Newspaper Article



This article was submitted by Pastor Walker to The New Bulletin located in Old Fort, North Carolina. It is a weekly article.It is posted foryour reading enjoyment. Dr. Tom Walker Article for June 30th-2010 God Bless America There is no doubt we live in the greatest nation on the face of the earth. God has blessed America over and over again. Thank God for our founding Fathers who left us a Constitution, a Bill of Rights and a Bible that we dare never abandon. Our nation was built on solid foundations. Although that is true, it seems there are those today who would disregard what our founding fathers laid down for us to follow. Our nation was founded upon the desire for religious freedom. In light of that reality, it is sad in our day there are those who would try to take our right to use the name of God and the name of Jesus when we pray in public. In Jesus day there were those, namely the Jewish Council made up of Pharisees and Sadducees, who told the followers of Jesus not to speak His name, if they did, they would be punished severely. Following is the account as given in the Bible. Acts 5:34-40 tells us, "Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go." Gamaliel, the doctor of the law mentioned above, was the most noted rabbi of his time. He led the liberal faction of the Pharisees. He had even instructed the Apostle Paul before Paul was converted on the Road to Damascus (Acts 9). Gamaliel gave advice to the council not to kill the men; it might start a revolt. He advised the council to allow the apostles to continue their work. He told them if what the men were doing was not of God, it would come to nothing at all. They agreed with Gamaliel, beat the apostles, let them go and then commanded they not speak in the name of Jesus any more. Did that stop the Christians from using Jesus' name? No, because the Bible says in Acts 5:42, "And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." Peter and John did not stop proclaiming Jesus' name after being repeatedly warned not to preach and teach in that name, even at the risk of their lives. Our society is becoming more diverse as the years go by. In spite of that fact, Christians should not lose their rights to preach, teach and pray in Jesus' name. A good friend of mine was asked to pray for the General Assembly of North Carolina. He was told by a person at the general assembly when he prayed, they wanted him to not pray in Jesus' name. The reason given was that someone might be offended. My friend let the individual know that He was offended they asked him not to pray in Jesus' name and told them if he prayed, it would be in Jesus' name. Since he had driven a good distance, they let him pray that one night, but he was told that his services to them would not be needed the rest of the week." All across the country, our governmental officials have pressure put on them to not pray in Jesus' name. That is hard to understand when the Bible says, "God also hath highly exalted Him (Christ), and given Him a name above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in the earth, and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father" (Phil. 2:9-11). Since Jesus' name is above every name on the earth, under the earth, and above the earth, is it reasonable that we should be told not to utilize it in our public praying, because someone might be offended if we use it? His name is worthy to be used anywhere because the Bible tells us that "Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father" (Phil. 2:11). No one should be allowed to take away our right to pray in the name of Jesus. Our first amendment rights include being able to pray in any public place in the name of the one who is Lord. There is a movement in this country to belittle and refuse use of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ That group must be resisted. Christians should never shrink from identity with Christ, especially in our prayers. If we, as the followers of Christ do not stand up and identify with His name, then we will be silenced by a few who want no association with the Lord Jesus Christ at all. If they silence us, they hinder our purpose to preach and proclaim Christ in every way possible and honorable. We need to realize that sharing our faith and identifying with Christ may cost us a great deal in years to come. Those times are even upon us now. We are to share our faith and align with person and name of Christ, even if it means we are beaten or thrown in jail. Are you willing to suffer for Christ and share the Gospel with others, even if it means you are beaten, thrown in jail, ostracized, ridiculed, or slandered? I hope your answer is yes. There are those who do not want the words "In God we trust" on our coins, who do not want us to send mail outs to our community using Jesus' name, or the words heaven, hell, or judgment. Some do not want us to share our faith, but the Christian's first responsibility is to do what Christ wants him to do. Here is what the Lord told His people to do. If we obey God, He will continue to abundantly bless us. In Matt 28:18-20 Jesus gives the Great Commission and says, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach 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." Obedience to God brings blessing to individuals and to a nation. God bless America! Article by Dr. Tom Walker Pastor-Zion Hill Baptist Church ©Copyright 2010 Home \| Audios \| Publications \| Choir Music \| History \| Services \| Events\| Radio \| Salvation \| Pastor \| Videos \| Missions \| Location \| \| Newspaper Articles TO DROP US AN E-MAIL CLICK ON ENVELOPE ABOVE This site is established for the glory of God, the edification of the saints, and the salvation of sinners. Copyright 2010 by Zion Hill Baptist Church Created by Pastor Tom Walker

This article was submitted by Pastor Walker to The New Bulletin
located in Old Fort, North Carolina. It is a weekly article.It is posted foryour reading enjoyment.

Dr. Tom Walker

Article for June 30th-2010

God Bless America

There is no doubt we live in the greatest nation on the face of the earth. God has blessed America over and over again.

Thank God for our founding Fathers who left us a Constitution, a Bill of Rights and a Bible that we dare never abandon. Our nation was built on solid foundations. Although that is true, it seems there are those today who would disregard what our founding fathers laid down for us to follow.

Our nation was founded upon the desire for religious freedom. In light of that reality, it is sad in our day there are those who would try to take our right to use the name of God and the name of Jesus when we pray in public.

In Jesus day there were those, namely the Jewish Council made up of Pharisees and Sadducees, who told the followers of Jesus not to speak His name, if they did, they would be punished severely. Following is the account as given in the Bible.

Acts 5:34-40 tells us, "Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go."

Gamaliel, the doctor of the law mentioned above, was the most noted rabbi of his time. He led the liberal faction of the Pharisees. He had even instructed the Apostle Paul before Paul was converted on the Road to Damascus (Acts 9). Gamaliel gave advice to the council not to kill the men; it might start a revolt. He advised the council to allow the apostles to continue their work. He told them if what the men were doing was not of God, it would come to nothing at all. They agreed with Gamaliel, beat the apostles, let them go and then commanded they not speak in the name of Jesus any more.

Did that stop the Christians from using Jesus' name? No, because the Bible says in Acts 5:42, "And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." Peter and John did not stop proclaiming Jesus' name after being repeatedly warned not to preach and teach in that name, even at the risk of their lives.

Our society is becoming more diverse as the years go by. In spite of that fact, Christians should not lose their rights to preach, teach and pray in Jesus' name.

A good friend of mine was asked to pray for the General Assembly of North Carolina. He was told by a person at the general assembly when he prayed, they wanted him to not pray in Jesus' name. The reason given was that someone might be offended. My friend let the individual know that He was offended they asked him not to pray in Jesus' name and told them if he prayed, it would be in Jesus' name. Since he had driven a good distance, they let him pray that one night, but he was told that his services to them would not be needed the rest of the week."

All across the country, our governmental officials have pressure put on them to not pray in Jesus' name. That is hard to understand when the Bible says, "God also hath highly exalted Him (Christ), and given Him a name above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in the earth, and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father" (Phil. 2:9-11).

Since Jesus' name is above every name on the earth, under the earth, and above the earth, is it reasonable that we should be told not to utilize it in our public praying, because someone might be offended if we use it? His name is worthy to be used anywhere because the Bible tells us that "Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father" (Phil. 2:11). No one should be allowed to take away our right to pray in the name of Jesus.

Our first amendment rights include being able to pray in any public place in the name of the one who is Lord.

There is a movement in this country to belittle and refuse use of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ That group must be resisted. Christians should never shrink from identity with Christ, especially in our prayers. If we, as the followers of Christ do not stand up and identify with His name, then we will be silenced by a few who want no association with the Lord Jesus Christ at all. If they silence us, they hinder our purpose to preach and proclaim Christ in every way possible and honorable.

We need to realize that sharing our faith and identifying with Christ may cost us a great deal in years to come. Those times are even upon us now. We are to share our faith and align with person and name of Christ, even if it means we are beaten or thrown in jail. Are you willing to suffer for Christ and share the Gospel with others, even if it means you are beaten, thrown in jail, ostracized, ridiculed, or slandered? I hope your answer is yes.

There are those who do not want the words "In God we trust" on our coins, who do not want us to send mail outs to our community using Jesus' name, or the words heaven, hell, or judgment. Some do not want us to share our faith, but the Christian's first responsibility is to do what Christ wants him to do.

Here is what the Lord told His people to do. If we obey God, He will continue to abundantly bless us. In Matt 28:18-20 Jesus gives the Great Commission and says, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach 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." Obedience to God brings blessing to individuals and to a nation. God bless America!

Article by Dr. Tom Walker

Pastor-Zion Hill Baptist Church

TO DROP US AN E-MAIL
CLICK ON ENVELOPE ABOVE

This site is established for the glory of God,
the edification of the saints, and the salvation of sinners.