Jon Gary Williams
Articles / Resources
0854
J. Roy Vaughan vs Joel Smith (Baptist)
December 11, 1941
Jacksonville, Florida
(By W. Herron)
Dec. 3-5 at Jacksonville, Fla. Large crowds, about half are Baptists.
Mr. Smith made the usual arguments of Landmark Baptists. He affirmed the impossibility of apostasy, and the believer is saved before baptism. Bro. Vaughan affirmed the church question, and that faith, repentance and baptism are conditions of pardon to the alien sinner. Smith depended mostly on volume, especially when in a tight spot, to convince his auditors. This vocal thunder stood him in good part in the absence of scriptural logic, for everything else, except the sound, was very weak.
On the church question Smith state that the Baptist church was not found in the Bible; and although this was called to his attention, he did not deny saying it until the last night, stating that he had said, "the name of the Baptist" church was not found in the Bible. On the question of obedience he said: "A person does not have to obey the gospel to be saved." When bro. Vaughan kept II Thess. 1:8,9 before him on this point, he never fully recovered from the force of the dilemma.
Both men conducted themselves well, as did the audience, at all times. The leaders of the church in Jacksonville and many other members expressed themselves as believing that this debate did more good than several meetings. Bro. Vaughan has preached for one meeting in the city, but there is no doubt about this debate being the greatest piece of work he has ever executed in this city. He is a capable loyal exponent of truth, who is not only to forcefully present the same, nut is skilled in the art of refuting error.
VIEW NEXT REPORT >>