Duties mean obligations, the things the church should do while here on earth. "For (because) we are His (Gods) workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained (set apart beforehand) that we should walk in them." The word, "should," means that we ought to, that we are under obligations to walk in good works which God set apart before hand. The apostle did not say that we shall walk in them. Many are tangled up and confused as to that these duties and obligations are. The church certainly has duties, and it behooves the church to be governed by the Scriptures as to what these duties are. The living Spirit in the heart of the child of God agrees with the written Word of God. "As thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He (Christ) should (obligated to the Father) give eternal life to as many as thou (God) hast given Him." The word, "should" means that Christ is under obligation to the Father to give eternal life to as many as God has given Him. If the church has faith in Christ and depends on Him to do this very thing, she will not become so disturbed that she will try to take this responsibility on herself. Everybody, or the church, will show their faith by their works. When a church has faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and truly believes that He will do what the father sent Him to do, they have something to rejoice in. Children, do we really believe Christ will fail to give eternal life to as many "as thou hast given Him?" Then who can we look to, or depend on, to do it? The preacher cannot, and the church cannot do it. "Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." It is Christ or nothing; He is the only one able to give eternal life - not offer, but give. Christ is the one who is under obligations to give life, and it is given to as many as the Father has given Him. The church cannot help Him do His work because she does not know what life is. There is not a person on earth who knows what life is, not even natural - much less spiritual life. We may understand some of its faculties. When any one has feelings, we have knowledge that they have life. Hunger, thirst, actions, and feelings are the evidences of life, but never the cause of life.

As Christ only knows what life is, how to give it, and to whom He is obligated to give it, the church would do well to e occupied in some things she can and should do. What are the duties of the church? We see the duties of Christ. We should make a distinction between the duties of Christ and the Church. "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do my will, but the will of Him that sent me. And this is the Fathers will which hath sent me, that of all which He hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day." As Christ will get that done Himself, there must be something else for the church to be employed in. Read the fifth, sixth and seventh chapters of the writings of Matthew. As you read, think of the duties of every one of the children of God as individuals, and especially of the church as a body. The church, the Lambs wife, should live chaste, apart from all the things that would bring reproach to His worthy name, her Husband. She should live to honor, serve, and obey Him by keeping His commandments and ordinances that He has set apart beforehand, even before the church, by doing it Himself. He said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." The church has plenty to do, and she should be careful to do it like her Husband said. "Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say!" As the obligation of saving poor, lost sinners is the work of Christ, we should not get the idea that there is no duty or obligation on the church, and spend our time in idleness to our shame and hurt here on earth. It is our solemn duty and obligation to honour, serve, and obey our dear Master, Redeemer, and Lord. May we all be careful and thoughtful and read the Bible, praying to Him for help in the time of need. Your little brother who loves the church and desires to live with her because I have no other spiritual home here; I trust I have one in heaven. (Taken from the Identity of the true Baptist Church by Elder Wiley Sammons Published in The Primitive Baptist, 1946)