Mid-Atlantic Conservative Baptist Association Member

"In the heart of Washington, with a heart for Washington."

Pastor's

Guest Comments

Here Pastor Orr shares marvelous thoughts from men he "hangs around" with.  Today he exposes the profound thoughts from Pastor Harry Stoliker who concluded his sermon, "Why We Should Believe in 'Sola Scriptura'!" with these comments:
Conclusion:  When we are Protestants, say we believe in Sola Scriptura, we mean that God's Holy Inscripturated Word contains all a person needs to know with regard to how to be saved and how to live a holy life by the power of God's grace.  There is no additional information from a 'supposed oral, inspired tradition' that is as authoritative as the written Word of God.  The Bible alone is the rule and authority for all our doctrine and practice, not some infallible tradition or infallible church.
The very nature of the Bible is that it is sufficiently clear so that the people of God, for whom it was intended, can interpret it correctly, by the aid of the Holy Spirit.  Tradition is important, but its authority is derivative from Scripture.  When it conforms with Scripture, it is valuable, when it does not, it becomes the traditions of men. (Mt. 15:2-9)  Tradition is always subject to the scrutiny of Scripture and is never an infallible rule for faith and morals.
Our love for the Scriptures should be great!  Our care in interpreting them correctly should be enormous! (2 Tim. 2:15).  We have the Mind of Christ in written form!!  Protected by the Holy Spirit for the sake of the Body of Christ.  Thanks God for his Precious Word!

The Power of the Tongue When Wrongly Used
(Twelve Realities)

First of all, when the tongue is wrongly used it cripples our testimony and produces hypocrisy.  Secondly, it creates an atmosphere of hostility.  Then, it substitutes brassy speech for genuine boldness.  Next, it diminishes the tongues creative power.  Fifth, it acclimates the mind to the spirit of worldliness.  Next, it sacrifices your character on the alter of acceptance.  Then, it cheapens life's most precious relationships.  Eighth, it erodes sensitivity to ultimate eternal issues.  Also, it creates dependence upon shock to create personal authority.  And, it numbs human sensitivity and results in bitterness.  Eleventh, it perversely crushes the spirit of the listener. And last, it diminishes acceptance of truth.
My resolution? Confront, yourself alone, with God.  He tenderly tames an unruly tongue.

Rev. Dr. William P. Orr
Senior Pastor