Fruit of the Spirit

For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth...Eph 5:9

Winter 2003                                                            Volume 4, Issue 1

I was in prison, and ye came unto me... Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matt. 25:36,40 Prison Report

By Larry West

At the beginning of this New Year, I thought it might be interesting to take a look back at some of the things that have happened during the course of my 23 years work in the prison ministry.

“Robert” lived in a dorm in the prison. One of the other men in his dorm, “Tom”, had been studying the Bible with us through our correspondence courses. When “Tom” would receive his corrected lessons back, he would use them to teach the Bible to others. One of those others was “Robert.” Tom learned the truth from his studies and realized his need for baptism. He contacted us and we studied further with him and consequently baptized him. He continued to study with others until he was transferred to another prison. “Robert” enrolled in our Bible study course and kept on with his studies. Not long afterward he too realized that he had to be baptized in order to be saved and communicated this to us. At that time we used the physical therapy tub in the medical wing of the prison for baptisms. Having made the necessary arrangements, I went up to “Robert's” dorm to get him and escort him to the clinic for his baptism. He had his towel around his neck and we were walking down the long hallway when he began to speak. “Tom told me I had to be under the water for 15 minutes,” he said very seriously. “But I've been practicing holding my breath, and the best I can do is about 2 1/2 minutes!” I’m sure he was quite relieved when I explained that “Tom” was only kidding with him and that it was all the way under and then right back up! As I reflected upon this occasion, humorous as it was, I was impressed with this fact, “Robert” didn't know how it was going to happen, but he had his towel and was on his way to be baptized!

When “Tom” arrived at his new prison home, he continued his same pattern. He diligently studied the courses and when he received the corrected lessons back, he would teach others. After a period of time,

there were 5 men who approached the chaplain and asked him to baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, for the remission of their sins. The chaplain's response was that he would not. One of the men told the chaplain, “My God is bigger than your God.” One week later, that same chaplain was baptizing them according to the New Testament pattern. One of those inmates came to the facility where I was preaching and teaching and told me this story. He was well taught and prepared to serve in the worship in any capacity.

At the time we were using the physical therapy tub, the men being baptized would take off all their clothes prior to getting into the water. “William” was one of the men who were baptized accordingly. He had attended our worship on Sundays and the Bible studies that we conducted and also enrolled in the BCC program before reaching the knowledge of his need of baptism. He was so eager in his studies and excited about them that he convinced his wife to enroll also. On their visits and telephone calls they would discuss the lessons. His wife arrived at the time in her understanding concerning baptism but she was somewhat hesitant. He described to her how he had been baptized trying to allay her fears and overcome her hesitation. Finally he told her, “Just think of Larry and Mike as being like doctors.” She immediately consented to baptism when we explained to her that she didn't have to take off all her clothes to be baptized!

There have been many good times and events over these last 23 years as well as some times which tend to discourage us. There are those days when some folks don't seem to know the word co-operation and assistance. There are lockdowns, slowdowns, delays and interruptions, but we continue to be reminded of the good being done, the lives being changed, the souls being saved, and I Corinthians 15:58.

I was in prison, and ye came unto me... Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matt. 25:36,40

Inside...
Page 1 - The Children of God | Page 2 - Where In The Bible Will I Find...
Page 3 - Prison Report | Page 4 - Old Testament Studies | Page 5 - The Christian In Business
Page 6 - The Search For Understanding | Page 7 - Christian Evidences | Page 8 - Christian Evidences, cont.
Page 9 - The Christian Home | Page 10 - Continuations | Page 11 - The Children's Page
Page 12 - Announcements

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