THE MISTAKE OF REHOBOAM

Transcription

1 THE MISTAKE OF REHOBOAM a word from the president, by evangelist alton beal In 1 Kings 17, we find the sad start to the reign of Rehoboam as king over Israel. When faced with his first great question, he asked for three days to think on the matter and seek counsel. Rehoboam is to be commended for starting out his counseling session with the older men. These men lived under his father Solomon and, no doubt, gleaned much of his wisdom through the years. They advised him to show kindness to his followers. In doing so, he would gain their loyalty and prosper. What was Rehoboam s response to the older men? In verse eight, the text says, But he forsook the counsel of the old men. The following verses of the narrative sadly reveal to us that he chose the counsel of his contemporaries, which led him to make a great mistake that would eventually divide the kingdom. I am afraid that some younger preachers coming from our Christian colleges are making the same mistake today. The principles that guided our fundamental Baptist forefathers are seen as dispensable and are being sold for a mess of pottage. If the preachers of the past could speak to the younger generation, what would they say? Perhaps they would begin by telling us, Do not forsake the importance of biblical separation. In my college Summer 2010 years, I was required to read Dr. Ernest Pickering s book Biblical Separation. Books and pamphlets by Dr. Pickering taught me the importance of separating from doctrinal error. In a pamphlet entitled Charismatic Confusion, he revealed the erroneous teachings of the Charismatic movement and concluded that the Bible demands that we separate from it. I am afraid that the younger generation is forsaking the counsel of the older men. Men and movements who believe that the New Testament sign gifts are valid today are exercising great influence over a younger generation of preachers. Years ago, these preachers and movements would have been discouraged. Now they are being promoted. Some people would call it progress, but I believe it is forsaking the biblical counsel of the older men. In this day of growing wickedness, I believe the preachers of the past would also cry, Be holy. Holiness is an indispensable imperative of the ministry, even the Christian life. While none of us can proclaim perfection, we must strive to be holy. Pulpits of old thundered against worldliness. Several years ago, I heard an older pastor preach a powerful series on the subject of worldliness and the need for holiness. I left that week of meetings with a greater understanding of God s command to be holy in 1 Peter 1: Is there CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 8:45 am 10:00 am 7:00 pm Dr. Kevin Folger Dr. Doug Jackson Dr. Kevin Folger Dr. Marc Monte Dr. Doug Jackson Dr. Kevin Folger Dr. Doug Jackson Dr. Marc Monte Dr. Raymond Barber Dr. Doug Jackson Dr. Marc Monte Dr. Raymond Barber For more information please visit

2 Evangelism and Revival Theology Professor ~ Dr. Billy Martin Ambassador Baptist College This course endeavors to give the theological and historical ramifications of revival. It will also present practical means to be employed by the God-called evangelist in his pursuit to be used of God in seeing revival in local churches. Evangelist Billy Martin June 7-11, 2010 Cost: $800 for Credit (4 hours of Masters-level credit) $200 for Audit Special tuition discount for pastors of churches that support ABC monthly: $200 for Credit Any interested student may audit the course. To receive credit, the following criteria must be met: ABC graduates may enroll in the program if they have more than two years of ministry experience. Non-ABC graduates may enroll if they have more than ten years of ministry experience, have a bachelor s degree, and are in agreement with Ambassador s philosophy and doctrinal statement. If you would like more information about the M.Min. program, please info@ambassadors.edu. For specific questions about enrollment, please contact our Academic Dean Dr. Charles Surrett at csurrett@ambassadors.edu. For information about on-campus housing, info@ambassadors.edu or call For more information, visit Make plans now to join us for our bi-annual Baptist Heritage Conference. Your heart will be stirred by the gripping accounts of our Baptist forefathers as they struggled for doctrinal purtity, preached the Gospel fearlessly, and fought for religious liberty. Each unique session will address a specific era of Baptist History ranging from some of the earliest persecutions to pertinent issues facing Baptists today. Each day of the conference will feature a special event, including a live reenactment of the trial of the English preacher John Bunyan. To request a brochure, please visit our website at or contact us at or info@ambassadors.edu

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5 A Word From the President CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE such a thing as worldly music? The preachers of yesteryear believed so. Is it wrong to be influenced by the sensual themes of Hollywood? Men like Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. thought so. It seems that the younger generation is starting to conclude that Christianity is outdated and needs to be retooled with worldly amusements and methods. Preaching against the entertainment and themes of this worldly system is now frowned upon by some. Friend, if you find yourself in this growing group, I encourage you to not forsake the counsel of the older men. Lest you be mistaken, I do not believe that we should follow the counsel of the older generation just because they are older. I think we should follow it because it is Biblical and right. It is very grievous to watch younger men discount the lives and ministries of faithful men in the past. These men paid a dear price to stand for their convictions, and they have been marked off as antiquated and out of touch. Several months ago in chapel, an area pastor reminded me of a simple bit of wisdom. During the message, he said, Don t remove a fence until you first know why it was erected. We would all do well to be a little more hesitant to remove the fences that were constructed by the older generation. You never know what may come charging at you as a result. The bull of new evangelicalism may be right around the corner. Just as Rehoboam s error divided the kingdom, I am afraid that the same error is dividing today. May God do a mighty work in our younger generation of preachers and cause us to have a renewed appreciation and respect for the counsel of the older men. EARLY PAYMENT DISCOUNT In light of the slow economic recovery and our desire to help students and families during these difficult days, Ambassador Baptist College will again double the early payment discount for this coming semester and will keep tuition and room and board at the current rates. The tuition for full-time dorm students will remain $2, The room and board for full-time dorm students will remain $2, The early payment discount for full-time dorm students will be doubled to $ on tuition, plus $ on room and board for a total discount of $ This discount does not apply to fees. Commuting students may receive $ discount on their tuition. To receive the early payment discount, tuition must be paid in full for the entire semester and payment must be received in the business office no later than the end of the business day, July 16, ambassador baptist college presents PRAYER & PRAISE PRAYER & PRAISE Ministry opportunities for 2010 graduates God s protection and blessing for summer groups God s provision for summer financial needs Fall semester enrollment Souls saved on ensemble Spring Tour Excellent preaching during Bible Conference Two new vans and luggage trailer purchased for traveling groups MEMORIAL Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Holder in memory of Aiyla Pollay Mr. and Mrs. Clifton Champion in memory of Amy Katherine Champion Saturday, November 13, :00am - 5:00pm? Would you prefer to receive The Ambassador electronically rather than by snail mail? The Ambassador is now available by in PDF format. To change your subscription, visit and request that your Ambassador subscription be changed from postal mail to format.

6 NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID CHARLOTTE NC PERMIT NO AMBASSADOR BAPTIST COLLEGE P.O. Box Stockton Street Lattimore, NC RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED MAY JUNE JULY Mt. Zion Baptist Church Pastor Randy Starr Brogue, PA Grace Church Pastor Jimmy Gent Maplewood, NJ Victory Baptist Church Pastor Tim Butler Charleston, SC Orangeburg Baptist Tabernacle Pastor Tom Brookshire Orangeburg, SC Pastor Bruce Fincham Culpeper, VA Pastor Freed Ware Selmer, TN & Academy Pastor Curtis Cochran Chillicothe, IL AUGUST 1 Victory Baptist Church Pastor Benny Bagwell Sylva, NC MAY JUNE Ron Comfort Evangelistic Ministry MAY AUGUST 2010 Please check our website for updates to the itinerary at Alton Beal Evangelistic Ministry MAY JUNE (am) Pastor Bill Egerdahl West Columbia, SC (pm) Emmanuel Baptist Church Pastor Charles Surrett Kings Mountain, NC Pastor Steve Rogers Oxford, PA (pm) Providence Baptist Church Pastor David Goforth Riverview, FL (pm) Tabernacle Baptist Church Pastor Scott Hooks Hickory, NC Kendall Park Baptist Church Pastor Mike Brown Kendall Park, NJ Bay Ridge Baptist Church Pastor Jason Walker Brooklyn, NY (am) Pastor Drew Boyd Warwick, RI (pm) Greater Rhode Island Baptist Temple Pastor Tom Crichton Johnston, RI Please check our website for updates to the itinerary at COMING Ev e nt EVENTS Summer School Session I May 17 - June 11 M.Min. Module: Evangelism and Revival Theology June 7-11 Summer School Session II June 14 - July 9 Summer School Session III July 12 - August 6 Landmark Conference & Camp Barnabas July Registration Day, August 23 Classes Begin, August 26 Opening Revival August 30 - September 3