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BIBLE BELIEVERS REPORT

July 19, 2008

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I Peter 4:13-19

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

The week we begin a series of studies on the Christian History entitled THE TRAIL OF BLOOD. It was written many years ago by Dr. J. M. Carroll. As you read this, please pray for the Persecuted Church.

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THE TRAIL OF BLOOD or Following the Christians Down Through the Centuries From The Days of Christ to the Present Time Or to express it differently, but still expressively--"A history of the Doctrines as taught by Christ, and His Apostles and those who have been loyal to them."

by Dr. J. M. Carroll

THIS LITTLE BOOK is sent forth for the purpose of making known the little-known history of those FAITHFUL WITNESSES of the Lord Jesus, who, as members of the CHURCH JESUS BUILT, "Overcame Satan by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony: and they loved not their lives unto death," (Revelation. 12:11).

I'd appreciate hearing from you--and may I ask your help in getting these messages to our young people and others. Tell them about the wonderful facts of history brought out in this book. Urge them to order it. It would be most helpful to study it as classes in the BTU, WMU, and other organizations.

INTRODUCTION

By CLARENCE WALKER

Dr. J. M. Carroll, the author of this book, was born in the state of Arkansas, January 8, 1858, and died in Texas, January 10, 1931. His father, a Baptist preacher, moved to Texas when Brother Carroll was six years old. There he was converted, baptized, and ordained to the Gospel ministry. Dr. Carroll not only became a leader among Texas Baptist, but an outstanding figure of Southern Baptists, and of the world.

Years ago he came to our church and brought the messages found in this book. It was then I became greatly interested in Brother Carroll's studies. I, too, had made a special research in Church History, as to which is the oldest Church and most like the churches of the New Testament.

Dr. J. W. Porter attended the lectures. He was so impressed he told Brother Carroll if he would write the messages he would publish them in a book. Dr. Carroll wrote the lectures and gave Dr. Porter the right to publish them along with the chart which illustrates the history so vividly.

However, Dr. Carroll died before the book came off the press, but Dr. Porter placed them before the public and the whole edition was soon sold. Now, by the grace of God, we are able to present this 66th edition of 20,000. I want to ask all who read and study these pages to join me in prayer and work that an ever-increasing number shall go forth.

"To make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Christ Jesus; to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in Heavenly places might be known by the Church, the manifold wisdom of God ... unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end, Amen." (Eph. 3:9-10, 21)

It was wonderful to hear Dr. Carroll tell how he became interested in the history of the different denominations -- ESPECIALLY THEIR ORIGIN. He wrote the book after he was 70 years old, but he said, "I was converted unto God when I was just a boy. I saw the many denominations and wondered which was the church the Lord Jesus founded."

Even in his youth he felt that in the study of the Scriptures and history, he could find the church which was the oldest and most like the churches described in the New Testament.

This research for the truth led him into many places and enabled him to gather one of the greatest libraries on church history. This library was given at his death to the Southwestern Baptist Seminary, Ft. Worth, Texas.

He found much church history--most of it seemed to be about the Catholics and Protestants. The history of Baptists, he discovered, was written in blood. They were the hated people of the Dark Ages. Their preachers and people were put into prison and untold numbers were put to death. The world has never seen anything to compare with the suffering, the persecutions, heaped upon Baptists by the Catholic Hierarchy during the Dark Ages. The Pope was the world's dictator. This is why the Ana-Baptists, before the Reformation, called the Pope The Anti-Christ.

Their history is written in the legal documents and papers of those ages. It is through these records that the "TRAIL OF BLOOD" winds its way as you find such statements--

"At Zurich, after many disputations between Zuinglius and the Ana-Baptists, the Senate made an Act, that if any presume to re-baptize those who were baptized before (i.e. as infants) they should be drowned. At Vienna many Ana-Baptists were tied together in chains that one drew the other after him into the river, wherein they were all suffocated (drowned)." (Vida Supra, p. 61)

"In the year of our Lord 1539 two Ana-Baptists were burned beyond Southwark, and a little before them 5 Dutch Ana-Baptists were burned in Smithfield," (Fuller, Church History)

"In 1160 a company of Paulicians (Baptists) entered Oxford. Henry II ordered them to be branded on the forehead with hot irons, publicly whipped them through the streets of the city, to have their garments cut short at the girdles, and be turned into the open country. The villages were not to afford them any shelter or food and they perished a lingering death from cold and hunger." (Moore, Earlier and Later Nonconformity in Oxford, p. 12.)

The old Chronicler Stowe, A.D. 1533, relates:

"The 25th of May--in St. Paul's Church, London--examined 19 men and 6 women. Fourteen of them were condemned; a man and a woman were burned at Smithfield, the other twelve of them were sent to towns there to be burned."

Froude, the English historian, says of these Ana-Baptist martyrs:

"The details are all gone, their names are gone. Scarcely the facts seem worth mentioning. For them no Europe was agitated, no court was ordered in mourning, no papal hearts trembled with indignation. At their death the world looked on complacent, indifferent or exulting. Yet here, out of 25 poor men and women were found 14, who by no terror of stake or torture could be tempted to say they believed what they did not believe. History has for them no word of praise, yet they, too, were not giving their blood in vain. Their lives might have been as useless as the lives of most of us. In their death they assisted to pay the purchase of English freedom."

Likewise, in writings of their enemies as well as friends, Dr. Carroll found, their history and that their trail through the ages was indeed bloody:

Cardinal Hosius (Catholic, 1524), President of the Council of Trent:

"Were it not that the Baptists have been grievously tormented and cut off with the knife during the past twelve hundred years, they would swarm in greater number than all the Reformers." (Hosius, Letters, Apud Opera, pp. 112, 113.)

The "twelve hundred years" were the years preceding the Reformation in which Rome persecuted Baptists with the most cruel persecution thinkable.

Sir Isaac Newton:

"The Baptists are the only body of known Christians that have never symbolized with Rome."

Mosheim (Lutheran):

"Before the rise of Luther and Calvin, there lay secreted in almost all the countries of Europe persons who adhered tenaciously to the principles of modern Dutch Baptists."

Edinburg Cyclopedia (Presbyterian):

"It must have already occurred to our readers that the Baptists are the same sect of Christians that were formerly described as Ana-Baptists. Indeed this seems to have been their leading principle from the time of Tertullian to the present time."

Tertullian was born just fifty years after the death of the Apostle John.

Baptists do not believe in Apostolic Succession. The Apostolic office ceased with the death of the Apostles. It is to His churches that He promised a continual existence from the time He organized the first one during His earthly ministry until He comes again. He promised:

"I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matt. 16:18)

Then, when He gave the great Commission, which tells what His churches are to do, He promised:

"I will be with you alway, even unto the end of the age." (Matt. 28:20)

This Commission -- this work -- was not given to the Apostles as individuals, but to them and the others present in their church capacity. The Apostles and the others who heard Him give this Commission were soon dead -- BUT, His Church has lived on through the ages, making disciples (getting folks saved), baptizing them, and teaching the truth -- the doctrines -- He committed to the Jerusalem Church. These faithful churches have been blessed with His presence as they have traveled the TRAIL OF BLOOD.

This history shows how the Lord's promise to His churches has been fulfilled. Dr. Carroll shows that churches have been found in every age which have taught the doctrines He committed unto them. Dr. Carroll calls these doctrines the "marks" of New Testament Churches.

MARKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

1. Its Head and Founder--CHRIST. He is the law-giver; the Church is only the executive. (Matthew 16:18; Colossians 1:18)

2. Its only rule of faith and practice--THE BIBLE. (II Timothy 3:15-17)

3. Its name--"CHURCH," "CHURCHES." (Matthew 16:18; Revelation 22:16)

4. Its polity--CONGREGATIONAL--all members equal. (Matthew 20:24-28; Matthew 23:5-12)

5. Its members--only saved people. (Ephesians 2:21; I Peter 2:5)

6. Its ordinances--BELIEVERS' BAPTISM, FOLLOWED BY THE LORD'S SUPPER. (Matthew 28:19-20)

7. Its officers--PASTORS AND DEACONS. (I Timothy 3:1-16)

8. Its work--getting folks saved, baptizing them (with a baptism that meets all the requirements of God's Word), teaching them ("to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you"). (Matthew 28:16-20)

9. Its financial plan--"Even so (TITHES and OFFERINGS) hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel," (I Corinthians 9:14)

10. Its weapons of warfare--spiritual, not carnal. (II Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 6:10-20)

11. Its independence--separation of Church and State. (Matthew 22:21)

In any town there are many different churches -- all claiming to be the true church. Dr. Carroll did as you can do now -- take the marks, or teachings, of the different churches and find the ones which have these marks, or doctrines. The ones which have these marks, or doctrines, taught in God's Word, are the true churches.

This, Dr. Carroll has done, to the churches of all ages. He found many had departed from "these marks, or doctrines." Other churches, however, he found had been true to these marks" in every day and age since Jesus said:

"I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matt. 16:18)

"I will be with you alway, even unto the end of the age." (Matt. 28:21)

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I Peter 2:1-3

Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

The following passages were taken from WHICH VERSION IS THE BIBLE? by Dr. Floyd Jones; PhD, ThD. You may order your own copy of this book by writing to Dr. Jones at PO Box 130220, The Woodlands TX 77393-0220.

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I Peter 2:2

Like newborn babes, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation. (RSV; NIV is similar)

Comment: This perversion teaches (1) that salvation occurs over a period of time and (2) that it is by works. Salvation is a free gift and the Word teaches that we neither "grow up" to it, "work for it", nor "obtain it gradually". Deliverance from sin comes by faith in Christ Jesus, i.e.:

Acts 16:31

... Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved ... (KJ)

(3) The phrase "of the word" has been omitted, leaving us to wonder what "spiritual milk" is. The King James tells us the answer.

I Peter 4:1

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind ... (KJ)

Therefore since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose (NAS; NIV is similar).

Comment: Why did Christ Jesus suffer? For us! Note its complete removal from the text. Is not this "doctrinal"?

Acts 9:6

The following comparison is a clear capsule specimen depicting the character and degree of the alterations that have been made upon the Holy Scripture. (speaking of the conversion of Saul [Paul] on the Damascus Road)

"And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." (KJ)

"Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." (NIV; NAS etc., is similar)

Comment: Surely by now the reader has seen enough that any elucidation on our part is superfluous. We therefore with some reluctance mention that without the above underlined words, one cannot be certain if Saul were converted.

If these words are allowed to stand as faithfully recorded in the King James Bible, Saul û fully aware of the identity of the person with whom he is speaking û acknowledges Jesus as his Lord. That the verse likewise teaches the fear of the risen glorified Christ, as well as His boundless grace, is also manifestly evident.

Lastly, a dramatic example depicting the serious inconsistencies found in the other translations may be seen in the following:

Psalms 8:4-5

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. (KJ)

What is man, that Thou dost take thought of him? And the son of man, that Thou dost care for him? Yet Thou hast made him a little lower than God, And dost crown him with glory and majesty! (NAS, et. al.).

Hebrews 2:6-7

But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour ... (KJ)

But one has testified somewhere, saying, "What is man, that thou rememberest him? or the son of man that thou art concerned about him? Thou hast made him for a little while lower than the angels; thou hast crowned him with glory and honor ..." (NAS)

Comment: The highly touted NAS has rendered the Hebrew word "Elohim" as "God" in the eighth Psalm, creating within itself a conspicuous contradiction in the Hebrews 2 quotation of that O.T. passage. The "weak" Hebrew word (which can mean God, angels, judges, magistrates etc.) is protected by the "strong" Greek word "aggelos" which can only be translated "angels". The KJB is faithful to the LORD and to its readers by correctly rendering both passages as "angels".

The NAS reading in the 8th Psalm is not merely wrong, it fails to comprehend the immeasurable chasm existing between the Creator and the creature. It is humanistic, insulting to GOD and as such represents a blasphemous heretical translation having ignored God's New Testament Greek shelter and defense mechanism.

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I Timothy 6:20-21

O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

The following article is by Sean Meek, Director of Project CREATION. You may learn more about this ministry at www.projectcreation.org. Enjoy!

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NEANDERTHALS: OUR LONG LOST COUSINS

In 1856 in the Neander Valley in Germany a fossil skeleton was found that had some characteristics that were a little different than the average modern European. It was seized upon by evolutionists as a "missing link" between apes and humans. Artists then pictured Neanderthals as stooped over, hairy brutes; apemen. For over a century books and magazines popularized this view to the point that the very word Neanderthal has come to mean a substandard human being. But as is so often the case with evolutionists' stories, the facts are quite different.

Neanderthals were in fact simply a variation of humanity in the same way that Europeans, Africans and Asians are variations of humanity. After studying both Neanderthals and modern humans, Johns Hopkins anthropologist Christopher Ruff calculated that there were only trivial differences between Neanderthals and modern humans and that Neanderthals had, on average, bigger brains than modern humans (New Scientist February 6, 1999, p. 23). It is facts like these that has caused even evolutionists to now classify Neanderthals as true homo sapiens, in the same human family as the rest of us.

A recent find in Portugal has furthered highlighted just how trivial the differences between Neanderthals and modern humans really were. A skeleton of a child found in Portugal shows features similar to both Neanderthals and modern humans (Discover August, 1999, p. 71). This skeleton is very similar to what would happen if a blond, blue eyed Swede had a baby with a dark skinned, curly haired Zulu. This combination would lead to some interesting genetic mixing, but all of the people involved would be fully human.

None of this should come as any surprise to those who understand the true history of the world. At Babel the families were scattered and isolated causing individual physical traits to become associated with specific families. But as different as these ethnic groups developed into over time, they were still all cousins, descendents of both Adam and Noah. Neanderthals were simply one or more of the families that had been scattered at Babel. Over time these families developed their own particular traits. For instance Neanderthals generally had short, stocky bodies, much like the Inuits and Lapps of today, body types associated with cold climates (Discover, August, 1999, p. 73). This fact is consistent with Neanderthal traits developing in the post-Flood world of the Ice Age.

As often happens when evolutionists distort the facts as they invent their stories, the truth eventually comes out. Neanderthals were not a "missing link" or some imaginary evolutionary dead end; they were simply a variety of ancient humans that either died out or blended back into the human mainstream over time.

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This brings us to our Bible Believers question of the week. What was the original religion of the ancient Roman Empire? God bless. MARANATHA!

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