DEFILEMENT BY ASSOCIATION

DEFILEMENT BY ASSOCIATION.
I must confess to writing this "post" with some trepidation. This "peculiar" phrase was used more often in past decades and is seldom heard at all today. Perhaps this is because separation is largely untaught in the Assemblies of Gods' people now.
I suspect this phrase may well be unacceptable to many, even offensive. Please believe me I mean no offence, but I am much perturbed by what is allowed in "our" meetings.
Many of the local Assemblies are happy to permit believers from the denominations to preach and even teach in the meetings. We are quite ignorant of what is taught and practised in these denominations, and we would be, (or should be,) horrified if we were to learn what transpires at some of their gatherings. Where possible a brief "visit" to their websites are all that is necessary to make a discerning judgment as to their teaching and practices.
If, or rather, as we seem content to allow these men such inestimable privileges in our meetings, are we not then "defiled by association." If it is suggested that certain individuals do not "hold" the teaching and practices of their "church," (their word, not mine,) why do they remain in an unscriptural position? To suggest it is to be "a good, or purifying influence" is tantamount to saying they know better than the Lord! He still pleads with them to come out and be separate. Furthermore, many of these men condone and even promote these false teachings and unscriptural practices. Some even "left" assembly fellowship, and others went as far as to bring disrepute and division into the assembly while in fellowship. If we receive such do we not become partakers, have fellowship, in their sins? If so, then we do become defiled because of such association!
It is to be regretted that many Assemblies have given up the practice of announcing the visitng speaker with reference to his "home" Assembly, only his name and location is given out; thus the meeting is left in ignorance as to his spiritual "home," and an opportunity is lost to think, (if but briefly,) with affection toward another Assembly with which we may be familiar.
A further thought: the buildings in which we gather are of no great account, I mean they are only convenient places for us to meet. (I am not implying that our halls should be neglected in any way.) What does trouble me is the use to which they are sometimes permitted. To "hire them out" in any way seems to me to attract an element of danger in connection with defilement by association. We may well be identified, however tenuously, with those who use the premises. How would we answer such a suggestion or even allegation? We claim our citizenship is in heaven, and then we allow our buildings to be used as polling stations! We pride ourselves on taking nothing from the Gentiles, and then hire out our halls for profit!

VIA MAGAZINE

VIA MAGAZINE
This is a simple, personal recommendation for the Gospel magazine "VIA," published in Canada, but available from "Words of Life" in Harrogate, N. Yorkshire.
It is a superb "vehicle" for distributing Gospel literature.
The magazine is published annually and is a high quality publication, with much topical content.
It is of course soundly based upon the the word of God.
At the end of the magazine there is a page of resources that interested enquirers may avail themselves of at no cost; including N.T and PSALMS, Topical Booklets and Bible Correspondence Courses.
On the back inside cover there is a space for local distributors to leave their details in order to be available for contact.
Only "eternity" will reveal the extent of the blessing afforded to this publication by the Lord Jesus.
If any believer has heart-exercise to deliver a Gospel magazine in their own locality, this is a wonderful "tool" for such a method of evangelism.
I would just add that this is an entirely personal recommendation, based solely on my own experience, and I have no other connection with those who are involved in the magazines' production except as a "local distributor," discharging an exercise of heart for my Saviour.

Bishopsworth Gospel Hall / Elvard Road Withywood Sunday School.

From January 1977 until March 1985 my wife Bernice and I conducted Sunday School classes and mid-week Bible Teaching meetings at Bishopsworth Gospel Hall, and later at our own home in Elvard Road, Withywood, Bristol.
Around 310 children and young people attended for brief or lengthy periods. A few came just the once, while some stayed the entire "course." We had to close the Sunday School as my employment dictated a move to Cardiff. It was a very sorrowful time for us all. We have never forgotten the precious times we enjoyed throughout those eight years or so.
We have often wondered if any of "our" pupils would like to contact us, we would so love to hear from any of them.
A few of those children, now young people of course, kept in touch; Nicola OSBORNE; (Now a married young lady!) Maria CLARK, who sends us a Christmas card every year and still lives just a stones' throw from our old house there in Withywood; We have seen Felicia (BARTON) on a least two occasions in recent times; Some of our class we know moved away from Bristol, including Rachel BURTON and Elizabeth and Christine THOMAS. A number of larger families came regularly including Paul, Stephen, Julie and Angela LANGLEY; Julie, Cindy, Sherrie, Bonnetta,and George LOVELL; Helen, Susan and Stephen SPRAY; Marie, Tina, Tracy and Linda JENKINS; Christian, Warren and Dawn FILER; Michelle and Nicola SMITH and Helena PUGH; Samantha, Wendy and Deborah JAMES; Nick, Helen and Cheryl SUMMERS and many, many more! If we haven't mentioned you it is only because of limited space on the "blog," you really have not been forgotten!
Please, please if any of you are out there and remember us, get in touch and let's see if we could have a big reunion!
Our love to you all, we have never forgotten you and the lovely times we enjoyed together with you.
TOM & BERNICE WYATT.

The Septuagint with Apocrypha.

The Septuagint with Apocrypha. Published by Hendrickson, 14th Printing 2011.
I recently bought a copy of the Septuagint as I felt it would be another useful "tool" in my study of the Scriptures. Quite a number of writers make reference to it, but of course they are not able to copy huge portions of it as footnotes or appendices.
I chose to purchase the translation by Sir L.C.L. Brentons as his edition as recommended by Jim Flanigan. He suggested that it was "a most helpful edition." It gives the complete Greek text with an  English translation in parallel columns. The Apocrypha is appended, which did give me some cause for alarm, as it is unequivocally NOT a part of Holy Scripture. As far as I am able to judge the only benefit of the Apocrypha lies in its historical value. This particular edition of the Apocrypha is complete as it includes some books often omitted, such as 3&4 Maccabees.The biggest drawback for the reader/student is that the English text is very small. It is a nice looking and well-bound book, but very expensive!