B ULLETIN THE OPEN BIBLE
-Dr. Corey Abney Lead Pastor - Bell Shoals Church
Spring Conference & Graduation - May 2-4 , 2025
Growing Us For His Glory Forging Foundational Faith
Churches in Canada, like many western world countries, have felt the increasing effects of anti-Christian forces and opposing worldviews eroding our culture’s foundations at a startling rate; to the point where most understand that the very proclamation of the gospel is now being targeted as hate speech in a nation whose very laws and ethics were founded upon the fabric of the Old and New Testament’s teaching. We must understand that the erosion of our faith was accomplished largely by attacking the very foundations of all Christian doctrines- the book of Genesis. And so, to be able to re-ignite Gospel walk and witness we must fortify believers with rock-solid responses to the world’s attacks based on the authority of God’s word from the very first verse.
By Keith McMahon -Faculty
In the coming weeks many will begin to prepare their flower beds. Soil will be prepared. Seeds and seedlings will be planted, and flower beds will be watered, weeded and carefully tended. Even early in the gardening season there will be hopeful expectations of growth. Growth is necessary for the end goal of beautiful flowers.
So, it is with believers. Our spiritual growth, or sanctification (our personal, progressive and practical holiness), is the process by which God brings us to the end goal of beautiful holiness in the presence of Himself. In I Thessalonians 5:23-24 the Apostle Paul tells us: “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.”
God is our sanctifier. He is the One who has initially set us apart to Himself in salvation and is now progressively making us holy unto Himself. In the process of our sanctification, we witness the work of the Father (“…to them that are sanctified by God the Father…” Jude 1); the work of the Son (“By the which will we are sanctified by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Hebrews 10:10); and the work of the Holy Spirit (“…God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” II Thessalonians 2:13).
God progressively sanctifies His own through our obedience to the Word of God (“Sanctify them through thy truth, thy Word is truth.” John 17:17). Our sanctification is an intrinsic work, (“For which cause we faint not; but
though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” II Corinthians 4:16). Our sanctification is ultimately a beautiful work as believers will all witness when Jesus establishes His Kingdom on earth (“Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness…” Psalm 110:3). Herbert Lockyer notes “Sanctification and glory differ only in degree; sanctification is glory in the seed and glory is sanctification in the flower.” God is growing us now. He is making us increasingly beautiful for Himself. It’s a life-long process for the believer with an eternity-long benefit.
“…Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27
With guest speaker : Calvin Smith, Answers In Genesis
Calvin is the Executive Director of Answers in Genesis–Canada, and has spoken at church conferences across Canada (and sometimes internationally) on creation apologetics for well over 20 years now. He is well-known for his ability to engage audiences of all ages, and for being able to communicate key theological concepts and scientific information in an easyto-understand manner. Calvin is featured in a wide variety of video productions that have reached over 15 million viewers hosted on several media platforms (including the Answers TV streaming site and the AIG CA/US and Ark Encounter YouTube Channels). Calvin lives with his wife near London, Ontario and is a grandfather 12 times over and his hobbies include music and wrestling.
MEN FOR GOD
Men For God 2025 was another wonderful time spent under the teaching of God’s Word. 359 men were in attendance. Join us next year!
Next-Level Living
By Matthew Little - President
What has happened to the pursuit of holiness? Today, it seems that the desire for holiness within our Christian culture has significantly diminished. The Apostle Peter, addressing beleaguered Christians in Asia Minor, implores them towards holiness, asserting, “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (I Peter 1:14-15). The Greek word for holiness, hagios (ἅγιος), evokes notions of separation, consecration, and devotion to God, as well as a commitment to divine purity while shunning worldly defilement. A truly holy life stands in stark contrast to the worldly existence that often surrounds us. This call to holiness may seem daunting, especially considering our inherent sin nature, which inclines us toward fleshly desires and harbours a resistance to sanctification.
What can we identify as the traits of a holy life? First, it is marked by a sound mind. In I Peter 1:13, Peter advises believers to “…gird up the loins of your
mind, be sober…” The phrase “gird up” emphasizes the need to gather one’s thoughts and establish focus. In an age where many exhibit unstable, conflicting, and unpredictable thinking, it is essential that believers unify their minds. This is accomplished by anchoring ourselves in the Word of God and centering our focus on the Lord Jesus. As we immerse ourselves in the Scriptures and reflect on Jesus, we cultivate a coherent spiritual vision. Importantly, to know the truth but fail to act upon it signifies a fundamental misunderstanding of that truth.
Moreover, holy living is characterized by a reverential fear of God. Peter states, “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear” (v. 17). The essence of holy living is rooted in a healthy reverence for God. Careless living is often the result of forgetting that God observes our actions and evaluates our lives. We navigate through this world with a sense of reverent fear—not out of a concern for unjust punishment, since He is “no respecter of persons,” but
from a loving child’s awareness that discipline comes from a place of love.
Finally, holy living is propelled by the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:18 reminds us that we were redeemed, not with perishable things, “…but with the precious blood of Christ” (v. 18a). Jesus’ perfect life serves as an example showing that we are not required to attain perfection, for He lived the kind of life that we should have but can’t. His perfect life and subsequent sacrifice have given us the privilege of being called children of God, not based upon our own merit but His. However, His sacrifice should motivate us towards a life characterized by godliness.
Faith calls us to confidently embrace the new life we possess in Christ, empowering us to live in stark contrast to the moral decay around us, to succeed where others stumble, to hope in times of despair, and to embody purity and holiness even as others grapple with sin and temptation. Always remember that we do not simply have an example of holiness but we have the command to be holy. So, what are you waiting for?
Encounter Youth
Guest Speaker: Jeffrey Chiasson
Jeffrey Chiasson, a graduate of New Brunswick Bible Institute and Prairie Bible College in Alberta, is the Pastor of Youth and Family at Faith Baptist Church in Fredericton, NB. He and his wife, Jenny, have four adopted children. Jeffrey has lived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and has extensive ministry experience, including serving in camps, prisons, and as a national speaker on creation and evolution with Answers in Genesis / Creation Ministries International. He also owns a leading Minecraft content company in partnership with Microsoft, blending creativity with his passion for ministry.
CHAPEL SPEAKERS
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Give by mail: New Brunswick Bible Institute 2335 Route 103 Victoria Corner NB E7P 1C7 U.S. Donors: East Hodgdon Bible Church
Attn: NBBI Fund
Box 828
Houlton ME 04730-0828
FAMILY FILE
BIRTHS
To Brock (BTh ’18) & Grace-Anne Caissie, a son,
Ezekiel, on January 6, 2025.
To Joseph (Att. ’21-’23) & Emily (Skaling - Att. ’21-’23) Grant, a boy, Wylie Dustin, on January 6, 2025.
HOMEGOINGS
Lucilva (Sue Blodgett - ’62) Hill on December 23, 2024. Sue and her late husband, Nathan (Att. ’62-’63), raised four children, Nick (Att. ’82-’83) (Penni) Hill, Carol (’86) (Donnie) Purvis, Lisa (’88) (Rich - Att ’87-’88) McVicar and Scott Hill (deceased). They enjoyed farming and serving at their local church in Corinth, Maine.
Kathy Larson (’70) on January 5, 2025 after bravely battling ALS. She lived a godly life, quietly loving, encouraging, and caring for others. For many years she dedicated herself to supporting the leadership and people of First Baptist Church in Portland, Maine as Office Administrator. More recently she attended Eastpoint Christian Church in South Portland, Maine.
Jethro