Jess Whitlock
Mr. Phillip Buttram
P.O. Box 1118
Independence, Missouri 64051
Dear Phillip Buttram,
I have received your letter and enclosures from the “Gospel Tract Society” of which I assume you are the president. I have read your five articles, and am impressed with the numbers of tracts that you distribute—I assume to all religions. If I may, let me respond to your cover letter to me. On page 2, you stated in part:
I have known ministers…that knew the Words that they preached…but did not personally know the Author of those words…my friend: you cannot be a godly leader if you yourself are not close to the LORD. If you are unsure of your relationship with the LORD, God Almighty, you can be right now! The Bible says in Romans chapter 10 verse 9-10, ‘That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God the Father raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation!’ That is it, it is just that simple and that eternal…challenge your followers, your flock, your congregation, and your friends to do the same, turn their backs on sin and an apathetic life and bow before Him…
Let me humbly say that after having preached the Gospel of Christ for over a half-century, that I have no followers, no flock, and no congregation of my own. I have worked with followers of Christ (John 14:6); the flock of Christ (Acts 20:28-29; 1 Pet. 5:2-3); and the congregation of Christ (Rom. 16:16).
Romans 10:9-10 does emphasize that one must have faith in Christ as Lord (John 8:24; Heb. 11:1,6); and that one must confess that faith in Christ (Matt. 10:32-33; John 12:42-43; Acts 8:37; 1 Tim. 6:12-13). In your cover letter you stated: “That is it, it is just that simple and that eternal.” Please let me know if I have misquoted or misrepresented you in any way.
Mr. Buttram, there is something missing from God’s plan of salvation and your plan of salvation! Repentance of sin seems to be missing (Luke 13:3-5; 24:46-47; Acts 2:38; 17:30-31; 2 Cor. 7:8-10; 2 Pet. 3:9). I noticed that the “one baptism” (Eph. 4:5), was also missing, but it is not missing from the word of God! The Bible charges men to be baptized (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; John 3:3-5; Acts 2:37-38; 8:36-39; Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:26-27; Eph. 4:5; Col. 2:12; 1 Pet. 3:21; et al.). Those on the day of Pentecost were baptized (Acts 2). The Ethiopian eunuch was baptized (Acts 8). Saul of Tarsus was baptized (Acts 9,22,26). The Philippian jailor and his household were baptized (Acts 16). The ones on Pentecost were not saved until they were baptized, the eunuch was not saved until he was baptized, Saul was not saved until after his baptism, and the jailor and his household were not saved until after they were baptized! How can one study God’s Word and not see that the “one baptism” (Eph. 4:5) is an integral part of God’s plan of salvation?
In your letter to me you asked a penetrating question: “Where do you stand in your relationship with the Creator of the Universe?” Following my faith, repentance, confession of Christ as Lord, I was baptized into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit for the remission of my sins. The Lord added me to His church at that time (Acts 2:47). In closing may I ask of you, Phillip, where do you stand in your relationship with the Creator of the universe? “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16).
Because of a cross,
Jess Whitlock
