21. We venture to give one early Congressional incident. The question of whether the United States should have an established church or several established churches, or religious liberty, was being discussed. Several different bills had been offered, one recommending the Church of England as the established church; and another the Congregationalist Church, and yet another the Presbyterian. The Baptists, many of them, though probably none of them members of Congress, were earnestly contending for absolute religious liberty. James Madison (afterwards President) seemingly was their main supporter. Patrick Henry arose and offered a substitute bill for them all, "That four churches (or denominations) instead of one be established"--the Church of England, or Episcopal, Congregationalist, Presbyterian, and the Baptist. Finally when each of the others saw that IT could not be made the sole established church, they each agreed to accept Henry's compromise. (This compromise bill stated that each person taxed would have the right to say to which denomination of these four his money should go.) The Baptists continued to fight against it all; that any combination of Church and State was against their fundamental principles, that they could not accept it even if voted. Henry pleaded with them, said he was trying to help them, that they could not live without it, but they still protested. The vote was taken--it carried nearly unanimously. But the measure had to be voted on three times. The Baptists, led by Madison and possibly others continued to fight. The second vote came. It also carried almost unanimously, swept by Henry's masterful eloquence. But the third vote had yet to be taken. Now God seemingly intervened. Henry was made Governor of Virginia and left Congress. When the third vote came, deprived of Henry's irresistible eloquence, the vote was lost.
Thus the Baptists came near being an established denomination over their own most solemn protest. This is not the only opportunity the Baptists ever had of becoming established by law, but is probably the nearest they ever came to it.
22. Not long after this, the Church of England was entirely disestablished in America. No religious denomination was supported by the Central Government (a few separated State governments still had establishment), Church and state, so far as the United States was concerned, were entirely separated. These two, Church and State, elsewhere at least, had for 1,500 years (since 313) been living in unholy wedlock. Religious Liberty was, at least here in the United States, resurrected to die no more, and now gradually but in many places slowly, it is spreading throughout the world.
23. But even in the United States, the Church and State idea died hard. It lingered on in several of the separate States, long after Religious Liberty had been put into the Constitution of the United States. Massachusetts, where the Church and State idea first found a lodging place in America, has, as already stated, finally given it up. It had lived there over two and one-half centuries. Utah is the last lingering spot left to disfigure the face of the first and greatest nation on earth to adopt and cherish "Religious Liberty." Remember there can be no real and absolute Religious liberty in any nation where the Government gives its support to one special religious denomination.
http://kjvdevos.blogspot.com KJV Daily Devotional website with automatic RSS daily devos (online devotions) complied on one page including Through the King James Version Bible in One Year, Spurgeon's Morning by Morning, Paul Chappell's Daily in the Word, ICR's Days of Praise, Creation Moments, and excerpts from JM Carroll's Baptist history classic, The Trail of Blood. Other Christian works will be added.
Salvation, My Testimony
When my grandmom died, we went to Virginia for her memorial service, and while there did a little sightseeing. One of the things we visited, was the house my sister was born in (that's her and hubby), and I was saved in at the age of four.I usually was allowed to sleep though the service, and I woke up for the end...and the preacher was giving the plan of salvation, and mentioned during the invitation that you could not be saved until you knew you were a sinner. Well, I really really wanted to be saved...but what could I do? I was NOT a sinner!! (this is a four year old's mind) Only one thing to do..I'd better get to sinning. And quick!
We lived on an old farm/cattle ranch, and we had to pass through cow gates to reach our home. At each one, my mom would turn to me and say "Now you stay in the car! I'll be right back", and go open the gate, drive through, and lock the gate again. Well, I thought this was the perfect chance to become a sinner!
I stepped out of the car..and right into a cow patty! My mom was furious, took me home, spanked my bottom, and sent me to my room. It was bugging her that I was not crying, but seemed pleased to be punished, so she crept up the stairs to spy on me. I was kneeling by my bed, telling Jesus I was a sinner, and would He please wash away my sins and save me so I could go to heaven?
Well, my dad brought me down to the couch, and explained things to me, and talked about a lot of big words like "redemption" and "transgression" that I can clearly remember not understanding, but although I can't remember much of my childhood, I remember details about that day like the color of the fabric on the couch where I got saved, November 24, 1974. Baptized the next Sunday night in church.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." - John 3:16-20
"But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." - Romans 10:8-11
Please share your salvation testimony with a post or a comment! I'd love to hear it! Not sure if you have one? Only believe "in a God" and not "on God"? James 2:19 Trust ON GOD for your soul's eternal salvation today!
Divisions within the body
Is it just me, or have you noticed more quarreling and divisions within the body of Christ lately?
I was reading in 2 Timothy:
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (2 Timothy 2:23-25)
Sometimes it is easier to keep our witness with those outside the church, that is with non believers than it is with some of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Just like the Corinthians, Christians still divide of both doctrines and opinions. Some important, much of it not as important. These divisions can split churches, split friendships, put a kink in our walk, a
heaviness in our heart and ruin our testimony to outsiders.
Paul was concerned about the church of Corinth. He said: For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: (2 Corinthians 12:20)
If the divisions and fighting we observe are not over critical core issues of Christianity, we'd best walk the other way, if we cannot encourage them to resolve it in a godly manner.
Again, the words of Paul to Timothy: But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (2 Timothy 2:23-25)
God bless you all! :)
Beth
I was reading in 2 Timothy:
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (2 Timothy 2:23-25)
Sometimes it is easier to keep our witness with those outside the church, that is with non believers than it is with some of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Just like the Corinthians, Christians still divide of both doctrines and opinions. Some important, much of it not as important. These divisions can split churches, split friendships, put a kink in our walk, a
heaviness in our heart and ruin our testimony to outsiders.
Paul was concerned about the church of Corinth. He said: For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: (2 Corinthians 12:20)
If the divisions and fighting we observe are not over critical core issues of Christianity, we'd best walk the other way, if we cannot encourage them to resolve it in a godly manner.
Again, the words of Paul to Timothy: But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (2 Timothy 2:23-25)
God bless you all! :)
Beth
Through the Bible in a Year
I don't know if anyone has been using my devo blog, but I wanted to show you the widget for it if you are interested in putting it on your blog. My favorite part of the devotions so far I think has been the Trail of Blood we are going through. Once done with that booklet I am not sure which one I will do excerpts from daily. Any ideas?
The best place to be!
God made even one of the smallest of all creatures know the safest and most blessed place to be.
Training Up Daughters
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6This is our plan for raising up our daughter to be a godly woman, wife, mother. We feel it is very important to teach her these things so she doesn't end up marrying the wrong man for the wrong reasons. We also believe she will need to know how to be a good wife before hand instead of learning along the way after she gets married. Marriage isn't easy work! Especially if you have no knowledge of how to go about it.
- We are to instruct her in Christian discernment. We intend to instruct her in a way so that she will not be naive and gullible when it comes to picking a husband.
- We are to teach her to be submissive to her Father. This will keep her from attracting unsavory men.
- We need to train her in house management skills. She should not wait until she is married to learn about cooking, cleaning, children and husbands.
- We will also educate her in how to be attractive without being seductive. Many girls and young women dress themselves as sex objects. If she imitates the world she will likely drive away godly men and instead will attract men who have the wrong priorities.
- She will be loved by us(not a difficult task). Girls that are neglected and starved for attention and affection usually seek attention from men in unbiblical ways.
Roe Vs. Wade - Remember
ROE v. WADE. Decided January 22, 1973
"...the blood of the innocent on their hands..."
Wars, poverty, abortions, starving children, pain, broken homes, abuse and hurt. Jesus can save. God can forgive.
Disciple, Profiteer, or Temporary Miracle-Believer: The Work of the Word in John 2
Our relationship with Jesus Christ is a two-way street, hinging on his discipleship of us through the Spirit, and our continued discipleship with him through the word of God.
We pick up in John 2:13-25, after Cana. The remainder of John 2 post-Cana seems like a disjointed collection of different accounts of Jesus moving southward with his disciples to Jerusalem. But there is a uniting concept there, and in the Gospel of John, which does not always follow chronological order, sequence is key. If John puts something in a particular order, they may be linked not by time, but by theme. The theme, friends, is discipleship.
After resting after the Cana (water to wine ) wedding at Capernaum, Jesus and his disciples went to Jerusalem, where Jesus cleared the temple of the livestock hawkers and the money-changers. He went on his rampage, and then his disciples recalled the scriptures that had forecast his zeal (John 2:17). Then, he was questioned apparently by some in the religious establishment, and he answered, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. (John 2:19). After the Resurrection, his disciples recalled what he had said “and they believed the scripture” that had forecast it (John 2:22). Finally, Jesus attended Passover, and performed miracles there, seen by many. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because knew all men. (John 2:24). Commit here is from the Greek word for “have faith” – pisteuo. Why did Jesus not commit himself to those people? Jesus did not have faith in those people in Jerusalem because their faith was superficial – they only saw his works, they did not know his words, and how his works fulfilled the Word of God. He needed to see them paging through scripture in search of the deeper, prophetic ramifications of his deeds.
This latter part of John 2, holds for us a classification for people who claim Christ into three groups:
1) Disciples: Believe not only in Christ or his miracles, but are students of the Word. They are Bible readers and studiers, like those at Berea. They pore over what they see in the scriptures to see if it was so. (Acts 17:11)
2) Temporary believers. These are the souls he won by performing miracles. They liked what they saw and signed on, but did not continue in his word. Jesus obviously did not continue on with them either.
3) Profiteers. These are people who profit from the selling of the word, and these are cast out of the Temple by Jesus. These are people more akin to Judas, who might walk among believers, but their hearts are only interested in material gain that they associate with their ill-founded belief in God.
The Gospel of John points to the need for us to be saved, but then gives us a choice about discipleship. I believe the two are connected. If we choose not to become disciples of Christ, then Christ himself will not commit himself to us.
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. (John 15:7)
How do we abide in Christ? Love each other. But this also calls for the converse of that: the words of Jesus abiding, or living, in us. And to do that he must be willing to abide in us. That means that one of the key components of discipleship is staying in the Word. Is not the Gospel of John centered on the fact that Jesus Christ is the living logos, of God, made flesh? Not just a son of God, as someone holy, but the Son of God, the only begotten. Abiding in his Word was why Jesus chose to keep close to his disciples while he would not entrust himself to those believers who were just interested in the fanfare of miracles and free food.
So, in this way, we can conclude that his works on earth were of far less important than his words on earth. The works of Christ are recorded in the gospels, some of them, in fact just a very small smattering of them, John noted, were included, and they were included in John precisely to make us believers (John 20:30-31). But the words of Christ, of God, breathed through scripture, must be our compass and map for the rest of our Christian walks. Fulfilling the Word, and being ready for its complete fulfillment in his return, is the “works” that God wants us to do for the rest of our lives here on earth. Let us not misunderstand the task of discipleship.
We pick up in John 2:13-25, after Cana. The remainder of John 2 post-Cana seems like a disjointed collection of different accounts of Jesus moving southward with his disciples to Jerusalem. But there is a uniting concept there, and in the Gospel of John, which does not always follow chronological order, sequence is key. If John puts something in a particular order, they may be linked not by time, but by theme. The theme, friends, is discipleship.
After resting after the Cana (water to wine ) wedding at Capernaum, Jesus and his disciples went to Jerusalem, where Jesus cleared the temple of the livestock hawkers and the money-changers. He went on his rampage, and then his disciples recalled the scriptures that had forecast his zeal (John 2:17). Then, he was questioned apparently by some in the religious establishment, and he answered, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. (John 2:19). After the Resurrection, his disciples recalled what he had said “and they believed the scripture” that had forecast it (John 2:22). Finally, Jesus attended Passover, and performed miracles there, seen by many. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because knew all men. (John 2:24). Commit here is from the Greek word for “have faith” – pisteuo. Why did Jesus not commit himself to those people? Jesus did not have faith in those people in Jerusalem because their faith was superficial – they only saw his works, they did not know his words, and how his works fulfilled the Word of God. He needed to see them paging through scripture in search of the deeper, prophetic ramifications of his deeds.
This latter part of John 2, holds for us a classification for people who claim Christ into three groups:
1) Disciples: Believe not only in Christ or his miracles, but are students of the Word. They are Bible readers and studiers, like those at Berea. They pore over what they see in the scriptures to see if it was so. (Acts 17:11)
2) Temporary believers. These are the souls he won by performing miracles. They liked what they saw and signed on, but did not continue in his word. Jesus obviously did not continue on with them either.
3) Profiteers. These are people who profit from the selling of the word, and these are cast out of the Temple by Jesus. These are people more akin to Judas, who might walk among believers, but their hearts are only interested in material gain that they associate with their ill-founded belief in God.
The Gospel of John points to the need for us to be saved, but then gives us a choice about discipleship. I believe the two are connected. If we choose not to become disciples of Christ, then Christ himself will not commit himself to us.
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. (John 15:7)
How do we abide in Christ? Love each other. But this also calls for the converse of that: the words of Jesus abiding, or living, in us. And to do that he must be willing to abide in us. That means that one of the key components of discipleship is staying in the Word. Is not the Gospel of John centered on the fact that Jesus Christ is the living logos, of God, made flesh? Not just a son of God, as someone holy, but the Son of God, the only begotten. Abiding in his Word was why Jesus chose to keep close to his disciples while he would not entrust himself to those believers who were just interested in the fanfare of miracles and free food.
So, in this way, we can conclude that his works on earth were of far less important than his words on earth. The works of Christ are recorded in the gospels, some of them, in fact just a very small smattering of them, John noted, were included, and they were included in John precisely to make us believers (John 20:30-31). But the words of Christ, of God, breathed through scripture, must be our compass and map for the rest of our Christian walks. Fulfilling the Word, and being ready for its complete fulfillment in his return, is the “works” that God wants us to do for the rest of our lives here on earth. Let us not misunderstand the task of discipleship.
This will be quick...
Hey Y'all, I'm new here and just wanted to stop in and say Hey! Time is tight right now, so I'll be back soon to post more.
~Christian Country Mama~
~Christian Country Mama~
Please forgive this re-posted info on how to join.
WELCOME PAGE
Looking for the DIRECTORY? Click Here
This directory (blog roll) is a place to post your IFB KJV blog, or even posts from your blog. To become a contributing author, just email me and I will add you as a contributor, so even if you only post occasionally, this blog will update with posts from various IFB KJVs every few days.
If you do not want to post here, and only want to add your blog link to the directory and blog roll, that's great, too. Just email me at water05201@hotmail.com with your blog url and title. Please link back to IFB KJV Directory using one of the two images below. Have a blessed day!
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Looking for the DIRECTORY? Click Here
This directory (blog roll) is a place to post your IFB KJV blog, or even posts from your blog. To become a contributing author, just email me and I will add you as a contributor, so even if you only post occasionally, this blog will update with posts from various IFB KJVs every few days.
If you do not want to post here, and only want to add your blog link to the directory and blog roll, that's great, too. Just email me at water05201@hotmail.com with your blog url and title. Please link back to IFB KJV Directory using one of the two images below. Have a blessed day!
Today's KJVDevo Brings Up Tithing
Today's Bible reading at http://kjvdevos.blogspot.com makes me think about the tithe. I have heard many things online from those who do not believe tithing is for Christians, or who do not give to their church on a regular basis. However, in today's reading in seems so clear to me what the tithe is for...not a "jewish law", but a principle that transcends one time period or one group of people. That principle is found in this passage: "Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, ...that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always."
The passage goes on for some time, but this thought is then related: "that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them."
The thoughts I bring from today's passage are that the tithe is God's way of training us to fear the Lord, and put Him first. When we do, it clears the way for Him to then bless us as obedient children, and to take pity on us when we are in trouble, because we fear Him. As a mom, I can relate to this thought. Sometimes just my children submitting to a rule, makes me have pity on them and softens my heart to their needs and even their desires. Sometimes I think the reason God set up humans to procreate the way we do, is so we can see firsthand how He sees our relationship, and understand just a little the way He deals with us.
I also like the way the reading ties into Psalm 103:13-22.
The passage goes on for some time, but this thought is then related: "that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them."
The thoughts I bring from today's passage are that the tithe is God's way of training us to fear the Lord, and put Him first. When we do, it clears the way for Him to then bless us as obedient children, and to take pity on us when we are in trouble, because we fear Him. As a mom, I can relate to this thought. Sometimes just my children submitting to a rule, makes me have pity on them and softens my heart to their needs and even their desires. Sometimes I think the reason God set up humans to procreate the way we do, is so we can see firsthand how He sees our relationship, and understand just a little the way He deals with us.
I also like the way the reading ties into Psalm 103:13-22.
Do You Think These Stats Are Reasonable?
10% of church members can't be found20% never pray
25% never read Bible
30% don't attend church faithfully
40% don't give like they should
50% seldom go to SS
60% seldom go on Sun PM
70% aren't giving much to missions
75% don't engage in some type of service
80% don't attend the Wed service
90% don't have family altar
95% never win a soul to Christ
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