Harter: As the Wings of a Dove
Elder Harter preaches from Psalms 68 verse 13,”Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.” This is a verse of victory in Jesus. We are sinful earthen vessels and cannot become a child of God on our own efforts. Even good things we do daily are from the mercy of the spirit of God working in us. Elder Harter explains that if you realize you are a sinner or perhaps even doubt God’s presence in your life this is a clear evidence that you have already been saved through Christ Jesus our Lord and that the Lord is dealing with you in this life. Although we have all lien among the pots as we sojourn through this world we can trust that God has redeemed and ultimately glorified us by his grace.
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Harter: Doctrine Before Duty
After returning from a journey to the Philippines Elder Harter explores the instruction of the apostle Paul to the Roman church in Romans 12 verses 1-2. Doctrine comes first and duty follows. Scripture tells us that the doctrine as set forth by God should be the cornerstone of our behavior. Elder Harter explains that those that sin or refuse to tell people about our savior Jesus Christ on the basis of salvation by grace truly do not understand grace. Paul outlines the principles of grace in the first eleven chapters of Romans. In chapter 12 we read that we are to present or commit our bodies to God and not pattern our bodies to this world. We are to be transformed on the inside which would therefore change what is on the outside (our actions). This transformation comes from a knowledge of the true meaning of grace, knowing that we are at the mercy of God, and without him we can accomplish nothing. As followers of Christ we should desire to be transformed by the spirit of God in our life that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God in our worship of him.
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Hildreth: Salvation by Grace
Elder Joe Hildreth of Chattanooga Primitive Baptist Church filled a special appointment at Bethany while our pastor was visiting churches in the Philippines. Elder Hildreth turned to Revelation 5:9, “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation….”
In modern times, one of the most distinctive tenets of Primitive Baptist doctrine is that of God’s sovereign grace in eternal salvation. Throughout this fallen world, God’s Spirit reaches His children even when the preached message of the gospel does not.
Elder Hildreth also shares some information about Bethany’s history from his own experience, tracing the lineage of Bethany through East Atlanta Primitive Baptist Church and Utoy Primitive Baptist Church.
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