Since 1985 Bro. Robert Ashcraft, of Mabelvale, Arkansas, has devoted most of his time to a writing ministry. There are not many men producing any Bible Study materials that are faithful to the concept of a local, Baptist church as well as to the covenant concepts that are progressively unfolded in the Scriptures. Bro. Ashcraft is faithful to both of these in his writings.
    Though not claiming to agree with every detail of his work, I CAN recommend his Study Guides as a worthwhile investment to anyone interested in a serious study of the specific New Testament books that he has dealt with.
    Brother Ashcraft makes his own [literal I translation of the text, features word studies on the more important words, makes such contextual observations as will help one to a better understanding of the perspective from which the book was written, and briefly comments on key concepts.

Matthew ..................... $14.95
Romans ........................ 7.50
Galatians ..................... 4.95
Ephesians ..................... 5.95
Pastoral Epistles ............. 8.95
Hebrews ....................... 6.50
    These, and other, publications are available from:
to those who have continued to uphold the ministry of the CLARION HERALD by your prayers and liberal finances! May the Lord richly bless you and make you a blessing to others! E.G.

    While attending the Pillar Conference on "Unity in the Truth", last October my attention was called to a small booklet, in their church library, entitled "What Baptists Believe and Why They Believe It" by J.G. Bow, a Southern Baptist of earlier days. In that booklet, Dr. Bow stated, quite unequivocally, one of the basic principles of Biblical Ecclesiology. I quote as follows:
    "In the days of the apostles, they had churches, but nothing visible and tangible organized in any shape and known as the church, except local congregations.....The term "church" is never applied in the Scriptures to any aggregate of churches, either territorially or ecclesiastically….. Baptists, following the New Testament pattern, have no aggregate known as 'the Baptist Church'. Like the apostles and early Christians, we have churches". (pp. 21-22; emphasis mine, E.G.)
    Not only is this principle clearly set forth in the New Testament; it has been faithfully adhered to by true Baptist churches since the days of the apostles. Thus, to take a position [on any doctrine] that requires a revision, or compromise, of this basic principle, makes one suspect of being more fully committed to a personal philosophy than to Him Who is the Head of every local New Testament church, and to the inspired Scriptures designed to "thoroughly furnish" each local assembly with adequate direction and enablement [through the Holy Spirit] to function according to God's own order.
    Let us beware of so compromising "The Nature of a New Testament Church" as would tend to reduce us to nothing more than promoters of a sterile Protestant Theology! E.G.

    A recent letter states that the Church History Research And Archives, a unique source for obtaining works on Baptist history, is about to go out of existence.
    Over the years I have ordered a number of valuable works from them. In fact, they have republished a number of Baptist Histories that had been out-of-print, and almost impossible to acquire, for MANY years.
    During the next two months CHRAA will be closing out what stock they have on hand -- and at substantially reduced prices. It may be that anyone seriously interested in Baptist history will never again have such an opportunity to acquire these works.
    If you are interested in buying any of these histories, you may write to:


    To delay this may mean that you will be TOO LATE! E.G.

    It is "incorruptible" [Gk. "aphtharton"] -- "not liable to corruption or decay". God is said to be "uncorruptible". (Rom. 1:23; 1 Tim. 1:17). The righteous dead will be raised "incorruptible" "at the last trump" (I Cor. 15:52). At Christ's return, the faithful will be given an "incorruptible crown", (1 Cor. 9:25). However, the word may also mean "unravaged" -- as by an invading army. How often the land of Palestine was ravaged, plundered and destroyed by the enemies of God's people! But, those whose faith is anchored in Jesus Christ know a peace, security, joy and serenity which no invading army can destroy!
    This inheritance is also said to be "undefiled", [Gk. "amiantos"] -- free from contamination, (Heb. 7:26; comp. 1 Cor. 1:30-31), Many a time the land of Palestine was polluted, defiled and made impure by the worship of false gods -- involving spiritual fornication on the part of the Israelites themselves, (Jer. 2:7, 23; 3:2; Ezek. 20:43). We serve a wonderful Lord who is declared to be "undefiled", (Heb. 7:26; comp. I Cor. 1:30). Among other things, "pure religion" involves "keeping one's self undefiled" from the world's pollution, (Jas. 1:27). For such an "elect" people, the Lord has provided an undefilable inheritance!
    This inheritance is also described as being "unfading" [Gk. "amiantos"]; it is ETERNAL! (Psa. 37:18; Heb. 9:18; comp. 1 Pet. 5:4). The loveliest of flowers soon wilt, fade and die; but the one whose faith is firmly anchored in Jesus lays hold on a world that knows no change or decay. Leaning on Him, our joy, peace and serenity are not troubled by the changes and chances of life. Whatever may await us in the future; our most precious inheritance is that of GOD HIMSELF! (Psa. 73:23-26; Lam. 3:24).
    But, there is also reserved for us "A KINGDOM" -- prepared for us from the foundation of the world; a place of intimate and eternal nearness to our Wonderful Savior, Lord and King! (Matt. 25:3 1-36; Col. 3:22-24). It is interesting to

note that, though God promised to Abraham an inheritance, he has not yet received it, (Acts 7:5). Throughout a lifetime of faith-obedience, he anticipated the enjoyment of that promised inheritance, but died without actually possessing it, (Heb. 11:8-10; comp. Gal. 3:18). For him, as for us, the bestowment of that inheritance awaits the coming of our Lord and his, (Rev. 22:12).


    "Blessed be God"! for the sustaining power whereby He is bringing us to the fulness of salvation yet to be revealed in the last times, (Phil. 1:6; 1 Thes, 1:23). We are, indeed, being "kept by the power of God", (Jn. 10:27-29). As R. E. Neighbour has written:


    This keeping is said to be "through [a] faith" that confidently entrusts all into God's hands -- for He is surely ABLE, (Heb. 7:25; Jude 25; Eph. 3:20). So, Why not simply roll ALL YOUR CARE upon Him, RIGHT NOW! After all, He really does CARE FOR YOU!
    We are being kept UNTO the perfecting of our salvation. But we need to understand that the word "salvation" is used in a number of ways. It involves:
    I. Deliverance FROM Danger, (Matt. 8:25; 2 Cor. 1:8-10); Disease, (Matt. 9:21-22); and from the condemnation and penalty of our sins, (John 3:17-18).
    2. Positively, it involves deliverance

UNTO the life, liberty, glory and peace of the Kingdom of God, and unto an ever-increasing blessedness of fellowship with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ! A foretaste of this may be our experience, by faith, RIGHT NOW! (2 Tim. 4:16-18; Eph. 2:4-7; Luke 4:18; John 8:32, 36; 2 Cor. 3:17-18; Gal. 5:1, 13; Jas. 1:25; John 14:27; 1 Cor. 1:9; 1 John 3:1-3).
    It is this final aspect of salvation that Peter has in mind here. We are NOT appointed unto the wrath that God is about to pour out upon the man of sin and those who follow him, (2 Thes. 2:13; but to DELIVERANCE! Paul wrote of a salvation that is "in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory", (2 Tim, 2:12).

    Trials and testing's must come; it is through much tribulation that we enter into the Kingdom of God, (Acts 14:22). Instead of complaining, or trying to avoid such trials, we should learn to "count it all joy" that we are considered worthy to suffer for Christ's sake! (Acts 20:22-24; Jas. 1:2-5; Acts 5:41). These momentary trials are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us, (Rom, 8:18; 1 Pet. 4:12-13).
    We surely live in "the last times"! Among the last recorded message from Him Who sits at God's right hand are these words: "Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be", (Rev. 22:12). Now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed; and our prayer should echo that of the beloved John, who cried: "Even so, Come, Lord Jesus"!
  I. For His abundant mercy [pity and compassion] toward our miseries.
  2. For the "living hope" to which He has begotten us through the resurrection of His dear Son from the dead,
  3. For the glorious inheritance He has securely reserved for us in heaven. And
  4. For the daily sustenance whereby He is bringing us to the fulness of salvation that is yet to be revealed.
  Surely we have adequate cause to "BLESS GOD"! -- Eugene L. Garner
    Addressing a Sunday School class of boys, a minister once asked if there was anything that God could not see. One little fellow answered:
    "Yes, sir".
    "Are you sure, my boy"? asked the minister.
    "Yes, sir, I am sure".
    "Well, what is it that God cannot see"? "He cannot see my sins when they are covered by the blood of Jesus" -- something that; the parson ought to have known already.