Day: July 23, 2007

Baptists and Patrick Henry

/ Tim A. / 2 Comments

This is a historical event which took place in the early days of the United States formation.  It concerns three Baptists preachers who were arrested for preaching the gospel.  This is taken from the booklet “The Trail of Blood” by J. M. Carroll, p. 50:

“Three Baptist preachers (Lewis and Joseph Craig and Aaron Bledsoe) were later arrested on the same charge (#16 of the booklet, same page).  One of them, at least, was a blood relative or R.E.B. Baylor, and possibly of one or more other Texas Baptist preachers.  These preachers wer arraigned for trial.  Patrick Henry, hearing of it and though living many miles away and though a Church of England man himself, rode those miles horseback to the trial and volunteered his services in their defense.  Great was his defense.  I cannot enter into a description of it here.  it swept the court.  The preachers were freed.”

In the early days of our Nation many wanted a State established church.  That is why many Baptists were persecuted for their beliefs.  We are grateful for the grace of God which saves us, keeps us, and gives us strength for every day.

We should continue to be a people who  fight for the “Congress shall make no law respecting and establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”.

Invitation To Life

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

Genesis 7:1-24 continues…

When we search through all of Scripture there are many invitations which God extends. Most of them use the word “Come” including verse one here in our text. The LORD says to Isaiah, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters…” Isaiah 55:1. Jesus says to Peter, Andrew, and James and John, “Come ye after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men” Mark 1;17 (KJV).

There is an ivitation in the Beginning book of God, and there is a final one in the final book of God, “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come’. And let him that heareth say, ‘Come’. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” Revelation 22:17 (KJV).

“And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.” Genesis 7:1 (KJV).

Methuselah, God’s last chance before judgment is come, is now dead. He could have died the day this invitation is given to Noah. For 969 years God has been merciful. The darkness of evil has increased upon the earth. For the last 120 years it has progressed at “breakneck” speed. For 100 of those years Noah has been preaching, warning people of God’s coming judgment and preparing the ark for himself and his family.

The ark which Noah built by God’s command is where God’s presence dwelt. The invitation itself gives us clear evidence that God is in the ark. “Come” is the word God uses. It is a call to move in the direction of the One who is speaking; even to move to the exact location of the speaker; who in this case is GOD. Where is God when He speaks the word, “Come”? He is in the ark. The invitation is “Come…into the ark”. He did not say, “Go into the ark”, but “Come” implying very strongly that He Himself was already inside.

We are told that, “Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” Noah had done nothing to deserve this grace. God did not look down on Noah and say, “This man has a good heart”, or “This man has great potential for My glory”; God simply saw him the same way He did all the others and chose to show him grace. He showed him grace, and called him “Righteous”. Before He called Noah “Righteous” the LORD would have Himself paid his sin debt. That is God’s privilege. That is God’s mercy. That is God’s grace. He will have compassion on whom He will have compassion.