Lecture time! A time for spiritual refreshment. A time for reflection and worship. A time for decisions to do better, for resolutions to improve. Lecture time is a time for spiritual growth. It’s a great time of the year!

This year’s themes are taken from Acts of Apostles. This narrative, written by Luke the physician, gives us a historical perspective of the early New Testament church—how it operated, how it dealt with problems, how it multiplied and grew. The information it contains is timely, since there is almost total disregard for the methods of the New Testament churches in today’s religions.

Acts of Apostles is just what the name implies. It is a record of the actions of the men inspired of God to direct the affairs of the churches until such a time as the completed revelation was available.

It is “approved apostolic examples.” It, in point of fact, teaches with all the sound hermeneutical principles: commands, examples, and necessary inferences.

For instance, regarding the plan of salvation, it says, by way of a direct command: “…repent and be baptized…for the remission of sins” (, “Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea; which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.” Different instances of these basic rules of interpretation are in evidence throughout the book, and so the work is vital to our needs if we are to restore New Testament Christianity in this age.

The book of Acts contains vital information regarding the evangelistic obligation of the church. Early on, the churches began to teach the word whenever and wherever the opportunity was afforded. For instance, when the church at Jerusalem came under persecution and many had to leave the city, the narrative says, “…as many as were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word” (, etc.). This proliferation of saints would not be possible without the evangelistic fervor of the first churches. These first congregations saw the saving of the lost as a prime need and they set about to make sure everyone had an opportunity to hear and accept the word of the Lord—they went everywhere preaching the word.

Our speakers for this year’s program are imminently qualified to broach the subjects they have been assigned.

“Colly” Caldwell is well-known to this congregation, having appeared here several times in both the lectures and in gospel meetings. He is an excellent student, the author of two New Testament commentaries, and a splendid Bible student. His sincerity is noticeable, his love for souls evident.

Chuck Durham is a former preacher here at Southside. During his tenure of service here, he impressed all of us with his desire to know and preach the truth. His manner of preaching is forceful and earnest. He is a careful student and an excellent speaker.

Frank Walton is blessed with excellent people skills and he has equipped himself with sound bible principles so that his skills are used to the glory of God. He has written extensively and well. You will enjoy and appreciate his preaching.

Weldon Warnock is one of the fine preachers of this generation. He has labored long and diligently in the kingdom of God. He has trained himself to have a fair, honest, and balanced mind. His knowledge of the Scriptures made him a good choice for the queries editor for Searching The Scriptures for many years. His talent is used wisely and well in his preaching. You will like his preaching.

Welcome! To the book of Acts of Apostles. To the twenty-first in this series of The Southside Lectures. Come, let us reason together. If you are visiting, please call on us for whatever help we can be.