OUR

VISION, OUR HEARTS, AND OUR DOORS ARE ALWAYS OPEN

March 1, 2022

Introduction

It is vital for every Christian to understand—or at least acknowledge—the importance of

sound doctrine. Paul tells Titus, “As for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound
doctrine.” (Titus 2:1) That command is true not only for elders in the church, but for
every believer. This is why, for the next several publications, I will present an essay
arguing this fact. To begin, I’ll start by addressing three doctrines present in 21st Century
Christendom. One of them is sound, the other two false. You might ask, is it worth our
time splitting hairs like this? Well, for the Apostle Paul, sound doctrine was not hair line
but clear-cut line in the sand.

In fact, St. Paul warns his young protégé, Timothy, of the dangerous effects of false
teaching: “If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words,
those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is
conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions
and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil
suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the
truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.” (I Timothy 6:3-5) Though nearly
two-thousand years separate us from Paul’s original penning of this epistle, his warning
casts a telling light on the situation in Christendom today.

Let me first explain what I mean by Christendom. By that, I refer to all those who claim
or profess Christ as their Lord and Savior. Now, that group is distinct from those who
actually possess faith. Jesus talks of those who will claim to do works in His name, yet on
the day of judgment He will reveal He never knew them. (Matthew 7:21-23, Mark 4:13-
20) This group makes up the church visible, the body of Christians in this world that we
can see with our eyes and hear with our ears. In Christendom there are those who truly
believe and submit to Christ as Lord; and there are others who claim it, but either through
deception or denial, they do not actually submit to the Christ of the Bible. This essay, like
the other New Testament epistles, is written to believers, insiders of Christianity, and not
written for those who out-right do not believe in nor submit to Christ. This is the
Christendom of which I speak and this is the arena in which true and false teaching wage
their battles.

Paul’s primary concern is with teachings that are contrary to sound doctrine. One thing to
note, in this day and age of philosophical and moral relativism, having different,
sometimes competing, systems of doctrine or teaching is not only accepted but
applauded. Under this thinking, 1 + 1 can equal 2 and not 2, which logically is absurd. It
was absurd in Paul’s day, it’s still absurd today. The Apostle defines for us what sound
doctrine is: words or teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ that conform us to godliness. (I
Timothy 6:3) The word translated as “godliness” is the Greek word eusebeia, which is a
compound word made up of “good” and “devotion.” Our good devotion to God is
summed up by Jesus Himself: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and
with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37) The whole self is wrapped
up in devotion to God; or put another way, our entire being is devoted to pleasing God
and conforming to His holiness. Any doctrine or teaching that suggests otherwise is to be
avoided and opposed. (I Timothy 6:20)

The reason Paul gives for avoiding and opposing false teaching is directed against the
false teacher himself. The Apostle tells Timothy that “advocates [of] a different doctrine”
are conceited, controversial, and covetous. These three will be the subjects of upcoming
issues.

Rev. Eduardo Soto, Jr., PASTOR

434-369-5286, office / 334-237-1895,
mobile

SERMONS THIS MONTH

MARCH 2 • ASH WEDNESDAY

Romans 8:1-4 “Unconditional”

MARCH 6 • FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT

Isaiah 6:1-8 “The Holiness of God”

MARCH 13 • SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT

Isaiah 30:33, 66:24 “The Omnipresence of God”

MARCH 20 • THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT

Isaiah 46:9-11 “The Omniscience of God”

MARCH 27 • FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT

Isaiah 43:10-13 “The Omnipotence of God”
 HAPPENING THIS MONTH
YOUTH GROUP – MAR. 6 T H & 20 T H
Youth Group meets Sundays at 5:00 PM
in the youth room. All youth 8th through 12th
graders are welcome!
We continue a discusson on the Portraits of
Christ in the Gospel of John.

BIBLE STUDY — MAR. 1 S T , 8 T H , 15 T H , 22 N D , & 29 T H

Bible Study meets Tuesdays at 10:00 AM
in the Sunday school room.
We continue a systematic exposition of the
Westminster Confession of Faith.

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY — MAR. 2 N D , 9 T H , 16 T H , & 30 T H

Men’s Bible study meets Wednesdays at
8:00 AM in the Sunday School Room.
We continue an expository study on the Acts
of the Apostles.
for greater detail on these and other discipleship opportunities, check
out our weekly newsletter expositor digest


MARCH
Birthdays Anniversaries
2 Susan Gilliam
4 Eli Soto
5 Betsy Soto
9 Margaret Liebchen
15 Kevin deBernard
22 Dean Smith
24 Michael Gafford
31 Brenda Cuthbertson
Stephanie Moehlenkamp
 March 2022
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5
10 AM Bible Study 8 AM Men’s Bible
Study
Noon - Men’s
Lunch at Tuscan 7 PM Ash
Grill Wednesday Service
5-7 PM Shove
Pancake Supper

6 7 8 9 10 11 12
10 AM Worship 10 AM Bible Study 8 AM Men’s Bible
Children’s Church Study
Communion
Collect Two Cents-
A-Meal Offering
5 PM Youth Group
Mtg.

13 14 15 16 17 18 19
10 AM Worship 10 AM Bible Study 8 AM Men’s Bible
Children’s Church Study
Noon - Men’s
Lunch at Hibachi 1 PM DAWN
Grill Board Mtg.

20 21 22 23 24 25 26
10 AM Worship 10 AM Bible Study April Link Deadline Pastor Ed out of
Children’s Church Pastor Ed out of office - Continuing
Congregational office -Continuing Ed
Mtg. after Worship Ed
Session Mtg. after
Congregational
Mtg.
5 PM Youth Group
Mtg.

27 28 29 30 31
10 AM Worship 10 AM Bible Study 8 AM Men’s Bible
Children’s Church Study
Guest Preacher
 Altavista Presbyterian Church
Session highlights
February 20, 2022 meeting

• Heard a report from Elder Commissioner Mark Younkin on the February 17, 2022
Zoom Presbytery meeting.

• Decided to hold a barbecue dinner in April, 2022 to raise money for the Puerto
Rico Mission Trip & to match the money raised from ACT for Mission funds.

• Decided to award a $1,000 scholarship to an Altavista Combined School

graduating senior & to fund the scholarship from ACT for Mission funds.

• Reviewed the January, 2022 Treasurer’s Report.

• Decided to amend the Church Facility Lease Agreement by adding the following
covenant: “The lessor is not liable nor responsible for any in juries unless
proximately caused by an obvious defect of the lessor’s property.”

• Approved minutes of the January 23, 2022 Stated Session meeting as presented.

• Called a Congregational meeting for March 20, 2022, following Worship for the
purposes of electing the Class of 2024 Ruling Elders & conducting the annual
meeting of APC, Inc.

• Joys & concerns of the congregation were identified. Moderator Ed prayed for
those listed & to close the meeting.

January-2022 YTD
Pledges 13,249.33 13,249.33
Non-Pledges 2,595 2,595
Plate Offering 15 15
Total Expenses 11,483.54 11,483.54