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Poor
Travelers
"What poor, despised company of travelers are there,
Who walk in yonder narrow way, along the rugged maze?
Ah! these are of a royal line, all children of a King,
Heirs of immortal crowns divine; and lo! for joy they sing.
Why do they, then, appear so mean, and why so much
despised?
Because of their rich robes unseen the world is not apprized. |
But why keep they that narrow road,--that rugged, thorny
maze?
Why that's the way their Leader trod, they love and keep His ways.
Why do they shun the pleasing path that worldlings love so
well?
Because that is the read to death, the open road to Hell.
What! is there then no other road to Salem's happy
ground?
Christ is the only way to God, no other can be found." |
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A Jew became a member of the Nation of Israel by the
covenant of circumcision.
A Christian becomes a part of the covenant people of God by baptism into a
scriptural, N.T. Baptist church.
The godly independent Baptist remnant believes and
practices the following regarding:
Baptist Distinctives
1. The Bible as the only rule
and final authority of faith and practice
(John 17:17; Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter
1:21)
2. Authority and autonomy of the local church
(Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 3:15; Acts 20:19-30)
3. Two local church ordinances
a. Baptism of believers seeking entrance into the local church and that by
immersion
b. Lord's Supper
(Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38-43; Acts 8:36-38; Romans 6:1-6; 1
Corinthians 11:23-24)
4. Regenerate church membership
5. Security of the Believer
(John 10:27-28; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Hebrews 13:5)
5. Two offices of leadership
a. Pastor/Elder/Bishop (the same office with differing roles)
b. Deacons
(Acts 6:1-7; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Tutus 1:6-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4)
6. Soul liberty or freedom of conscience
(Romans 10:17; 14:1-8, 12-23)
7. Separation of church and state (Congress shall make no law establishing a
State religion/church)
(Matthew 22:21; Acts 5:29-31; Romans 13:1-4)
8. Church polity or government
9. Perpetuity of the New Testament church(es)
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