January 2011

Volume 6 #1
Wading River Baptist Church
P.O. Box 438, 1635 Wading River-Manorville Road, Wading River, NY 11792
(631) 929-3512; 929-6022
www.wrbc.us [email protected]

All Things New

Fast away the old year passes,
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses . . . (“Deck the Halls”)
And He who sits on the throne said,
“Behold, I am making all things new” (Rev 21:5).
By the time you read this, the world will living in the same old house, especially Apostle John hears the Lord himself de-
have toasted in the New Year, complete when we look carefully at the signs of wear clare, “Behold, I am making all things new”
with their customary debauchery (called and tear, sighing within ourselves over the (v. 5). This time, however, “there will no
“parties”), champagne, dancing, noise- work and expense we will incur in main- longer be any death; there will no longer be
making, and other expressions of glee. taining it. A new baby is the source of ela- any mourning, or crying, or pain” (v. 4).
Why all this happiness? What’s so special tion until we have to face the stark reality Why? Because “the first things have
about the calendar changing from Decem- that the new child can be every bit as ob- passed away.” This is reason for authentic
ber 31 to January 1? Nothing, really. The noxious as his/her older siblings! Driving hope!
sun still rises in the east and sets in the a new car always provides a temporary There is one serious caveat in all of
west; we still have to eat, sleep, go to work, high—until it too begins to collect its share this, however. Not everyone will enjoy the
care for our families—in short, to do every- of nicks and scratches and small, but irri- blessing of this new heaven and new earth
thing we had to do before. In truth, there’s tating, dents, or until our neighbors buy which will be perpetually and eternally
really nothing new about the new year. As one even newer. The truth be told, the new new. Outside of the New Jerusalem are
it unfolds, we will be faced by essentially quickly becomes the old, and so the longing “the dogs [sexual perverts] and the mur-
the same responsibilities, challenges, joys, for something else new rises in our souls derers and the idolaters, and everyone who
and hardships we experienced in the year again, only to repeat the frustrating cycle. loves and practices lying” (Rev 22:15).
just passed. There are variations of course, The Apostle Paul reminds us that “the Simply stated, those who have never been
but on the whole, life is pretty consistent, whole creation groans and suffers the pains transformed by the grace of God—those
and for many people that means consis- of childbirth together until now. And not who have never believed in the Lord Jesus
tently unpleasant and unfulfilling. So why only this, but also we ourselves, having the Christ as Savior—will be excluded. These
the momentary ecstatic celebration? first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves have never been made new through faith in
The reason is not hard to explain; it groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for Christ. The new heaven and new earth are
lies in the human quest for fulfillment and our adoption as sons, the redemption of for new people. And who are they? New
meaning. As someone has observed, most our body” (Rom 8:22-23). The universe people have experienced the new birth.
people live lives of quiet desperation. itself, here personified, longs for a perma- Again, consider God’s Word: “Therefore if
There is a perennial longing that today will nent renovation; our dying bodies long to anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature;
be better than yesterday, and that the good be renewed. the old things passed away; behold, new
tomorrow brings will exceed the monotony Scripture informs us that in spite of things have come” (2 Cor 5:17).
of today. So even if it is fleeting, New the present state of decay, there is coming Thus, as you begin this new year, are
Year’s Day is a day of hope. just such a day of renewal. After the di- you a new creation in Christ? Has the old
Part of this longing for something bet- vinely executed holocaust that will judge life passed away—are you enjoying the new
ter is bound up in our desire for something this sinful earth, the heavens will pass things God gives as part of His gift of eter-
new. This, too, is a basic human desire, away, “and the earth and its works will be nal life? Are you anticipating the eternal
built into all of creation. As our bodies age, burned up” (2 Pet 3:10). And then there glories of heaven? If not, why not call upon
accompanied by all of the discomforts that will appear “a new heaven and a new earth; the Lord today? Happy New Year!
go with advancing years, we long for the for the first heaven and the first earth
impossible dream of finding that elusive passed away” (Rev 21:1). In witnessing the
“fountain of youth,” knowing, of course, splendid appearance of the New Jerusalem ⎯ Pastor Ron Glass
that we will never do so. We get tired of in his magnificent apocalyptic vision, the

1
 Getting Acquainted with Joe Best
In the early a family-owned business to make room for his son. How-
part of 2010, business handed ever, in accordance with God’s ultimate
during the down through the plan and purposes, Joe did not continue in
winter season, family from Joe’s the family business. His dad closed the
Pastor Glass grandfather, Jo- doors for the last time in the late 1980’s.
received an seph E. Best. The Before deciding to enlist for active
email in- store, Ben Frank- duty in the Army in 1985, Joe worked as a
quiring about lin Five & Dime, was located in Woodville, Tom’s Snack’s delivery driver for a short
Wading River the county center of Wilkinson County, time; managed a small Seven Eleven type
Baptist Church which itself is located in the southwest cor- store; and sold insurance for Metropolitan
(WRBC). It was from a couple living in St. ner of Mississippi and about 25 miles away Life Insurance.
Louis, Missouri, who were intent on mov- from the Mississippi River. Woodville was
It was during these years that Joe was
ing to Long Island as a result of a transfer a small town of maybe 2,000 people about
married and was blessed with a daughter,
for the husband, a staff sergeant with the 125 miles north of New Orleans, which is
Shelley (now 31); but sadly, this marriage
U. S. Army. WRBC is a praying church, where Joe’s mom was from.
ended with divorce.
and as a result these two believers were Even the county in which Joe lived in
added to the prayer list. Prayers began to After entering the Army
his early years was very rural with only
mount for this couple, strangers from and dealing with the di-
about 12,000 people. With a little bit of
across the land. They needed to sell their vorce, Joe began searching
imagination, especially for those who have
house in St. Louis and find one on Long for answers and the mean-
lived a few decades more than others, a
ing of life. It was Warrant
Island near their number one priority⎯a picture fr0m the past comes to mind
Officer Tannenbaum, a Jew-
church that preaches the truth of the Word. straight out of Mark Twain’s writings.
ish Christian, who invited him to attend a
They were put in touch with Anna Fiore, a His mom was first of all a mother to Baptist church. It was there that Joe
realtor who attends the church, and a bond three children: Ellen (Joe’s older sister), opened his heart to God and to Christ; his
began to form between this couple and the Joe, and Susan (Joe’s younger sister). Sec- inward faith was followed by a public pro-
WRBC. ondly, she was employed as a clerk in the fession. It was also at this time that Joe
One by one, prayers were answered county office of the U.S. Department of was baptized at Walstone Baptist Church in
and the house in St. Louis was sold by Agriculture, from which she retired after Fayetteville, NC, just outside of Fort Bragg.
June; the wife obtained a job at the Peconic 30 years of service.
It was a great day for him and in his
Bay Medical Center in Riverhead in July; Joe’s mother was from New Orleans, a heart he knew that it was the most impor-
friends were made with George and Judy predominately Catholic city, and conse- tant day of his life, when God called him to
Ehmann, who opened their hearts and quently she was raised a Roman Catholic. be one of His own. Joe is still searching for
home to the couple while they were finaliz- Joe, in his early years, was greatly influ- answers, but now he knows where to find
ing arrangements for a rental; temporary enced by his mother’s Catholicism. Joe
housing was found in Ridge (also in July); the answers⎯in God’s Word.
did, however, attend the Episcopal church
and by August, the couple had moved into After being discharged from the Army
with his father on a regular basis; both
the rental. By November, the couple closed in 1992, Joe moved back to Mississippi to
parents agreed that it was important to
on a house in Manorville; this enabled their serve on inactive duty until 1997. At the
attend church regularly.
final move in mid-November through the same time, he at-
Joe attended the Christian Academy tended the University
help of a handful of volunteers from the
High school where he played basketball on of Southern Missis-
church.
the high-school team and sippi, where he earned
It has been an amazing journey that all played the saxophone in the
began on a computer, a journey that cul- an Associate’s Degree.
high-school band. For a few It was there that Joe
minated in the entrance of this couple years, Joe was also a boy
through the doors of the WRBC. This cou- met a lady by the
scout. name of Martie McGowen who was also
ple, Joe and Martie Best, have been attend-
Most Christmases were special in the attending the University. A strong rela-
ing the WRBC for perhaps five months
Best household. As a result of Joe’s father tionship grew which was centered upon
now. In this relatively brief period of time,
working in the retail business, Joe can viv- their unification in Jesus Christ and they
Joe and Martie have already become mem-
idly recall the challenge it was to work in were married on October 15, 1995.
bers and have begun to take an active part
in the fellowship and service of the church. his store⎯especially during the Christmas As Joe’s inactive duty came to an end
Not only does this article serve as a profile, season. Both he and his sisters worked in 1997, he volunteered for active service
first for Joe Best (next month: Martie hard and appreciated the uplifting Christ- again. He has since served in Fort Knox,
Best), but outlines God’s grace and purpose mas attitudes of the customers. He also KY; St. Peters, MO; and now at U.S. Army
in designing His will and direction for the remembers his father being happier at Hospital in Shoreham, NY. Professionally,
church as well as for Joe and Martie Best Christmas time compared to the rest of the Joe is a Senior Human Resources Non-
specifically. year. Commissioned Officer who holds the rank
Joe Best was born on January 19 in His grandfather and father ran the of Sergeant First Class. Joe’s job involves
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to parents Joe family business for over 50 years. Joe was the safekeeping of personnel records and
Best, Sr. (best known as Mac) and Dolores presented with an opportunity to follow in filing paperwork on behalf of the soldiers
Best. His father was the owner/operator of his father’s footsteps when he expanded his in the unit he serves. By the year 2012, Joe
continued on page 3
2
continued from page 2
will have accrued 27 years of military ser- tinually vying for), Joe likes to relax and does. He believes that “If God is for us, who
vice (20 of which were in active duty). Joe “veg out” in front of the TV, allowing him can be against us?” as his favorite Bible
trusts that he will be in a position to retire the fast track to some shut-eye. When he verse (Romans 8:31) states. He knows that
soon. does have some free time, he enjoys play- ultimately, our Father in heaven brought
Together, Joe and Martie have three ing games or cards; Joe entertains hopes of them to the WRBC; he knows that a warm
children: Shelley, 31 years old, who is mar- someday pursuing a welcome was felt in the early days upon
ried to Cameron (this marriage has pro- game of golf or tennis. their arrival at the WRBC; and he knows
vided Joe and Martie with three wonderful But this we can say for that it was the kindness shown to them that
grandchildren); Rebekah, 27, who lives in sure⎯Joe can grill a brought them to the decision to join the
Winter Park, FL; and Nathan, 22, who re- mean steak! WRBC. Joe is grateful for all the prayers
sides in St. Louis, MO. Joe reflects a gentle silence but that is and we at the WRBC are grateful for Joe.
As far as his free time goes (beyond just a military discipline. His heart is in ⎯ Joan Tyska
what the U. S. Army and Martie are con- the right place knowing the Lord as he

Missionaries of the Month – Samuil and Ella Likhtman

to replace the old one that was beyond re- Miriam Nadler, friends from the Word of
pair. Messiah Ministry, as they conduct a two-
Another answered prayer within their day seminar.
church, Light of Life Congregation, con- As we continue to pray for Israel and
cerns the youth of the church. Football specifically for Samuil and Ella Likhtman,
(soccer) games are arranged between the there are two girls, Dasha and Veronica,
church’s youth and the secular Israelis. from the congregation that are battling
The athletic activities are followed by an cancer. The doctor is very encouraged by
opportunity to share freely about God’s how well the treatment is progressing.
grace in Jesus, the Messiah of Israel. Please keep them in prayer for God’s will in
Other outreaches include hiking trips the remission of the cancer afflicting these
Many prayers have been answered for two girls.
around the country, offering occasions for
Samuil and Ella Likhtman as they continue
fellowship and personal evangelism to un- Samuil and Ella Likhtman “continue
with their faithful ministry in Petach Tik-
believers; the distribution of tracts in both to thank the Lord for the great privilege to
vah, Israel. One answered prayer was their
the Hebrew and Russian languages; the pray for each other and for the wonderful
rehabilitation following their car accident
organization of special Bible studies; and eternal unity that He made possible in His
in August 2010. Not only are the
the education of church leaders (in He- Son.”
Likhtmans and their granddaughter, Mi-
brew) in how to build a sermon. In Janu- ⎯ Joan Tyska
chelle, doing well, but they have a new car
ary, they will be welcoming Sam and

The Ninth Commandment

When we hear the ninth commandment, man did not attempt to deceive anyone, so vain, for the LORD will not leave him un-
“You shall not bear false witness against he did not lie. However, is he blameless? punished who takes His name in vain” (Ex
your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16 NASB), An honest reading of the ninth com- 20:7). There are multiple names for God
should we say it means we ought not lie, mandment should inform us that there is given in the Pentateuch (Genesis through
and leave it at that? All right, you know my more to it than lying. Presumably, the ma- Deuteronomy⎯the five books of Moses).
answer because if I thought the answer to chine operator in our example is a co- Would it not make sense here to use the
be a simple yes, I would not have written worker of the man; we are reminded that name “I AM” (Ex 3:14), because it is the
this article. This commandment encom- Jesus gave a broad definition of “neighbor” name God told Moses to use when he was
passes others. In practical terms, I believe in the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke about to lead God's people out of Egypt?
this to be a difficult commandment to un- 10:30-37). Consequently, there would be This would imply that we ought not use a
derstand, let alone obey. I will try to ex- no reason not to consider co-workers as form of “to be” haphazardly because we
plain what is required of us by the above our neighbors. What the man said was may be taking the Lord's name in vain. We
commandment and to give practical ways proven to be false; thus he gave a false wit- should be able to explain why the thing we
for us not to stumble over it. ness that caused harm. The operator acted referenced is true. I would rather say “stop
We all know the harm that can be on the man's word. Does this mean that it using the word ‘God’ in a swear phrase”
done if we act on something that turns out is sin to be wrong, so we must know every- and call it a day. Oh, if it were that easy to
to be false. What if the person giving us a thing? I believe the keys to obeying this satisfy what is required of us!
report is ignorant or believes he is speaking commandment are language, wisdom, and I remember an off-the-cuff conversa-
the truth? Is he exonerated? Here is an sense (which does not seem to be so com- tion in high school with my Spanish
example. A man says, “Go ahead and dig. mon these days). teacher in which the jist of it was that in
There are no lines there.” It turns out he If we are to attempt to obey the ninth her country, they say “I saw him in the
was wrong, and the machine operator commandment, we would do well to un- other room;” but we say, “He is in the other
knocks out power to a whole town! The derstand the third which reads: “You shall room.” I did not take much away from her
not take the name of the LORD your God in class, but at least I recognized the profound
continued on page 4
3
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difference here. The first statement re- Paul commended the Bereans because do not give definitive statements about
mains true, but the second statement is they did not swallow everything he said things we do not know about. How do we
likely to become false as time passes. If we without checking it out (Acts 17:10-12). We go about this? Two things come to mind.
are careful to qualify our statements, we have a responsibility to make sure we have The first thing is we ought not take part in
can better honor God by refraining from checked out things (not just Scripture) be- gossip (Prov 18:7-8; Prov 20:19; Rom 1:28-
falsehoods. “I don't believe there are wires fore we pass them on to others and before 32)! God takes gossiping seriously because
there,” “according to the town...” and “I we believe what others say to us. Should I believe it is a way we take God's name in
don't know” are perfectly valid answers if we believe ourselves to be so spiritual that vain. By passing along gossip, we can un-
that is all we can attest to. when a thought crosses our minds we say it wittingly aid people in maliciously ruining
So is that it? Not quite. We have ne- is “a word from the lord” without checking reputations (Ex 23:1-3). Secondly, we
glected the word “bear.” Should we hold it out against reality? I find this attitude should forbid ourselves from getting into
on to stuff that is not true? I don't think so. infuriating and a great hurdle to overcome frivolous arguments (1 Tim 6:20; 2 Tim
We would do well to throw up anything we when presenting the gospel! If we fre- 2:16; Titus 3:9). The truth can become
believe is false. Better yet, we should not quently give our friends and co-workers secondary if egos get bruised and it be-
swallow it in the first place. This is where information that they check out and find to comes more important to win the argu-
the machine operator may come in. Does be wrong, why should they believe us when ment. Is God glorified in this? I believe
he have reason not to believe what the man we talk about the things of God? If they this barely scratches the surface on this
told him? If the man has a record of being find that we are trustworthy and that pretty topic. I hope I have given you some food
incompetent, careless, or loose with the much everything we say turns out to be for thought.
facts, did the machine operator have a duty true, we may be able to overcome the ⎯ Carl Chapman
to not carry the falsehood and to seek guid- “fruitcake” label in some people's minds.
ance from others? It is hard to bring falsehoods into con-
versations if all we believe is true and we

Classics to Contemplate
“The Crisis and the Process”
from Victory in Christ by Robert C. McQuilkin, Part 3
Editor’s Note: From time to time, we hope answer the question as to what is the Scrip- He had described perfectly what hap-
to bring you excerpts from largely forgotten tural teaching concerning an experience in pened in my case. Our Lord said: “Whoever
works on the spiritual life, works from previ- the life of a Christian, and how it is related drinketh of the water that I shall give him
ous generations that need to be read and pon- to the many apparently contradictory teach- shall never thirst; but the water that I shall
dered today. Robert C. McQuilkin (1886- ings concerning the Spirit-filled life, the give him shall become in him a well (or
1952) was a popular conference speaker and baptism of the Spirit, perfectionism, and spring) of water springing up unto eternal
from 1923-1952, the first president of Colum- sanctification. life” (John 4:14). I realized that I had sunk
bia Bible College (now
Toward the end of that blessed mis- a well of my own. I knew that the experi-
Columbia International
sionary conference in which I met the Lord ence was not something to be depended
University) in Columbia,
in a new way, the chairman asked me in his upon. There was need of abiding in Christ.
SC. This is the first half of
the fourth chapter of a cheerful way whether I had received a bless- But “the resources of the Christian life,” as
little booklet containing ing. To say that I had received a blessing someone has said, “are just Jesus Christ.”
his personal testimony as seemed to me an entirely inadequate way of Those resources are exhaustless.
to how he found spiritual describing what had taken place. I do not The secret of con-
victory in his life. Chapters 1 and 3 were pub- recall my exact words, but I exclaimed tinuance in victory,
lished in the November and December 2010 somewhat after this fashion: “A blessing? therefore, is to go on as
issues of The Beacon, respectively. We will No! I have received the blessing I have we have started. We
publish subsequent portions in the months to been hungering for for years.” yielded to Christ and
come. trusted Him. We go on
The chairman had a great gift for strik-
“A crisis, followed by a ing illustration, and he said this: “Well, you in the Christian life, yielded, and trusting,
process,” is the way the be- know, young people come to conferences moment by moment. This is the normal life
loved Bible teacher, Dr. Grif- year after year. They fill up their vessels attitude for every Christian. From another
fith Thomas, described the and go back to their churches and young viewpoint, we yield and trust for this mo-
life of victory. It is of vital people’s societies. After a few weeks or ment. This is the only moment we have.
importance to understand months, the water gets low, And in this moment we are either trusting
the relationship between a crisis experience and their vessels are empty. or we are not. A choice Christian business
which marks a transformation of a Chris- They look forward to the man who was a blessing to all with whom
tian’s life, and the process that follows. I summer conference and the he came in contact attended Victorious Life
am, therefore, adding two brief supplemen- expected refilling. Then one conferences year after year. Finally he ar-
tary messages to my personal testimony. year they come to the con- ranged for a conference in his own home
First I shall try to answer the question as to ference and something hap- church. At the close of the conference, I
how this crisis experience in my own case pens. They sink a well of mentioned to him that he seemed to enjoy
affected the Christian life and service and their own!” the conference. “Enjoy it! This has been
growth that followed. Then, I shall try to the most wonderful week of my life. I have
continued on page 5
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heard this message over and over again. I things that displeased the Holy Spirit which daily living. Naturally the question arises,
have read many books on the subject. But before were not recognized. There was a What is the relation between this decision
never till this week did I learn the secret of new sense also of the reality of forgiveness. that we have called a crisis, and the process
entering in. One of my favorite hymns is, When the confession was sincere, there was of living the Christian life?
‘Moment by Moment I’m Kept by His Love!’ the joy of entering into His cleansing and There are devoted Christian leaders
But it was the ‘by moment’ part that got me. into His sufficiency to give victory. who tell us that God’s true way of holiness
This week I suddenly faced the fact that in Again and again, when facing an op- is no short-cut of a sudden step of faith, but
this present moment I was either trusting portunity for service or testimony, the dis- is through faithful prayer and Bible study,
Christ to supply all my need or I was not couraging thought came that with the fail- Christian service, and the attending upon
trusting Him. I was in a corner, and I made ures I had made, I should be careful about all the means of grace. They agree that
the decision that I have delayed making for witnessing to the Lord’s victorious power. many who teach a special blessing, whether
years, and life is all changed.” Now that But each time the question came, What it is called sanctification, or the baptism of
first clear realization of this truth does con- about this present moment? Am I truly the Spirit, or entering into victory, are
stitute a crisis. But we are to go on, mo- yielded to the Lord? Is He meeting every blessedly used of the Lord. But they main-
ment by moment, abiding in the Lord. need? Thus the testimony was an ever fresh tain that the blessing in such lives does not
and real testimony, because it was a testi- come from the supposed crisis, but from
mony to the sufficiency of Christ, not of my their faithfulness in following God’s plan of
own record of faithfulness. abiding in Christ.
Another secret of continuance in vic- The question of the Bible doctrine on
tory is growing in grace and in the knowl- this matter will be taken up in the next
edge of the Lord. We do this, of course, chapter. But here let us notice the practical
through prayer and Bible study and through fact that there are multitudes of earnest
our Christian service and through all our Christians who are carrying on to the best
experiences. But we do it also by recogniz- of their knowledge all of these means of
ing that the Lord has much more for us grace, and yet they do not have joy and
The Bible had become a new book to than we have ever entered into. We should peace, they do not have the victory in prayer
me. I had learned a new secret of the expect that every day will show a growth in and Bible study, or in Christian service.
prayer of faith. But all of this would avail the things of God. God’s plan is not a mere They need a new attitude of faith in all of
nothing unless prayer and Bible study be- negative conquering of failures, but a posi- their Bible study and prayer and service.
came a regular and a vital part of life. The tive going on in the Lord. They need a crisis in their lives. Let us note
measure of blessing through the years has, Equally with prayer and Bible study as the further fact that many great Christian
therefore, varied according to the measure a necessity for continuing in the victorious leaders, as well as thousands of little known
of faithfulness in Bible study and prayer. It grace of our Lord, is faith-filled Christian believers testify to a
has varied also because of other important service. Every Christian is called to witness crisis that marked a
things, but Bible study and prayer are es- to others. Every Christian may be a soul- transformation in the
sential to a normal, healthy Christian winner. Nothing is more conducive to life. Hudson Taylor, of
growth, and essential also to abiding in Christian growth than eagerly seeking to China, is one who has
Christ. win others to Christ and to a life of service. witnessed most clearly
His plan is: “Be ye steadfast, unmoveable, to such a crisis in his
I do not want to give the impression
always abounding in the work of the Lord, life, as related in
that there has been a constant feeling of joy
forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not “Hudson Taylor’s
or exultation in Christian living. Joy is
in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58). The se- Spiritual Secret.”
deeper than feeling. Christ was the Man of
sorrows and acquainted with grief. On the cret of keeping on is “always abounding,” We have already noted that there are a
road to Gethsemane He gave His peace and not discouraged when we do not see imme- number of doctrines set forth to describe a
joy to the disciples. We are to fellowship diate results. vital change of this sort in the life of a
with His sufferings. Many times Christians Christian fellowship, and faithfulness Christian, such as the doctrine of entire
may be in heaviness through manifold in the worship of the Lord, is another sanctification, of the baptism of the Spirit,
temptations. At such times we are tempted means of grace. There was no such thing as of the fullness of the Spirit. There is also a
to discouragement and to anxiety. The a free-lance Christian in New Testament variety in the teaching concerning the evi-
question is, What do we do in that moment times. We are joined to Christ, but we are dence as to whether a Christian has entered
of discouragement? Do we meet it in faith, also joined to other Christians. We belong into the experience. However, it is signifi-
or in unbelief? Many times I have come to to the Body of Christ, composed of all true cant that all teachers agree on the condi-
the Bible and so far as feeling is concerned believers. But we should also be united tions, or shall we say, the human condi-
have been as dry as a stick. But in the new with a local company of God’s people. This tions, necessary to entering into this new
life I am not walking by feeling but by faith. is God’s order, and the New Testament life. These conditions are surrender and
The Bible is the Word of God and in faith I plan. Christians need to have the fellow- faith, which may be viewed as two things, or
come expecting the needed message regard- ship, and they need to worship regularly, viewed as the two sides of one committal to
less of feeling. and they need to be under discipline in their the Lord. The normal Christian attitude is
Christian life. that the believer should yield himself to the
Another thing that we were taught was
control of Christ. But there are two objec-
the need of instant confession of sin when It will be seen that these suggestions
tions made to the teaching of a once-for-all
conviction came. This life is not presented concerning the continuance in a life of vic-
surrender for a new life of victory. One
as a life of sinlessness. There was a new tory are simply the Bible instructions which
objection is that no Christian is fully sur-
sensitiveness to sin, and a consciousness of all true Christians are to follow in their
rendered at any time. The other objection
continued on page 6
5
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is that the Christian is constantly making his will to have the will of Christ in is life or that she is joined to her husband, and sepa-
new surrenders after his acceptance of not. Since all Christians know from experi- rated from all other men in that relation-
Christ as his Saviour. ence that it is possible not to be yielded to ship. So a Christian is joined to the Lord,
We must admit that from one stand- the Lord there is a definite step of making and he reckons himself separated from all
point the Lord Jesus is the only human be- that full committal. It means something in that is contrary to his life in Christ. This as
ing that was ever surrendered in an abso- present living when God commands, “Yield an attitude is an absolute thing. Yet many
lute way to the control of the Spirit. But yourselves unto God.” When a young Christians, for one reason or another, do
from another very practical standpoint, woman is married she commits herself to not have this as a steadfast attitude. They
there is such a thing as absolute surrender her husband, in that relationship. It is an need a crisis, or decision.
for the Christian. That is, in this present absolute, not a relative thing. She goes on To be continued in the February 2011
moment the Christian knows whether it is living the married life reckoning on the fact issue of The Beacon.

A Month in Review
Vacations, hanging of the Short narrations introducing each of
greens, office make-overs, the eight musical pieces were read by Chris
and getting reading for the Hallstrom, Dennis Tyska, and Joan Tyska.
Christmas holidays kept the
church calendar active and
busy this past month.
Thanksgiving, though, was a quiet
time of expressing our gratitude to God for
the blessings He has so graciously be-
stowed upon us over the past year. Many It is without saying that the fellowship
within our church family were away on continued on into the afternoon as the
Thanksgiving vacations, including Pastor bond of love
and Maureen Glass who enjoyed a visit was felt in every
with their children and grandchildren in corner of the
Greenville, SC. fellowship hall.
Coordinating technician Jim Perry
As Pastor’s office was not being occu- fine-tuned the orchestrated recording of They say one
pied, the Bellards and the Chapmans took “Night of the Father’s Love,” most neces- picture is worth
advantage of this time to paint and give the sary for such a production; all too often the a thousand
technical contribution to such a wonderful words, so let the pictures speak loudly of
office a most welcomed make-over⎯a true
musical presentation is overlooked. the love shared.
thanksgiving blessing.
⎯ Joan Tyska
At the same time, the church began to After the service, everyone was invited
take on that special Christmas look as our downstairs to the fellowship hall for a
ever faithful deaconesses and volunteers lunch buffet that the deaconesses had pre-
decorated the church after the service on pared. It was a time of great socializing
November 28th. and reaching out to guests. One particular
guest, Ray Wigdal, a dear friend of the
Also on November 28th, Peter Albrecht
Perez family, serves as a missionary to
filled the pulpit for Pastor Glass while he
China. Ray had many stories to share of
was on vacation and preached the sermon,
his love for his nine adopted Chinese chil-
“Joyful Thanksgiving: The Prescription for
dren. He has taken them in, providing for
Peace” (text: Philippians 4:1-9). The ser-
their material needs as well as nurturing
mon served as an addendum to Pastor
them in the Word, teaching them how to
Glass’s series on the Three-Self Christian
pray, and educating them through a cur-
(self-denial, self-sacrifice, and self-control)
riculum from Bob Jones. Occasionally,
which concluded on November 21st.
Ray pastors a local church in this foreign
On the Lord’s Day, December 12, land for those in need of the Lord’s love.
2010, the WRBC Choral Ensemble pre-
sented the musical arrangement, “Night of
the Father’s Love.” Many weeks of prepa-
ration under the patient direction and en-
couragement of George Ehmann all came
together for 35 minutes of some of the fin-
est music to glorify our Lord Jesus Christ.
Most outstanding were soprano Sarah
Chapman’s solo, “The Coming of the Lord,”
and tenor Carl Chapman’s solo, “Seeking
the King.”

6
 January Bible Quiz Questions December Bible Quiz Answers
1) What was Barnabas’s given name? 1) Athaliah, mother of King Ahaziah (2 Kings 11:1-3).
2) Antioch, a city of southern Asia Minor in Phrygia, was where the 2) The Rechabites. They refused to drink the wine set
disciples were first called Christians. True or false? before them (Jeremiah 35:1-6, 12-16). This test was
3) Who was the first judge of Israel? commanded by God as an object lesson contrasting the
disobedience of Judah to His commandments.
4) What was the name of the city that was spared destruction at
Lot’s request? 3) By the Apostle Peter, on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:30).

5) Who was the wealthy tax collector who was converted to Christ? 4) “Because of your hardness of heart” (Matthew 19:8).

Bonus: The heretical teaching that Jesus did not come in the flesh, 5) The names of the 12 tribes of Israel (Exodus 28:17-21).
but only seemed to have a body and to suffer and die on the cross, Bonus: The literal meanings of Urim and Thummim are
is called _______? lights and perfections, respectively (Exodus 28:30).
― Felix Acerra

Submit the answers and Bible references to: [email protected]

The Birthday Corner
January 1st – Kaitlyn Hallstrom
January 4th – Jackie Hallstrom
January 10th – Bill Mallman
January 11th – Judy Ehmann
January 19th – Joe Best
January 22nd – Leo Stein
January 25th – Alice Teufel
The Anniversary Corner

January 2011 January 10th – Pastor & Maureen Glass

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1
2 9:45 AM 3 4 5 8:00 AM Ladies Prayer 6 7 8
Sunday School – Joan Tyska (727-5998) 6:30 PM
11:00 AM Morning 7:00 PM Prayer Meeting AWANA
Worship Service and Exposition of Psalms

9 9:45 AM 10 11 12 8:00 AM 13 14 15 1:00 PM

Sunday School 7:00 PM Ladies Prayer 6:30 PM Senior Saints
11:00 AM Morning Board of 7:00 PM Prayer Meeting AWANA Luncheon –
Worship Service (brief Deacons and Exposition of Psalms “Prayer Power”
business mtg. to follow) Meeting

16 9:45 AM 17 18 19 8:00 AM 20 21 22
Sunday School Ladies Prayer 6:30 PM
11:00 AM Morning 7:00 PM Prayer Meeting AWANA
Worship Service and Exposition of Psalms
(choir resumes)

23 9:45 AM 24 25 26 8:00 AM 27 28 29
Sunday School Ladies Prayer 6:30 PM
11:00 AM Morning 7:00 PM Prayer Meeting AWANA
Worship Service and Exposition of Psalms

30 9:45 AM 31
Sunday School
11:00 AM Morning
Worship Service

7
PO Box 438
Wading River, NY 11792

Wading River Baptist Church Our Purpose

1. To glorify God through sharing
the good news of salvation by God’s
sovereign grace through faith in His
Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. To nurture believers through a

strong program of Christian educa-
tion, youth ministries, and expository
Biblical preaching.

3. To provide an opportunity for

Biblical worship, service, and fellow-
ship.

4. To extend our ministry through-

out America and around the world
• For the Exaltation of God in All Things through participation in home and
• For the Proclamation of Faith in Christ foreign missions.
• For the Transformation of God’s People WRBC is affiliated with the Conserva-
tive Baptist Association of America
and the Conservative Baptist Mission
to the Northeast.