December 11, 2003 (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) -

The following was first published in O Timothy magazine, volume 3, issue 4, 1986:

Many seem confused about what I, the editor of O TIMOTHY, am and what we stand for. One denominational paper in Nagaland [one of the states in northeastern India] labeled us “Fundamental, Independent, Separatist, Extreme Baptists.” Others have applied other labels to us, while still others seem not to know who or what we are!

Brethren, it really does not matter what I am. It does not matter what label I take--or what label you give me. The thing that truly matters is whether or not we are saved by the grace of Christ and seeking to obey His holy, perfect Word. It only matters that we are pleasing Christ. That is the only thing which will matter in eternity.

Call me what you want to. Make up your own label. But the following things are my goals and my delight.

1. I delight to know that my sins are forgiven through the bountiful grace of Jesus Christ, though His blood, through His death, through His sacrifice upon Calvary. “... and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

2. I delight that I possess eternal life through faith in Christ. “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God: that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life...” (I John 5:13).

3. I delight that I was called thirteen years ago [in 1973] to preach God’s Holy Word. “And he gave some apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.” (Ephesians 4:11) “Whereunto I am ordained a preacher...” (I Timothy 2:7).

4. I delight to proclaim the wonderful truth that those who repent and turn to Jesus Christ will be born again and pass from death unto life. “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 1:25).

5. I delight to proclaim the WHOLE counsel of God for those who have been saved. This means teaching God’s counsel about Christian living and holiness, about the church, about prophecy, about baptism, about women’s work in the service of God, about marriage and divorce, about everything taught in the Holy Word. It means preaching the message, rightly divided, of Genesis 1 and Revelation 22 and everything in between. “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).

6. I delight to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. By doing this I have the high privilege of being a co-laborer with Almighty God, my Father, in defending the Truth He has given to this needy world. “... it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3).

7. I have the goal of preaching against all sin and error that hurts God’s people and God’s work. “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2).

8. I have the goal of naming the very names of those who are leading God’s people astray, so that God’s people will know exactly who to beware of. Ten times in 1 and 2 Timothy Paul named the names of false teachers and compromisers. “Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works. Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words” (2 Timothy 4:14).

9. I have the goal of marking and avoiding those who are living in sin and error and refuse to repent. “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Romans 16:17).

10. I delight to know and follow my Heavenly Master, my Savior, my God, Jesus Christ. Day by day I seek Him, His fellowship, and His will for my life. “Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord” (Proverbs 8:34-35).

11. I delight to tremble before God’s Holy Word, to fear His righteous indignation, his displeasure, his judgment, his chastisement. This means that I refuse to disbelieve ANYTHING taught in God’s Word. I delight to believe every miracle. I delight to believe that the Bible is the perfect revelation of God though given through imperfect men. I delight to tremble before the Holy Scripture. “... But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word” (Isaiah 66:2).

Well, what am I? Strict Christian? Fundamentalist? Staunch Baptist? Bible-believing, old-fashioned Christian? Extreme separatist fundamental Baptist? You decide, friends, but I hope you will follow me in these blessed activities. I trust that many of you will be willing to bear the reproach of Christ and the slander of those who hate the truth in this apostate hour. If you follow the path of Scripture I have outlined above you will not be popular with many professing Christians today. You will be called ugly names. You will be lied about. You will not be invited to be the speaker in ecumenical meetings. You will not be offered promotions to higher offices. You will called a troublemaker.

Whatever I am, though, I DO delight in it, in the daily blessings of Christ, and in the possibility of eternal rewards at the judgment seat of Christ.