The Ohio Independent Baptist, September 1972

(Concluded from page 10) course to complete. When we come to the end, to the finish-mark Jet us be able to say-wi th the Apostle- that we are now at the finishing-place, hav– ing run the best race we could run. We have, in every sense of the word, finished the course in which God set us at the beginning. 3. The Faith has been kept. This is the concluding declaration– the last of the three perfect tenses: ' 'The faith have I kept. ' ' Here is the stewardship aspect of our service. Let it be clearly understood that Paul is not stating that he has maintained the personal faith of his own heart against fear, temptation, and doubt. This has to do with "the faith" ( tein pistin), the great objective revelation from God, the body of doctrinal truth spoken of as "the Christian faith." It is that most sacred and blessed Gospel deposit bestowed into Paul's charge and care-likewise, of every true ser– vant of Christ-and all that it holds, everything involved in the great divine message, all the mighty doctrines of truth and godliness. This, Paul has faithfully guarded, maintained, and kept-as every faithful servant of God is bound to do. The final perfect tense, teteireika, tells the story. From the moment of Paul's summons from God, and His entrusting the Apostle with the great charge, Paul has kept this great Gos– pel deposit, even with hi s very life. This, he has done-this, every other servant of Christ is obligat~d to do. The ministry of keeping and guard– ing, however, does not refer only to an office, or to preachers alone. The Gospel is actually entrusted to all true believers ( Jude 3). So, it is the solemn duty of all Christians to guard it well -we are all its guardians and cus– todians, and the Lord will hold alI of us to account. Let us, then, give our– selves to keeping this faith-deposit, holding to it, never abusing or misus– ing it, never neglecting it, never com– promi sing its claims, never dishonor– ing it, and continuing to guard it even with our lives down to the very end. "The good fi ght I have fought, the course I have finished , the faith I have kept"-how the very faithfulness and soldierly bearing of this servant of the Lord puts to shame the hesitancy and faint-heartedness of most of us! Ardu– ous and agonizing indeed was his cam– paigning, exhausting and excruciati ng his Jife-race, steadfast and firm his fidelity to his trust. Here is a workman needing not to be ashamed, and the glory of it all given lo God. Let tis, who k.now H im and ~erve Him today, strive to measure up. YOU DON'T HAVE A GHOST OF A CHANCE! That's the title of our new tract by Paul J. Levin, available now for distri – bution at Halloween. Get your free sample by writing today to BIBLE TRACTS, INC. , Box 508, Waterloo, la. 50704. BOOKLETS AVAILABLE Dr . Van Gilder on "Election" and on "Eternal Security" $.50 each plus postage Order from the author- 202 Bourbon Street Blanchest er, Ohio - 45107 NOW BOOKING ..... Bible Confe rences for 1973 DR. H. 0. VAN G ILDER 202 Bou rbon Street Bl anchester , Ohio - 45107 AVAILABLE FOR ... Pulpit Supply-Special Meetings– Weekend Meetings Rev. Clayton J. Bates 2246 Fourth Street Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221 Phone: {216) 928-6231 Lorain Church Calls Assistant Pastor Rev . Kenneth Blevins The Euclid A venue Baptist Church, Rev. Max Tucker, Pastor, has called Rev. Ken Bleviqs, Assistant Pastor of the Standale Baptist Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan to become Assistant Pastor. Mr. Blevins is a graduate of the Piedmont Baptist College and Bap– tist Bible Seminary of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was formerly Minister of Youth and Music at the Calvary Baptist Church in Bradenton, Florida. Mr . Blevins is married and the father of two children. He and his family will be residing at 1338 Michigan Avenue, Lorain, Ohio. Capsules of Life The great living lessons taught by Christ in His parables used the common , everyday exper iences of life. His illustrat ions and aptness of appl ication came from the heart that sought only good ftt the listener and you the reader of today. The accounts of missionary bravery and true incidents in the lives of experienced Christians character ize the literature we publ ish for you . Our take-home papers are planned to cover a broad area of Chr istian exper ience. Your ~·" ' church can o" IY benef it from the read ing of these fine papers: ~...:r--- FOR MOMMY AND ME. PR!MARY PAL. COURAGE. CHALLENGE, CONQUEST. Order your free R I B • t p samplefrom egu ar aptts ress 1800 Oakton Boulevard • Dee Plaines, 111. 60018 • ....,..-~-.-~ F • T-..-