God Gives The Increase

By Christopher Mentzer

Chris Mentzer became a New Testament Christian in 2001 and, with the help of fictional character; Ryan Hoover, he wrote bulletin articles to share his transition of leaving the world of denominations to that of the true church as stated in scripture (Romans 16:16). Through a series of e-mails, Chris helps Ryan develop himself as a true Christian and improves his own life in learning from the many mistakes made along the way. The variety of subjects referred to in the series of articles either involved Chris himself or was told to him by local brethren. In the back of this book, you will find a handful of articles to help you get started on become a Christian just those you read about in the scriptures. There is also contact information available as well.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christopher Mentzer
• Release date: Apr 27, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201431372

Christopher Mentzer

Having read the Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis, and all fantasy books by David Eddings, Chris took a stab at Fantasy with minimal success.  He even attempted Science Fiction with a couple of buddies while in college. The bottom line was, he lacked discipline and the desire to stick with any one project. All that would change in 2005, because in November of that year, Chris entered his first writing challenge held by the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) website. Although the goal was 50,000 words, he obtained his personal goal of 25K, which went on to be the foundation of book 1 of The Askinar Towers Trilogy. He later wrote foundations for books 2 and 3 in ’07 and ’09 respecitvely. His inspiration for the towers books came from John DeChancie’s Castle Perilous series and Doctor Who’s Paradise Towers. Chris lives in Mesa, AZ. He is currently employed in the retail industry working as a personal shopper. In his spare time, when not writing or stalking the social media streams, Chris loves to read books by fellow indie authors.

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I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 

(1 Corinthians 3:6-7, NKJV)

Who is Ryan Hoover?

A lot of people have asked me, over the years, just who is Ryan Hoover?  Is he a real person or a fictional one? Well, he happens to be both. Ryan Hoover is a fictional character inspired by the fictional character, Frank Tasker. Back in 2001, after I became a Christian, I began reading the bulletin articles from David Baker (our located preacher at the time). Several of his articles featured a person named Frank Tasker. I found Frank to be very interesting and the articles edifying and informative. I asked David about him and he shared with me that Frank was just a character he created. He then relayed the creation of Frank Tasker to me.

From that, I decided I wanted to do something similar but, instead of creating someone who had been in the faith a long time, I decided to go with someone who was raised in a denominational church and was, essentially, new to the faith.

Like me, Ryan is one who hungered and thirst after righteousness (Matthew 5:6), but wasn’t sure how to find the answers. And, like the Ethiopian Eunuch of Acts 8, he needed someone to guide him in the truth of the scriptures. Some denominational quirks pop up, every now and then, when regarding certain things in the scriptures. And I gently correct him, and show, from the Bible, what it really says. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Ephesians 5:11; 1 Corinthians 4:6).

Ryan’s character is loosely patterned after my life and some of the experiences that I had when I first started out as a Christian. Other experiences, mentioned, are stories that have been told by brethren over the last couple of decades.

I chose e-mails as opposed to letters because of the availability of modern technology. I write out the conversations between us to give it a sense of realism plus, it helps me to think like another person.  It also helped me to answer questions for others in search of the truth (John 8:32).

These articles are designed to encourage new members of the faith—to hold on and not give up by returning to their former lives (2 Peter 2:20-22; Romans 6:6). It also encourages those who have been faithful for a long time to continue to do so and not give up the fight. Simply put, we learn from examples of others just as Jesus left us the perfect example (John 13:15; 1 Peter 2:21).

I do hope you enjoy the articles and will benefit from them. I know I enjoyed writing them and I have benefited from their lessons. All scriptures used in this book are from the New King James translation unless otherwise listed.

Christopher Mentzer

Mesa, Arizona

April 6, 2022

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Which is it?

May 4, 2003

I received an e-mail from my friend, Ryan Hoover—a young man I hadn’t spoken to since he was 10. Now at 25, he’s moved to Crestview, OH; married his college sweetheart, Regina Bowers; who, at the time, had a 3-year-old daughter named Rachel. He contacted me concerning our mutual friend, Frank Tasker, and the bible articles that were written by me. I gave him a link to my bible website for further study as I wasn’t sure if he was really interested in the scriptures or not.

A few days later, he wrote me again. All his e-mail said this time was: Which is it? Ryan was known for asking a question out of the blue with no foreknowledge to what he was asking. Some things never change. After responding to his note and an exchange of pleasantries he elaborated on his question...

RYAN: Hi Chris! I noticed on The Easter Page of your website that you have two pictures. One is a picture of a bunny in an Easter basket and the other, a picture of Jesus (actor Robert Powell, Jesus of Nazareth) carrying the crosspiece of the cross across his back. You also have the word OR in between the two pictures. I’m guessing it’s one or the other. So, which is it?

This was my reply...

ME: Hello Ryan, the actual answer is, it’s neither. The holiday of Easter is a man-made invention developed for Christians (I put Christians in quotes to signify the denominations) to have a day to celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

Primarily, it was created to deter the pagan celebration of spring. According to the bible, we are to remember His death, burial, and resurrection ever first day of the week when we partake of the Lord’s Supper. 

Here are some passages to study: Acts 20:7; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. There is no one day that is more important than the next (Romans 14:5-6). Also please read Colossians 2:21-23; 3:1-2 for further help. It’s good to hear from you and, if you need any more help in this, don’t hesitate to write me.

He later wrote back...

RYAN: Wow, Chris! It all seems so clear after reading those passages. I tried talking to Regina’s father about the holiday. He’s a pastor at the local church. He simply showed me Col. 3:17, And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (KJV) He didn’t seem interested that I was trying to challenge his beliefs. Why is that?

Here is my reply...

ME: All too often, the denominational churches, like your Father-in-law’s will hide behind Col. 3:17 as a universal verse to allow all the practices they do. However, Col. 3:23 says, And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. That means, if it’s not in the scriptures then you shouldn’t practice it. What you do in the name of the Lord Jesus has to be approved by Him and His word, the bible. As a true Christian, we will give book, chapter, and verse for the things that we say, do, and believe. You shouldn’t settle for man’s opinion or any verse that is simply taken out of context.

In his next e-mail he asked...

RYAN: Chris, I believe you are right! This has encouraged me to learn. I wonder, can you help me study?

My reply...

ME: Ryan, it’s not me that’s right, but the bible. I’m just going by what it says. Do the same and you’ll never be wrong. As for helping you study, we’ve already started.

Too many people want to put emphasis on the traditions of men (Mt. 15:9), such as Easter and Christmas, than to read the scriptures to see what God expects in the way of worship. If you’re not sure, read carefully the book of Acts. If you want to become a true New Testament Christian, you find the information in the back of this book.

The Right Reverend Ryan Hoover:

Defender of Truth and Justice

August 10, 2003

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It’s been a while since I last heard from my friend, Ryan Hoover. We had started out studying together online then he got sidetracked with his wife and child. Recently, I got this e-mail from him...

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RYAN: Good news, Chris! I’ve become an ordained minister online so I can baptize my daughter, Rachel. Now, with your help, I can be Rev. Ryan Hoover, defender of Truth and Justice.

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After almost choking on my soda, I wrote back this response...

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ME: You forgot to add The American Way to your superhero title. That’s exactly what you sound like. 

First off, I also became an ordained minister online for the same reason—baptizing my daughters. Before you mention teaming up, let me explain further. The ordaining of myself became a kick-start for me to read the bible so I could write sermons. In the process, I came across a website called Truth for the World which gave me an extensive study on the truth of the scriptures. I learned that baptism was for those who believe in God (Mark 16:16) and to acknowledge that they are sinners (Acts 2:38). Your daughter, Rachel, is not old enough to believe, nor does she understand sin. She does not need to be baptized right now. I also found the congregation, where I attend, through the website and it has shown me I do not need to be a pastor to preach.

Secondly, the use of titles, before one’s name, is for those who think themselves better than the rest. If you read Matthew 23, you’ll learn that Jesus condemned the use of titles. Scribes and Pharisees used them to get what they wanted. Jesus said in verses 11-12, But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Paul writes in Galatians 3:26-28, For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

No one is greater than another. To use a title, like Pastor or Reverend, is to elevate yourself above all others. Paul and Peter were apostles. The others, like Timothy and Titus, were disciples. They all preached the same gospel but none of them used a title such as Reverend or Pastor or even Priest. God is the only one who should be shown reverence, He hath sent redemption unto his people; He hath commanded his covenant forever: Holy and reverend is his name (Psalms 111:9, ASV).

And Jesus is our high priest, So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. As He also says in another place: You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:5-6).

A couple days later I got this response...

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RYAN: Oops!! I guess I made a big mistake! Thanks for pointing this out before I made a fool of myself. I got carried away because we are planning on moving to other side of Crestview and Regina’s father doesn’t want us to go. I found a faithful congregation there according to that website you recently sent me. Jacob, that’s Regina’s father, has been pressuring Regina to have Rachel baptized, by him, into his church, so we’d have to stay. When I found I could be a minister online, I jumped at the chance to do it so I could baptize her myself.

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Here’s my reply...

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ME: Being that Regina’s father is a pastor, and that he baptizes children, he doesn’t fully understand the scriptures. Look at my article entitled, Sin is not hereditary on my website. When a person is baptized, they are not automatically a member of that church or ANY church except for the Body of Christ. Look at Ephesians 1:22-23, And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

You are added to the Lord’s church, the Kingdom of God. Read Acts 2 for Peter’s first gospel sermon. After you are baptized, then you choose the congregation you want to be a part of. Just because you are baptized at one location doesn’t make you a member there. Also remember that there will be divisions between you and Regina’s family. From her father’s point of view, you aren’t doing the right thing. But if you stick with the scriptures, and follow them, then you will be fine.

In Ryan’s next reply, he explained to me what I told him to Jacob and that only fanned the flames. I responded with what Jesus said in Mt. 10:34-37, Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.' He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.  

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Not all families agree with what the scriptures say, nor do they all agree with each other on their own beliefs. This is the very reason why there are so many denominational churches in existence. Only one church was originally built—the one which Jesus paid for in blood (Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28).

Now What? Start Over!

October 13, 2003

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Ryan Hoover and his wife, Regina, got baptized last month. They found a congregation, of about thirty members, on the other side of Crestview, OH. Grant