Feb. 2nd., 1916
Mrs. T.G. Geveden
Burkley, Ky.
Kind Friend:
Your esteemed letter of a few days ago to hand, and with much pleasure I have noted its contents. I realize that you are an earnest seeker of truth, from the Fountain of all truth, God's word, imbued, or filled with the Spirit. I always and at all times take great pleasure in studying, honestly and earnestly with anyone seeking the truth.
You have asked me many questions in your letter, which I will endeavor to answer, and as you suggest, in the light of His word, too.
The first question I deduce from your letter is in regard to the birth of the Church. You say you find from Acts 2:4747Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:47), the birth of the church, because it says the Lord added to the church, "such as were being saved," or those that "were saved."
I want to ask you one simple question just here. How can you add anything to another thing that is not in existence? If the Church had not been in existence, it would have been an impossibility to have added to it. You can see that, can't you? So it must have been in existence before this time, but when was it begun or organized?
1 Cor. 12:2828And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:28). "And God hath set some in the Church, first Apostles." So we now have the charter members of the church. God's word tells us so, and we must accept it. Then they at least must have been in the church when these others were added, for they were the FIRST.
Now taking the above scripture, 1 Cor. 12:2828And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:28), and then Luke 6:1313And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; (Luke 6:13), any unbiased mind would say the Lord has just organized His church, just put in the charter members. Would he not, sister Geveden? Let us be unbiased, and seek the truth in the light of His blessed word. Then if we do, we have a church organized by Christ Himself, and He said He would do it Himself. "I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH," and the first members are the Apostles, and then on Pentecost, many were added unto them, Acts 2:4747Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:47).
Now, you question John's Baptism, and you know that Baptists only accept John's Baptism, and you are aware of the fact that all the Baptism Christ ever had on earth was John's. So the Baptists and Christ agree in this, don't they? If you will notice right close, the twelve that Paul baptized were not John's disciples, but were baptized "unto John," and John was dead, and Paul baptized them "in the name of the Lord Jesus." Acts 19:55When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 19:5). The one who First baptized these twelve must have been some one who had not been properly taught himself, like Apollos, Acts 18:24-2624And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. (Acts 18:24‑26), he seems to have only known John and not Christ, but when taught the "way of God more perfectly," I am sure did a great work. We have many today who are like Apollos, need instruction along many of the lines of the doctrines of Christ, and taught to heed the scripture where we are admonished not to be "tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, BY THE SLEIGHT OF MEN, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to DECEIVE." Eph. 4:1414That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (Ephesians 4:14).
The reason I say that John baptized the Apostles, we find, Acts 1:2222Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. (Acts 1:22), Peter says, "Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that He was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us, (with the Apostles) of His resurrection."
If the successor of Judas with the Apostles must be baptized of John, as the above scripture shows, ("Beginning from the baptism of John") then we must conclude that the other Apostles must have had the same qualifications that this one was required to have. Don't you think so?
Now, sister Geveden, you say when you joined the Baptist Church, it was not of faith. And you also agree with the scripture in your letter when you say, "without faith it is impossible to please God." We all admit that because God says so, and one without faith has no business in the Church, for "whatsoever is not of faith, is sin," so of course you did not please God going into the church without faith.
You say the Lord condemns all division, and that is true. He says, 1 Cor. 14:3333For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (1 Corinthians 14:33), "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the CHURCHES of the Saints."
Division comes about by those who go about with various kinds of doctrines, which the Lord admonishes not to follow. We should earnestly heed His word on this as well as all points.
You say, too, that you like organization, but want the Lord to be the organizer. Well, I agree with you on that. And He said He would set up His Church, and I believe He did it, and then divisions came about by men going out and organizing, against His own Body, His own Church, which brought about division, and they are still at it. We don't have to go back very far in history until we can see where some new organization has come, claiming to be the Church of God. But we hear Christ say, Matt. 16:1818And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18), "I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
It seems though, that some think the gates of hell have prevailed, and they have proceeded to organize another in its stead.
We find that 590 A. D. the Catholic Church was organized by Gregory, I. The Lutheran church by Luther, 1517. The Episcopal church, by King Henry VIII. The Presbyterian church by John Calvin, 1536. The Congregational church by Robt. Brown, 1580. The Methodist church by John Wesley, in 1733. The Campbellite church by A. Campbell, 1827. Morman church by Joseph Smith, 1830. The Christian Science church by Mrs. Eddie in 1879, and many other small organizations at various times, and by various persons, but the Church of Christ was set up by Christ Himself, and the first members were the Apostles, 1 Cor. 12:2828And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:28), and the Apostles were called out and kept with Christ, as an organization, or kept together as shown by Luke 6:1818And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. (Luke 6:18), being the charter members.
Now, the Baptists claim this organization that Christ set up, claim that it is the identical church of Christ. It is the only organization that claims to have been in existence since the days of Christ, except the Catholics, and history is against them. Baptists claim that Christ's word is and was true where He says, "The gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matt. 16:1818And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18). We believe it, and claim it.
Now let me give you some reasons briefly and by the scripture too, as to why the Baptists are right.
Now, I want to show you by His word, the beginning of His church, preparing of the material, and let you see how particular the Lord was about this.
3. How did Christ put His seal upon the work of John? By coming and being baptized by him. Matt. 3:13-1713Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 16And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:13‑17).
Placed first in the Church, Apostles, 1 Cor. 12:2828And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:28).
6. But how do you know John baptized them? Because the one that was to fill the place made vacant by Judas, was required to have John's Baptism, "Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that He was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness of His resurrection." Acts 1:2222Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. (Acts 1:22). This being the qualification of one to journey with the twelve, it must of necessity have been required of the Apostles, and we believe it.
Now, we have Christ, calling a man whom He gives the name of a Baptist; and this man has to prepare a people for Christ's use, which must be Baptist material as a Baptist prepares it, and Christ takes this material and organizes a Church, which must naturally be a Baptist Church, the material being such, and has all the marks of the present church, stands for perpetuity. "Gates of hell shall not prevail," Matt. 16:1818And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18). Baptists believe it, and claim their Church has stood all the storms of all ages, and is the only one who claims it.
The Jerusalem church had its church troubles, Acts 15. So do we. It took John's Baptism, Acts 1:2222Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. (Acts 1:22). So do we, and had you ever thought of the fact, sister Geveden, that the Baptist Church was the only Church that Christ could get in on His baptism, if He should come to earth and seek an admission to a church?
May God bless His truth and bless all His earnest seekers for the truth. It will give me great pleasure to visit your home.
Your friend in His service,
Eli Wright