Volume 10 / Issue 9 | September 2023

The Apologetics Newsletter
of the Missouri Baptist Convention


In This Issue: The Mystery of Satan's Fall ... Satan as the Serpent ... Should SBC Churches Only Have Male Pastors? ... All About the Evil One ... The Return of Christ ... and more!

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The Mystery of Satan's Fall

Scripture offers no clear answers as to when and how Satan originally falls -- or even why a sovereign God permits the evil one's rebellion and all its horrific consequences. Even so, the Bible offers subtle clues about the evil one's rapacious nature and cosmic comeuppance.


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Satan as the Serpent

Tales of serpents and dragons have regaled the pages of folklore for centuries. So, it should come as no surprise today that secular eyes roll after reading Genesis 3 and the story of the serpent in the Garden of Eden, as well as Revelation 12 and 20. Even so, it's an injustice to Scripture to write off these biblical accounts so quickly. When applied to the evil one, the names serpent and dragon more aply describe what Satan is like than how he appears.



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Amendment to Article VI

of The Baptist Faith & Message: The Family

Messengers to the 2023 SBC Annual Meeting in New Orleans voted to amend Article VI of The Baptist Faith & Message: "The Church" to clarify the role of pastor. Messengers also removed two churches from "friendly cooperation" with the SBC due to women serving as pastors. What do the terms "pastor," "elder," and "bishop" mean? And how does this understanding affect cooperation among SBC churches?



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Satan as the Dragon

The apostle John uses the Greek word drakon exclusively in the Book of Revelation as a symbolic representation of Satan. Further, he links "dragon" and "serpent" to identify the creature as the ancient tempter in the Garden of Eden. Today, he is the chief enemy of Christ and his church.


Read on ...

All About the Evil One

Was Satan once an anointed cherub, God's prime minister of the universe? When and how did he become the father of lies, tempter, and adversary? And what hope is there for followers of Jesus in knowing that God has prepared a special place for Satan and his messengers? What Every Christian Should Know About Satan explores more than a dozen biblical names and titles that reveal the evil one's character, tactics, and ultimate destiny in the lake of fire. Written for pastors and laypersons alike, this resource is designed for personal or group study.


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What You Should Know About Christ's Return

High Street Press, the publishing imprint of the Missouri Baptist Convention, has released its latest resource for personal or group study: What Every Christian Should Know about the Return of Jesus. This 500-page study focuses on truths about Christ's second coming that are plainly stated in Scripture, yet often overlooked when followers of Jesus prefer to debate the chronological minutiae of the last days. O.S. Hawkins has written the foreword.


Order your print or e-book copy now, and check out all resources at High Street Press.

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