Family News and Notes
THE FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON that was scheduled for today has been postponed until next Sunday, August 31st so that we can fellowship with Brother David McCain and his family who will be visiting with us on that day
On Sunday, August 31st we will have Brother David McCain and his family here from Mabank, Texas. Brother McCain will be teaching the morning Auditorium Bible Class and then preaching Sunday morning and evening. Brother McCain is one of the preacher applicants we have received. The elders ask that you make plans to be here and ask for your input regarding Bro. McCain in order to assist them in their decision making in choosing a pulpit minister for our congregation.
As mentioned above, please plan to stay for the Fellowship Luncheon on that day so you can get to know Bro. McCain and his family.
Tom and Johnnie Ann Wacaster are in Cleburne, Texas this weekend. Tom is preaching there today.
Thank you to all the men who participated in the teaching last Wednesday evening. They all did a good job. We plan to continue this each month so the men can gain and improve their abilities to make presentations and extend invitations at the end of the service. We will all benefit from this effort so please plan to attend on those evenings and offer your support and input.
Ladies please mark your calendar for September 08. We would like to begin having monthly evening fellowship devotionals for all ladies. This first time we will meet at the building, beginning at 7:00 PM. We will talk about future get-togethers, have a short devotional, visit and snack. If you have any questions please talk to Vicki Miller or Ann Pickrel.
Additionally, the Ladies Bible Class will be having a luncheon on Tuesday, August 26th at 11:00 AM. This will be at SPECIAL TOUCH. If you plan to attend please notify either Amy Jones or Billye Campbell.
Brother Louis Bell was admitted to the hospital Friday morning for a nose bleed. At the printing of this bulletin no further details were known. Please remember Bro. Bell in your prayers.
Wade Miller entered Richardson Regional Hospital last week for catheterization. It was determined he had 3 blockages and he had stints inserted. He is now back at home to recover.
He hopes to be at church Sunday morning and wishes to express his thanks for all the prayers and calls he has received.
Sister Georgia Lide is still in Christus St. Joseph Hospital in Paris recovering from her knee surgery. Her address there is:
Room 431
820 Clarksville Street
Paris, Texas 75460
Brother Woodrow Cooksey has been dismissed from the hospital and met with his cardiologist last Thursday. He is feeling better. He celebrated his 86th birthday last Thursday, as well.
THANK YOU "The family of Jo Jones acknowledges with grateful appreciation the kind expression of your sympathy. Words are so inadequate when we try to express our appreciation and love to you for all the kind, thoughtful expressions of sympathy you extended. Thank you so much for the flowers, opening the building for us to change our clothes before and after her services, and serving us refreshments before we started home. Mom Jones loved each of you so much al those years she lived there. We enjoyed visiting with you even on such a sad occasion."
In Christian love,
The Freeman Family
The Jones Family
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PRAYER LIST:
Justin Barker, Louis Bell, Woodrow Cooksey, Sandra Cooper, Howard Horton, Joyce Lee, Georgia Lide, Elna O'Neal,
Alva Mae Sheets
ALSO: Ray Nell Benson, Judy Betts, R. C. Grissom,
Nita Horn, Dana Rigano, Gene Riley
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Rhodney's "Funny Bone"
A dead atheist is someone who's all dressed up and no place to go.
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Service Arrangements
ANNOUNCEMENTS... Jim Duncan
SONG LEADER.........................Bill Jones
PRAYERS Sunday
AM First Prayer...................Johnny Barrett
AM Closing.......................Wayne Charlton
PM First Prayer..................Wayne Pickrel
PM Closing..........................Roger Grimes
PRAYERS Wednesday Nite
First Prayer.............................Charles Kyle
.............Closing...............................Frankie Sargent
COMMUNION FOR AUGUST
AM Grady Duncan............Gene Campbell
William Embree...........George O'Neal
Roger Grimes...........Lewis Robertson
PM Weldon Miller.................Bob Hedges
ATTENDANCE COUNTER...Grady Duncan
TRANSPORTATION.....Call, Frankie Sargent
903-572-2647
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Taught Wrong and Baptized Right?
by Wayne Jones
Under the banners of acceptance and "unity," many in the Lord's church have developed an open door policy with members of the denominational world. Many, by their own admission, have chosen not to "question" a person's claim to salvation or even method of salvation when they leave a denomination to become a member of the Lord's church. Some have even adopted this idea when it comes to denominational baptism. How can this be? Is it possible to be instructed under a false system and to be baptized for the wrong reasons and still be saved as a result? Can a person be taught incorrectly and baptized correctly?
While all of us might be quick with a response that is based on opinion and supposition, we should be careful in answering this question. Our caution in answering will allow us to consider what the Bible has to say on the matter. Does the Bible teach that a person can be taught wrong and baptized right?
First, it must be understood that baptism is not the only step in God's plan to save man. Man's response to God's grace must begin in the mind. Man must realize that he is lost in sin, just like those on Pentecost realized their condition (Acts 2:37). Once a person realizes his spiritual condition, he must also understand that Christ (the only begotten Son of God) is the only source for relief of the burden of sin (Acts 4:12).
Consider for a moment the account of Philip and the eunuch as recorded in Acts 8:26-39. When the eunuch realized that he was lost, he inquired about baptism (8:36). Phillip responded by saying, "If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest" (8:37). If baptism was the only step in the eunuch's salvation, there would be no need for verse 37. However, Philip understood that unless the eunuch understood some things and was convicted of some things, then baptism would only get him wet.
The same is true in the case of the Jews in Acts 2. When those present asked the apostles what they needed to do in order to have the sin removed from their record, Peter's response was two-fold. According to Acts 2:38, Peter told them to repent and be baptized. While baptism is an action that can be seen on the outside, repentance is a step in God's plan for salvation that is primarily mental. When a person repents, he changes his mind based on what he knows about God, His Word, and His plan for man's salvation. Peter realized that unless these men and women were willing to make a mental decision to turn from Judaism, then being immersed in water would do them no good.
Peter and Philip realized that baptism was not the only step in God's plan for the salvation of mankind. In fact, both of these men realized that baptism would only benefit those who were thinking correctly. It is for this reason that both Peter and Philip took the time to verbally teach their audiences the Word of God. It is the Word that produces faith (Rom. 10:17) and is an understanding of that Word that leads us to repentance (2 Cor. 7:10).
Perhaps the clearest example of this is found in Acts 19. As this chapter opens, Paul comes to Ephesus and realizes that some of the Ephesians had been baptized by Apollos after hearing his teaching. According to the later portion of chapter 18, Apollos was teaching the baptism of John after the cross of Christ. John (the baptizer) taught repentance and baptism because Christ was going to die and establish His kingdom. However, after the cross the apostles were teaching repentance and baptism because Christ had already died and established His kingdom. Apparently, those in Ephesus had been taught John's baptism on the wrong side of the cross. They were sincere and at one time the doctrine that they were taught was correct. However, at the time it was taught to them it was outdated. Paul realized this when those in Ephesus had not even heard of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (19:2) which took place on Pentecost. Did Paul say, "Well, as long as your are comfortable with it, I won't question your baptism"? No, that was not Paul's attitude at all. In fact, notice what Acts 19:4-5 reveals that Paul did. He taught them the truth and the men were baptized with the correct thinking. Could those in Ephesus be taught wrong, but baptized right? Apparently, the answer is no.
Has the doctrine of God changed since Acts 19? Has God's plan to save man been divinely altered since the days of Acts 2, 8 or 19? No, dear friends, it has not. God still demands that for baptism to be scriptural and effective, the one who is being baptized must understand why he is being baptized. Incorrect thinking and understanding will lead to an incorrect baptism. May we never provide false hope to someone under the banners of acceptance and "unity."
(Borrowed from the Forest Hill church of Christ, Memphis, TN, bulletin.) (Brother Jones labors with the Lord's church in Southaven, MS.)
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The Bible or the TV Guide?
On the table side by side:
A Holy Bible and a TV Guide.
One is well worn but cherished with pride,
Not the Bible, the TV Guide.
One is used daily to help folks decide.
No! It isn't the Bible; it's the TV Guide.
As pages are turned, what shall they see?
Oh, what does it matter, turn on the TV.
So they open the book in which they
confide,
No, not the Bible, the TV Guide.
The word of God is seldom read;
Maybe a verse as they fall into bed.
Exhausted and sleepy and tired as can be,
Not from reading the Bible;
But from watching the TV.
(Borrowed from the Bangs, TX church of Christ bulletin.)
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