Old Carroll Primitive Baptist Church

06/02/2026

May 31, 2026: On this delightful Spring morning, we lifted our acapella voices in loving praise and adoration of our great and glorious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. After the singing of several hymns, Elder Jonathan Cook, our Pastor, shared a few prayer requests prior to asking if anyone else had any additional prayer requests to bring before the church. Next, Brother Bruce Black offered a very humble and sweet prayer and then we resumed our singing of hymns. After hymns, Elder Cook briefly commented on how the last hymn captures how Jesus has taken upon Himself the full burden of our sins and has fully paid our ransom, shared a few prayer requests, and then opened the floor for any additional prayer requests or praise reports from the church. Next, Brother Joe Anderson was called upon to provide an opening prayer on behalf of the congregation and then we selected and sang “Must Jesus Bear The Cross Alone?” as our opening hymn for this morning’s worship service.

Elder Cook then presented a edifying sermon using Isaiah 46:9-10 as his primary text, with additional support from 1st Peter 3:15 and 5:7, Ephesians 1:4-6 and 5:21-33, Matthew 19:4-6 and 22:23-30, Proverbs 16:9-10 and 17-19 and 19:20-22, Psalm 36:23-24, 1st Timothy 5:8, Romans 8:29, 2nd Timothy 1:9-10, and various other scriptures. Elder Cook began by stating stated that we must be ready always to give a meek and respectful answer to every man that asks us a reason of the hope that is us. People have difficult questions, he added, and we need to be prepared to answer those questions (e.g., did God know us before the world was formed, does God know all things?). He then read his primary text and commented that God is not just a little beyond us but rather He is exceedingly far beyond us in every way. He also commented that God makes choices for us and we also make our own choices, for we are not robots. He then asked if we thought that God predestined marriages. He then differentiated between election (which is a choice made before the foundation of the world by God of an innumerable amount of people that will be in heaven) over which we have no control, and providence (which is the active participation of God in guiding and directing us during our temporal life). He then declared that election is not the source for our marriages (and the children from such are involved in God’s elective process) yet providence can be heavily involved in marriages. He also declared that the love relationship in our earthly marriages should reflect the love relationship of the Lord Jesus Christ and His elect people throughout the world - - and Jesus gave everything for His bride when He shed His blood and die for her (the church). He then taught how in marriage a man is instructed by God to leave his mother and father and to cleave unto his wife and the two shall be one flesh - - it is the man’s responsibility to be obedient in carrying out these instructions from God just as it is a choice and act of obedience to get up and come to church to worship Him. He further declared that there are great blessings in being obedient to the Lord. He then taught that while the providence of God may be actively involved in our temporal marriages (which end in the death of either spouse), it is the election of God which is involved with our eternal marriage with Jesus which is everlasting. Next, he further examined providence and how we often in prayer ask for the Lord’s guidance and direction but when such is not followed things do no go as well - - the upright must always avoid evil, pride, and a haughty spirit in our daily walk by knowing and living our lives in accordance with our instruction manual (the Bible). He then taught that there are many pitfalls in life (e.g., worry, anxiousness) but we so often fail to cast our care upon Jesus as, scripture tells us, for He cares for us and we also fail to trust Him with those cares. He then encouraged us to be wise by hearing the Lord’s counsel and receiving the Lord’s instruction for we can easily place our wants before our needs and, more importantly, we can easily place our wants before those of the Lord - - by seeking his counsel and instruction we avoid many pitfalls. He then taught that the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and, though we may stumble or fall, the Lord will uphold us such that we will not be utterly cast down. He further taught that the Lord is intimately involved in the lives of His people and loves us deeply and intimately as attested to at the cross when He took upon Himself our punishment, paid our sin debt, did everything required for our eternal salvation, and declared, “It is finished.” Next, he warned all the unmarried women to not seek after someone because of their wealth but rather seek a man that loves and honors the Lord and sees her as the bride that she is (i.e., as Christ sees His bride). There are too many men today, he added, that are lazy, put themselves first, and are not willing to work to support their family - - scripture refers to such men as denying the faith and being worse than an infidel. He then encouraged men to “man up” and thus take on their full Biblical responsibilities. He also encouraged the unmarried men to seek a good and Godly woman, sweet and dear inside, and not just seek her based on her outward beauty and appearance. Marriage, like all types of relationships, is difficult, Elder Cook continued, and so we must work hard at marriage operate within marriage with agape (unconditional and undeserving) love. He then stated that God does not eternally predestinate earthly marriages nor are there marriages between men and women which are for all eternity (as some religions claim), for such is contrary to scripture. He then declared that election predetermines the unchanging final destination of God’s children (i.e., heaven and immortal glory) while the providence of God affects the changing and rerouting of that journey - - some roads are smooth and others are bumpy. God, he continued, predestinated His people to be conformed to the image of His Son (i.e., having His attributes), but does not predestinate their actions. He then explained that this predestination occurred in the covenant of grace before the foundation of the world when Father, Son, and Holy Ghost together decided to elect and redeem an innumerable people which They loved. Because of this great and sovereign love, he continued, our salvation is accomplished, but not by anything we have done, thus we can praise and thank God for His undying love for us, who are worthless sinners - - we are going to heaven because Jesus died on the cross for us and it is done. Election and predestination are eternal works of God, he added, whereas the exercise of providence affects the temporal realm. He then taught that the Lord has called us with a holy calling which is not according to we have done but rather is according to His purpose and grace, which God sovereignty gave to us in Christ before the world began. He further taught that though we were alienated by sin, we (as well as others from every kindred, tongue, nation and people) are now adopted into God’s family by His sovereign power and grace, and He has made us accepted in the beloved - - it is not about our acceptance of Him (as some teach) but rather about His acceptance of us. Lastly, Elder Cook declared that whenever we come forward professing the Lord Jesus Christ it is not in order to obtain eternal life but rather it is because the Lord has already come into our hearts and minds and given us eternal life and we are showing forth what He has already done for us.

Next, we selected and sang “O How I Love Jesus” and “It is Finished” as our closing hymns as we shook hands and exchanged hugs of affection one with another, followed by a tender closing prayer by Brother Brian Dixon.

After the regular worship services, we took a short break before reassembling in the sanctuary for our scheduled Communion and Foot Washing service. Elder Jonathan Cook officiated with assistance from Deacon Brothers Joe Anderson and Brian Dixon. At the conclusion of the service, we sang two hymns as we shook hands and exchanged hugs of affection one with another, and then we departed the sanctuary.

After our Communion service, we reassembled in the lunchroom where Brother Zachary Cornine asked for the Lord’s blessing upon our food and then we all enjoyed a delicious “Taco Sunday” lunch together and a wonderful extended time of sweet fellowship.

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05/31/2026

Election and Providence, two very important subjects in the Bible. Elder Cook takes a look at the differences between God's eternal decree in election, and God's provincial guidance in our lives. He answers the question, does God predestine our relationships and marriages, or is it through the Lord's providential care? 

05/30/2026

May 24, 2026: On this rainy Spring morning we sang many wonderful hymns in our normal acapella manner that were comforting to our souls. After the singing of several hymns, Elder Jonathan Cook, our Pastor, shared a few prayer requests prior to asking if anyone else had any additional prayer requests to bring before the church. Brother Luis Bernal offered prayer and then we resumed our singing of hymns. After hymns, Elder Cook briefly reflected on the beautiful spiritual enthusiasm of Elder Bill Stephens who recently passed and then shared a few prayer requests before opening the floor for any additional prayer requests or praise reports from the congregation. Next, Brother Brian Dixon provided a humble and tender opening prayer on behalf of the congregation and then we selected and sang “O For A Thousand Tongues” as our opening hymn for this morning’s worship service.

Elder Cook then presented a comprehensive and powerful sermon using Ezekiel 36:25-28 as his primary text, with additional support from Genesis 1:1 and 11, 2nd Peter 3:3-7, Romans 1:21-32, 2nd Thessalonians 3:1-2, Galatians 5:22-23 and 6 and 4:3-7, 1st John 4:7 and 5:1, John 1:11-13, 5:24 and 10:24-33, Ephesians 1:19-21, 1st Peter 3:18-20, Acts 13:48, 1st Thessalonians 1:4-5 , 1st Corinthians 1:18, and various other scriptures. Elder Cook began by reading his primary text and commenting that logically there is a cause-and-effect relationship to all things and the effect always comes after the cause. He then taught that we all use this cause-and-effect relationship every day of our lives to find the root cause of issues and problems (e.g., doctors use it to diagnose the root cause of illness, automotive mechanics use it to isolate and identify mechanical failures, mothers use it in dealing with their children, and others such as engineers, lawyers). He then declared that in Genesis 1:1 the Bible provides us the answer for the root cause of all things, “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.” He further declared that while there are many willingly ignorant scoffers that not only deny this beginning but also ask why the Lord has not yet returned as He had promised, yet we believe in His resurrection, His promised return, and the resurrection of our bodies. He then reflected on how modern scientist even scoff at recent scientific findings that support the Biblical flood and the existence of Noah’s ark just as described in the scriptures. Regarding these willfully ignorant and unbelieving scoffers, Elder Cook continued, scripture states that “even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient” - - they even reject the clear creation evidence in this natural world and hold on to their unsubstantiated theories of how this world was created and evolved. He then declared that you cannot get life from non-life because a rock does not have DNA. It is the Bible, he added, which accurately tells us how all things began. He then stated that most Christian denominations identify some form of action on our part (e.g., faith, belief, repentance, good works, baptism) are the cause of spiritual life yet scripture states differently. He then examined how scripture says that “for all men have not faith” but also tells us that faith is a fruit of the Spirit - - to exercise faith one must first have faith and faith being a fruit of the Spirit one must first have the Spirit (i.e., being born again) in order to bear the fruit thereof. He then commented that in nature trees bear fruit, fruit does not bear the tree because the tree is the root cause and fruit is the effect. Scripture, he added, even tells us that God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind…”. He also taught that according to scripture faith works by love and love also is a fruit of the Spirit. He then warned that some have begun to say that even though God has done it all, we must first exercise faith to obtain eternal life. He then reflected on the thief crucified on the cross next to Jesus and how he was railing on Jesus in the morning but had been changed by the Spirit first in order to believe in Jesus by that afternoon. Nonetheless, he continued, it is very important for us to exercise our faith, profess our belief in the Lord Jesus Christ before men for there is salvation in that as well as there is in baptism and in gospel obedience, but such is a salvation as we walk in this world now, not eternal salvation. Often, he added, you can tell that a scripture is addressing temporal salvation because it has an “if” in the statement showing that it is conditional on our action. He then reiterated that love is a fruit of the Spirit and because love is of God, we love one another - - the root cause is that love is of God and the effect is that we then love one another. He then demonstrated how according to scripture it is important to receive the Lord and believe on His name, for those that do are the ones to whom God gave power to become the sons of God, but he also continued to demonstrate how this happened (the cause) because these were already born of the Spirit of God, which man cannot cause. He then proclaimed that if we believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God it is because there is a root cause and that cause is that we have been born of His Spirit. Our hope, he continued, is not wishful thinking but rather our hope is Christ for He is our hope of glory, a firm expectation of the soul that the Lord Jesus Christ is in us, we will see Him in heaven and immortal glory in heaven one day, and He has declared the work finished - - praise God! Next, he reflected on the words of Jesus, “He that heareth my word and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” thus showing that anyone who believes is already born again and in possession of eternal life. He then taught that there is a deliverance in believing the gospel (an effect) which is a according to the working of His mighty power (the cause) - - the gospel brings life and immortality to light and telling us about the eternal things of God. When the gospel is preached, he continued, some believe and some do not. He then pointed out that the same quickening power of the Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that causes us to believe - - without first having life, we cannot believe. God is powerful and able, he added, to touch and quicken the heart of any child of God even in the most desolate areas of the world, even if they have never heard the gospel message, know God’s name, or understand the things of God. He then declared that if we believe the gospel today and profess His name today, such is evidence that we are already in possession of the Spirit - - men will not believe until they are quickened. He further declared that nowhere in scripture does it indicate that Jesus makes an offer of eternal life to all the world. What it does say, he continued, is that Jesus gives eternal life to His sheep. Additionally, he declared, the sacrifice and offerings of atonement (which were a type and shadow of what was to come in Christ) where never offered to the people (i.e., the sinners) but rather were made unto God on behalf of the people (i.e., the sinners). He then indicated that some did not believe Jesus (i.e., the effect) because they were not His sheep (i.e., the cause). He also taught that sheep have always been sheep even before being born again but goats never become sheep. He then reflected on our recent baptisms and how each person understands that being baptized did not get them eternal life, nor did anything else they did. Just as we are incapable of directing the wind, he added, we are incapable of directing when and where the Holy Spirit will go for such is by the Lord’s sovereign power and we must trust Him. He then shared texts stating that, “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ (i.e., the effect) is born of God (i.e., the cause) and “as many as were ordained to eternal life (i.e., the cause) believed (i.e., the effect).” Other scripture, he continued, states that because of their election of God (i.e., the cause) the gospel came unto the Thessalonians not just in word only but with power and in the Holy Ghost (i.e., the effect). More cause and effect is evident in scripture, he added, which states, ”But unto us which are saved (i.e., the cause) it (meaning the preaching of the cross) is the power of God (i.e., the effect). He also taught that we intimately may call out with confidence “Abba Father” (i.e., the effect) because we are sons (i.e., the cause) - - He knows everything about us. Lastly, Elder Cook declared that our faith and salvation is in the Lord and we can thank the Lord this morning that it is sure, steadfast and secure in His hands and if we believe and love the Lord today it is because we already have everlasting life.

We then selected and sang “Joy Unspeakable” as our closing hymn as we shook hands and exchanged hugs of affection one with another, followed by a very humble and sweet closing prayer by Brother Sandy Santiago.

After services a number remained for an extended time of sweet fellowship and conversation.

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05/30/2026

Lord willing we will have communion and feet washing following regular services this Sunday.

05/24/2026

Before and after:

05/24/2026

05/21/2026

The renovations are going well. We are thankful for the work that has been done, and ultimately thankful to the Lord!

05/19/2026

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View William Elbert Stephens 's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

05/18/2026

May 17, 2026: On this pleasant Spring morning our usual acapella singing was bright and spirited. After a few hymns, our Pastor, Elder Jonathan Cook, provided a number of prayer requests (especially those for the family of our former pastor, Elder Bill Stephens) who passed yesterday morning. He also asked if there were any other prayer requests or praise reports to be brought before the church. Brother Joe Anderson offered prayer and then we continued with our hymns. Next, Brother Brian Dixon provided a humble prayer on behalf of the congregation to open services, followed by our selection and singing of “Lord In Thy Presence” as our opening hymn.

Elder Jonathan Cook then presented an encouraging sermon using 2nd Timothy 4:1-7 as his initial text, with additional support from Galatians 1:8-9, Romans 1:28, John 14:6 and 1-3, 2nd Timothy 4:17-22, Psalm 119:105, 1st Corinthians 15:21-26, Matthew 22:44 and 25:34 and 46, Revelation 20:1-15, 21:1 and 12:1-5, Romans 8:28-30, and various other scriptures. Elder Cook began by reading and commenting on his initial text, He then taught that these were the last words known to be written by the Apostle Paul shortly before being executed as he was giving instruction and advice to the young minister, Timothy. The Apostle Paul knew that his time of death was near, he continued, but he also knew that he had fought a good fight, finished his course, had kept the faith, but also understood that there was laid up for him a crown of righteousness which would be given to him by the Lord. He then shared how the Apostle Paul also shared with Timothy the discouragement he felt regarding a man named Demas who forsook Paul and his ministry because of his love for this present world - - such is still happening today as some give up ministry because of their love for this present world. He then encouraged us to be like the Apostle Paul, to keep pressing on so that we too might say we have fought a good fight, finished our course, and have kept the faith. Keep persevering in the Lord Jesus Christ, he added, by keeping Him first and foremost above the love of the pleasures of this world - - such pleasures of this world must never be allowed to come before or trump the Lord. He then declared that we must stick to what the Bible says above anything that anyone else may say because there is an increasing number of unbiblical ideas coming at us through very deceptive social media today. He then differentiated between our own perseverance and the preserving that the Lord does for us. As an example, he reflected on Lot who pitched his tent towards S***m and was clearly focused on worldly pleasures, yet Lot was just, being justified by Christ - - Lot did not persevere but was preserved and kept by Christ. He then focused on how there is coming a time when people will not endure sound doctrine, will try to normalize sin, and will seek preachers that will tell them what their “itching ears” want to hear and (anything except the truth of scriptures) - - we must stand on the Bible despite what the world says, for Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and He has purchased our ticket to heaven. He then warned that we will endure afflictions for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ, and we should expect to be forsaken by those attracted to the world as we follow Him - - we must be willing to change the places and the faces of our previous life. He then declared that to hear the gospel one must first be born again, spiritually alive, with hearing ears. He then proclaimed that we all have different gifts which we should use and we should encourage our Brethren to use their gifts as well. He also focused on how much the Apostle Paul suffered for the cause of Christ, even to the point of being stoned to death, yet lived desiring to preach the very next day - - Paul knew that the ultimate end was to be deliver to the kingdom in heaven. He then declared that the very last written words of the Apostle Paul were, “The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen” and then Elder Cook further declared that he desired the same for us and that the Lord be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path all the days of our life and know that He can deliver us. Next, he focused on the fact that there shall be an end to all the enemies of Christ for by man (i.e., Adam) death entered in, but by Christ (the second Adam) came the resurrection of the dead - - Christ is the antidote for sin and in Him we have eternal life. Jesus, he added, is the only mediator between God and man and Jesus has made the way for us to heaven through the cross - - He is coming again and shall put all enemies under His feet and the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. He then warned us that some will misuse scripture to say that God will work all things (such as death) together for good to them that love God and called according to His purpose when death is an enemy. This scripture, he added, is to a person and for a person, about good things, with God doing the calling for His purposes - - God is not the author of sin nor the source of the evil works of the Devil or wicked men. He then proclaimed that Revelation is not a scary book but rather is for the comfort of the church during persecution, in the battle of good and evil, during the church kingdom, until the Lord returns again - - we already know the outcome of that battle because the Lord wins and we partake in His victory. He then taught that Revelation speaks of a woman in travail (the elect of all time) as Jesus was being born and Satan and his fallen angels try to destroy Jesus but Jesus won the battle and accomplished our salvation on the cross of Calvary when He declared, “It is finished.” Satan, he added, has constantly tried to thwart God’s direction to man to be fruitful and multiply. Satan was bound in chains for a thousand years (not 1,000 years, but rather a long period of time) and men have created an entire new doctrine about an invisible rapture which contradicts Biblical truth - - there is no second opportunity or second sacrifice because Jesus got it right the first time. At the great white throne judgement, he declared, we are not judged according to our works, because our sins were judged in Christ on the cross and we stand justified in Him. Lastly, Elder Cook taught that our names are already written in the Book of Life, written there by God before the foundation of the world and we will see the new Jerusalem where there is no more pain, suffering, sorrow, sin, or death and the curse we are now under will be gone.

We then selected and sang “There Is A Fountain” as our closing hymn as we shook hands and shared hugs of affection with nearby neighbors, followed by a sweet closing prayer by Brother Luis Bernal.