William Booth began his "Salvation Army" in London, England, in 1878, and he made himself its first "General," but this was over 1800 years too late to be the true Salvation Army, which was started by the Lord Jesus Christ during His personal ministry here on earth.

     He called His forces together on a mountain in Galilee (Mark 3:13,14, Luke 6:12,13), and out of that group, He chose twelve to be personally trained as daring commandos in His war with the evil one.

     Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, "Upon this rock" (meaning Himself) "I will build my church;" (His Salvation Army), "and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."   By these words, He gave a divine promise, sure and steadfast, that His army would abide through all ages and never meet defeat.

     In the ancient cities of Israel, the governing authorities met and sat in the gates, hence the term was commonly used for authorities or powers.   Jesus was saying, "All the powers of hell shall not prevail against my church, my Salvation Army."

     The marching orders for Christ's Salvation Army were given in Matthew 28:18-20, when the commanding General, Jesus, said, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.   Go ye therefore, and teach" (make disciples of) "all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:   Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."   Amen

     First, the command was, to make disciples; followers of Christ.   This is done by preaching the gospel.

     Second, these disciples were to be enlisted into the army.   In Baptism they take an oath of allegience to their King, General, and to His kingdom.

     Third, these new recruits are to be taught to become good soldiers in the Lord's army.

     Unless a disciple is willing to enlist in the army, he is not worthy to be baptized.   When he is baptized, he becomes a member of a company of soldiers; that company is called a church, of the Lord Jesus Christ.

     He is then required to study the training manual, the Bible, under the tutoring of older and more experienced soldiers.   This manual is also a sharp, spiritual sword, by which he can put to flight the evil spiritual powers, who are the enemy.

     In the "Salvation Army", founded by William Booth, there was a strong chain of command with he, himself, as the General and head over the lower officers:   colonels, majors, captains, and so on down to the common members, themselves, who were taught to obey the men above them.   Quite a contrast to the Salvation Army of the Lord Jesus Christ, where there is no chain of command at all.

     There is only one Master, one General, and that is Jesus Christ.   All the soldiers in the army are equal, and each has access to the General, and to headquarters, for help, supplies, comfort, and strength.   They are all, just "brothers and sisters" in Christ Jesus.   "But be not ye called Rabbi:" (master) "for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren." Matthew 23:8.

     Any kind of chain of command is expressly forbidden in the Lord's army.   "Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. BUT IT SHALL NOT BE SO AMONG YOU." Matthew 20:25,26.

     Among men, who are only familiar with the natural world, a successful army, without a chain of command, appears to be an impossibility.   The only way that such an army could be managed, would be with the aid of a gigantic computer, having an unlimited number of memory banks; filled with all possible knowledge; and capable of receiving millions of sources of information; at the same time, digesting them; and making decisions simultaneously; and sending forth millions of orders, and commands.

     So far, anything like that, is beyond man's power, but not so with our General, the Lord Jesus Christ.   All knowledge and power in heaven and in earth, are His.

     Not only is He General of His army, but at the same time, He controls every atom and every living thing upon the face of the earth.   "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:   And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.   Colossians 1:16,17.   "Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power,..."   Hebrews 1:3.

     All nature is His handiwork.   Every flower reveals His artist's touch.   He feeds the wild animals and the birds.   Not one sparrow falls to the ground without His knowledge.

     At the same time, He is the General in control of His Salvation Army.   Every local church is a company in His Salvation Army, and He is the one head of each company.   "...and gave him (Jesus) to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, ..."   Ephesians 1:22,23.

     Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."   1 Corinthians 12:27.   This can be said of any true local church of Jesus Christ, a body or company in His great Salvation Army.

     Christ Jesus is the HEAD OVER ALL THINGS TO THE CHURCH.   An omnipotent and omniscient deity is in charge.

     He knows all the problems, and knows all the solutions.   He knows the enemy; his strength, and his weakness.   He can make a weak soldier strong, and a coward to be brave, in the face of battle.   He never leaves nor forsakes one single soldier.   "...for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.   So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."    Hebrews 13:5,6.

     There is a marvellous and instantaneous communications system in the Salvation Army of our Lord, and that communication system is the HOLY SPIRIT.   In speaking of the Holy Spirit in John 16:23 Jesus said, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:..."

     Now, isn't that the way with a telephone?   When you pick up the receiver, you do not hear the telephone speaking itself, but you hear what is spoken into it, at the other end of the line.   A telephone just repeats what it hears.

     So the Spirit, as He speaks to a church or an individual, is just conveying a message from headquarters, and from the great General, Jesus Christ.   It is a two way communication system.   Romans 8:26 tells us, "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:   for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:   but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

     When we don't even know how to talk to our General, the Holy Spirit carries the message of our hearts, and makes intercession, far better than we can do it ourselves.   Isn't that wonderful?

     The Holy Spirit is not only a means of communication in the Lord's army, He is the power supply.   When the armored vehicles got far ahead in World War II, they had to stop and wait, for the fuel supply.   Pipe lines were laid across the country, with pumping stations, to bring forward the fuel necessary for power.

     Every church, every little company in the Lords Salvation Army, has an unlimited power supply, in the person of the Holy Spirit.   Jesus said in Luke 24:49, "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with POWER FROM ON HIGH."   Again in Acts 1:8 He said, "But ye shall RECEIVE POWER, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me..."

     The Holy Spirit has come upon the church (not an individual) at Pentecost, and baptized that church (not an individual) in His power, (as it is recorded in Acts 2:1-4,) and gave them power to witness, translating their Galilean speech, so that 17 different nationalities were able to hear, each in his own language, the wonderful gospel of Jesus Christ.

     Jesus promised in John 14:16, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever."   Therefore we need not pray for the power to come down.   The Holy Spirit came once, to abide in the Army of Christ forever.

     All that each company, each church, needs to do, is to be connected up, using that limitless power that is there to use.   Don't let sin and the devil break the connections.   That only, is the secret of power.

     Although, the commander, Jesus Christ, is invisible, in His Army, the army, itself, is not invisible.   There is no such thing as an invisible church.   Each is a band of soldiers, who have a sworn allegiance to Christ, and are united together in love, to serve Him in His battle with the power of darkness.   Yet, the secret of their success is, that they have their eyes open to the invisible.

     When He gave His marching orders, Jesus said, "Lo, I am with you alway."   That little word "Lo," means to see or to behold.   Every little company must be able, by faith, to see the invisible, and to go forward while "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith." Hebrews 12:2.

     Not long after the days of the apostles, many in Christ's army had lost sight of the invisible, and began to set up men as leaders, in place of their General.   This is the work of Satan, who uses every means to deceive.   They claim to be the army of Christ, while they use their power to destroy the true Salvation Army.

     However, that army cannot be destroyed, for its command, its headquarters, are in heaven, and the devil and all his imps, cannot get up there and bring it down.

     Some companies were destroyed, some have been decimated; but their General has said, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20.

     And those little companies, hiding in houses, and in caves, were not in despair, for the presence of Jesus with them, and the power of the Holy Spirit, were worth more than anything this wicked world could give.

     Companies in Christ's army are still being deceived by Satan, into allowing some man, or organization of man, to take over the command, in place of Christ Jesus.   They are told that they are still following Christ, and they believe these deceptive words.

     Satan is made to rejoice, for he has brought rebellion, and treason, into the ranks of the Lord.   They are no longer Christ's Salvation Army, but have become tools of Satan, for the overthrow of the army of the Lord Jesus Christ.

     But Christ's Salvation Army still marches on.   Some fall away, but there are always those who remain faithful, and Christ is still calling men to follow Him, in special training, and special work, as commandos in the battle with Satan.

     They were once called apostles.   Today they are called missionaries.   They must be brave.   They must be dressed in armor.   They must be well trained in the use of the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God..   They must, also, know well, wherein their help lies.

     Some churches recommend their missionary to an association, or convention, or board, or some other man-made authority.   But, in the scriptures, we read of Paul and Barnabas, "And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace (help) of God for the work which they fulfilled." Acts 14:26.   And again we read, "And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace (help) of God." Acts 15:40.

     There's where they looked for help, there's where they looked for the supply of their needs.   They did not look to a mission board, or a big man-made organization.   They looked to an almighty God, and they found no lack of help, or supply for all their journeys.   They were real commandos in the army of the Lord Jesus Christ.

     There are many faithful commandos, going out today, and many more are always needed.   Will you be one of those heroes, in the army of the Lord Jesus Christ?

     Is your church a company in the true Salvation Army of Jesus Christ, or is it tied up in some human organization that Satan is using to deceive?   If so, get out, join a Bible believing Missionary Baptist Church, that is only obedient to one Lord and General, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Link

     We had our first annual tent meeting the first week of August.   We had four people from the community come to services, and ten total campers came and camped during the week.   It was a good time of fellowship. Preaching each night, with a focus on Jesus as the only way to Salvation.

     I took advantage of that time to re-roof the old barn on the property. (and get help)   The whole week was cool and refreshing, with light sprinkle every morning, but it did not rain.   Looking back now, as it is over 90 degrees as I am writing this, I know it was God's grace.

     We hope to have our second annual Tent Revival Meeting (Camp meeting) next year August 1st through the 5th , 2011.   So if you missed this year's, we look forward to seeing you next year.

     I would like to thank Landmark Missionary Baptist church of Weaverville, Ca, who gave us six church pews that made for a very comfortable meeting.

     In His Service,
     Brother Joe Blalock

Link

     On Thursday, August 19, of this past week, the editor of this paper, traveled to Salem Missionary Baptist Church, where the Lord is blessing their revival meeting.   John Thomas, pastor of Medford Missionary Baptist Church, preached a powerful message about authority in the local church, from 2nd Kings 6:5.   "But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed".   Pastor Thomas pointed out that this man was smart enough not to stand there beating the air with an empty axe handle, and ask how many were doing just that.   The axe was borrowed as is the authority, and power to preach the gospel.

     When the invitation was given a number of people went forward, to get things right with God, and get back that power.

Link

FROM VICTORY BAPTIST CHURCH IN MILTON, FL.

     We are excitedly preparing for our annual Youth Conference.   Our power-packed schedule includes three outstanding speakers, Charlie Clark III, Kenny Baldwin and Kurt Skelly.   Special music includes the Victory Youth Choir, 4 Under 5, VBC Youth Conference Ensemble, and the Pressing Forward Quartet.

     After only 7 years, the Victory Baptist Youth Conference has outgrown our home facilities, and so are hosting it only 5 minutes away on the property of West Florida Baptist Church and Academy; 5621 Highway 90, Milton, FL.

     Registration is not required to attend any of our events, but we do request that church groups use the form below to let us know you are coming, or to ask any questions you may have.   This will allow us to be adequately prepared for you.

Link

      Yes, things are progressing, things are being accomplished, and we appreciate the help we've received this summer.   But we've been reminded today that our permit to work on camp will NOT be extended past Nov. 15.

     There will be a work 'week' at camp over Labor Day weekend.   Beginning Thursday, Sept 2, thru Monday, Sept 6, we will try to build the shower house and finish up the biggest jobs left.   So, please come help us if you can.   Every weekend, someone will be there.

     Pray for the Lord's guidance and strength in the camp's final push to the finish.

Letters To The Editor

     In the summer of 1971, Sister G. E. Jones brought a beautiful scale model of the Old Testament Tabernacle, that was built by her late husband, Elder G. E. Jones, from which he often taught the gospel story.

     A TABERNACLE is a DWELLING PLACE.   Abraham dwelt in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob.   (Hebrews 11:9)   Our bodies are called tabernacles. (2 Corinthians 5:1)   God wanted a place in the wilderness where He could dwell with His people.   (Exodus 25:9)

     God has dwelt, does and will dwell with His people in four ways:

1. In buildings made with hands:   tabernacle and temple.
2. In the person of Jesus, who is God manifest in the flesh.
3. In the Holy Spirit, indwelling every believer.
4. In eternity, when the "tabernacle of God" is with men and God Himself will dwell with them and be their God.

     The tabernacle is the most important type of Christ, in all the Bible.   God was showing Israel, in every detail of it, the meaning of their Messiah, and how to be saved, through Him.   When we study it we see the same glorious truths, and our faith is verified in Him.   We can see; God has never had but one way of salvation, that is by grace, through faith, in His only begotten Son.

     Folks if you want to respond to something you have read in "Baptist Landmarks" please E-Mail your response to edit@BaptistLandmarks.org   Your response will be printed here.

     I would like to have a cartoon in each issue if possible.   If there is someone reading this paper who can draw cartoons that will cause us to laugh at the foolish things we sometimes do and cause us to think of how we could better serve our Savior, please E-Mail me and let me know.

THE INVISIBLE CHURCH
(don't make it a doctrine, or a practice)

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