The Doorstep Evangel Newspaper
The DoorStep Evangel is a bimonthly publication of the Empire Baptist Temple. It is freely distributed to Pastors and Missionaries as a ministry to encourage and edify men of God as they serve in this challenging age.
Archived here you will find a sampling of articles that have appeared in the DoorStep Evangel over the years.
Enlargement or Growth?
Dr. Ronald L. Tottingham
Enlargement is not growth. Let me explain. One may smash his finger under a hammer and see the finger enlarge suddenly, but that is not growth. And soon that "artificial growth" or swelling goes away as the finger goes back to its normal size.
Not only that but, such sudden "enlargement" is not desired, it is painful in an abnormal way, and it is a sign of something being wrong with the normal process of the finger. It only has the appearance of sudden "growth."
True growth is slow and due to proper nourishment. It is lasting and stable also. (Eph. 4:15 - "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:")
Proper doctrine and balanced teaching of the whole Word of God is the food God gives that brings about genuine growth for His people. The kind of thing that has brought about the startling and sudden enlargement of some fundamental churches will prove to be an injurious enlargement and not true growth in the end. It may look larger and better where size is desired but growth by injury and pounding will not last nor is it healthy.