Brother Bill Ferguson passed away on March 27th about 5:30. Brother Ferguson had ALS and upon my visiting he would often say, “I want to die.” This reminded me of Paul in Philippians 1:19-24 where he wrote, “For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.” When we prayed together I would pray that he would have comfort and that his crossing over would be peaceful. He had told his family and the hospice folks this also. On Wednesday March 26th brother Ferguson called Linda trying to get in touch with me. Linda called and relayed the message. I called brother Ferguson immediately and he requested that I be at his house at 3 PM because the Chaplain from hospice was coming to his house for a visit and he wanted to talk to me. All kinds of biblical subjects ran through my mind. The Chaplain and I arrived at the same time. I entered the house first and saw a big smile on brother Ferguson’s face. He had given the Chaplain my notes on the book of Revelation and a “bunch” of tracts. When the Chaplain got inside the house and after our introductions we began to talk about the notes and the many doctrines that have been taught using the book of Revelation. He was in agreement that the book of Revelation did not teach these doctrines. During our many discussions I told a story about a 102 year old man that I had baptized into Christ and about serving him the Lord’s Supper since it was the Lord’s Day. The Chaplain then told a story of someone who was ill and could not be immersed so they sprinkle him with water and served him communion. Brother Ferguson spoke up very quickly and said, “Baptism is a burial.” Even though at times it was hard to understand what he was saying this came our very clear. The Chaplain gave brother Ferguson my Revelation notes back and the tracts. Brother Ferguson said, “You can have the tracts.” The Chaplain took the tracts with him. What an example! Even in his last day on earth he was trying to teach another the gospel of Jesus Christ. But that was brother Bill Ferguson! He tried to teach anyone who would listen by giving out tracts, DVD’s, audio tapes of sermons, and even the outlines. The Chaplain now has in his hands the truth on salvation, the church, and how to worship according to the truth. Let us pray that brother Ferguson’s efforts with the Chaplain will come to fruition. All who knew him will miss brother Bill Ferguson. He was an example of a faithful Christian “unto death” – even in death. (Revelation 2:10b).
Posted on: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 15:00:48 +0000
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