Zeus They Trust

An AP story the other day reported that a group of modern pagans reinstituted worship of Zeus in Athens for the first time since the 4th century AD.

The comments of these neo-pagans sound more like those of politically correct moderns than what you might read from Zeus' faithful in Homer.

Apparently "ecological awareness" was key for the Greeks. The modern hymns of praise to Zeus stressed "the brotherhood of man."

One leader concluded: "We do not believe in dogmas and creeds, as other religions do. We believe in freedom of thought."

What was it G. K. Chesteron said? "When people stop believing in God [the God of the Bible], they don't believe in nothing--they believe in anything." When Paul, the Jew who had come to believe in Jesus as Messiah, came to ancient Athens, he said, "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things, you are very religious.... Therefore, the one whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you" (Acts 17:22-23). He proceeds to preach Jesus crucified and raised and coming as Judge. The crowd mocked Paul but at least two hearers--Dionysius and Damaris--were converted to faith in Jesus (see v. 34).

JTR

Reading suggestion: The Swiss Family Robinson

Al Mohler has a good post today on declining literacy among young people.

Looking for a good book to read on Christian family or an entertaining book to recommend to an older child? Check out Johann Wyss’ classic, The Swiss Family Robinson (make sure you get hold of an unabridged version!). The Disney movie, only loosely based on the book, of course, eliminated all the spiritual and explicitly Christian elements. Wyss’ tale of a Swiss family (father, mother, and four sons) shipwrecked on a deserted island is really a story about Christian family. The father (a pastor) is a wise spiritual leader who defends the family, teaches his young sons to be resourceful and good, and frequently leads his family in prayer and devotions.

After ten years on the island, the father reflects on their circumstances:

The shade of sadness cast on my mind by retrospect of this kind was dispelled by thoughts full of gratitude to God, for the welfare and happiness of my beloved family during so long a period. I had cause especially to rejoice in seeing our sons to manhood, strengthened by early training for lives of usefulness and activity wherever their lot might fall.

And my great wish is that young people who read this record of our lives and adventures should learn from it how admirably suited is the peaceful, industrious, and pious life of a cheerful, united family to the formation of strong, pure, and manly character.

JTR

The Spiritual Discipline of Reading

We live in a world in which the visual image dominates. Christians, however, are a people of the Book. God has given us His truth in Scripture. We are to take it up and read. As Paul urged Timothy, "Till I come, given attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine" (1 Tim 4:13).

Let me take this opportunity to urge our church body to take up the discipline of reading through the Bible over the course of the next twelve months. It is not too late to take up this resolution. Begin reading three chapters a day. Or, read five chapters per day at least five of seven days in a week. Bible intake is essential to our growth in Christ.

If reading the whole Bible seems daunting, make it your personal goal to read at least through the entire New Testament. Begin in Matthew and read through to the end of Revelation. Put a book mark in your Bible and register your progress.

Our first priority in reading is the Word of God. There is no substitute for this. In addition (as a supplement and not a replacement!) begin the discipline of reading good Christian literature. In an 1863 sermon on Paul’s exhortation to Timothy to "bring the books, but especially the parchments" (2 Tim 4:13), famed London preacher Charles Spurgeon urged believers to pursue the discipline of reading:

You need to read. Renounce as much as you will all light literature, but study as much as possible sound theological works, especially the Puritanic writers, and expositions of the Bible. We are quite persuaded that the very best way to be spending your leisure is to be either reading or praying. You may get much instruction from books which afterwards you may use as a true weapon in your Lord and Master’s service. Paul cries, "Bring the books"—join in the cry.

Beware of just picking up any book off the shelf at the Christian bookstore. In general, avoid works on the current Christian bestsellers. We have some good books for sale at JPBC by the side entrance. We have also set up a table with various Christian tracts and booklets in the sanctuary offered at no cost. These include evangelistic tracts, devotional, doctrinal, and family works. Next time you are at church, pick up something to read that will feed and grow you in Christ.

Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle

(Evangel article 1/24/07)

Christian meets Ignorance

It is truly amazing to see how John Bunyan, writing Pilgrim’s Progress from the Bedford Jail, was able so astutely to analyze the human heart and anticipate so many of the false paths while illuminating the true.

As Christian leaves the Delectable Mountains on the highway towards the city, he meets with "a brisk lad" whose name is Ignorance. Ignorance is a man who strives to be religious and live a good life, but who is ignorant of the fact that one is only saved through Christ alone (Solus Christus).

Christian learns that Ignorance is heading for the Celestial City, but this man has not begun his journey by passing through the "Wicket-gate."

Christian asks how Ignorance hopes to enter the gates of the Celestial City without the parchment given those who pass through the Wicket-gate:

Christian: "But how do you think to get in at the gate, for you may find some difficulty there?"

Ignorance: "As other good people do."

Christian: "But what have you to show at the gate, that may cause that the gate should be opened to you?"

Ignorance: "I know my Lord’s will, and I have been a good liver; I pay every man his own; I pray, fast, pay tithes, and given alms, and have left my own country for whither I am going."

Christian: "But thou camest not in at the Wicket-gate that is at the head of this way; thou camest in hither through that same crooked lane, and therefore, I fear, however thou mayest think of thyself, when the reckoning day shall come, thou wilt have laid to thy charge that thou art a thief and a robber, instead of getting admittance to that city."

Ignorance: "Gentlemen, ye be utter strangers to me; I know you not: be content to follow the religion of your country and I will follow the religion of mine. I hope all will be well. And as for the gate you talk of, all the world knows that that is a long way off of our country. I cannot think that any man in all our parts doth so much as know the way to it; nor need they matter whether they do or no, since we have, as you see, a fine pleasant green lane, that comes down from our country the next way into the way."

Seeing that Ignorance is "wise in his own conceit" Christian and Hopeful discuss how they are to respond. Hopeful concludes with this verse:

"Let Ignorance a little while now muse
On what is said, and let him not refuse
Good counsel to embrace, lest he remain
Still ignorant of what’s the chiefest gain
God saith, Those that no understanding have,
(Although he made them) them he will not save."

JTR

Racism is Sin

Acts 17:26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’

The passing of another Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday brings reflection on the Biblical view of the relationship between people of different ethnic groups. The Bible speaks of a person’s nation (ethnos) rather than "race."

When Paul preached on the Areopagus (Mar’s Hill) in ancient Athens, he reminded the cultured Gentiles that the God of the Bible is the God of the nations: "And he has made from one blood every nation (ethnos) of men to dwell on all the face of the earth…."

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul says that for those who have put on Christ, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (3:28).

What matters is not the ethnos to which you belong in the flesh but whether or not you have been made part of the "holy nation (ethnos)" composed of those called "out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9). Have you by grace through faith come to know Christ? This is what matters.

When Southern Baptists revised our confession, the Baptist Faith and Message, in 2000, an article was added that addressed "The Christian and the Social Order." Included was this line: "In the spirit of Christ, Christians should oppose racism, every form of greed, selfishness, and vice, and all forms of sexual immorality, including adultery, homosexuality, and pornography."

Though in this age there remain differences among men in language, cultures, and customs, what matters now is whether or not we are in Christ. Let us put racism behind us and preach the gospel to all nations!

Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle