I have always done the typical thing of dividing missions into two categories, as do most people--foreign missions and home missions. However, in the past year, I have ceased to do that. My main reason for doing so arises from an honest evaluation of the true condition of our own nation, the United States of America. We cannot afford to continue treating our nation as a thoroughly evangelized entity in which there is a need for some few "home mission" projects.

Indeed, the USA is now one of the most unevangelized nations in the world. The USA is the third largest nation in the world now. China is the largest. India is second. But, our 300,000,000 plus population brings us in at third place. Additionally, our growth is so phenomenal that by 2050 we are projected to be half again larger--coming in at 450,000,000 people. That is close to half a billion.

But, consider that at present there are approximately 11,000 independent Baptist churches, and consider the true state of those churches when it comes to zeal, purity, and influence, and you must conclude that the USA is truly unevangelized.

What will the next thing be that sneaks into the church and tries to destroy it from within?  It won’t be drinking and smoking, because these are already rejected by the average Christian that attends church regularly.  How about rock music?  Most Christians know that rock music does not belong in the church.  However, liberal ideas from liberal churches are sneaking in the back door of our churches today.  This brings up the topic of ecclesiastical separation.

Just as Dr. Jack Hyles puts it, “Maybe we ought to get cleaned out instead of trying to clean up.  Just by thinking of some common Bible stories, we can conclude that the men of God did not clean up the cities they were in.  They decided to get cleaned out instead!  Neither did any powerful preacher clean up any convention that he was associated with. And they wouldn’t have cleaned it up if they continued with it!

Many Baptist churches are independent—independent of any national or regional convention that would have some kind of influence on the way the church is organized.  I personally would not join the ministerial association or a fellowship of preachers if everyone was not a fundamentalist. 

There are many things that the Christian ought to separate from.  Sure, it’s obvious that there is no such thing as Christian cigarettes, Christian alcohol, or Christian pornography.  However, we know “rock” music is wrong, but is “Christian ‘rock’” wrong?  Where is the line when it comes to music? 

First of all, we must understand that music is moral.  Also, there are principles in the Bible that help us discern what music is decent and what music is unhealthy.  Yes, the Bible is clear on what type of music we should allow to influence us.

Music has been called the language of languages, or “the universal language.”  It has been named this because any man can comprehend music no matter what culture he is from.  It communicates emotion and feeling.  It speaks to the soul, spirit, and flesh no matter what part of the world it is produced.  Language is governed by rules of grammar and syntax.  Music is created with rules of composition and harmony.  With language we think, ponder, consider.  Muse, the root of music means to think, ponder, and consider.”  Yes, music is certainly moral.

So many Bibles!  So many versions!  Which one is right for me?  With some research, one will find that the Authorized King James Version Bible is the Bible for the English speaking people.  

The King James Version, or KJV, is the Bible that God has preserved for us. 

We can look at the scriptures that it was translated from, the men who translated it, the KJV's history and foundation, and several other strong arguments that support the King James Version Bible as God's chosen Bible for the English speaking nations.

The King James Bible was translated from the original manuscript texts.  Most of the original manuscripts are pure and not corrupt, except for the Vaticanus and the Siniaticus.  Even though these select manuscripts are older than the other manuscripts, it is very obvious that these older manuscripts are corrupt in nature.  The KJV is the only version on the shelf today that has not been influenced by the corrupt texts of the Siniaticus and Vaticanus.

The term “Sola Scriptura” emerged from the Protestant Reformation, and it is one part of the five “solas.”  The others are namely: sola fide (only faith); sola gratia (only grace); solus Christus (only Christ); and Soli Deo Gloria (“Glory to God alone”).  Although the terminology is derived from the Reformation, the principles of Sola Scriptura are as old as the Old Testament itself. 

Baptists hold similar views to the authority of the Scriptures.  Historically, Baptists have suffered persecutions, and given their lives not only in publishing and promulgating English Bibles, but also in the stubborn adherence to doctrines directly derived from the Scriptures like baptism, church polity, Ecclesiology and many others. 

The strict adherence to doctrine has distinguished Baptists as a separate or distinct religious body than the pervading ones in the early history of Christendom.  These doctrinal distinctions begin with one primary conviction with regards to the Bible, i.e. the Bible is God’s Word.  And so the primary distinctive which is true of the Baptist faith is that the Bible is God’s Word.  Since the Bible is God’s Word, the Bible therefore is the final rule in matters of faith and practice.  It “trumps” the teachings and traditions of man. 

As the third Person of the adorable Trinity, the Holy Spirit is one of the blessings Christ has given to Christians.  From the Old Testament to Revelation, we see the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers.  Over 100 times is the word Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost mentioned in the Bible.  The Bible gives a clear outline explaining to Christians why we need the Holy Spirit.

The Lord told Ezekiel to say unto the house of Israel “And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). Ezekiel prophesied the coming of the Holy Spirit.  John the Baptist also prophesied the Holy Spirit.  “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”  (John 14:17).  Also, Jesus Christ Himself foretold of the Holy Spirit’s ministry in the lives of those who believed in Him.  Christ said, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever” (John 14:16).

First let me say that I am not trying to be mean spirited but only want to expose the lies that are being spread in our bible believing churches as Paul warned in I Timothy 4:1.  That the many who use the conflicting word demon, which is not found in the word of God, instead of devil do so out of ignorance. Which is not condemning to them.  Some theological “Doctor” has told them this and they just parrot what he says without study.  Many use the C.I. Schofield heresy note bible, or one that has used his notes without doing investigating study on their own.   C.I. Schofield: not a Baptist, a Calvinist, one world religionist, member of the Masonic lodge, hired by the Jesuits, not a Baptist, etc. etc. and Not a Baptist.  He certainly didn’t believe the KJV text he put his notes in since he constantly corrected it. “Well now brother, he’s a Fundamentalist!” Yes fundamentally wrong in most everything.

The Devils attack on Gods word is not new. His first attack was on the word God in Gen 3: hath God said?  And the attack continues today, and sadly it comes from the pulpits in our churches, “yea, hath God said?” causing the believer to doubt in God or His word which He “magnifies above His name.” The consistent attack on Gods word from the pulpit has caused anemic, retarded believers today because they don’t believe Gods word can be trusted, since the “expounders” of the word they sit under constantly corrects it as if they know better than God what words He should have used.

Throughout the centuries, Baptist have held to the belief that the Bible is the sole authority for our faith and practice.  In many circles this is considered the first "Baptist Distinctive."  It is the first in a series of doctrine that identifies someone as uniquely Baptist.  Historically, Baptists have been forced to stand alone on this issue in spite of the fact that at times it has brought on intense persecution and cruelty. At times they have resisted popes, kings, teachers, pastors, and bishops who have tried to teach otherwise.

Baptist statements of faith down through the centuries have included Bible references for each tenant of their beliefs.  Because of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, Baptists believe that people should be free to own, read, and study their own Scriptures for themselves.  Spiritual interpretations should not be forced on anyone nor should people be coerced into believing certain way by a church, pastor, or hierarchy.