The Laodicean Church

This Day in Baptist History Past



March 18, 2011 – The Laodicean church – a composite. It was a sad day, but few seemed to care. There would have been many tears if the deceased had suffered as a martyr, but she had died gradually from a multitude of maladies. Primarily the diseases were atrophy, apathy, and unconcern. Few were there to mourn her passing. Though martyrdom has claimed its thousands as Satan appeared as a “roaring lion,” his modern approach as an “angel of light” has destroyed its tens of thousands. The obituary read as follows: “First Community Center – alias, First Baptist Church. The formerly well-known deceased was born in revival. Her parents, Gospel Truth and Prayer, rejoiced at her birth. She grew into maturity as sons and daughters were born again and went into surrounding states and around the world as missionaries. Her grand-children in foreign lands benefited by her assistance as well. Her demise had been gradual and it took an autopsy to reveal the causes of death. The coroner discovered the following maladies. The artery that called for a proper diet of spiritual milk and meat had been clogged with entertainment. The obstruction of her prayer artery had choked the blessings of the power of God. The artery of evangelism had been clogged with disinterest. When Dr. Evangelist was called he was mocked. It was thought that a new name was needed so the name “Baptist” was dropped and a Community name adopted. It was suggested that the hymns of Zion be replaced with a modern sound, and three square meals a week have been replaced, in some instance with only one. And now they even have a Sat. eve. snack. Condensed by Greg J. Dixon from: This Day in Baptist History II: Cummins and Thompson, BJU Press: pp. 150-52. [C.F: Vance Havner, It is Time (New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1953), p. 70.]