The Friday Church News Notes is designed for use in churches and is published by Way of Life Literature’s Fundamental Baptist Information Service. Unless otherwise stated, the Notes are written by David Cloud. Of necessity we quote from a wide variety of sources, but this does not imply an endorsement. For instructions on how to unsubscribe to this list or to change mailing addresses, please consult the information paragraph at the end.

POLITICS IS IMPORTANT, BUT IT WON’T SAVE THE NATION (Friday Church News Notes, September 24, 2010, www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - There is no doubt that politics is important in this present evil world. God’s people are affected by politics, and it is not wrong to participate in political activism as long as it does not interfere with spiritual obligations or cause us to disobey Scriptures such as Romans 16:17 and 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (e.g., joining the National Day of Prayer, Glenn Beck’s Third Reformation, Concerned Women for America, Faith and Freedom Coalition). At the same time, politics won’t save America for the simple reason that politics is only symptomatic of the foundational issues that are destroying the nation. I was saved in the early 1970s when “conservative” activism was on the rise, but nearly four decades of fervent conservative activism hasn’t changed the moral climate of America or even slowed the frightful descent into the depths of depravity. Homosexuality has become mainstream. The vile pop culture with its open rebellion against God’s holy laws is as omnipresent as ever. America’s working philosophy is “It’s your thing; do what you want to do.” But even these things are but symptoms of a more foundational issue, which is the apostasy and compromise of the churches. America is under God’s judgment because it has no fear of God, and it has no fear of God because the fear of God is preached from very few pulpits. The “conservative” political movement does not and cannot address this, since the vast majority within the conservative coalitions have little or no problem with these sins and lack spiritual discernment. It was that renowned conservative president Ronald Reagan who launched U.S.-Vatican relations to a new height. Under his administration formal diplomatic relationships were established between the U.S. and the Vatican. In 1986 Reagan sent a telegram to the Pope commending his wicked syncretistic prayer meeting in Assisi that brought together leaders of Christian denominations and pagan religions to pray for world peace. Reagan exhibited his spiritual blindness by thanking the Pope for his efforts to “lead humanity toward a more tolerant, just and peaceful world” and assured the Mariolator of his prayers (Christian News, Dec. 22, 1986). In November 1987, in an unprecedented act, Reagan flew to Miami just to meet the Pope when he landed on American soil. The President was kept waiting for three hours for an opportunity to have a private audience with the “pontiff.” He said to John Paul II, “As you exhort us, we will listen” (USA Today, Sept. 11-12, 1987). It is obvious that “conservative” politics does not equal spiritual wisdom and does not address the root problems in the nation. I would challenge my fellow Baptists as follows: First, what are the objectives of the Tea Party, the latest incarnation of the “conservative” renaissance, and do these objectives address the root moral and spiritual problems? Even if every Tea Party candidate were elected, would it change the moral downslide of the nation? In fact, would it even have a serious shot at doing such things as dismantling the welfare state or the the Statist school system, which is a vast anti-christ indoctrination machine? Second, how many of the Tea Party leaders and the “conservative” talk show personalities represent true Biblical morality? How many of them oppose the homosexual agenda and the filthy pop culture, and do these wield any serious influence on these issues to the “conservative” movement overall? Politics is dirty business, and effective politics is all about compromise. As Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell recently said, “I think it’s important to have a national party that can win in every part of America. And, if you do that, you’ll have a big group instead of a small group. If we had a group of 30 or so who all agree on everything, we’d be entirely cohesive and totally irrelevant” (“McConnell Embraces Big Tent GOP,” CQ Politics, Sept. 17, 2010). Those who aspire to change America through politics, soon learn that McConnell is right. Third, what are you doing in your personal and church life to demonstrate true repentance and godly obedience to God’s laws? The latter should be our focus, because this is the only hope for America or any other land. “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Many have written to ask me about the “house church” movement.

Whether or not it is scriptural depends on the definition. A proper New Testament church can meet in a house or in its own building or in the forest. The location is irrelevant. The thing that determines whether or not a church is scriptural is not its meeting place, but whether or not it is organized along scriptural lines.

The church is exalted in the New Testament as the house of God, the pillar and ground of the truth. Paul wrote to Timothy,

“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).

September 21, 2010 (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) –

From time to time, I publish some of the goodies from my interesting mailbox, and many people have told me that they enjoy reading these things. Following are some items from the last couple of months:

THEY LIKE THE PREACHING

“May our Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless you and your family as you remain true to His Word found only in the Authorized Version. You are blessing to me and keep me informed on the heretics that abound in these last days.”

“I just want to say thanks for the stand you take on many biblical issues like KJV, salvation, MUSIC, biblical separation, etc. Thanks for the O Timothy magazine. Although you say you get negative emails daily I know there are many that stand by you and support you including myself. Your work is appreciated here in Northern Canada. One thing I often think of is that these people do not like your preaching because lots of people have been taught the false gospel and now when somebody preaches something totally opposite (the truth) it hurts because now they need to change there ways which is not easy. I was one of these people and I thank God for faithful bold men like yourself that stand for the truth, we need more men like this we need more truth. Keep up the good work and to God be the glory.”

“Thank you for your labour in the word and the publishing ministry.  You have been a TREMENDOUS influence and help to me in my preaching/teaching ministry and even in shaping my understanding of repentance in gospel preaching, as well as other areas.”

The Friday Church News Notes is designed for use in churches and is published by Way of Life Literature’s Fundamental Baptist Information Service. Unless otherwise stated, the Notes are written by David Cloud. Of necessity we quote from a wide variety of sources, but this does not imply an endorsement. For instructions on how to unsubscribe to this list or to change mailing addresses, please consult the information paragraph at the end.

BAPTISTS JOIN COALITION CONDEMNING FREEDOM OF RELIGIOUS SPEECH (Friday Church News Notes, September 17, 2010, www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - Three Baptists joined a coalition denouncing those who are criticizing Islam. Roy Medley of the American Baptist Churches, (shown in photo) Gerald Durley of Providence Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, and Brent Walker of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty joined their voices with an ecumenical/interfaith alliance condemning “anti-Muslim frenzy.” The press statement said, “We stand by the principle that to attack any religion in the United States is to do violence to the religious freedom of all Americans” (“Baptist Leaders Denounce Baptists Trashing Islam,” Associated Baptist Press, Sept. 8, 2010). Medley added, “Some of the most offensive statements about Islam, unfortunately, have come forth from the Baptist community, and therefore some of us as Baptist leaders felt it was important for us to join with the Islamic Society of North America and our Muslim brothers and sisters in order that we might live out our Baptist values of religious liberty.” These men are confusing freedom of religion with freedom from criticism. Nothing in the U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom from criticism, but it does guarantee freedom of speech and the free exercise of religion. I am not aware of any Baptists that are doing violence to any religion. There are no Baptist terrorists. There is no support in the example and teaching of Jesus for terrorism, but there is support in the Quran and in the example and teaching of Mohammed for violently subjugating the followers of other religions. And to state this and to speak out against it is not “violence” nor is it a violation of the U.S. Constitution. This interfaith coalition is the one doing violence to the Constitution by trying to intimidate American citizens against speaking out against false religion. An individual can be imprisoned and put to death in Muslim countries for merely speaking the truth about Mohammed and Islam from a biblical perspective, and Baptists have been persecuted in various places for this action. The aforementioned Baptist leaders feel they have the right to criticize Baptists who criticize Islam, but they don’t want to give those Baptists the same liberty. What ridiculous, dangerous hypocrisy.

The Friday Church News Notes is designed for use in churches and is published by Way of Life Literature’s Fundamental Baptist Information Service. Unless otherwise stated, the Notes are written by David Cloud. Of necessity we quote from a wide variety of sources, but this does not imply an endorsement. For instructions on how to unsubscribe to this list or to change mailing addresses, please consult the information paragraph at the end.

BECK’S MOVEMENT IS RELIGIOUS, NOT POLITICAL (Friday Church News Notes, September 3, 2010, www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - Some of my fellow Baptists have disagreed with me over the issue of avoiding Glenn Beck’s new Divine Destiny movement. They so long to see a “conservative” renaissance that they overlook the fact that Beck is a Mormon, and they disagree that warnings such as Romans 16:17, 2 Corinthians 6:14-16, 2 Timothy 3:5, and 2 John 8-11 are applicable, since this is supposedly a “political” issue. But Beck himself has said that he is on a spiritual and not a political crusade. He calls it a Third Awakening, a “Divine” Destiny, a “God moment,” a movement to “heal your soul.” He is urging his listeners to go to “God’s boot camp.” His August 27 “Restoring Honor” rally featured 240 religious leaders who have united behind Beck’s vision. These include James Dobson, John Hagee, Jerry Falwell Jr., Southern Baptist Richard Land, historian David Barton of Wallbuilders, Dave Roever, Miles McPherson of The Rock Church in San Diego, Jewish rabbi Daniel Lapin, Catholic priest Patrick Lee of Franciscan University, female Word-Faith preacher Gloria Copeland, Muslim imams, and others. There can be no doubt that the aforementioned Scripture warnings are applicable to Beck’s crusade, and those who have ignored these commands are part of America’s problem rather than her healing.

The Friday Church News Notes is designed for use in churches and is published by Way of Life Literature’s Fundamental Baptist Information Service. Unless otherwise stated, the Notes are written by David Cloud. Of necessity we quote from a wide variety of sources, but this does not imply an endorsement. For instructions on how to unsubscribe to this list or to change mailing addresses, please consult the information paragraph at the end.

ROME’S MARY IN THE PLACE OF GOD (Friday Church News Notes, September 3, 2010, www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The Saint Stanislaus Kostka Catholic church in Chicago features an image of Mary on the very Ark of God. She is sitting above the Ark in the place that was occupied by God’s presence in the Tabernacle, and she is surrounded by adoring cherubim. This blasphemous image occupies the central altar where Mass is performed. The church’s official literature says that the image depicts the Catholic doctrines that Mary was immaculately conceived and sinless, that she participated in Christ’s suffering for mankind, and that she was bodily assumed into glory and crowned Queen of Heaven. The icon depicting Mary as the Ark of Mercy was dedicated in May 2008. Since then the church has been open 24 hours a day as an invitation for “pilgrims from all around the world to immerse themselves in the spring of grace, mercy, and power” that is supposedly flowing from the image. Roman Catholic churches are filled with idols. Mary is reverenced with far greater fervency than Jesus. Every “evangelical” or “Baptist” or “Protestant” who has said positive things about Rome and who has participated in ecumenical relations with Rome or who has failed even to lift his voice against Rome’s gross heresies will answer to God for the refusal to “earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints” (Jude 3) and for keeping silence in the face of evil.

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Bible prophecy describes Israel’s relationship with the modern Muslim nations following her restoration to God’s blessing. It will be a dramatic turn around from the conditions that exist today.

Since the birth of the modern state of Israel on May 14, 1948, she has fought continual wars with her Muslim neighbors. There was the War for Independence in 1948 against the Arab League composed of Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. There was the Suez War in 1956 to force Egypt to allow free access for Israel’s ships through the Canal. There was the Six-Day War in 1967 against the coalition of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, with Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria contributing troops and arms. There was Egypt’s War of Attrition against Israel from 1968-70. There was the Yom Kippur War of 1973 when Israel was attacked by Egypt and Syria. And Israel has been under constant attack by Muslim organizations such as Hamas, the PLO, and Hezbollah.

That is the present situation. Let’s look now to the future.

Honor killings are on the rise in the United States.