So deep was Paul's desire to "win Christ" that He joyfully suffered the loss of all else - as being worthless. But he wanted far more than to merely appropriate Christ. Permit him to express the fulness of that for which his heart so deeply yearns.
    "And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead", (Phil. 3:9-11).
    To be so fully absorbed into the life of Jesus, so truly identified with Him (in His death, burial and resurrection) as a member of His body, and one in mind, desire and action, was Paul's chief desire as a Christian, (comp. 1:21; 2 Cor. 5:10). It is only through such identity that Paul may have a righteousness of his own - a righteousness that is divinely-bestowed, upon the basis of faithfulness, (Rom. 1:17-18; 3:20). It is only through the obedience of faith that anyone may

    None of us have so fully progressed in our comprehension and expression of spiritual understanding as to give us any right to talk down, with derision, on our "unlearned" brethren. In fact, none have arrived at such a state of perfection that we do not at times, through inadvertency, ignorance or personal bias, arrive at erroneous conclusions. Nor should we be offended if some gracious "Priscilla" and/or "Aquila" take us aside and endeavor to instruct us more perfectly in the way of the Lord!
    In fact, most of us are more deeply indebted than we realize to the influence of other brethren who are far from holding our particular views in many areas. It is well that Christian people learn to highly esteem the deep sincerity of other brethren - even while dissenting from some of their doctrinal views.
    We have not all come from the same place, have not shared the same experiences, nor have we all had the benefit of the same devoted teachers. Nevertheless, so long as our eyes are on the Lord, our hearts longing to know Him better

and our minds open to enlightenment through the counsel of godly brethren and the anointing of the Holy Spirit; surely the chasm between us will be constantly narrowing. Eventually, through the power and providence of God, we will be brought to a mutual understanding of His marvelous word, works and ways. And we may praise Him for the wonderful, though divergent, paths through which He has brought us into conformity with His heart, His mind and His dear Son!
    Even though our present compre- hension and expression of Cod's word may seem like the prattle of babes, in comparison to the fulness of understanding to which our Lord would lead us; we must never cease to share what we DO UNDERSTAND - while ever yearning for, and seeking after, a deeper, fuller, richer and clearer comprehension of that which God has revealed for our eternal good.
    Brethren, I consider myself a STUDENT - a mere learner. But,

thank the Lord, it appears that I am making a little progress in the understanding of spiritual things! And, though I do not expect to "arrive" - so long as I live in this mortal flesh; I DO press forward with a hungry, yearning heart. I am EAGER for faith to catch a clearer vision of my dear Lord - through a fuller, richer, more blessed comprehension of His precious word. And I desire the same for my beloved brethren! E.G.


    In his monumental life-work entitled "The Theocratic Kingdom of our Lord Jesus, the Christ", George N.H. Peters offers such a vast body of research material, dealing with the plan and purpose of God, as will be found in no other single source - however large the production.
    According to Wilbur M. Smith's preface to the re-print edition, Peters has quoted from more than 4,000 sources - from the earliest Christian writers to the late 19th century. And he has brought forth such an impressive and powerful array of witnesses that no one can afford to take a dogmatic position, regarding the meaning, greatness and significance of the KINGDOM OF GOD, without thoroughly considering the abundant weight of evidence submitted in favor of Peters' basic premise that: "Prophets, apostles and Jesus Himself ... continually point the eye of faith and the heart of hope to this Kingdom as the bright light which can clearly illumine the past and present, and even dispel the darkness

of the future".
    This 3-volume set, of near 2,000 pages, is being offered this month by the     The price is $49.95. But, if you are not already a subscriber, you will need to send an extra $5.00 (stating that it is for your subscription) BEFORE December 31, 1988. This will be a good, lifetime investment for anyone who honestly desires to consider evidence from every major vantage-point ("pre", "post" or "a" millennial). E.G.


    A letter from Pastor Willard Spilman announces the intention of the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, of Arvada, Colorado, to sponsor a Family Camp (June 19-23, 1989) at Camp Eden Christian Camp, near Wonderview, Colorado.
    Anyone interested in attending this encampment should contact him:

enter into such a new and blessed relationship with God as to become a "new creature".
    But, Paul continues the expression of his heart-yearning: "THAT I MAY KNOW HIM!" - suggesting a desire for ever-increasing NEARNESS; a richer, fuller, more intimate and experiential knowledge of the Son of Man, (vs. 10; Jn.

17:3; Eph. 4:13; 2 Pet. 1:2-3, 10; comp. Jer. 9:23-24). This concept, in the mind of the apostle, is the very zenith of Christian experience.
    To know Christ is to know "the power of His resurrection", (Eph. 1:19-21; 2 Cor. 4:10; Rom. 6:4-11; Col. 3:1). This will involve assurance of immortality, (Rom. 8:11; I Cor. 15:14); triumph over sin, and a pledge of justification, (Rom. 4:22-25). HIS RESURRECTION suggests the eternal significance for the human body, (I Cor. 6:13- 15; Phil. 3:21) - stimulating and motivating the whole moral and spiritual being, (Rom. 6:4; Gal. 2:20; Col. 2:12; Eph. 2:5). Thus, it is shown that we are "saved by His life"; because He lives, we are enabled to live triumphantly by a constant, moment-by-moment, renewal of necessary spiritual resources at the ever-flowing fountain of His grace.
    To know Christ, as Paul wants to know Him, will also involve "the fellowship" (participation in, or sharing) "of HIS SUFFERING", (I Pet. 4:13; Rom. 8:17; 2 Cor. 1:5-7; 2 Tim. 2:12; comp. Col. 1:24). It will also involve "being CONFORMED UNTO HIS DEATH", (Rom. 6:5; 8:36; Fal. 6:14, 17). It all began with the laying aside of HIS heavenly glory and majesty, to become incarnate in human flesh, (Heb. 12:2). It involved, for Him, a life of constant SELF-DENIAL for the good of others, (Matt. 20:28). And it was consummated by his taking the reproach and penalty of OUR SINS upon Himself at the cross of Calvary! (2 Cor. 5:21; comp. Heb.

13:10-15). Thus, we are said to be "baptized" into His death, (Rom. 6:5).
    While conformity to the image of Christ is our DESTINY, (Rom. 8:29); the process must begin here in this present life, (comp. 2 Cor. 3:17-18).
    It must never be imagined that Paul, in expressing his desire to "attain unto the RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD", is doubting the resurrection, (I Cor. 15:42). His confrontation of the unbelieving Sadducees, in this very matter, has been very bold and zealous. Rather, he expresses a longing for a "BETTER RESURECTION" - one that is SUPERIOR IN QUALITY! A resurrection UNTO GLORIFICATION and conformity to the full likeness of His beloved

Lord and Master, (Heb. 11:32-35; Rev. 20:4-6). He views such a resurrection as being ONLY for those who, in this present life, devote themselves to such a walk of faith - obedience, in the power of our Lord's resurrection, as will lead to suffering for His sake, (Rom. 8:11-17). And He desires such a PRESENT IDENTIFICATION with Christ as will enable him to walk in the fulness of His resurrection-power. He wants his life TO COUNT for the glory of Christ! (Phil. 1:20-21) - a life through which His glorious radiance will be manifested to others. E.G.


    Though attendance was smaller than in many of our past meetings, we enjoyed a good time of fellowship on November 24-25. Messages (or devotionals) were brought by brethren: Edward Byrd, Melvin Gray, John Coleman, Mitchell Verdin, Willard Ramsey, Derek Garner, Edward Gilbreath and Richard Reynolds.
    We are especially grateful to those who put forth the effort, and expense, of coming many miles to SHARE OUR BLESSINGS!
    We are grateful to Pastor Richard Reynolds, and the Sovereign Grace Baptist Church, for coming (as a body) to share in our Wednesday evening service.
    And it was a special blessing for Bro, Melvin Gray to bring his entire family - reminding us of Past meetings when pastors from across the country did this every year. Thanks, brethren! E.G.