Apostolic Bible Institute - Way Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

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What if...? There is no God? There will be no rapture? The Bible is not true? Jesus had no resurrection? Speaking with tongues is nothing but psychological gibberish? The paying of tithes according to Malachi is not a necessity for us today? I am wasting my time and talents? What if...? You remembered, But without faith it is impossi- ble to please himp for he that cometh to God must believe that HE IS, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews ll:6. You sought God, you read His Word, you studied and prayed. You solved some of the puzzling questions, but you felt damaged, scarred and dis- mayed. DOUBT continued its insiduous proddings. World conditions almost overwhelmed you. You heard little rumblings and rumors of differences in the timing of the rapture. Would it be pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation or post tribulation? You felt un- comfortable with any opinion which challenged your pre-tribulation rapture teaching. But you never missed a Bible study: you took notes and went home to fasten again the Word of the Lord in your mind. DOUBT had to be overcome! Temptation came. Shall l take things into my own hands and depend on my own personality, my intellect or even descend to conniving pol- itics to maintain my status in the church? You decided against all this for you began to see that answers to DOUBT meant GROWTH - every time. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways, wrote James. Double-mindedness - you realized it as a splendid definition for DOUBT. Oh, how you prayed, you studied, you read, you talked with older ministers who had waded through those waters of DOUBT. One of those older warriors counselled with you. Son, you are right. DOUBT is double-mindedness. DOUBT is different from UNBELIEF, however, for UNBELIEF is single-minded. DOUBT left to itself and not challenged with sincere study and prayer will cause faith to disintegrate. DOUBT leads to GROWTH if challenged. Every true Christian meets DOUBT standing astride the path of godli- ness, defying FAITH. Take DOUBT as a signal that you, too, must stand across that path with the shield of faith whereby ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. GROWTH follows the victorious battle, but no such battle was ever won without fighting. The old-timer continued, Faith disclosed itself to the early Pentecostalers through sacrifice. All worldiness was left off. Higher education, security from insurance, healing other than prayers, physical adornments and entertainments were taboo. Those early ones HAD to learn faith for there was no other way. They lived lives of total separation and there were no other alternatives. Tanglings with doubt and often the ensuing settling down of exuberance because of the battle was at times reflected on the face. The saints became more attentive for they said, 'He's going through the wilderness experience.' lVlost of us went through 'the wilderness,' son. But we are still here for FAITH prevailed and GROWTH followed. Again he spoke, Son, let me give you a word of warning. If you lose your courage to fight DOUBT you might run to one and then another, whining out your complaints against a foe that you have not overcome. What will happen then? You will be dodged as a whiner and a weakling! However, if you diligently track down the answers one day you will stand in the assembly with strength and glory in your soul! The people will hear the victorious sound and rejoice! Doubt hides in the shadows at all times, son. Sometimes DOUBT may confuse you with some new scientific idea as proof that God and His Bible are not accurate. Creationism versus Darwinism, higher learning's addiction to the abstract, ethical generalizations versus the truths in God's Word - all these might try to prove to you that the socialization between those who embrace termi- nology designed to overthrow you is stronger than the fellowship of the saints. Never forget that the antidote to DOUBT is the strengthening of FAITH. This accomplished means GROWTH. May you grow, son.

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Mrs. S. G. Norris Mrs. S. G. Norris improves the quality of life around her. She teaches her pupils that their lives belong to God. Lessons beginning with encouragement in consistent prayer life, lead to discovering one's capabilities and then finding the perfect plan of God. Carefree students are molded into responsible, dedicated Christian workers. Distinction marks her duties as faculty member and president's wife. Besides teaching, she writes, is sought by advisory boards for counseling, children around the globe listen to her story records and the Junior Sunday School class has a lifetime to practice Christian habits cleverly taught by her. Wherever she goes, she is surrounded with books and administrative work, but she takes time to chat with a child, or pick up her binoculars to follow a bird. She loves 4,37 nature and the Creator. In any association with her, you too, will capture the beauty around you and love the Christ she loves. OVERCOMING DOUBT MEANS GROWTH By Mrs. You walked into the sunlight of a grand new day! In the new day the Word of God brought illumi- nation to your heart and mind. The horror and unloveliness of past sins, so apart from the God of holiness, caused repentance that disfigured your face momentarily with tears and strong crying. Then baptism in the Name of Jesus washed away those sins and the Holy Spirit came! How glo- rious! You changed citizenshipsg you spoke in the language of the heavenlies. Your face was wreathed in holy laughter. Praise the Lord! Because of this experience you became jubilant, elated, triumphant and joyful. The love of God in you flowed toward everyone and you saw no fault in others. Thankfulness for the smallest bless- ings came tumbling from your lips. You volun- teered eagerly to serveg you shared your talents, your ideas and your means. You prayed, you testified and praised the Lord with all your heart. Your lifestyle changed drastically and all day long your face radiated the effulgence of happiness that accompanies one who is truly born again! Your life continued, clean, pure, stable and con- tent. Life had a meaning. You felt a relation- ship with the characters in the Bible as you read 8 S. G. Norris and studied the Word. Daily experiences found you overcoming problems with the Lord's help. You gloried in answered prayers. You felt you were acquiring knowledge and wisdom in the things of God. The underlying joy still dwelt with you, but its exuberance had changed to being a solid foundation for your faith. But one day, even though you were brimming with confidence, DOUBT assailed you. You searched your mind and soul. What caused this? Perhaps a chance incident occurred that produced a slight loss of certainty in a leader, an institution or yourself. You questioned, 'What is this? Am I losing out? You squirmed and struggled while DOUBT continually bombarded you . . . ,, with, What if...? What if...? What if...? Since you had found there is no easy formula for success, you struggled with DOUBT. You rebuk- ed it, you worried over it, you prayed mightily over it. lt seemed that DOUBT refueled its at- tacks with your frustration. Doubt came on stronger with What if...? What if...? What if...? Questions throbbed like a rhythmic drum beat with the continual What if...?

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Mrs. Herschel Foster Mrs. Foster is a graduate of ABI. She teaches ABI girls to design their own dresses. They also learn economic methods of sewing and planning modest wardrobes. Her classroom is equipped with very modern machines. Girls learn even more from her because of the serene Christian spirit she radi- ates. Her classes are not only instructive but a blessing. Rev. Wendell Gleason Please meet Mister Music. This fine Christian man has a gift of God ln helping people to sing. He simply bubbles with melody. If you have ever heard his choirs, ensembles, quartets or vocal groups sing, then your heart has been thrilled. If not your coming to ABI will be enriched by enrolling in his classes. He has taught Minor Prophets, Life of Christ and Acts for over twenty years. These books live again in his lectures. Rev. Gleason is a living example of Christian faithfulness. He has a lovely family. They are among the happiest in Pentecost. Melody is in the air at ABI with Mister Music. Rev. Gerald Grant Rev. Grant is an example of the down to earth courses taught at ABI. This school has been in operation long enough to give the student courses that are field tested. This very practical faculty member teaches Church History in such a way that the student enjoys what he learns. He also offers courses that are unique ln Building Con- struction and Business Law. Legal matters in church work are more important every day. Prac- tical building knowledge is a must. These courses build great courage in the student. His black- board drawings and illustrations make his lectures inspiring. He has taught at ABI for twenty-three years. Isis wife and daughter complete this Chris- tian family. They all love the Lord. IG