December 2019 A Letter of Explanation: Why?
I am sure there are some wondering, “Why, in the world, would Pastor Dan be forming up a Non-registered Baptist Bible Fellowship?” The scriptural reason: Jeremiah 6:16 “Thus saith the Lord, stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said. We will not walk therein.” That’s all there is to it. Just trying to stay true and stick to “the old paths.” And let’s not forget Jude 3 “…that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” I do not enter this endeavor lightly. There was a day when someone said they thought it was time to leave the old paths and advance the church into the 21st Century, but I think I will stick with Jeremiah!
In the October meeting at Pastor Tommy Chestnut’s Church, Dr Dixon being in hospital, had Greg Dzula play a recording of his last wishes for us that have stood by him and his efforts to keep Christ’s churches nonregistered from State control. In that recording, Dr. Dixon stated the new direction he had been taking us in the last seven years or so. He indicated the Unregistered Baptist Fellowship could keep going with his blessing, but only if the few of us left would not allow “Music” or “Prophecy” to be essential. So, there you have it.
How scriptural are your standards of music and Bible prophecy? Are some parts of the Bible not essential? Who is not aware how some seven years ago Dr. Dixon announced from a pulpit how that with his new found doctrine he could “bring revival to America!” There is no doubt that he tried, but in the process he just isolated himself. How sadly we have watched as so many historic Baptist pastors refused to support or attend the fellowship meetings because of his determination to advance his new cause for a revival that never came. Most Baptists have always taught, believed, and practiced, that Jesus’ shed blood on Calvary was all the “Purge-atory for sin” that the believer ever needed. The position Dr Dixon now embraced was an extreme position that became a hidden agenda. And fewer still have been his new element, among the speakers, than the old element of Baptist pastors who refuse to abandon “the old paths.”
Dr. Dixon was a real father figure to me. I first met him when I was around 17 years of age. My pastor, Dr. G. B. Vick, had him in to preach for us at Temple Baptist in Detroit several times each year. Doc has always been 20 years my senior. I guess it’s been some 30 years ago when I began attending the fellowship meetings that I expressed to Dr. Dixon that come “Hell or high water,” because he was my pastor’s friend, he could always count on me to be his friend. I believe our bond to one another was a true friendship even to that moment of his death. When I visited him in the hospital, he asked me to pray before we visiting pastors left his room. I will never forget his kindnesses to me over the years and I look forward to our reunion in glory. But there is much more work to be done here until then!
I want to encourage honest, old fashioned, Bible Believing pastors, to join our ranks as Non-registered Baptists, don’t you? We need more churches, not less. I have not written this explanation to try and change or correct anyone, nor to show any disrespect to those who would choose to move in this new direction Dr. Dixon honestly believed we all should adopt. It is my conviction that the Lord would have me stick and stay with the old paths, so I have simply surrendered to the Lord and said, “Lord, here am I, send me!” There are just so many counterfeits on the rise today where they first change the methods, then change the music, then change the minister, and finally change the message! “Am I Therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16)
Dr. G. B. Vick licensed me to preach when I was 19 years old, and I preach the same gospel he preached, and his pastor J. Frank Norris preached before him. “…For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required….” (Luke 12:48).
I covet your prayers. “For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.” Proverbs 24:6. I hear Dr. Vick’s voice ringing in my ear, “As Moses told his father in law, ‘Come thou with us, and we will do thee good’.” (Numbers 10:29)
Not quitting or Compromising!
Pastor Dan Hardin