Today’s Wednesday News & Views is dedicated to Obadiah Holmes. An immigrant to the new world, he became the second pastor of the second Baptist church to exist in America (First Baptist Church of Newport, Rhode Island), where he served for thirty years until his death in 1682. But that is not why he is held in such high esteem. It was his willingness to suffer for the truth and be faithful in the face of persecution that inspires those who know his story.
The year was 1651 and the city was Boston, Massachusetts. Holmes and two others had traveled to the colony to help a sick old man, a member of their church now unable to travel to nearby Rhode Island. While there they preached and held a Baptist service in the old man’s private home. The three men were arrested during the service for their religious beliefs and practices.
In those days, Baptists were persecuted by the Puritans of the Massachusetts Bay Colony – especially since they refused to practice infant baptism. Holmes was arrested and fined 30 pounds – a large sum for a common citizen in that day. His entire estate was only worth 130 pounds when he died.
Holmes refused to allow friends to pay the fine. Six weeks later he was taken to the whipping post in Boston and publicly given 30 lashes. The beating was so severe that for weeks he could only sleep and eat while on his knees and elbows.
Baptists have always believed the Bible teaches that salvation is by faith alone and that baptism is a symbol of our personal decision to place our faith in the crucified and resurrected Jesus. We don’t baptize babies because they cannot personally believe. The issue is not age. It is personal belief. In the early days Baptists were persecuted for this Biblical belief. Today too many of us don’t think it matters. What we believe about salvation and baptism does matter. While I enthusiastically serve, worship, and fellowship with fellow believers who practice infant baptism, I strongly hold to the Biblical teaching that baptism is for believers only – and not for infants. It is a Biblical conviction. I wish more believers understood and were committed to this Biblical teaching.
Because he stood by his convictions, even in the face of pain, I dedicate today’s Wednesday News & Views to Rev. Obadiah Holmes. An interesting side note – Holmes was the great, great, great, great, great grandfather of President Abraham Lincoln.
Now to the News & Views:
Pray for our Christian brothers and sisters in Syria. The al-Qaeda linked Nusra Front rebels attacked the historic Christian town of Maaloula on September 5, killing at least 10 and forcing people to flee their homes. They’ve targeted believers in other parts of the country, insisting that Christians convert to Islam and destroying churches and homes. Church leaders and children of believers have been kidnapped. Iraqi Christians who fled to Syria have left for other neighboring countries.
We started a study of Psalm 119 this past Sunday. Everyone present was challenged to do two things each week for the next three months: 1) read the chapter once a week and 2) memorize one verse from it each week. This week’s memory verse is Psalm 119:11. We’re going to recite this verse as a congregation this coming Sunday. We’re also going to look at what Psalm 119 tells us about the Bible and why it is different than all other religious books on the planet.
Monday night’s worship service was special. We ordained five new deacons and installed seven men to new terms of service who had been previously ordained. One father had the joy of joining with us as we anointed his son as a deacon. This has happened several times before @ FBC and I’m always deeply touched when I witness it.
Pastor Steve Hogg
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