 DAVID LIPSCOMB STOOD IN THE GAP AND MADE A DIFFERENCE
As the people of Judah languished in Babylonian captivity, God spoke to them through his faithful prophet, Ezekiel. The reason for their ruined state is expressed in chapter 22:30 where God says, "I sough for a man among them, that should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me or the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none."
A hundred and 125 years ago the situation within the brotherhood of restoration churches was much like ours today. The progressives had all the momentum went them. Their movement away from the authority of the Scripture was moving like an avalanche. The issues then were the same as now:
*extra-congregational organizations to do the Lord's Work, *the use of instrumental music, choirs and soloists in worship; *women in leadership roles in the church; *fellowship with denominational bodies; *lack of respect for the authority of God's Word.
Had it not been for David Lipscomb and the small band of men he gathered around him, it is likely that the liberals would have taken everything. By 1906 it was clear that two separate bodies of people existed where once there was one. The larger group, came to be identified as Disciples of Christ/ Christian Churches. They had captured 80-85 percent of the movement, including virtually all of the schools, benevolent works and mission outposts. The smaller group was know as Churches of Christ consisting of a remnant of faithful disciples who were determined to be faithful to the old paths of God's Word.
We can learn great lessons from the work of David Lipscomb. He was a very ordinary preacher, in terms of his ability to preach. But he was a dedicated and determined disciple of the Master who stood in the gap.
- He was willing to lay his all on the line for the Cause. He invested his time and energy, his money and his property in his effort to save and rebuild the church he loved.
- He knew it was not enough just to oppose error, he encouraged his brethren to rise up and rebuild the damaged Cause. He worked tirelessly to that end until his aged and worn out body was laid to rest.
- He saw the value of the printed page. He and Tolbert Fanning relaunched the Gospel Advocate following the Civil War. He printed useful religious books that would shape the hearts and minds of the brethren for good.
- He understood the importance of training children in the way of righteousness. He and his team produced Bible School literature that was true to the Scriptures.
- He knew the effectiveness of engaging the enemy head on. Thus he published articles that addressed the problems of the day and offered Biblical answers to the errors being promoted.
- He saw the need for a school to train the young and especially future leaders for the church and with James A. Harding he founded and financed
Nashville Bible School. He gave his own farm to house the school. - He actively recruited men to join the ranks on the side of truth. He built a strong network of faithful Christians to fight side by side. He frequently met with men who were uncertain and unsure and used his influence to persuade them to take a stand for the truth.
- He encouraged every good work done by those who were true friends of the gospel. These things we must do today.
Each of us has talents that could be helpful if put to use. Each of us has a sphere of influence. We need to find 1,000 good men who will dig in and take their stand for the primitive faith and then use their influence and energy to educate and inform all of those around them. If we can find and mobilize such a team of workers we will soon see the drift slowed to a halt. We encourage those who read these lines to contact us and see how we can cooperate to benefit the bless church of our Lord Jesus. Write us at 12630 W. Foxfire Dr., Sun City West, AZ 85375 or e-mail us at johnwaddey@aol.com.
* Learn more about Lipscomb and the work he did, in his biographies written by Earl West and Robert Hooper. |
