October 4, 2011 (via Facebook)• Hi Pastor Flowers - My name is Dena Trice. My husband

Pastor's Maranatha Church in Mont Belvieu. I read the article you had written for the October 2nd circulation of the Baytown Sun about our “Rethink Church” billboards.

I do want to begin by saying we agree with some of what was written in your article. The church does belong to Jesus Christ and the foundations of which it was established are definitely not to be tampered with. God is God and His Word is forever established!

• As a Pastor, our goal is one in the same - to see people come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Our heart in creating the “Rethink Church” billboard advertisement was in no way to prompt people to rethink the establishment of God’s church but to cause those who don’t know Jesus Christ or those who don’t go to church to think about the important of attending. Actually, we’ve had many who have chosen to come to church because of the billboards, praise God! Please, Pastor Flowers, let’s work together to win the lost, not strive against each other. With much respect, Dena Trice

October 12, 2011 (via Facebook)• Dena, I appreciate very much you taking the time

to write me. I apologize to you for my delay in responding. I appreciate the thoughtful and considerate way you expressed your note to me.

I am glad for the important Biblical teachings that we stand agreed upon. I am curious what points who and your husband disagreed with.

I'm sorry if I misunderstood the intent of the billboard message. Sadly, it is clear that so many churches today are "rethinking church" because

• of the many differences with their teachings and practices when compared with the inspired Word of God (Gal. 1:6-9; Rev. 22:18-19).

If by coming to "know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior" equates with salvation in your mind, then we do not share the same goal. Many in the denominational world have made this phrase popular, causing people to think that such is all that is required of them to be saved from their sins. A "faith only" type teaching, when the Bible states - "You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only" (James 2:24).

• Sinners need to hear the saving gospel (Romans 1:16), since faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). Jesus declared: "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16). No where in the NT did Jesus or the apostles tell people to simply "accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior" to be saved and become a child of God. So that is not the message that I preach.

I would be more than happy to meet with you and your husband to search the Scriptures

• together in person (Acts 17:11), in order to discuss these spiritual matters further.

Thanks so much again for taking the time to write me. When united upon His Word (John 17:20-21; I Cor. 1:10), I know that we can truly work together to win the lost.

sincerely,Jesse Flowers

Spiritual

Spiritual Identity Theft

• Claim to be Teachers of the Truth–Matt. 7:15-20; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 2 Tim 2:15-18 – I John 4:1-6; Acts 17:11; Galatians 1:6-9

Spiritual Identity Theft

• Claim to be Miracle Workers–Acts 8:9-13; 13:6; 19:13-17–Mark 16:17-18; I Corinthians 12:7-11; Acts

8:18; I Cor. 13:8-13; James 1:25; Jude 3

Spiritual Identity Theft

• Claim to be Apostles of Christ–Revelation 2:2; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Spiritual Identity Theft

• Claim to be Apostles of Christ–Revelation 2:2; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15– 2 Cor. 12:12; Acts 1:21-23; I Cor. 15:8-11

• Claim to be Followers of Christ–Matt. 7:21-23– Luke 12:1; Matt. 6:2, 5, 16; 15:7-9; 23:28– I Peter 2:1; Gal. 2:11-13; Luke 6:46; John 8:31;

Matt. 24:45-51

Spiritual