TOGETHER:
Ask God to bring Texas Baptists revival out of distress
___This past week, I attended the Golden Triangle Baptist Association annual meeting, where I had been invited to answer questions about denominational issues and bring a mission message.

CHARLES WADE Executive Director BGCT Executive Board

___Knowing how difficult it often is for people to listen to conversations that may provoke disagreement and controversy, I searched the Scriptures for a precedent to what Baptists are going through these days.
___I have been observing in the New Testament the Apostle Paul's admonitions to seek unity in the fellowship. "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3). "Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose" (Philippians 2:2).
___It also is instructive to note that unity was not easy to achieve or maintain. That has to be part of the reason the churches were urged so often to work for unity. Paul could be very direct in his sharp criticism of those who were not observing the freedom of others and sought to impose their own judgments on others. "When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong" (Galatians 2:11).
___But what came to my mind as we prepared for the discussion in Golden Triangle Association was the passage in Acts 15:1-4. I said to them: "I know controversy is painful. My wife used to sit in business conference at the church while we were discussing important matters and quietly tear a Styrofoam cup into little pieces. But unless we are willing to be informed, willing to go through the issues so that we can make decisions, then we forfeit our responsibilities as Baptist Christians. ... We can discuss these matters, and we can still be good friends and work together in this association and in our state convention. God can even use controversy to bring about revival."
___Then I read the following Scripture: "Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers, 'Unless you are circumcised according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.' This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them" (Acts 15:1-4).
___We had a wonderful service that evening. We ended the service gathered at the altar on our knees. The spirit of the Lord was present.
___I dare to pray that God would bring revival to Texas because in our distress over these controversies we have prayed more than we ever have for one another for our associations and our conventions.
___Prayer is such a marvelous gift to us because when we pray God is able "to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20).
___We are loved.
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The Baptist Standard