DETAILED NOTES ON EVANGELISM AND EVANGELISTS
[2099 Strong, euaggelistes, yoo-ang-ghel-is-tace, a preacher of the gospel - an evangelist; euangelizomai, to proclaim the good news; euangelion, the good news; proeuanglizomai, to proclaim the good news beforehand.] Double gamma in Greek is sounded as ng.
YOU CANNOT IMAGINE THE HUGE GOOD FORTUNE OFFERED IN THE GOSPEL.
Beware the wrath of God!
The English Language word "evangelist", as can be seen from the above note, is a transliteration of a Greek word. The Greek word for "the good news/the gospel” is “euangelion" - its beautiful sound being most appropriate for the great Message of Christ. If the early English translators had been pedantic, we would actually read: "proclaiming the good news", "the good news", or "the announcer of the good news". The two words "good news" would appear on almost every page of the New Testament. It would then have been crystal clear how frequently these related words appear in the Gospels, Acts, and, especially, in the Letters of Paul. In fact, in the early days of the Church, the Four Gospels and the Letters were called, collectively: The Gospel.
The equivalent word in the Old Testament carried the thought of an announcement bringing the promise, powerfully into being: the creative Word of Yahweh. Sometimes it spoke of bringing good news of the birth of a son, or of victory from a battlefield, but it came to include the bearing of bad news. Its firm roots in the Old Testament are linked with the Davidic Messiah, and the Suffering Servant of Yahweh, who brings salvation to both God's Israel, and to the Gentiles. God commands it to be published. (Cf Gerhard Friedrich in Kittel, Volume II, pp 707 ff, 1 Kings 1:42; Jeremiah 20:15; 1 Samuel 31:9; Isaiah 40 - 66; Psalms 40, 10, 68:11, 86:5; Isaiah 40:9, 41:27, 52:7, and 61:1 – read by Jesus in the Synagogue at Nazareth, but omitted in the synagogues of today!) The New Testament entered the new dimension of having the Holy Spirit initiate, and empower the giving of the message - with attestations, as we shall see.
What is the relationship between the preachers of the Evangel, and the Four Evangelists of the Gospels? We can say of the writing evangelists that: Matthew was an apostle, Mark wrote as an evangelist - giving us, in actual fact, Peter's apostolic preaching of the Message, Luke writes as an evangelist and most able first century historian, and John as an apostle. The richly detailed Message of the Four Written Gospels covers the same ground as the Apostolic Preaching in Acts. The Old Testament teaches that multiple witnesses are required in any serious case (how this contrasts with the Qur’an).
The noun "evangelist" occurs three times in the Greek manuscripts of the New Testament: Philip, whose work is described in Acts 8 (cf Samaria and Acts 1:8), is specifically called an evangelist in Acts 21:8; Paul told Timothy to do the work of an evangelist (2 Timothy 4:5); and the calling is mentioned in the fourth list of gifts (Ephesians 4:11). The preaching of the apostles in Acts is definitive of the Message of the Good News, and, today, every evangelist preparing for service should include a close study of these sermons; which are covered in the following analytical list:
Acts 2, Peter on the Day of Pentecost, to Jews
Acts 3, Peter at the Gate Beautiful, to Jews
Acts 10, Peter at the home of a Senior NCO, Cornelius, a God-fearing Gentile
Acts 13, Paul in the Synagogue at Pisidian Antioch, to Jews
Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas at Lystra, to Gentiles
Acts 17, Paul in the Thessalonian Synagogue, Jews and God Fearers – three Sabbaths founded a lively church
Acts 17, Paul in the Athenian Areopagus Court - to learned Gentiles
[Other speeches in Acts:
Peter, and other apostles in Court, to Jews (4:8-17, 5:29-32);
Stephen in Court, to Jews (6:8-7:60);
Peter and James to the Congregation (15:6-21);
Paul to the Elders of Ephesus (20:17-35);
Paul's testimony-defence (22, 23:1-11, 24:10-23, 26:1-29);
Paul to the Jews in Rome (28:17-31).]
Paul's formal summary of the Good News is found in this passage:
"I passed on to you what I received, which is of the greatest importance: that Christ died for our sins, as written in the Scriptures; that he was buried and that he was raised to life three days later, as written in the Scriptures; that he appeared to Peter and then to all twelve apostles. Then he appeared to more than five hundred of his followers at once, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, and afterwards to all the apostles. Last of all he appeared to me ... So then, whether it came from me or from them, this is what we all preach, and this is what you believe." (1 Corinthians 15:3-11, GNB)
You will note that they spoke within the context of their particular hearers, were well briefed, and informed (researched).
See also Romans 10:8-13; 2 Timothy 2:8; and Hebrews 6:1-2.
Elements found in the evangelistic addresses, are as follows - as part of your study, you might like to write down which topics come in which sermons (forming a grid layout, with the occasions along the top and the sermon points down the side, or print out the illustration below). A selection was usually given: and not necessarily the full compliment of gospel topics. When closing an open-air witness, I would usually check that the various speakers had covered the main points of the Kerugma.
THE FIRST PART OF THE MESSAGE:
1. The point of departure - common ground, a recent event before the crowd, an issue for debate, etc
2. God in Nature
THE MESSAGE:
3. John the Baptist
4. Jesus's earthly ministry
5. Selected Old Testament proof texts
6. The indictment for the Crucifixion
7. The Crucifixion
8. The Resurrection
9. A call to baptism in water
10. Eschatology - the Return of Jesus
11. Judgment at Jesus's Throne
THE TWO ACTS OF RESPONSE:
12. Repentance: by God's grace, a turning from sin, as a result of godly grief for trespasses. A good answer to the question asked at the Belper Grammar School Christian Union: What is repentance? The Army Cadets outside on the yard were immediately commanded: “About turn!”
13. Belief in the Lord Jesus Christ
THE RESULT OF RESPONDING:
15. Forgiveness, Righteousness, Acquittal - Gospel Justification, Eternal Life, New Birth
WHAT IF PEOPLE REJECT THE MESSAGE:
16. Christ is Judge. There is some discussion about whether judgment on sin: as defined in the Ten Commandments, should precede the preaching of the Gospel proper. Romans 2:15, Acts 10:17, and 17:31 refer to judgment. For me it was certainly true that when shown a vision of falling into Hell, I pleaded guilty - I knew this is what I deserved. The Holy Spirit will certainly convince the World of sin, righteousness and judgment.
AFTER DEATH, JUDGMENT Hebrews 9:27
AFTER RESPONDING:
17. Warning about suffering for Christ – it is sad when Christians are not aware of this.
Suffering for our Faith may range from discrimination at work, and hostility from family, neighbours, law enforcement, judiciary, media and the arts, to Martyrdom. Martyrs are to expect special grace, and great joy - as has been observed. The moment after death, there is rapturous entry into Heaven, and the Martyr is the envy of all the faithful in Glory.
18. An experience of the Holy Spirit - sealing, down payment, baptism in the Spirit, accompanied by some outward and obvious sign. This is not an optional extra! Accepting and believing the Good News is our part; the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is God's part - AND A GREAT SOURCE OF ASSURANCE. The First Epistle of John is well-worth studying for its teaching on the grounds for certainty.
19. Water baptism by immersion
[20. Summary of the result of the preaching.]
THIS IS THE DEFINITION OF TRUE CHRISTIANITY, OBVIOUSLY
Christians are not saved because they are good: they are good because they are first saved.
Here is a simple diagram which can be enlarged and printed. It forms an exercise for you to complete!
One may like to consider two related issues at this point: election – that the Father has chosen people for the Kingdom (John 6:37, 44; Acts 13:48) and, the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, which must precede belief and acceptance of the gospel, is stressed in these two statements - one from Paul and the other from Peter: "But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief of the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 2:13, 14)
"...who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling of his Blood ..." (1 Peter 1:2) I certainly experienced the setting apart - so that I would be witnessed to, read the Bible, and seek for Truth. This explains, I think, the puzzle of 1 Corinthians 7:14, and the sanctifying in the family.
Acts 20:21-24 Paul stresses repentance and faith, and three times “serious presentation” in the gospel of grace.
Canon David White (cf St Andrew's Chorleywood, Archive) stresses the main meaning of Sanctification: the continuing work of the Holy Spirit after Conversion; but there is, I think, this special setting apart as the Spirit vitally leads us to faith in the Saviour.
Ladies are particularly mentioned apropos this gift: Psalm 68:11 The Lord gives the word [of power]; the women who bear and publish [the news] are a great host. (Amplified Bible)
POST CONVERSION CARE
1. Talk to God our Heavenly Father about everything – “casting all your care on him, for he cares for you”. Prayer
2. Have regular times of reading the Bible – keep a chart to make certain you read the whole book. Start in several places, to have a ‘balanced diet’. Learn key passages by heart, as the first Christians did. Psalm 117 is a good place to start – the shortest Psalm.
3. Remember Jesus death in taking ‘bread and wine’ – food and drink; prayerfully.
4. Find a good church: Bible believing, and where you can serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
*****
Scholars like to use the Greek word "Kerugma" (or the more common Anglicised form, "Kerygma") for the evangelists' Message. Preaching to unbelievers to convert them is "Kerugma"; by contrast, teaching Christians is called "Didache". As I said, the apostolic preaching of the Gospel in the Book of Acts is found in the Four Gospels, in amplified form. Evangelists are the heralds of this Message throughout this current era.
Let us consider the Evangel again. We should find common ground for a starting point, such as: the moment after a miracle, the faithfulness of God in the cycle of the year, or the prophecies of the Jewish Scriptures. Approaches will differ for Jews, Gentiles or Believers. The theme is the life of our Lord: perhaps beginning with John the Baptist, the Lord's teaching and miracles, His Death, Burial and Resurrection, perhaps the Ascension, and lastly His coming again. Human response is demanded: repentance - turning away from a sinful life, in sorrow, and with God's assistance and grace; and believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, to receive imputed righteousness - the forgiveness of sins. Judgment is the corollary of not believing. The sermon often leads to immediate water baptism - by immersion. The Message closes with teaching about suffering for Christ, and the promise of the Holy Spirit: as a Comforter, Teacher, bestower of gifts for service, and as a seal of God's acceptance.
The Lord Jesus Christ gave His summary, just before His Ascension:
Luke 24:44-49
“This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
A good evangelist can introduce his theme in a minute, or enjoy the freedom of taking several months!
It is good to have a simple formula, such as my diagram - for serviette, painting, or blackboard. Hundreds of folk have been introduced to the Message, through versions of this diagram.
1.Our lives have a beginning: but we are made in the image of God and can have no end.
2.Guilt is added to by sin, once we become responsible for our actions, words and thoughts.
3.The Gate into Heaven only allows perfect, sinless people in.
4.Christ died and rose again, so that we can be perfectly forgiven.
5.Our response: R and B – repent and believe.
6.We take the consequences of ignoring or refusing, God’s offer of mercy and grace.
Gerhard Friedrich writes of Jesus: "His whole life was proclamation of the gospel." Paul is the main user of the term "good news". It is "absolute": the only good news, and an observation with which his readers would be so familiar, as to require no further definition.
"Euangelizesthai is not just speaking and preaching; it is proclamation with full authority and power. Signs and wonders accompany the evangelical message. They belong together, for the Word is powerful and effective. The proclamation of the age of grace, of the rule of God, creates a healthy state in every respect. Bodily disorders are healed and man's relation to God is set right." (p 720, Vol 2, Kittel)
It is the World’s most important proclamation.
Do you want to see the baleful look in the eyes of a relative, friend, neighbour, or enemy, as they are condemned to eternity in Hell: “Why didn’t you tell me?!”
"The imperial cult [Emperor worship in the Roman Empire] and the Bible share the view that accession to the throne, which introduces a new era and brings peace to the world, is a gospel for men." (p 725, Vol 2, Kittel) In the New Testament the Lord Jesus is the content of the message, elsewhere this would only be found in the imperial cult.
Another definitive comment in Kittel states that "euangelistes originally denotes a function rather than an office (cf Professor Leon Morris on Offices and Gifts, where the same point is made), and there can have been little difference between an apostle and an evangelist, all the apostles being evangelists. On the other hand, not all evangelists were apostles, for the direct calling by the risen Lord was an essential aspect of the apostolate. In all three NT passages the evangelists are subordinate to the apostles." (p 737, Vol 2, Kittel)
In 1 Corinthians chapter 9:14, Paul wrote this about Gospel preachers: "In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the good news should receive their living from the gospel." He was quoting the teaching of Jesus that we have today in such passages as Luke chapter 10:7, and clearly accepting their role.
2 Corinthians 5:(19) For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others. (20)
Professor J. I. Packer has a fuller definition of Christianity, as a whole, (Church Society/Reform Conference 2002)
Six Propositions from Colossians, my simple summary:
1.God – the truth about Him, His Nature as Triune, Work and Plan
2.Ourselves – related to God as lost sinners, or saved saints
3.Kingdom – Salvation History – Jesus as LORD and Judge
4.Salvation – Jesus redeems – we must repent and believe in the Cross and the Resurrection
5.Fellowship – we are then baptised into the Worldwide Church – the Bride and Body of Christ
6.Heaven – walking in this holy hope in the power of the Spirit
We may imagine the emergence of the written accounts, in the following way. At first the evangelists were obviously believers who knew the Twelve Apostles, or had seen the Lord Jesus and heard Him teaching. Later they were those trained by the first followers to tell the Evangel. Paul carried various documents with him - cared for by Silas and Timothy. These would include a valued scroll or two of the Jewish Scriptures, and his own notes written on small sheets of parchment or papyrus (Egyptian paper). The evangelists, also, were probably very careful to keep written notes about the life and teaching of our Lord. My own opinion is that people made notes about what Jesus taught, perhaps before turning in for the night. In any case, the memory of those living in a society of mainly non-literary people can be phenomenal. Elizabeth Elliot, in describing her life among the Auca Indians of Ecuador, tells how, years after hearing her speak, they could reproduce and mimic her exact words.
The copies of the Gospels would at first be simple collections, but eventually more informed evangelists would come to the fore. For a variety of reasons, the time would soon come when the "Gospels" would become quite "finished" and authoritative: so that scribes could be employed to copy them out, for wider circulation. There was the need for the early evangelists to be accurately briefed, to avoid legend, or fiction creeping in. It was crucial that the evangelists did not become too inventive in telling the history of the Lord Jesus. Also the first disciples would grow old and "scarce". People, who could read, wanted the opportunity to borrow, or own, a "Gospel", many to listen to them being read. The Holy Spirit selected the best of the Gospels to become Scripture: just as important as the Books of Kings, Chronicles, and Exodus, in the Jewish Sacred Scrolls. Like several great works in the history of literature, Luke's Gospel and Acts were penned for a friend. It is interesting that although Luke is the only non-Jewish writer in the Bible, he uses a Septuagint-style of Greek, and is thought to have been closer to the Aramaic which Jesus spoke, that the other Evangelists. As the Septuagint was associated with Alexandria, so it is possible that this city was where he received his training, in the eminent Medical School.
The evangelists, then, are an exciting group of men and women. Evidence of the Spirit's grace will soon show in their ability. This may be with a huge crowd, or speaking quietly to a little child. The integrity of the evangelist of the large crowds will always be seen in his giving of himself to the individual, in witness [Billy Graham visited a prison to speak to a huge crowd, but later he was sitting down by the grill of a cell door, talking to an inmate; a student buying a meal in a golf club, found himself at a table, in a spiritual conversation with Billy]. To the unbelievers, they portray the life and teaching of the Lord, in order to bring them to repentance and faith.
Among the Believers, their desire is to draw us to worship, and an informed assurance. They keep our eyes on the Lord. The nature of the written Evangels, and their place in human experience, compel us to see this two-fold use.
There may be special aspects of an evangelist's calling, and character, which win them an audience. Although the content of their Message is uniform and unchanging, they will have a multitude of styles, which compel attention – there will hopefully be creativity; but the content is sacrosanct. It may be unique abilities, attainment, background, appearance, or way of speaking. A preacher I met at Machynlleth had his lower-left-two tooth missing, which gave him a most distinctive diction; he could speak of his fearlessness in walking round the exposed platforms of the British Telecom Tower in Birmingham - most men are going to listen to someone who can talk in those terms. In his testimony Harry Ramsden, a famous boxer, used to say," When they took the Lonsdale Belt from Turpin, and put it on me.” James Irwin arrives in a Northrop jet fighter, and talks about his flight to the Moon, in his film, "The Moon and Beyond". Some almost act the Evangel as they present it; some give powerful explanations and applications of the Master's teaching. Paul said that he, metaphorically, "placarded" the Gospel, in making it clear to the Galatians (Galatians 3:1). The exemplary evangelism in Samaria by Philip indicates that miracles may well be part of the evangelist's service – God’s “Hall Mark” of attestation (Acts 8). In the end, it is a gift of the Holy Spirit, in His sovereign will, which makes any of us what we are in God's service.
The person who has the gift of evangelist in their heart will "go out weeping" to sow the Gospel seed (Psalm 126), and return rejoicing. I would say two things about healing in evangelism: if you have not yet seen any evidence of a healing element in your work, be prepared to pray for ailing people, perhaps privately at first, and be willing to see God witnessing to the authenticity of the Good News; and, secondly, do accept that with any of the gifts there may be a limit set by God - as mentioned earlier, Paul believed in Baptism, but he was limited to allowing others to baptize at Corinth, for very good reasons. Along with healing, early preaching expelled unclean spirits/demons! Be ready for that also (see Acts 8:4 ff; 16:16 ff etc).
All of us, like the apostles and evangelists, possess that most valuable item: our testimony. The barristers in a law court are dependent on reliable witnesses; similarly the Holy Spirit relies on our confession of Christ. This is something that no one can take from us; and there are people waiting to hear. Testimony was always the final appeal of Paul, in the Book of Acts, when all else had failed, as mentioned above.
Every person can become a witness in a court of law; the Barristers, however, have a special position. I see a similar relationship between “every Christian” must be ready to witness, whereas, the gift of evangelist, is like a Barrister.
Think about this: Leviticus 5:1 If a person sins because he does not speak up when he hears a public charge to testify regarding something he has seen or learned about, he will be held responsible....
Jesus metaphorically referred to evangelising as fishing. This leads me to think of the fact that anglers use maggots; in evangelism we may need to introduce elements quite foreign to our own interests, in order to communicate with those who are far from God. The Church is unique as an organization that exists for the benefit of non-members – but for this duty, we could all go to Heaven now. All kinds of activities have been used under the guidance of the Spirit, to introduce the Message: Beach Missions, Adventure Camps, Rock Concerts, Christmas Parties, Impressive-Guest Services, Sports Fixtures, Men's Breakfasts, Ladies' Coffee Mornings, Dining Facilities, Patchwork and Craft Classes, Double Decker Bus Meeting Place, Puppet Shows, Bible Classes, House Groups, Sunday Schools, Postal Sunday School, City-wide Missions, Counselling, Correspondence Courses, Telephone Contact, Internet Sites, Television Presentations, Video Wall, Local Radio Programmes, Hospital Radio Slots, Personal Work, Survey Interviews, House to House Visiting, Open Air Preaching, Drama, Sketch Board, Escapology, Tracts, and hundreds more. Neville Knox, an eminent Anglican evangelist, felt it vital to be well informed about the Sports Pages, if he was to reach other men through conversations. The founder of the YMCA movement was brought to hear the Gospel, through a specially arranged supper of whelks - his favourite meal! This illustrates the variety of the usage of the one gift: but the content of the Message is unchangeable.
This is a good place to return to the "opening" theme - the common ground, point of contact, or of departure, for our witness. Earlier I mentioned the biblical examples: "the moment after a miracle, the faithfulness of God in the cycle of the year, or the prophecies of the Jewish Scriptures". In our own culture we may have to use other themes that are relevant. Generally, the area known as "Apologetics" may be apposite: explaining the reasonableness of the Gospel, to those who hold the opinion that society has no need of Divinity, that science has disproved the Scriptures – Evolution versus Creation (Genesis 1-11), that all religion leads to God, or that religion is out-dated and the root cause of wars and disputes. So we may be required to address such issues, before we start to deliver the Message proper.
A good exercise is to list the points of departure, or common ground, in Scripture (mainly in Acts), and in our own and contemporary experience.
Contrasting the false beliefs of heresies and other religions, may clarify the truths of the Kerygma:
"The Jehovah's Witnesses were round yesterday: why do you think they are wrong?"
"They do not believe in the eternal deity of Christ; they believe that salvation is by our own obedience to the Law, and not by faith in Christ's atonement; they cause the deaths of children, and their own members by refusing blood transfusions!" Paul appears to see the use of heresies in this way (1 Corinthians 11:18-19). The common ground is the idea that a certain faith is wrong - we are discussing the issue from the same side.
Other gifts may work alongside the evangelist. Virtually every gift may be found assisting the witness; it may help to look at the list again to see how this would apply – caring, helping, miracles, tongues.
There are two aspects of evangelism, which we must never lose sight of: the sowing and the reaping mentioned by Jesus in John 4:34-38 - "that the sower and the reaper may be glad TOGETHER". It is so easy for the "reaper" to forget the hard work of sowing which has often preceded his work. It is very sad indeed, when we fail each other in this. A small boy sat next to me at a friend’s home. His parents had obviously explained the Gospel to him many times. When I suggested he might like to pray and ask Jesus to save him, he readily agreed. The parents had done the hard work.
The Gospel is called the power of God unto salvation; here is a story contained in a Prayer Letter from India, which illustrates this, so well:
"Later that day, Sunil and Paul travelled to a nearby village to hold a memorial service for Banabai who died at the age of 75. This dear lady became a Christian through a one-time visit of missionaries in 1929 when she was only 9 years old [64Years before]. Except for one Christian song, she went until 1993 without any spiritual guidance or teaching from any human source. Sunil met her two years ago, and in that short span of time Banabai made an incredible impact on our lives! Last year when she requested a desire for baptism, our ministry team was honoured. Her amazing life in the spirit spoke volumes to us about ministry. The Holy Spirit, our true teacher, gave her all she needed to sustain her in life. Because of her beautiful testimony, 32 people from her village gave their lives to Christ during her memorial service."
(Christian Discipleship Ministries, Sardar Newsletter, Christmas 1995, Sunil and Pam Sardar, Yavatmal, India.)
A relevant prayer: "... enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness." (Acts 4:29 b)
The calling of an evangelist: "Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!" 1 Corinthians 9:16 (NIV)
"But in your hearts set Christ apart as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience…” 1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV). In our criminal courts today, not all are highly trained and competent Barristers, but anybody can find himself, or herself, called as a WITNESS: under oath. Similarly we are not all given the Gift of Evangelist: but we must always be ready and equipped to witness!
Five verses before the end of the Bible are these words:
"The Spirit and the Bride say, ’Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!' Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life." (NIV)
You may not be clever enough to answer all the hard questions that are thrown at you: but you can care for people, and you can find a wise Christian, or some reference source, to help. You may carry some helpful literature, and certainly a New Testament. There are many books to assist us in witness. Practise what you might say to a person – a Muslim for instance, or other special groups. Know key Scriptures by heart, and where they come in the Bible – so you can turn to them.
There is a huge list of biblical references on this subject, but perhaps the simplest study is to read the New Testament again, with these words and topic in mind.
The following, incomplete, list of references may be studied - but at the very least they illustrate how the New Testament is really a book explaining the Evangel.
(Proverbs 24:11)
Matthew 4:23-25, 11:5, 9:35-38, 11:5, 28:18-20
Mark: 1:14-15, 19, 2:10, 8:35, 14:9, 9:1-6, 16:15-16, 19-20
Luke: 4:18, 43, 5:31-32, 10:1-2, 16:16, 24:19-52
John: 4:1-42, 21:24-25
Acts: 1 verse 8, chapter 2, 3, 4:2, 8-14,18-24,29-30, 5:12-16, 29-32,41-42, 6:8-10, 7:1-8:3, 8:4-25, 26-40, 9:1-22, 32-35,42, 10, 11:14, 19-21,23, 12:24, 13:6-12, 15-52, 14, 15:35, 16:13-34, 17:1-34, 18:4-11, 24-28, 19:1-20, 20:17-35, 22:1-22, 23:6-11, 24:10-21, 26:1-29, 28:17-31.
Romans: 1:1-4, 9,14-32, 2:16, 10:5-17, 11:28, 15:15-24, 29, 16:25-27
1 Corinthians: 1:17-31, 2:4, 5, 3:6-11, 4:1-5,15,20, 9:12-14, 16-23, 14:24, 25,15:1-11
2 Corinthians: 1:16-22, 2:12, 15-17, 4:1-6, 13-15, 5:14, 15,17-21, 8:18, 9:13, 10:14,16, 11:4-7, 12:12, 13:3
Galatians: 1:3-23, 2:1-21, 3:1-29, 4:13, 6:14,15
Ephesians: 1:13,14, 2:1-22, 3:1-12, 4:11,21-24, 5:16, 6:15,19-20
Philippians: 1:7,12-18,27-30, 2:6-11, 22, 3:9, 4:3,15
Colossians: 1:5-7,12-29, 2:6,12-15, 4:3-6
1 Thessalonians: 1:4-10, 2:1-16, 3:2-4, 4:9,10
2 Thessalonians: 1:8,9, 2:13,14, 3:1
1 Timothy: 1:8-17, 2:1-7
2 Timothy: 1:8-13, 2:8-13, 4:5
Titus: 1:1-3, 3:3-8
Philemon: verses 6, 10,13,19
Hebrews: 2:1-4, 4:2,6, 6:1-3, 8:7-12, 10:1-7,32-34, 12:22-29, 13:8,11-16
James: 1:18, 2:5,23
1 Peter: 1:2-12,17-25, 2:21-25, 3:15-22, 4:11,17, 5:10
2 Peter: 1:1-4
1 John: 1:1-10, 2:1,2, 3:1-5,8,9,14,23, 4:9, 10,14-16, 5:1, 9-13,20
Jude: verses 3 b-7
Revelation: 1:5,6,9, 3:20, 7:9-17, 14:6-7, 21:6-8, 22:17
THE
RESURRECTION
The Father,
Son and Holy Spirit all used their power in the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
The
Father: Romans 6:4, Galatians 1:1; and in the context by implication: Acts
2:24, 32; 3:15; 4:10; 5:30; 10:40; 13:30,33-34; 17:31; 26:8; Romans 5:11; 10:9; 1
Corinthians 6:14; 2 Corinthians 4:14; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 2:12; 1
Thessalonians 1:10; Hebrews 3:20; 1 Peter 1:21
The Son:
John 2:19
The Holy
Spirit: Romans 1:4, 8:11; 1Peter 3:18
GO TO IT!
END NOTES
What is great about being a follower of Jesus: communications with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in Heavenly realms, knowledge of God’s will – and the grace to accomplish it, forgiveness of sins, Jesus as my Rabbi/Teacher (which I really need), God is my Father, I am owned by the Good Shepherd (as my Lord, Jesus is responsible for guiding and caring for me), guidance itself is a marvellous and a confirming experience, I am helped to know the joy of holiness, Jesus gives me wisdom and sanctification – setting apart for God’s service, membership of a Church family with its support, enjoying reading God’s Word, finding that the whole of life makes sense, the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit with His Gifts and Fruit, purposeful activities for the Kingdom of God and the grace to accomplish them, the Gift of Eternal Life and a certain future, God’s graces give us sound psychology and philosophy, daily victory over sin and Satan – by God’s grace, there is joy unspeakable and full of Glory, peace that passes understanding, the continuing presence of Christ
There are several fine and very successful courses, with their inbuilt variations: Alpha Course – based at Holy Trinity Brompton; Christianity Explained – based at All Souls Langham Place; and Life in the Spirit Seminars – Roman Catholic.
I have experience of evangelism with various organisations: Church of England, Methodist, Baptist, Elim, Assemblies of God (British and American), URC, Salvation Army, Brethren, YMCA, Quakers, Scripture Union, ISCF, SASRA, Armed Forces Christian Fellowship, UCCF, Beach Missions, National Young Life Campaign, Youth for Christ, Open Air Mission, Pilgrim Preachers, Operation Mobilisation, Youth With A Mission, to name most.
[1] MY REPORT ON A LATEST MISSION VENTURE
I first of all request permission to ask the four questions of a church survey. If the person agrees, here are the questions:
- Are you over 21? [I skip this one, if the answer is obvious!]
- Did you have Religious Education lessons at school? [Surprisingly, most East Europeans and Albanians did.]
- Do you have a Bible, which you can read easily? [If not, I have bought £200’s worth of Good News Bibles from the Bible Society - on condition that I give them away. An Albanian New Testament for an ice cream man was rather expensive – you can guess his token of thanks.]
- Do you have any questions about religion? [The idea here is to leave the door open for further discussions.
“No, but what are denominations?” There followed my half-hour lecture.
“No! I’m an atheist! I’m not interested in religion.” Atheism is a religious belief, of course. The lady hurried away to attend to her work. Interestingly: behind her was the ornate sign at Matthew Wallis’s ‘Amusement Arcade and Rock Emporium’. This could not have made itself – it is the work of a skilled sign writer; human life is far more complex!
Some people like to claim that they are neither Atheists nor Evangelical Christians – they are sitting on the fence; I told one man, “There is no fence!”
It is like: “Have you claimed the £1 million you have won on the Lottery?” “No, I’m sitting on the fence.”
“No thank you, I have been born again. I was brought-up Eastern Orthodox, but became a Christian in a Pentecostal church. … British Christians are lazy! … I just love telling people about Jesus." This was probably the best response; and we have had several fascinating conversations since.]
A LONGER QUESTIONNAIRE
IN SCHOOL TEACHING, MEETING REBELLIOUS TEENAGERS, OCCASIONALLY, I DEVISED THIS SET OF QUESTIONS – WITH A BARB AT THE END.
A QUESTIONNAIRE
Draw a circle round your replies - there may be more than one for each question.
1. Do you believe there is a GOD? Yes/ No/ Sometimes . . .
2. Do you believe IN God? No/ Would like to/ Uncertain/Yes
3. What has put you off, if that is the case? No evidence/ Religious people/ Evolutionary Theory/ It would mean giving up too much/ Would need more help than is available
4. What is your opinion of the Bible? Ancient Mythology/ Good Literature/ I have no idea/ God Speaking/The most important book in the world/Good in parts, but I need to edit it
5. Do you go to church? Never/ Occasionally/ Weekly/Several times a week
6. Do you read the Bible? Regularly/Never/ Sometimes/ Often/Right through, each year
7. What do you think about Jesus Christ? Deceiver/ Deceived/ Trickster/ Good Man/ Prophet/ God in Human Form/ Great Teacher/ A Legend who never really existed/An historical figure only/ Something else . . .
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CHALLENGING QUESTIONS
1. What is your belief about God?
2. What do you mean by the word "God", when you use it?
3. What evidence do you have for your beliefs?
4. How do you explain the complexity of the Universe and of living things such as the Human Body?
5. If you do
6. Do you think death is the end?
7. What positive evidence can you offer for this belief?
8. What would you say to convert a person to your beliefs?
9. Do you think
In the days when I had the health to walk round the Country Park, it was a pleasure to listen to Mike Kellogg, a broadcaster of the Moody Bible Institute, reading the New Living Translation of the Bible. On one particular day, it was the Book of Judges. A Park Warden stopped and asked me what I was listening to.
“Stand firmly, because you will be shocked! I’m listening to the Bible - and it’s about a lady killing a man by driving a tent peg through his skull!”
Not the best start to speaking about the Christian Faith.
Two good questions
1. Are you certain you are saved, and going to Heaven?
2. If someone asked you, “How do I become a Christian, now?” what would your answer be?
A longstanding friend was challenged by a member of his congregation to enter a church team in the local pub-quizzes. This led to many interesting chats over the meals which always followed. Eventually he was able to enter numerous television and radio competitions, and show clergy in a more favourable light than many TV plays. He is an Oxford MA, with a special interest in History and Archaeology.
CAUGHT OUT
My friend John Isherwood knew that I valued the book:”The Voyage and Shipwreck of St. Paul”, so he kindly presented me with his copy. The author, James Smith FRS, was an accomplish yachtsman, who lived at the end of the time when merchant ships were powered by sail – he held conversations with sea captains before writing his book.
And so I found myself on a flight to Malta. The leader of our foursome believed in arriving at checkout at the last moment – hence, we were spread out down the aircraft. I was by the aisle of the Boeing 737, next to a tall young chap, whose wife had the window seat. In our conversation I explained to him the research of James Smith into Paul the apostle’s shipwreck on Malta, fully supporting Luke’s description in the Book of Acts. There is a large bay named after the apostle, a huge statue, a church on the site of the famous bonfire, and an impressive annual celebration of the event – which we attended.
“You must have a high regard for the Bible,” came at the end of my “lecture”.
“Yes, it’s like the Instrument Panel of an aircraft, in a way.”
“What sort of work do you do?”
“I’m a Junior Officer on the Irish Ferries;” so much for my chat about a sea voyage!
[On the return flight, similarly, the gentleman in the next seat told me: The last time I flew over Trieste (as we were doing) I was in the rear gun turret of an air force Halifax heavy bomber.]
WITNESS FOR THE DEFENCE
Rebecca Pippert had taken her seat on the flight. A quick prayer apropos talking about Jesus to the lady in the next seat: Sue loved travel and meeting new cultures too. But a conversation stopper was that Sue was fluid about gender - "If I want to be a man on Monday, and a woman on Wednesday, who cares?" She believed in Karma, but thought the World was falling apart, it's a mess. People either need recovery programmes for addictions, or psychological therapy for being wounded. "Who in the World has the power to heal the heart?"
Rebecca told how she had come from Agnosticism to becoming a Christian.
At luggage retrieval: "Becky, I am embarrassed to say this, but if I emailed you, would you write back?" Then the real witness for the Lord Jesus Christ began.
[pages 24 and 25, "Idea" magazine, and Rebecca Pippert's book, "Stay Salt"]
[2] BLAISE PASCAL’S WAGER
Pascal (1623-62), a brilliant philosopher and mathematician, who worked out how his father could win most of his bets, and invented the first calculating machine - often mentioned in the history of computers; proposed a challenge to all of us to place a bet.
If we live and believe that there is a God, and then find that we were wrong, and there is no God or afterlife: we have lost nothing!
If there is truly a Divinity, then He is greater than the Cosmos and the complexity of Genetics. We are wise to respect such a Person, and find out what He has communicated to us in the Scriptures of Jews and Christians. To believe that the Big Bang and Evolution created all from nothing - all the energy, matter and information, is to believe in convenient fairy tales.
[3]
I walked into a Church Charity Store
“This is a nice charity shop; it’s a church one, isn’t it?
“Yes.
“I have read the Gospels: about His life and teaching; and parts of the Old Testament.”
“You need to realise that Jesus died for your sins, on the cross, and rose from the dead.
“I’m doing that, and I am starting to feel better, already!”
“You must learn more about the holy life, by reading the Bible.”
“Do I have to start going to Church?”
“It does help.”
“Oh dear! But: Don't judge the Star by his fan club!
[4]
I was most disappointed that some of my friendly neighbours declined to accept a free Bible for their young children. They would probably say that, although they do not believe in God (which they did say), they do not wish to influence their kids; but let them think and chose for themselves. The Bible Society sells boxes of about £100 worth, on condition that there is no charge, in giving them out.
The Story of a Toy Yacht
In a fishing town, a small boy built a fine model yacht, with a little help from his Dad. He sailed it on the sea: from the sands, or from the steps of the harbour: using a ball of strong cord, to prevent its loss. One sad day, however, it somehow came loose,, and he lost his prized possession. Three months later he saw it being offered for sale, in a second hand shop in the high street. The shopkeeper told him it would cost him £25 GBP, but he would reserve it until the boy had found enough money.
When eventually he regained his boat, he reflected: "Its mine, because I made it, and also because I paid the price for it."
The two factors governing the sailing of yachts are: the keel (stopping the vessel from keeling over), and the action of the wind in the sails: giving momentum. In the Believer's life, we have the power of the Holy Spirit, and the stabilizing effect of the Word of God.
5 Crosses
1. When a military airfield is shut down, the runways are marked with a cross at each end. They are no-longer working; just as keeping God’s law no-longer is a way of being saved. We are saved by trusting the Lord Jesus Christ to save us, and forgive all our sins.
2. In adventure stories, X marks the spot where the Treasure is buried – Jesus’s Cross is the place of the Greatest Treasure.
3. When children and adults want to end a letter with the assurance of their love, they finish with a row of Crosses. Here is the sign of the wonder of God’s love for each one of us.
4. Marking sums wrong. Grandma asked how the little boy liked going to school. “My teacher really thinks a lot of me – she has put crosses right down the page of me arithmetic answers.” The Cross of Jesus shows the sinfulness of sin in God’s sight.
5. On a map it is the demarcation of Cross roads: we have three possibilities: turn right or left, go straight on; so it is with the message of Salvation by the Lord Jesus: accept, reject, or do nothing to make a change (which amounts to a rejection).
Before leaving to start Post Graduate Studies, I attended a church and heard Arnold Pickering, a Pharmacist, tell these two stories.
The Captain of a midget submarine led his two vessels out under darkness. At a given point, he opened the sealed orders. They were to anchor precisely off the coast of Normandy, pointing on a bearing, and hoist two red signal lights; he was so disappointing at such an innocuous mission! But, they were the mooring lights for the huge Mulberry Harbour, which was ready to be floated across the English Channel in the invasion, which would bring an end to the Second World War.
Arnold was at his grocer’s, to shop for the weekend. The delivery boy was waiting for his cardboard box to be loaded for the next delivery. As the weight mounted, Arnold said to the boy, “Tell the man it is getting to be too heavy!” “It’s alright, Sir, he’s my father, and he knows how much I can carry.”
[5] Most people have a nose, a mouth, and a letterbox! Leaflets can reach an awful lot of folk: a whole street, parish, town or city CAN BE REACHED IN THIS WAY.
On delivering leaflets there are many opportunities to meet people and hold conversations about spiritual issues: in businesses, front gardens, washing cars, passing in the street, etc. Have a map of the area, and mark the streets covered, on it. An insert could give details of Church services, and contact details - with permission.
Just think of all the letterboxes in your area awaiting a gospel leaflet.
Have you evangelized your family/street, village, town, county/state, yet?
“Day One” organisation has a set of 33 well-written and varied leaflets.
One of the best tracts in English is Roger Carswell’s: “God’s unfolding plan for you”. Order a selection from: chris@printbridge.co.uk Prices are reasonable, but postage to other countries may be charged. He has many communications and books: "Grill a Christian", Answers to tough questions, is a brave and very readable production, by 10Publishing, UK. Meet him on the Internet, including YouTube.
I beg of you to consider this challenge.
On a more regular basis could be distributing the suitable church magazine to local homes. Evangelistic papers such as "New Life" can be purchased and given on a monthly basis - to established customers, and in new areas.
Some Fellowships produce their own; as for example “Lives Transformed” by Milnrow Evangelical Church in Lancashire, UK. This is one of the best I have seen.
A fine set of varied tracts/leaflets are published by www.10ofthose.com – based at Leyland, UK
You can lead a horse to water; but you cannot make it drink!
True, but you can put salt in its oats.
[The attractive testimony of our lives in Christ]
[6]
[7] Tim Tebow
Many Christians in sport give witness by pointing to Heaven in gratitude for success, or by crossing themselves.
We thank God for the life of former England footballer and Christians in Sport Trustee Cyrille Regis, who died yesterday at the age of 59.
Cyrille was a legend of West Midlands football and best known as a centre forward for West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City.
Christians in Sport General Director Graham Daniels said:
“Cyrille was an outstanding footballer but much more importantly an outstanding man. His courage as one of the first famous high profile black footballers meant that he became a role model which has changed the canvass of professional football. His faith in Jesus Christ, which he arrived at after the death of his close friend Laurie Cunningham, became a fantastic encouragement to many elite sportspeople to consider their relationship with the God who gave them their talents. The man was a giant in his generation.”
Just the third black player to be capped by England, Cyrille was a pioneer in the fight against racism in football. He played 614 matches and scored 158 goals in a 19-year professional career, which also saw him make five appearances for England. Cyrille’s career highlights included winning the FA Cup with Coventry City in 1987 and scoring the goal of the season, while playing for West Brom in 1981-2. He also had spells with Aston Villa and Wolves, which cemented his popularity in the region.
It was the death in a car crash of his best friend and former teammate Laurie Cunningham in 1989 that prompted Cyrille to ask questions about faith. His search for answers ultimately led to him becoming a Christian after what he described as “a real encounter with Jesus”.
After Laurie’s death, Cyrille started attending church and soon a local Baptist Minister sent him a book called A New Dimension by Michael Green,
Cyrille said: “As I’m reading this book, the penny drops. It really sinks in that Christ loves me. He died for me and He rose again from the dead and this awesome sense of peace comes over me.”
Cyrille soon became involved with and supported by Christians in Sport as he looked to live out his faith as a professional footballer. Following his retirement in 1996, he became a sports agent and remained passionate about sharing his story of faith.
He said: “I meet people all the time, some famous, some not who are all looking for hope and peace. I have learned that money cannot buy peace of mind so I simply tell people how I found hope and peace in God. The great thing about it is that anyone can have the peace that I have, you just need to know God.”
A member of Renewal Christian Centre in Solihull, Cyrille was a keen advocate of Christians in Sport and joined our Board of Trustees in 2011. Cyrille was also the first interviewee when we launched the Christians in Sport podcast in 2016. On it he shared his story of faith and football with General Director Graham Daniels.
Christians in Sport prayer Letter
Reggie White, of the Green Bay Packers in the NFL, had a similar dramatic effect - BOTH CHRISTIANS.
Neville Knox, one time Town Clerk/CEO of Harrogate (UK), a gifted evangelist, recommended being familiar with the Sports Pages, if you wanted to reach out to men.
Kirk Cameron is an American actor best known for his role as teen Mike Seaver in the US television sitcom Growing Pains (1985–1992), a role for which he won two People’s Choice awards and was nominated for two Golden Globe awards. Kirk’s acting career has included many subsequent TV roles and movies, including faith-based films such as the Left Behind series (2000–2005) and Fireproof (2008). To many, he is better known for his overt public stance on his Christian faith. See www.creation.com
Perhaps my friend’s concern was with the point of contact: common ground, the starting places in our presentation of the Kerugma.
Some of his later tracts have briefly referred to topical events – like the high transfer fee of a famous soccer player – and followed this with a succinct statement of the Gospel.
[9] A most unusual method of evangelism is through novels, and the biographies of Christians
Joel C. Rosenberg is an eminent writer, his political spy novels have been prophetic, at times.
A SHORT STORY
Gold Rush Double Jar
Australia c 1884
We are looking westward in an area little better than desert scrub. There is a long, decrepit wooden and stone building, left by long-gone gold prospectors. The wind-etched boards rattle in the wind, and the roofing flaps and groans.
From behind us appears the main character: Double Jar. He ties his horse to a wooden bar – intended for that purpose. He is a muscular man, untidy, in reddish face and hair. There are two theories apropos his strange name – both probably correct.... He walks to the west, along the south side of the semi-ruin, assessing the possibilities of its usefulness to him; he knows that Troopers are tracking him. Although the sun is high, it still casts a shallow shadow. The first part of the ruin was probably a general store; the far end, which he approaches, a schoolroom.
As he disappears from view, a second horse is tied-up. The owner is most unusual: tall for a woman, her slimness accentuated by her long black dress. For these parts her complexion is remarkably clear. Her long attractive face is enhanced by her dark eyes. Why such gifted women link themselves with criminals is a great mystery. Her choice could have been the largest house in a hundred square miles, seek a position In Service there, and in two decades be the Lady of the House. The barrel of her rifle matches her dress; other features are more chestnut: the rifle’s stock, her horse, and her riding boots. Her name is Abigail, which can be shortened to Abby or Gail; her late drunken father made the choice – rejecting Alice, a popular name at the time.... Her mother liked the ecclesiastical sound.
With an effusion of sound, the Troopers arrive. The sound was not only of the animals, but also the crackle of random shots from all parties. They ride fast, and close to the sides of the ruin: one on the north, two on the south. They secure the horses in the shelter of the western end. For an hour the men search tentatively among the silent rooms. Abby holds her post at the eastern wall; a stray bullet has inflicted a flesh wound in her upper left arm – the material of her sleeve is torn but she manages to stem the flow of blood from her slender arm.
The Troopers are not known in the town by their baptismal names, only as Trooper One, Two and Three.
Suddenly, many events take place within the period of a minute. Trooper Three has climbed onto the roof and has Jug in his sights; but before he can fire, Abby’s rifle, held courageously, crackles, and he falls in a curious cartwheel to the side of the north wall. In fact, he slithers a few yards: to first planks of a solid wooden bridge over the dry creek which is parallel to the building. He lies still – with his feet to the north - as a pool of blood both congeals in large dark red lumps, and soaks into the timber. Jug has stepped out of cover to stand behind Number Two – ten yards from his back.
“Raise your arms to the side and drop your weapon!”
“Move towards your horse and ride away!”
He did, and shortly, a distant cloud of dust showed the location of the fortunate man. Fortunate, because it was reckoned that Jug had killed seven men, in the pursuit of easy gold, and it was not sensible, or easy, to argue with his reputation.
Abby had concealed herself at the eastern end. Trooper One foolishly stood outside of the north wall. Jug slid off the roof like an agile cat, and stood behind him.
“March with your arms spread sideways, and drop your gun!”
Slowly the two shuffled towards the west end. As they drew level with the bridge, there was the slightest of movements. Number Three was not quite into the future life. With a last brave effort, he brought a successful end to his current duty. Steadily he aimed at Jug’s neck; and fired. The bullet brought relocation to the base of Double Jug’s skull, upper vertebra, soul, and spirit. His next appointment would not be with a Circuit Judge, but with The Judge of all.
The mother’s cottage and garden were remarkably attractive for the area. Abigail was told to rest and nurse her well-dressed wound. Her parent spoke musically with a gentle but authoritative voice. Several months of recovery had passed, and Abby was talking to her mother: “What was that favourite verse, which meant so much to you?”
The senior lady went for the old family Bible – although she knew the verse by heart. The book was the size of a small suit case, too heavy for small children to lift. In the front was a place for family records, which showed that her father had originated from Worcestershire in England. Some of the engravings were of paintings by John Martin. Unlike many examples of this kind of book, it was worn out, and ready to be made into firelighters. Her mother read the passage of two verses: “For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works lest any man should boast.”
Much later, when Abby was in her eighties, she remembered that day well. In spite of her considerable sins, she had felt herself washed deeply, and thoroughly clean. It was as if a great gate had opened to a wonderful new life of hope; full of good, kind, and meaningful adventures.
Inspired and influenced by the anonymous ballad, “The Old Bark Hut”, and other works in “Classic Australian Verse”, Collected by Maggie Pinkney, The Five Mile Press, 2007, Australia
Also drawings by an Australian Artist known as Lawrence.
ANOTHER SHORT STORY
The Man in the Chippy (a deep fried fish, and potato chips takeaway)
He came in after me, and obviously ordered a large helping of chips, but no fish - salt but no vinegar. His appearance was interesting. I was curious to know what kind of business he did. He was average height; light grey hair, slightly curly, and thinning. He wore a dark suit, but his shoes were a discordant light brown. His glasses were expensive gold framed. All rather a mystery. After he had left, I went to the door to view his car, to see if it gave any clues. It was a black Range Rover (valuable), but I could not read the registration details to assess its age. So that was that: a conundrum.
It was ten years later that I saw him again: on the X47 bus in Heckmontwistle, Lancashire, UK. Like me, he was an OAP (Old Age Pensioner), who had given up driving, and started using his free bus pass.
The town had a special significance for me: years ago I knew the Vicar of the Parish Church. He had been a Sixth Form Prefect, wearing the regulation black gown, at the Royal Grammar School. I was a student on teaching practice. The Head Master insisted that I had to put on a gown to teach Religious Studies, so he had lent me his – ten sizes too big! I remember, there was a loquacious boy in one class called Abraham. When I chided him: “If you don’t be quiet, you will have had your lot,” the class saw the joke (in the Old Testament of the Bible, Abraham had a nephew called Lot). Not many school children today would understand the quip. When the Professor came to hear me teaching, he observed: “You cannot teach on being Born Again, in John chapter three, in only one lesson.” I had to agree: the school’s syllabus allocated three lessons – this was the third. Our Professor said, that the main point in teaching Religious Studies was to bring boys and girls to a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. The Prefect would pray for me as he passed the classroom. At that time the school saw a spiritual awakening. Fifteen boys returned to the school, having been converted on a day trip into the countryside, organise by a local teacher. The programme had included several testimonies by scholars, a short but clear presentation of the Christian Good News, and many conversations on the return journey. These fifteen boys told there their stories in the Christian Group, and fifteen more were added to their number.
Back to the man in the Chippy: on the bus, he turned in his seat to converse. “Nobody talks to you these days.” Earlier on a bus, everybody had their mobile phones switched on, the only person who didn’t was a young woman next to him - with her head in a book. We were both happy to chat. He was a retired businessman: children’s clothing and toys, which he dealt with wholesale throughout the region. Yes, he knew the local churches; but then all churchmen are not necessarily saved disciples, who know Jesus as Lord and Saviour. With this in mind, I offered him my business card - designed for such people. In twenty minutes, we reached his village, and parted company....
[10] Santa Claus: an unusual way of telling the Christmas History and its meaning
ON STANDING IN FOR SANTA CLAUS
There have been many interesting experiences in playing the part of Santa: in school, church Fayre, Public Library, and Prison.
“That’s not Santa, its Dougie,” my neighbour’s daughter in Castleton.
“Why do you want a Magician’s Set for Christmas?” “So I can make my brother disappear.”
My family pulled my leg about being Father Christmas, so I didn’t always tell them when I was on duty. At St Martin’s Fayre, one of my family came to enjoy the Vicar’s wife’s brilliant lunches. On returning home: “Where have you been – I didn’t see you at the Fayre?” “Well I was in my Grotto, wasn’t I?” To prove it, the “Observer” had my photo in the Wednesday edition.
At the local prison, the Chaplain was remarkably talented at selecting presents at the warehouse, for particular offspring. With a certain girl in mind, he bought a lavender coloured toilet/bathroom set. Unfortunately a boy chose it; gently - “Why did you pick that?” “So I can give my Mum a Christmas present.”
One little boy picked the large fire engine, as planned – he played with it all afternoon sending it across the floor to his Dad.
Acting the part, I could be quite outrageous: to a Governor – “What do you want for Christmas?” A voice from the back: “Early retirement!”
To the Roman Catholic Priest: “You do realize I am one of your Bishops.” “Yes, quite.” Santa was originally the Bishop of Myra.
“Whose Birthday do we celebrate at Christmas?” “Well its no-one in our family.”
“How do you cope with our gas fired central heating, and no chimney?” “I rely on Quantum Theory.”
“How are the reindeer, and where are they now?” “They are fine, thank you; and at twenty thousand feet, playing football.”
I always looked for chances to explain the true reason for the season; and that Jesus taught that giving brings more happiness than receiving. (Acts 20:35)
Rather like this, at Easter Time, to start a discussion of the Gospel when buying Hot Cross Buns.
[11] Until recently, when using UK currency, the 10 pound note gave an opening for discussion: Charles Darwin - the historical figurehead behind Evolution and Theistic Evolution; as opposed to Creationism.
[12] Chaplains
Hospitals, which must recognise their vital role in comfort and recovery: Gideon Bibles, Visitors. In the UK the road sign for a hospital used to be a Cross, and Sisters always started the day with kneeling to pray in the centre of the ward.
Schools: Sometimes official policies, Scripture Union, Gideon New Testaments, Visiting Speakers, various organisations such as Message Trust
Universities: several groups such as Agape and the Christian Unions, etc have a marked effect
Prisons – many are godly, some are not, Muslim Coordinators are found in some: Proclaim Trust with copies of Barry Woodward’s book “Once and Addict”, Visitors, local churches helping with services – some have seen conversions and baptisms, Alpha in Prisons has seen remarkably low re-offending rates
Armed Forces: David Pawson served as an Airforce Chaplain – publications, courses, visitors to on-camp meetings, externally financed visitors such as SASRA – Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Scripture Readers Association, Officers Christian Union, high ranking officers have been known to run Bible Studies in their homes
"Chaplaincy brings a personal touch - people feel they can be listened to as individuals. If chaplaincy was established in every club, I believe it would be of huge benefit to the game as a whole"
Sir Ian McGeechan, OBE
Former Head Coach British and Irish Lions
An A level scholar of mine
Among Royal Families, Leaders of Nations, and Local Leaders, there are some which have godly chaplains.
[13] it is a good idea to write out your story - how you became a Believer is not the same as why you believe.
I was brought up in a keen Methodist family – attending church and Sunday School until about 17.
With my Dad away in the Army and my Mother having to work, I was a very naughty child – the neighbours often shouted at me and slapped me. My Granddad was a kind of surrogate father: he was very kind, but his greatest gift was a hard smack behind the knee, when I was naughty.
When my father was on military service, during the Second World War, he ostensibly disappeared for a large part of a year - as he had warned us. Aged ten, I was praying a childhood prayer for him, when I became aware or a person in the room, and saw a bright column of light - in spite of the thick Blackout curtains. Although I was working on a copy of a Burne-Jones type of drawing of an angel, this was simply a column of light – not what I might have imagined. I heard a voice saying that on the following day we would receive a letter. At half-past nine, I went outside to see my mother’s joy as she showed the letter to a neighbour. Later, my limited knowledge of probability reckoned that there was only one chance in about three hundred of the message coming true that day. It prevented me ever becoming “an honest atheist”.
As a student, I was standing at a bus stop thinking about the main issues of life. Would my ambitions really satisfy: to be top in sport, as a military pilot, and an artist? Someone would do better. Has anyone proved there is a Heaven, or a Hell – life after death? Is there certain victory in temptation – my record was not good, and could land me being killed, or put in prison – there was Armley Gaol just two miles down the road. Has anyone proved to me there is a God? To be wrong on this would be life’s greatest mistake. I remembered the text: Matthew; 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” So I prayed along these lines: “If there is a God up there, and you said this; I am giving you a fortnight to prove your existence!” Within the day, I had indications; but the real proof was the vision of the angel.
Trying Theosophy and Séances etc offered very ungodly guidance, and at the former, the leader said: “We do not know the way to God – that is why we come here.”
Compulsory military service brought much spare time – to read the Bible and pray, in the station church. One morning, I saw a clear picture of myself falling down a deep shaft – a true portrait of myself deserving Hell for my sins. On a ledge was Jesus holding out His arms to save me: I grasped His hands, but it was His strength which held me! I heard the Holy Spirit saying: “You are prepared to trust Jesus as Lord and Teacher, but you need Him to save you!”
One day, I read The Acts of the Apostles chapter 10. How the Holy Spirit fell on the household of a senior non-commissioned officer, and they spoke in tongues (unlearnt foreign languages). I thought: "I would like that;" and it happened to me, just briefly.
I have found following Christ exciting and thoroughly resolved, as to the true meaning of life and existence.
Many kind people helped me: two Christians on RAF Basic Training, who argued with me, the pale girl via Hull Art College, who greeted me at an evangelistic rally "Nice to see you. Are you saved?" the chaplain, who let me use the station Church and his vestry, John Isherwood, who explained Justification by Faith from Romans, my Squadron Leader, who worried about me, and many more, over the years.
God loves me, not because I am lovable, but because He is love, and loves. The Lord is merciful to me because he is the God of all mercy, not because I deserve it.
Years ago I lived near a picturesque lake, and I would take an early morning warm drink and sit by the shore. On one occasion, a youngish Asian couple walked out along the jetty in the distance and engaged in a romantic Hollywood embrace. When they returned, the lady went to sit in the car, and the fellow came up to me. “You look religious, what is your story?”
I had been well prepared to have my religious story ready at any time; so I told him about how I became a true Christian.
He had degrees in History and Islam; his wife’s father had been a confident of the old King of Jordan.
[14] Stories
It is always good to have a few stories ready, when starting a conversation.
To make the point that I am a Church Member - what do you think of the Church? etc
Trolley Token - I put mine in the collection, by mistake. Someone pinned it with a note, on the Church Notice Board.
To raise the question of the next life
I was placing an order by phone, using a Debit Card: the lady was attempting to be friendly, and instead of asking for the Expiry Date, asked "What is your Expiry Date?" My reply: "I have no idea; but I am looking forward to it!"
THE STRANGE DEATH OF SOMERSET MAUGHAM
Somerset Maughan was one of this country’s most
successful writers. He led an exotic life: he was a spy without
people knowing, he was married, but was ferociously gay … , he was fabulously
wealthy – he famously ate off silver plates, with eleven servants waiting on
him hand and foot (how unlike the home-life of a Vicar). He wrote:
“I am content that with my last breath, my soul, with its aspirations and weaknesses,
will dissolve into nothingness.”
The reality, however, was far from
that. In 1965, at the age of 81, he died. His nephew
describes what happened at his death.
“That evening, in the Drawing Room after dinner,
Willie (Somerset Maughan) flung himself down on the sofa. ‘Oh,
Robin,’ he said, ‘I am tired.’ He gulped, and buried his head in his
hands. Suddenly, Willie looked up, and his grip tightened on my
hands. He was staring at the floor, his face contorted with fear,
and he was trembling violently. His face was ashen as he stared in
horror ahead of him. He began to shriek: ‘Go away! I’m not
ready! ‘I’m not dead yet; I’m not dead yet, I tell
you!’ And his high-pitched terror-struck voice seemed to echo from
wall to wall. And he died.”
Canon David White, in a sermon (Chorleywood,2011)
I was travelling into town by bus, when I realized that the tall elderly man sitting behind me was a “Jehovah’s Witness”. I spoke: “You are a Jehovah’s Witness aren’t you? ... May I ask you a question? ... What must I do to be saved?” He hesitated for quite some time. In the end he could not answer. “But the apostle Paul, in Acts 16, had a clear answer, when asked that question: 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!'”
A gentleman was selling raffle tickets for the British Heart Foundation in our local shopping mall. At best, my £2 might win me £1,000. I explained that my current investment earned me a return of capital plus 10,000%. This is Jesus’s promise and was guaranteed. His reply was that you couldn’t take it with you when you die. My retort: “No, but you can send it on ahead!”
THE TYPING POOL
I was in the Typing Pool handing in some work. My job encouraged a discussion about all the evil in the World. Yes, I said, God would punish the wicked: Hell is for bad people and good people. Heaven is for perfect folk, like me! There were roars of laughter all round - perfectly forgiven through Jesus’s death on the Cross.
I worked with a man who was a famous rugby player and became a Head Teacher in a boys school in Batley, Yorkshire. He insisted on using the cane - in fact the boys called him: 'Instant Whip'. My friend Roger taught there. On one occasion he was faced with a case of caning a naughty boy. "I will do a deal with you, if you will agree to it. I will take your place, and you can cane me." The boy relished the idea, and made the most of it! The teacher then said,"Now, that is what Jesus did for all of us, when he died on the Cross of Calvary!"
The teacher had a chatterbox named Rodney Sugden - and a second caning was obviously going to be too much for him. His friend Arthur Milner said, "I spoke, Sir."
"No, you didn't. But will you take the cane for Rodney?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Will you let him, Rodney?"
"Oh, yes, Sir!"
The teacher then explained how Jesus took the "cane" for us all, so that we could be forgiven by God.
Mr Prideaux was a Sunday School teacher, and a fine
preacher. He would hold his hands a few centimetres apart, and say,
“I love you so much.” Then holding his arms outstretched, like Jesus
on the Cross, would add, “Jesus loves you so much!” One day he stood
at the top of a steep street, off the Scotswood Road, and recognised one of his
scholars two hundred metres away at the foot of the street – too far to speak
to him. He simply made the two enactments: hands only a short
distance apart; and then outstretched.
A village clergyman was holding Bible studies with a reluctant, reserved, man who had started attending services. After some time the fellow became slightly excited, saying, “You know I believe this is all true – am I now a Christian?”
The Vicar asked him several questions: “Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God? ...Do you know you are a sinner needing saving? ...that Jesus died for you on the Cross, and rose again for your salvation?”
The chap replied in the affirmative to all these questions. “Then you are a Christian!” The man had great joy. Over the years he became a faithful, active, supportive, and trusted member of the congregation.
The story is told of a retreating SS Nazis Army Officer escaping from the Russian Red Army, towards the end of the Second World War: whilst hiding, he realised that the tattoo of his blood group under his armpit would give away his identity, and make him a target for torture and a cruel death. He took a pocketknife and carved away the tissue and the dangerous tattoo.
So we must urgently be rid of the condemning guilt of our sins!
When the Rev Pat Ash was Vicar of Otley (Hotten in "Emmerdale"), he had a metre high banner along the railings of the church, in the main street: "This Church is for sinners only".
A low-key type of witness to people who may have internet Access:
My name is Douglas Barrett Wilkinson. When I Googled my name, there were 13 million of us – an All-in Wrestler, and a supplier of agricultural fertilizer, to name two! Fortunately I have a middle name: Barrett. When I use this, there are only five hits; and they are all me. Hopefully they will become inquisitive.
A STRANGE YARN
I had returned from Military Service to complete the final Art College year. As a new Believer, I joined with some fellow students in starting a teatime Christian Group. On this particular day, we had a young Curate from Guiseley to speak – he was saying that as Followers of Jesus, who had found salvation and forgiveness through the Cross, everything would change – like if you fall for a new girlfriend, you might start parting your hair, and behaving differently. David Hockney, a most talented student, had arrived late, and ostentatiously sat beside the speaker and opened his packet of strawberry jam sandwiches. We all knew that Hockney had done just that: she was a very smart Commercial Art student – gone was his Stanley Spencer fringe, and obvious was a neat parting. Hearing the Curate’s words brought smiles to the group, and blushes to David’s face.
THE MAN WHO WAS “Q”
Fans of James Bond will know of “Q” – the ingenious Quartermaster, who supplied Bond with cunning devices.
Ian Flemming, the writer of the James Bond stories, served in Naval Intelligence during World War II; here he met the real Quartermaster: Charles Fraser-Smith.
In 1940 Fraser-Smith spoke at a Church in Leeds: telling of his inventiveness whilst farming in Morocco, and of the two orphanages he had founded there.
There were: hair brushes which concealed maps; miniature saws hidden in bootlaces; fountain pens, cigarettes and false teeth, which contained magnetic compasses and telescopes.
He was a man of great missionary interest and a very active Christian (the Gideons and the Bible Society, etc) – right up to his 88th year.
(From an article by Richard Wilkins, of the Association of Christian Teachers.)
[15] Acts 1:8 encourages us to start where we are. Before supporting missionary work abroad, we should put money and effort, into reaching our own family.
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Mark 5:18-20 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him.
19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
[16]
“Jared Cornutt is a graduate of the University of Alabama where he earned a BA in Political Science and a BA in history. He is currently pursing a Master’s of Divinity in Pastoral Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has worked for LifeWay’s FUGE Camps for 3 summers and recently served as camp director. He enjoys discipleship, studying the Word and working Disciple Now’s with a little Alabama football on the side.
(Viewed 06FEB2014; email: “Feel free to use it! Jared”)
I am submitting Jared’s article from the Internet for consideration.
Context:
This quoted is credited by most people to St. Francis of Assisi, Founder of the Franciscan Order. The quote is essentially saying live you life in such a way that it just screams out Jesus. The truth of the matter is we have no way in proving St. Francis actually ever said this. None of disciples, early, or late biographers have this written down from his sayings. It also is not found anywhere in any of his writings. So when people quote St. Francis with this, they are flat-out wrong. There is zero historical evidence to support that St. Francis ever said this. The closest he came to saying anything like this would be:
“No brother should preach contrary to the form and regulations of the holy Church nor unless he has been permitted by his minister .
Simply put, practice what you preach. If you look at his disciples, biographers, and his writings the credited quote to him is in no way how he lived his life. This quote does not line up in any way in the thinking and theology of St. Francis. So the first thing we must realize is St. Francis never said this to our knowledge.
Why it is wrong:
1. The quote is wrong for many reasons, one way is that it spews arrogance. I live my life in such a way that people see Christ through my actions. Now, I do believe we should live worthy of the calling we have received as Paul put it in Ephesians. We must remember though that our righteous works are like filthy rags.
2. It can be used as a cop-out sadly. People will use this justify not evangelizing. That the way they live tells people about Jesus. This simply not what the Bible teaches.
3. If someone has no idea who Jesus, how will they gather who he is just by how you live your life? Duane Liftin said it best:
“It’s simply impossible to preach the Gospel without words. The Gospel is inherently verbal, and preaching the Gospel is inherently verbal behavior.”
Also, Paul has a good word in Romans 10:14;
“How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?”
4. Romans 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Simple enough.
5. The gospel is the declaration of something that actually happened. That is why Jesus commanded us to go to the nations and tell them. He did not command us to go live among them in a holy way, and let our actions preach. And since the gospel is the saving work of Jesus, it isn’t something we can do, but it is something we must announce. We do live out its implications, but if we are to make the gospel known, we will do so through words. I can appreciate the heart and intent of why people post that quote, but let us not live our lives that way. Let the Gospel come out of our mouths truthfully and constantly. (credit Ed Stetzer to much of this point)
The gospel requires, demands even, words. So, let’s preach the gospel, and let’s use words, since they’re necessary. May they be clear and bold words that call those inside and outside the church to follow Jesus. I’ll leave you with this quote from Mark Galli:
“‘Preach the gospel; use words if necessary’ goes hand in hand with a postmodern assumption that words are finally empty of meaning. It subtly denigrates the high value that the prophets, Jesus, and Paul put on preaching. Of course, we want our actions to match our words as much as possible. But the gospel is a message, news about an event and a person upon which the history of the planet turns.”
[17] ] Wearing a badge
This should be done with care. Folk will
recognise you to be a Christian, without you being aware of it; and they will
watch your behaviour! A churchman was standing, on a crowded
commuter train, when a personable lady asked him about the cross he was
wearing. He was very pleased to explain the meaning of the
Crucifixion to her. When they stepped out onto the platform, she
said, “Actually I am a nun, but I wanted the other passengers to hear your
explanation of the Gospel!” Take the famous “Fish Badge”: the Greek
word for fish (ichthus/ixthus), can stand as an acronym for “Jesus Christ God’s
Son Saviour”.
Without being aware of our witness, reminds me of
my wife Florence’s experience. As a little girl, she was taken to
the home of old deaf Grandpa Farrar, a Sunday School teacher. He sat
by the fire, reading his Bible aloud, quite unaware of the little girl
curled-up, hiding under the drapes of the dining table. This was so
impressed on her memory. Later she became a trained Methodist Local
Preacher, at the age of seventeen. She subsequently preached from
the pulpit where Smith Wigglesworth and the Jeffreys Brothers had ministered.
[18]
Among the millions of ways, the placing of a quotation is one.
a.
The Professor Stephen Hawkins quotation:
Here is a quotation from one of the chief, and most admired proponents of this idea, Professor Stephen Hawkins:
“Our universe and its laws appear to have a design that both is tailor-made to support us and, if we are to exist, leaves little room for alteration That is not easily explained and raises the natural question of why it is that way ... The discovery relatively recently of the extreme fine-tuning of so many of the laws of nature could lead at least some of us back to the old idea that this grand design is the work of some grand designer ... That is not the answer of modern science … our universe seems to be one of many, each with different laws.”
Here is recognition of the evidence; but a denial of its implications: because of an already accepted World View.
(Professor Hawkins quoted by Professor John Lennox from “The Grand Design”, pp162, 164; “God and Stephen Hawking – whose design is it anyway?” p47, Lion Hudson, Oxford, 2010, ISBN 978-0-7459-5549-0, £4.99)
b.
The Gravestone quotation, initially humorous,
In a graveyard south of Dublin:
Oh
stranger pause as you go by;
As
you are, so once was I,
As
I am, so will you be,
So
be prepared to follow me.
Someone had written below:
To
follow you, I'd be content.
But
hanged if I know which way you went.
c.
On opening the morning paper, a man found himself
reading his own obituary. He quickly phoned a friend to see if he
had seen it. “Yes – where are you phoning from?”
Ask a person to read Isaiah 53, and ask what they think to it – I carry a printed page, as I am learning it by heart.
e.By Julia Pascoe,
UK Director I stood next to Jacob*, an Orthodox Jewish man booked on the same flight, both of us recharging our smartphones. He told me that he was anxious to get home for work in Hendon.
“Hendon!” I exclaimed. “You’ve probably seen the shop where I work.”
“Which shop?” he asked.
“The Jews for Jesus shop.”
“Oh, that shop!” he exclaimed. “Hang on, I have to message my friend back home and tell him I’m talking with a Jew for Jesus!”
Resuming our chat, I asked him what he thought about Jesus.
“We know that Jesus was Jewish,” he said, “but what you believe is not true.”
I asked if he’d ever read what the Hebrew prophets wrote about the Messiah’s birth, life, death and resurrection. Our phones still charging, I asked him to read Isaiah 53 with me. He looked it up in Hebrew on his app, while I opened it in English.
Jacob read aloud, but I soon realised he was reading Rashi’s** comments from the Talmud, not the Hebrew Scriptures. (Rashi insists that the “he” in Isaiah 53 is Israel, while the prophet Isaiah clearly says in verse 5 that the servant is a person, not a nation.) I asked Jacob to put Rashi aside and read the text directly from his Tanakh (Hebrew Old Testament). Jacob paused at verse 5 where Isaiah says, “He would be pierced for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities…”
Jacob agreed that our sins have consequences. But he believes that we must deal with our own sin, that it is not God’s responsibility. I explained that only God can forgive us. Only He can rescue us from the punishment we deserve. Jacob strongly disagreed.
By 1 A.M. – and still no sign of boarding the plane – I decided to stay in Kiev and fly the next day. Jacob decided to stay at the airport and wait. He asked for my contact info so we could carry on our conversation. I gladly gave him my Jews for Jesus card!
I’m thankful that the Lord truly redeemed my time at the airport. Please pray that Jacob would consider the One of whom Isaiah spoke as we approach Passover, and that the Lord would redeem Jacob!
*not his real name
** Rashi is an acronym for Shlomo Yitzchaki, medieval French rabbi and author of commentaries on the Talmud and Tanakh.
HOT-CROSS BUNS When paying for a packet: The Cross means everything to me (explain). "The Cross" was shorthand in the New Testament for Atonement and Salvation.
[19] A Challenge
The Two Lepers
2 Kings 7
(1) Elisha replied, "Hear this message from the LORD! This is what the LORD says: By this time tomorrow in the markets of Samaria, five quarts of fine flour will cost only half an ounce of silver, and ten quarts of barley grain will cost only half an ounce of silver. "
(2) The officer assisting the king said to the man of God, "That couldn't happen even if the LORD opened the windows of heaven!"
But Elisha replied, "You will see it happen, but you won't be able to eat any of it!"
(3) Now there were four men with leprosy sitting at the entrance of the city gates. "Why should we sit here waiting to die?" they asked each other. (4) "We will starve if we stay here, and we will starve if we go back into the city. So we might as well go out and surrender to the Aramean army. If they let us live, so much the better. But if they kill us, we would have died anyway."
(5) So that evening they went out to the camp of the Arameans, but no one was there! (6) For the Lord had caused the whole army of Aram to hear the clatter of speeding chariots and the galloping of horses and the sounds of a great army approaching. "The king of Israel has hired the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us!" they cried out. (7) So they panicked and fled into the night, abandoning their tents, horses, donkeys, and everything else, and they fled for their lives.
(8) When the lepers arrived at the edge of the camp, they went into one tent after another, eating, drinking wine, and carrying out silver and gold and clothing and hiding it. (9) Finally, they said to each other, "This is not right. This is wonderful news, and we aren't sharing it with anyone! If we wait until morning, some terrible calamity will certainly fall upon us. Come on, let's go back and tell the people at the palace."
(10) So they went back to the city and told the gatekeepers what had happened--that they had gone out to
the Aramean camp and no one was there! The horses and donkeys were tethered and
the tents were all in order, but there was not a single person around. (11)
Then the gatekeepers shouted the news to the people in the palace.
[20]
Try talking to others about Jesus, as though you
had just discovered Him yourself.
[21] In my view, every Believer should carry a
Bible or New Testament, and be ready to read it in public places – as you
would a novel or a newspaper; and to give it away to anyone who does not have a
copy, and will read it.
The Cancelled Train
Ten minutes gave me ample time to change platforms… but no need: the express out of Victoria had been cancelled.
The slow train would take me part of the way, and give a pleasant place to continue my reading: a charming gilt-edged edition of the RSV, New Testament and Psalms. I was at 1 and 2 Timothy.
The carriage filled just prior to departure, and, at the last moment, a tall young lady in a long black overcoat took the seat by me.
“Hello!” she said.
“Do I know you?”
“No.”
“It’s very kind of you to say Hello.”
For the next few minutes she was talking on her mobile. I deduced that both her mother and father were caring people, and that she had come towards the end of a very long journey.
“Mobiles can be a mixed blessing,” she said. “Are you reading an interesting book? Well, you wouldn’t be reading it, if it wasn’t interesting!”
“It is the most interesting book in the World!”
“I believe that book; but I don’t like the Church.”
“I’m reading One and Two Timothy – and the Holy Spirit doesn’t think much to the Church either.” [He does love it, and has committed Himself to it, however.]
We talked about judgement and Heaven, the death of Christ for our sins, and resurrection. Jehovah’s Witness heresy – like believing that conscience is the Holy Spirit.
I deduced that the positioning of her head indicated a hearing limitation – so I had to talk louder than normal…. An eminent Oxbridge retired vicar, who had been sitting further down the train, gave us an encouraging smile, as he left.
Cancelled trains, are not always disasters.
[From a Parish Magazine]
[22] Paul’s openings of the Galatian and Roman Letters
The importance of the Good News is made abundantly clear in this passage.
Firstly we have the use of the word euangelion – good news and its pronoun.
15 times 1:6 – 4:13
Then we have references to the content of the Message – the Kerugma:
1:6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—
1:7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.
1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!
1:9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!
1:11 I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up.
1:12 I did not receive
2:2 I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain.
2:5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.
2:7 On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter (the Gospel - Greek original) had been to the Jews.
2:14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?
3:8 The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”
4:13 As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you.
Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes:
KERUGMA CONTENT
1:1; 1:4; 1:6; 1:15-16; 1:23; 2:6 (NIV); 2:16; 2:21; 3:5; 3:8; 3:13; 3:22; 3:24-26; 3:29; 6:14.
Romans 5:1-11 is similar.
[23] Make the most of every opportunity
As far as we know, there will be no evangelism post our resurrection – in Heaven. The time may come in this life when evangelism is limited – by age or infirmity.
[24] Use of Heresies
As I said earlier, we can make use of local heresies.
A neighbour might ask: "The Jehovah's Witnesses were round yesterday: why do you think they are wrong?"
"They do not believe in the eternal deity of Christ; they believe that salvation is by our own obedience to the Law, and not by faith in Christ's atonement; they cause the deaths of children, and their own members by refusing blood transfusions!" Paul appears to see the use of heresies in this way (1 Corinthians 11:18-19). The common ground is the idea that a certain faith is wrong - we are discussing the issue from the same side.
Or this account of a meeting with Mormons: On the bus, I spotted two Mormon missionaries; one was witnessing to a lady sitting in front of us.
“Your religion is utter rubbish! The Bible tells us not to add to it; and you do!”
“Oh no we do not!” came his reply.
“Every time you go to Church on a Sunday, you carry two books: the Bible and the ‘Book of Mormon’.
A day or so later, the doorbell rang.
“Who do you think I am, and why am I here? He asked.
“You’re a Mormon!” I stated.
“No… I’m promoting ‘n-Power’….”
We both had a good story to tell!
How do Muslims differ from Christians, they both have caused harm in the World, and both have a holy book?Whereas the Bible contains hundreds of precise literary cross-references between writers: the Qur’an has only vague uses of recollections of stories and characters – hearsay: as Arab peoples would not have access to the text of the Jewish Bible, not being able to visit synagogues where copies were kept.
I was travelling into town by bus, when I realized that the tall elderly man sitting behind me was a “Jehovah’s Witness”. I spoke: “You are a Jehovah’s Witness aren’t you? ... May I ask you a question? ... What must I do to be saved?” He hesitated for quite some time. In the end he could not answer. I pointed out: “But the apostle Paul, in Acts 16, had a clear answer, when asked that question: 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!'” How can serious Bible Students not know this answer?
A JW gentleman called at our house, we had a sympathetic chat, and he left me their current "Watchtower" magazine. It was well produced, with promising arguments on finding "Truth". They still use the obsolete translation of the Divine Name YHWH, instead of the better "Yahweh". The article on God and Christ is
A neighbour, who is not yet a Christian, makes the point that God is Love; but overlooks the fact that He loves the World, and He loves Justice.
[25] Philemon 1:6 I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
[27] Giving or lending DVD’s or books
"Bridge Builders" encourage us to carry copies of the Gospels to hand out in our witness. Their help can be found via: www.bridge-builders.net
This very impressive DVD programme can be investigated at
This ancient photo serves to illustrate. Six Form students booked for a holiday in Holland, to visit many of the iconic Dutch galleries. They lodged at a Catholic a facility (opposite a military airfield, and near the Royal Palace), the leaders were Christian Art Teachers and two Oxbridge students, under Branse Burbridge (DSO, DFC and Bar, MA[Oxon] - a WWII night fighter pilot); and the Principal of a Dutch Bible College. Professor Rookmaker gave Art History lectures, and the whole excellent course had a strong Christian content - organised by Scripture Union in Schools.
[29] A powerful argument against the Gospel is the false idea that Evolution has disproved the Bible; I feel this in witnessing. Much of serious science is based on the assumption of an ordered Universe; many of the West's great scientists were Christians.
Here are two items offered to our Church Magazine:
BOOK REVIEW
Among the Christian people I have met are Theologians and Scientists some of which believe in Evolution under the Hand of God, some in a Six Day Creation.
“In Six Days” Why fifty scientists choose to believe in Creation, Edited by John F. Ashton, PhD, Master Books, 2012, USA
Perhaps not a good idea for my Book at Bedtime – in some parts I was reminded of the most difficult Six Form Lessons in Physics and Chemistry, of schooldays.
Professor Richard Dawkins, called the Apostle of Atheism and the Prophet of Evolution, complained recently about children being told fairy stories – because they were unscientific.
I offer a few examples from the essays.
Professor Andy McIntosh has retired from Leeds University, and worships at a church in Lancashire.
In Ecology: living systems are incredibly dependent on each other to be sustained.
The basic, First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics will not allow for evolution in our Universe.
Professor Baumgardner (USA) works in the area of Catastrophic Plate Tectonics, and like so many, finds his research being in harmony with biblical creation and Noah’s Flood.
Dr Nancy M. Darrall, speech therapist at Bolton Community Health Care Trust (UK); has worked on the connection between electricity generation and environmental pollution.
Professor Werner Gitt, Information Science and Technology, Hanover, Germany
Dr Don Batten, Agricultural Science from Sydney University, Australia
Forty-five essays to go!
Summary
There are only two real options.
A third possibility is Theistic Evolution – God created all by evolution over billions of years.
RELEVANTIt would be wonderful if young people were able to "evaluate scientific evidence". Unfortunately the modern dumbed-down school science syllabus makes this unlikely; there is little scope for actual understanding.
On the contrary, I doubt if many professional biologists have actually evaluated the evidence for evolution. When they do, they may develop concerns about it, but dismiss these on the grounds that everyone else believes it so it must be true. The herd instinct is quite strong in science, and any biologist publicly expressing doubts about evolution would find it difficult to get a job. That means that serious research into alternatives has to be carried out by amateurs or academics in other disciplines.
There are good scientific reasons to doubt evolution, quite apart from what the Bible teaches. The apparently spontaneous creation of information, in flat contradiction to thermodynamics and information theory, is one of them. To get round this most biologists either ignore it or claim that life is not fully subject to the laws of physics (thus agreeing with creationists!). It suits atheists to pretend there are 'God vs. science' debates. These are usually actually 'science vs. science' debates. There can be no conflict between true science and Christian belief.
Dr Dave Kimber, via email
“In Your Words”, p36, IDEA, The Magazine of the Evangelical Alliance; March/April 2014 [Adapted]
[30] ABBA
When as a little child, my father held me close, a common sensation was the rough stubble on his cheek, - I had his full attention - his ear.
Abba is an Aramaic word, drawn from the everyday language of Palestine – often heard on the streets, its Hebrew base is often used in the Old Testament, but rarely of God. It is also a title for rabbis and a proper name. As the first word a child might learn, it is equivalent to our word Daddy [or Papa] and is laden with a warm sense of intimacy. The word is found in our Bibles in a combined form, "Abba, Father," which links the Aramaic word with the Greek word for father (abba, ho pater). It may be that the Greek word is added to explain the unfamiliar abba to believers beyond Palestine. But even in Palestine in NT times, the combined formula was used in prayer and as a way family members addressed the head of the household. No slave or servant in the household had the privilege of using this formula to address his master.
This fact underlies the argument in Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:6, two of the three NT occurrences of abba. Paul wants us to grasp the dramatic change of relationship that comes with being a Christian. We believers no longer address God as would a servant or a slave. We come to the Lord in the full assurance that we are family.
The full intimacy of our relationship is sensed in the only other biblical use of the phrase. "Abba, Father" was the anguished cry of Jesus in Gethsemane, anticipating the agony of Calvary (Mk 14:36). When we hurt, we too can call on a God who welcomes us into his arms as dearly loved children.
Gerhard Kittel: “Jesus probably used abba for God not only in Mark 14:36 but also whenever the Gk pater occurs. It denotes childlike intimacy and trust, not disrespect. In Paul … it may be a liturgical reminiscence, possibly the opening of the Lord’s Prayer. It undoubtedly expresses the new relationship with God proclaimed and lived out by Jesus and then experienced by believers in him.”
Mark 14:36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
Romans 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
Galatians 4:6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”
It is an indication that the child exists here, quite soon after birth
Our weakness and immaturity is being confessed
His supremacy is being acknowledged
It indicates closeness, intimacy, and dependency
We are greatly honoured to have this privileged position
God wishes us to use this word, because it gives Him pleasure
Jesus and the Holy Spirit use it
[31]
BOOK REVIEWS
“STREET PASTORS” and “FAITH ON THE STREETS”
Les Isaac with Rosalind Davies
ISBN 978-1-84291-419-9 and ISBN 978 1 444 75009 6
These two books tell the history of STREET PASTORS, the first in the early days, the second to 2014.
Les Isaac reckons that 75% of people will ask him to pray with them: from business managers, bouncers, and lads and lasses.
Besides the lengthy negotiations, there are marvellous testimonies of the work done by Street Pastors.
The disrespect shown to Christians by a secular society is ignorant of the huge success of work such as this, and Alpha in Prisons - in reducing crime and re-offending.
Please pray regularly for this brave and valuable work!
[32] POSTERS
What a terrible disgrace it is that many of us fail to witness through posters.
Philippians 2 verses 15-16
Trinitarian
An extension of this, is to carry a banner, or poster on a board mounted on a pole, through the community, from time to time. This was done by someone through the university campus; the Theology Professor reckoned they changed the Gospel poster to "Be sure your sins will find you out!" when they approached his department. A man carried such a poster at a race meeting, and for many years it appeared on the news introduction on television. For a cost, posters can be displayed on railway platforms, on bus or lorry sides. If the banner is large, Police permission may be required.
[33] Born AgainA commonly misused expression.
If there is a family where one member is particularly wayward and evil, how we might wish that they could be born afresh with a totally new DNA!
You may think this is farfetched, but here is one of millions of similar accounts.
From Rev Miles Toulmin’s sermon at Holy Trinity Brompton, London, UK
"TOM TARRANCE is a mentor to a friend of mine
– they meet about twice a year; but he was not always the good
guy. He was hunted and tracked down by the American intelligence
agencies. In fact he was on Edgar Hoover’s list of the top ten most
wanted men in America – for acts of terrorism. Eventually they
tracked Tom down, and they decided they were going to take him, and arrest
him. And a whole squad of the team were in place. They
went to a gate with him, but he resisted. And in the darkness, at
point-blank range, twenty-six snipers opened fire on him. They shot
367 rounds of ammunition at him. Amazingly Tom
survived. They rushed him to hospital – he recovered, was
prosecuted, and put in jail. Now being the sort of chap he is – he
rapidly escaped from jail; so they had to do it all over again. And
they put him, this time, in solitary confinement in a cell 9 foot by six
foot. He was allowed out once a week for twenty minutes.
"Whilst in that cell, one day he noticed
graffitied on the wall: the words from Matthew (’s Gospel), “What does it
profit a man, to gain the whole World, yet lose his own soul.” There
and then, Tom asked Jesus into his life. And he was filled with the
Spirit. The agent who had orchestrated and the capture of Tom went
to the prison to interview him. He said that in the first 60 seconds
he knew that something had happened – such was the change in this man. He
felt uneasy, and couldn’t work it out, and left. Within 2 weeks,
that agent had become a Christian. Eventually Tom was let out early,
and he tracked down 22 of the 26 snipers who had shot him. He
tracked them down, to go and say to them personally, face-to-face, “I am
sorry!” Such was the change in this man’s character that 21 of the
22 snipers came to faith in Jesus Christ. This life is there for us
– not just when we get to Glory; but now!"
[34] ANGELS, DREAMS, AND VISIONS There are many accounts, from around the World, of God using these miraculous ways of revealing Himself to people. These are seen in my own experience, also. One Christian, who has worked in the Middle East and North Africa for thirty years, knows of hundreds who have been converted through a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I was sitting by myself in the corner
of a railway carriage, reading my morning portions of
Scripture. Half way through the journey, a lady with two teenagers
came and sat down opposite me. She was rather agitated, and asked
“Are you psychic?” I most certainly am not! But I wanted to
understand more about her, and the question. The night before,
staying in a YWCA, she had dreamed of entering a railway compartment, in which a
man was sitting in the corner reading a Bible. We discussed religion
– her sister annoyed her by asking: “Are you born again?” “Do you know Jesus in
a personal way?” I explained that recently my sermon at a Baptist
Church, near the route of the train, had been on Spiritual Regeneration – Being
Born Again. She was a Baptist, and a schoolteacher. My
friends think she had had a nightmare.
[35] The Engels Scale was devised by missionaries working in a South American country, as a means of identifying the process of evangelism.
No awareness of God
Some awareness of God
Awareness of Christians
Contact with Christians
Interest in Jesus Christ
Investigate Jesus
Grasp the truth about Jesus
Accept Christian truth
Awareness of need
Become a Christian
Quoted in the reverse order by Rev Rob Frost. "Sharing Jesus in a New Millennium". SU. UK. 2000.
[36] Old Age and Incapacity
It is said that Smith Wigglesworth, in his aged years, used to occupy a seat at a local bowling green to engage folk in spiritual conversation.
A dear local lady witnessed to fellow residents in the Residential Home, and led several to salvation in Christ. An elderly business man, Donald Daisley, in Leeds, always travelled First Class, because he saw a need to have a witness there.
Psalm 92:14 They will still bear fruit in old age…
[37] Bible read by David Suchet - GB£39.99 from church bookshops, or Amazon
Internet Daily Bible Readings by Nicky Gumble of Holy Trinity Brompton (the home of "Alpha").[38] CHRISTIAN CHARITIES, ALTRUISTIC WORK, AND MISSIONS
These show the love of God in practical ways:
World Vision and the similar TEAR Fund [The Evangelical Alliance Relief Fund - both widely supported, and used, helping of the poor; including supporting individual needy children],
The Barnabas Fund, and Open Doors [two fine organisations which inform and stand-up for the Persecuted Church], PLEASE JOIN AND PLAY YOUR PART.
Dr Barnardo’s, Salvation Army,
Mission Aviation Fellowship [fly various branches of church workers over difficult terrain,
Christian Blind Mission, Book Aid, Pilgrims’ Friend Society [gives advice and support relative to the pains of growing old],
The Leprosy Mission, Mercy Ships, Christian Aid, Christian Solidarity Worldwide,
Victory Outreach UK,
Christians Against Poverty [a widely admired source of counsel and practical help for those trapped in poverty],
Interserve - Kitab [a highly respected missionary society - and their book division],
Christian Action Research and Education (CARE) [presenting advocacy from grass-roots to Government], Christian Blind Mission (Medical),
The Hospice Movement [one of the glowing developments of recent decades, mainly initiated by church members],
Samaritan’s Purse International,
Sisters of Jesus Way (Wirrel, UK),
IJM, International Justice Mission - seeking justice, usually by locally trained professionals, helping the oppressed
Redeeming Our Communities [based in Manchester UK, working together, particularly with the Police towards, safer kinder communities].
CitizenGO is a community of active citizens that seek to defend life, the family, and fundamental rights worldwide
Missionary Ventures - personnel and short-term teams to help needy fellowships in other nations, and national offices.
TOYBOX changing the world for street children
Most of these have Web Sites and approachable offices.
[39] PARA-CHURCH GROUPS
Spreading the teaching and good news of the Lord Jesus Christ:
The Church Army,
Bible Societies
TEE Tools to Equip and Empower - International teaching courses to train church members to be informed and competent (Interserve)
Scripture Union [encouraging private Devotional Reading, working with youngsters in schools, and Summer Camps - which are often based on specialist interests],
Church Pastoral Aid Society - including publishing,
Christian Television Association etc have joined for marketing as: the brilliant AOvision,
Premier Radio,
Baptist Missionary Society etc,
Christian Endeavour,
Regents Theological College, and numerous evangelical study centres,
True Freedom Trust, Reachout Trust [dedicated to warnings against heresies],
Reelife Recordings, United Christian Broadcasters, CBN, etc,
Evangelical Alliance [standing for Church Unity and church development and Mission],
The Mission to Seafarers,
Operation Mobilization [the huge and influential mission],
Evangelism Explosion, Children’s Ministry, Language Recordings UK,
Spring Harvest, and similar conferences etc,
Far Eastern Broadcasting Association and other broadcasters,
Bible Reading Fellowship, Torch Trust for the Blind,
Crusade for World Revival,
World Evangelisation Crusade - the missioary society started by C. T. Studd - the eminent sportsman, Church Mission Society,
Alpha [base at Holy Trinity Brompton, London, UK. This has seen International and inter-denominational influence, resulting in wonderful conversions. Decried by a few, often otherwise fine Christians.]
Word of Life (a mission to other faiths),
Bridge Builders - encouraging sharing the Scriptures,
Scripture Gift Mission - Lifewords,
Christian Enquiry Agency, Deo Gloria Trust, Release International, Christian Publicity Organisation, Agape, Prison Fellowship International [started by Charles Colson - Special Council to US President Richard Nixon, and caught-up in the Watergate Scandal],
Min-y-don, Christian Adventure Centre etc,
Youth For Christ, Youth With A Mission, National Young Life Campaign – Beach Missions, The Message Trust (The Eden Project), Urban Saints (Youth Bible Teaching), Soul Survivor,
Creation Ministries International (critiquing Evolutionary hypotheses),
Open-Air Mission, Open Air Campaigners, Faith Mission,
Agape Arabic Christian Centre, Asian Christian Books, Boys Brigade,
Day One Publications,
ODB Our Daily Bread (Originally - Radio Bible Class; Day of Discovery TV, Discovery Series booklets on many key subjects),
Sat-7 (TV to North Africa and Middle East),
Fellowship of Christian Motorcyclists, Christian Motorcylists Association
“Friends and Heroes” children’s TV cartoon films,
God TV,
Gospel for Asia,
City Missions, British Pakistani Christian Association, Canal Ministries,
Bethlehem Bible College, Cliff College etc,
Christian Medical Fellowship, Christian Police Association, Christian Resources Exhibition, Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Conservative (Party) Christian Fellowship, The JESUS film Project, Christians in Library and Information Services, Creation Research, Cross Rhythms, CLC Bookshops, Christian Dental Fellowship,
Hillsong London and Sydney etc., Keswick Conventions - UK and International - Clayton TV Keswick - for the Bible Studies,
London School of Theology, Leeds Trinity University, Lee Abbey Fellowship, Maranatha Community, Moorlands College,
Messianic Testimony, Reach Beyond (radio), Riding Lights Theatre Company, Soon Ministries, Steve Legg (escapologist),
SASRA (Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Scripture Readers Association,
Storykeepers, The Pais Project,
Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF),
Trans World Radio, Veggie Tales, Wycliffe Bible Translators,
CBN - Christian Broadcasting Network - 700 Club,
Good News Broadcasting Association,
Hatikvah - Jewish and Christian concerns,
Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, talks and books by Amy Orr-Ewing, and Michael Ramsden
evangelismideas.com 70 organisations including Trans World Radio,
Christians in Sport,
Jews for Jesus (and similar organisations – they offer 365 Messianic Prophecies [there are more]),
Billy Graham on Youtube, Jay Smith on Youtube ( PfanderFilms), Derek Prince Ministries - including Youtube. Derek was wonderfully blessed in Teaching, and in most of the miraculous Gifts – so had a wide experience. Roger Carswell - Youtube, etc.
Joel Rosenberg - novelist, journalist, Jewish Christian - an authority on American politics, and the Middle East.
Reform and kindred organisations - revival of biblical Anglicanism
GAFCON - Global Anglican Future Conference Church of England Evangelical Council, CEEC
BGEA - Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, on the Internet - "Searching for Jesus" 200 finding salvation every hour
Professor Alister McGrath - books and talks; highly recommended
Francis McNutt - on healing - also Kathrine Khulman
Luis Palau Association (UK etc)
Counties UK, and their Neighbourhood Chaplains
Wycliffe Bible Translators
Kensington Temple (Elim)
Go and Tell Ministries, Wayne Hudson, a good friend - please contact his web site
Links to Azusa Street Mission, where the worldwide Holy Spirit Revival started; and Smith Wigglesworth – again people who were close to both, and an incisive ancient recording of George Jeffreys preaching in the great Pentecostal Revival (YouTube etc)
Recommended sites for downloading talks and sermons:
St Helen's Bishopsgate, St Andrew's Chorleywood, Holy Trinity Brompton, Christ Church Fulford Sheffield, Talking Theology Cranmer Hall Durham University, Simply Put, Church Society Sound Cloud, Anglican Unscripted, Hollybush Christian Fellowship
Most will have Web Sites, material to download, and approachable office staff
United Beach Missions at Llandudno with my little Granddaughter
Ffald-y-brenin This remarkable visitation of God and spiritual work in west Wales,UK, is worth looking into. www.ffald-y-brenin.org
[40] HOSTILE WITNESS FROM ANOTHER RELIGION
In a medical waiting room, a forceful, hostile and frightening Muslim, in a bullying demeanour started a discussion. I pointed out, that until he had read the Qur'an and the Bible in his mother tongue, I would not discuss with him. Many Muslims are distressed when they understand their own Holy Book. What is the morality in killing another Human, to gain paradise for one’s
self.
A BOOK REVIEW
“IN THE LAND OF THE BLUE BURQAS” by “Kate McCord”
‘I lived in Afghanistan for five years, I learned the rules – I had to.’
All the names in the book have been changed for security reasons. Though in the midst of a high-powered career, the talented American writer left all, sold everything, and went to Afghanistan to start a non- government organisation (NGO) with the goal of helping Afghan women. She taught herself the local language and served there for more than five years; only leaving when it became too dangerous to stay. She wishes us to know the Afghan men and women she has come to love in Jesus’s name. The great chasm between Islam and the teaching of the Honourable Jesus Messiah was immense. This is one of the best, most significant books I have read for a long time.
Moody Press, Chicago, USA, 2012, £10
A STRANGE WAY TO WITNESS
This is one of the ways the City of Sydney, Australia, honored this man. He decorated various locations with the word written in chalk, in his inimitable style. A word which troubles the unsaved, reminding them of the seriousness of life. He probably thought there was not much he could do .....
OPEN AIR MEETINGS
These can range from the great rallies numbering a million or so: held by the famous Evangelists, to the small village green, city centre, or beach mission.
A fine face-to-face evangelist called Julian will also stand listening to a street preacher to help in starting a crowd.
It is good to stand at a short distance away, and hand leaflets to those who have decided to leave. Always be on the look-out for interested folk to chat to after the service.
Taking questions from the listeners draws people into the group.
ANOTHER STRANGE WAY TO WITNESS
An Iranian, Christian husband and wife were driving through the central part of their country. They had committed themselves to witness to someone each day, and had a stack of Bible to give away, in the back of their car.
Towards the end of a day, they drove up to a petrol station to buy fuel and drinking water. A man leaning against the shop was obviously a Muslim extremist – he carried a gun. The husband said that he did not feel the Holy Spirit leading him to witness! The wife said that on Judgement Day, when this man was excluded from Heaven, she would tell Jesus that her husband had declined to witness to him. “If you want a martyr for a husband you can have it!” he shouted, as he slammed the car door.
After a fumbling start he started a conversation and offered the man a Bible. Whereupon, this tough looking fellow burst into tears. He told how he had been waiting for two days, after seeing a celestial being, in a dream, telling him to wait on this spot and someone would give him the book of life. He came to saving faith in Jesus.
Told by Amy Orr-Ewing, of All Saints Church Peckham, at the New Wine (South) Conference, 2007.
An important article by David Garrison – taken from the highly respected Evangelical Alliance by-monthly magazine IDEA, July/August 2015, page 30.
The greatest turning in history
Over the past three years, I travelled more than a quarter of a million miles into every corner of the 'House of Islam' - the name that Muslims have long given to an invisible spiritual empire that stretches across the Muslim world, from West Africa to the Indonesian archipelago - to investigate unprecedented reports of multiplying movements of Muslims who are turning to faith in Jesus. The House of Islam encompasses 1.6 billion Muslim men, women, and children. For nearly 14 centuries, Islam has been expanding, drawing into its orbit millions of followers. Today, for the first time in history, we're seeing a change in this growing tide of Islamic advance.
My research revealed that we are living in the midst of the greatest turning of Muslims to Jesus Christ in history. Where is this occurring? How is it happening? And why is it happening today?
I interviewed Nadia, a 43-year-old Iranian widowed mother of three. She said: "From my childhood I have been very curious about Jesus. I felt there was an empty place inside of me. I learned that one of my cousins had become a Christian. I asked him for a New Testament and I read it. Inside I was in a revolution. So I prayed: 'God, show me what is really true'. As I read it, I felt my heart open like an old door. From that time on, Jesus' work started inside me. It was a strange happiness like nothing I'd ever known."
Gathering interviews from more than a thousand Muslim-background followers of Jesus Christ like Nadia, I discovered that something historic, unprecedented, is happening. My core question to these Muslim-background followers was this: "What did God use to bring you to faith in Christ? "What I learned was that God is orchestrating something profound. God is using events and avenues that are unique to our day to bring about this turning. To understand the gravity of this historic moment, though, we need to look back over the past 14 centuries of Muslim-Christian interaction.
Since Muhammad first launched his monotheistic religion, tens of millions of Christians, as well as Buddhists, Hindus, and
Animists have been swept into the House of Islam. What I wanted to know was when the opposite occurred? When have we seen a movement of at least 1,000 Muslims from an Islamic community turned to faith in Jesus and been baptised? Baptism is important as an indicator of true faith; any Muslim will tell you that he or she loves Jesus. After all, the Qur'an exalts Jesus as a noble prophet. But to submit to baptism, an act that clearly indicates death to an old life and resurrection to a new life as a follower of Jesus Christ, one has to be firmly convinced. After all, conversion from Islam is a death sentence for Muslims. Apostasy is not an option if one wishes to continue to live with Muslim family and neighbours.
Perhaps this is why Muslim movements to Christ are so rare. My research revealed that the first hints of conversion did not occur until the year 982, which is 350 years after the death of the Prophet Muhammad. The next don't appear until the 11th and 13th centuries, and these movements were short lived, as Islam continued to expand. Then we see another five centuries of drought without a single movement to Christ.
Finally, in the closing decades of the 19th century, two movements appear: one in Indonesia (1870-1924) and the second in northern Ethiopia (1890-1910). The 20th century saw the West embroiled in its own turmoil with two world wars and a great economic depression. At the end of the 20th century, however, things begin to change. With social and political upheaval in Iran, Algeria, Bangladesh, and the collapsing Soviet Union, Christianity sees the addition of 11 new Muslim movements to Christ. Something was happening.
Then, in the opening years of the 21st century, the monolith of Islamic resistance to the gospel begins to crumble. In just the first 12 years of the 21st century, we can identify and document a surge of 69 additional movements of at least 1,000 Muslims coming to faith in Jesus Christ and believers' baptisms. Behind the veil of violence and conflict that so plagues the Muslim world, thousands of Muslims are walking away from Islam and placing their trust in Jesus as the Son of God and unique pathway to salvation.
How is this happening? On the one hand, it is the ageless story of men and women encountering the living Lord in humble submission. On the other hand, it is the unique confluence of Bible translations, the prayers of God's people, the rise in global interconnectedness through the Internet, satellite television and radio, and the faithful witness of God's people. God is orchestrating all of these factors together in our lifetime to bring about the greatest turning of Muslims to faith in Jesus Christ in history.
David Garrison's book, A Wind in the House of Islam, is available now, published by WIGTake Resources.
A recommended book: "THE WORLD ON OUR DOORSTEP" Evangelical Mission and other Faiths, by Dewi Hughes, Evangelical Alliance, London 2016
This gives a compendium of wise insights and advice.
[41]
Roger Carswell is an evangelist who works with churches to put on week-long missions involving evening meetings, where impressive testimonies are shared along with a gospel message.
[1] Every day, pray God will lead you to someone with whom to share the Gospel
[2] Just talk about anything and everything – be chatty and not reserved.
[3] Carry booklets and tracts to give out when appropriate.
[4] You can’t just get into conversations time after time, with people all around you – colleagues and friends.
[5] It is hard work until someone asks a question.
A group of apologists, based in Oxford, advocate asking questions.
[6] Get it on the agenda.
[7] Any time you have a birthday, invite someone to come and give a 20-minute talk and share his or her testimony.
[8] Have confidence in the Gospel:
Romans 1:16 “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”
It is not a philosophy to be debated – there is power to be unleashed. When we winsomely and lovingly share the Gospel, it is powerful.
[9] People I’m meeting are not my enemies! The aim is to love them into the Kingdom; it is very important that we don’t go into attack mode.
(“Christianity Magazine”, based on p45, c 2000)
Krish Kandiah, an enthusiast for evangelism – he has worked for various charities and is currently President of the London School of Theology (LST), the largest of its type in Europe:
“Courses like Alpha, Christianity Explored and Emmaus have been hugely helpful to the Church and have moved us on in a helpful way, but I don't think there is a magic bullet when it comes to evangelism. I think one of the key things that the Church needs is a greater confidence in the gospel. Not as a formula, not as four bullet points, but the story of Jesus and who he was. The closer we are to him, the more likely we are to tell stories about him and the changes he is making in our lives and talk about the part of the scriptures that are really coming alive for us. If you have ever met someone who is passionate about an Apple product, they are amazing evangelists for those products and yet they have never had any training. They are not inviting you on a course to learn how to love the iPhone - they are just being incredibly enthusiastic and want you to have a go and experience it with them. I'm a big fan of courses, but I think we need courses plus a whole variety of different approaches.”
Pp20 ff, “Engage” Baptist World Mission magazine, Autumn 2015
Discussion on evangelism by Ben Francis (Associate Team Leader, and his team of Big Life Ministries, have planted over 13,000 churches in India in the last 15 years), and Chris Dunnett (former President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain) – they feel that people are well aware of their sinfulness and failure, and need to know that God is passionately loving towards them.
[42] Jürgen Klopp – Manager of Liverpool Football Club
Five hundred years ago (1517), the Church was woken up, when Martin Luther nailed up his 95 Theses.
Today in Germany, the commemoration includes editions of the Bible designed by famous people.
Jürgen Klopp's design is based on his belief about Martin Luther, which he wrote for the Protestant magazine "chrismon spezial", on the Reformation Day last year.
I have ever loved you, so I have drawn you to me out of pure goodness.
Jeremiah 31, verse 3
"I like Luther because he fought for the underprivileged and the excluded.of the small people and has risked a lot for us to have a positive image of God. The loving God, whom I believe in, is all-welcoming, regardless of colour, origin, and education.And this good news was quickly spread at the time, when my "former Mainz fellow-citizen", Johannes Gutenberg, invented printing. "
Jürgen Klopp, called "Kloppo", probably the happiest and most crazy football coach in the world, is also a deeply believing person, which he gladly announces in many interviews. He is an evangelical Christian and has talked enthusiastically about his relationship with God.
[43] A BOOK REVIEW
“Secret Believers”
Open Doors/Hodder, 2007
Not a book for the fainthearted. There is sweet romance, but also brutal murders. Written in the style of a novel, it is a wide sweeping picture made of scores of true incidents, in different countries.
If you are concerned with how our Faith survives in hostile cultures, and want a detailed account, this is a book for you.
It is a slow read, and with several foreign names, it is best to write a list of the main characters, for your own use. There is realism and encouragement; although I feel Brother Andrew’s advice for the future falls slightly short. Other Faiths need to realise that America and Britain are not Christian nations – in fact, Christians suffer persecuted in these places. Deeply religious nations of other Faiths are often failed States, with much immorality themselves.
[44] DEBATE
Those with weak or bad arguments will resort to attacking the character of their opponent, and perhaps using physical force. The accusation that Religions have caused wars may be dealt with by pointing out that Stalin and Hitler, etc have also caused wars and atrocities. Claiming to be against all religions, even counting Communism as a religion, needs to be addressing: philosophies, World Views, and Ideologies.
[45] Be prepared for the Long Haul - have patience
(From Jews for Jesus)
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Asaf, a 33-year-old drug addict had no interest in Jesus when he met Igal Vender during a street outreach. He accepted the invitation to a pop-up café for a free meal, but no sooner had he finished eating than he was ready to leave. “Wait, can I pray for you?” Igal asked. “You can do whatever you want,” Asaf shrugged, as he made his way back out to the street. Igal kept an eye out for Asaf and gradually built a relationship with him. Asaf’s story was heartbreaking. He had immigrated to Israel with his father, leaving one of the poorest countries in Eastern Europe, hoping for a better life. Those hopes were dashed when Asaf could not find a job that would cover rent and other basic needs. Getting high with some guys on the street seemed like the only way to escape the harshness of his new reality. Eventually, Asaf became a heroin addict. Petty theft to pay for his habit landed him a two-year prison sentence. He was back on the streets and using when Igal met him. Asaf refused Igal’s many invitations to his congregation’s ministry rehab house, but gradually began to welcome offers of prayer. Slowly but surely, Asaf’s heart began to soften. He finally came to the rehab house—where it became obvious that God was doing something remarkable! Asaf had clearly come to the end of himself. He accepted a copy of the Scriptures from Igal, and they read and discussed John’s Gospel. | He also sat in on the daily study groups at the house, and eventually, he was able to smile. 
Igal (right) serves with our Israel team in collaboration with Christian Witness for IsraelAbout three months after Igal began meeting with Asaf, he reported, “Today, we studied Matthew 8:23–27, where Yeshua (Jesus) calmed the storms. Asaf told me that from the moment he entered the rehab house, he felt someone calming his raging spiritual storm. He told me that he wanted to ask God to forgive his sin. He wanted Yeshua in his life. I had the joy of leading him in a prayer of faith in Yeshua as his Messiah and Lord.” Please pray for Asaf as he takes his first steps in faith, that he will grow and mature and remain drug free. Igal asks for prayer as he continues to study the Bible with Asaf and as he prepares him for baptism. Names are changed to protect privacy. |
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Pray that God will equip, gift, and call Christians to be evangelists - and open doors for us (and push us through).
[46] BOOK REVIEW
“Story Bearer” How to share your faith with friends, Phil Knox, IVP, London 2020
As each generation of churchgoers has its inspirational book: “Sacrifice” by Howard Guinness, “Who Moved the Stone”, by Frank Morison, “God’s Smuggler”, by Brother Andrew, etc; this book could be the current one.
With almost four pages of recommendations by the eminent, to quote just one might have been sufficient.
This is a remarkable, entertaining, yet serious book which is to be read carefully. The theme is obviously “tell your story” to a waiting needy World, is balanced with anecdotes, factual and rational content. Its surveys are fascinating: Gutenberg Press to Google Browser, Old Testament, Jesus’s Story, the iPhone Age, and Social Media. If it does not change you, I will be surprised.
There is copious Internet support for House Groups: video sessions and outlines.
Christian books can be purchased from
Currently Muslim people can look to God to guide through visions and dreams, and Pray to Jesus for healing and deliverance from jinn.
A remarkable article by David Garrison can be searched for on my main Blog site about Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Part One.
47. The Ascension
The Ascension is not always mentioned in the Apostolic Sermons, and the Four Gospels. It is important to discuss, however. Muslim Apologists make the point that “the donkey”, in the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, has a bigger profile than the Ascension. In this there is the attempt to deceive both Muslims and Christians. To admit to these two issues would be too much for their rhetoric! The misleading of hearers is a serious point against them.
The Ascension was a most significant and awesome event.
Firstly: the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem has massive Messianic significance relative to fulfilled prophecy, and the Jewish expectation.
Secondly: the New Testament is peppered with teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ reigning in Glory: ASCENDED. The final achievement of the event is usually referred to: rather than the ten minute journey into Glory, we have the eternal residency in the Heavenly Glory. The Ascension is woven into Christian doctrine throughout the NT
Psalm 110:1-2 The LORD says to my Lord: sit at my right hand until I make your
enemies a footstool for your feet.”2 The LORD will extend your mighty
scepter from Zion;
you will r
Psalms 47:5, 68:18,
Matthew 25:31-32 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.
32 All the nations will be gathered before him.
Matthew 26:64
Mark 16:19; Luke 24:26; John 1:18, 6:62, 7:33; 13:1-3, 14:28, 16:5,28,
John 7:39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
John 12:15-16 “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him. [This passage mentions both the donkey and the Glorification in Heaven.]
John 12:23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
John 14: 2-4 "In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
John 16:5,7 “Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’
But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
John 14: 12, 28; 16:12
John 16:28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
John 17:5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
John 17:11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one.
John 17:13 I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.
John 20:17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”
Acts 1:1-2
Acts 1:9-11 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Acts 1:22 "Beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”
[Peter’s Sermon the Day of Pentecost]
Acts 2:28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.’
Acts 2:33-36 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.
“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand
35 until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.” ’
36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
[The sending of the Holy Spirit was proof that the Saviour had Ascended to the Throne of Heaven.]
[Peter’s Sermon at the Gate Beautiful]
Acts 3:20-23 and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. 22 For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. 23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.’
[Stephen’s Defence to the Jewish Court]
Acts 5:31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.
Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. (and verses 26- end)
Ephesians 1:19-22 His incomparably great power for
us who believe; that power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which
he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his
right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule
and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only
in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And
God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over
everything for the church.
Ephesians 4:8-11 This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.” 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, (and) some to be prophets.
Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
1 Timothy 3:16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great:
He appeared in a body,
was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.
1 Timothy 6:13…16 Christ Jesus …who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.
Titus 3:3-8 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone
Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Hebrews 4:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.
Hebrews 7:24-26
Also Hebrews 8:1 ff,
Hebrews 9:24 For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.
Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The whole Book of Revelation portrays
Christ in Glory: ready to return to Earth at His Second Coming – which Muslims
, incidentally, believe in.
For example:
Revelation 5:6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders.
Revelation 12: 5 She [Israel] gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.
Revelation 19:11-16 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS
47. The Trinity
Although the word does not appear in the Scriptures, the revelation is clear in both Testaments. One, World Religion, at least, ridicules the Christian Faith because of the Trinity. A man-made or Satanic religion would readily go down this avenue of thought. In reality, God is probably far more complex than this, but it is given as a concept to help humans. Religions which have a simple and attractive understanding of God are suspect.
A common graphic illustrating the Theology of Trinity
After a Trinity Sunday morning service, at which I had taught on this topic, an eminent lady shared the relief she felt, that I said that most of us find it a difficult concept.
One is advised not to try analogies to explain the triune Divinity who is one. They invariably result in heresy. Private insights are best kept private.
The main Scriptures are: Genesis 1:1, and 26; Genesis 18:1-15; Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14
Humans are made in the “image of God” and we are tripartite: “Let us make man in our image.” (Genesis 1:26); 1Thessalonians 5:23 “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The word for God in Genesis 1:1 is Elohim – a plural noun signifying thee or more (there is a form for dual). Newberry computes that the Hebrew word occurs about 2,500 times, and “frequently occurs with adjectives, pronouns, and verbs in the plural.”
God appears to Abraham represented as three beings in Genesis 18:1 ff. 1 The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.
In the Great Commission, one Name includes the thee Persons: Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
The Apostolic Blessing: May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)
In the spirit realm, one being can have a plural manifestation also: the unclean spirits in the demoniac: Mark 5:9, 'Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.”'
Even the pagan King of Nineveh knew of the Triune God, through the preaching of Jonah bringing a message from Elohim. (Jonah 3:8-10)
Every use of the noun Elohim indicates the tripartite Godhead.
The Eternal Divinity of the Lord Jesus the Messiah and the Holy Spirit is firmly linked to this subject. Our Lord’s full title in the NT is THE LORD JESUS CHRIST; Christ is actually a title: The Christ - Messiah, the Anointed, King, Emperor, and Caesar. “Lord” is therefore Divinity – God, Deity.
A List of Scriptures partly taken from T. C. Hammond’s, “In Understanding be Men”, looking at various aspects: plurality, persons, and relationships.
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God (plural – three or more) created (as one single act) the heavens(the two) and the earth (single).
Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
Genesis 3:22 And the LORD God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.”
Genesis 18:1 and 2, The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.
Exodus 31:3, ... and I (YHWH) have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts ….
Exodus 35:31 … and he (YHWH) has filled him with the Spirit of God (Elohim), with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts—
Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD (YHWH) our God (Elohim), the LORD (YHWH) is one.
Judges 13:25 ff … and the Spirit of the LORD (YHWH) began to stir him (Samson) while he was in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.
1 Samuel 10:10 When they arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him (King Saul); the Spirit of God came upon him in power, and he joined in their prophesying.
Psalm 104:30 When you send your (addressed to YHWH my Elohim) Spirit,
they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth.
Psalm 110:1, (the whole Psalm, in fact)
The LORD says to my Lord (in the NT this is shown to be the Father speaking to the Son):
“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.”
Proverbs 30:4 c (Talking of God) What is his name, and the name of his son?
Tell me if you know.
Isaiah 6:3 and 8, And they were calling to one another:
“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
Then I heard the voice of the Lord (Elohim) saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
7:14, Therefore the Lord (Elohim) himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (God with us).
9:6, For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor,
Peace. Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
11:1-4, A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of power,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD—
3 and he will delight in the fear of the LORD.
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears;
4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
35:4 c-6 a “Be strong, do not fear;
your God (Elohim) will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you.”
5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
6 Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy.
42:1, “Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him
and he will bring justice to the nations.”
48:16, “Come near me and listen to this:
“From the first announcement I have not spoken in secret;
at the time it happens, I am there.”
And now the Sovereign LORD has sent me,
with his Spirit.
61:1, The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners.
63:10 ff 10 Yet they rebelled
and grieved his (YHWH) Holy Spirit.
So he turned and became their enemy
and he himself fought against them. ….
Jeremiah 7:11 (NT Cleansing of the Temple) Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! Declares the LORD.
23:5-6, “The days are coming,” declares the LORD,
“when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
and do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah will be saved
and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
The LORD (YHWH) Our Righteousness.
Ezekiel 3:14, The Spirit then lifted me up and took me (Ezekiel) away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD upon me.
11:24 and 25, The Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the exiles in Babylonia in the vision given by the Spirit of God.
Then the vision I had seen went up from me, 25 and I told the exiles everything the LORD had shown me.
37:1, The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones.
Hosea 11:1, “When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.” Found as a NT quotation as the Father speaking to the Son.
Joel 2:27-28, Then you will know that I am in Israel,
that I am the LORD your God,
and that there is no other;
never again will my people be shamed.
“And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy …”
Micah 5:2, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times (margin, from days of eternity).”
Zechariah 4:6, So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.
14:3-4 a, Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle.
On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem …. (This links with Luke’s details of the Ascension)
Malachi 3:1-2, “See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the LORD Almighty.
Mal 3:2 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap.
Matthew 1:20, and 23, 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.” (Quotation from Isaiah 9:6)
2:11, On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
2:15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” (quote from Hosea 11:1)
3:3, 11, 16-17, 29
3:3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the desert,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’ ” (Isaiah 40:3 has both YHWH, and Elohim)
11, “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
16 – 17 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (The three persons of the Godhead are clearly identified.)
4:1, Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted ….
8:26, He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. (This supernatural act is attributed to YHWH in the following Psalms, and to Elohim also in the first two: Psalm 65:7, 89:9, 107:29)
10:20 (notice the particle ‘of’) Jesus said, “For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”
12:18-21, 18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 He will not quarrel or cry out;
no one will hear his voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he leads justice to victory.
21 In his name the nations will put their hope.” (This passage from Isaiah is spoken by YHWH)
12:28, But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
14:33, Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
16:16, Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God.” – at Caesarea Philippi.
17:2, 5, 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.
5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
18:20, For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”
22:43-45 (Jesus quoting Psalm 110 to the Pharisees), 43 He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says,
44 “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
under your feet.” ’
45 If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?”
24:36, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Jesus’s words)
28:18-20 (referred to at the start) 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Mark 1:10-12, As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert.
3:11, 29, 11 Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.”
:29 But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin.”
Luke 1:32-33, 35, 43, He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
43 But why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
2:49, (Jesus, aged 12, in the Temple, speaking to Mary and Joseph) “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”
3:22 ...and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
4:14, Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.
4:17-19 (The reading of Isaiah 61:1 in the Synagogue at Nazareth – see above)
17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
9:35, A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him” (the Transfiguration).
24:49, I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (Jesus promising the Holy Spirit)
John 1:1-3, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
1:14, The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
1:18, No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.
1:32-34, 32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.”
3:34-35, For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.
The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.
The “I Am” sayings This is a reflection of the meaning of YHWH: THE I AM; the Divine name of the OT.
6:35, Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. (Also: 6:32-33, 48, 51)
8:12, When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (Also: 9:5)
10:7 and 9, Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture
10:11, and 14, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—
11:25, Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;
14:6, Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
15:1, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
8:58, “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
10:30, 36, I and the Father are one.”
What about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’?
11:27, “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
13:3, Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;
14:23-24, 26, 28, 23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
26 But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
15:26, “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.”
16:13-15, But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.
16:28, I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
17:1, 3-5, After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”
17:8, For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.
17:11 and 12, I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. (Cf Deuteronomy 28:58)
17:18, As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
17:21-26, ... that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
John 20:28, Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Acts 2:33, Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.
5:32, We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
9:5, (Saul/Paul’s Heavenly call and vision)“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.
10:38, … how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
20:28, Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
26:15, “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’
“ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied.” (Cf, on the Road to Damascus)
Romans 1:4, Who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
8:9 (notice the particle ‘of’), You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
8:11, 16, and 34,
11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Romans 15:15-19, I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done — by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.
15:30, I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.
1 Corinthians 1:30, It is because of him [God] that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
1 Corinthians 2:10 - 16, but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment: “For who has known the mind of the Lord
that he may instruct him?”
3:23, you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.
6:11, And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
8:6, yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
11:3, Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
12:3, And I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
12:4-6, There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.
There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
15:24, Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.
15:27 and 28,
For he (Jesus) “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
2 Corinthians 1:2, Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
13:14, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Ephesians 1:1, 4, 7,
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
4 For he [God] chose us in him [Christ] before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
Ephesians 1:9 - 11,
And he made known to us the mystery of his [God’s] will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfilment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
Ephesians 2:18 and 22, For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
And in him Jesus) you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Ephesians 4:4-6, As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
4:30, And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Philippians 1:6 and 10,
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,
2:5-11 with Isaiah 45:22-23,
Phil 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Phil 2:6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
Phil 2:7 but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
Phil 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Phil 2:9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
Phil 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
Phil 2:11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Isa 45:22 “Turn to me and be saved,
all you ends of the earth;
for I am God, and there is no other.
23 By myself I have sworn,
my mouth has uttered in all integrity
a word that will not be revoked:
Before me every knee will bow;
by me every tongue will swear
3:3, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—
Colossians 1:15-23,
He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
2:9, For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,
3:3, For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
2 Thessalonians 2:13, But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.
1 Timothy 2:5, For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
3:16, Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great:
He appeared in a body,
was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.
2 Timothy 4:1, In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:
Titus 2:13, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
3:4-6, But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,
Hebrews 1:2-6 (the whole chapter is relevant), In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son;
today I have become your Father’” ?
Or again,
“I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son” ?
And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,
“Let all God’s angels worship him.” (quotations from: Psalm 2:7; 2 Samuel 7:14; Psalm 104:4; Psalm 45:6; ****
3:7, So, as the Holy Spirit says:
“Today, if you hear his voice,
9:14, How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
Hebrews 10:7-16 (selected; quoting Psalm 40:6-8),
7 Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—
I have come to do your will, O God.’ ”
9 Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second.
10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
12 But when this priest [Jesus] had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.
13 Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, [Psalm 110]
14 because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:
16 “This is the covenant I will make with them
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.”
1 Peter 1:2 and 3, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Peter 1:10-12, Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.
It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
2 Peter1:1, 17 (above), and 21,
Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
17 (Peter the Apostle, reflects on his experience at the Transfiguration) For he (Jesus) received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
1 John 1:3, We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
Revelation 1:4-5, John,
To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
5:13, Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
7:17, For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
12:10 a, Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ.”
21:22-23, I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.
22:1, and 3, 1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.
It is sometimes perplexing as to Whom we should be praying to! But with careful prayer, thought and study it will eventually become clear.
48. Titles and achievements of the Lord Jesus Christ: Second Adam, Adoption by the Perfect Father comes through Him, Advocate, Almighty, Alpha and Omega, Amen, Anointed, Apostle, Arm of the Lord, Atoning sacrifice, Author of life, Author of salvation, Author and perfecter of our faith, Banner for the peoples, Beginning and End, Blameless, Blessed and only Ruler, The Branch, Bread of life. Bridegroom, Bright Morning Star, Brother, Capstone, Carpenter, Carpenter's son, Chief Shepherd, Chosen one, Chosen by God, Chosen and precious cornerstone, The Christ - Messiah, Christ Jesus, Christ Jesus our Lord, Christ of God, Christ of God, the Chosen One, Christ the Lord, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God, Christ, the Son of God, Christ, the Son of the Blessed One, Commander, Commander of the LORD's army, Consolation of Israel, Cornerstone, Counsellor, Covenant for the people, Crowned with many Crowns, David, King David's descendant, Deliverer, Desired of all nations, Doctor, Eternal life, Everlasting Father, Exact representation of God's being, Exalted above the Heavens, Faithful and True, Faithful witness, Faithful and true witness, The First and the Last, Firstborn, Firstborn from the dead, Foundation, Fountain, Personal Perfect Friend of His disciples - and all that this means, Friend of tax collectors and sinners, Gate, Gift of God, Glorious Lord Jesus Christ, Glory of Israel, God, God and Saviour of Israel, God of all the earth, God over all - forever praised, God the One and Only, God with us, Good Shepherd, Good Teacher, Great God and Saviour, Great high priest, Great Shepherd of the sheep, Guarantee, Head of all Authorities, Head of every man, Head of the body - the church, Head of the church, Heir of all things, High priest, Holiness, Holy One, Holy One of God, Holy One of Israel, Holy and Righteous One, Holy servant Jesus, Our Hope, Horn of salvation, the I am, Immanuel, Indescribable gift, Innocent man, Israel, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ our Lord, Jesus Christ our Saviour, Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus of Nazareth - King of the Jews, Jesus the Son of God, Jesus, the Son of Joseph, Judge, Righteous Judge, King, King of Israel, King of kings, King of glory, King of the ages, King over the whole earth, Lamb, Lamb of God, Lawgiver, Leader, Life, Light everlasting, Light of the world, Light for the Gentiles, Light - true, Living bread, Living Stone, Lion of the tribe of Judah, Lord, Lord Almighty, Lord of all, Lord of lords, LORD Our Righteousness, Lord God Almighty, Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Lord Christ, Lord Jesus, Lord Jesus Christ, LORD mighty in battle, Lord of the dead and the living, Lord of the Sabbath, Lord's Christ, LORD - your holy one, LORD - your redeemer, the Man Christ Jesus, Man of sorrows, Man who is close to Me [the LORD], Master, Mediator, Meets our needs, Messenger of the covenant, Mighty God, Mighty One of Israel, Mighty one of Jacob, Mighty to save, Morning star, Nazarene, has a Name which is Secret, Offspring of David, Offspring of the woman, The One and Only, One and only Son, One He [the Father] loves, Only God our Saviour, Overseer, Passover -Pascal Lamb, Perfecter of faith, Perfect for ever, Power of God, Physician, Precious cornerstone, Priest, Prince, Prince of Peace, Prince of Life, Prophet, Pure, Rabbi, Rabboni, Radiance of God's glory, Ransom. Redeemer, Resurrection and life, Redemption, Revealed to his people, Righteous Branch, Righteous Judge, Righteous One, Righteous Servant, Righteousness, Rising Sun, Rock, Rock that makes them fall, Root of David, Root of Jesse, Rose of Sharon, Ruler, Ruler of God's creation, Ruler of the kings of the earth, Ruler of Nations, Ruler over Israel, Sacrifice, Salvation, Sanctuary, Sanctifier, Saviour, Saviour Christ Jesus, Saviour Jesus Christ, Saviour of the body, Saviour of the world, Holder of Eternal Sceptres, Seed of Abraham, Suffering Servant, Servant of rulers, Serves in the sanctuary, Set apart from Sinners, Shepherd, Shepherd and Overseer of souls, Chief Shepherd, Good Shepherd, Great Shepherd, Shepherd of Israel, Shiloh, Son God loves, Son of Abraham, Son of David, Son of God, Tempted in all points as we are - yet without sin,
49. CHRIST’S PRE-EXISTENT DIVINITY:
John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
Here we see the Lord Jesus as the uncaused first cause; who created everything that was made. Particularly in the New Testament Gospel of John, do we find words such as: gave, came, sent, from, and going to. Such terms indicate Christ's pre-existence.
John 16:28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
John 17:5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
John 17:8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.
John 8:58 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
Micah 5:2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.’”
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 18:1-3 The
Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.
He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by.
Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father
Isaiah 45:22-25 “Turn to me and be saved,
all you ends of the earth;
for I am God, and there is no other.
By myself I have sworn,
my mouth has uttered in all integrity
a word that will not be revoked:
Before me every knee will bow;
by me every tongue will swear.
They will say of me, ‘In the
are righteousness and strength.’ ”
All who have raged against him
will come to him and be put to shame.
But in the
will be found righteous and will exult.
John 1:18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.
John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 6:38 ff For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.
41 At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”
42 They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”
John 8:42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me.
Galatians 4:4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law,
Titus 2:13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
Hebrews 7:1-3 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever.
1Peter 1:10-11 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.
Friend (Luke 12:4 f; John 15:14-15, 21:5)Brother (Matthew 12:48, 25:40, 28:10; Mark 3:34; Luke 8:21; John 15:14-15, 20:17, 21:5)
Everything will be subjected to Him, Crowned with Glory and Honour, tasted death for everyone, brings many sons to Glory, perfected through suffering, rendered Satan's power over death powerless, a merciful and faithful High Priest, Priest for ever in the Order of Melchizedek, remembered in Bread and wine,
Assessments of Jesus by those who met Him:
The Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate - Luke 23:4 and 14 "I find no basis for a charge against this man" "Neither has Herod" Luke 23:15
The repentant Criminal at Calvary Luke 23:41: "But this man has done nothing wrong."
The Centurion at the Crucifixion Luke 23:47: "Surely this was a righteous man."
Judas Iscariot Matthew 27:4: "I have betrayed innocent blood."
The complexity of living organisms, and the huge size of our Milky Way Galaxy, point to the greatness of God and the Messiah. In 1929, the discovery was commenced that there are billions of galaxies containing billions of stars, having distances measured in light travelling for billions of light years. Why this huge extravagance? The answer is found in the last two words of Colossians chapter 1, verse 18: For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and FOR HIM.
The majesty of Creation illustrates the colossal greatness of THE CHRIST for whom the Cosmos exists. The Cosmos, which He fills (Ephesian 4:10)
Jesus is far more wonderful than you think!
[Length of Genealogy shows importance: Jesus has 42 recorded in Matthew chapter 1; a typical family tree is of two or three generations.]
We cannot pray for God to force people into the Kingdom: we must pray that they will hear the Gospel clearly.
50. THE CROSS
As an artist, I made the following observations: many “Crucifixion” paintings portray little of the real suffering: Christ Jesus is seen as uninjured, swooning figure, as in those by Sir Peter Paul Rubens (Painter and Ambassador), and El Greco, although Rembrandt did make studies in an abattoir before painting the Crucifixion.
Out of 127 reproductions of fine art, that I looked at: only ten showed Jesus injured seriously – 4 were actually on the Grunewald Altar Piece, and three were modern works; only 4 showed some sign of injury more than the five wounds of the Cross.
It is possible that when the Lord Jesus Christ had endured torture, and hung on the Cross, the following would be true of Him:
·Scalp, badly scared
·Beard torn-out, and would never grow fully again (Isaiah 50:6)
·Eyesight severely damaged
·Hearing now limited
·Body permanently scared with serious abrasions, and lacerations
·Horrendous disfigurement (Isaiah 52: 14 b)
·Severe vascular damage and resulting loss of blood
·Jaw dislocated
·All other joints dislocated – neck, shoulders, wrists and hands, hips, knees, ankles and feet (Psalm 22: 14)
·Internal organs beyond healing
·The wounds of Crucifixion nails
Then there was the additional suffering: mental, emotional, and, above all, the spiritual – the bearing of sin and separation from the Father, which we cannot measure.
The mention of the Cross in Scripture is a form of code: for all the countless blessings won for us by the Lord Jesus Christ, through His atoning death on Calvary.
1 Corinthians 1:17-18 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Galatians 5:11, 6:12 Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.
Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.
Ephesians 2:16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
Philippians 3:18 for, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
Colossians 1:20, 2:14 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.
Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”
1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
1. When I survey the wond'rous Cross
On which the Prince of Glory dy'd,
My richest Gain I count but Loss,
And pour Contempt on all my Pride.
2. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the Death of Christ my God:
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his Blood.
3. See from his Head, his Hands, his Feet,
Sorrow and Love flow mingled down!
Did ever such Love and Sorrow meet?
Or Thorns compose so rich a Crown?
4. His dying Crimson, like a Robe,
Spreads o'er his Body on the Tree;
Then am I dead to all the Globe,
And all the Globe is dead to me.
5. Were the whole Realm of Nature mine,
That were a Present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my Soul, my Life, my
Isaac Watts, 1674-1748
Isaiah 53:4-6 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
Psalm 22:1
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from the words of my groaning?
In Glory, our dear Lord will carry the marks of His Crucifixion.
John 20:19-20 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
Revelation 5:6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders.
51. AN INTERESTING STUDY OF THE WORD OF THE LORD, IN ACTS
Acts 8:25 When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.
13:44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
13:48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
13:49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.
15:35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.
15:36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.”
16:32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.
19:10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.
19:20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.
[1 Peter 1:25 but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.]
52. Harry Brearley, BEM
Written up by Douglas Wilkinson
In about 1960, attending Bridge Street Church, in the centre of Leeds, I was concerned to purchase a vehicle to use in open air preaching around Yorkshire, and to find someone to teach me to drive; I praise the Lord that both were accomplished. Harry Brearley became a good friend and driving instructor, and we worked together for many years.
When he was eighty-two, we met in October 1986, at his home at Prestatyn, North Wales, to record his autobiography, for the Cassette library I worked for as MD. We had not met for some twenty-two years.
The night before travelling, I noticed Psalm 66:16, “Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.” The very quotation he normally chose to introduce his testimony - he needed little prompting on this occasion. Although limited in eyesight and mobility, he still witnessed on the beaches, in market places and churches of the area. Often, as he told this story, tears ran down his cheeks.
He was born in 1904, in a rough quarter of Leeds, called “Little Hell”. There was no school for him … and at the age of 12, he turned to crime, caught by the police for petty theft, he was sent to a Reformatory School. It had little effect, and he was apprehended for gambling in the street and swearing. Court and a fine, led to bigger things. He watched neighbours’ houses so that he could burgle them. People and the police were on the look-out for him, and he hid in various lodging houses. Finally, in 1922, it was a case of join the Army. The Yorkshire and Lancashire Regiment proved too strict for Harry – so he robbed the canteen and went AWOL. With his mates he robbed a shop on Crown Point Bridge, was arrested, sentenced to Armley Jail, before being transferred to a military prison, and Discharge with Ignominy. Even without a prison record, work was hard to find; home life was miserable, not helped with his parents being Spiritists.
Again he joined the Army, using his mother’s maiden name – the West Yorkshire Regiment. In trouble again he was placed in the very hard York Prison. By using his brother’s name, and a forged Birth Certificate, he yet again enlisted in the Army – the Eighth King’s Irish Hussars, at Canterbury. More trouble with the Police and a Discharge with Ignominy. In 1929 after much difficulty, he found work with Leeds Cleansing Department emptying trash bins. His mother told him to find a girl and settle down, so he drank in the “White Swan” pub, where all the lads and lasses went. Here he met Clara Winifred – Clara one night to his mum, Winifred the next night. Father was sent to spy on her to assess her: “My, he’s got a girl all right – she’s a real one; she’s a blond, and can drink him under the table!” When she became pregnant, they had to get married in 1930. They fought like a cat and dog – not caring for each other. They went down to his mother’s house to play cards, gamble, and drink. One night they caught the last tramcar home. At 6.15 the next morning someone knocked them up, to say his mother had collapsed and died of heart failure. The mother had a brother called Herbert, who was a Christian, so Harry asked him to arrange a funeral service at his church. “Have you ever been to church? Have you ever opened a Bible? Has your mother ever been to church? You just can’t treat God like a convenience. Well I’ll arrange a Memorial Service.”
At the Methodist Church they had Communion during the Memorial Service, and when the bread came round, his wife said, “Don’t touch it, we don’t know what it is!” Uncle Herbert said they were having a Campaign in a few weeks, would he come; Harry said he’d have nothing to do with it, but his wife promised to attend and bring Harry. When she told him, he slapped her across the face, “Don’t you promise to take me anywhere, where I don’t want to go! If it lasts after 8 o’clock, when I want to go for a drink, there will be trouble.” They were Cliff College Students on Trek, who made the Gospel plain from the words of the Bible: that Jesus had died for our sins. Before the end of the meeting, Harry and his wife went forward to the Communion Rail, and gave their hearts to the Lord. They could not hold themselves back. Harry said he could not go for a drink, because he had given his heart to the Lord. They had been heavy smokers, but on the way home their cigarettes would not light. They decided that it was wrong for them to smoke. Living for the Lord became their passion, with a particular call to preaching in the open air. Debts were paid off, and they were introduced to Bridge Street Four Square Church in Leeds (where I met Harry and Winifred).
Harry and Win realized that they did not have a Bible. So they prayed, and at work, he was sent to clear a house – number 8, Clarendon Avenue - of belongings piled in the yard. Among them was a large Bible with copious notes on the Return of the Lord Jesus, written by its owner – a subject which interested Brearley greatly. He then drove the horse and cart with one hand, and carried the precious book in the other, for seven hours. He was pleased to tell his workmates the reason for the prize: his conversion to Christ.
Prayer for some kind of vehicle led him to anticipate a fine car: in fact it was a tricycle built for selling ice cream from two large tubs – which were cleaned and used to carry leaflets. It was hard work, peddling up hills with this “Stop Me and Buy One” with a handy megaphone. Next, he purchased a second hand furniture van, and had texts painted on the sides. A bout of flue laid him low; the Minister traced his whereabouts via Harry Toft, a Church member, and an International Rugby Player – this led to financial help and a box of groceries – they were down to the last crust of bread. Harry was then taken ill with the child’s disease of scarlet fever and placed in an isolation hospital. Winifred was unable to draw any money to pay the bills, but Pastor T.H. Jewitt was able to visit the hospital and arrange the necessary transaction. Once well, they were back serving the Lord – and getting into many scrapes.
Preaching in a mission church on the text from Jeremiah 51:20: “Thou art My battleaxe”, he inadvertently pointed in his wife’s direction. She promptly stood up, and humorously shook her fist at him, much to everyone’s amusement.
At open air meetings they often played a popular recording of a singer called Jo Stafford, singing: “It is no secret what God can do, what He’s done for others, He can do for you”; When they returned for a second week, a lady came out of the Post Office and said, “Get that woman to sing that song again.” She pointed to Win, who had been quietly singing along with the record, and was virtually tone deaf. [The interesting story behind this song: Stuart Hamlin, a well-known radio personality, visited Billy Graham, the Evangelist, and his team in their hotel. After a long talk, he trusted the Saviour for salvation and immediately phoned his friend John Wayne, the film star. When Hamlin used these words, Wayne said, “You’ve got a song there.”]
A fellow, perhaps drunk, came up to Harry and threatened to floor him if he did not stop preaching. Starting to take his jacket off, Harry told him he had been the heavy weight champion of his regiment. The man quietly left.
A wealthy American businessman supplied them with an ample supply of extremely tasteful, well-designed leaflets.
Their pitch in Vicar Lane, Leeds, was outside Brown’s Wine Merchant’s. One Christmas the owner came out and demanded that they stopped. “Every time you start preaching my shop empties. When you stop it fills up again!” He returned with a Police Officer, but Harry showed them his police permit. Inside the shop the man drew a gun: “Get him out of this shop, or I’ll shoot him!” So Harry took the Police advice and moved further along the street. This placed them by a set of traffic lights, and every time a tramcar waited for green, there was a fine audience – sometimes folk gave them requests for hymns on the record player.
An old man would blaspheme when Winifred offered him a leaflet. Harry jokingly called him Win’s “Boyfriend”. There came a three month period with no sight of him. When he showed up it was to request a leaflet: he had been ill in Hospital. “All I could see, as I lay in bed, was your husband preaching the Gospel in rain and snow, all kinds of weather. I gave my heart to the Lord.”
One vehicle was a 15 cwt van with Bible quotations on the side, and full sized coffin surmounted with a wreath, at the back: inscribed, “Is this the end?” When he visited a friend in hospital, it caused many wry comments – such as, “The van’s come for you Brother.”
In Dewsbury, preaching to a good crowd, the Police moved him on, following a complaint. “Come on Brother, we’ll go to the cemetery and preach to the dead – they will listen to us.” They did, but there was no one in sight. Twelve years later, at a Convention at Bridge Street Church, a man approached Harry: “I know you, and you know me. Do you remember preaching at Batley Cemetery, when it was pouring down? Well me and my wife were listening behind the curtains, and we gave our hearts to the Lord, that day; we both serve as Readers in the Church.”
About this time, the Leeds City Elders realized that a centuries old law granted every Englishman the right of one square foot of ground on which to stand and express his beliefs. The answer was to place a square sectioned stone block in every park in the city. With some irony, Harry was given the task of choosing the locations, and seeing it through. I visited the one in Crossflatts Park, Dewsbury Road.
Eventually the Second World War came along, and he was conscripted into the Army. There was discussion apropos which regiment he should “return” to. The 8th King’s Irish Hussars was chosen. The posting was to France. In the retreat towards Dunkirk, they were surrounded and cut off. Thirteen of them took an Army lorry and found their way south to Marseille. An Arab cattle boat crew offered to take them home, but whilst helping with the 600 horses in the hold, Harry realized they were sailing eastwards. Six days later they disembarked at Haifa, in Palestine, and joined General Wavell’s army. This led to the campaign in Ethiopia, then Palestine, and finally Mount Olympus in Greece. On the battlefield here, they were surrounded and overwhelmed by the Germans and taken prisoner. In the Prisoner of War camp, situated at Korinthos (where the apostle Paul had founded a church), many of his friends died of dysentery; there was a lack of medical assistance. Another colleague died from consuming a large amount of hot bread, which he had stolen. The Germans said, “Leave him there, we can’t burry him, we have no Padre.” A man called Duff Cooper went to complain: “I want my friend buried.” “If you can find a man qualified to bury him, you can.” Duff said he had seen Harry preaching often in Leeds, he could take a funeral service. So the Germans made Harry the “Bible Puncher”, the Padre for the camp.
The British prisoners were marched from Greece to Austria – they were shot if they stopped for food - they were not formally registered as POW’s.
Stalag 17 A, at Wolfsburg, was the destination, where Swedish Authorities made the official register as POW’s (Prisoners of War). In charge was a man by the name of Stinker Steiner: “I hear you’re the Padre, can you preach? You’re the Padre until one is captured.” He gave Harry a copy of “Hymns Ancient and Modern” often called “Hymns Ancient and More Ancient”– the official Church of England hymn book at the time; which Harry still had. He didn’t know a lot, but God helped him, and they had some glorious times. The first sermon was on Mark 5, The Raising of Jairus’s Daughter, and the Healing of the Woman with the Issue of Blood. After the message one man gave his heart to the Lord. The Germans commanded him to hold a Bible Study every Wednesday. A violent man called Andrew knocked his Bible from his hand, every time they passed. One night Harry told him that if he did it again, he would forget he was a Christian, and take his coat off to him. To Harry’s amazement, Andrews agreed to attend the Bible Studies, but on condition that he could choose the passage to study. “One Chronicles, the first five chapters”, which are lists of Jewish names. Harry was stumped, but the Lord gave him a word. One midnight, Harry’s friend Pop Harley (an Australian), woke him – they were housed in three stable blocks – there was a rumpus and shouting. With the Germans threatening to shoot them, if it didn’t stop – shots were being fired. “Harry! Andrews is shouting out to the Lord.” Harry went to the Commander – being the Padre, he was the only prisoner allowed to speak to him. On being questioned, Andrews said he wanted to know the Lord. So after a chat they both knelt down, and he gave his heart to the Lord. Before he was taken away to a punishment camp, Harry gave him a scribbled note of his home address in England. There was no more news of him until after the War: Winifred received a letter from Eastbourne, where Andrews lived. It was from his mother – eighteen years a Pentecostal Believer, her husband a Baptist Lay Preacher – how thankful she was that after 18 years praying for him, to learn of his conversion.
A man arrived carrying a huge Bible. When asked where he had found it, he replied, “On the battlefield at Mount Olympus”. It was there that Harry had been wounded in the leg – for the rest of his life he suffered a weeping scar. The Bible had Harry’s Leeds address on the flyleaf. “You can have it for some cigarettes. I’ve had many blessings from it, but I’m not a Christian.” Harry did not smoke, but was to take a Bible Study with the Officers, on “Daniel’s Image”, and they often gave him some cigarettes. They did, and these he gave to the man, who was called Sanderson. Harry told him he could keep the Bible, if he came to their Bible Studies. He did, and many years later it immerged that Sanderson was the Band Leader in the Salvation Army at Basingstoke, still carrying Harry’s Bible. Pop Harley lent him his, until the people at Bridge Street Church sent him a new Schofield Bible, from which he was able to preach and take Bible Studies, and lead Prayer Meetings. At one of these, a New Zealander gave his heart to the Lord.
There was a division of barbed wire in the camp: to separate French and British POW’s. As Brearley walked by it one day, someone called his name, “Our Pastor wants to speak to you.” The German Commander was agreeable to them holding joint Bible Studies, in alternate camps, using an interpreter. They had marvelous times and men were saved. Eventually a recognized Pastor was captured, and Harry was no longer required. This was a Church of England Chaplain, a British Army Officer called Ledgerwood, but unfortunately a Modernist in his beliefs.
Harry was sent out of the Camp to do hard manual work. About this time a Red Cross parcel came for him; it contained two bars of soap – a rare commodity. When the Commandant found out, he wanted one, and when Harry refused, the German drew his gun. Another Officer came in and asked what the rumpus was about. “You’re a Christian, aren’t you? What are you doing fighting us – it’s voluntary in your country? I’ll get you out of this Camp.” At this second Camp, food was short; but a man was a good shot with a catapult. He only managed to kill sparrows – still a lovely meal. When the dog was missing there were suspicions. In the end, Harry decided to escape, and contacted the Resistance Underground Movement. A prisoner called Lock was dressed as a woman, and they escaped pretending to be a courting couple; unfortunately they were caught in a curfew, and placed in the slam-bin.
On one occasion, he had just left the toilet block, when it was blown to pieces by an Allied bomb – probably dropped by a low flying De Havilland Mosquito aircraft. He had several similar escapes, for which he thanked God for His protection.
Later, the prisoners were travelling - standing tightly packed in a cattle truck. When it stopped a guard would stick his bayonet through a knot hole near the bulkhead. The first time this happened, it pierced a man’s face, so they took turns at standing there. Harry’s turn came, and he stood reading his Bible. This time an eye looked in, and this guard asked him what he was doing in the Army, as a Christian. Christians in Germany had no option. But he kindly attended to their needs with warm soup, and visits to the toilets – the truck was awash with sewage.
They were sent to Auschwitz Extermination Camp, and were made to dig the graves for thousands of Jewish people killed in the Gas Chambers. Next they were taken to a POW Camp near the Cilician Border. The War was drawing to a close, and the advancing Russians took no prisoners – they shot the Germans, and gave the British a very hard time. Better still though; the Americans were overrunning the German forces.
When he arrived home, Harry, normally a large man, weighed only 5 stone, 9 pounds – 36 kgs. The medical diagnosis was that there was no hope of recovery; but Pastor Miles laid hands on him for the prayer for healing, and he recovered well. The Seacroft Hospital Doctor could not understand it, but discharged him on special rations. Harry resumed his work for the Lord: preaching in the open air, and joined with a young man – Stephen Fisher. They had little blessing in missions at North Shields, and Middleborough. Stephen went home and founded his own car repair centre in Horsforth. Winifred joined him, and the blessing started, with people being saved.
He found numerous occupations: Leeds City Highways Department, as a Ganger/Charge Hand; Auty Brothers, as a labourer on the Seacroft Housing Estate – when asked if he could lay a drain, he demonstrated that he could, and was quickly promoted to Foreman (he knew no Mathematics, but a man from Leeds University called at his home, and offered to bring his Maths up to scratch, for the reading of Plans); and later he worked on the Intake Estate.
In one of these jobs, as they were demolishing a house, Harry fell from scaffolding onto a sofa – which broke his fall to some extent, and may have saved his life, but he badly injured his back. He wore a steel brace, and a special collar to protect his neck. One morning as he woke, he felt that God wanted to heal him, and as he prayed his back was restored. The Doctor insisted on a small pension for Harry, who still has the brace as a souvenir.
The Labour Exchange/Job Centre found him a possible employment: working for the Government as a chauffeur, at a complex in Lawnswood. The Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture told him that people with a prison record could not be considered. When he explained his predicament – severe, but long-time-ago, incarcerations, followed by his conversion to the Lord Jesus, she advised him to write a full record of events. Firstly, he had to fulfill a Campaign in Holyhead with Evangelization Society, and another with an Assemblies of God Church. The job was to start on the 13th of October. A generous fiscal gift greatly encouraged, and helped him; a not uncommon experience, when folk saw his van with Bible quotation painted on the side. His meeting with the Chief Constable, a man by the name of Barnet, and a fine Christian, eventually resulted in a full list of his crimes, convictions, Court appearances, and imprisonments. He needed three extra sheets of paper to complete the long list; but with no convictions since 1932 until the present (1953). Harry was amazed to be offered the job. His Boss was a Believer, and told him: “Take as much time off as you need, to do your preaching.” He had missions in Rugby at the AOG Church, and at the Bible Pattern Church, Bradford. When his equipment failed, a financial gift bought him a new van. He was given an established post, on the Staff at Lawnswood, where he remained until 1960.
One morning, Christmas 1968, his wife called to him that he had a letter from the Prime Minister – he thought it was a joke. But it was to inform him that Her Majesty the Queen had awarded him a British Empire Medal. This was often given to ordinary people, who had done good work in their employment. Unfortunately, the Queen had a previously arranged engagement, but his Boss arrange for the Earl of Scarborough to make the presentation at Lawnswood, in 1969. All food, drink and photographs would be paid for. “You have to wet the medal with a strong drink.” Winifred replied, “Oh no we won’t; we’ve brought our own orange juice.”
How did he come to be recommended for the BEM? The theory was that he drove an interesting Jewish visitor to the British Government, who was a member of the Knesset (Israel’s Parliament), round the Jewish sites in Leeds – mainly Synagogues. They had interesting discussions on the Book of Ezekiel the Prophet, and the Old Testament/ Jewish Bible in general. He sent Winifred a beautiful set of photographs of his country.
In retirement, Harry continued preaching at markets and Race Meetings. In 1975, Win became ill; curtailing his preaching activities, as he looked after her, until her promotion to Glory in 1981.
Harry Brearley, BEM, is a great believer in Christ Jesus’s Return, as foretold in First Thessalonians chapter four, commencing at verse thirteen:
13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
15 According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.
Harry recommended several fictional books by Sydney Watson: “In The Twinkling of An Eye”, “Scarlet and Purple”, “The Mark of the Beast”, and “The Coming King”.
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53. THE WRATH OF GOD
Romans 1:18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,
Colossians 3:6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
1 Thessalonians 2:16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.
Revelation 15:7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever.
Revelation 19:15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron sceptre.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.
54. Apologetics
This nothing to do with apologising; but is about giving a defence of the Faith, in the face of common criticisms.
How can we assess religious beliefs?
Here is my summary based very freely on Professor Ninian Smart’s “Criteria of Truth in Religion”:
[Fuller references are found in: "The Problems of Theology", B. L. Hebblethwaite, CUP, 1980, UK; pp 24-28, 39-43.]
1. Coherence
A religious view must make sense, in itself, and with genuine, truly proven knowledge in the World generally
2. Simplicity
Understandable, but this needs to be balanced by comprehensiveness of detail. In my days of coming towards The Faith, I reckoned that, if ever I found The Truth, it would be accessible to a child, or the most simple: yet at the same time, satisfy the great and able intellect of an Oxbridge Professor. It should also be far above full understanding by humans.
3. Comprehensiveness
The truth will make sense of the whole of life
4. Ethical and Spiritual Profundity – impressive in both moral and spiritual areas: its laws must be manifestly just and fair to the sensitive, uncauterised human conscience; and in its pristine form – uncluttered by a folk religion, reconstruction by its “theologians”, or its “heresies”, it must become evermore transcendent and deeply satisfying – leading to a proven, winsome, godliness of life.
5. Ability to Cope with Boundary Situations
It must stand us in good stead in times of serious suffering and hardship
6. Historical Considerations
It must take its place in a serious account of History (and Geography) – often depending on archaeology (see my Blog on Biblical Archaeology)
7. The Aesthetic Criterion
All these aspects must fit together in a supportive way
[We may wish to add: Is it honouring to its “God”, Origins, or Natural Justice, and does it have Integrity?]
"Don't judge a star by his fan club. "
May I suggest that Christianity wins hands down over all other Faiths!
50. Icthus
