PRESTON PORTER Study Page No Rule Book but the Bible

PRESTON PORTER Study Page

Brother Preston Porter and his wife, sister Avis Corley Porter, travelled America with the Gospel. Almost three dozen locations enjoyed the service rendered by the Porters. Growing up in the Brazil Community in the delta of Mississippi, his back was broken in a fall from the roof of the church building while it was under construction. This was a source of physical pain the rest of his life. Alas, he endured with the help of wonderful, poetic, wife in Avis. She has been recognized for her poetry many times; lately, by the Reno, Nevada, organization which has awarded her a Poet of the Year status.

This page is devoted to the articles written by Preston Porter in his lifetime. And though he is passed away, he is yet speaking. Note the conviction of his words as he writes.

PRESTON PORTER MEMORIAL STUDY PAGE

The Word of God is the chosen means of God’s communication to mankind. By following the instructions therein we are able to serve the Lord faithfully. When we fail to honor his instructions, we are choosing to serve self rather than God. 
 

 

NO RULE BOOK BUT THE BIBLE

      David said in the long ago, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is surel, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous all together. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” (Psalms 19:7-11.)  What is perfect ? The law of the Lord! The word ‘perfect’ means complete, and without error. It is right, no matter who says otherwise.

     Paul, by inspiration wrote young Timothy saying “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for teachilng, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, furnished  completely unto every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16,17.) Do we need a manual, a discipline, a prayer book, confession of faith, and such like ? No, for the Bible is able to supply us with all our spiritual needs; Peter says “According as his Divine power hath given us all things that are to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who hath called to glory and virtue.” (2 Peter 1:3.) Peter said God has given us all things, not some, but all. Next, he said, “Knowing this first,  that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Petr 1:20,21.) Now he says the prophecies did not originate in the minds of men. Next, man did not decree the prophecies, but the men who spoke them, spoke as the Spirit guided them.

     When the word of God is followed, unity is the result. In his prayer to the Father, the Lord prayed, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also who shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one, as thou Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one is us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” (John 17L20,21.) As the cross cast its ugly shadow on the Son of God, his prayer to God for his followers was that they all be one through the apostles’ words. But as long as men follow the creeds of men instead of the Bible that prayer will be unanswere.

   Division caused creeds, disciplines, prayer books and manuals to be written. The Lord said, “But, in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:9.) Read now, what Paul said to the Corinthians concerning their following the different preachers they knew: “For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them of the household of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that everyone of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided ? Was Paul crucified for you ? Or, were you  baptizeed in the name of Paul ? (1 Corinthians 1:11-13.) It is easy to see that some followed different ones, and some stayed with Christ, there was no unity among them. Paul wrote and rebuked them for dividiing the body of Christ. But, notice this, please, in order to belong to one there are two things that are absolutely necessary and they are, in order to be of Paul, it was necessary for Paul to be crucified for you, and you to be baptized in his name. Paul had not been crucified for anyone, nor had any baptized in his name. The conclusion is, you are not to call yourselves after Paul, Apollos, or Cephas. Christ was crucified for us and when we are baptized in his name, we belong to him. By all following Christ there is unity among brethren and with God.

    A failure to abide in his word condemns. John said, “Whosoever trangresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” (2 John 9.) Christ said “He that rejecteth me and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him; the word that I have spoken shall judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48.)  No man has the power to make you submit to the word of God, but the day will come when you will wish you had! Since we will be judged by the word of God we had better listen to it and heed its instructions.