Alan

Welcome to OnLineBaptist! I think as you read more of the studies here on OnLineBaptist, and the discussions on the various subjects, you will, hopefully, discover that most of the folks here know what they believe, why they believe it,and are doctrinaly correct in their beliefs. Also, most of the folks here on OnLineBaptist practice what they preach. Looking forward to your participation in the studies. My wife just dropped in to say Hello! Alan and the Mrs.

Online Baptist turned 17 this year!

Agreed.

Hmmm? $25.5 million dollars. Wow!!! Well Matt, as I don't think somebody will ever send me $25 billion dollars, I think I will send a request. In my request I think the person will need to send me $25.00 in order for me to pay for the International Money Transfer. So, as soon as I receive the $25.00 I will reply and wait for the full details. I'm waiting.

Welcome to our fellowship! I am looking forward to your fellowship and discussions.

Welcome to OnLineBaptist! Our heart goes out for those brave men and women in law enforcement. One of my finest friends is a Police Chaplain. Looking forward to some fine fellowship and discussions with you in the days ahead.

Linux Mint, and the different "flavors," all have their different advantages. I have two computers and one of them crashed and the repairman at the shop put Ubuntu 18.04 on it to get it going. Ubuntu is a basic Linux OS without many add-on's. So, in order to keep the two computers very compatible I decided to have Ubuntu on both of them.

I uploaded a "Ubuntu 18.04. LTS Bionic Beaver" OS onto my desktop to replace my Linux Mint 19.1 OS. So far so good. Anybody else out there use Ubuntu?

Welcome to OnLineBaptist! Looking forward to some fine fellowship and discussions with you.

At our church we normally do an in-depth, verse-by-verse, study of a book of the Bible in our adult Sunday school class. Detailed notes of every Sunday school lesson are passed out every Sunday morning. After folks ask questions, on occasion, I add to the notes, and pass out a revised lesson the next week. Since the inception of the church all of the lessons, and all of the church bulletins, are placed in a church notebook for every particular study in the church library. Our church library is located in the vestibule of our church and freely used by all. Since December 2018 we have been doing an in-depth study of 1 & 2 Thessalonians at our Sunday school class. Our pastor in training, Brother Gwoh, selects his own messages for the preaching services. Almost all of his messages are expository messages. One of the aspects of the ministry that he has learned well is that the pulpit is for the proclamation of the whole counsel of the word of God and the backbone of the church. His job is to preach with zeal, faithfulness to the scriptures, and with the desired result of seeing folks saved and then taught the word of God in order to live a Godly life. As per my example, due to most folks not having a Bible, or not familiar with the books of the Bible, a list of the passages that brother Gwoh quotes is printed on one of the pages of the church bulletin and the main passage has the page number in the Bible so a person can turn to. This way there is not time consumed in searching for passages and visitors are not embarrassed in trying to find a passage.

Brethren, I decided to gather together, in a more orderly manner, the lessons in this study on the prophecies of the Old Testament and the 1,000 Year Reign of Christ as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS and put them in PDF form. It will take some time. If there is any passage that I have discussed that you want to bring out an error that you feel that I have made, or if I should make something more clearer, or if there is a passage that you want discussed, or if there is a passage where you want me to give a reference (or a reason why I said something), this is a good time to bring it out. Alan

I would like to thank Rebecca for letting me know about the, "Gospel Hymns Instrumental,' website for his devotions song. I do hope that the instrumental hymns are a blessing to you. May the Lord bless all of you. Alan

I agree with David. Esdras is not inspired scripture and to include it among inspired scripture verses is somewhat deceptive. Also, for those who are not familiar with the canon of scripture, they may think that it is inspired by association.

I love the fellowship. I love the close relationship. I love the sincerity in worship. I enjoy going to church.

Tej, Good question. In my studies of the prophecies of the Old Testament and the New Testament, long ago, I came to the conclusion that the coming of the Lord Jesus for the saints in the church will occur before the 7-Year Tribulation starts in Revelation 6:1 Since this last December, at our church I have been teaching a verse-by-verse study of 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Below is a chart that I made for that study. The chart is a "work in progress." And, I have already told the congregation that there will be an individual chart made for the five subjects covered in the chart. So, I am sure that there will be some changes (hopefully not major), in the weeks ahead. I do hope that the above chart on 1 & 2 Thessalonians will help answer your question. If there is something not understood on the chart, or if anyone has a question, or you see a mistake, please ask or discuss. Alan Note on February 11, 2019. I have done a detailed study on, "The Day of the Lord," and the book of Isaiah, and the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecies in the book of Revelation, for my current study at our church. Due to the complexity of the, "Day of Christ," and "The Day of the Lord," I am in the process of revising the chart on 1 Thessalonians 5:2, "Day of the Lord," & 2 Thessalonians 2:2, "The Day of Christ" to make it more clearer and more precise. Once I am finished with the chart(s) I will attach the revised chart on this study and more appropriate passages from Isaiah. Alan

"So, after all that has been said we come to the inescapable conclusion that while salvation is free to me, there is a cost. There is great value placed on man’s soul and that price was so great that God had to pay for it himself. John. 3:16" Thank for the message on 'The Cost of a Soul." The message was a blessing to me

At the moment of death, the soul is separated from the body, whether lost or saved: see Genesis 35:16-20, Luke 16:19-21, Philippians 1:21, 2 Corinthians 5:8 and 2 Timothy 4:6 The soul in hell will consciously experience pain, suffering and torment for his sins. The soul in heaven will consciously experience pure love, joy, happiness and dwell with the Lord Jesus. Although the body of the Lord Jesus was dead after death, Ephesians 4:8-10 and Psalm 16:10, the soul of the Lord Jesus was conscious after death, so is the body of the righteous individual dead and buried but the soul is conscious. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15 we read, "... even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For is we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." God is not going to bring 'dead' bodies with Jesus when He comes in the skies, He is bringing the souls with him. Those souls are 'asleep' in Jesus in heaven waiting for the resurrection of the physical body in the grave. The body of the girl in Matthew 9:23-24, and the body of Lazarus in John 11, was dead but the soul was conscious.

Philippians 1:1, “The Local Church at Philippi.” Philippians 1:1, “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.” In Acts 16:6-12, after the vision of the Macedonian man while they were at Troas, Paul and his companions left Asia Minor and travelled west to Europe. The first recorded European city to hear the gospel was at Neapolis and the first recorded church to be established was on the banks of the river side at Philippi in the region of Macedonia. Obviously, the congregation outgrew the banks of the river and in the process of time a local congregation was established and bishops, or pastors, and deacons, were appointed. According to1Corinthians 4:17, all of the teaching concerning the “bishops and deacons” and the saints at the church at Philippi, are applicable to all of the churches. “For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach in every church.” 1Corinthians 4:17 Please take careful note that Paul plainly stated, “...in every church.” Every church that Paul started was local in scope and authority. No “universal or invisible” church is implied nor was a denominational hierarchy established. Also, in my study on the book of Titus, here on OnLineBaptist, we discussed the titles of bishop, elder, and pastor. Here is the link to that study: First, let us establish the biblical fact that in the entire process of the establishment of the church at Philippi, except for the pastors and deacons, not one time is a reference made to a church hierarchy. All of the church hierarchies, or denominations, in the religious realm are not scriptural. Secondly, The church at Philippi was a local congregation of saints with pastors and deacons. Except for fellowship, the church at Philippi was independent of all of the other churches. The church at Philippi was not “universal,” or, “invisible” in scope, authority, or in any other manner. The concept of “bishops” overseeing numerous churches in a given territory, is not scriptural and is strictly a means of controlling the local church. Thirdly, apart from the apostolic authority given verbally by the Lord Jesus, and then the written scriptures, the only authority over the congregation of saints was the pastor and deacons. In a direct reference to the physical leadership in the church at Thessalonica, Paul states, “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.” 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, Evangelist Oliver B. Greene stated, “God’s Word makes it plain that we are to have respect and high esteem for His undershepherds and overseers of the flock. It is extremely honorable to be a deacon appointed by the Holy Spirit – but just so privileged the position, just so grave the responsibility.”i Evangelist Oliver B. Greene was correct. The Approval of the Pastor and Deacon of a New Testament Church The apostle Paul further states in Philippians 1:10, “That you may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.” If a saint was to be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ, the pastor of the congregation must be approved according to the “excellent” qualifications found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 Also, in my study on Titus conducted here on OnLineBaptist, I had previously discussed all of the qualifications for the pastor of the church. The American Heritage Dictionary gives the meaning of “approve” as follows. “approve>v. -proved, -proving 1a. To consider right or good. b. To express approval. 2. To consent to formally; authorize.” ii The Apostle Paul, as an example to every church, “approved” and “authorized” Timothy to act in his behalf: 1 Corinthians 4:17 and 1 Thessalonians 3:2. Or, as 1 Timothy 1:3 and 5:22, indicates, the pastor of the church at Ephesus. Also, although not inspired, the note at the end of 2 Timothy states as an historical fact, “The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.” Not one time, in any fashion, do we have an example of a minister “approved” or “authorized” to pastor a church by a denomination, or any religious hierarchical organization, in the New Testament. Historically speaking, independent fundamental Baptists adhere to the biblical of approving the minister according sound biblical doctrine, moral integrity, and to every one of the qualifications as written in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 and not according to the dictates of a denomination. 2 Corinthians 10:18, “For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.” i Greene, Oliver B., Philippians, (The Gospel Hour, Inc.: Greenville, SC), 1965. Page 10. ii “Approve.” The American Heritage Language Dictionary, (New York, NY.: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt). 2012.

A weed.

Out of politeness, and to keep everything aboveboard, I would want a person in your position to ask me first if they could date my daughter. If the father knows you, I would invite him over to your house after services and discuss your thoughts. Salyan used the word ' discretely.' I think that if you handled yourself 'discretely,' and sought out the fathers thoughts first, than it may go smoother later.

Jim brought up a valid point that I am compelled to add thereunto. 1. Some boards require the missionary to set apart, usually every month, funds for retirement. These funds are usually either kept by the board or in an account set up by the board. Depending on the board, if the missionary leaves the board before his retirement the funds are forfeited. 2. Some boards require the missionaries to set up other funds: housing, furlough, emergency funds, etc. Depending on the rules of the board, the board, or its representative, has the final say so if the missionary receives these funds when the missionary requests these funds. 3. If the missionary purchases a house on the foreign field, some boards require the missionary to have the house in the name of board, or its legal representative on the field. For your information. Most boards have a "Field Representative," or some other setup, in order to have personal contact with the missionary. The "Field Representative" is in effect a controlling factor over the missionary. For Taiwan, most boards have a "legal" representative that holds title to the house and not the missionary. Depending on the board, if the missionary leaves the board than the house is not his. In other words, he loses the house. 4. Insurance. Most boards require the missionary to have Health insurance through the board or a Insurance Company recommended by the board. If the missionary leaves the board than there is a strong possibility that the Health Insurance is forfeited and the missionary may be required to pay for medical expenses out of his own pocket. 5. Most boards have the final say so in any situation not covered by the rules. Conclusion. Just about every board has its own rules. The missionary normally learns of these rules at Candidate School. If the board changes in doctrine, integrity, or in organization, than the missionary either changes with the board or he is asked to leave and forfeit his benefits accumulated during his tenure with the board. Alan

Under the "FAQ" the CMC states: 3. WHAT IS CMC'S PHILOSOPHY OF MISSIONS? Basic to the philosophy of CMC is the concern that a missionary be sent to the field without control by outside organizations of people, other than his home church, his supporting churches and the Holy Spirit. In practice, this means we do not dictate to the missionary how he spends his money, how much money he can receive, or how or where he works. Agreement between CMC policies and the missionary requires certain divisions of income, such as personal support, ministry support and ministry expenses, which are for the missionary's protection. Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men." (2 Cor. 8:21) The missionary's financial arrangements are confidential to us and any information must be given by the missionary, not by our office. 4. WHAT ARE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS FOR MISSIONARIES? There are no qualifications such as age limit, health, education, etc. The procedure for using CMC’s services is as follows: A missionary is sponsored by the church where he is a member. He is recommended by his own pastor and commissioned by his home church. In addition, he must have the recommendation of two other fundamental Baptist pastors. These three pastors (that he has chosen) become his “Mission Board.” Each missionary candidate is screened and qualified based upon the recommendation of his sending and sponsoring churches. The integrity and character of every missionary is of vital importance to CMC. 5. WHAT ARE THE PRIMARY FUNCTIONS OF CMC? CMC exists to serve the churches and missionaries by processing funds for missionary endeavor. We receive gifts from the donors, issue tax-deductible receipts, accumulate the funds in each missionary’s account, prepare complete reports for the missionaries and in every way we know, provide information for the missionary that will be helpful in his relationship with the churches. Our ministry includes getting the funds to the missionary by the last business day of the month, using whatever method agreed upon with the missionary. On the missionary’s instructions, we maintain savings accounts, building funds, furlough funds, emergency funds, etc.; we make bill payments, insurance premium payments and keep up hospitalization and retirement programs, as well as making quarterly tax payments. We also provide legal documentation that is necessary on the field in which they serve, as well as verifying the financial information needed by the missionary and validating their income as required in their personal and professional endeavors. A personal Note. Please notice the highlighted red ink portion of their statement. There are some countries that require a "legal" missionary board. The CMC supplies that need. FYI. Our support as missionaries is through our home Church and the CMC. Alan

The Central Missionary Clearinghouse is a ministry from a local church, the Central Baptist Church, Houston, TX, Pastor Larry Maddox, and operates as a "mission handling agency" and not a "board." https://www.cmcmissions.org/ The CMC has no "Candidate School," and no control over the missionary family.The CMC helps with the "funds handling only." The is no "board" at the CMC. Apart from the local church supporting a missionary directly from their local church as Jim Alaska wrote, the only other method I would even suggest is the Central Missionary Clearinghouse.

Due to the subject matter of the local New Testament Church, I have included, or merged, the previous thread on the local church called, "The Beginning of the New Testament Church," in order not to repeat the important passages concerning the foundation of the local church in this thread that we had previously studied. Below is the link to the "The Beginning of the New Testament Church" to refresh our memory and to give the newcomers to this study an opportunity to study the foundation of the local church. All of the passages mentioned in, "The Beginning of the New Testament Church," will be considered an integral part of this study. Alan