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brosmith

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Posts posted by brosmith

  1. Because homeschooled kids are more "sheltered" than public school kids, how do you make sure that they'll adjust to the real world and keep their values?


    Just what is "the real world"? Are you implying that home school families live in a fantasy world?

    And just what is wrong with sheltering our children from a world of unbridled sin and debauchery?

    Godly parents do not want their children to be adjusted to the so-called "real world".
  2. Essential to what? When it comes to OBeying the word of God there is absolutely nothing that can be labeled as a non-essential. Example:

    Ephesians 5:11, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."

    2 Thessalonians 3:14, "And if any man OBey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed."

    There are many that are having fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness (such as those that support contemporary Christian music - which is only one example). In order for me to be OBedient to the word of God I must separate myself from these disOBedient brethren and have no company with them.

    Biblical unity is based upon OBedience to the truth of the word of God.

    1 John 1:7, "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."


    I would like to point out that very few of us are willing to listen to a preacher who gets too specific. We are generally comfortable with general statements. The rule of thumb in our generation is that a preacher should not give specific examples, illustrations, or applications in regard to the teachings of the scriptures.

    As far as I am concerned, a belief in the statement “in essentials unity; in non-essentials liberty; in all things charity” is the equivalent of being a new-evangelical compromiser who reinterprets scripture to make himself feel good about his disOBedient and rebellious lifestyle.


  3. I really do not understand why some believe it is wrong to worship using one style of music over another. Worship comes from the heart. Worship in Scripture is very diverse. King David danced in the streets in a manner that people thought he was drunk when he was praising God. The Psalms are full of worship through voices, cymbals, drums, horns, and all sorts of instruments. On the day of Pentecost, people thought those who came to Christ were drunk due to the manner in which they were acting. In the Jewish temple, worship was very serious and reverent. In the early church in Acts, worship in church was probably quaint due to meeting in homes.

    Worship comes from the heart and is influenced by culture. In church history, worship has evolved. In the Resnaissance, high church music was the primary mode, and orchestras and choirs were used extensively. Later, a plethora of hymn writers came about and wrote wonderful lyrics and tunes, many of which are still in use today (I will note that some were appauled at the hymns because they were "worldly" when written, many written to bar tunes, etc.). In the late 20th century, more worship tunes were penned, and more new songs continue to be penned today. As in all eras, there are some good and some not so good.

    The style does not matter. What matters is that worship comes from the heart of the people in the church. No, a church shoudl not change its style to attract more people, but worship style will evolve as culture changes because worship is an expression of gratitude and praise from the heart. Worship will look very different in Kenya than it does here. Tribes in Africa will likely use much of the musical styles of their culture, because that is an expression of themselves in reaction to what God has done in their lives. Worship style in the 1950's will be different than today because the culture has changed. I am not saying culture should dictate worship style. What I am saying is that worship, being a person's response to Christ, will be influenced by the culture in which they live. It is inevitable.

    All I am saying is that if a church is composed of peopel where true, authentic worship is traditional and in the style of solely old hymns sung with only a piano, that is great! However, in other cultures, that musical style may not best enable people to worship God with no inhabition. In other churches, true, authentic worship may include a full choir, with an organ added. that is great and beautiful in the sight of God! In others, it may include a full orchestra.. That is great, and beautiful in the sight of God! In Africa, it may include many tribal drums and other native instruments. That is good, and beautiful in the sight of God! In other churches, it may include a drum set, guitar, bass guitar, piano and mandolin. That is good and great in the sight of God! In others, it may iclulde a bluegrass/gospel style music. That is good and great int eh sight of God! In others, it may include drums, saxiphones, trumpets, and a bass guitar. That is good and great in the sight of God! Worship is not conforming to a cookie cutter style. Worship is where our hearts are poured out before the almighty throne of God. It is using our talents corporately in lifting up the name of Christ. God has created a diverse world. Culture in the US will differ from Africa, from China, from Japan, from Europe, from South America. Worship is born out of the hearts of people. It may include high church and much reverence. It may include dancing and lifting up our hands to the Lord. It may include many things. Scriputre does not dictate worship style. THere is nothing to be sad about.

    I have been parts of churches with all of the worship styles above listed (except for Kenya)...I have been in churches where gospel/bluegrass was used as the mode, where hymns were sung accapelal, where a piano and organ were used, where a full orchestra was used, where a jazz type band was used, and my current curch uses a modern style band. You know what? It is all good! It is all beautiful, provided it is born out of the hearts of people. The only church where worship was used improperly was when a traditional church (hymns piano and organ) tried to impose a new worship style (a worship band) to attract more people. That was not worship born out of the heart of the church, and it caused great harm in the church. However, where worship is true and authentic, God will be pleased.


    Your post is a perfect illustration of a statement that I make in my book The Day the Music Died (page 36):

    "If we allow music to be the focal point of our church services then we are well on our way to adopting the philosophy of the contemporary Christian music movement. Their philosophy equates worship with music and only music. This is why a so-called “worship leader” is nothing more than a glorified song leader that has a rock and roll band as a backup."
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  5. Is there biblical grounds for denying believers partaking in the Lord's Supper if they aren't members of a particular local church?


    1 Corinthians 11:18,19 - "For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you."

    In these verses we find that divisions cause heresies (false doctrine). The Lord's supper is supposed to bring the church together as a unified body. But instead we find divisions and heresies.

    The heresy that has taken over the protestant churches (and even a lot of Baptist churches) is the practice of open communion (which allows anyone to partake). I have never accepted that position but for many years I believed (and I am sure many of you do too) in close communion (which allowed members from churches of like faith and order to partake).

    In the past few years I came to realize that closed communion (restricting communion to the members of a particular church) is the Biblical way. Why? It all has to do with church discipline. A non-member (even if he or she is of like faith and order) is not under the authority of that local church and therefore the church does not have the right to offer them communion. After all, the Lord's supper is a local church ordinance.

    Sincerely,
    Bro Steve Smith
  6. I would like to add a few comments from a pastor's perspective:

    #1 - The entire great commission is both an individual and church responsibility.

    As an individual we have the God-given responsibility to give out the gospel and to disciple those who get saved. Baptism is the very first step of OBedience for a child of God and because of this no discipleship can happen until the newly saved believer is baptized. The local church is Biblically responsible for the oversight of the great commission and is the only institution that has Christ's authority to baptize people. In the case of Philip, he was a deacon in the church at Jerusalem sent out to proclaim the gospel (in other words, he was a preacher). He baptized under the authority of that church.

    #2 - A local church (under the pastor's direction) can authorize anyone to do the baptizing. By Biblical example this individual should be a God-called preacher.

    #3 - If someone is baptize outside of the authority of a local church then that particular local church has every right not to recognize the baptism as being scriptural.

    #4 - In our Baptist churches, baptism is generally linked to church membership. This means that if the baptism is not considered to be scriptural then the person will not be permitted to be a member of that church.

    #5 - Since most Baptist churches restrict communion to those who are members of their particular Baptist church then it is OBvious why the girl is not allowed to partake of communion since she is more than likely not considered to be a member.

    Sincerely,
    Bro Steve Smith

  7. I think you are asking the wrong question. It would be better to ask, "What secular movies/TV/music should a Christian be watching/listening to." The moral content of anything should be judged by the word of God but remember, if the world produced it then it will always be morally flawed. As we walk closer to God the things of this world should grow strangely dim (turn your eyes upon Jesus). If the things of this world become too important to us then spiritual things are set aside for a fleeting moment of pleasure.

  8. Government must legislate morality or you will have a breakdown of society. Read Romans 13. God's purpose for government is to punish evil doers and reward those that do right. A good moral code is the foundation of every good government. Societies will crumble and have crumbled when sin is allowed to have free course.

    Parents must also legislate morality within the family otherwise you will have a household of vile, wicked people. Read Proverbs. Solomon was giving his son a moral code to live by. Every godly family has set up a moral code that is based upon the word of God. Violating that moral code requires punishment (that is why we spank our children). Abiding by the moral code causes the household to have peace and harmony. The reason why we have so many divorces is because most people think that they can just do their own thing without any consequences.

    Those that say that you can't legislate morality are spiritually blind (and fools as far as I am concerned). There are activities that will never be permitted to occur in our household! There are things that we will never have in our household! There are things that our children will never be allowed to do! That my friend is legislating morality and it is the only way to be a godly parent. Don't swallow the lies of the devil, it will only cause you heartache and sorrow.

  9. Dear Friends,

    My book "The Day the Music Died" is now available in printed form (it's about time). This is an 8 1/2" by 11" comb bound manuscript that has a total of 64 pages (for now I am doing the printing and binding myself). I am asking $10 per copy (postage paid) however I can only send them to United States addresses (no international orders). I will accept payment by PayPal, money order, or check. No minimum required (order as many or as few as you like, just be patient with me in the processing your order). Please email if interested.

    Sincerely,
    Bro Steve Smith
    brosmith@pioneerbaptist.org

  10. Here is my opinion:

    I think David Cloud is taking a step in the wrong direction. I do not believe that King James English is holy other than that the King James Bible is holy and that makes each word holy. We do not need to change God's holy word. Most of these spelling changes were introduced 35 years ago when The Open Bible was first published. Some of the so-called spelling changes that have been creeping into certain printings of the King James Bible are not really spelling changes at all. They are word changes. Why try to fix something that ain't broke?

    Sincerely,
    Bro Steve Smith

  11. I am selling the complete set of Bible in Living Sound dramatized Bible stories for $250.00 (postage paid). We bought these about a year and a half ago but only listen to the first few CDs. There are 75 CDs altogether in 8 vinyl albums. They are in like new condition. I will accept PayPal or money order. Please email me if interested.

    Bro Steve Smith
    brosmith@pioneerbaptist.org

  12. The bottom line is I wonder what God thinks about listening to music.


    Colossians 3:16, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

    We sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs so that others will be edified. Those that are being edified are listening to the psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs that we sing. This is glorifying to God.
  13. We had a missionary come to our church Sunday night and, while he was giving his testimony, he said that he got saved at the age of 3. I myself find this hard to believe and consider it to be an insult to my intelligence. We have 10 children and none of them were ready to be saved at 3, 4, or 5 years of age. My wife said that I should have asked him if he was still in diapers or was he potty trained when he got saved.

  14. You think this is godly song, but don't like it because an ungodly man wrote (and claim it couldn't couldn't be from a ungodly man)and an ungodly man sang it. I feel as long as the song line up with the bible, there is nothing ungodly about it and it doesn't matter who wrote it.


    Let me clarify something. I do not believe that this is a godly song. I believe that this song is an attempt by an ungodly man to sound as if he was godly. I consider this song to be a mockery of true Christianity.

  15. I don't know that song, so I googled for the lyrics - and.. well.. okay, can I ask what's wrong with it?

    I SAW THE LIGHT

    I wandered so aimless , life filled with sin.
    I wouldn't let my dear Saviour in.
    Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night .
    Praise The Lord , I saw the Light .

    CHORUS
    I saw the Light , I saw the Light ,
    No more darkness , No more night .
    Now I'm so happy , no sorrow in sight .
    Praise the Lord, I saw the Light .

    Just like the blind man, I wandered along ,
    Worries and fears , I claimed for my own.
    Then like the blind man, that God , gave back his sight .
    Praise the Lord, I saw the Light .

    CHORUS

    I was a fool to wander and stray,
    For straight is the gate and narrow the way.
    Now I have traded , the wrong for the right .
    Praise the Lord , I saw the Light .
    CHORUS


    Looks like a song about someone who discovered their need for Jesus?

    I'm just beginning to learn about some of the 'stuff' when it comes to music -- as I stated in my intro, I'm fairly new to the IFB church and have discovered that the 'christian music' that we've listened to for a few years in our home might not be as 'christian' as I thought it was -- and I can recognize some 'CCM' songs as not being what they appear to be, but this one has me puzzled... it's not "christian rock" or whatever...

    *curious*



    Hank Williams Sr. was a drunken country singer that sang about women and booze (in my original post I was referring to Hank Williams Sr.). He was also into drugs. There is no indication that he ever was saved and he died at the age of 29 as a result of his sinful lifestyle. He is credited with being the writer of "I saw the light". I do not believe a godly song can come from an ungodly man.

    When the Coopers were in our church they introduced this song as being written by Hank Williams Sr. and it was acknowledged that he was a very sinful man who died in his sins. It turned my stomach and made me sick when they started singing this song.
  16. We have had them in our church. One of the songs they sang was "I saw the light" by Hank Williams. I walked out of the service and I am not interested in hearing them again.

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  18. While it is true that the ultimate battleground over music is in the home, there are other battlegrounds as well. The choices listed are the most influential in our churches (other than the pastor - if the pastor accepts CCM then the battle is lost). I believe that if a church is not diligent in the area of music then CCM will utimately be accepted as the norm.

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