Know Christ, have fellowship with Him and make Him known essenger OBEY THE WORD! IT MAKETH WISE MANSFIELD — On the weekend of Aug. 4-6 we heard testimonies and witnessed the baptism of five souls who yielded their lives to their Maker. ‘Larry Zimmerman, son of Bro, Ben and Sis Martha, testified: “T heard many good sermons but soon as I was out of the door I shut them out. I felt high school was ‘more important. I had plans for college. There I studied hhard but wasn't getting it. It seemed to have no meaning. In high school I hed everything I wanted, in college yet I was failing. I talked to Mom and she sald, ‘Larry, why don’t you let God have a chance?” I began praying and reading the Bible and it seemed it was talking right to me T had to apologize for the wrongs I did, and I had to ask God to increase my faith, which He did." Paul Weingartner, son of Bro. Chris and Sis. Joan, learned about the better life while he was in Sunday School ‘and he knew he wanted it, He admitted he was a victim ‘of pride. That alone delayed for two years his coming to the Lord. He tried to solve all the problems of the future ‘but found he needed to know more about the Bible. He had to pray and ask for strength, Even after he felt he hhad peace the devil tried to take from him this precious gift. Paul found that one can't hang onto the things of the world ‘and have Christ also. Adele Mueller, daughter of Bro, George and Sis. Kathe- rine, felt God's call several years ago at Camp. Later when ‘she poured her heart out to God, the third chapter of St. John opened up to her and she knew she needed to bbe born again. When she asked for proof of peace, Romans 5 gave her the answer she sought. She knew it was a gift ot Goat Jim Ebinger, son of Bro. John and Sis, Alice, felt the Lord call three years ago at Camp and knew ‘he was missing something. He felt he must repent. He told how at first he was merely sorry he had sinned but later ox- perienced Godly sorrow because of his past. When the ‘Lord heard his prayers, he knew something was different — he had received peace! Elizabeth Gerrell, daughter of our departed Sis, Chris- ‘tine Morgenstern, testified: “We were brought up in the way of the Lord — our mother taught us, On Baste: Susday I went to church but I knew something was wrong. I prayed to God and promised Him if He would bring my son back from Korea I would serve Him. Shortly after thet I had word that my son had been wounded in aetion that same Sun- day morning. I tried attending different churches but I felt empty. Gradually I lost interest in all my jewelry, make- up, going to dances, etc. I had several near-accidents but I always felt the Lord was protecting me, especially when I was spared from the blades of the power mower Continued on Page 2 VOLUME 2! SEPTEMBER — 1967 ISSUE 9 Signs of the Times ‘When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering . . . ye ean discern the fece of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?” (Matt. 16:2, 3) ‘As we all have read the headlines and heard the news- casts, the question in Metthew 16 undoubtedly has come to ‘our minds: "... can ye not discern the signs of the times?” ‘While Jesus had reference to His first coming in those words, how applicable they are to us today! Certainly all that is oc- ‘curring before our very eyes indicates the truth of God's prophetic Word, and the fact that. we should be looking up, forour “redemption draweth nigh.” ‘The reading of the Old Testament prophecies again remind us thet in these records we are actually reading the NEWS OF TODAY'S WORLD. ‘The unrest and ferment found in the land of Palestine Jn these modern days is nothing new to that region. It is rather, 2 continuation of the strife which for centuries has characterized that particular portion of the globe. Many wars have been waged, and much blood shed as the armies ‘of succeeding generatfons have battled again and again for possession of the same parched, barren, and bleak areas This is the only area upon the earth thus given by God to certain people long before they actually became a nation (Geoesis 12:5). In addition to this, the Lord specitied that all the descendants of Abraham through Isaac are the Tight- fal owne:s of the entire land of Canaan (Genesis 21:12), ‘This land was given by Ghd to them without any strings attached (Genesis 17:7, 8). The Lord knew that these people ‘would disobey Him, and that they would be driven out of Canaan and scattered among the nations (Leviticus 26:32, 38). History stands as proof of the literal fulfillment of this prophecy. Bible. prophecy nas a great deal to say about other Bibliewl_ countries, but only of Canaan do we find such a ‘complete and entire history so minutely foretold. It was in Censan that Jesus Christ was born, lived, died, and arose fom the grave. It was from this land that the presching of the Gospel went out to all the earth, Read what the Lord said to a handful of Jewish believers in the eity of Jerusa- I'm in Acts 1:8. The glorious message of redemption, the Gespel of the Lord Jesus Christ, had its beginning in’ this area of the world. The significance of the land of Palestine id not end, however, with the ascension of Jesus Christ, or even the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. God is not finished with the Jewish nation, nor with the land which He gave them to possess fully. One of the greatest mirac'es of all the ages has been the preservation of the Jews in fulfill- ment of God's promise found in Leviticus 26:44,45. ‘Today, after centuries of catastrophic judgments, there ere more than twice as many Jews ss in the most splendid days of David and Solomon. This is amazing considering Continued on Page 2Signs of the Times Opti ate aot chase SS Sees Sims Aor ed ont ss 10m yc ee pam permite ca iattaa hag weed tate ees oe atl epee ese FEE pa eos SE eee Shee ree ae makes this a double miracle that is absolutely without paral- Sacco sas sec en Son oe ete eee eoraeeme Se fant ote rosheds agen tea tees hus oy a eae Se eee er ia oct ee Se Se SE Ee aS See el ‘The land of Palestine also holds a unique place in God's rocmithines Stee oa tee ee rent ie “aon are eter eae Sane sees a prep ee oe waa Se a ee prophecy in the “latter year” and “the latter days” (38:8, Tatts tine is tre? speed so ming belore toe Ae Rae mance astra ee oy fi ape pipes = en chyna us aeejueicer 210 aay tape aggre ite Antti Be conoe ple wood tle ta Del eS cee ae eee fee on oos cio at ee [cat etal erate the nude of th vena period he sal eer. coir Leen eae eegoel a ee se ee anes pen Sel SS te ee oan oeeeas ae Soe buche ot Armeoctsnn wet eal set ie tae Sot ee Ea ak Sen as bates dmc! tn ete Mie owes toe its dons Coase esi Sa ic oe eee ae Sea oe Shon Ghee tat Et ot all aR Beg Ges ting pesos jee aa Spy {nn sock Cote al aes: ss ks ct Gomes ts clad efi alec Teele heed reg oto eee ee ee eee ere eS ee pte lopli Ta tak Dea cease ieee eet Sere Lie ee sae Godly people the world over should “Pray for the Ph Mascagni oe Sp peers OA Se be ge ot sr cape lee oe Grae ota ee acy eee oe aes once ds ugar oe ae ne Os PAGE 2 OBEY THE WORD! Continued from Page 1 was using. Once I was so very ill I wanted to die — my son was by this time well taken care of — but I suddenly (yg thought, ‘Die? Without Selvation’’ It was then I really started to pray. So many mishaps had to happen to me because I wasn’t ready to be led by the Lord, Now I know the Right Way and desire baptism. PASADENA — “I was a freeloader — I took all of God's blessings that came my way and returned nothing to Him,” testified Sam Sagadencky before the congregation on July 29. “And God's blessings were numerous,” he con- tinued. “From my mother I learned patience, trom my father, charity, and from my brother, the importance of ser- vvice to the church, From the congregation here, I learned the ways of God. Even those already called home to God before us — Betty Yahraus and Steve Bednar — had kind words of encouragement and Instruction for me. Now I want to dedicate my life to God, to serve Him and His Baptized on July 20, by Elder-Bro..John. Popp before ‘many witnesses, Sam Sagadencky takes his plece as our brother in Christ among the members of our congregation, “They shall come with weeping, and with supplications ‘will I lead them: 1 will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble.” KITCHENER — We rejoice with the four soul: who hhave found the precious peace which the world cannot give. ‘They are, a couple, Roman and Risina Pentza, and, two ‘sisters, Maria and Sofia Polis, & ENGLEWOOD, COLO. — “Peace, peace, wonderful peace, Coming down from the Father above” brought joy {nto our hearts as we heard the announcement that Brenda ivan has found this peace with God and man and is now awaiting baptism. WINDSOR — “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts . . .” We in the Windsor congregation had reason to rejoice wien it was announced that Delores Stammler and Ted Varga have received the peace of God which passeth all understanding and we pray it shall keep their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. RICHMOND — “Yea, mine own soul, once gone astray, ‘Hath found the rest for which it long was yearning.” Jim Hodges and Evelyn Greene know the joy and peace that follows true repentance and seek to”do"Goe's will further ‘on in their tives. NORTH HAVEN, CONN. — “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.” We rejoice that Sandi Gruneis has found peace with her Lord and has received this blessed aseur- SOUTH AKRON — We rejoice with 2 young couple, Daniel and Barbara Francis, who have repented from their sins and are blessed with the peace of God. They now. understand why it ean be said of a true Christian: “In peace he treads this vale of tears, Where troubles rise and there is so mach sorrow; There 'is no need or anguish that he fears; He trusts in'God and faces each tomorrow.” how urgent the admonition and reminder to us to keep on Qy praying, working, and watching... “And when these things ‘begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth near” (Luke 21:28), CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP MESSENGERNotice - We Need Your Help srdcere peta 2 siege eee a ee te cele ee eg Sao net caoreane ae Page as they were nearly two years ago when we be- Soran Ss mac ge age SmnamE ep ete ene eh es ee eee! sorte ee pe ape ep egierg se Seer ore 907 W. Tuse. Ave, Barberton, Ohio 44208, ‘Thank You, Your. Messenger Staff Teach Me ‘Teach me, my Lord, to be sweet and gentle in all the events of lie in Gasppvinsnesa inthe thowghessnes Of esis i inary of thomson whem fi atthe p mga a, thin athe, Bupa ot iin hie my Tie ele aa eee AE etme ouemoes Toate fo prof by the sfeing that comes sross my pa Lat nt tat any low me oto Sor embir tm; tat it may maken palette able, that it may make me forgiving, not narrow, haughty or cones ay ne be Joe good for having come witha my intttaoo Con iat py es a aa fee ving: bens ib morte eect Berm ate a go my rounds to one direction ano, let sp whisper fe tne tings word of ove and ks 12 te iny ny le be ved inthe superstar, fl af power for suo anderen ins parpoe of sat Something to Think About Someone has pointed out that everything a non-Chris- tian possesses starts being taken away from him the mo- ment he lays his hends on it. In other words, the new thing immediately starts getting older. It depreciates in value. Likewise, every passing heart beat carries the man toward death and away from the things he treasures here on earth, But not so with @ Christian! He is “laying up treasures on the other side” where “thieves do not break in and steal” and “where moths do pot corrupt.” A Christian knows he can't take it with him ‘but he can send it on ahead. “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also,” said Jesus, Won't you consider making a worthwhile contribution now for the Medical Assistance Programs for New Guinea and South America? Send your contributions to: ‘The Apostolic Christian Church Foundation P.O. Box 5233 Akron, Ohio 44813 For more detailed information regerding these pro- grams see the forthcoming issue of the NEWSLETTER or write to: F. J. Tiffan, Secy. at the above address. SEPTEMBER — 1967 Father, | Thank Thee... “Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up His eyes, and said, ‘Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me.” John L1:4I What a strange beginning for prayer. Who among us Up to this point only the stone had been rolled away. Inside the tomb, Lazarus was still very much dead. So as ‘as the people were concerned, all the evidence pointed ‘an unanswered prayer. But God did hear even though He had not answered yet. could conclude by saying that Jesus, being the Son of , Knew what the Father would do, ‘What is even more astounding is that Jesus could say, “And I iow that Thou hearest Me always.” Would to God that every true believer would have such positive faith and i are times when seemingly God is asleep. All our all our plesding is to no avail, The natural tendency then would be to give up. This is precisely what the devil wants us to do. this point it is high time that we do some real soul- searching and ask ourselves some very pertinent questions. Is my request something that will serve for my own betterment? Will it benefit others as and glory of God? Is my daily life in harmony with God's will so that my conduct is without : é : He i i R In it he wrote these words, “Thank you, grandmother, for the very nice gift you are sending me.” The mother, quite startled at the statement, asked him how he knew his grand- ‘mother would send him anything. With an air of assurance he replied, “But, Mother, Grandma has never falled me yet.” It is this kind of faith and trust that God will honor and respect. Next time we pray may we also be able to say out of full assurance and positive conviction, “Pather, T thank Thee. that -Thou-hast heard me. And I’ know that ‘Thou hearest me slways.” Faith and works are like the Hight and the heat of a candle — they eannot be separated. NOTES FROM THE SOUTHWEST ALBUQUERQUE — We are grateful to God that in this past month we could enjoy wonderful fellowship with ‘brethren in the Lord. Along with Welt and Annette Simon came another car of young people from Phoenix... . and we were grateful for the campfire we could have, We en- Joyed for several weeks the fellowship and special help of ‘Marge and Chuck Feldman. The Joe Jivan Family spent a weekend with us. The lessons and devotional messages by ‘our brethren have been a special inspiration to us. PAGE3