"Notice the Difference" by Steve Baisden

**Notice the difference:**

by Steve Baisden

We are
planning a seminar on the "time of the end." We will be having guest
speakers and specific topics assigned to each speaker. An open format and a
question and answer segment will be planned for each evening of the seminar.
Provided everyone remains respectful and decent in Christian conduct we will
allow them to ask questions and make comments.
Even those in opposition to our view of "the time of the end"
will be given the opportunity to make comments, ask questions, and even engage
in discussion if they so desire. You see, **the**
truth has nothing to fear and everything to gain from honest open evaluation.

This is MOST ASSUREDLY different
from all the others. We want this to be a totally open and above board meeting
for anyone seeking the truth. We do not want to misrepresent anyone and we do
not want to discourage anyone. We simply want to help those who are interested
anyway we can.

Recently I have spoken with many
in our brotherhood who are publicly calling our names (Holger Neubauer, Scott
Klaft, Steve Baisden) marking us and misrepresenting what we truly believe. I
have asked them if they will allow us the opportunity to properly represent
ourselves. I have asked for the opportunity to answer why I believe what I do
so that those who have heard that I believe and teach a false doctrine can hear
the other side of the issue. In fact there is a biblical principle that forbids
folks from making hasty decisions based from just one perspective,  (Pro 18:13) "He that answereth a matter
before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him." Should we not at
the very least hear the other side before making a decision to mark a brother?

**It is almost always
the case that whenever people listen to one side of a story they make their
decisions based upon only what they have heard.** You can be taught a thing to
such a degree that you may never see the real truth. Denominations do this all
the time. They are indoctrinated into a particular belief to the degree they
will not even consider listening to another possibility. I am afraid that the
church has fallen into this same trap. And again there are biblical principles
which forbid this, (Pro 18:17) "He that is first in his own cause seemeth
just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him." Also consider (Acts
19:8) "And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of
three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of
God." Simply put, God wants us to consider every possibility before
jumping to conclusions.

Why will not my brave brethren,
when having their lectures and seminars, allow us the opportunity to answer for
ourselves, especially when the topic of discussion is against the very thing where
our names are being mentioned? I suggest that they cannot afford to be this
open and allow an honest investigation. They MUST build their straw-men for
themselves so they can then answer their own straw-men scenarios that they
falsely built for themselves. All the while what is really believed and
understood is not given the opportunity of honest examination.

                  The men speaking in our Series of Lessons, April
17-19, will be allowed to accurately represent themselves and what they
believe. Brethren, frankly, we will not be guilty of doing to others as they
have done to us, we will not be guilty of doing what we have just declared as
wrong. We will not falsely represent any man and we will not run around hiding
from any either! If you have questions of what others may believe and practice,
then please at least have the courage to ask them before wrongly accusing them!
And if you find them to be at odds from what you think is faithful, then
continue the conversation so that faithfulness can be established. What could
be more Christian and what could we more do for the cause of unity?

So in short, if you can make our
series of lessons, and you would like to voice your opinion or ask questions,
we will allow you to do that. We will make the extra time needed to
respectfully deal with anyone seeking the truth.

Plan to be there, April 17-19, at
Lakeshore church of Christ, 19979 M-140, South Haven MI.  269-325-4449 (see details on back page).

There is a difference... Pro
28:1 "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as
a lion."