Tradition or Truth?
The Question for the American Protestant Church
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This is the discussion regarding the conversion of the Philippian jailer in Acts 16.25-34. Each conversion example in Acts is discussed in the book. In this example, Paul and Silas are imprisoned in Philippi. Paul and Silas were singing hymns to God at midnight. There was a giant earthquake, and all the prison doors were opened. The jailer woke up and assumed all the prisoners had escaped so he planned to commit suicide. Paul yelled to him to let him know that the prisoners were all still present. The jailer then ran directly to Paul and asked what he had to do to be saved. The only record we have of what the jailer was told was to believe in the Lord Jesus. We don't know what other teaching was offered, but we do know the result. The jailer and his household were baptized immediately in the middle of the night. This is significant as the jailer was not told to believe and pray the sinner's prayer, and he would be saved. The salvation experience follows the rest of Acts. Faith, repentance, and baptism results in the forgiveness of sins. Paul did not leave the jailer and his household at the believing level the way it is done in evangelical churches today with baptism never done or added later. No, it was significant enough that it was done immediately even in the middle of the night.
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About the Book
This book is the culmination of 50 plus years of teaching New Testament and church history classes at church. It includes my heart-felt concern that the current American Protestant Church is teaching tradition more than truth. The church’s major function is to lead people to faith in Christ and to disciple those believers. My chief concern at this point in my life is that the church is teaching a salvation tradition from Luther—become a Christian by praying—and trying to live the Christian life without the leading of the Holy Spirit. Most Protestant Churches do not accept the current activity of the Holy Spirit in terms of the gifts of the Holy Spirit because of a doctrine that the gifts ceased operation when the New Testament was written. I examine the “prayer salvation message” and the Holy Spirit activity in the church in this book. I pray that this book will be read and considered by Denominational leaders, pastors, and church members and that action will be taken to make necessary changes if truth requires. It is very important that Biblical truth be accepted and all tradition be replaced by truth. I pray that this book will help supply some of the truth that is needed for change. That is for the reader to decide.
About the Author
I grew up in Tennessee and began my adult life as an electrical engineer and then returned to school to obtain a B.A. in Bible and an M.Div. at Vanderbilt. My wife and I have two daughters and a son and 9 grandchildren. I have spent the last 50 plus years teaching New Testament and church history classes at my local churches. Teaching has been the passion of my life. That’s the reason I wrote this book. I told my wife that this is my last class. Perhaps it is. I pray that this book will challenge your beliefs and cause you to search for Biblical truth.