2/14/2019
Greetings, friends! I had an SIMH this morning and it went away rapidly, if it comes to mind again, I’ll write about it. They come, they go. I wanted to start with that tidbit because I’m always saying a song is rolling around every morning—and it is—but if I don’t start writing quickly sometimes they just fade. Or a different one shows up, which would then be a lie to write about it being “on my mind” when I awoke…Oh, the dilemma of being honest!
A lady asked on Facebook this morning, “does anyone know how to start a grace believing assembly in an area where there isn’t one to attend?” I’ve got some thoughts about that. I don’t necessarily think “my way or the highway” here, but I’ve been to lots of places and helped several people in that predicament.
The first thing I believe should take place is prayer for the right man; a man willing to be used of the Lord, a man who will trust the Lord in his life, a man who believes the King James Bible is the final authority on all things, a man who wants the “office of a bishop.” (Before going any further, I am not telling women they would be wrong to start an assembly or class. But, God will honor that work most when His man shows up. So, pray for that man!)
The next thing that should be done is start. Schedule it, whether you are the only one, or you find only one other, or 3 dozen: start. If only one man comes, and he is not inclined or know how to teach, use the electronics available, You Tube is loaded with bible classes from a multitude of “rightly dividing” preachers: there’s the Lockhart brothers (both of us), Brian Sipes, Steve Atwood, Jerry Sanders, Steve Gotberg, Jan Wilbourn, Ryan Poe, Sam Gearhardt, Obed Kirkpatrick, Alex Balingit, Byron Wiggins, Mark Rumfello, Ted Lindbladt, Mike Schroeder, Mark Gabert and many more (those are just from six southern states.) Their videos cover a multitude of doctrines and practices all centered around the gospel of Christ as the power of God unto salvation. Even so, pray for the Lord’s man to show up.
These men all preach the gospel correctly. They may not all believe the same about lesser things, but they all believe in the simple gospel, “how that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, and was buried, and was raised again the third day, according to the Scriptures.” Accordingly, they all teach the eternal security of the believer, the soon coming of Christ for the calling out of the church, that the church is the Body of Christ, we live in the dispensation of the grace of God, that the church is not Israel in any form, nor have we taken any of God’s graces afforded the once and future children of Israel.
They all also believe that all the above doctrines and a few dozen more are found in the biblical writings of the Apostle Paul—Romans through Philemon, and that Paul is the Apostle of the Gentiles who was taught by direct revelation from Jesus Christ our Lord in Heaven. Moreover, these things are all revealed mysteries, kept secret from the foundation of the world until revealed to, through, and by the Lord’s chosen Apostle, Paul.
Here’s some things not important to a new class: Where you meet or when you meet(do what is convenient in these two things.) Do all things decently and in order, but there is no need whatsoever for an organization, no need for a treasury, no need for recorded membership nor anything resembling all this—you are not starting a club. Names and phone or address suffices for getting in touch about changes in meetings, etc.
It is vital to agree to the authority of the King James Bible and consequently be prepared to give or lend to those who do not have one. Prayer is essential, but not long or tedious public prayer nor a sharing of personal and/or emotional needs of individuals in the group. Don’t bring on a belaboring, get on with bible study. And pray for that man the Lord is preparing for your group.
If all this sounds a bit rough and unfeeling, it isn’t. You will soon learn to love one another and care for one another’s concerns in a way you wouldn’t have thought possible till it occurs. These are your brothers and sisters in Christ. Remember to do good unto all men, “specially to those that believe.”
Now you know what I believe it takes to start a bible class or an assembly. It is really very simple and should always remain simple. And when the Lord provides that man, it isn’t anyone’s ministry but his. The Lord will charge him for it and with it. I’ll pray for whoever you are who desires one of these groups, and the Lord’s man when he shows up: support him.
Thanks for reading, the Elder
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