Know Christ, have fellowship with Him and make Him known essenger ==: Issue 4 2 2X SOPRA LER SLB SLB SLBALBS LBS Ce wp LOVE LED HIM TO CALVARY py co tun 0. wee 7 cS 6a & an ei Gu ©) a a Bs ‘> of wer ae = os ou Gu eo fetect coset i Ue e Nin. on meee 4 ca a Ce ice) a “ & cna aos es ca we o YA NMA RPSL POLS OLAS ERS BOSure Word Of Prophecy “We have ...a more sure word of prophecy ...” (II Peter 4:19). Today there is a renewed interest in the claims of certain individuals that they can predict the future. Wealso hear much ‘about ESP and communication with the dead. Many newspapers feature ‘horoscopes,’ and millions of readers consult them. Looking for their ‘sign’ in such columns, they seek advice and counsel for that particular day. It is evident that man not only ‘wants desperately to explain the mysteries of life and the inner ‘workings of the mind, but also has an insatiable curiosity con- ‘cerning things to come, This increased interest may be due to the complexity of life's situations and the uncertain state of present world affairs, Men desire help from some source outside themselves, from someone greater than they, satanic powers, ‘who pretend to help solve their problems and prepare them for the future. ‘While many folks talk about these modern-day ‘prophets’ ‘and get excited about what ‘Seer So-and-So’ says will happen, how much better it would be if they got enthusiastic about what GOD says will surely come to pass. Whereas these present-day ‘prophets’ are often disappointing in their predictions (most claim only a certain percentage of accuracy at best), God's ‘Word has never failed. For instance, the many prophecies con- cerning Christ's first coming were all fulfilled tothe letter! ‘One of the Bible's most thrilling prophecies forthe future is found in I Thessalonians 4:16-17: “Por the Lord himself shall descend from heaven . .. and the dead in Christ shall rise . ‘Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together ‘with them ...” The believer therefore can live each day in the bright prospect ofthe Saviour's second return. We KNOW He is, ‘coming, for God's Word is certain. When things look rather dark, and the world situation presents a depressing picture, Christians should not let it get them down. Jesus IS coming ‘soon! There also isa time of accounting coming: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hhath done, whether it be good or bad” (II Corinthians 5:10). With that prospect in mind, the Apostle Paul said: “Wherefore, we la- bor that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him” (1 Corinthians 5:9). Will you be able to stand the search- ing gaze of the Lord on that great day? Remember, Jesus 15 ‘coming soon! We have this “sure word of prophecy.” Plan now for your future! friend is one who knows all about you and loves you just the same, — W. N. Browning, SOMETHING TO REMEMBER Sometime when you're feeling important, ‘Sometime when you're ego's in bloom, Sometime when you take it for granted, ‘You're the best qualified in the room, Sometime when you feel that your going, ‘Would leave an unfillable hole, Just follow this simple instruction ‘And see how it humbles your soul ‘Take a bucket and fill it with water, Put your hand in it up to your wrist, Pull it out and the hole that's remaining Is a measure of how you'll be miss You may splash all you wish when you enter, You can stir up the water galore, But stop and you'l find in a minute ‘That it looks quite the same as before. ‘The moral in this quaint example Is do just the best you can, Be proud of yourself but remember "There's no indispensible man. oe. age? THE LORD IS MY GOD ‘Burnaby, B. C. —In Genesis 18:14, we read: “Is there anything ‘oo hard for Jehovah?” In Burnaby, we have known God’s lov ing challenge and His ways in this manner. The Burnaby story is ‘one of a few believers, at many times walking with Jesus in the same spirit as He walked with His disciples on the road to Eni- ‘maus, Sometimes a sense of detached trust pervaded . .. “We had trusted.” But His underlying love was always there. We be- lieved we were called to be faithful — and we confided to Him ‘our lack of success, our deepest desires, our hearts’ longings for those dear to us — for our witnessing here, for our fellowship. We testify that God has honored that trust. Werrejoice and praise His holy name for the blessings we re- ceived February 12 as we gathered with many visitors from Portland and Edmonton to hear the testimony of our first teen- age convert. Elder Brother John Popp was able to baptize Tim Varro, eldest son of the Joe Varros, as he gave his testimony of the redeeming love of Jesus Christ and His cleansing power. We hhad wonderful fellowship with around 60 visitors at a comunion, dinner held at the Lochdale Community Hall How do we reckon this? We attribute itto the working of the Holy Spirit. For in our very small congregation itis essentially ‘the substance of things we hope for — the evidence of things not seen,” Join us in our joy and pray for usin our spiritual outpost that we become more viably activated in faith towards God's promises and His ways. WONDERFUL PEACE ‘They share the true peace though the world is war-riven. Denver — We rejoice with the angels over the repentance of three more souls, Connie Kinkel, Linda Jivan and Susan McCoy, ‘who now have peace with God and are awaiting baptism, Ontario — Harry Goett has experienced freedom from his fo ‘mer sinful life and is filled with the peace and joy of God. We thank God He has given His wonderful grace to Harry. Many prayers were offered in his behalf and we rejoice with the angels of Heaven, He is now awaiting baptism, ‘Syracuse — When peace in my Saviour my soul overflows. Ly- ette and Bob Freund, daughter and son of Elder Bro. Bob and Sis, Leona Freund, have this peace which passeth all under- Standing, and are waiting to give their testimony and be bap- tized, ‘my distress I called upon the Lord, and eried un- to my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my ery ‘came before him, even into his hears. With joyful hearts, two ore souls can testify that God not only heard their ery, but tgave them the peace they sought. They are: Brian Freund, son of Elder Bro. George and Sis. Louella, and Tom Pamer, son of Bro. George and Sis, Kay. Tom is currently in school in Los An- ¢geles, but expects to be home for the Spring break if the Tord so wills ‘Windsor — Isaiah 32:17... . and the work of righteousness shall he peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assur- ance forever. The Lord has revealed His wonderful peace in the hearts of three yielded souls and we are overjoyed to pass the joyous news along. Awaiting baptism are Joseph Sulja and his Wife, Angelka, and Joseph's brother, Adam. Woodeliff Lake — It was with great joy that we heard that Val ‘erie and Ed Sunkenburg and Terry Craig have received peace from our Lord, We rejoice that He has been able to work with Wy these hearts. The baptismal date has been set for April 22. May God be thanked for His mercy and grace. CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP MESSENGERGOD’S LOVE FOR US ‘The love of God is inexhaustible. It would be impassible to write al of the many blessings and experiences a Christian en- joyseach day anew of God's love for us. Precious are the words: “For God so loved the world, that hhe gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). As we ‘grow in our Christian life, we realize more and mare the love of God. God commandeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, realizing that Jesus the Son of Ged, gave is fe fous, “He Became sn fr us that we might “Gad, who is rich in merey, for his great love wherewith he lovedus, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us to- gether with Christ” (Ephesians 2:45) God's word reminds us over and over of our former life in ‘Titus 3:3, “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, dis- obedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in ‘malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.” But after that, the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man ap- peared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of re- generation and renewing of the Holy Ghost which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our Saviour; that being justi- fied by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. We ate soinetimes chastened by the Lord because we are loved by Him. His love isan enduring and everlasting lve, all for our good and santification. “BEHOLD WHAT MANNER OF LOVE THE FATHER HATH BESTOWED ON US, THAT WE SHOULD BE CALLED ‘THE SONS OF GOD" (Jobin 3:1) Bach Christian is called upon to examine himself in the mir- ror of The Word, o see IF HE LOVES! The Seripture says, “He that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is love. Herein is love, ‘not that we love God, but that he (God) loved us” (I John 4:8), His children have learned to know and believe that God has Jove for them. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him, We love Him because He first loved us. May we always have te assurance in our hearts of Gots ove Fred J. Tiffan CALVARY MAKES HEROES ‘The last indignity the enemies of our Saviour inflicted on His body was to thrust a spear into His side. When blood and water issued forth, it proved that He had died. Loving hands took His lifeless body from the cross, prepared it for burial, and placed in ‘new sepulcher. Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus, who performed this task, came forth boldly and acted more cour- ‘ageously than any of the other followers of Jesus. We must not underestimate the valor of these men. By thus showing their loyalty Christ, they were exposing themselves to ridicule and. persecution. They were indeed “bearing His reproach.” ‘Why didn't they take an open stand for Christ before this? Perhaps they were by nature rather shy individuals, perhaps they feared a loss of their position or reputation (John 19:38), ‘but whatever the reason, they became men of courage at Cal” vary! Stil today a true glimpse ofthe Christ of the cross makes, ‘heroes ofthe fearful and witnesses ofthe timid, Are you willing tobe valiant for Christ in this day when He is everywhere maligned and hated? Take a long look at the suffer ing Saviour and consider the price He paid for your redemption. Calvary can make you a hero, too, but you must willingly“... therefore, endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (I Timothy 2:3) April 972 CHANGE ‘Our society has inculcated in us a ‘religion of change.” You've undoubtedly heard it said, “The only thing that does not change i that things will change,” or maybe, "Change is the only constant.” Because ofthis, people who oppose change are considered heretics to tis religion of change,’ and are treated with the same distavor, in the sight of society, as areal heretic and perhaps more. I plead that we simply examine change for What it is and that we rise above the fear ofthe label society might give us and refuse to compromise our doctrine with the changing world. Let us uphold, in simplicity and genuine faith, the faith of our fathers, supposedly and hopefully ving stil. Imagine the world as a great ship. The pulling, forceful cur- rents the devil, and the anchor ofthe ship isthe church of God = those churches in the world that til cling to the pure doctrine of God as revealed in the commandments throughout the Bible Our churches are of course some of these. We have a responsi bility tothe world, for which we will never be thanked, to serve asthe breaks of the world; to make the changes less drastie and {o uphald the good and wholesome practices of the world that it ‘won't, hopefully, become too wicked a place in which to live. We hhave obviously & genuine influence on the world. We are as the Bible puts t: "...the salt of the earth..." (Matthew 5:13), and this etter isa warning against that salt osing its savor. ‘The one thing people look for most in other people, organiza- tions, and even machinery is reliability and consistency. The same is true for the churches. The dangers of inconsistency can ‘most immediately been seen in home discipline. The happiest children come from homes where the parents did not change their values easily nor often, but were predictable in their ap- preciation for good and their punishment for bad. This valuable asset of consistency is one ofthe mysteries of man God permit- ted man to discover for man’s own good. We, therefore, as a ‘church of God and the world’s anchor, must be consistent in our doctrine and our faith. “The doctrine of the Apostolic Christian Churches isa funda- ‘mental one. One that demands of its followers the denial of self ‘and the obedience to the Holy Spirit. Perhaps the most import- ant single advantage tothe doctrine of the Apostolic Christian Churches i that its founded on the Word of God. For tis rea son, then, the doctrine of men inthe Apostalic Christian Chureh- es dare not change lest we lose the power behind that doctrine, the Living Word of God. And it goes without saying if you lose that power, you are but a tinkling cymbal. TE,then, as amember ofthe Apostalic Cristian Church, you advocate ot preach fraternizing with other churches (of differ- ent faith or denomination), or marrying outside the church, oF bearing arms, or any other idea contrary to our doctrine, you would do yourself a favor to either change your beliefs to our Aoctrine again, or seek a fellowship that believes as you do. Itis ‘wrong to stay ina church where you can’t agree withthe doc- ine ‘Change in doctrine is fatal to stability ina church and a hu- rman being. Therefore, let us preserve the doctrine that saved ‘ur grandparents and parents and employ it to keep the church today securely grounded, ready for His return. This is not to preach right-wing "reactionarianism,’ but rather a progressive valuation of what makes men and churches sound and effective fa the anchor for the stormetassed worl, ‘May God supply what wisdom and action this world needs. T have fought a good fight, T have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day. HI Timothy 4:7, 8 ayes