Webster¹s defines a right as ³a just claim or title, whether legal,
prescriptive, or moral; that which is due to anyone by just claim, legal
guarantees, moral principles, etc.² and a privilege as ³a grant to an
individual corporation, etc. of a special right or immunity, under certain
conditions.² Do Christians have rights or privileges in Christ? I do not
know that the two are inseparable, and I think that it is safe to say we do
not go wrong by considering every right a Christian has as a privilege.
The Hebrew¹s writer pointed out, ³We have an altar, whereof they have no
right to eat which serve the tabernacle² (13:10). This privilege of approach
to God through Jesus whereby we may give continual thanks (13:15) is
available because of the remission of our sins (10:16-17) and our continuing
to profess the same ³faith² (10:23; Eph. 3:12). ³The faith² of Jesus Christ
is His commandments obeyed in a spirit of love (John 14:15; 1 John 4:17).
The word for ³right² and ³privilege² in many of these passages is the same,
eksousia, and conveys the idea of ³boldness² in approaching God (Heb.
10:19).
John recorded, ³Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may
have the right to eat of the tree of life² Our right to the original,
physical tree of life was removed because of sin causing physical death
because we cannot eat of it for healing. Let us ³hold fast² our faith so
that we do not lose the right to the spiritual tree of life resulting in
eternal death.

The Impossibility of Repentance?
Scott Perry

In the introduction of his tract, Rules of Bible Study, brother James Tolle
points out two extremes of Bible interpretation that should be avoided: 1)
No one can understand the Bible as a result of his own private, individual
study, but must rely on the voice of the ³infallible² church (Roman
Catholicism¹s misuse of 1 Pet. 1: 20-21); and 2) The Bible is so obvious
and simple that any average individual can open it anywhere, study with
little effort, and come to the proper understanding of a passage (misuses of
Isa. 35:8 and 2 Cor. 11:3). Brother Tolle continues:

True, there are portions of the Bible which are easy to be understood.
Those dying in sin, who stand in dire need of salvation, can receive and
obey the first principles of the gospel without having to spend a
lengthy period of preparation in order to understand their responsibility
to God. But, on the other hand, the Bible contains difficult passages
which cannot be understood without thorough preparation and intense,
diligent study ( p.3 ).

(Note: Peter¹s reference to Paul in 2 Peter 3:15-16 in regards to the
Second Coming.)

One of these more difficult Scriptures is Hebrews 6:4, ³For it is
impossible for those who were once enlightened and have tasted of the
heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted
the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall
fall away, to renew them again to repentance² Sometimes it is taught that
one can depart from Christ without the possibility of repentance. This verse
is often coupled with others such as 2 Peter 2:14, ³eyes full of adultery
that cannot cease from sin² and Romans 1:24, ³Wherefore, God also gave them
up. . .² as proof texts. While I do not deny that there were and are some
who will not repent of their wickedness, these Scriptures do not refer to
struggling Christians trying to overcome sins developed while living in the
world. All of the Scriptures cited above give qualifications as to why ³it
is impossible,² and they ³cannot² cease from sin, and ³God gave them up:² 1)
Hebrews 6:4, often taken out of context, refers to going back under the Old
Law, not repentance of personal sin; 2) those who ³cannot cease from sin²
are ³false teachers² who ³willed to bring in destructive sects² (2 Pet.
2:1); were ³covetous² (v.3); ³walked² after the flesh, were ³daring² and
³self-willed² (v.10); ³esteemed daily indulgences² (v.13); ³went astray² and
³loved unrighteousness² (v. 15). These are why God ³gives up² on some
because they give up on him, and He simply gives them what they ask for (2
Thess. 2:10). Keep fighting!

VOLUME 39 NUMBER 50 DECEMBER 30, 2002

OUR SICK

John Griffin had surgery on Monday, December 30.
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PLACING MEMBERSHIP

Placing membership on Sunday, December 22, 2002:
Mark & Toni Bolding and sons Mark Jr., and Michael, 4 Woodcrest Ct, Little
Rock, AR 72209, phone 568-1546.
Flo Corley, 5519 Singley Road, Little Rock, AR 72206, phone 261-7479.
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THANK YOU

Thanks to all who helped with the Progressive Dinner for the teens: Susan
Brewer, Virginia Lowe, Mary Nell Cohrt and Kathy Gulledge. It was a
wonderful evening. Scott Perry

We would like to thank our Christian family for all the cards (which James
really enjoys), calls, visits and expressions of concern during these first
months of James¹ illness. We appreciate Scott & Laura and the teenagers for
working in our yard. Special thanks Ray Bryan, Johnny Boyd, Jim Mauldin,
Gene Sullivan, Jim Henson and Dennis Gulledge for the work they did on the
house. Most of all, thank you for all the thoughts and prayers. Please
continue to remember us in your prayers. James & Christy Kinsey.
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SERMONS FOR JANUARY 5

Morning
Can The New Testament Church Exist Today? (Hebrews 9:15-17)
Evening
Nahum ­ The Prophet Of Divine Justice
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SYMPATHY

We extend our sympathy to the Sullivan¹s and the entire family of brother
C.Y. Blakeney who passed away on December 31st. No funeral arrangements are
available at this time.
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BABY SHOWER

There will be a Baby Shower for Colette Wilson on Sunday, January 12th, from
3:00 to 4:30 PM in the multi-purpose room. Allen is expecting a baby
brother.
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TEEN ³LOCK-IN²

There will be a ³Lock-in² for the young people here at the building on
Friday night, January 3rd from 8:00 PM until 8:00 AM Saturday.
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LADIES FOOD PROGRAM

The Ladies who will be responsible for the Food Program for January are:
Nita Boyd, Martha Franklin, Mary Tucker and Mary Cohrt.
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EVENTS OF INTEREST
January 3................Teen Lock-In
February 1..............Bible Bowl

OUR RECORD DECEMBER 29, 2002

A.M. WORSHIP 207
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 161
P.M. WORSHIP 149
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 112

CONTRIBUTION 9390
BUDGET 5570
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MEN TO SERVE
January 5, 2003

Eddie Black John Boyd
Cliff Boyd Bill Boyd
Johnny Boyd Wally Davis
Richard Butler Henry Brooks

Evening Ray Bryan
Alan Caudle
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

January 8 Waymon Minor
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USHERS FOR JANUARY

Morning Mike & Nathan Moore
Evening Ray Wehunt & David Gulledge
Wednesday Jim & Shawn Wallace
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GREETERS FOR JANUARY

Jim & Charlene Mauldin
Anita & Jason Griffin
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ELDER CHAIRMAN

January Gene Sullivan
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