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Volume 69 Number 4 Lubbock, Texas 79493 Copyright $12.00 Per Year April 2001 |
Remission In Need of a Friend? Peace Like a River The Calling of Ezekiel Some of My Experiences and Blessings of God Visited with Good Friends in Christ Blessing Beyond Measure The Lambs Book of Life More Blessed to Give Sign of His Coming Cisco Church Tour Through The Bible Obituaries
The writer of Hebrews describes the Old Testament sacrifices in chapter nine. Mention is made of the entrance into the Holiest of Holies once a year by the High Priest. Verse nine tells us that this was a figure for the time of the writing of Hebrews. The figure represented our High Priest, Jesus Christ, who entered into the Holiest of Holies by his own blood. He obtained eternal redemption for us. Hebrews nine tells us in verse 14 that this is to purge our conscience from dead works that we might serve the living God. In verse 22 we read, "without shedding of blood there is no remission." In chapter ten, the writer continues on describing the finality of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrifices only gave remembrance of sins, they did not take the guilt away. By the death of Jesus Christ, the guilt and the stain of sin has been removed from God's children. Due to this fact, there is no longer a need for remembrance of sins because they have been forgiven. Hebrews 10:18, "Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin."
According to Strong's Greek Dictionary, the Greek word aphesis [rendered remission in Hebrews] means "pardon, deliverance, forgiveness, liberty, remission."
We have eternal forgiveness of sins by the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ. This truth is also illustrated in the following passage:
Matthew 26:28 "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."
What a grand and glorious truth! Our sins have been pardoned!
There are other teachings in the scriptures concerning remission. As we discuss these scriptures, please remember the difference between the secret things of God and the revealed things of God. What has been mentioned above belongs in the realm of the secret things of God. Only God knows every person that is covered by the blood of Christ.
But that does not mean that we never gain knowledge about our own state. God at his own pleasure and in his own time, will reveal this truth to his children. When this takes place there will be a dramatic change in the child of God.
When God implants faith in the heart of one of his children, the result is belief. See Hebrews 11:1 for confirmation of this statement. But what is the result of belief? In Acts 10:43 we read "that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." What does this mean? When a child of grace understands that Jesus died for his sins there is deliverance and liberty in the heart of that individual! There is joy unspeakable and full of glory. There is liberty from the bondage of Satan.
When God applies remission to our heart we understand that our salvation is in God alone. Luke 1:77 "To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins."
Mark 1:4 says, "John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins." This passage deals with the joy one receives when they recognize that Jesus Christ is their redeemer and they follow the pattern of the Savior and are scripturally baptized. Baptism sets people free because of what it represents-we are free to serve God because we have been delivered from the clutches of Satan. Luke 3:3 tells us about the preaching of John. It says "preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins."
Part of the commission that Jesus delivered to the apostles in Luke 24:47 was "repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
Preaching repentance and remission is a joyful commandment to the ministry. When Christ was speaking in the synagogue in Luke four, he said in verse 18, "The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and the recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord." Also please read Acts 26:18.
The terms "deliverance" and "liberty" in the above passage are also translated from the Greek word aphesis.
This revealing of deliverance is also accompanied by a special blessing. We read in Acts 2:38, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." This gift is the felt presence of God in our lives. This is "sealing" that is spoke of in Ephesians 1:13. This spirit was received by faith and not by works of the law as was pointed out to the brethren in Galatians 3:2.
May we rejoice in the remission of sins that has been revealed unto us by God's sovereign grace.
Isaiah 56:13 - "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.' 66:12 - Thus saith Jehovah, behold, I will extend peace to her like a river."
The very name Jerusalem means peace. The derivative of the Arabic greeting "Salem" and the Jewish greeting "Shalom" both mean "peace be with you."
The Psalmist David may have had this in mind [122:6] when he said, "pray for the peace of Jerusalem." There is no doubt that the city of Jerusalem has had a great place in the many occurrences involving her in the Bible. It is referred to in Isaiah 45:13 as "My city" in he words of Isaiah speaking as the Lord. No other city has this distinction. It is no wonder that we view her as symbolic of the Church of God.
Think of all that has happened in Jerusalem that relates to the things of God. It was the Jerusalem that the Temple was built; this was the city of many prophets; here was the city of the kings of David's line. Here the Lord Jesus Christ made His triumphant entry. Here was where He was crucified. Here was where the infant church gathered in the "upper room". Here was where the Holy Ghost came with such great force.
We know that the city of Jerusalem has been the place of battles and has been the object of wars. So has the Church which is also a city of peace. Perhaps this is what David had in mind when he said, "pray for the peace of Jerusalem."
Much is written in the Bible about peace. We all long for peace as we live our lives. We know that God is a God of peace. We know that Jesus Christ is the Prince of peace; the great covenant is the "covenant of peace." We have peace when the Spirit of the Lord is with us. Heb. 12:14- "Follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord." When we do not follow peace and the things that make for peace, the Lord seems to be far away. The result is always tumult and confusion, strife and division. This is not what the city of peace is supposed to be. When we are not at peace we do not see the Lord.
There is no peace in this world so there is no wonder that we long for peace we find in the Church. When the great bond of fellowship is strong and union is very apparent what a rest it is to be there.
The great doctrine we are commended to by the 40th chapter of Isaiah tells us that the warfare is accomplished for Jerusalem and that we are to comfort her people. There is not a sound in the gospel of Christ that is not comforting; it is only the uncertain sounds that alarm us and disturb our peace.
What Paul says in Gal. 5:13 is consistent with Isaiah 40. He sounds the cry of liberty-says we have been called unto liberty. In another place he cites Jerusalem as a free city.
When we think of Jerusalem being representative of the Church and think of it as the city of peace and Christ being the "Prince of Peace," it makes sense that we should live in peace.
Paul tells us how not to have peace in Gal. 5:15, "but if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another." Jesus Christ gives us the alternative in John 5:12, "This is my commandment- that ye love one another."
We take comfort in the words of Isaiah, "a city not forsaken." I'm glad the Lord referred to Jerusalem as "My city." It is a wonderful place to live. It does indeed contain the "saints of God."
[Elder] J. A. Rowell from The Banner of Love, Feb. 1974
I am regularly amused by my son and his best friend. The two boys, both 12 years old, have been best friends for their entire lives. The two played together as infants, and there has never been an extended period of more than two weeks during which they have not seen each other.
They sleep over a lot at each other’s house, and are constant companions and confidantes. Many times they are together, but involved in completely different activities; yet, they enjoy the "company" of each other even though they may not be conversing or involved in the same activity. The two have different talents and different preferences, yet they constantly support and encourage each other in their individual activities. We jokingly refer to them as "Huck and Tom" because of their relationship.
It’s not often that you see such a strong friendship develop at such an early age. Someone with whom you can share your needs, desires, and your problems. Someone who is there when you need them, regardless of your circumstances.
I recently had the occasion to speak at a surprise birthday party for one of my personal friends. I looked around at the crowd which had been invited and an interesting thought occurred to me about the person being honored: I was not this person’s only "close and personal" friend there.
As I made introductory remarks about the individual I stated that the real virtue of this person was that everyone at the party considered this individual a close, personal friend. "Ask any one of us individually, and we would all state that we are his close friend." He had the ability to develop a close relationship and trust with others such that it was truly "personal" to each of us individually. It is a tremendous quality not often seen.
We all need a close friend. Someone who is there every time we need them. Maybe a few can develop a long, close relationship with another that will last a lifetime. Usually, most of us have several good friends -- but few ever attain that close relationship that is rare, yet coveted.
Studying the Bible will make each of us realize that we do have such a friendship, only better. There is no friendship as close, personal and long-lasting as between you and the Lord. If you are not taking advantage of it then you are missing out on the security and comfort such a friendship provides while you attempt to make your way through the pitfalls and perils of the world.
This is a friend with whom you can open up your heart and soul; upon whom you can "dump" all your troubles; upon whom you can share your inter-most secrets. He will understand you, understand your needs and help you get through the day. He is a close, personal friend to us all -- and He has time to be a friend to us all.
In Proverbs 17:17 it states that a true friend loves you all the time. You have that in the Lord. In fact, we are promised that nothing can separate us from God’s love. Romans 8:35, 39.
Most of us are familiar with the well-known gospel song of "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." As you know, it states upon this friend you can bear all your sins and griefs. What needless pain we go through when we do not carry everything to the Lord.
A real plus is that the Lord has given us the best "hotline" for His friendship services -- the avenue of prayer. You may not speak well or you may not be able to properly verbalize your thoughts. He translates in all languages, utterances and murmurings and understands all communications -- even silent thoughts. What’s more -- He already knows what you need before you even ask Him. Matt. 6:8.
As the song states: can we ever find any other friend so faithful?
When is He available to be your Friend? What are His hours of operation -- 8 to 5, five days a week?
In today’s vernacular, we can refer to the Lord’s friendship as 24x7 -- that’s 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
There used to be another popular gospel song that has, for some reason, disappeared from most of today’s songbooks -- "He’s Mine All the Time". This song tells us that the Lord is "Mine all the time, and mine all the way."
But the best evidence of Jesus being your best friend, loving you unconditionally, available all the time, understanding your problems before you ask, and awaiting your call is found at John 15:13:
"Greater love hath no man that this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
If you do not feel you have a best friend, then your mistaken -- you are just not calling on Him and letting Him help you.
John 4:48 - Jesus speaking to the Jews stated - "Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe." Notice the plurality of signs here.
However, the Spiritual signs are within the Inward Man, and not visible outwardly. These signs are to be felt rather than just seen. In the early days of the N.T. Church Kingdom, there were various outward signs employed for the express purpose of converting the unbeliever. 1st Cor. 14:22 -Paul teaches that Tongues are for a sign to the unbeliever, whereas Prophesying [Preaching] is an Inward sign to the believer.
Let us consider the initial beginning of the "Sign of His Coming." Matt. 24:29--34. Matt. 24:30- Jesus speaks of the sign of the Son of man, as a singular sign. There are many signs dealing with the N.T. Church, in its various phases of activities; but a specific sign "of His Coming." Not His final Parousia, 2nd Advent at the End-Time, but, moreso, during the Gospel Church Kingdom Age, which singular sign has been embracing such since the Day of Pentecost. Let us get the logistical background in Scripture for pin-pointing the exactness of the embryonic early beginnings of this particular singular sign.
Corresponding scriptures which more clearly identify the "Sign of His coming" which is a Spiritual sign as He prophesied would come frequently as the Comforter- the Holy Ghost- John 14:16--26; John 15:26; John 16:7--16. The initial manifested advent of the Holy Ghost-Comforter is found on the Day of Pentecost as recorded prophetically in- Joel 2:28-32; Luke 24:26--49; Acts 2:16--21; Romans 10:11--13. Then such is found as fulfilled in - Acts 2:1--4--15.
The sign of His coming is continuous as the Holy Ghost- comforter. This continuity is found expressly in the Assembly of the Saints in the Gospel church Kingdom Age of the Militant, visible, organic, organized structure, but only found in the mountain top of spiritual experience, and then under the Joyful sound of the Preached gospel--1st Thess. 1:5-Mountain-Top Experience- Isaiah 2:1-4; Micah 4:1-3.
1st Thess. 1:5- This is much more than just preaching the word [2nd Tim 4:2] which is very important, but since the 1st Pentecost about 2000-plus years ago, the Church Kingdom has been availed with and embraced in the Spiritual felt presence of the Comforter-The Holy Ghost. "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance."
Also, we must be aware of and consider that this Sign did not appear in the O.T. under the Laws of Moses, and still does not always appear, if we are "in the flesh" in our minds and hearts.
This Sign of His Coming is to be as a Husband coming to His bride in a close encounter of the most spiritual kind.
Jesus further prophesied in Matt. 24, not only of the destruction of the O.T. Law Temple, and the final ending and fulfillment of the Law and Prophets, but that of the sign of His coming. Matt. 24:34-25 are very important key verses-
Jesus speaking, "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
"All these things that shall be fulfilled" were, mainly, the destruction of Jerusalem and the Sign of His Coming.
The destruction of Jerusalem historically happened finally on Aug. 9,'70 A.D.; but the Sign of His Coming has been continuous since the 1st Pentecost until now. However, please remember that these things would happen and be completed during the "then present generation." That would be from about 33 A.D. until '70 A.D. But these things would not ended there, as the O.T. Law Worship did, but continue on and on until the End of Time-at the 2nd Coming of Christ.
We must carefully distinguish the difference between the Sign of His Coming and His Final Coming. The former is progressive while the latter is in a moment, twinkling of an eye, instantaneous and cataclysmic - 1st Cor. 15:51-52.
Have you felt the sign of His Spiritual Coming? Yes, you should have many times. But you will see see His Final Arrival in the Person of His Body. Acts" 1:10-11- "And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." He departed in His body and will return in His body.
Yes, the final point in this lesson is that as Jesus ascended "in His Body," likewise, "in like manner," ye shall see him come, just like you saw Him go. This is only at the End-Time; however, during this Grace gospel Church kingdom Age, His Coming is as an Inward sign, which is not seen. but felt. That "felt" sign first appeared on the Day of Pentecost as the Holy Ghost-Comforter, which Jesus says was He Himself-
John 14:18- "I will not leave you comfortless; I Will Come To You." That "sign" is The Spirit of Jesus Christ Himself.
by Elder Berwyn Hand
When I was in the foxholes, in the Pacific, when my twin brother fell by the side, when I lost my friends over there, when I went to battle thinking I'd never come out that time, I'd pull that little piece of paper out of my pocket, that my mother wrote and handed to me when I got on the bus, to go overseas. She said, "Remember, son, a mother's love can't be measured." That's pretty effective, isn't it? That came from carnality. The Spirit of God in mother gave me that. That wasn't as pure as what I'm trying to describe to you.
I'm trying to tell you that pure love of God, the prettiest known form of God, where Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is, where He ascended on high. Where He left captivity captive, He captured you. He captured each one of you, and each one of you have talent. You must carry it to the Church of the living God. If God sends you a gift, be faithful to that gift. Be faithful to yourself and one another.
What a beautiful thing it is to see you here this morning. It's because God has drawn you here, through the pure river of water of love, water of life. Sitting on the throne of God where Jesus Christ, the Son of God sits; He's seated there. He's the sacrificial offering. He was seated there, to prove to the world and give God the answer to all the sacrifices that were ever made. That one sacrificial offering, one perfect offering God accepted for every sin, for everybody.
That was hinting the eternal covenant of God that was made before the foundation of the world, and was accepted. That's where he's seated on the right hand of God.
I want to tell you about another office He has. A sacrificial office, which our high priest had, when he sat down, but he has another one. When Steven was being stoned to death, we see another office Jesus Christ has. As Steven was begging for mercy for the ones who were stoning him to death, he was in the love. And that perfect love was proceeding out of the throne of God. As he was praying to God, forgive them for they don't know what they're doing; forgive them for their actions. Jesus Christ stood up.
He's not just in that sacrificial office, He's your mediator. He answers your prayers. He loves you. He leads you. And that love that's proceeding out of the throne of God, I haven't touched what I wanted to get to. I wanted to get to the fruit of the Spirit, and the tree of life. But, it's not expedient that I go any longer. This has been a happy day of my life. I hope I have taught you something, and left you something for your faith, to give you confidence to continue on in this little beautiful quiet habitation.
Get up in the morning, pray to God and thank Him for the things you've been given, and thank Him for leading you, from time to time, out of this awful mess of this old natural life, and leading into the spirit of God. Jesus Christ says, He's in you...you're in Him. We're in Him, and He's in us. He knows all about us, and thanks be to God, He knows all about God's attributes.
When God said, Forgive them, forgive them. I died, forgive them. I died for them That is the love I'm talking about, proceeding out of God's throne, now. Awhile ago, it was out of the sanctuary. When I first knew God, in a foxhole, in west Texas, I was striving. When I found the answer to that little radio message, I saw the love of God. Thanks be to God for that.
Thank you, this morning, for your kind attention. Please come to see us at Carlsbad and El Paso. Pray for me and follow Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
On Saturday, March 24th, I took my grandmother to visit good friends in Christ, Elder and Sister James Compton, at their home in Washington, D. C. Sister Compton had just arrived home from her first hospitalization for illness in 94 years.
Elder and Sister Compton were both born in North Carolina; he on February 18, 1905, and she on February 7, 1907. Last December, Elder Compton, then 96, and Sister Compton, then 94, celebrated 73 years of marriage. Three of their four children are still living.
The Comptons continue to live in the home that he built seventy years ago. Sister Compton tends to the cooking, cleaning, canning, and freezing food, while Elder Compton maintains the church grounds, gardens, and maintenance around the house. Elder Compton enjoys his woodworking shop where he makes cabinets, shelves, and clocks. In his spare time, he continues the "Gospel of Grace" tape ministry, which houses over 1500 sermons. This ministry began by delivering tapes and players to elderly shut-ins. All sermons are in a catalog and he still fills orders.
Elder and Sister Compton have not taken any medication regularly until recently. Elder Compton says that his best doctor is "in the kitchen." Their diet has always primarily consisted of fresh fruit and vegetables.
The continue to enjoy living in Washington, D.C., where Elder Compton began in the jewelry business in 1927. He is self-taught and was mentored, too. The business, now owned by their son, Allen, is less than one block from the White House. Elder Compton maintained the clocks in the United States Capital building for over 15 years. Among his famous customers were President Dwight D. Eisenhower and General John J. Perishing.
Their greatest commitment is worshipping the Lord Jesus Christ. In the mid 1960s, Elder Compton began pastoring Old Landmark Church, which was constituted in 1715. From 1980 to 1990, he pastored the Columbia Church, where they are still members. Once a month, he conducts services in Manassas, Virginia. Elder Compton drives regularly in the daytime, but restricts his night driving to and from church. He continues to preach at his home church on occasion and at area meetings.
They have fulfilled the scripture, 1 Timothy 3:2 by given to hospitality. Over the years sixty ministers and some of their families have stayed in their home. Some of them were Elders: Cecil Darity, Lasserre Bradley, Kenneth Clevenger, Wes Johnson, Gus Harter, Lonnie Mozingo, Jr., Sam Bryant, Willie and Henry Daily, R. A. Tindall, J. P. Dale, Lynn Russell, Fletcher, Sr., F. W. Stack, Sonny Pyles, and Afton Richards.
The Lord continues to bless this dear, humble couple. They are an inspiration to all that are blessed to know them. They will be the first to tell you about the Lord's many blessings upon their health, fellowship with the brethren, and in the Lord's service.
Submitted by:
Elder Steven W. Bloyd, Bel Air, Maryland.
Please begin my subscription to the Banner of Love for the next two years. Sister Opal sent an issue in January, and I failed to act upon it. We were so saddened to hear the news of your wife's death. May God comfort your hearts.
By His grace,
Brother Jim Trautner
Upland, CA
Brother Randy Rounsavall came forward as a candidate for baptism. He was baptized February 11, 2001 by our pastor, Elder Cecil Johnson. We would like for him to be placed on your mailing list.
Thank you,
Kenneth Powell, C. C,
Note: Thank you Brother Kenneth
LOOKING FORWARD TO SPRING
Sure hope you all are enjoying looking forward to spring. Spring is a very beautiful season, so good to see everything coming forth after winter has past. It reminds us of the Precious Hope we have in our Dear Lord. He will see us through. May He bless you all.
1 Cor. 15:51-58 is real encouraging.
In Dear Hope,
Sister Loretta Lilly
Akron, Ohio
I know a little church
which is very, very small
A little frame building that
isn't very tall
In a little city not far
away
Just a block or two off the
main highway.
This humble little building
has no spires
No gilded pews to seat the
trained choirs
No windows of stained
glass, no marble
No magnificent portico or
large double door
It has no salaried preachers,
no Reverend Doctor Divine
No missionary societies or
anything of that kind
In fact it hasn't anything
the world might love
But just the holy things
that came from above
If once this little church
you will attend
You will hear Jesus preached
in a way that will not offend
You will hear singing the
sweet song of old
As sang by its members
with hearts of gold.
You will hear the gospel
like the fall of gentle rain
Which tell us to live Christlike
and from all Evil abstain
You will find a sweet peace
that is not found elsewhere
For in this little church the
Love of God is there.
[The above poem is dedicated to the Cisco Primitive Baptist Church and its pastor, Elder J. B. Owens.]
Arthur Cannon
Rising Star, Texas
[From The Banner of Love, Oct. 1, 1939]
The La Vernia Primitive Baptist Church has been blessed by the Lord of Glory to enjoy sweet meetings and fellowship.
The continuation of which we pray for. As His Grace has been poured out on us in the past, I have been negligent in thanking Him as I should and sharing the good news with our fellow churches. Please forgive me for this failure. I will try to do better in the future.
The Church has been blessed by the Lord to grow in both numbers and in Faith. We enjoy good visitation from many in the community for which we are also thankful.
On a personal note, in May of this year, I will have tried to serve this church for twenty years. I do not know where the time went, seems just like yesterday I started. I am thankful to God for the privilege to have been associated with so great a people, especially this little band, as we attempt to serve Him in Spirit and in Truth.
The Church was constituted in the fall of 1979. They had been given the building of a disbanded Presbyterian Church. The building had been moved to it's current location from out in the country and was owned by an elderly man living in La Vernia. A constituting member of our Church was helping care for him. She asked him about using the building for services. He said he would give it to them to worship there. The building was built in 1879 and needed some work on it to make it usable. That work was done and the Church started meeting there twice a month.
We are blessed now to be doing a major renovation of the inside of the church and are building a new lunchroom facility. We are maintaining the integrity of the building outside, while modernizing the inside. We will be adding additional restroom facilities where the present kitchen is along with looking at adding a baptistery up front if the structure will allow. We will add sidewalks and marked off parking also.
While we know the beauty of the Lord's house is not the structure we worship in but the services He blesses, we also know that we should make sure we have a place suitable for this worship. Please pray that the Lord will bless this effort.
We invite all to come worship with us any time, but ask that you pray for us and the worship of the Lord all the time. I know that I have been blessed to be a part of the Lords service for a time, but that His Church has been standing since He established it and will be standing when He comes again. He, and He alone, remains constant.
The Church building is located on Loop 321 in down town La Vernia, TX. Come see us, pray for us, and should you wish to help with this project we would appreciate it. We are looking to the Lord for His continued blessings, and with this project also.
In Christian Love,
Elder Larry Hausenfluke
I've had something on my mind lately, the Lamb's Book of Life. Before the foundation of the world, God wrote down in this book all the names of His chosen people who will live with Him some glorious day in heaven's bright city.
A verse from Ephesians is very significant. It is as follows: According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love: [Ephesians 1:4.
Just how many individuals will live in heaven with our Creator and Savior? Check out a verse from Revelation for the answer. It is as follows: After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes and palms in their hands. [Rev. 7:9].
Regarding the crucifixion, check out a verse from 1 Peter. It is as follows: Who his own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes we are healed. [1 Peter 2:24].
Every sin committed by an individual whose name is written down in the lambs Book of Life was put away and forgotten when Jesus died on Calvary's Cross. Contrary to some religious beliefs, not every person's name was written in the Lamb's Book of Life has been baptized, accepted the Lord in his heart, or heard the gospel proclaimed.
How are the Lord's people saved? Check out a verse from Ephesians. It is as follows: For by grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God: [Ephesians 2:8].
May we rejoice that if your name is written down in the Lamb's Book of Life, you are saved only by God's Amazing Grace!
With God's Love,
Jerry Bass
Lubbock, Texas
"Their rings were full of eyes." Eyes are for seeing, and the Lord has given spiritual eyes to His ministry to be able to see the mysteries of the scriptures in both the New and Old Testaments. The church is composed of those who have an eye toward the scriptures; their Lord having given them eyes to see the gospel truths proclaiming 'salvation by grace,' and a spiritual mind [they have the mind of Christ] to comprehend spiritual things. And he said unto them, "Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the Kingdom of God. [Mark 4:11]. "Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints." [Colossians 1:26].
And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them; and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up, [Ezekiel 1:19]. Such is the relationship between the pastor and the members of the church or churches he serves. When the pastor is lifted up the congregation is lifted up and when he is down they are down. The members of the church are constantly in his prayers [I know this is true with the writer], and when there is sorrow among the members, he is made to sorrow, their woes are his, and their exaltation is his joy. Wherever he goes they go with him, because he takes them with him in his mind, they are constantly in his thoughts and prayers. Likewise, the pastor and his family should always be in the prayers of everyone in the congregation that he labors among.
"As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain," [verse 28]. In John's vision, [Revelation 4:3.], "there was a rainbow round the throne." As in Genesis chapter nine, the bow is the sign of sealing the covenant by God. Symbolic in these visions [Ezekiel's and John's] of the 'Everlasting Covenant of the Godhead, before the foundation of the earth, and every cardinal doctrine of God's church is embraced in this covenant; "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love." [Ephesians 1:4], "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified, and whom He justified them he also glorified." [Romans 8:29-30].
May God be merciful to all of us. AMEN.
In Old Baptist Bonds
Elder Kenneth W. Clevenger
Carl Junction, MO
In Acts chapter 20, verse 35 we read these words; I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, it is more blessed to give than to receive.
I suppose that I have read this verse over and over and never noticed just how this verse was worded. Paul is saying that I have shewed you all things. Do you realize that in order for anyone to shew you it has to be by example, that is, he first has to do it by example, that is not always easy. There is a labouring involved in this shewing.
The subject matter of this 20th chapter is that Paul is setting a pattern for ministers to follow and he is doing this by example. In Verse 27 he says: For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with His own blood. Paul had just called the Elders of the Church to instruct them in how to set an example in the church in whom the Lord had made them overseers, to feed the Church of God.
Did you notice what an overseer is to do, that is to feed the church of God. Do you realize that in order for one to feed, that he has to give of things that he possesses. Do you suppose that Paul would have told them to feed the church of God, knowing that they had nothing to feed them. Remember, the subject in this is, That it is More Blessed to Give than to Receive. The text indicates that when we give, we ought to give not expecting anything in return. That this is our duty, this is what we have been called to do, that is to feed the Church of God, which he, that is Christ hath purchased with his own blood.
How much giving do you suppose that Christ gave? He said in the gospel of John these words; I came down from heaven not do mine will, but the will of him that sent me, and this is the Father's will that hath sent me, that of all that thou hath given me, I should lose nothing, but raise it up again at the last day. Christ did this by the shedding of His own blood and the giving of his very life. You have been purchased, you have been bought, you have been paid for by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Oh! what giving it took to redeem poor sinners, oh! what sufferings it took for the Lamb of God to pay the price for our sins. Not only did he shed his own blood, but He suffered the torments of hell in our stead.
Then Paul says in verse 33; I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that labouring ye ought to support the weak. I wonder how many of us could measure up to this standard that we would labour with our hands not only to support ourselves, but to support others also.
Then he says; And to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Paul is not just dealing with what Christ said, but how he said it. How did Christ teach us that it is more blessed to give than to receive? Christ lived what he preached and preached what he lived. He set an example for all believers to follow and this example was to put ourselves last and everyone else first. Is it easy to do? There is a labouring involved, there is a giving of self, there is a taking of what one has and giving it to someone else. Only through the grace of God can we do this. How he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Did you notice that he did not say, that it was not good to receive, but that it is more blessed to give. If we could just remember these words in our church life, in our social life, in our work life and in our family life we would receive a joy and a peace that passeth all understanding
I wish that I had the words to express how important these words ought to be in our lives. That there is a greater joy in giving than in receiving, that there is a greater blessing in giving than receiving, that there is a fellowship that we can have with Christ and with one another that we have never experienced before.
I will close with the words of Paul when he said; Do good unto all men, especially unto the household of God. Amen: