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Larry Ramsour Evangelistic Association's Quarterly Publication:
"The Encourager"
FEATURED COLUMN ENTITLED "THE OLD MAN”, written by the evangelist, appeared in The Encourager in March of 2001:
"On October 30-31, 2000, it was my privilege to attend the Baptist General Convention of Texas in Corpus Christi. There was, as usual, a good bit of controversy in the business sessions. However, the worship periods were what really made an impression on me. We sang great hymns of the faith and choruses of praise to God. The special music lifted up Jesus and focused on His wondrous love for us. The speakers exalted the Lord and magnified the cross. Participants in these services were obviously men and women of prayer, soul-winners, and dedicated to Jesus Christ.
"As the convention came to its conclusion, a remarkable thing happened. Just before the benediction, an old man shuffled his way to the podium and stood at the microphone. In a calm, clear voice he called upon the messengers to go home, to pray, and to read John 17:21-23 over and over -- and over again -- until the words of Jesus, said the old gentleman, 'burn into your hearts the absolute and essential message of reconciliation with all brothers and sisters with whom you have differed over the past few years.'
"After a brief, embarrassing moment, the old gentleman was escorted from the stage. A closing prayer was offered, and the messengers returned to their homes and fields of service.
"On November 13-14, 2000, it was my privilege to attend the annual convention of Southern Baptists of Texas which convened in San Antonio. Once again, the worship periods were what really made an impression on me. We sang great hymns of the faith and choruses of praise to God. The special music lifted up Jesus and focused on His wondrous love for us. The speakers exalted the Lord and magnified the cross. Participants in these services were obviously men and women of prayer, soul-winners, and dedicated to Christ and His Church.
"As the convention came to its conclusion, a remarkable thing happened. Just before the benediction, the same old man shuffled his way to the podium and stood at the microphone. In a calm, deliberate voice he called upon the messengers to go home, pray and read John 17:21-23 repeatedly until the words of Jesus, he stated, 'burn into your hearts the absolute need for Christians to be reconciled with their brothers and sisters, regardless of any differences that may exist.”
"As before, following a brief, embarrassing moment, the old gentleman was escorted from the stage. A closing prayer was offered, and the messengers returned to their homes and fields of service.
"The identity of the old man has not been revealed. However, it is reported that he is making his plans to attend the Southern Baptist Convention in New Orleans in June of 2001, and will again make his appeal to all present to do what some say is "too late" to do -- to take immediate action to reconcile with all estranged brothers and sisters who have experienced salvation through Jesus Christ. Such reconciliation is a Biblical mandate, regardless of prior alignments, previous loyalties, or seemingly irretractable postures.
"When asked why he made his appeal at the podium of both Texas conventions, the old man simply quoted a portion of Jesus’ prayer for His disciples, which He addressed to the Father prior to His death on the cross, recorded in John 17:21: ‘that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent me.’
“At last report, convention leaders – on both sides of the current controversy – have made no significant effort toward reconciliation. Sources state that the vast majority of Southern Baptists in local churches and communities across the state, the majority of whom are lay people, believe that reconciliation is the only way in which God can continue to bless Baptist’s efforts in missions and evangelism. However, many feel that unless there is widespread repentance on the part of all involved in the controversy, it is too late.”
COMMENTARY
The above is an abbreviated, but factual, account of my attendance at both conventions with the exception of the part about the old man. His appearance and appeal to the two conventions is completely fictional.
However, this “report” serves to illustrate how the current Texas controversy has divided people who have the following in common: their lives have been changed by the same Jesus, they devotedly love the same Jesus, they sing to the same Jesus, they witness to the same Jesus, and they pray to the same Father to whom the Son prayed in John 17.
If you are a Christian, and you concur with this assessment, or if you have any questions as to the destructive nature of the “religious war” being waged by both sides of the current controversy, or if you have opinions that differ, I will be happy to discuss them with you.
--Larry Ramsour
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