It is one thing to believe “the soul that sinneth it shall die,” but quite another to cope convincingly with the “spirits in prison,” or “the souls under the altar” when engaged in controversy with a polished Mormon, or a Bible pounding Evangelical And yet, the student of God’s Word has an obligation “to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you” and in so doing “rightly dividing the Word of Truth”
Tonight is the first of two gospel proclamation meetings in the “Hand-in-Hand Society Burial Hall” — the last stop on the railway line from Georgetown to New Amsterdam, British Guiana Just pretend that you’ve come three thousand miles from home to spend a year here, and this is your first experience in West Indian preaching The local contacts have distributed the 300 handbills — ‘Bible Answers to 1 Is Baptism for Babies? Should we Sprinkle, Pour or Immerse 2 Is Modern Speaking in Tongues Genuine or a Fraud? 3 Is there Salvation in Hinduism and Islam?”
The tropical sky begins to brighten majestically as Tom, his wife, Christine, and you make your way to the river ferry. The aroma of burnt sugar cane wafts on the gentle evening breeze, and far off, the parrots can be heard winging their way into the jungle to roost for the night. As the stillness is broken by the churning propeller, a fin of a frolicking porpoise cuts like a knife through the wake. The moon, too, can be seen edging over the bamboo shoreline, and one feels just a twinge of loneliness and a gnawing sense of woeful inadequacy. It was easier, you think to yourself, to wield a sword in the halls back home with no open question periods, and seldom a contact who knew sufficient about his Bible to pose much of a problem, but it is different here. Nearly everyone still respects and can talk intelligently about the Bible and so the grounds of dispute are narrowed to the interpretation of its contents. It is one thing to recommend that one should read “Eureka” and “Christendom Astray” with all their forthrightness of speech, but quite another to defend their contents in the fashion of the pioneers.
It only takes a few minutes after the ferry nudges against the wooden stelling until the hall is in sight. On arrival, plans are soon put into operation. Tom and Christine give personal invitations to all those passing on the road to “come on in”, while inside you begin playing hymns on the accordion sent down by the “Christadelphian Joy Fund” in California. Soon the trickle of friends becomes a steady stream, as water buckets, curry bowls and rum are set aside. Through the dimly lit hall you keep a close eye on the motley array of visitors and a quiver of anticipation runs down the spine when a smooth looking East Indian makes an impressive entry with a briefcase (a sure sign of a J.W. armed with the “New World Translation”, “Make Sure of All Things”, and “Let God Be True). Premonitions arise, too, when you catch the tail end of a discussion in which it becomes evident that the local Pentecostal leader is intent of vindicating his claims “to speak in tongues” by giving some practical demonstrations.
You are the chairman for the night and when 75 friends have packed the benches (as well as another 30 children), the meeting begins. No formal petition commences the proclamation (this was done privately before hand) as the design of the meeting is to make it as “unchurchy” as possible, and to foster an informal, but serious atmosphere in which genuine questions can be asked without embarrassment.
Everything goes to plan. You give the audience a warm and friendly welcome, briefly introducing the meaning of Christadelphian and telling a little of the background of Tom and yourself. It is emphasized that while no pretence is being made to be “encyclopedias Christadelphians,” it is the belief of the Christadelphians that they have correctly understood the basic elements of the Gospel and that these can be defended in public discussion. It is also emphasized, that the purpose of the meeting is not only to encourage Bible reading, but Bible understanding. Tom then follows, right on time, with a straight forward, blackboard-illustrated talk on the baptism theme. After twenty compact minutes in which the audience responds to pre-chosen questions on well-known passages, the desired conclusions inescapably follow.
It is now your turn to take the controversial topic, “Modern Speaking in Tongues — Genuine or a Fraud?” This has been a disturbing issue in the district for quite some time, and the Christadelphians are the first religious body to take a public stand. Throughout the course of the talk, restrained assent and dissent are voiced and beads of perspiration begin to roll. Twenty minutes later Tom completes the last talk amidst many a shuffle from the Hindus and Muslims.
British Guiana, you think, must be one of the few remaining places on earth where more Bible classes can be held than there are Christadelphians able to handle them. If only Frank and Pete weren’t so wrapped up in their studies and Paul in his career, what a rewarding experience would await them here 1
If only those back home could be more aware of the harvest, surely they would not only pray the Lord of the vineyard to send more labourers, but say, “Here I am Lord, send me”
- A Wrested Scripture Handbook has been prepared analyzing passages used by Jehovah’s Witnesses, Pentecostals, Mormons, Roman Catholics, British Israelites, and Alleged Contradictions It also contains suggested strategy in discussion with members of these religious bodies Write A L S, Box 221, Weston, Ontario
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One