A number of Pastors - independent, unregistered, Baptist (including the historical, particular Baptist Pastors) all across America have reported having experienced a surge of internal opposition. While these men of God are remaining faithful and firm against external forces of tyranny, the enemy of our souls has beguiled various men and woman within these havens of rest. Nothing new, however.
The Apostle Paul warned those of his day against this type of problem when speaking to the Ephesian Elders assembled for a Pastors Conference, as it were, at Miletus, approximately forty miles south of Ephesus. In part these Pastors were told by Paul to "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. {29} For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. {30} Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. {31} Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears." Acts 20:28-31
"Take heed" or Beware! Paul urged these Pastors to beware. The reason given for this urgent warning: Outside enemies as "grievous wolves [shall] enter in among you, not sparing the flock." As well as internal defectors "Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." Two classes of enemies here announced have troubled the lives of God's flock from the inception of Christ Church. E.g., The Pharisees from outside of Christ and HIS ministry we read repeatedly plotted to destroy Jesus. While within HIS ranks there was a defector, Judas, who betrayed our LORD for the measly price of a slave. "But watchfulness against all that tends to injure and corrupt the Church is the duty of its pastors in every age." Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Commentary
Peter employs the analogy of another predator beast in describing satanic activities: "the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8)
Notice how those from within were predicated to do their dastardly deeds: "Speaking perverse things." Moreover, the sole intent was "to draw away disciples after them."
One Pastor writes: "To me it was refreshing to see God's people stand up in defense of their pastor and answer point for point the folly that has destroyed hundreds of works, and now even comes to your own doorstep. What you shared with me concerning your situation, not only has the spirit of truth, but also the history of many examples behind it. And the unexplained circumstances that surround this man's actions points directly at a conspiracy against the true men of God. Which is a testimony to the fact that you are gouging and tormenting the demons of hell before their time! Keep on keeping on my dear brother. Praise the Lord, and shame on the Devil!"
Paul wrote to the Church in Corinth saying to them: "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." 2 Corinthians 11:3 The very same men and woman that God had saved through Paul's preaching ministry and formed into a Church in that city were now turned against their Pastor.
"Speaking perverse things" warned Paul. Satanic interference easily can be spotted by the discerning saint, who is illuminated by the Holy Spirit. Frequently it is manifested in idle gossip, backbiting, evil speaking, false witnessing, etc. Herein is why God restricted reports to be accepted against men of God. 1 Timothy 5:19 "Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses." That does not mean one person runs his mouth to two or three different people. It means that a crime or sin is clearly observed by two or three witnesses, at which point he is to be dealt with in a Scriptural manner. John Gill writes: "The reason of this rule is, because of his high office and the honour of the church, which is concerned in his, as well as of religion; for it carries in it some degree of scandal for such a person to be charged, even though he may be cleared; as also because of his many enemies, who through envy, malice, and the instigation of Satan, would be continually pestering the church with charges, could they be easily admitted."
A backbiter is in the same category as the sodomite and other vile reprehensible sinful practices which are clearly worthy of the penalty of death. (See: Romans 1:18-31) When Moses, the servant of the LORD, had his very own older sister, Miriam, denounce his ministry, God turned her into a leper. (See: Numbers 12:1-15) The very Church Paul was used to organize had to be rebuked: "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 Truly, as has been stated by this Pastor for 15 years, this is the Corithian era in modern America.
As Paul said: "Take heed!" Peter urged believers to "Be sober." The idea is for saints to be watchful, alert. Peter learned his lesson in the School of Hard Knocks. In Luke 22:31-32 we read how Jesus warned Peter: "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired [to have] you, that he may sift [you] as wheat. {32} But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Peter was sifted alright. His first steps towards defeat was his boisterous confidence. Next, Peter failed in prayer, and functioned in the energy of the flesh, ultimately falling in the sin of denial. Peter denied even knowing Jesus. This brave, braggadocios man succumbed before the inquiry of a little lass and denied Jesus three times. O, how sin reduces the best of men. Sin hinders men and woman. Are you hindered today?
The enemy - Satan, Jesus explained, sowed tares. Men and women hell-bent on their own selfish, sorted ways have attempted to rule, or ruin the life of their Church. Often when these puppets are exposed for their vile deeds by shining the truths of Scripture upon their attitudes and actions they run, like rats from the fire of God's Word. Selfishness is the essence of all sin.. The perquisite of being a disciple of our LORD is to daily deny one's own self. Hence, when a fellowship is infiltrated by pseudo saints their evil effects draw away unstable saints.
What can be done? What has been done in the history of Christ's Church? Our one sure solution to this perennial, age old problem, is to hearken unto the Words of our LORD. As previously stated, Peter earned his theological degree the hard way in the School of Hard Knocks. It was his costly admonition: For saints to be "vigilant." It means according to Strong, "to take heed lest through remission and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake [some] one."
The once proud, self promoting Peter now counsels: "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all [of you] be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:{7}Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.{8}Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: {9} Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."1 Peter 5:5-9
The devil diabolov (diabolos) is a spiritual being prone to slander; he engages in slanderous speech, falsely accusing God's people, as is plainly revealed in the book of Job. When those of whom Paul warned are manifested in our day, it is demonstrated by them also "Speaking perverse things." Their slanderous, unfounded, Scripturally deficient comments must be stopped. This is accomplished with the whole counsel of God, which they refuse to acknowledge. However, the Word of God is our weapon of choice in this warfare. (See: Ephesians 6:17) In closing the poet's grasp of the value and validity of God's Holy Word may serve to rivet this point.
Illumination
The Bible is a group of books For our illumination, And if we read it carefully 'Twill lead to our salvation. We cannot over-estimate Its priceless valuation. Its wisdom leads us far beyond The furthest constellation. From sin's domain it removes And gives emancipation, Because the LORD, by His own blood, Was our propitiation, And on the cross, twist God and us, Made reconciliation.
So now our souls are filled with joy
And deep appreciation,
Because our sins are all forgiven,
We've tasted real salvation.
No longer are we victims of
The Devil's subjugations;
Our faith will be a bulwark 'gainst
His sly insinuations.
When we have all our lessons learned,
We'll hear God's approbation,
We'll be so glad we trusted Him
In spite of tribulations.
And when His plans for us down here
Have reached their consummation,
He'll call us to our Home above,
Great day of Coronation!
Author known
"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do. What I can do, I should do. And what I should do, by the grace of God, I will do." - Edward Everett Hale
Pastor Brown of The Eternal Grace Baptist Church, which is an independent, unregistered, historical, particular Baptist assembly embracing Christ and His victory in time, as well as throughout eternity.