Luke wrote regarding the Ethiopian, "and he went on his way rejoicing"
(Acts 8:39). That is exactly how everyone left the Mabelvale church building
Saturday.
Rejoicing because the Mabelvale church of Christ is taking the gospel of
Jesus to Hispanic people in Little Rock. Rejoicing because the gospel was
preached in truth, simplicity, and clarity. Rejoicing because Hispanic
people were present to hear that gospel preached. Rejoicing because one
obeyed the gospel. Rejoicing because Spanish and English speaking
Christians, worshiped together, and were edified by the singing, prayers,
sermons, and time spent together. Yes, we went on our way rejoicing.
There were 63 present Friday evening and more than 70 on Saturday to
hear the truth preached by Jose Martinez (North Little Rock), Marcial
Alvarado (Batesville), and Carlos Bautista (Hope). These men were not
concerned with superficial fluff, but only with preaching the truth
regarding the authoritative Word of God, the church, and the plan of
salvation. As Paul put it so eloquently, ³I planted, Apollos watered, but
God gave the increase² (1 Corinthians 3:6). We rejoice because Celeste
Walch was baptized about 4:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
A special thanks to the Mabelvale elders because of vision and love for
the lost, and to the Mabelvale members, for providing food, housing, funds,
door knocking help, attending the worship services, and help in so many
other ways, not only Friday and Saturday, but over the last eight weeks.

THE CHRISTIAN AND POLITICS
Dennis Gulledge

With every political season that rolls around I am reminded that
politics is a nasty business and always has been. If you ever want to know
the worst about any political candidate, listen to his/her opponent¹s
political ads. If you ever want to know the best about any political
candidate, listen to that candidate speak of him/herself! As with anything
else, in order to get the record straight you have to check the facts for
yourself.
The Bible clearly teaches that Christians have certain obligations to
the civil government under which they live. As Christians we have a
personal responsibility to influence the government at the ballot box by
voting for those candidates that we believe will conduct themselves most
compatibly with Bible principles and practices. We also have the obligation
to conduct ourselves in such a way as to uphold righteousness and lend our
support to worthy causes. Christians should not be timid when it comes to
expressing themselves on moral issues such as abortion and euthanasia,
anything supportive of the homosexual agenda or same-sex marriages, laws
affecting the home and family, the teaching of evolution in the public
schools, or a whole host of similar matters. We should be happy to see
God¹s principles in government, and should vote for those candidates that
will honor them.
The Christian is a citizen of two governments: one with its throne in
heaven and the other with its seat in Washington, D.C. We have obligations
to both. The obligations we have to civil government are important, but
hardly transcend our obligations to God.
In Romans 13:1-7 Paul specifies certain obligations that Christians have
toward their government: [1] Pay taxes (Vss. 6-7) ­ taxes on persons or
land. [2] Pay custom (Vs. 7) ­ fees levied by governing bodies. [3] ³Fear² ­
we should stand in awe of those who ³bear the sword² of civil justice (Vs.
4). [4] Give ³honor² (Vs. 7) ­ approval or respect to be paid to the
magistracy (1 Pet. 2:17).
The apostles of Christ set forth the principle that our obligation to
God is superior to our obligation to ³Caesar² in Acts 5:29, ³We ought to
obey God rather than men.² Those early Christians knew that they were
obligated to serve God above all (Acts 4:19-20). In Matthew 22:21 Jesus
qualified our obedience to the government as rendering ³unto Caesar the
things which are Caesar¹s; and unto God the things that are God¹s.² If at
any point Caesar requires the things that are God¹s, then Christian¹s must
resist.
Christians are to pray for the governing bodies (1 Tim. 2:1-3). These
prayers should be ³that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all
godliness and honesty² (Vs. 2). We must ³obey magistrates² and ³be ready
unto every good work² (Tit. 3:1). The context shows that the ³good work²
here includes political involvement. Christians are required to ³submit² to
and ³honor² the government (1 Pet. 2:13-14, 17). None of this implies that
governments always act with God¹s approval.

VOLUME 39 NUMBER 43 OCTOBER 28,
2002

OUR SICK

Allen Bryan was released from the hospital on Saturday.
Shawn Wallace was released from the hospital last week and was here on
Sunday.
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HOBO STEW

The annual Hobo Stew will be on Saturday, November 2 at 6:00 PM here at the
building. Please bring a can of vegetables (that you would put in stew) per
person and a pan of cornbread or a finger food dessert per family. Remember
to dress appropriately.
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THANK YOU

The cards, food and prayers meant so much in the loss of my mother. Phyllis
Defrese.
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NEW PHONE NUMBER

The phone number for Bob & Eloise Jarrell is 455-9699 or 258-5766.
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BIBLE BOWL PRACTICE

There will be a Bible Bowl practice here at the building at 4:30 PM on
Sunday, November 10th.
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SERMONS FOR NOVEMBER 3

Morning
The Christian And The Government (Romans 13:1-7)
Evening
Joel *********************************
SEARCH
Week of November 3
WHAT DOES GOD LOOK LIKE?
The question in this title may seem a bit childish. But children often ask
questions that need answers with which even the wisest adults have
difficulty. A person¹s image of God determines his response to God,
therefore, it is important for believers to have a Biblical image of Him. If
it doesn¹t matter what kind of image one worships, does it make any
difference if he believes in Him at all?

EVENTS OF INTEREST

October 31............Pumpkin Party
November 2...........Hobo Stew
November 5...........All Comers Class
November 10.........Bible Bowl Practice
November 12.........All Comers Class
November 19.........All Comers Class Trip

OUR RECORD OCTOBER 27, 2002

A.M. WORSHIP 206
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 177
P.M. WORSHIP 130
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 127

CONTRIBUTION 4894
BUDGET 5570
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MEN TO SERVE
November 3, 2002

David Gulledge Dennis Gulledge
Greg King Tim King
Roger Horton Brad Horton
Jim Henson Darren Gowen

Evening John Griffin
Jason Griffin
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

November 6 Bill Boyd
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USHERS FOR NOVEMBER

Morning Tim King
Evening Ray Bryan
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GREETERS FOR NOVEMBER

Ann Elmore & Emily Gulledge
Lynette Murphy
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ELDER CHAIRMAN

November Dale Morris
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