March Newsletter

The more we pray, the more we sense our need to pray. And the more we sense our need to pray, the more we want to pray.- Jim Cymbala

STORY:

The mission of the Baptist Medical Center is to meet the medical needs of all people with the intent that Christ be glorified, people evangelized and the local church strengthened.

One of the ways the BMC fulfills their mission is through the use of volunteers. Volunteers come and serve from all over the world. Typically, volunteers are in the medical profession and serve on a one month rotation. Volunteers help to ensure the hospital sees 120,000 patients a year. They work long, hard hours serving the people of Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Togo. Roughly one half of the volunteers who serve are not Christian and their service opens their eyes to Christianity.

Volunteers also come who are not in the medical profession and serve in a variety of different ways. They do construction, maintenance, VBS, and work alongside the missionaries who serve full time.

Volunteers don’t just work the entire time but also have fun. We host game nights, movie nights, a trip to the escarpment (picture the opening scene to the Lion King), and other cultural experiences.

We enjoy serving alongside people from all over the world. The work volunteers do strengthens our ministry, and meets the medical needs of all people.

Would you prayerfully consider coming out and serving?

PICTURE:

The primary way volunteers serve is at the hospital. Volunteers typically serve for a one month rotation and work tirelessly the entire time they are here.*

Volunteers in Pediatrics working with a resident doctor*

Volunteers teaching children how to play kick ball.

Every Thursday night I have the privilege of  leading a small devotional for the volunteers on the compound. We are currently going through the Book of Philippians.

Volunteers help at church to draw a crowd. We were able to share the Gospel with Muslims and Traditionalists who would not normally come to church but who came because of the larger number of white people.

Volunteers praying over the church and patients.

When we have a large number of volunteers we are able to play volleyball. Here is Julia dominating a serve.

Local children fascinated by the white baby.

Whose in the stroller?

Piper turned 2 months. It may not be a big deal for her but her parents are excited.

Melt your heart

Happy Valentines Day!

Don't mind me, just hanging out relaxing and playing with my dad.

We call this one, "the trendy" look

Volunteers speaking to a group of junior high students.

One of the trucks which picks volunteers up from the city and transports them 3 hours over to the BMC.

Bawa and Ben. These 2 work tirelessly seven days a week to provide all of the meals for the volunteers.

Mercy is one of the cleaners on campus and ensures that all volunteers stay in a nice clean house.

Chiny is one of the guards on campus and is loved by volunteers. He has a youtube video and a hit song.

One of the houses where volunteers stay while they serve in Nalerigu.

DEVOTIONS:
Doctrinal Statement (I welcome your input)
RIP Dorito

PRAYER REQUESTS:
1) Please be in prayer for the Baptist Medical Center. Pray doctors, nurses, chaplains and volunteers continue to heal and preach for the next 100 years. Pray for the volunteers who come and serve at the hospital. They work long, hard hours with little rest. Pray God sustains them during their time here and provides energy for the long clinic days. Pray that those volunteers who come who are Christians would be sanctified and those who are not would see the love of Christ through our actions and hear about Him in our speech.

2) Raising a newborn in rural Africa is tough. There are a million and one things to be anxious about. Pray we would have wisdom and discernment while raising Piper. Pray she does not get malaria, rotovirus, worms, tuberculosis, and other diseases which are prevalent in Africa. Pray she remains happy and healthy. Pray for us that we would not worry about anything but in everything through prayer and supplication we would make known our requests to God.

3) Pray for us as we have 5 months left in Nalerigu. Pray we run hard and remain focused on the mission. Pray we are bold in evangelism and take every opportunity to preach the Gospel. Pray for wisdom in regards to returning to the States. We are praying and discussing whether to enter full time ministry or return to school and pursue my PhD. Pray for wisdom in that area. Pray I am able to find a job before we return to the States in July.

4) I will return to the Witches Village this month to continue sharing Old Testament Bible Stories. Pray the women know and understand God's love for them. Pray I am able to point to Christ in the stories. Pray God draws them to Himself.

5) There are numerous people this month who needs prayer. Pray for "F" a 14 year old paralyized boy who is in the hospital with bed sores. He does not want to do his exercises and lays around all day. Pray he is encouraged and motivated to do his exercises. Pray for "I" a Muslim man who is listening to the Bible and asking questions about Christianity. Pray for "M" an old lady at the witches village who had to flee for her life. Pray she comes to know God loves and accepts her through Christ. Pray for "A" a chief who has received an audio copy of God's word. Pray he listens and is saved.

We love you all and our thankful you are holding the rope for us. If you would like daily specific prayer requests please follow us on Twitter: tewelch OR Facebook: T Elliott Welch. Thank you.

Serving Him,


The 3 Welchs

*Picture taken by William Haun from the Baptist Medical Centre website.

Book Quotes: Anxious for Nothing

I have a confession to make; I am a worrier. I worry about everything. I even worry about whether or not I worry too much. I recently purchased Anxious for Nothing by John MacArthur. The book was $9.99 (kindle edition) but if it had been worth $99.99 it would have been worth every penny. I recommend this book to anyone who struggles with anxiety and worry. Actually to be honest, I recommend this book to everyone. I have posted several quotes below which were used by God to convict, exhort, and teach me. I hope these quotes encourage and help you as they did me.

• ·         Worry at any time is a sin because it violates the clear biblical command.
• ·         The Lord is issuing a cease-and-desist order against anxiety based upon the sovereign care of a loving and omnipotent God.
• ·         Worry is unnecessary because of our Father, it is uncharacteristic because of our faith, and it is unwise because of our future.
• ·         Just as God provides for the birds through their instinct, so God provides for people through their effort.
• ·         Every time you see a bird, let it serve as a reminder of God’s abundant provision. May it stop cold any worry you might have.
• ·         Christians who worry believe God can redeem them, break the shackles of Satan, take them from hell to heaven, put them into His kingdom, and give them eternal life; but they just don’t think He can get them through the next couple of days.
• ·         Providing for tomorrow is good, but worrying about tomorrow is a sin because God is the God of tomorrow just as He is the God of today.
• ·         If you have any question about the future, look at the past. Did He sustain you then? He will sustain you in the future.
• ·         Remember what Jesus told you to observe: abundant evidence all around you of God’s lavish care for the needs of His beloved.
• ·         The real challenge of Christian living is not to eliminate every uncomfortable circumstance from our lives, but to trust our sovereign, wise, good, and powerful God in the midst of every situation.
• ·         The believer who doesn’t live in the confidence of God’s sovereignty will lack God’s peace and be left to the chaos of a troubled heart.
• ·         God’s Word cultivates the godly attitudes, thoughts, and actions that will keep trials and temptations from overwhelming us.
• ·         Take all your anxiety- all the discontent, discouragement, despair, questioning, pain, and suffering that you’re going through-and toss it all onto God. Trade it in for trust in God, who really cares about you.

This is just a small sampling of the plethora of practical, wise advice which is taught by Dr. John MacArthur in Anxious for Nothing. If you have been ministered to by these quotes may I encourage you to purchase this book? It is worth every penny!

What happens to babies who die?

Thesis: The Bible provides hope that babies who die in the womb, infants and invalids know neither good nor evil, therefore, they are incapable of committing sins in the body and die safe and secure in the arms of Jesus Christ because of His death on the cross.

Everyday there is a knock on the Chaplain’s door, a nurse pokes her head in to tell us that another baby has died. The head chaplain shakes her head with sadness and gets up to deliver the bad news. I follow the head Chaplain into the nursery to inform a new mom that she will no longer be able to hold her precious baby. This scenario plays itself out several times throughout the week and has caused me to ask, “What happens to infants who die?” “What happens to babies who die in the womb?” “What happens to invalids who may be old, but have the mind of a five year old?” “Are they saved?”

Before I seek to answer these questions I must explain four points which I affirm which help to shape my answer:

AFFIRMATIONS:
     The Bible is my sole-source of authority on this and every issue. I cannot establish my answer to this question on the basis of emotions, rather, I must make sure I answer the question how the Bible does.

             Everyone who is born is born with a sin nature or a bent towards sin. Psalm 51:5, “I was guilty when I was born; I was sinful when my mother conceived me”; Romans 5:12, “Just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all men, because all sinned.” Adam was humanities representative in the Garden, when he sinned, we all sinned. Consequently, we have inherited a sin nature or a bent towards sin.

       Everyone needs a Savior. Jesus Christ is called the Second Adam in Romans 5:17, “since by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.” Christ’s death paid the penalty for the sins of His elect. Everyone who confesses with their mouth and believes in their heart will be saved. If anyone is in Heaven it is because of Christ’s death on the cross, NOT someone’s innocence or good deeds.

      When everyone dies they will go to one of two places: either Heaven or Hell. All those who have followed Christ will awake in Heaven to everlasting pleasure and all those who have rejected Christ will awake in Hell to everlasting, conscious pain.

ANSWER:

My thesis for this post is that individuals who die in the womb, infancy, and invalids  die safe and secure in the Father’s arms. This teaching is consistent with Romans 5:12,17; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Deuteronomy 1:35,39 and Romans 1:18-20. Each point builds upon the next so keep reading until the end.

The first text we will look at is Romans 5:12. “Just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all men, because all sinned.” Everyone is born with a sin nature or a bent towards sin. Adam’s sin makes it impossible for anyone to choose Christ without the inward working of the Holy Spirit. Christ’s work on the cross is the ONLY way to God. Romans 5:18, “So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is life-giving justification for everyone.” Christ’s death and resurrection justifies everyone who trust in Him. If infants, babies in the womb, and invalids are to be safe in the Father’s arm it’s only possible because of Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection. Christ’s sacrifice has removed the stain of original sin from all who die in infancy and because of Christ’s sacrifice they are able to stand and give an account to God.

2 Corinthians 5:10 states: “For we must all appear before the tribunal of Christ, so that each may be judged for what he has done in the body, whether good or worthless.” 2 Corinthians 5:10 teaches that individuals are NOT held responsible for Adam’s sin, rather; individuals are held responsible for “deeds committed in the body” or their “own deeds.” We are not held responsible for Adam’s sin, only our own. There is a sense in which an infant or invalid can stand before God and honestly say they haven’t done anything wrong. While they have a sin nature or a bent towards sin they have never acted on their nature nor done anything wrong. Individuals are born sinners, however, in God's foreknowledge He ordained Christ's death on the cross to remove original sin from ONLY those infants, babies and invalids who would die before the "age of accountability". Once again, children standing before God is ONLY made possible because of Christ’s work on the cross to remove the stain of original sin.

Deuteronomy 1:35; 39: “None of these men in this evil generation will see the good land I swore to give your fathers.” “Your little children, whom you said would be plunder, your sons who don’t know good from evil will enter there. I will give them the land, and they will take possession of it.” After the children of Israel rebelled against God they were made to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. They would wander until the old generation died and a new generation came of God. The reason for this is found in verse 39. God exempted and didn't hold responsible those who had no knowledge of their sin because of their age. These individuals were SAFE from God’s wrath because they couldn't/didn't know good from evil.

Finally, Romans 1:18-20: “For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse.” Individuals will be held accountable based on the revelation he/she has received. Everyone sees creation and creation should lead to worship but it doesn't  individuals suppress the truth and do not worship God. Infants and invalids, however; cannot notice creation and worship God. They do not have the mental capacity, ability, or knowledge to be held accountable, therefore; they are safe.

These passages help to answer the question, “What happens to infants, babies in the womb and invalids who die?” These passages provide hope that babies who die in the womb, infants, and invalids know neither good nor evil, therefore; they are incapable of committing sins in the body and die safe and secure in the arms of Christ because of His sacrifice on the cross.  Our Lord graciously and freely receives all those who die in infancy-not on the basis of innocence or worth-but by His grace made available to them on the cross.

Have you lost a child? Have you felt the pain of losing a baby in the womb or delivering a stillborn? If so, take heart that your child is safe and secure in the arms of Christ. When your child closed his/her eyes on this Earth, when they opened them they were looking into the face of Christ. For some, Christ's face was the first face they ever beheld and it was glorious. Beloved, take heart, your child is in Heaven. If you desire to see him/her again please trust in Christ. Run to Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Admit that you are a sinner. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Confess your sins and you will be saved and reunited with your child in Heaven.

In conclusion, the Bible provides hope that babies who die in the womb, infants and invalids know neither good nor evil, therefore, they are incapable of committing sins in the body and die safe and secure in the arms of Jesus Christ because of His death on the cross.

*Outline taken from “The Salvation of the Little Ones” by Dr. Al Mohler and Dr. Danny Akin

The Heart of a Man: Principles from Nehemiah:

I have recently completed the Book of Nehemiah in my morning devotions. I have heard a lot of sermons on Nehemiah dealing with characteristics of a Godly leader, however, I believe there is also a lot to be learning from Nehemiah about being a man of God. I have outlined ten principles for manhood which I am learning from the Book of Nehemiah.

10) Sensitive Heart: 1:4; Nehemiah’s heart was sensitive to the needs of his people. When he heard about the news from Jerusalem his heart broke for his people and he wept. Men need to learn how to express our emotions without being dominated by them. When we hear about the horrors/effects of sin it should break our heart; causing us to weep for those around us.

9) Prayerful Heart: 1:4; Nehemiah’s first instinct was to pray. He took his requests to God. He recognized that in his weakness he could not fix the problem, therefore, he called out to God for help. We must be men of prayer.

8) Workers Heart: 1:11; Nehemiah worked hard as the king’s cupbearer. Nehemiah’s job was to take the first sip from the king’s cup to determine whether or not someone had poisoned the king’s drink. He worked hard at his job and because of his hard work he had favor with his employer. Men are like trucks we are meant to carry a load. God has made us to work, therefore, as men we must work hard from sunup to sundown to provide for our families.

7) Visionary Heart: 2:17-18; Nehemiah was an encourager and a visionary. Nehemiah saw the wall, saw what needed to be done and he went to work empowering others to accomplish the task. Men must be visionaries for our families. We must have a vision for the future. We must make decisions and lead our families well. The buck stops with us!

6) Delegating Heart: 3; Nehemiah delegated responsibility to others. He allowed others to utilize their strengths. As men leading our families there are times when we need to swallow our pride and ask for help. I am not the best at saving money, however, my wife is. I am always delegating financial matters to her expertise. We must allow others to exercise their strengths and humble ourselves enough to ask for help.

5) Strong Heart: 4:1-14; When people opposed the building of the wall Nehemiah stood up to opposition. Men need to stand up to opposition and fight for the family. Men too often remain silent on issues which matter. We will get passion when talking about our favorite team but when it comes to serious issues we remain silent. Men need to stand up for the family. Men must speak out against gay rights, pro-choice and other liberal agendas which are eroding the family.

4) Focused Heart: 6:1-9; Nehemiah remained focused on the task. There were a lot of issues which could have distracted him, however, he kept his eye on the goal. Men must form a plan and work their plan. It is easy to become distracted with climbing the ladder, blogging, and sports, however, we must remain focused on the ultimate goal of being a Godly family man.

3) Worshipful Heart: 8; Nehemiah read the law and led the Israelites in worship. Men are called to be “Pastor Dads” shepherding and leading our families. As men we must lead our family in devotionals, catechisms, praying over meals and before bed. Men set the spiritual tone for their family.

2) Celebratory Heart: 12; After completing the wall, Nehemiah had a time of celebration and remembering. He had a thanksgiving procession and celebration to mark the completion of the wall. Men must celebrate important mile-stones with our families. We must celebrate times when our children walks, talk, enter kindergarten, anniversaries, Christmas and other holidays. We must be men who know how to work hard and celebrate harder.

1) Bold Heart: 13; Nehemiah spoke out against sin. Men must speak out against sin in our families, neighborhoods, city, state, Nation, and world. We must repent of our own sins and be a voice calling our children, family, state, and Nation back to God.

Being a man is hard work, but, God has not left us alone. God will empower and equip you to be a man of God. All you have to do is commit your way to Him, acknowledge your sins, surrender your right to lead and He will help you implement these principles. May we with God’s grace be men who are lionhearted and lamblike in our servant leadership of our families.

RIP Dorito

Dorito, our cat, not the chip has died. When we first got Dorito a little over a year ago we choose a cat and not a dog because we thought a cat would be easier to leave behind and we would not get attached. Surprise, surprise that was not the case!

As I sit here typing this blog I’m starring at her empty food dish and with tears in my eyes I am remembering all of the great memories we shared. I remember asking a child one morning where we could buy a kitten, and he came back in the afternoon, took me by the hand and led me to a compound where I could purchase a kitten. I bought Dorito for Julia’s birthday, but, she quickly became my pet. 

I remember locking Dorito in the back bathroom for her first night at our house and walking back there in the morning to find her fast asleep in the bathtub. I woke her up and she followed me to the kitchen passing back and forth through my legs as I walked. I fed her tuna for her first meal and remember thinking that we were going to learn how to live in Africa together. Boy, did we learn a lot. 

Dorito ate better than any other cat in Nalerigu. She hunted mice and lizards at night but during the day we would always give her beef from our tacos, tuna, and even at times she would lick ice cream out of my bowl after I was finished. We had tuna last Saturday and as I was opening the can I kept expecting her to come running and meowing into the kitchen, but, she never came. 

I remember telling Julia that Dorito would NOT sleep in our bed, only, to change my mind three days later and every night while she was a kitten she would sleep at the top of my pillow. She would always wake up around 4:45 and stare at me until the alarm went off at 5:00. She was defiantly a morning cat.

 I remember her bringing home lizards, frogs, and squirrels as if I would help her eat them. I remember how nervous I was the first time she went out all night, but she was waiting at the door in the morning to be let in. I remember running around the house with a shoe lace, watching her chase after and pounce on it. I remember her climbing on the roof of our house and having to get a letter and climb on the roof to puller her down.

I have a lot of good memories with Dorito and I’m very thankful we got a cat instead of a dog. Dorito proved that cats are better than dogs. She was easy to love, take care of and she wasn't always longing for attention. I’m amazed how in just a short time an animal could become a member of the family. We will always remember our first pet and we are excited to return to America and purchase a new cat. This time he will be a spaded, declawed, indoor, fat cat!

What I Believe About Marriage:

God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption.

Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is God's unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race.

The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God's image. The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. She, being in the image of God as is her husband and thus equal to him, has the God-given responsibility to respect her husband and to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation.

Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God's pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline, to make choices based on biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents.

Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Joshua 24:15; 1 Samuel 1:26-28; Psalms 51:5; 78:1-8; 127; 128; 139:13-16; Proverbs 1:8; 5:15-20; 6:20-22; 12:4; 13:24; 14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6,15; 23:13-14; 24:3; 29:15,17; 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 9:9; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Timothy 5:8,14; 2 Timothy 1:3-5; Titus 2:3-5; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7.

*Baptist Faith and Message 2000

What I Believe About Marriage:

God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption.

Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is God's unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race.

The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God's image. The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. She, being in the image of God as is her husband and thus equal to him, has the God-given responsibility to respect her husband and to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation.

Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God's pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline, to make choices based on biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents.

Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Joshua 24:15; 1 Samuel 1:26-28; Psalms 51:5; 78:1-8; 127; 128; 139:13-16; Proverbs 1:8; 5:15-20; 6:20-22; 12:4; 13:24; 14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6,15; 23:13-14; 24:3; 29:15,17; 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 9:9; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Timothy 5:8,14; 2 Timothy 1:3-5; Titus 2:3-5; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7.

*Baptist Faith and Message 2000

What I Believe About Marriage:

God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption.

Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is God's unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race.

The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God's image. The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. She, being in the image of God as is her husband and thus equal to him, has the God-given responsibility to respect her husband and to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation.

Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God's pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline, to make choices based on biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents.

Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Joshua 24:15; 1 Samuel 1:26-28; Psalms 51:5; 78:1-8; 127; 128; 139:13-16; Proverbs 1:8; 5:15-20; 6:20-22; 12:4; 13:24; 14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6,15; 23:13-14; 24:3; 29:15,17; 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 9:9; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Timothy 5:8,14; 2 Timothy 1:3-5; Titus 2:3-5; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7.

*Baptist Faith and Message 2000

What I Believe About Cooperation

What I Believe About Cooperation:

Christ's people should, as occasion requires, organize such associations and conventions as may best secure cooperation for the great objects of the Kingdom of God. Such organizations have no authority over one another or over the churches. They are voluntary and advisory bodies designed to elicit, combine, and direct the energies of our people in the most effective manner. Members of New Testament churches should cooperate with one another in carrying forward the missionary, educational, and benevolent ministries for the extension of Christ's Kingdom. Christian unity in the New Testament sense is spiritual harmony and voluntary cooperation for common ends by various groups of Christ's people. Cooperation is desirable between the various Christian denominations, when the end to be attained is itself justified, and when such cooperation involves no violation of conscience or compromise of loyalty to Christ and His Word as revealed in the New Testament.

Exodus 17:12; 18:17ff.; Judges 7:21; Ezra 1:3-4; 2:68-69; 5:14-15; Nehemiah 4; 8:1-5; Matthew 10:5-15; 20:1-16; 22:1-10; 28:19-20; Mark 2:3; Luke 10:1ff.; Acts 1:13-14; 2:1ff.; 4:31-37; 13:2-3; 15:1-35; 1 Corinthians 1:10-17; 3:5-15; 12; 2 Corinthians 8-9; Galatians 1:6-10; Ephesians 4:1-16; Philippians 1:15-18.