F.I.S.H. is an acronym standing for "Fellowship for an International Scripture Heritage." It is one of several ministries of FellowHelpers To The Truth, Inc., a non-profit organization begun in 1982 under initial endorsement of Spring Creek Missionary Baptist Church in Benton, Arkansas. F.I.S.H. Ministry utilizes on-site missionaries to receive and distribute Bibles and New Testaments on various mission fields, as free-will offerings make copies of the Word available.
Be a Fisher of Men! Helping to spread God's Word Internationally is a mission that needs all of us! How can you help?...... Prayer: We need your prayers, include us daily as you speak with God....... Support: Free Will offerings is the financial life blood of our operations. One time donations are wonderful and monthly donations are fantastic!..... Involvement: If you have a burning desire to share your talents, contact us and we will help fan that flame!
We are Baptist people seeking to be helpful to the Lord’s churches and works both at home and abroad. We identify with the ancient Waldenses, Paulicians, Donatists and others who have stood in the hedge and filled the gap as a succession of true churches from the time of Jesus and the apostles. The true churches of the Lord Jesus Christ are the “Pillar and ground of the truth.” The truth is the Word of God, the “faith once delivered to the saints.” It is incumbent upon us as God’s people to propagate His Word as foundational to individual lives and the continued growth of His churches. To this end we both pray, and labor in fields that are white already unto harvest. Furthermore, to this end we encourage others to get involved in prayers, financial support, evangelistic and teaching activities.
FellowHelpers To The Truth
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The FellowHelper
FellowHelper is the first part of our corporate name of FellowHelpers To The Truth, Inc. Shortly after the start of this ministry a hard copy newspaper named “The FellowHelper” was sent out four times a year to over 8,000 recipients. It contained information on all the works and ministry being done by the workers of the organization. In today’s era of technology “The FellowHelper” has evolved into this website that is available 24/7 not only providing information on works and ministry being done but a repository full of riches can be found in the Library section and hopefully insightful sermons and series discussion in the Video section. FellowHelpers To The Truth is an organization of God’s people going about the work of helping God’s churches in multiple areas. We have among our people so much talent just bursting to reach out and bless us. If you need our help contact us, If you want to share your talents join us, If you want to support us please contribute in the Donate section, If you believe it is God’s will, pray for us! -
Fish Ministry
F.I.S.H. is an acronym standing for “Fellowship for an International Scripture Heritage.”
It is one of several ministries of FellowHelpers To The Truth, Inc., a non-profit organization begun in 1982 under initial endorsement of Spring Creek Missionary Baptist Church in Benton, Arkansas.
F.I.S.H. Ministry utilizes on-site missionaries to receive and distribute Bibles and New Testaments on various mission fields, as free-will offerings make copies of the Word available.
Latest Apologetics
WORDS HAVE CONSEQUENCES![]()
![]()
The power of words is so strong and consequential, that the gospel of John begins our understanding of the Creator with “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” His Word is true regardless of the language of men in which it appears. Resultantly, it is of extreme importance that words used in reference to Him, His Word, and His work should not be conflictual to the unity, harmony, and symmetry of what He by inspiration has revealed and preserved for all posterity.![]()
![]()
There is a troubling term, a deviation from that harmony of truth which has become largely accepted and used widely among outreach ministries. It is the term “Plant” or “Planted.” It is not unusual to hear missionaries state that they are going to a field to “Plant a church” or that a church referenced as one that “I planted.” Because the underlying work referenced is understood and accepted by both the speaker and his audience, one might cringe a little, but say nothing adversely. It simply is easier to let things slide than to make waves. But what is the truth of the matter, and what is the danger in the nuance if any?![]()
![]()
The simple truth is that no Christian has anything to plant except God’s Word! This is set forth in scriptures again and again. Nowhere is it ever stated that one has a church to plant. In the planting of the Word, one may do the planting and another may have a ministry to water what has been planted, but if it ever becomes a church it will be because God alone gives the increase. Can anyone imagine a farmer digging holes in his garden and planting cornstalks ready to bear ears instead of seeds? But that is the analogy of “Planting a church.”![]()
![]()
So is this a nit-picky session or is there a problem evolving. Consider what has happened to words such as “Baptize” “Church” “Christian” and so many others that are broadly accepted, but so far removed from actual Bible teaching. What will future generations understand if strict truth is not adhered to by the present one? One may pay little attention to future consequences, but the simple truth is one way of stating a thing is right and another way is wrong. One aggrandizes the human element, the other the marvelous work of God in men.![]()
![]()
What then may one “Plant?” In biblical terms “The Word,” only the Word. God must do the rest. His children should honor Him as the author and builder of a church, not something some man planted. I appeal to my brethren in love to curb terminology that unintentionally focuses attention away from truth under the guise that everyone understands it anyway.
UNDERSTANDING IMPORTANT THEOLOGICAL TERMS![]()
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Dear Friend: in answering your question I submit the following:![]()
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The most successful ploy of Satan to lead men astray is to use terms of common biblical knowledge, but to redefine them to the subverting of hearers. It is therefore incumbent of every child of God to understand the ploy and to personally, thoroughly, know and understand these important terms.![]()
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Eternal Life: If one understands life as conscious existence only, then every person is destined to conscious existence forever somewhere (eternal life). Therefore, life, as the New Testament presents it is in contrast to death, but it means proximity to God, the source of life, light, righteousness, eternal goodness, and the term never means cessation of conscious (even if limited) existence.![]()
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Salvation: “Salvation” is an umbrella term. It is used in various contexts in scriptures and its meaning must be understood within specific contexts. It denotes reprieve from danger, labor, etc. in the physical world as well as from intellectual harm in contrast to possession of eternal life and hope in the spiritual world.![]()
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Mind-Life: refers to the intellect that lives in the material brain in earthly existence. It is referred to in the ancient language as “Nous” and is intricately connected to the soul denoted as “Psuche” from which the terms “Phyche, psychiatrist, and psychology” are derived. It is the intellect as expressed in awareness and interaction, reflecting a specific base of operational thought, emotion, degree of maturity, and moral guidance. ![]()
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Perish: This term like the term “Salvation” is umbrella in nature. It is applied to man due to his threefold nature. Specifically, the fact that sin resides in and affects all three parts of every person, and that salvation must be accomplished in all three of those parts. The New Testament in original language deals with the various parts in relationship to God denoting their scale of achievement by the terms as 1) ‘Padion” a small child; “Teknon” a born child, particularly spiritually and “Huios” mature son: one enabled to represent his father’s will, and the fullness of the object of what Jesus wrought in His ministry, death, resurrection, etc. However, the supernatural powers, i.e. God and Satan are restricted from violating the free moral agency of man, but both are free to exercise influence on every individual. This fact necessitates critical decisions to be made about the salvation of his spirit, and in the course of life, his mind, for these will be reflected in the expression of the soul (mind-life, psyche). Salvation of the spirit is instant, eternal and equips one to begin to understand and accept as operational, the teaching of Jesus, but there is no hope for the body in this world since sin may be forgiven, but not eradicated except through the universal process of death. Resurrection assures believers an immortal body but that is another long subject.![]()
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God’s plan with mankind involves His redeeming the cosmos (righteous order) that prevailed in Eden before the fall. Even more, to bring a remnant of mankind to a high degree of spiritual maturity by which it would be qualified and enabled to rule and reign with Christ in the millennium, and be a particular glory to Him in the New Heaven Ages. That is why the covenantal existence from Abraham through the sub-set of Law and finally Church were given. They were timely expanded in the spiritual offspring of Abraham, the nation of Israel, and finally in the one new man (Jew and gentile) through the faith once delivered to the saints which is manifest in a true New Testament Church.![]()
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I do hope these definitions and explanations are helpful.
DEBUNKING UNIVERSALIST INTERPRETATION OF I C0R. 12:13![]()
(Revised and repeated by request)![]()
![]()
In the days of the apostles, the Lord’s New Testament Churches understood that a church is local, congregational in government, having two offices: pastor and deacon, to aid it in carrying out the terms of the Great Commission. Matt. 28:18-20. In spite in demons and iniquitous men to the contrary, nothing has changed from that spiritually pristine beginning.![]()
![]()
When severe and extended persecution was used as the excuse of some of the Lord’s churches to abandon Him, and to marry the Roman Empire, they assumed the notion of a universal, visible church. Eventually, they created the Roman Catholic Church, from which came Eastern Orthodox churches, and later the Protestant churches. ![]()
![]()
Initially, the Protestant churches were Catholic, but severed from Rome, all believed and propagated the Universal Visible![]()
Church doctrine. That became a huge problem to newly formed Protestants, who realized they were now without authority to exercise the holy sacraments. In the problem of that environment, the Universal Invisible Church doctrine was born. It taught that baptism was not really important, certainly not a door to church membership, but that all who trusted in Christ became members in that moment, and by that action, become a member of the Universal Invisible Church. This has become the premise of some non-denominational churches and some so-called "Baptist" churches in modern times.![]()
![]()
Next, came the problem of finding support scriptures for such a teaching. Of course, there were none. Subsequently, they leaned![]()
heavily outside of context on I Cor. 12:13, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”![]()
![]()
The cunningness of the devil is still as sharp as it was in the Garden of Eden. What is this verse saying? Keep it in context. Paul is teaching the church at Corinth the nature of their church as well as the nature of every New Testament Church. The word "spirit" has a capital "S" here as a matter of translator preference. One must realize that "Spirit" is used in the New Testament to denote the third part of the Godhead and the third part of man, but it is also used to denote the "Wind" as in John 3, and often means "Attitude" as in try the spirits I John 4:1, I Cor. 4:21. The word is not capitalized in ancient manuscripts leaving context (as mostly always) the determining factor of understanding.![]()
![]()
This verse is NOT supporting any notion of a universal, invisible church. Rather it speaks of the unity of a local body (as here, at Corinth) which is made possible by the great goodness and grace of God. Read then the term “Spirit” as “Attitude” or “state of mind.” Those who come to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hence, the universal attitude of a born-again person is one of submission to the God who saved him. It is in that spirit or attitude that we are buried in water into the local body and rejoice to drink deeply of the marvelous truth taught by the abiding Spirit of God upon that local![]()
body of believers. One only needs to consider the rest of the chapter to see this position fully supported by Holy Writ, especially the clarity of meaning of verses 25-27. Let us all be reminded that the obscuring of truth is still the biggest tool of Satan.![]()
![]()
FOR THOUGHT: What is the difference between Universal Visible Church and Universal Invisible Church doctrines? Are either of these to be found in the Bible? Where?![]()
The Bible does not contradict itself. If Jesus started a local, visible assembly, how can there be any other kind found in the scriptures? Where did such come from then?
THE REST OF THE BIBLE STORY![]()
(Interesting Bible Information)![]()
![]()
Early into the journey of the Hebrews from Egypt to the Promised Land, there arose a people against them with great hostility. It necessitated a day-long battle in which the newly released Hebrew slaves were ill-equipped for combat. One may read the account in Exodus 17. Under the leadership of Joshua, and with Moses extending the rod of God above the battlefield all day long by the help of Aaron and Hur, faithful leaders, the battle was decisively won in a manner that all knew it was by the power, grace, and extraordinary help of God that an otherwise unlikely victory was achieved.![]()
![]()
But it was more than an ordinary war. It became symbolic of the continual war between the spirit and the flesh that would appear again and again. The Amalekites were involved in the downfall of King Saul, and appeared in the reign of David as well. Moreover, as the war it symbolized (spirit/flesh) it continues to this day in the lives of all who follow God.![]()
![]()
One may wonder, “Just who were these Amalekites?” Why did they play such a sorry historical role in opposing God’s people that their deed is symbolized as “the Christians war” today? They were the offspring of Amalek. Amalek was one of the grandsons of Esau. Esau was the brother of Jacob, the father of the Israelites. What a difference is made in offspring as choices are made in life about either serving God or serving self. Both Jacob and his brother Esau were sons of Isaac and Deborah. Here then is underscored that spirituality is not hereditary but the fruit of choices made. It is an eternal tragedy for people to think they will be acceptable to God on the basis of how spiritual their parents or siblings are.![]()
![]()
So, now you know the rest of the story!
A FOCUS ON DISCIPLESHIP BUCKET LIST![]()
On the top of the ministerial bucket list there should be a commitment to embark upon the marvelous life-long quest for eternal knowledge commonly known as the Bible. Many editions of it exist, but time honored and higher criticism scrutiny undergird the validity of the (Textus Receptus): Received Text. These are a collection of some thirty or more of the most ancient manuscripts that are harmonious copies of the original autographs. In English translation, that means largely the King James Version.![]()
Serious students of the Bible enjoy the spiritual thrill that accompanies expansion of learning experiences gained by consulting lexicons of the Hebrew and Greek languages: the Old Testament and New Testament respectively. The prospect of such consultation is not to discover things entirely new that are not presented in the acceptable translation familiar to the reader, but to amplify, and enhance one’s knowledge and understanding of words and phrases.![]()
To be sure, there are times when such studious discoveries altar one’s thinking, but not beyond the restraint of the non-contradictory, symmetrical Word of God. Someone once said, “The problem with words is that they leave out more than they contain.” That saying is largely true. Adding to that understanding is the fact that not everything that may be said in one language may be said exactly in another one. Additionally, problems exist in the usage of idioms, colloquialisms, and other peculiarities of location and time. Most all Languages are enriched by such figures of speech, and that is certainly true of the scriptures. In fact, there may not be a greater repository of figures of speech in any other document than the Bible. All of these things are solid reasons why original language lexicons should be consulted to gain the best concept of what should be understood by a particular word or phrase in its context in the English translation.![]()
To facilitate proper understanding of words in the ancient languages, lexicons such as Gesenius, Thayer, and others give detailed information while Young’s Exhaustive Concordance, and/or Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance list words by number that correlate to words in the Hebrew or Greek dictionaries contained therein. Most of us never become true language scholars. We are left to depend upon the expertise of those who do. That is not necessarily a bad thing. But, most everyone may, with some educational help, learn how to use and to create language research documents quite well. The joy of “connecting the dots” as indicated in 2 Timothy 2:15 is virtually endless and a special treasure to God-called ministers of the Word. ![]()
It is one bucket list that should not be ignored! ![]()
(to be continued with examples)
ETERNAL SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER![]()
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Baptists are not the only people in this world that will teach Salvation by Grace. But, they may be close to the only people who understand what that means. They receive the simplicity of it while others stumble over it. The truth of spiritual salvation is framed by the words “Eternal Security of the Believer” or as Baptists say in the vernacular, “Once Saved Always Saved.” Perhaps no other doctrine is so misunderstood and rejected. However, when logic is followed the conclusion can be no other: if salvation is wholly by grace then it must be secure. That is, it does not depend upon the goodness of man to obtain it so it must not depend on the goodness of man to keep it. Put another way, if men are as lost as lost can be when they become partakers of the marvelous grace of God then would they not have to become worse or more lost than lost in order to lose it? The possibility of apostasy or falling from grace so as to become lost again is totally foreign to the scriptures. Such is the fruit of the faulty reasoning of sinful men.![]()
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So, what does the Bible actually say about eternal security of the believer? Let the most well-loved and memorized verse of scripture speak: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. Now what kind of life does Jesus give to those who trust Him? It is everlasting! If it is everlasting, then it can never end. If it ever does end, then it was never everlasting. The Bible consistently describes the life one receives from Jesus as everlasting or eternal.![]()
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Note some other passages of scripture. John 11:26, “And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” Again, Paul reasoned with the Romans, “Rom 8:35-39, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”![]()
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The Bible abounds with similar scriptures. Finally, Jesus said of His people, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. John 10:27-29. ![]()
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Hallelujah, what a Savior! Hallelujah what a great salvation!
Fish Ministry News
WORDS HAVE CONSEQUENCES![]()
![]()
The power of words is so strong and consequential, that the gospel of John begins our understanding of the Creator with “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” His Word is true regardless of the language of men in which it appears. Resultantly, it is of extreme importance that words used in reference to Him, His Word, and His work should not be conflictual to the unity, harmony, and symmetry of what He by inspiration has revealed and preserved for all posterity.![]()
![]()
There is a troubling term, a deviation from that harmony of truth which has become largely accepted and used widely among outreach ministries. It is the term “Plant” or “Planted.” It is not unusual to hear missionaries state that they are going to a field to “Plant a church” or that a church referenced as one that “I planted.” Because the underlying work referenced is understood and accepted by both the speaker and his audience, one might cringe a little, but say nothing adversely. It simply is easier to let things slide than to make waves. But what is the truth of the matter, and what is the danger in the nuance if any?![]()
![]()
The simple truth is that no Christian has anything to plant except God’s Word! This is set forth in scriptures again and again. Nowhere is it ever stated that one has a church to plant. In the planting of the Word, one may do the planting and another may have a ministry to water what has been planted, but if it ever becomes a church it will be because God alone gives the increase. Can anyone imagine a farmer digging holes in his garden and planting cornstalks ready to bear ears instead of seeds? But that is the analogy of “Planting a church.”![]()
![]()
So is this a nit-picky session or is there a problem evolving. Consider what has happened to words such as “Baptize” “church” “Christian” and so many others that are broadly accepted, but so far removed from actual Bible teaching. What will future generations understand if strict truth is not adhered to by the present one? One may pay little attention to future consequences, but the simple truth is one way of stating a thing is right and another way is wrong. One aggrandizes the human element, the other the marvelous work of God in men.![]()
![]()
What then may one “Plant?” In biblical terms “The Word,” only the Word. God must do the rest. Hos children should honor Him as the author and builder of a church, not something some man planted. I appeal to my brethren in love to curb terminology that unintentionally focuses attention away from truth under the guise that everyone understands it anyway.
DEBUNKING UNIVERSALIST INTERPRETATION OF I C0R. 12:13![]()
(Revised and repeated by request)![]()
![]()
In the days of the apostles, the Lord’s New Testament Churches understood that a church is local, congregational in government, having two offices: pastor and deacon, to aid it in carrying out the terms of the Great Commission. Matt. 28:18-20. In spite in demons and iniquitous men to the contrary, nothing has changed from that spiritually pristine beginning.![]()
![]()
When severe and extended persecution was used as the excuse of some of the Lord’s churches to abandon Him, and to marry the Roman Empire, they assumed the notion of a universal, visible church. Eventually, they created the Roman Catholic Church, from which came Eastern Orthodox churches, and later the Protestant churches. ![]()
![]()
Initially, the Protestant churches were Catholic, but severed from Rome, all believed and propagated the Universal Visible![]()
Church doctrine. That became a huge problem to newly formed Protestants, who realized they were now without authority to exercise the holy sacraments. In the problem of that environment, the Universal Invisible Church doctrine was born. It taught that baptism was not really important, certainly not a door to church membership, but that all who trusted in Christ became members in that moment, and by that action, become a member of the Universal Invisible Church. This has become the premise of some non-denominational churches and some so-called "Baptist" churches in modern times.![]()
![]()
Next, came the problem of finding support scriptures for such a teaching. Of course, there were none. Subsequently, they leaned![]()
heavily outside of context on I Cor. 12:13, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”![]()
![]()
The cunningness of the devil is still as sharp as it was in the Garden of Eden. What is this verse saying? Keep it in context. Paul is teaching the church at Corinth the nature of their church as well as the nature of every New Testament Church. The word "spirit" has a capital "S" here as a matter of translator preference. One must realize that "Spirit" is used in the New Testament to denote the third part of the Godhead and the third part of man, but it is also used to denote the "Wind" as in John 3, and often means "Attitude" as in try the spirits I John 4:1, I Cor. 4:21. The word is not capitalized in ancient manuscripts leaving context (as mostly always) the determining factor of understanding.![]()
![]()
This verse is NOT supporting any notion of a universal, invisible church. Rather it speaks of the unity of a local body (as here, at Corinth) which is made possible by the great goodness and grace of God. Read then the term “Spirit” as “Attitude” or “state of mind.” Those who come to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hence, the universal attitude of a born-again person is one of submission to the God who saved him. It is in that spirit or attitude that we are buried in water into the local body and rejoice to drink deeply of the marvelous truth taught by the abiding Spirit of God upon that local![]()
body of believers. One only needs to consider the rest of the chapter to see this position fully supported by Holy Writ, especially the clarity of meaning of verses 25-27. Let us all be reminded that the obscuring of truth is still the biggest tool of Satan.![]()
![]()
FOR THOUGHT: What is the difference between Universal Visible Church and Universal Invisible Church doctrines? Are either of these to be found in the Bible? Where?![]()
The Bible does not contradict itself. If Jesus started a local, visible assembly, how can there be any other kind found in the scriptures? Where did such come from then?
THE REST OF THE BIBLE STORY![]()
(Interesting Bible Information)![]()
![]()
Early into the journey of the Hebrews from Egypt to the Promised Land, there arose a people against them with great hostility. It necessitated a day-long battle in which the newly released Hebrew slaves were ill-equipped for combat. One may read the account in Exodus 17. Under the leadership of Joshua, and with Moses extending the rod of God above the battlefield all day long by the help of Aaron and Hur, faithful leaders, the battle was decisively won in a manner that all knew it was by the power, grace, and extraordinary help of God that an otherwise unlikely victory was achieved.![]()
![]()
But it was more than an ordinary war. It became symbolic of the continual war between the spirit and the flesh that would appear again and again. The Amalekites were involved in the downfall of King Saul, and appeared in the reign of David as well. Moreover, as the war it symbolized (spirit/flesh) it continues to this day in the lives of all who follow God.![]()
![]()
One may wonder, “Just who were these Amalekites?” Why did they play such a sorry historical role in opposing God’s people that their deed is symbolized as “the Christians war” today? They were the offspring of Amalek. Amalek was one of the grandsons of Esau. Esau was the brother of Jacob, the father of the Israelites. What a difference is made in offspring as choices are made in life about either serving God or serving self. Both Jacob and his brother Esau were sons of Isaac and Deborah. Here then is underscored that spirituality is not hereditary but the fruit of choices made. It is an eternal tragedy for people to think they will be acceptable to God on the basis of how spiritual their parents or siblings are. ![]()
![]()
So, now you know the rest of the story!