There is a sizable number of preachers in the brotherhood today who deny the biblical doctrine of God answering prayer and God’s providential working. It seems they do not want God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit working in the world and church at all.
These preachers deny what they believe and tolerate and what the brethren practice. They do so because they are supported by churches and brethren who would not support them at all if the brethren knew about their unscriptural stand on prayer, providence, and the Holy Spirit.
We have letters in our files that some of these mistaken brethren have written. In most cases they have refused to correspond with us. These brethren in a trifling way mislead the brethren who support them. They leave the impression that we falsely accuse them about prayer, providence, and the Holy Spirit. The time will come perhaps when we may have to call some names in order for brethren to know about their false doctrine. We are going to list some things these brethren want to keep quiet and about which they say we have falsely charged them.
1. They teach that Christians praying for God to heal the sick does not amount to anything. They say God does not do this today.
2. They teach that we should not ask God to help the preacher say the right thing when he preaches. They tell us that God will not do this.
3. They tell us we should not pray for God to keep us safe in traveling. They tell us God will not do this.
4. They tell us it is futile to pray to God for the lost to be saved.
5. They teach we should not pray to God for the rulers because God no longer answers prayers for rulers.
6. They teach we should not ask God to help us worship in spirit and in truth. They say God will not answer this prayer.
7. They have God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit in divine retirement. If one accuses them of these things, they give one a silly, questionable laugh, and run down those of us who know their doctrine and practice.
If we were to take out of the church God, Christ, and divine providence, what would we have left? A good debate on this subject would be excellent and most revealing.
-Malcolm L. Hill, January 12,1934 – June 26, 2012