Seventeenth Year Reviewed
We were again pleased to see two of our young men finish their Bible degrees this year.
Commencement was a special time and we enjoyed the fellowship of our friends at the 2024 Graduation Week activities. All that gathered were blessed, and smiles were seen among the folks.
The completion of our seventeenth year saw over twenty preachers present during Alumni Week, which encouraged the heart of the young people and the teachers. The Alumni Fish Fry, the Spring Banquet, the Wednesday Church Rally, and the Commencement service brought together many friends of Heritage.
As we reflect on the thirteenth year on the Hopewell campus, we are so grateful to all those that partner with us. The Banquet Offering this year was directed towards Student Scholarships and we reached the $15,000 goal. Thank you! Your support is richly appreciated for this vital ministry of training the next generation.
The President’s Perspective
Recently, I purchased this 100 year old pass, that had been issued in 1924 to William Scott, one of the collective Presidents of the Southern Pacific Railroad System. Scott was able to merge seven railroads, adding them to the expanding influence of his company. In that position, he had a yearly pass to travel free on many of the railroads of his day. People today collect these vintage passes, and the rarer ones demand high dollars.
I have always been intrigued with the idea of a pass. Whether the simple high school “hall pass” that let you escape the classroom, to the modern food pass, where you can eat all-day for one price in a theme park (we always get our monies worth) - passes are special.
A railroad pass gave the holder limitless travel on that railroad. What is ironic about this pass, is that William Scott, the successful railroad executive, had less than 2 more years to tour. In December of 1926 he was traveling by train to the upcoming annual board meeting. As the trained neared Los Angeles, William Scott had a heart attack and died later that day at the offices of his company.
Just over 700 years ago, it was a pass of a different sort that threw the world into a major theological split.
According to Christian historian, Philip Schaff, Johann Tetzel was a Dominican monk, and a great orator. He rose in importance in the Roman Catholic Church when he was selected by Archbishop Albrecht to raise money for Pope Leo X. His plan to garner funds was by selling indulgences - selling papal “credits” to remit the punishment for sins. To the ignorant European populace of 1517, who were forbidden to read the Bible, this sounded like a monetary pass to heaven. You could also use these credits to apply for relief to the punishment of departed loved ones.
Tetzel would travel from town to town in pompous procession, carrying these papal letters of indulgence. Tetzel was received “like a messenger from heaven.” A solemn parade of dignitaries and people would often accompany the delegation to the church with candles, flags, and ringing bells. Arriving at their destination, the party would arrange the scene. A velvet cushion placed on the high alter cradled the Pope’s decree. A red cross with a silk banner bore the papal arms right in front. And beneath the cross, a large iron chest was placed for the collection of the indulgence money. Some of these chests are still preserved. With daily messages and services, the people were urged to purchase letters of indulgence for their own benefit and also for dead friends and family.
Tetzel reinforced the masses belief in “buying salvation.” He stated that departed friends and relatives were released from purgatory “as soon as the penny tinkles in the box.”
The common people eagerly embraced this rare offer of salvation from punishment. They would approach the chest with burning candles, confess their sins, pay the money, and receive their letter of indulgence, which they cherished as a pass to heaven.
As Tetzel traveled through Germany, a young monk in a nearby town, became appalled by the sale of heaven for money. He had lately come to understand, by studying the Bible, that salvation was offered as a free gift. And so on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted his Ninety- five Theses to the door of the Wittenberg castle-church. The Thesis was a challenge to debate the doctrine of indulgences.
Although no scholar answered his challenged debate , the Ninety-five Theses was published and spread across Germany, sparking The Reformation.
Luther, and the other reformers sent their readers to the Bible as the Authority. In many cases, these men translated the Bible into their native language so that people could read God’s teaching versus church rituals. It was the Bible that clearly showed that only one person can free mankind from both the guilt and punishment of sin. That man is the God/man, Jesus Christ.
The doctrine of indulgences originated in 690 A.D., and it continues in various forms to this day. But the Bible proceeds man’s ceremonies.
Peter boldly stated in front of another set of pious religious leaders: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12
Meet Our Graduates
Commencement night was a special event for Kok (pronounced Coke) Mar.
Kok grew up in Myanmar (Burma), a country that has 3,000 Baptist churches, but a country that also experiences real persecution. Burma was reached with the Gospel by Adoniram Judson (1788-1850), the first Baptist missionary from America.
After graduating from high school, Kok traveled to Malaysia seeking to make money, and there in 2007 accepted Christ as his personal Savior.
The following year Brother Mar had the chance to travel to the United States. After several moves, he arrived in Indianapolis.
Our area is a hub of Chin (Burmese people group) families, and Pastor Kok came and began preaching to a small congregation.
In the winter of 2020, just before the Covid virus broke out, Pastor Kok began taking classes at Heritage. He stated that; “I love Heritage Baptist College because they teach the truth of the Bible.
Ways to Help Heritage
1) Prayer - Of the Utmost Importance
2) Estate Planning - A Forward Investment
3) Personal Gifts - Funds can be mailed or given online : www.hbcindiana.com
4) Student Scholarships
5) Introduce the College to Pastors & Students