by Elder Claude McKee

Article 3 - as printed in The Christian Baptist, February 1996  

True old Baptist have always been believers in biblical missions, But never adopted the benevolent societies nor any scheme devised for assisting in them. In the 1800's they were accused of being against ' the spread of the gospel'. They were falsely accused of fighting against the Spirit of God in opposing the new schemes brought forth.

   The brethren that meet at Black Rock Maryland in 1832, defended themselves against the false charges that they were opposed to the spread of the Gospel or biblical missions by stating:

Excerpt
(page 30 of the "Black Rock Address & Kehukee Declaration")

   "We will now call your attention to the subject of missions. Previous to stating our objections to the mission plans, we will meet some of the false charges brought against us relative to this subject, by a simple and unequivocal declaration, that we do regard as of the first importance the command given of Christ , primarily to His apostles, and through them to his ministers in every age, to "Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature," and do feel an earnest desire to be found acting in obedience thereunto, as the providence of God directs our way, and opens a door of utterance for us. We also believe it to be the duty of individuals and churches to contribute according to their abilities, for the support , not only of their pastors, but also of those who go preaching the gospel of Christ among the destitute. But we at the same time contend, that we have no right to depart from the order which the Master himself has seen fit to lay down, relative to the ministration of the word. We therefore cannot fellowship the plans for spreading the gospel, generally adopted at this day, under the name of Missions; because we consider those plans throughout a subversion of the order marked out in the new testament."

  It is clear that those brethren were not against ministers going and preaching the word but believed it should be by the providence and opening up of doors by God only, not man made schemes.
  Today's emerging movement is very similar to the 1800 movement. It just has not grow enough to see all of its attributes. Terms such as evangelize, outreach ministry, and radio ministry are being used today to promote the spread of the Gospel by man. The emphasis is on an out reach ministry to the world and promoting the old Baptist to the world. If this be true and I believe it is, then that is enough for me to be skeptical in light of the scriptures: "Come out from among them, and be ye separate" or "the world knoweth you not because it knew me not." Following the Lead of the Holy Spirit into new areas is much different than us trying to aquatint the world with the Old Baptist. Some will say, well do you not think the Lord can use Radio or other means to feed or reach his people in other lands. I concede that he can. But when radio programs are edited and produced, When credit cards or used, promotional letters read, and solicitations made. BEWARE.

   The use of the Gospel in relationship to enlightening the hearers is not as straight forward as one may think. If it were a matter of intellect ,we could simple study the scriptures or be instructed by a teacher (bible study) and all come to the same conclusions. But common reasoning would tell you that something is wrong with that because many have been trained in colleges by the brilliant minds but never come to the knowledge of the truth. Well you might say, its because they have not been reached by an old Baptist preacher The scriptures will not support that either. Many that heard Christ preach never seen the truth, the same was true with Paul. Even the disciples ,who the Lord taught during his earthly ministry, didn't have clear understanding of the scriptures. After Christ had arisen, the scriptures state that he opened their understanding that they might understand the scriptures (Luke 24:44,45). You can preach all you want to but will never be able to make one see or know Christ as He is; unless God is in the matter.
   I believe the following four statements along with comments and scripture supporting them , correctly state the use of the Gospel in relationship to enlightenment and propagation.

1. The Gospel is the good news. It is directed to the burdened sinner. It is not an invitation but a proclamation . It is not food to the self righteous child of God. It only effects those that are burdened with their sins. Those of God's children that do not have seeing eyes and an understanding heart to realize where their salvation comes from, but believe that they are sufficient in themselves to hear and accept the Gospel for their eternal life do not rejoice in the true Gospel;they reject it and it is not good news to them.

Scripture Proof: Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised".
Matt 6:6 "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled".
Matthew 9:13 "But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance".

2. True Gospel believers in Christ Jesus are believers because of the Work of God, not because of Man's efforts. A true Gospel believer is one that believes with all his heart that Jesus is the Christ. This is not just an intellectual belief but it is a spiritual understanding that Jesus is the Savior of his people, requiring no action on the part of man, this believe is only revealed by God. Some people say they believe in Grace and that Christ is their savior but they still are not true Gospel believers. They show this by saying they accepted Christ and that man must be obedient in some way, etc. This group of God's children can be taught to embrace many sovereign grace principles but no man can make any of God's children true gospel believers. This is the work of God. This is clearly illustrated in the bible by Paul's experience. Ananias was sent by God to Saul and was instructed to lay his hands on him that he might receive his sight. I have heard several preach that this is an example of the Gospel minister giving Saul Gospel light and understanding; after God had given life to Saul. But Paul disputes this theory in Gal. 1:11,12 "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Scripture Proof: John 6:29 "Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent".
John 6:45 "It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
1 Peter 1:21 "Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
Gal 1;11,12 "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man, for I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ..
Matthew 11:25-27 "At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him".

3. True Preaching saves only believers, it is not an invitation to save them that will believe it.
Preaching is not intended to save non-believers but saves them whose heart the Lord has opened. Preaching delivers (saves) them from desert places, it puts them on the mountain top, it instructs them in church practices and how to conduct their daily lives. By it they grow in grace and knowledge of the truth and it saves them from error and idolatry. Thus the Gospel is the power of God unto the saved believer.

Scripture Proof: 1 Cor. 1:21 "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe". (not will believe)
Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek". (not will believe)
Acts 16:14 "And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul".

4. The preaching of the Gospel and it's propagation is dependent upon the power and spirit of God, not on man.
The Gospel should be preached in every place directed by the holy spirit and when the lead of the Spirit is followed there will be a hearing ear, prepared by God, to receive it. The gospel is the Power of God unto salvation and therefore is dependent upon the power and spirit of God to direct its propagation to whomever the Spirit pleases. It is not dependent upon man or any means of men such as: money or the lack thereof, extended or special meetings, popularity of men to draw a crowd (which is respect of persons). All such things are contrived to help the Lord in adding to the church. But the Lord is the only one that truly adds to the Church such as should be saved. Any one entering or bringing in other than through the door (Christ) is a thief and robber. The Church of Christ is a place of refuge, a place of comfort, a place for enlightened obedient children (true believers) , a place for them to worship him in spirit and in truth; the scriptures indicating that the true church is a remnant of the saved children of Israel.

Scripture Proof: Matthew 28:18-20 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power 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.
Acts 13:4 "So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus".
Acts 16:6-10 "Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them".

Claude Mckee