Experience is a great teacher and twenty years of it has brought forth precious lessons for posterity. In general disturbances of the peace may be grouped under three heads:

a) Doctrinal
b) Practical
c) Ethical

Here is a summary of some of the more outstanding and disruptive attempts at undermining Calvary's doctrines:

1) "Premilliennialism is unscriptural, erroneous, evil."
2) "Keeping Sunday is the wrong day. It should be Saturday."
3) "Christmas is a pagan festival. Christians should not celebrate December 25th."
4) "We should be involved in mass coopera-tive evangelistic crusades to save souls."
5) "Why don't you speak in tongues? You do not have the Holy Spirit."
6) "Infant Baptism is not in the Bible."
7) "The Biblical mode of Baptism is by immersion. Sprinkling is unscriptural."

Answer to the above

Some answers and refutations to the above at-tacks are adequately given in our Constitution. Some are dealt with individually elsewhere in this publication.

We recognize that there is ground for grace and accommodation in matters such as mode of Baptism. But in certain others there is no ground for negotiation or compromise (e.g. premillennialism, Lord's Day Observance, Celebration of Christmas). Bible-Presbyterianism is one system, much used and blessed of God. We have our peculiarities, or distinctives. We are not perfect, but we have enough to offer any zealous member of the body of Jesus Christ for him to serve the Lord effectively and fruitfully with us in a day of universal apostasy.

We do not admit members for numbers' sake. That would be foolishness. But we urge members to live up to their membership vows and co-labour with us, "in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel" (Phil 1:27).

b) Practical

1) "Why have organ and piano in worship? These are not in the Bible."

2) "Pastor, you love to add spices to the preaching of God's Word. Why use the cinefilm, videos, slides, OHP? You should rely exclusively on the power of preaching. You grieve the Holy Spirit. The basic reason is unbelief."

3) "Why have choirs in church? Our Lord did not have choirs or quartets."

4) "Why allow girls / ladies to perm their hair and use cosmetics? Aren't these worldly?"

Answer to the above

Firstly, let us be realistic and reasonable. Being spiritual is good, but there must be a balance. "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Tim 1:7).

Secondly, thank God for a "sound mind". God has not given us the spirit of fear, so that we are afraid to utilize modern resources and technological appliances for the propagation of the Gospel simply because someone has pronounced them "unscriptural" or "unspiritual".

Thirdly, let us not compare ourselves and our methods with our Lord and His methods. To do so would not be of a sound mind. Our Lord was God the Son. He did things which He alone could do. He humbled Himself in a way which we cannot imitate. He went about on foot, we speed around in automobiles and airplanes, He walked on the sea. Can we?

Fourthly, choirs when judiciously used to uplift and inspire worship, and aid congregational singing, are God-honouring. Girls and ladies: more godliness less worldliness; more virtue less make-up. Do all things to the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31).

c) Ethical

1) Immoral conduct, living in sin.
2) Malicious talk, gossiping, back-biting, tale-bearing.
3) Thoughtless comments, unintentional remarks, "harmless" talk.
4) Disaffection towards the leader. "Pastor, you do not know all your flock which are known of Christ, neither do you know each one by name... be at the Sanctuary's door... give your flock a warm welcome ... know your flock."
5) Mischievous words. "Pastor, you went to a charismatic meeting to observe. We fear that you may join them and become charis-matic. Imagine pastor speaking in tongues."

Answer to the above

For the first (1) the Board of Elders have the authority and responsibility to take swift and decisive action, by counselling, admonishing, warning, and disciplining as provided under the Constitution. If allowed to go on unchecked, it will become a canker in the church, the authority of the leaders will be undermined, and the church body will be rent asunder by the spreading of immorality. "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity" (2 Tim 2:19).

For (2), (3), (4), and (5) strong action and applying the lessons of James 3 are necessary. All too often a thoughtless word or a malicious remark sparks off a great conflagration which rends the church community apart, and members leave the church. Strong preaching, conviction of the Holy Spirit and where appropriate, stern rebuke and disciplinary action, must be used to extinguish the fire of an untamed tongue.

"Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (James 1:19). "If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body" (James 3:2).

Satan hates harmony and peace in the church. He uses zealous young adults, plays on their ego, puffs them up with pride of knowledge, and elevates them above their spiritual fathers. Disaffected from the Doctrine of the Church, they alienate themselves from the very body which so lovingly gave them life, nurture, shelter, and comfort, over the years.

Our adversary is smarter than we think!