Baptist History in America, Mission Work and the Future of the Lord s Churches

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2 Baptist Training Course Baptist History in America, Mission Work and the Future of the Lord s Churches Quarterly Aim: To show that through many difficulties the New Testament church has a continuous history in America, has expanded its ministry throughout the world through missions and has a glorious future throughout eternity. Prepared by Richard Merritt Bill Johnson Editor in Chief Wayne Sewell Business Manager Lesson 1 December 3, 2000 Baptists and Expansion Lesson 2 December 10, 2000 Baptists and Slavery Lesson 3 December 17, 2000 Baptists and Mission Societies Lesson 4 December 24, 2000 The Social Gospel Affect upon Baptists Lesson 5 December 31, 2000 Arminian and Calvinist Influence upon Baptists Lesson 6 January 7, 2001 Baptist Confessions of Faith Lesson 7 January 14, 2001 Origin of Baptist Associations Lesson 8 January 21, 2001 Missionary Baptist Work in the Far West Lesson 9 January 28, 2001 Why We Are Called Landmark Baptists Lesson 10 February 4, 2001 Baptists Refute Heresies Lesson 11 February 11, 2001 Missionary Baptist Leaders in Missions Lesson 12 February 18, 2001 Great Men Among Us Lesson 13 February 25, 2001 Harvesttime in the Twenty-first Century SPONSOR S GUIDE, Baptist Training Course, Volume 47, No. 1. Issued December 1, 2000 is published quarterly at $1.21 cents per quarter. Cover design by Jeff Allen. Copyright 2000, BAPTIST SUNDAY SCHOOL COMMITTEE of the American Baptist Association, 4605 N. State Line, Texarkana, TX

3 2 SPONSOR S GUIDE LESSON 1 December 3, 2000 Baptists and Expansion Lesson Text: Mark 16:15. Background Scripture: Matthew 5:16; Luke 10:1, 2; John 20:21. Aim: By the end of this lesson the student will explain the movement of Baptists to the Midwest. DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS To All the World, Acts 1:8. Jesus spoke to the church He organized during His personal ministry. He gave it the Great Commission. The Acts account of the Great Commission emphasizes the particular areas in which mission work may be accomplished. Since true churches must take the gospel to the world, it becomes vital to organize the territory in such a way so as to help churches fulfill the work. Jesus said, Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8). These territories are commonly referred to as local missions, state missions, interstate missions and foreign missions. Each New Testament church may examine its mission budget and determine if it is doing mission work or supporting mission work in these areas. Each New Testament church may take the gospel to all the world by following the territorial divisions Jesus gave. Churches that are mission-minded continue to look for opportunities to do more mission work. Mission work may be defined as the effort of a church sending out a missionary for the purpose of preaching and teaching the gospel, baptizing believers and establishing a New Testament church. Since every church may not be able to send out a missionary on its own, sister churches of like faith and order cooperate with one another for the support of missions. Jesus placed the authority for mission work in New Testament churches. The Bible states, And Jesus came and spake unto them [the church at Jerusalem], saying, All power [authority] is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matt. 28:18-20). EXAMINING THE TEXT Mark 16:15. The account of the Great Commission in the book of Mark to the church Jesus built emphasizes the words all and every. Every person in the world needs the gospel of Jesus Christ. Romans 10:13-17 reads, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be

4 SPONSOR S GUIDE 3 sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Whosoever hears the gospel of Jesus Christ and receives it by faith as a repentant sinner and asks for God s salvation will be saved. Every person in the world needs to hear the gospel. Those who preach the gospel should be sent to every person in the world. Churches that are concerned about doing mission work will send or support missionaries around the world. Church members who are faithful to the work of missions will generously support scriptural missions. The words mission or missions have become as overused and abused as the word Christian. To some, missions refer to any type of a good cause. However, biblical missions according to the Great Commission included preaching the gospel. The work of missions includes teaching and discipling new believers concerning the commands of Jesus and sound doctrine concerning scriptural baptism and church membership. The work of missions includes encouraging new believers to grow in the Lord until they become soul-winners and mission supporters who practice and live the things they have been taught. (See Matthew 28:19, 20.) As time has progressed, even some Baptists have lost touch with the biblical perception of missions as stated in the Great Commission. The Great Commission authorizes New Testament churches to send forth missionaries to proclaim the gospel, to baptize believers, to organize churches, to teach the things Jesus taught and to practice all the things Jesus commanded. Observe means to keep an eye upon, to watch or to guard, to fulfill, to hold fast. Although centuries have passed and churches have been established in remote areas of the world, the Great Commission remains the same. God s only authorized agency is His New Testament churches. God s only authorized work is stated in the Great Commission. The New Testament method of true churches cooperating in mission work is for equal, sovereign and independent churches to support Godcalled, Holy Spirit-led, church-sent men as missionaries. BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE Matthew 5:16. Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount to instruct His church concerning its attitudes and activities in order to be a proper representative for Him. Jesus told His church, Ye are the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13). He also said, Ye are the light of the world (Matt. 5:14). Jesus referred to the New Testament church as the candlestick. (See Matthew 5:15.) Revelation 1:20 states, The seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. Each believer is to place his individual light on the candlestick, the church. When church members work together as one body in Christ to let the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ shine through them, their good works are noticed and glory is given to God. The salty influence and light-giving witness of true churches should reach forth to proclaim the gospel to all the world. Luke 10:1, 2. From these two verses we may conclude many things about the Lord s will in spreading the gospel from place to place around the world. He sent the seventy disciples out in twos. He asked them to go into all the cities He planned to visit. He pointed out that the task was great and asked them to pray for more workers.

5 4 SPONSOR S GUIDE Jesus commission to His church was similar to this commission of the seventy. He commissioned His church to go into all the world. It may have been the most ambitious task ever assigned to a group of people like that early church. But the commission provided for the means to its own execution. As they went, the disciples would make more disciples who in turn would go. As more went and the number of churches multiplied the world could be reached with the gospel. Today we need to be reminded to lift up our eyes and see the masses of people who need the gospel. We need also to look closely and see individuals of our own world to whom we are sent. There are individuals, cities and countries today where the gospel of Christ will not be received, but every city and country must hear the message of salvation in Christ. As we go, we too should pray for more workers. We may also consider the case of the woman at the well recorded in John, chapter 4. While the disciples went into town and returned with food, the woman went into town and returned with a mass of people who wanted to see Jesus. Perhaps churches today should look upon the harvest of souls more than the abundance of food for the flesh. John 20:21. John gives an account of the Great Commission which states the authority Jesus gave to His churches. He said, My Father hath sent me (John 20:21). Jesus called out and organized His church as He said. Matthew 16:18 states, I will build my church. He sacrificed His own blood so that the church He built during His personal ministry was literally a blood-bought church. Ephesians 5:25 states, Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. The church Jesus built was already in existence when He died for it. It existed when Jesus said, Even so send I you (John 20:21). Send means to dispatch, to go forth on an errand and to transmit or bestow authority. Jesus appointed and authorized New Testament churches to do the work of the Great Commission. FOCUSING ON THE CLASS Baptist expansion in the original colonies in America began before mission societies existed. Baptist expansion to the Midwest regions of the United States began before the Triennial Convention was established. Baptists moved into the Alleghenies and westward before the 1800 s. Many Baptists from Virginia and North Carolina began to move west into Kentucky and Tennessee as early as Baptist churches were formed in Kentucky in Baptists came to the upper Midwest from Virginia in the late 1700 s. The Louisiana Purchase from France eventually formed the states of Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Wyoming, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma and Montana as well as parts of Minnesota and Colorado. Baptists moved into these new territories as pioneers who helped carve out godly communities in wilderness areas and established Baptist churches. Mission societies occurred in England under the auspices of the Church of England, later known in America as the Episcopal church. In the book, Handbook of Denominations in the United States, page 130, Frank S. Mead and Samuel S. Hill wrote that in Virginia, the work was carried on by a British clergy, supported by public taxes and assessment and contributions from the church in England through the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel.... When a delegation from the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel arrived from England in 1702, it found about fifty clergy-

6 SPONSOR S GUIDE 5 men at work, from the Carolinas to Maine. Mission societies later came into existence in the United States but never were a part of the biblical plan for missions through local churches. The origin of associational control occurred hundreds of years after the Bible was completed. In the book, A History of the American Baptist Association, , page 98, Conrad Glover and A. T. Powers wrote, The first mention of a convention movement, that is, a movement to raise funds and support missions outside of cooperating local churches was formed at Kettering, England, in the year 1792, in the study of Pastor Andrew Fuller. A plan was drawn up to send missionaries from England to India. The convention movement did not reach the United States for a good many years. The first convention effort made in the United States was in 1814 with the organization of the Triennial Baptist Convention. It was set up to send missionaries to foreign lands. The Southern Baptist Convention was formed from the old Triennial Baptist Convention in This convention is not composed of member churches. It is composed of members from churches, and churchrelated groups....its purpose was to elicit, combine and direct the energies of the churches.... to direct in the expenditure means to have the authority over it. I do not believe the Southern Baptist Convention is a Scriptural organization, for it is not authorized by the Scriptures. God s plan for missions in every generation has depended upon true churches using scriptural methods. A convention was formed to accomplish the work of missions instead of the biblical plan of equal, sovereign and independent New Testament churches associating together to carry out the Great Commission through the authority of the local church. MAKING THE APPLICATIONS Junior High. Teens need to appreciate the courage of our Baptist forefathers who helped establish strong churches in remote areas. One way young people should help the church of their membership remain strong is by faithful church attendance. Those who know the truth, love the truth and faithfully obey God s command to worship in the truth are obedient to God s command. Hebrews 10:25 states, Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Young People. Teens should pray for the courage to introduce their friends to Jesus and invite them to the church of their membership. God will mightily bless young people who are interested in serving Him in the truth. Teens who bring others to worship with them should be prepared to answer questions about baptism, closed communion and the nature of the church. First Peter 3:15 states, But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. Adults. Adults should not abandon the doctrinal distinctives found in the Bible. These doctrinal truths are sometimes referred to as landmarks. The doctrines of truth are ancient landmarks that find their origin in the earthly life and ministry of Jesus. Proverbs 23:10 states, Remove not the old landmark. Some believers are attempting to explain away the importance of sound doctrine. True Baptists will always remain distinctively different from other religious people by their continuing commitment to the truth.

7 6 SPONSOR S GUIDE LESSON 2 December 10, 2000 Baptists and Slavery Lesson Text: 2 Peter 3:9. Background Scripture: John 10:9; Galatians 3:26-28; Titus 2:10. Aim: By the end of this lesson the student will discuss positions of Northern and Southern Baptists on the slavery issue. DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS Jesus Draws All Men, John 12:32. Jesus is the Messiah for all nations and people of the world. He is the only One who is able to save. Acts 4:12 reads, Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. He is the One of whom the Old Testament prophets witnessed. Acts 10:43 reads, To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. He is the only Savior for the whole world. Isaiah 45:22 states, Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. Jesus, the only Savior for all people, said, I... will draw all men unto me (John 12:32). One reason God has continued the existence of the United States must be the propagation of the gospel to all the world. God intended for Israel to be a nation that witnessed. First Kings 8:59, 60 states, And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require: that all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else. As long as the United States continues to be a nation that witnesses to all the world, God will bless this great nation. Jesus said He would draw all men unto Him. Draw means to drag, as from one point to another. By conviction of the Holy Spirit, Jesus moves unconcerned unbelievers to the point of decision. He calls, leads, pleads and urges unbelievers to be saved. The conviction of the Holy Spirit does not force any person to be saved. Some will receive it; some will not. Whether they receive Him or not, Jesus is the only Savior for all people of the world. EXAMINING THE TEXT 2 Peter 3:9. God is not willing that any person in the world should enter eternity without Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. Slack means to delay or to tarry. His promise is the message of the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Count means to consider. God is not any slower to get the message of salvation to a person of one race than another race. God is not tardy about convicting a person of his need to be saved of one race more than another race. God is concerned that people of all races be saved. God extends Himself in waiting for unbelieving sinners to come to Him. He

8 SPONSOR S GUIDE 7 is long-suffering or forbearing. He is seeking unbelievers to come to Him for salvation. However, we must not procrastinate salvation. John 3:16, 17 states, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. In the Text usward refers to an extension to the exact place in the world where a person is. It includes the right place, the right time and for the right purpose. God brings the gospel to meet the need of the individual wherever he is at exactly the opportune time for maximum conviction. Paul included himself as an unbeliever who needed to hear the gospel with personal conviction. He responded to the Lord by repentance and faith, eagerly accepting the salvation God offered him. God is waiting to give every person the opportunity to make the right choice concerning his salvation. God s will and character are involved in His plan of salvation. God is love. God offers by grace an opportunity for unbelievers to receive salvation. God is just. God hates sin. God s will is for every unbeliever to respond to the Holy Spirit s conviction by seeking salvation. Unbelieving sinners that die lost will be punished in hell for eternity. For those who reject God s gracious offer of salvation, He must be true to His holy character. In the Text will means to be willing, to be disposed, to intend. God did not choose, determine or intend for any person to spend eternity in hell. Perish means to destroy fully or to lose. Unbelievers who reject Christ lose everything. Should come in the Text means to pass, to enter, to come or to receive. God convicts, but it is up to the unbeliever to receive God s salvation by repentance, faith and by asking God to save. Repentance means to reverse one s decision. The conviction of the Holy Spirit leads the unbelieving sinner to recognize he is guilty before God. Unbelieving sinners who respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit by turning to God for salvation make the right decision. Mark 8:36 states, For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE John 10:9. Jesus is the door of salvation for every person. He said, By me if any man enter in, he shall be saved (John 10:9). Door means portal or entrance, gate or opening. Any man means every. It is all-inclusive. Any man is the equivalent to whosoever. Enter may be defined as to come forth within or to come in. Saved means safe, secure, preserved, protected or made whole. All those who come to Christ for salvation are all of these things. Galatians 3: Every person is saved the same way. Those who are saved are in the family of God. Paul wrote, For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:26). There is no other way of salvation. Baptized refers to immersion. The unbeliever is not saved by immersion in water. The unbeliever is saved when he responds to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. As a result of receiving Christ, the sinner is immersed or hid in Christ. (See Colossians 3:3.) This verse does not teach that water baptism saves. There is no racial or any other distinction that would prevent any person from receiving Christ for salvation. Once saved all believers have equal standing in Christ. Titus 2:10. Paul wrote to encourage Titus to remind slaves of their responsi-

9 8 SPONSOR S GUIDE bilities before God. God expects slaves to be obedient to their masters, to please them in all things and to refrain from stealing from them. (See Titus 2:9, 10.) On the one hand, a slave is asked to be a model servant as a Christian. Since man was created in the image of God, it would follow that a slaveholder who becomes a Christian should see that no individual should presume a moral right to own another. Respect for one created in the image of God would demand that the slave owner free his slaves upon his becoming a Christian. FOCUSING ON THE CLASS The slavery issue affected all Baptists. The division over the slavery issue is perhaps best documented between the positions of Northern and Southern Baptists. In the book, A Short History of the Baptists, pages , Henry C. Vedder wrote, But perhaps the most bitter controversy of all, certainly that which left behind it the deepest scars and most permanent alienations, was that which arose over the question of slavery. This was not an experience peculiar to Baptists; nearly every religious body in America was rent by the same contentions, and in most cases permanent schisms were the result. All Baptists and other religious groups suffered division and strife over the slavery issue. Prior to the Civil War, Negro slaves were not permitted to have their own churches. Slaves became members of white churches. There were only a few Negro churches among the free Negroes before the beginning of the Civil War of the 1860 s. The oldest Negro Baptist church on record in the United States was at Silver Bluff, South Carolina, before From the old Triennial Baptist Convention, a General Convention was formed. The development of strife over the slavery question among Baptists is clearly noted in the minutes of the General Convention. In the book, A Short History of the Baptists, pages , Henry C. Vedder wrote, Differences of opinion regarding the slavery question appear in the minutes of the General Convention for several years before the final break. These appeared to reach the culminating point in the year the Executive Board made the following reply, which was, in fact, the adoption of a new rule: If any one who should offer himself for a missionary, having slaves, should insist on retaining them as his property, we could not appoint him. Two errors concerning scriptural mission work should immediately be noted. One, any person seeking to be hired as a missionary presented himself as a candidate. Two, the missionaries were hired or not hired by the Executive Board. It is not stated the missionaries had local church sponsorship. The Great Commission was given to New Testament churches. A scriptural missionary is a God-called man sent forth by a local church. Even in the light of the slavery question, the unscriptural nature of conventions is well documented. The rise of Northern abolitionism confronted Southern tradition. Antislavery societies were organized around The first national session of the antislavery societies met in New York City in 1840 at McDougal Baptist Church. Baptists in the North and in the South were split over the slavery issue. No other single issue was so divisive among Northern and Southern Baptists during the nineteenth century. The Southern Baptist Convention was organized in 1845 partly because a slaveholder was voted down in becoming a member of the board of the Home Mission Society. The Northern Baptist Convention was not organized until Long after the slavery issue was settled, the scars of strife and differences

10 SPONSOR S GUIDE 9 among Baptists still lingered. The differences of Northern and Southern Baptists on the slavery issue no doubt cost churches time, effort and money that could have been better used in scriptural missions which is the work of the Great Commission. MAKING THE APPLICATIONS Junior High. Young people who are saved have a great opportunity to witness for Christ at school. Young people need to understand that Jesus died on the cross for everyone. This sacrifice includes their classmates regardless of race. Jesus told His disciples to preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). Remember, the only Christian your classmates may see is the life you live and the witness you have for Jesus Christ. Young People. Teens need to be aware that God loves all people. Regional customs and traditions should not cause young people who know Jesus to be selective concerning those with whom they share the gospel. The gospel is for all people of the world! Young people need to witness to their friends regardless of their race. Every person needs the message of the gospel. In Acts, every member shared the gospel with everyone they met. Acts 8:4 reads, Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Adults. God designed New Testament churches for every believer. Every believer should obey God s command to receive scriptural baptism. Any believer who follows God s leadership to unite with a scriptural church for the purpose of obeying God, worshiping Him in truth and serving Him is an acceptable candidate for membership. Adults need to reexamine the importance and value of membership in a scriptural church for every person. Adults who love the Lord will be prayerful, realizing that everyone needs the gospel.

11 10 SPONSOR S GUIDE LESSON 3 December 17, 2000 Baptists and Mission Societies Lesson Text: John 9:4. Background Scripture: Acts 11:27-30; 13:1-4; 14:26-28; 15: Aim: By the end of this lesson the student will explain the purpose of these mission societies. DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS Commissioned to Missions, Matthew 28:19, 20. Jesus commissioned the church He built during His personal ministry to do the work of missions. This work remains under the auspices of local churches. The promise Jesus gave to His church remains in force. Jesus specifically gave authority to New Testament churches to do the work of missions. The Bible gives only one example of the way true churches carried on the work of missions. Equal, independent and sovereign local churches worked together to support missionaries. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:15, 16, Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. The giving and receiving were mission offerings by the church at Philippi for the support of Antioch s missionary, Paul, while he labored in Thessalonica. There is no biblical example of mission work by true churches being aided by the plans of other organizations or societies. God s plan for missions was designed for true churches, was placed in His churches and was revealed to work efficiently as God s people followed His plan. No other plan is needed. The Lord s churches are still commissioned to do mission work. True churches do not need to seek new ways, new organizations or new methods. God has designed His method. It is called the Great Commission. EXAMINING THE TEXT John 9:4. Jesus came to earth to fulfill the work God commissioned Him to do. One, He came to be the sin bearer. First Peter 2:24 states, Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. Next, He came to seek the salvation of the unsaved. Luke 19:10 states, For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Also, He came to establish His church. Ephesians 5:25 states, Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. After His resurrection and before His ascension, Jesus commissioned His church to carry out the work of missions. Jesus began His earthly ministry following His baptism. He knew the work He was commanded to accomplish. He had a sense of responsibility to fulfill it as the Father had commanded. He said, I must (John 9:4). Must means it is

12 SPONSOR S GUIDE 11 necessary, it is binding or it is needful. Work means to toil, to be occupied with, or to do labor. Works means deeds. Any kind of work would not result in Jesus fulfilling His Father s commission. Sent means to go on a mission or an errand. Day is the time space in which work was usually accomplished. Night is the time space in which no work was done. Cometh means come to pass as passing a deadline. Jesus had only the specific time God gave Him to fulfill His commissioned work during His earthly ministry. The miracle of giving sight to the blind illustrated the value of the work Jesus came to do. As important as eyesight is to those who are physically blind, the worth of the gospel of Jesus Christ offered by the grace of God to every person is much greater. Jesus came to give sight to those who were spiritually blind. The blind man could not physically see Christ. Those who are spiritually blind today cannot see Christ or their need of Him. Jesus came to reveal Himself to the world as the only Savior. BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE Acts 11: The church at Antioch determined to send an offering to help a sister church whose members were facing difficult circumstances due to drought and famine. This is an example of benevolence by two churches working together to meet a desperate need, neither infringing upon the authority of the other. Acts 13:1-4. The church at Antioch sent forth God-called, Holy Spirit-led men to do the work of missions. These missionaries were already at work in the church. They were appointed, sent forth or commissioned to do the work of preaching the gospel, baptizing believers, teaching believers all the things Jesus commanded and establishing churches. Acts 14: The missionaries returned to the church that sent them forth to do mission work. They made a full report. They were not responsible to mission societies, conventions or any other invention of man for their work. They were accountable to the church that sent them. God s mission plan is a plan for His churches. Acts 15: The second missionary journey of Paul began after his dispute with Barnabas concerning the young man, John Mark. Barnabas went to Cyprus and took John Mark with him. Paul and Silas went forth commissioned by the church at Antioch to do mission work. FOCUSING ON THE CLASS Baptist churches did mission work ever westward in America as pioneers settled the frontier and established churches. Before 1814, Baptist associations in the northern colonies and in North and South Carolina commissioned and supported mission work on the frontier. The biblical way of associations of true churches cooperating together or Baptists churches associating together to do the work of missions worked according to God s design and remained the only biblical method. Although often nameless and faceless in their contribution to scriptural mission work, these scriptural missionaries labored faithfully and well. Some Baptists chose to practice missions by extrabiblical methods. Extrabiblical means not found in the Bible. These methods were by mission societies and the conventions. William Carey is referred to as the founder of Baptist missions. Jesus Christ is truly the One who founded Baptist missions. Carey

13 12 SPONSOR S GUIDE and others formed a society in 1792 to send missionaries to remote parts of the world. Carey worked in India for more than forty years. The earliest society by Baptists with a missionary purpose was the Massachusetts Baptist Missionary Society formed in Boston in Its goal was to send preachers to isolated settlements on the frontier. They worked to evangelize the Indians and to help struggling Baptist churches. Luther Rice and Adoniram Judson were Congregationalist missionaries who later adopted Baptist beliefs. They decided they could no longer accept funds from the Congregationalists. Luther Rice founded the General Missionary Convention of the Baptist Denomination in the United States, better known as the Triennial Convention. Like mission societies, the system of conventions is not mentioned in the Scriptures. MAKING THE APPLICATIONS Junior High. Young people should be warned that everything that appears good or for a good cause is not necessarily the biblical way. Every time God gives a command, there is a specific way He chooses for the work to be done. When Noah built the ark, he did so by following God s pattern. When the Tabernacle and Temple were built, the workers followed God s pattern. God designed the true church. The design cannot be improved. God s method for missions according to the biblical pattern is for true churches to associate or cooperate together to do the work of the Great Commission. Young People. It does make a difference how churches do mission work. God gave true churches the responsibility to do missions according to His plan in the New Testament. Teens need to realize that mission work is either by God s plan or by some other plan. Any other plan used to do mission work that is not found in the Bible may be called extrabiblical. Teens who love God and desire to serve Him according to truth will seek to know and understand the biblical pattern for scriptural missions. Missions may be defined as the work specified in the Great Commission. Adults. Missionary Baptists do not have to be ashamed of not being a part of a convention. The biblical way of doing scriptural missions existed for centuries before human reasoning prevailed to enlist some of the Lord s churches to follow another plan. Adults who seek to please God will be determined to worship, serve and support scriptural missions through a church that does missions by the biblical plan. Those who settle for less than God s pattern for scriptural missions have compromised biblical truth. Missionary Baptists should continue to believe and practice all biblical truth.

14 SPONSOR S GUIDE 13 LESSON 4 December 24, 2000 The Social Gospel Affect upon Baptists Lesson Text: 2 John 2. Background Scripture: Psalm 25:5; 117:2; 1 Timothy 3:16; 2 Timothy 2:15. Aim: By the end of this lesson the student will discuss the affect of the social gospel upon Baptists. DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS Knowing the Truth, John 8: The truth found in the doctrines of Jesus Christ lead to the highest moral and social standards. Those who are hard-hearted like the Pharisees will experience no change in their lives after hearing the Word of God preached. Those who are tenderhearted will tremble at the Word of God, receive it with hearing ears and accept it with an open mind as their rule of how to live. Those who continue to hear the Word of God in truth cannot help but be changed by it. Continuing to hear the Word of God preached and taught produces a transformation. A believer who continues to pray will observe changes in his life and in his prayers. The same is true for a believer who continues to hear the Word of God preached and taught. Romans 12:2 states, And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. The transforming power of the Word of God has always produced social and moral changes in the world. Those who are disciples indeed or true followers and imitators of Jesus Christ will be both strong in the faith and sound in the faith. Know the truth refers to one s being sound in the faith. The truth makes a believer strong by freeing him from the fear of standing before God with unconfessed sin, freeing him from the power of temptations that attempt to enslave him in sin and freeing him from worldly misconceptions about religion to serve God in truth according to His commands. Believers who follow the teachings of the Word of God are free to obey and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Second Corinthians 3:17 states, Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Every believer should continue in the transformation that comes as a result of hearing the preaching and teaching of God s Word of truth. EXAMINING THE TEXT 2 John 2. God s truth is a constant in an ever-changing world. Psalm 119:89 states, For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. God s inspired Word is the only standard that He accepts. In His divine Word, God has communicated His principles of truth in doctrine and moral standards. Settled means appointed or established. God s Word is forever established in Heaven. On earth many translations and many paraphrases have attempted to undermine the unchanging truths of God s Word into a quicksand of

15 14 SPONSOR S GUIDE differing statements. The only sure ground for truth is the divinely inspired, inerrant and all-sufficient Word of God. The most dependable translation remains the King James Version. Those who are settled on the doctrines of truth accept them as the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3). The truth God placed in His Word can only be altered by Him. His Word is forever established to remain the same. God has determined the truth would remain present upon the earth. He established His church during the earthly ministry of Jesus. Jesus said, Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matt. 16:18). His churches have always been in existence from the time of its origin until now and will always be in existence on the earth until the time of the rapture. Jesus deposited the truth in His churches. First Timothy 3:15 states, The house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. Pillar is a supporting beam or post. Ground is the support, basis or foundation. New Testament churches have received the responsibility to teach and preach the same truths that Jesus taught. Matthew 28:20 states, Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. This unchanging system of doctrinal truth that is taught by true churches today may be compared with the Word of God. History records the fact that the distinctive teachings of New Testament churches have been peculiar landmarks that have existed in every century from the time of Jesus earthly ministry until the present. The truth dwells in true churches and may be recognized by true believers. John 16:13 states, Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth. The indwelling Holy Spirit enables a child of God to determine whether or not the preaching and teaching he has heard is the truth from God. First John 4:1 states, Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Believers are to listen, examine and either receive or discard what they are taught on the basis of whether or not it agrees with the unchanging Word of God. Immature believers may be like children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive (Eph. 4:14). Those who have developed into mature believers knowing sound doctrine are strong enough to make the choice to reject false teachings. BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE Psalm 25:5. Believers should pray for God s leadership in an ever-growing awareness of truth. Lead me means to guide or to bend as an archer would string and bend a bow. Thy truth emphasizes the fact that God has established what is truth. Teach me refers to the Oriental use of the rod or goad as an incentive to learning. Those who are willing to follow God will continue in truth. Psalm 117:2. God s truth will endure forever. The truth means there is but one body of truth. Of the Lord refers to the divine ownership or possession of the truth. The same God who knows all truth and is Truth owns and possesses all truth. Endureth means God has established or settled forever the standards of truth. Forever means in all eternity, past the vanishing point or always. 1 Timothy 3:16. The truth is an inexplicable mystery to an unbeliever. (See 1 Corinthians 2:14.) Mystery means a secret. God has chosen to reveal His secrets of truth by the foolishness of preaching. The mystery of truth found in

16 SPONSOR S GUIDE 15 the gospel is composed of several facts. The incarnation of God the Son permitted Him to be God in the flesh. The sacrifice of God, the Son, was approved by the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus sinless earthly life and ministry were witnessed by angels who had also witnessed His eternal glory with the Father in Heaven. His gospel is to be preached to all the world announcing Jesus, the only Savior, and His triumphant rise from the dead and ascension to Heaven. 2 Timothy 2:15. Those who are determined to be approved of God must study God s Word. The study of the Bible is an earnest, diligent, laborious effort to know God s Word. Those who study the Bible will approve what God approves. A workman is a teacher or a toiler that labors on the task to which he was assigned. Needeth not to be ashamed refers to commendation instead of condemnation of those who serve God according to His will and for His purpose. FOCUSING ON THE CLASS The social gospel movement caused some Baptists to become less dedicated to the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The social gospel became much more acceptable. Satan is a master manipulator who thrives on getting the servants of God to become inactive with the main thing while becoming preoccupied with other good things. The preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ must always remain uppermost in the minds of God s people. William and Catherine Booth started a movement that was a preview to the social gospel movement. Its motto is the salvation of the soul is the key to the salvation of the body. They founded the Salvation Army that began in London on August 17, It was a Christian movement to help drunkards. At that time it was not yet named the Salvation Army, but in continuity of purpose, this date is considered its birth. In the book, Christian Engagements, page 159, Roy Reed wrote, Evangeline Booth, (of Salvation Army fame) gave a statement on drink that has been often quoted and is indeed a classic: Drink has drained more blood, hung more crepe, sold more homes, plunged more people into bankruptcy, armed more villains, slain more children, snapped more wedding bands, defiled more innocence, blinded more eyes, twisted more limbs, dethroned more reason, wrecked more manhood, dishonored more womanhood, broken more hearts, blasted more lives, driven more people to suicide, and dug more graves than any other poisonous scourge that ever swept its death dealing waves across the world. The social gospel movement was begun in the 1890 s by Walter Rauschenbusch of Rochester, New York. It began as a response to social injustice. The social gospel movement involved urban poverty and the value of human life. It promoted temperance and focused on the sins of drunkenness, prostitution and gambling. Baptists got involved with the social gospel movement through the Commission on Civil Righteousness which was formed in 1907 and later became the Christian Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. Baptists who gave themselves to the social gospel movement joined ranks with other denominations for the purpose of fighting social injustice. Baptists who participated in the social gospel movement gave their time, effort, money and talent for the work of the movement rather than the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Young Men s Christian Association (YMCA) also became a part of the social gospel movement. It was founded in 1844 by George Williams in London. It soon spread to America. It is a worldwide service organization based on

17 16 SPONSOR S GUIDE Christian principles. Its social gospel agenda includes encouraging the development of the body, improving mental and physical health, eliminating racism, promoting world peace, strengthening family life and spreading Christian values. The Young Men s Christian Association is involved in recreation, education and community action. Baptists who are affected by these things still consider themselves to be doing the Lord s work while the money, effort and personnel God intended for the spread of the gospel have been diverted to other tasks. The affect of the social gospel in any particular church may be monitored. Members may compare the number of sermons preached on the gospel of Jesus Christ to those preached on the social gospel, the amount of money expended for social programs, recreation, education or community projects to what is spent on missions and the number of man hours given to social gospel programs to the man hours given to the spread of the gospel. The work of a true church remains the same. Matthew 28:19, 20 states, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Pastors, churches and church members should consider what affects the social gospel movement has had upon them. MAKING THE APPLICATIONS Junior High. Teens need to be aware of various organizations that present themselves as Christian service organizations. Many of these have good programs that meet very real needs. However, young people should remember that the greatest need of any person is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul was committed to making the gospel a priority. First Corinthians 2:2 states, For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Teens who are dedicated to serving God through true churches will give their lives to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Young People. Teens may become involved in community projects, service organizations and good moral crusades. God expects young people to serve Him through a New Testament church. Ephesians 3:21 states, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. The only God-approved service organizations on earth are New Testament churches. Satan is thinning the ranks of young people who desire to make their lives count for God by getting them involved in worldly minded service organizations which rob them of time and energy for working in true churches. Adults. Adults who hear sermons that touch on sins of abortion, drunkenness, adultery and gambling may say amen vigorously. Do these same adults say amen so passionately when the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ is preached? Do these same adults say amen powerfully when sound doctrines such as scriptural baptism, closed communion or church discipline are preached? It is easy to become more aware of social needs than spiritual needs. Adults should pray for a burden for souls and for the work of spreading the gospel throughout the world.

18 SPONSOR S GUIDE 17 LESSON 5 December 31, 2000 Arminian and Calvinist Influence upon Baptists Lesson Text: John 3:16. Background Scripture: John 5:24; Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13; 1 John 4:15. Aim: By the end of this lesson the student will tell how the word missionary became a part of the Baptist name. DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS Water of Life, Revelation 22:17. The water of life is a symbol of the message of salvation. Salvation must be received individually and personally as one may drink water. Jesus used the same symbolism when He spoke to the woman at the well. John 4:13, 14 states, Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. Each person needs to make a personal response to God s call in order to be saved. The invitation to accept God s great salvation comes to all people. Titus 2:11 states, For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. The Holy Spirit draws unbelievers to seek salvation by repentance, by faith and by asking God to save him. The Bride of Christ seeks the salvation of unbelievers. The bride is the engaged wife of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul wrote the church at Corinth, For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ (2 Cor. 11:2). The New Testament church is the Bride of Christ. Paul applied this truth to the church at Corinth. It also applies to every true church. The bride does not include all believers. There are those who are saved in this present age who will not be in the Bride of Christ. God s Word makes a distinction between the New Testament church as the Bride of Christ and believers. Believers are those who are saved but are not a part of the bride. Revelation 22:17 states, And let him that heareth say, Come. Believers have a desire that is innate within their new nature to seek the salvation of unbelievers. EXAMINING THE TEXT John 3:16. John shared the theme or key verse of the Bible. The opportunity of salvation extends to every person in the world. World means cosmos, orderly arrangement or inhabitants. God s salvation is offered to all, and all that choose to respond to God s call may freely receive. (See Mark 16:15.) Creature means every thing formed. (See 1 Timothy 2:5, 6.) The Bible clearly states that salvation is for all! Jesus is the only Savior. (See Acts 4:12.) Peter preached about Jesus, To him give all the prophets witness, that