"Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed." (Psalms 119:80)

I. NOT ASHAMED OF BEING A BAPTIST

1. WE ARE NOT PROTESTANTS

Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, Nazarenes, Wesleyans, Church of Christ, Church of God, Christian Reformed, Pentecostals, Charismatic Fellowships and Chapels, and all American cults.

2. BAPTISTS DO NOT SPRINKLE BABIES OR UNBELIEVERS

"And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized." (John 3:23)

3. BAPTISTS HAVE A HISTORY AND A HERITAGE.

They were never connected with the church at Rome!

Christ called out his church

"And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach" (Mark 3:14)

John the Baptist was our fore-runner.

"1. In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

2. And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

3. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

4. And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

5. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

6. And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

7. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" (Matthew 3:1-7))

The church at Pentecost was a Baptist Church

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:41)

The churches throughout the book of Acts were Baptist.

"And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing." (Acts 8:36-39)

"And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized." (Acts 18:8)

The true churches throughout the dark ages were Baptist.

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18)

"And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." (1 Corinthians 10:4)

"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone." (Ephesians 2:20)

"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:18-20)

DISCIPLES, CHRISTIANS, WALDENSES, PAULICANS, MONTANISTS, DONATISTS, HENRECIANS, ANABAPTISTS "And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead [was] a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." (Revelation 17:4-5)

To the church at Thyatira

"Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works." (Revelation 2:20-23)

THE VIRGIN OF ST. BERNADETTE (GREAT IDOLATRY)

Each year more than five million people, of whom a great number are sick or handicapped, come to Lourdes France, from every country of the world. It may be through curiosity, through a desire for a physical cure, in a movement towards belief, or to be of service to those who suffer, that they go to the Grotto of Massabielle.

From the very beginning, a young girl of 14 years, Bernadette Soubirous, who, from the first meetings with the Virgin Mary at the Rock of Massabielle, drew with her crowds, and these crowds continue today in even greater numbers.

During the 18 Apparitions, the Virgin Mary spoke to Bernadette, suggesting that we come here. The response of everyone of us to that invitation is made in Lourdes today, a Town of Friendship, world enter of pilgrimage, a special place of meeting with God and people.

II. NOT ASHAMED OUR KING JAMES BIBLE:

"The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever." (Psalms 12:6-7)

"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." (Matthew 24:35)

"And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." (Luke 4:4)

"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." (John 14:23)

"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it." (Amos 8:11:12)

THE KJB: "And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him." (Luke 2:33)

THE NIV: ""The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him." (Luke 2:33)

THE KJB: "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:14)

THE NIV: "In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:14)

THE KJB: "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)

THE NIV: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)

THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION: (Jerry Falwell version): "BE DILIGENT TO PRESENT YOURSELF TO GOD. . ." (2 Timothy 2:15)

III. NOT ASHAMED OF OUR DOCTRINES:

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)

"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. (2 Corinthians 4:3-5)

1. SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)

"Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:9)

2. ETERNAL SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." (John 10:27-29)

3. BELIEVERS BAPTISM AS AN ORDINANCE OF THE LOCAL BAPTIST CHURCH.

4. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP BY CONGREGATIONAL VOTE.

5. DISCIPLESHIP FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH.

6. BIBLE SOUL WINNING

7. DEITY OF CHRIST

"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1 Timothy 3:16)

8. HIS ATONING DEATH

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:8-9)

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)

9. HIS BODILY RESURRECTION

10. HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN

11. HIS MEDIATION AS OUR HIGH PRIEST

"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

BAPTISTS BELIEVE IN A LITERAL HEAVEN

AND A LITERAL HELL.

BAPTISTS BELIEVE IN BIBLE SEPARATION

BIBLE SEPARATION IS NOT LEGALISM

"14. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15. And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

16. And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

17. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

18. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." (Ephesians 5:11)

12. HIS PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE OF THE SAVED

"Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." (1 Timothy 4:16:17)

13. HIS SECOND COMING WITH POWER

"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen." (Revelation 1:7)

"14. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

15. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

16. And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

17. For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" (Revelation 6:14-17)

14. HIS MILLENNIAL REIGN AS KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS

"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory." (Matthew 25:31)

"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)