Pinecrest Bible Training Center
1968-2008

John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone.

Beginning in 2008 the vision and bible school that God so graciously gave Wade Taylor beginning in 1968 came to an abrupt end, falling into the ground and dying.-

We now wait for God to raise up and bring forth His seed of promise in another, that the vision fail not.

Summer 1986
Entering the Kingdom
Joy Thomas
Good Samaritan Institute
New Delhi, India

Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." Matt 11:12. Paul, exhorting new disciples said, "We must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God". Acts 14:22.

Our Lord was saying in plain words that the terms of entry are tough. The apostle Paul with much earnestness warned that we must undergo many hardships in order to enter into the Kingdom. I picture a recruiting office where men are selected for the Army. Many apply, but only a few are selected. The term of entry are hard; thus many do not qualify. It is the same with the Kingdom of God.

Jesus said, "Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it". Matthew 7:14 NKJ. But, over the years, men have removed the gates and widened the gateway, to make it easy for all to enter. Divine standards have been lowered to fit in with man's carnal desires, and the sharp edge of testimony has been blunted.

Christianity today is a "mixed multitude," a far cry from the Church in Acts, when "none ... dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly". Acts 5:13. God's standards were clear, and not many could easily identify with them. The terms of entry were hard. Unless present day believers realize this, they will not be part of the next move of God that is anticipated.

The day of Pentecost saw a big intake into the Army of God. What were the terms? Repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). And Peter continued to testify and exhort them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation". Acts 2:40. The gate was still narrow.

There is no substitute for the word "repentance." It is vain to look for any. Yet this word is not much heard today, not even in many evangelistic crusades. Some use the word, but only to mean, "saying sorry" to God. True repentance, however, is a whole-hearted, uncompromising renunciation of the old ways. It is a total change of heart, that always results in a change o direction: forsaking our own ways, and following after Christ.

Many are trying to slip into the Kingdom without coming through the narrow gate. Once a rich young ruler came to Jesus and asked, "Good Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" The young man apparently was a good man, who had always kept the commandments. But Jesus said, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me". And this very rich man became very sad, and went away. See Luke 18:18-23.

Many today would have run after the rich ruler and said, "Listen, don't take it so seriously. Jesus did not mean it that way. You can agree to sell some now, and maybe you can sell more later. Meanwhile, go home and pray about it". But no, that was not God’s way. Jesus let him go. He loved him, but He did not lower the divine standards. Beloved, following Jesus is not on our terms, if we will enter His Kingdom, it must be always on His terms.