Why You Should be a Baptist – Part 4

In the previous two posts, we have walked through 5 points on the significance of Baptism. I am trying to convince you to be a credobaptist. And if you already are a credobaptist, I hope that these posts help you to glory in the gospel all the more. We will finish 2 more points today … Read more

Why You Should be a Baptist – Part 3

In the previous post, we began to walk through 8 wonderful realities that our Baptism points to. We finished 3 last time and we will finish another 2 today. Before we get into the list let me say how much my walk with the Lord has been improved by listening to and reading paedobaptists. R.C. … Read more

Why You Should be a Baptist – Part 2

The last post was really an introduction to this discussion. In this post, we begin to get into more of the meat of the matter. And what I want to do is lay out for you 8 truths about the symbolic nature of Baptism. In doing this, I hope to persuade you to be a … Read more

Why You Should be a Baptist – Part 1

Benjamin Keach, a 17th Century Baptist, was once put in a pillory to face physical pain and public scorn because of his views on credobaptism (also called “believer’s baptism”). Sadly, today, I’m afraid too many Baptists cannot defend the doctrine of credobaptism very well, other than by saying something like “infant baptism is nowhere in … Read more

Spirit Baptism and Water Baptism

Baptism and the Spirit In the New Testament, we recognize the word “baptism” is not only used to refer to physical water. For example, John the Baptist says in Mark 1:8 that Jesus is coming to “baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Or, in 1 Corinthians 12:13 Paul says, “For in one Spirit we were … Read more

The Work of Elders and Deacons (Benjamin Keach)

Consider the words of 17th century Baptist, Benjamin Keach (1640-1740), on Elders and Deacons: The Work of Elders 1. The Elder’s or Pastor’s work is to study the word, to show himself approved. “A workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth,” 2 Tim. 2:15. And that he may also … Read more

When the Gospel takes Root

The following is an excerpt from my book, From Death to Life: How Salvation Works (you can order this at our shop here at ThingsAbove): Affections, Actions, and Attitudes Here’s a helpful alliteration to assist in discerning whether or not the gospel has actually taken root in a person’s heart: affections, actions, and attitudes. Essentially, all … Read more

The Love of Christmas

We covered Ephesians 3:18-19 recently at Perryville Second Baptist Church. Strange interpretations have been given on these words “the breadth and length and height and depth…” Some very old writers said it refers to the cross as the cross has four directions and Paul gives four directions here. And truly, the cross is a display … Read more

4 Key Truths about Monergism and Evangelism

The following is comes from a manuscript I’m working on entitled, A Change of Heart: Understanding Regeneration and Why it Matters.  Regeneration and Evangelism There is a certain faulty line of reasoning that says if God is completely sovereign in salvation, choosing whom He will and regenerating whom He will, then evangelism is unnecessary. This is … Read more

What Can Rural Church Pastors do in the SBC?

Recently, during a public conversation with SBC 1st VP, Dr. Lee Brand, I had the opportunity to share what I think pastors in rural churches can do in the current tumult of the Southern Baptist Convention. I thought I would share these thoughts in writing as an encouragement to pastors in situations similar to my … Read more

An Open Letter to Unbelieving Parents

Dear Unbelieving Mom, Dad, or Grandparent, Perhaps you are a flat-out denier of the truth of Christianity. Or, perhaps, you would not refer to yourself as an “unbeliever” at all since you do profess to be a Christian. But, for all intents and purposes, you are what is referred to as a “nominal” Christian. In … Read more